Steadfast - Part 2

Christmas is an annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world that have come to know the gift of God, which was the Savior of the World in the coming of the Lord Emmanuel, God with us, in God plan of Salvation by His mercy and grace in steadfast love. Never forget the reason for the season, or allow unbelievers, who deny every Divine truth, to change or eliminate Christmas true glory. Christ was born on Christmas Day.  

 

This week, Michael writes: 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, it has not. If anyone moved, it is us. The Founding documents all show that 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 the Divine Providence of Jehovah Jireh, 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 unlovable, unwavering, established, and standing firm upon the firm foundation, Jesus Christ himself. Having 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, which is God’s over-arching plan of Salvation. 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.  

 

In John 3:5-7, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” Because we are born-again of God’s Spirit, 1 Corinthians 15:58 says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always a bounding in the work of the Lord for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” When we receive God’s gift and exercise our salvation as intended by God, (to our  wholeness, our 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 works 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. 

Let's continue Michael's message on God's steadfast love in the next post.

In Christ, Brian