Steadfast

Steadfast love is one of the most-used descriptors of God in the Old Testament. In the King James Version, the steadfast love of God, Hebrew word “hesed,” is rendered “lovingkindness and tender mercy”… for his mercy endures forever.

Even though it may appear that God’s hand of blessing has left the United States of America, our nation was founded as one nation, under God. When the representatives of the colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, they pledged their lives their fortunes, and their sacred honor in firm relatable on Divine Providence… Jehovah Gireh, knowing that God is our provision.

The derivation of the word steadfast is similar to the word “amen” which means, “God is faithful to His word.” It means, God has said it, so shall it be done. Steadfast is unloveable, unwavering, established, and standing firm upon the firm foundation, Jesus Christ himself.

Having been been born again of God’s Holy Spirit each son and daughter of God has a story of deliverance… of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Each of our stories is in the context of history… His-story. We have all been called to the body of Christ, each individual designed as a unique fitting, fit for the particular purpose for which Our Father has designed each of us.

Because we are born again of God’s spirit, 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovealbe, always a bounding in the work of the Lord for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

When we work out our own salvation, (our own wholeness, our own completeness) with fear (awe, respect, and reverence for God) then we align our wills with God’s will, and our good pleasure with his good pleasure. Then having delighted ourselves in the Lord, It is God who worketh in us to will and to do of His good pleasure. God will work in us and through us when we align our vertical perspective in fellowship with Him. Our hearts, minds, and actions will be properly positioned according to His will and His steadfast love.

Despite the darkness of the world around us, Jesus said, If you walk in the light as he is in the light the blood of Jesus Christ will cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Even though the trial of faith will test us, through the trial, the testing will reveal the true character of Christ within us…. For tribulation worketh patience and patience experience (proven character) and experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.

Therefore, quench not the Holy Spirit…. Allow God to work within you to keep the fire of the Holy Spirit ignited…. For we have this treasure in an earthen vessel that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.

The light of the spirit of life in Christ will counteract the “lazy river” Christian mentality. Many so-called Christians are floating down the lazy river of the world’s main-stream currents. They are like the Luke-warm church of Laodecea in Revelation. The angel said, because they are neither hot nor cold, God will spew them out of his mouth.

When we’re struggling with difficult decisions, the age-old question still applies: What would Jesus do? At the age of twelve, Jesus’ parents found him in the temple speaking with the doctors of Old Testament law who marveled at his questions and his deep understanding of scripture. Although his parents had been searching for him for a day, Jesus said to them, “Know ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? Jesus said, I always do my Father’s will.

When faced with a dilemma, the best course of action is to ask our Heavenly Father. Ron recalls that his mother was in bed and near death. His brother texted him and said, you better get over here, our mom doesn’t have much longer to live. However, Ron had committed to perform a memorial service for a brother in Christ who had recently passed away. Even though the room at the funeral home was only a quarter full, when he walked to the pulpit and turned around, the room was full. After he delivered the message, a woman came up to him and said, pray for my healing. Ron prayed and she was healed instantaneously.

Throughout the service Ron’s brother kept texting him, mom’s about to die. Get here now. After the service, Ron rushed to his mother’s bedside. She was still alive and lingered long enough for her family and loved ones to say their last good byes before her death.

God has made an offer to his people to accept his covenant. The covenants, conditions, and requirements of his offer are according to his terms, not ours. It has been said, “the future is as bright as the promises of God.” Acceptance of God’s promise is according to his terms. He does not want us to promise to keep his covenant… He is not interested in an exchange of promises for all men are liars. Instead the only way to accept God’s unilateral contract is by performance…. By obedience according to his terms… for God is not faithful to us…. He is faithful to his word.

Each day, God gives us a clean slate to rekindle the fire of the Holy Spirit… as Jeremiah said, morning by morning new mercies I see… all I have needed thy hand hath provided…. For God is steadfast… He is faithful to his word… great is thy faithfulness, Lord unto me… when I make my will his will and my desire his desire.

For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endure the to all generations….
That we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace!
Your brother in Christ,
Michael