mrtonyfrench

“For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.

Malachi 3:6

God does not change. In His nature and essential being, the Lord is the same yesterday, today, and forevermore. (Hebrews 13:8) Everything on this planet changes each day and sometimes at dizzying speed. Yet, Yahweh remains faithful, secure, and immutable in His being and person.

God’s immutability (unchanging nature) is a source of great comfort. The unalterable nature of the Lord means that we can trust Him in all times and seasons. This doctrine encourages us to remain in the eternal word He has given us and to obey Christ no matter the situation.

Our God works in many ways and He definitely delights in variety. Yet, the Lord’s eternal character is constant and strong. He never wavers and He never falters.

Because of these facts, Christians can trust and obey in every circumstance whether sweet or sorrowful. Child of God, trust in the immutable, unchanging Savior who gave His life for you. He will never fail you and He will always be true to His promises.

Tony French

As Christians, let us consider these thoughts about our Savior this week………………

To whom God willed to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

Colossians 1:27

Jesus is our hope. The hope of heaven, the hope of glory, and the hope of resurrection all rest in the finished work of Jesus upon the cross. He is our only hope and our lasting hope. Through Christ, our hope is steadfast, sure, and forever secure. Jesus is our only lasting hope.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.

Ephesians 6:10

Jesus is our strength. Paul commands Believers to be strong in the Lord and in His power. Jesus gives us the strength we need to serve Him, obey Him, and live our lives for His glory. The Lord strengthens us in all times, seasons, and circumstances. Christ fortifies His people forever by His power and might. Jesus is our ultimate strength.

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.  

Ephesians 1:7

Jesus is our redemption. He has set us free from the bondage of sin by the shedding His blood as our sacrifice. Jesus was condemned that we might be released. Through His marvelous grace, our sins are forgiven and we are given new life. Jesus is the redemption for all who will believe.

Thanks be to God for His mighty works! Let us make every effort to live in light of these truths.

Tony French

But they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

1 Peter 4:5

The Apostle Peter emphasizes the doctrine of Divine judgement in 1 Peter 4. His teaching is an important reminder that everyone will stand before God one day. While there may be differences of opinion about all of the details, Christians believe the Last Day will come and we will all give an account for our thoughts, actions, and even our words. (Matthew 12:36)

In that day of judgement, those who have trusted in Jesus will be safe. Why? Because Believers have trusted in Christ as Savior. Jesus was judged in our place and He took upon Himself our guilt. The Lord suffered and died for us so that we might be set free. Believers will give an account for how we have used our lives for the Lord. (Romans 14:10) But, Heaven will be our final home and we are secure in Christ forevermore. (Romans 8:38-39)

Friend, trust in Jesus and be saved today. Those who are not trusting in Jesus will be judged, found guilty, and punished for their sins for all of eternity. Believe in Christ who died and rose again for you. He paid your debt, He was punished in your place, and He suffered guilt that you might be cleared of your sinfulness. Believe in Him today. He will do everything He has promised. Of that you can be sure!

Tony French

¹⁸ Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. ¹⁹ And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” ²⁰ Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

Matthew 4:18-20

The command “follow Me” was given to Jesus’ first disciples early in His ministry. It’s an imperative that Christ still extends in our time. Every day Jesus calls people to follow Him.

How can we follow Christ in our day? Let us think of a few ways that we can go after Jesus in our context. This list is not an exhaustive list but may it spur our thinking on this subject.

1) Believe

Following Christ requires humans to believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Disciples of the Savior trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin and the salvation of their lives. Being saved is mandatory for following after Jesus and salvation flows to us through believing in Christ by faith.

2) Bible Study and Prayer

Reading the Bible, studying the Word, and praying to God are all part and parcel of following Jesus. Through prayer, Believers speak to God and through the Bible, God speaks to the Christian. The Word of God reveals the truth we need to pursue Jesus.

3) The Church

While Christianity is much more than attending a worship service at a church, it is not less than that. God’s people need to be together to worship, minister, serve, give, and learn through the ministry of the Church. Following Christ means being a part of His body (Romans 12:5) and the organism that He is building. (Matthew 16:18)

Follow Jesus, Child of God. It is the best way to live!

Tony French

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

Psalm 103:8

Let’s remember three things about the nature and character of God this week…….

**God is compassionate and gracious. His love is everlasting to His people and the grace of our Lord is able to save to the uttermost. (Hebrews 7:250 The Almighty is gracious beyond measure.

**God is slow to anger. The Lord does not lose His temper as humans do. He is patient, kind, and does not desire that any should be eternally lost. (2 Peter 3:9) The Lord is longsuffering and slow to anger.

**God abounds in love. God is much more loving and kind that humans are. Christians also know that the Lord is more loving than we tend to be. God is love. (1 John 4:8) He sent His Son to die for our sins and calls us to Himself. God abounds in love and is generous in love towards His creation.

God bless you as you study God’s Word, seek His face, and serve the Lord by serving others!

Tony French

“You shall not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or a sheep which has a blemish or any defect, for that is a detestable thing to the Lord your God.”

Deuteronomy 17:1

Old Testament worship under the Law of Moses required sacrifices from God’s people. The Jews were obligated to bring sacrifices that were slain on their behalf for the forgiveness and covering of their sins. Such oblations coincided with certain times and seasons of the year and were continual reminders of God’s goodness despite the sin of His nation.

An important aspect of sacrifice is taught in Deuteronomy 17. Every sacrifice had to be without defect and as close to perfect as possible. Blind and lame animals would not be accepted by the Lord. Sick and dying animals were never to be offered to God. It was a detestable act to bring an unworthy sacrifice before Jehovah. He requires the best.

These Old Covenant sacrifices are pictures and symbols of Jesus. The perfect, spotless Messiah lived for our righteousness. He perfectly upheld and obeyed the Law and never strayed from His Father. Then, He died as the perfect, righteous Son of God to take away the sins of humanity. (John 1:29)  The Lamb died as the just for the unjust and the righteous for the unrighteous.  God gave His every best for us.

Since God gives His best to us, may we give our best to Him. Christian, may we serve Him and trust Him day by day. And I pray that our love for the Lord grows stronger with the passage of time. God bless you all!

Tony French

¹ Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 11:1-2

The author of Hebrews points us to three actions that Jesus performed on our behalf through the cross of Calvary. Our wonderful Savior gave Himself up, suffered for lost people, and died on the rebel’s behalf for the remission of sins. A wonderful Savior is Jesus our Lord!

Christ endured the cross for us. He was tortured and shed His blood willingly. Jesus died upon the cross for our sinfulness and He was slain on our account. The agony the Son of God endured was beyond comprehension. His love for us compelled Him to be wounded in our place.

Jesus was shamed for our benefit. He died as a common criminal in a public execution so that sinful humanity could be forgiven and restored to God. The shameful nature of His death was palpable as those at the foot of the cross jeered Him and mocked Him. Yet, Christ, the perfect one, endured the shame for you and me.

The Savior triumphed over death and the cross. He rose again and took His rightful place at the throne of God. He sat down at the right hand of the throne signifying that the work of redemption and justification is complete. No other sacrifice would be needed. Jesus paid it all!

In light of these wonderful acts, let us fix our eyes upon Jesus as the writer of Hebrews instructs us. He is the author and finisher of our faith. In Christ, the Believer is complete, sanctified, and secure. Jesus won the victory decisively and fully. And that is something for which to thank the Lord for all of eternity.

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

1 Peter 5:6-7

He cares for you! God’s tender care and mercy toward His children is overwhelming to consider. Peter teaches Believers to release all their anxieties and worries to God because He cares for His own. It is a wondrous thought indeed that God cares for lowly human beings.

God cares for Christians purposefully. The Lord is never haphazard about His compassion for His children. He purposefully and willfully provides the concern His people need at all times.

God also cares for Believers personally. He knows all of our doubts, fears, and anxieties and He provides the hope and love we need. Our Lord does not use a one size fits all solution for His people. He personally and providentially leads and guides each of His children to what they need for each day with tender, loving care.

God cares for us powerfully. God’s power and grace are more than enough to sustain and keep His sons and daughters for this life and the life to come. His power is awesome and wondrous. And He is able to keep every promise through His mighty strength. He cares and is able to do what is necessary to uphold us through this life.

Cast all your cares, fears, and worries upon God, dear Christian. Pray and seek after God today. He cares for you!

Tony French