Friday, September 18, 2020

Things God Will Never Do

In this "never" series, I have covered God's "never" promises to the wicked, as well as His "never" promises to the righteous. I have also covered what we as righteous followers of Jesus should never do. Today I want to remind you of the things God will never do. Aside from the fact that God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2), here are several more things He will never do.

He Will Never Stop Doing Good To His Covenant People
"I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me, so that they will never turn away from me." (Jer 32:40)

He Will Never Drive Away Sincere Seekers
"All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away." (Joh 6:37)

He Will Never Count Your Sins Against You, if You Repent and Ask Forgiveness in Jesus' Name
"Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them." (Rom 4:8). The key is you have to repent of your sin and ask forgiveness from God in Jesus' name. Then He will never count those sins of yours against you.

He Will Never Leave Nor Forsake You
"Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deu 31:6)

"The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deu 31:8)

"No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Jos 1:5)

"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Heb 13:5)

He Will Never Blot Out The Overcomers' Names From The Book Of Life
"The one who is victorious will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out the name of that person from the book of life, but will acknowledge that name before my Father and his angels." (Rev 3:5)

He Will Never Let The Righteous Be Shaken
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." (Psa 55:22)

He Will Never Forget The Needy
"But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish." (Psa 9:18)

He Will Never Curse The Ground Or Destroy All Living Creatures
"The LORD smelled the pleasing aroma and said in his heart: "Never again will I curse the ground because of humans, even though every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood. And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done." (Gen 8:21)

He Will Never Let Days And Seasons Cease As Long As Earth Endures 
"As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." (Gen 8:22)

He Will Never Again Destroy All Life With A Flood
"I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." (Gen 9:11)

"I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life." (Gen 9:15)

He Will Never Forsake His Inheritance
"For the LORD will not reject His people; He will never forsake His inheritance." (Psa 94:14)

He Will Never Forgive The Blasphemy Of The Holy Spirit
"...but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin." (Mar 3:29)

He Never Fails And His Love Never Fails
"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away." (1Co 13:8)

His Compassions Never Fail
"Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail." (Lam 3:22)

His Covenant With David (Jesus) Will Never Fail
"I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail." (Psa 89:28)

His Word Will Never Pass Away
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." (Mat 24:35; cf. Mar 13:31; Luk 21:33)

His Dominion Will Never End
"I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end." (Dan 6:26)

"He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." (Dan 7:14)

His Kingdom Will Never End
"...and He will reign over Jacob's descendants forever; His kingdom will never end." (Luk 1:33)

Closing Words
I hope this has been an encouragement to you to remember God's faithfulness, His enduring kingdom, His power, and His love.

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. 

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: Who is God?, Who is God Part II, Our God is an Awesome God, Hide and Seek with God, and God Forgives and Forgets. You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org. 

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. 

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: The Top Ten Things Jesus TaughtLiving a Life Worthy of the LordThe Wardrobe of the SaintsFollowing in His Steps, and Living on Earth as They Do in Heaven. You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org. 

Things You Should Never Do

In my last two posts, I explained the "never" promises to the wicked and to the righteous. Today as part of that series, I want to remind you of the things you should never do if you are a saint who is following Jesus.


Never Follow A Stranger
"His sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." (Joh 10:4b-5)

Never Use Flattery

"You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness." (1Th 2:5)

Never Tire Of Doing Good

"And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good." (2Th 3:13)

Never Stop Teaching And Proclaiming The Good News

"Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah." (Act 5:42)

Never Be Lacking In Zeal

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord." (Rom 12:11)

Never Boast, Except in The Cross

"May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." (Gal 6:14)

Never Let His Word Depart From Your Mouth

"Never take your word of truth from my mouth, for I have put my hope in your laws." (Psa 119:43)

Never Forget His Precepts

"I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life." (Psa 119:93)

Never Let Love And Faithfulness Leave You

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." (Pro 3:3)

Closing Words

In summary, some of the things we should never do, according to the Bible include the following: never follow a stranger, never use flattery, never tire of doing good, never stop teaching and proclaiming the Good News, never be lacking in zeal, never boast, except in the cross, never let His Word depart from your mouth, never forget His precepts, and never let love and faithfulness leave you.

As a companion to this article, you are invited to read my "Always" post and the other articles in this "Never" series.

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. 

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: Sins That Will Keep You From HeavenThe Top Ten Things Jesus TaughtLiving a Life Worthy of the Lord, Keeping a Good Conscience, and Living on Earth as They Do in Heaven. You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The "Never" Promises to the Righteous

 In my last post, I explained the "never" promises to sinners. If you have never repented and given your life to Jesus Christ, then please go back and read that post. Or if you once knew the Lord and you have returned to sin, then go back and read that post, because until you repent and get your life right with God, the promises to the righteous do not apply to you. Instead you are subject to the same promises that God has given to all the wicked. But if you are walking in the Light, in fellowship with the Lord, and you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then all the promises below are for you.

A Treasure That Will Never Fail
"Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys." (Luk 12:33)

An Inheritance That Can Never Perish
"...and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you..." (1Pe 1:4)

Never Thirst
"...but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (Joh 4:14)

Never Hunger
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (Joh 6:35)

"Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat." (Rev 7:16)

Never Walk In Darkness
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'" (Joh 8:12)

Never See Death
"Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death." (Joh 8:51)

"...and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (Joh 11:26)

Never Perish
"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand." (Joh 10:28)

Never Be Put To Shame
As it is written: "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who believes in him will never be put to shame." (Rom 9:33)

As Scripture says, "Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame." (Rom 10:11)

Never Stumble
"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble," (2 Pe 1:10)

Never At The Bottom
"The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom." (Deu 28:13)

Never Be Shaken
"...who lends money to the poor without interest; who does not accept a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken." (Psa 15:5)

"Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever." (Psa 112:6)

Never Forsaken Or Begging For Bread
"I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." (Psa 37:25)

Never Be Uprooted
"The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land." (Pro 10:30)

Closing Words
I hope this has been an encouragement to you that you have these promises in God's Word that you can claim for yourself.

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. 

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: The Afflictions of the Righteous, God Exalts the Humble and Brings Down the Proud, . You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"
_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

The "Never" Promises to Sinners

There are many promises in the Bible, but today I want to highlight just a few of them that pertain specifically to sinners. When the Bible refers to sinners or the wicked, it is referring to those who have never known the Lord Jesus Christ as well as those who have known Him but went back to their sin.

He Will Say to Them, "I never knew you."

The first promise I should mention is that Jesus promised He would say something very terrifying to all evildoers one day. It is something that nobody would ever want to hear Him say to them. Jesus said, "Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" (Mat 7:23). There are two very terrifying things about this. First, that He will say, "I never knew you" to such people, even those who thought they were doing so much for Him in His name, including operating n the supernatural. Secondly, He will say, "Away from Me" or "Depart from Me!" When He says that, the wicked will immediately be thrown into hell for eternity, which is the most terrifying thing that could ever happen to you.

Their Fire Never Goes Out in Hell
The reason why being thrown into hell is the most terrifying experience is that it is a very scary place, even scarier than the scariest horror movie you have ever seen. There is no escape from hell either. Hell is forever, and there is no way to get out. Here are some of the descriptions of it that Jesus gave, in which He promised what would never happen in hell:

"If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out."(Mar 9:43, NIV)

"[where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.]" (Mar 9:44, NASB)

"If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life lame, than, having your two feet, to be cast into hell, [where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.]" (Mar 9:46, NASB)

"If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out; it is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than, having two eyes, to be cast into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched." (Mar 9:48, NASB)

Please do not go to that terrible place! Don't go to hell! There is a way out, so that you don't have to go there. The Way is Jesus Christ. Repent of your sins and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.

He Will Never Drive Away Sincere Seekers
We have a sure promise from Jesus that He will never turn away anyone who sincerely comes to Him, seeking Him. 

"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out." (Joh 6:37)

If you come to the Lord humbly and sincerely, seeking mercy from Him, He will never drive you away.

They Will Never Enter His Kingdom Unless They Change and Become Like Little Children

When I say the Lord will never turn you away, if you sincerely seek Him, I mean that you have to change and become like a little child when you do so. And that is how you have to remain throughout your entire life, remaining humble and childlike until you die and go to heaven. 

Jesus said, "What I'm about to tell you is true. You need to change and become like little children. If you don't, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."(Mat 18:3).

This is the only way to enter the kingdom of heaven. If you don't enter this way, then you will never enter heaven. This promise is so important that it was repeated in the three synoptic gospels, Matthew Mark, and Luke (Mt 18:3; Mk 10:15; Lk 18:17).

Closing Words
Everyone will stand one day before the judgment seat of Christ. And the wicked are promised that He will say, "I never knew you. Depart from Me!" They will be cast into hell where the fire never goes out.

But aren't you glad that Jesus came to seek and save the lost? He said that He will never drive away those who come to Him. But you will never enter the kingdom unless you change and become like little children. Do you want to know Him? Please see my article below on how you can know Him personally as your Lord and Savior.

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. 

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: The Top Ten Things Jesus TaughtLiving a Life Worthy of the LordThe Wardrobe of the SaintsFollowing in His Steps, and Living on Earth as They Do in Heaven. You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org. 

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

What We Should Always Be Doing

There are several things that the Bible says we should always be doing. I have found at least twenty-two of them in Scripture. Let's take a look at God's Word and see what they are.

Always Pray
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. (Luk 18:1)

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."  (Luk 21:36)

Always Do What Pleases the Lord
"The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases Him." (Joh 8:29)

Always Keep Your Conscience Clear
"So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man." (Act 24:16)

Always Do As Love Does
[Love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1Co 13:7)

Always Give Yourselves Fully to the Work of the Lord
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1Co 15:58)

Always Being Given Over to Death for Jesus
"For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body." (2Co 4:11)

Always Confident
"Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord." (2Co 5:6)

Always Giving Thanks to God for Everything
"Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph 5:20)

Always Pray in the Spirit
"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people." (Eph 6:18)

Always Rejoice in the Lord
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Php 4:4)

Rejoice always, (1Th 5:16)

Always Full of Grace
"Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." (Col 4:6)

Always Strive To Do What Is Good For Each Other
"Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else." (1Th 5:15)

Always Be Gentle
"...to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone." (Tit 3:2)

Always Be Prepared to Give an Answer
"But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect," (1Pe 3:15)

Always Keep Your Eyes on the Lord
"I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psa 16:8)

Always Be Mindful of God's Unfailing Love
"...for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness." (Psa 26:3)

Always Extol and Praise the Lord
"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips." (Psa 34:1). We never take a vacation from praising God.

"For what you have done I will always praise you in the presence of your faithful people. And I will hope in your name, for your name is good." (Psa 52:9)

Always Have Hope
"As for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." (Psa 71:14)

Always Seek His Face 
"Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." (Psa 105:4)

Always Do What is Right
"Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right." (Psa 106:3)

Always Obey God's Commandments
"I will always obey your law, for ever and ever." (Psa 119:44)

Always Trust God
"Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge." (Psa 62:8)

My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times. (Psa 119:20)

Closing Words

Therefore, based on what we have read in God's Word, there are certain things we must always do. To summarize them, we should always pray, always do what pleases the Lord, always keep your conscience clear, always do as love does, always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, always being given over to death for Jesus, always be confident, always give thanks to God for everything, always pray in the Spirit, always rejoice in the Lord, always be full of grace, always strive to do what is good for each other, always be gentle, always be prepared to give an answer, always keep your eyes on the Lord, always be mindful of God's unfailing love, always extol and praise the Lord, always have hope, always seek the Lord's face, always do what is right, always obey God's commandments, and no matter what, always trust God. May the Lord help us to do so. Amen.

Attribution notice: Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zondervan, used by permission. 

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, please also see the following: The Top Ten Things Jesus Taught, Living a Life Worthy of the Lord, The Wardrobe of the Saints, Following in His Steps, and Living on Earth as They Do in Heaven. You may find the Main Directory for this blog at Home, and you may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master." 

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.