"Ff" God is Faithful and True and much more

[shalom-dodi]

Ff
Song: I Am A Friend of God.
Song: Reckless Love https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc6SSHuZvQE
Oh the never ending all consuming
I love the first verse: Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me

Don’t you just love the lyrics to that first verse?
Tonight we are on “Ff” God is Faithful and True and His love is Forever

Let’s pray… Father God here we are again. Some of us really enjoyed yesterday. Some of us are glad “that day” is past for another year. Lord would you come to each of us, just now? Would you open our hearts to receive from your Word whatever we need tonight? Would we bless our time together? We thank you that you ARE Eternal and you are always Faithful even when we are not or our level of faith wavers. Bless each one and those we love. In Jesus name amen

We are continuing to work through those couplets I found in that Nuggets book by Sylvia Gunter.

He is faithful and true Rev 19:11
I am his faithful follower Rev 17:14

He is faithful and true Rev 19:11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war.
Dodi Note: John has just described the judgment assigned to the “great prostitute”. V 1-2
“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2for his judgments are true and just;
for he has judged the great prostitute
who corrupted the earth with her immorality,
and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
I don’t full understand the “great harlot” but basically it refers to the enemy of the Church of Christ.
Then he has contrasted that with the “Marriage Feast of the Lamb” to which we, as his children are invited. V 9-10 And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” 10Then I fell down at his feet to worship him, but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
THEN v 11+ 11Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.

The thing for us to remember tonight is that God is so faithful and true that His NAME is FAITHFUL and TRUE. From Creation to Revelation. God is Faithful and True. It simply is who he is.

Therefore:
I am his faithful follower Rev 17:14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those with him are called and chosen and faithful.”
“They” are the evil end time kings.
Isn’t it grand to know God has already won that final battle?
Isn’t is grand to also know that we will be with him and our names will include “chosen (by God) and faithful (to God).
Do you ever worry that you are not that faithful? Faith filled? I have a funny thought. If we did NOT have faith that God is real, we would not even worry about if we did or did not have faith. Get it? Only those who believe God is real would care and the very next couplet has some reassurance for us.

He is God our Father. 2 Thess 2:16
I am a child of God. 1 John 3:1

He is God our Father. 2 Thess 2:16
16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, 17comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.
Dodi Note: He is referring to and linking Jesus and Father God (Abba) as the source of eternal comfort, through Grace. In a commentary by Barnes, he says, “And hath given us everlasting consolation. - Not temporary comfort, but that which will endure forever. The joys of religion are not like other joys. They soon fade away - they always terminate at death - they cease when trouble comes, when sickness invades the frame, when wealth or friends depart, when disappointment lowers, when the senses by age refuse to minister as they once did to our pleasures. The comforts of religion depend upon no such contingencies. They live through all these changes - attend us in sickness, poverty, bereavement, losses, and age; they are with us in death, and they are perpetual and unchanging beyond the grave.
I don’t know about you all but that is a good reminder for my heart.

In context he is speaking of the coming day of the Lord. And just told them not to believe everything they hear. Instead he says in v 13-15 13But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 14To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.
Isn’t it a great reminder for us as well? When we hear of those wars and rumors of war or whatever horrible things we hear in the news…we have instruction of what to do. We are remembering whose we are. Cling to the hope found in Jesus and “establish our hearts in good work and word.
Also by Barnes: The Thessalonians were in the midst of trials, and Paul prayed that they might have the full consolations of their religion. To establish means to make us firm and solid, steadfast and unwavering. In every good work means both the living out of the Gospel (caring for others) and the sharing of the Truth of Jesus and salvation

Therefore:
I am a child of God. 1 John 3:1a See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are.
Dodi Note: WOW yet again reminded we ARE children, sons and daughters, actually BELOVED & CHERISHED sons and daughters of the Eternal God. The same one who designed and created the universe.
He goes on to remind us….that we are not expected to be perfect. Because as you well know, none of us are. Not that everyone will like us or what we believe in either. Let’s use NIV because I am partial to the term used there….lavished.
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. 2Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 3All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
While acknowledging that even as born again children of the Living God, we have some responsibility to clean up our act, he still says God LAVISHES his love on us.
Think of it. You are not the failures you commit, that is not who we are. We are dearly beloved children of God our Father who loves us and who is never going to reject or abandon us and will HELP us become more like Him.
In the natural a little child imitates his parents. Right? As children of God, our desire should be to be more and more like Him.


He is Father to the fatherless. Psalm 68:5
I was brought forth by Him from my mother’s womb. Psalm 71:6

He is Father to the fatherless. Psalm 68:5 Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.
Dodi Note: This passage is too rich not to go pick up some context! V 1God shall arise, his enemies shall be scattered; and those who hate him shall flee before himcontinuing v 4+ Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him! Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.
Then goes on to elaborated on how and what God had already done.
Isn’t that an awesome reminder? Is your heart being encouraged? I think life has so much that is discouraging. Which literally means dis..courage or sort of steal our courage. Since that is true, it is good, very good to sit here tonight and be encouraged by the truth, which is longer lasting (eternal) and deeper and bigger than our “momentary afflictions”.

He brought me forth from my mother’s womb. Psalm 71:6 From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.
Dodi Note: That Psalm begins with the Psalmist doing some good “self talk” or reminding himself of the truth. v 1In you, LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame. v 3 Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. v 4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, from the grasp of those who are evil and cruel.
v 5+ For you have been my hope, Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you. I have become a sign to many; you are my strong refuge. My mouth is filled with your praise, declaring your splendor all day long. Then an interesting plea in v which shows how different old and young think, because us older ones already know this…ha ha. v 9 Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
Do you see how rich this reminder is. You may be saying, “Wait, I did not know Jesus from the womb”? Really? Yes you did, you may not have been aware of Him but if he was knitting you in the womb, which we are told he did for all people in Psalm 139:13. Deep within the heart of all men is a longing to know and be known by God. So in a sense, we did know him even before we were born again. We simply had not yet chosen to follow him.
Often when people who have been through difficult traumatic circumstances come to be born again and look back over their lives, they can see the Hand of God there so many times/ways. Protecting them from worse. Sending comfort, even as in my case by way of a little dog I loved.
Remember that verse that speaks of another sort of “fatherlessness” than being a literal orphan? Psalm 27:10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the LORD will take me in. I like NLT for that because it says comfort me. And God does indeed offer us comfort.

Some more Ff of God.

He is finisher. Hebrews 12:2 NKJ
John 19:30
I am not disappointed in God. Isaiah 49:23b

He is finisher. Hebrews 12:2 NKJ v1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. KJV and NKJ says “author and finisher” of our faith.
At any rate, we are exhorted to lay aside every encumberance and run with endurance the race set before us. Which basically means no matter the devil, or life throws at us we are to cling to the truth of who God is and trust, lean and rely on Him no matter what. Oh yes, and receive his comfort as well and then:
Also in John 19:30 we have the example of Jesus who did finish his race. And it was a hard one, which is why he understands our human frailty when things are difficult. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
To the end… Jesus endured…Paul endured… David endured… we are enduring as best we can.
At any rate, we are exhorted to lay aside every encumbrance and run with endurance the race set before us. Which basically means no matter the devil, or life throws at us we are to cling to the truth of who God is and trust, lean and rely on Him no matter what. Oh yes, and receive his comfort as well and then:

I am not disappointed in God. Isaiah 49:23b NIV Then you will know that I am the LORD. Those who trust in me will never be put to shame."
We can do this thing called life guys. It may not be easy; sometimes it may be beyond hard. Sometimes we will totally mess up too. But God is on our side.

He is the forgiver of iniquity. Numbers 14:8 NKJ
I am forgiven my iniquity. Mic 7:19

He is the forgiver of iniquity. Numbers 14:8 If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.

Now for a funny… really HS funny. I had typed the reference wrong. OK? And put Numbers 14:18 instead. But that send me back, way back to Exodus 20 where God is teaching them the 10 Commandments and says: You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Look what Numbers 14:18 said and I typed my response before realizing my mistake.

NKJ The LORD is longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.
ESV ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’

“Oh how I LOVE this verse.” Well I don’t love this exact one but what it causes my heart to remember. First of all there are at least 9 times we are told that God is slow to anger and abounding in love. But think about it. God may discipline, generational sin’s consequences may be allowed for 2 or 3 generations BUT the BLESSINGS that arise from one righteous person last for THOUSANDS of generations. Alcoholism ran in my family, but it has stopped with my brothers and I. And we can look forward to thousands of generations coming after who are offered freedom from that particular bondage.

Therefore, because The LORD does delight in us…

I am forgiven my iniquity. Mic 7:19 He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
PTL, right? Remember where we are told in 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

He is my fortress. Psalm 144:2
I am set high on a rock. Psalm 27:5

He is my fortress. Psalm 144:2 My lovingkindness and my fortress, My stronghold and my deliverer, My shield and He in whom I take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.
In context: 1Blessed be the LORD, my rock,
who trains my hands for war,
and my fingers for battle;
2he is my steadfast love and my fortress,
my stronghold and my deliverer,
my shield and he in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues peoples under me.

I am set high on a rock. Psalm 27:5 In times of trouble, LORD, you will protect me. You will hide me in your tent and keep me safe on top of a mighty rock.

The last couplet is the song: I (we) Am a Friend of God. We are going to just close reading it in context. The rest of John 15 prior to this is great. Consider reading it at home.

Jesus is my friend. John 15:14
I am a friend of God. John 15:15

You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17This is my command: Love each other.

Father God show us the way, help us to trust you more, especially in our difficult seasons. Help us surrender to your love and then send us forth to LOVE and serve YOU and others you place on our path, with GLADNESS and SINGLENESS of heart. Thank you for this time tonight, in Jesus name amen.