Timothy includes the possible words of a Christian hymn in 2 Timothy 2:11-13. The words are meaningful as they give hope and assurance to our hearts. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. 12 If we endure hardship, we will reign with him. If we deny him, he will deny us.13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.
Timothy’s words give true hope as they are based upon the character of God. The truth of knowing if we die knowing Him, we will live with Him. If we suffer, which we will, He will reward us in heaven. If we deny Him, He will deny us when we stand before Him to make accounting of our actions, not a pleasant thought at all, but a truth to be realized. If we are unfaithful, sin, fall away, are seemingly lost, confused or lose hope, He is always faithful as it is an integral part of His being.
Because of our sinful nature, living in a world surrounded by sin and its temptations, we will sin. God know this so He gives us His Holy Spirit to indwell us and give us courage, strength and direction. He gives us the hope of eternal life and resurrection with Him. He gives us His Word to be a lamp to our pathway in life filled with encouragement, promises and guidelines for combatting sin and living a life honoring to Him. I cling to the truth that even when I falter and fail in my walk with Him, I cannot fail as God is the one who sustains my faith. We are assured over and over in the Bible that God is faithful and we can depend upon His faithfulness to sustain, uphold, keep us in His hand and in His love.
Here are a few verses to meditate on the faithfulness of God. Let them create thankfulness in your heart today! Psalm 36:5 “Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.” Psalm 86:15 “But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” Psalm 100:5 “For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.” Isaiah 25:1 “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you; I will praise your name, for you have done wonderful things, plans formed of old, faithful and sure.” Lamentations 3:21-23 ” But this I call to mind,
and therefore I have hope: 22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.” Hebrews 10:23 “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.”
As you depend upon the faithfulness of God for each breath you take today, will you thank Him for His unending faithfulness? Let these verses lead you toward greater thankfulness, knowing the truth of Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” HE IS ALWAYS FAITHFUL.
Linda
assured. “
50:20 “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” Or perhaps his own words given by the Holy Spirit in Romans 8:28 “ And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” Or Jeremiah’s words in Jeremiah 29:11-12 “
Let your joy be in our Sovereign God today. Trust in Him!
fellow believers. Do you feel that way too? “
Be encouraged and keep on praying. Give you requests to God and He will answer. If you don’t exactly know how to pray? Ask the Holy Spirit to do it for you. Romans 8:27 “And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.” God is faithful and will answer in His time and in His way. This requires faith, trust and patience as we wait upon God for His perfect answer.
grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 7:25 “Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” James 4:8 “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
by the hand of his beloved Son. 
Why would God do this? 
The Word is filled with references to God’s plan of redemption and the restoration of His relationship with mankind from Genesis to Revelation. The story of God’s love for us, His desire to bring us back to Him is why Jesus came. All these things give me Hope and I pray they do the same for you as you meditate on Jesus, God’s love and His desire to be in relationship with you.
I have been praying and pondering what God wants me to write about this summer. What has come to mind over and over is that He is telling me I’m not done with Ephesians. The book of Ephesians was the foundation of my Lenten journey this year. I worked my way through the entire book in the 6 week of Lent. It was a rich time in Word of God, and I was mightily blessed. How He is leading me to write on these subjects again is to start with the lessons and truths revealed in Ephesians and search scripture for other passages that confirm the same or very similar truths. I will not attempt to do all of the truths He revealed during our Lenten journey but as many as I can. I am looking forward to a rich time in God’s Word these summer months.
Ephesians 1:3 “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places,” 
I pray you have the blessing of knowing Christ and are looking forward to these eternal blessings that await us in heaven. May you marvel at the beauty of heaven to come, the safety, completeness and glory we will see there. Be encouraged today as you meditate on these passages. This is our inheritance and a place all believers can look forward to in their future. Praise God!
Here are some verses to uplift, encourage and challenge you this 5th Sunday of Lent as our world struggles with the pandemic of Covid-19:
restoration and forgiveness
today and forever.” 
rose from the dead,
Feeling blessed by God,
