The first part of Psalms 100 describe how the Christian should live everyday.  We should be joyful, serving gladly, enjoying his presence, and knowing God is Lord of our lives.  We should alway remember that we were wonderfully made. (Psalms 139: 13-16)   God’s signature is on your heart, and you are protected as sheep by the Shepard.   We should look at everyday as the opportunity to come into gates of a new day being thankful and praising him in his presence.   To do this we must remember  three important facts.

     1. First, we must acknowledge the Lord is good.  In a day of whys and skepticism we must not falter in knowing the truth … God is good all the time!  This comes by believing in this truth  by faith.  It is not based on what we feel or the doubts that at time rear its ugly head but rather the truth of His word.  Some in this world have become angry at God and the church and have walked away or will do everything possible to eradicate God from life.  God alone has the words of life and when things become difficult and you may be tempted to walk away, remember the conversation of Peter and Jesus after Jesus had finished a difficult teaching resulting in many of his disciples walking away.   After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.  So Jesus said to the Twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?”  Simon Peter answered him,”Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”  John 6: 66-69 ESV  So by faith the Christian will believe no matter what, “God is Good!   As a Christian I may be called a fool for believing this, and a fool I may be; but let me ask you a question. Whose fool might you be?

     2. Secondly, that His steadfast love endures forever .    Hebrews 13:8 ESV states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”  Think about that for a moment… this means the Love of God is as true today as it was the day it was manifested on Calvary.   For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.  

John 3:16-17 ESV   This also means the message in Romans is as true today as when it was written.  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.  Romans 10: 9-10 ESV  … For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved  Romans 10:13 ESV   

    Understand…. this is huge because this means something so very important….. that we are called the children of God.  See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called the children of God; and so we are. 1 John 3:1 ESV

 3. Thirdly, his faithfulness to all generations.  Faithfulness is a word today that has been misused and abused.  Someone to whom you gave yourself committing to a lifetime of faithfulness has walked away.   A loyal friend that had been faithful to listen in confidence just told the whole world your deepest hurts.   The employer to whom you have been faithful to has let you go for no apparent reason.

     Faithfulness for some seems like only a pipe dream. God, however, is truly faithful in every area of our lives.  God made a promise in the Bible… his word.   Jesus spoke these words to us just before he ascended into heaven…“And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28: 20 ESV   In Hebrews 13:5 we are reminded how we should live and think when trusting in the Lord.  Keep you life free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said,” I will never leave you nor forsake you.”   Jesus said, ” The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.  I came that they may have life and have abundantly.” John 10:10 ESV 

     Take note that Jesus said he came to give abundant life not an abundance of things.

       Let us live out loud what we say we believe.  Let us make a joyful noise and serve him with gladness singing in his presence.  Acknowledge that he is our protector and Lord.  Be thankful for his love and never ending faithfulness.  Amen

Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David