“God is faithful”
The message: “God is faithful:” this reveals His divine nature, but also expresses the name by which He should be called, just as the prophet Isaiah long ago revealed about the Messiah who would come: « And he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace » Isa 9:6b. The main point in the statement, “God is faithful,” is that, He is fulfilled and perfect in the truth, in His words and actions and attitude―and He never compromises on that. It is therefore fitting that He be called “Father of the truth,” just as Jesus referred to the devil as the “father of lies” according to what He said to the self-justifying Jews, « You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies » Jn 8:44. For if it is said about sinful men, « There is no one who is righteous, not even one » Rom 3:10; the “faithful God,” as for Him, cannot lie (Tit 1:2), nor can He betray His word and the covenant He has made. Indeed, it is written, « The sum of your word is truth; and every one of your righteous ordinances endures forever » Ps 119:160. Therefore, He deserves the greatest trust, just as the Apostle Paul said, « if we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself » 2 Tim 2:13. He gave a similar promise by the mouth of Paul: « The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the foremost » 1 Tim 1:15. The word of God is a tried word, for « The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure, silver refined in a furnace on the ground, purified seven times » Ps 12:6. It is quite true that « The word of God is living and active » Heb 4:12a.
Monday 09th: God is faithful.
« Know therefore that the Lord your God is…the faithful God » Deut 7:9.
Reading 1: Mar 16:9-14. Reading 2: Deut 7:9-11. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Deut 7:9.
Introduction: Distrust toward God is not to glorify Him. Rather, it is a way to make Him a liar. For some go as far as to defy Him or even to blaspheme His name because of their unbelief. As the word of God is the truth that saves those who believe in it, Jesus will judge the unbelievers, according to His word, « The one who believes and is baptized will be saved; but the one who does not believe will be condemned » Mar 16:16. But God shows Himself faithful to those who trust Him.
Tuesday 10th: God’s calling is faithful.
« For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable » Rom 11:29.
Reading 1: Ps 110:1-4. Reading 2: Rom 11:25-36. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Rom 11:29.
Introduction: Surely, all the gifts of God are free, because they are the fruit of the love that compels Him. Thus, Jesus’ word proves true: « It is more blessed to give than to receive » Act 20:35c. God wants us to love as He does, that we may claim like Paul, « More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things » Phil 3:8a.
Wednesday 11th: The faithful God answers prayers.
« Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven » Mt 18:19.
Reading 1: 1 Sam.1:12-20. Reading 2: Mt 18:15-20. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 18:19.
Introduction: God is a Father Who so loves His children that He neither forsakes nor leaves them alone. Thus, He gives them the promise that He hears their pleas and answers their cries. He declares: « Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me » Ps 50:15. Jesus also says: « Ask, and it will be given you » Mt 7:7a, « I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son » Jn 14:13.
Thursday 12th: God rewards those who put their trust in Him.
« And without faith it is impossible to please God » Heb 11:6b.
Reading 1: 1 Pet 1:24-25;2:1-6. Reading 2: Heb 11:1-6. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2:Heb 11:6.
Introduction: Trusting God is glorifying Him. The words of Elizabeth to Mary, Jesus’ mother who came to visit her, are enjoyable and worthy to be reflected on: « Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord » Lk 1:45, which was the very message brought by the angel Gabriel about the birth of Jesus. Faith in His word is most pleasant to God; therefore Jesus said to the centurion who asked Him to heal his servant: « let it be done for you according to your faith » Mt 8:13b.
Friday 13th: God guarantees the fulfilment of His word.
« Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill » Mt 5:17.
Reading 1: Isa 55:8-11. Reading 2: Mt 5:17-20. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 5:17.
Introduction: Because of unbelief and the trouble they are undergoing, some people think that the word of God is worthless and without justification. However, it is written, « the word of God is not chained » 2 Tim 2:9b. For God is faithful, so « for in him every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen,’ to the glory of God » 2 Cor 1:20.
Saturday: The word of God is faithful.
« Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away » Mt 24:35.
Reading 1: Ps 119:137-144.Reading 2: Mt 24:19-35. Preaching 1 (free choice). Preaching 2: Mt 24:35.
Introduction: The word of God is no word of a created human, but the word of the Creator Who says: « I AM WHO I AM » Exo 3:14a. Thus, the Apostle John declares: « In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God… » Jn 1:1-2. Happy are those who receive and keep the Word, as « the world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever » 1 Jn 2:17.
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