JOY: WHAT'S HIS IS "MINE"

                                                             

NEW BOOK COMING SOON!

JOY: YOUR JOY

 “…THAT YOUR JOY MIGHT BE FULL…” (JOHN 15:11 KJV).

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Jesus is the GIFT of Salvation to sinners. “….The [FREE]… gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV).

He came to earth to BE your RANSOM. “….The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many…" (Matthew 20:28).

It was his JOY to BE your GIFT of SALVATION and to bring you to God. “…Because of the JOY awaiting him, [Jesus]… endured the cross, disregarding its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT). God knew “… my righteous servant (Jesus) will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins…” (Isaiah 53:11 NLT). “…For Christ also died for sins … so that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB).

Jesus, while on earth, preached about, proclaimed, explained, and became the GIFT of SALVATION. “…He became the author of eternal salvation … the gift of God … through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 & Romans 6:23 KJV).  “Jesus saith…I am the way…” (John 14:6 KJV). “…These THINGS have I SPOKEN unto you …” (John 15:11 NIV). “...that whosoever believeth in him should not perish…” (John 3:16 KJV & 1 Peter 3:18 NASB).

It gave Jesus JOY to GIVE his life for your salvation. “…Because of the JOY awaiting him, [Jesus]… endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT).

I would like to stop and ask you something: Would you GIVE a kidney? A kidney is important because the body needs water to work properly. The kidney keeps the properly balance of water to remove waste, produce necessary hormones, and retain important minerals to maintain a healthy body. If a person’s kidney fails; it could ultimately END in death.

Many people SAID they would GIVE someone, they deeply loved, one of their kidneys “IF” it would SAVE their life? My mother said she would do it, especially if it was a child or grandchild. Would you GIVE a kidney?

My mother said she would even do it “KNOWING the surgery would be RISKY and it “MIGHT” cost her life. Regardless, of the risk or cost she said she would be “happy” to do it for someone she loved. I asked her what if the child was unworthy. She said her mother, no matter what, never thought ANY of her children were unworthy. Would you GIVE a kidney?

However, my mother did add that she would be disappointed if the person didn’t use the gift of a new kidney to do something WORTHY with their life.

Jesus, however, KNEW it would “definitely” cost him his life, and that you were not worthy or deserving of his sacrificial death, but he DID it anyway. Jesus also hopes that YOU will walk worthy of the life you’ve been given. “…Bring forth … fruits worthy of REPENTANCE … …” (Luke 3:8-11 KJV). “ …  walk in a manner worthy of the calling …” (Ephesians 4:1 NASB).

Not only was it Jesus’ “JOY” to GIVE his life to SAVE your life, but he knew it would give you JOY too if you RECEIVED it, by faith, and ABIDED in it! “…RECEIVE with meekness the engrafted WORD (Jesus), which is able to SAVE your souls…” (James 1:21 KJV). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…abide in me, and I in you. …” (John 15:4 KJV). “….continue ye in my love…” (John 15 9 KJV).

Jesus told believers about the GREAT, JOY-filled benefits – fruit-bearing, sanctification, answered prayer, continued love – “OF” ABIDING in HIM. “…I have told you this so that my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete…” (John 15:11 NIV). “…The LORD has done great things for us…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV). NOW “…we are filled with joy…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

Jesus’ JOY was BECOMING your SALVATION, bearing your sins, making you right with God, and bringing you into an eternal, covenant relationship with God. “…The LORD has done great things for us…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

Your JOY is receiving, by faith, his gift of SALVATION, being FREE from sin, being made right with God, and being restored to an eternal, covenant relationship with HIM. “…There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT). “…The LORD has done great things for us…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

SALVATION IS A “GREAT” THING THE LORD HAS DONE. You can EXPERIENCE this SALVATION, right NOW by answering the following questions:

1.) ARE YOU A SINNER? “…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).  “…As it is written, There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE...” (Romans 3:10-12 KJV).

2.) WHY IS SIN A PROBLEM? “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS: for IF YE BELIEVE NOT THAT I AM HE, YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS…” (John 8:24 KJV).

3). WHAT IS SIN?  “…ALL unrighteousness IS SIN…” (1 John 5:17 KJV).  “…ALL wicked actions ARE SIN…” (1 John 5:17 NLT). “…WHOsoever committeth SIN transgresseth also the law: for SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV).

4). WHO HAVE I SINNED AGAINST? “…Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies BLOT OUT “MY” TRANSGRESSIONS (sin). WASH ME THROUGHLY FROM “MINE” INIQUITY (sin), and CLEANSE ME FROM “MY SIN.” For I acknowledge my TRANSGRESSIONS (sins): and “MY SIN” is ever before me. AGAINST THEE (God), THEE ONLY, HAVE “I SINNED” AND DONE THIS EVIL IN THY SIGHT…” (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV). “…EVERYONE WHO SINS is breaking God’s law, for ALL SIN is contrary to the law of God….” (1 John 3:4 NLT).

5.) HOW DO I GET RID OF MY SIN? “…REPENT YE, AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19 KJV). “…REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD, and FAITH TOWARD our Lord Jesus Christ. …” (Acts 20:21 KJV).

6.) HOW DOES GOD RESCUE ME FROM MY SIN? “…God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house…” (ACTS 16:31 KJV). "…Therefore REPENT AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB).

7.) DO YOU BELIEVE CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SINS, WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN? “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And ...he was buried, and …he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).  “…God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ DIED FOR US…” (Romans 5:8 KJV). “… believe in thine heart that GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV).

8.) WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BELIEVE IN JESUS’ DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION IMPORTANT? The shedding of blood was commanded by God as an atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. “…without shedding of blood …[there]…is no remission(taking away or removal of sin)…” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV). “ …He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).  HIS DEATH PAID GOD THE RANSOM FOR YOUR “DEBT OF SIN.”

9.) DO YOU WANT SALVATION? IF YES, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CONFESS JESUS WITH YOUR MOUTH AND BELIEVE ON HIM IN YOUR HEART? “…Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). “…For WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made UNTO SALVATION…” (Romans 10:10 KJV).  “…For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19 KJV).

10.) SALVATION BEGINS THE VERY MOMENT YOU “…REPENT …AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV). You are “NOW” SAVED from the consequences of sin and its effects.

11.) CAN YOU FIND SALVATION ANYWHERE ELSE? The Christian Faith believes: “…SALVATION is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved…” (Acts 4:12 NIV). “…Jesus saith unto him, I AM THE WAY, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me…” (John 14 6 KJV). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).  “…There is SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE…” (Acts 4:12a NLT).

12.) IF YOU ANSWERED YES TO QUESTION 8 ABOVE AND DID WHAT IT SAID; YOU ARE SAVED. HOW DO I KNOW?  The bible says, “… WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV). “…REPENT …AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV).

“…Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 5:1 KJV). “…Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1 KJV).

13.) DO YOU NEED TO BE BAPTIZED? YES. “…Peter said to them, "…REPENT, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit….” (Acts 2:38 NASB). “…Confessing their sins, THEY WERE BAPTIZED by him in the Jordan River… (Matthew 3:6 NIV).  “…He that believeth and IS BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned…” (Mark 16:16 KJV).

Baptism is just a formal ritual that publically announces your decision to follow Christ. If you have truly repented, believed, and accepted Jesus Christ as you Lord and Savior; you are SAVED. That’s all there is to it. “…For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV). “…REPENT …AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV).

If you are a new convert, you will need to find a church home that teaches the bible basics. Start studying the Holy Bible for yourself. Pray for God to help you live a new repentant lifestyle. “…You must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen…” (2 Peter 3:18 NLT).

If you are a longtime believer, but have never truly repented you need to pray and trust God to work IN and THROUGH you. “…If My people which are called by My name SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES …AND TURN FROM their wicked ways…” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “…The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and WE ARE NOT SAVED...” (Jeremiah 8:20 KJV).

Jesus Christ SAVES you from the consequences of SIN; that’s SALVATION. “…For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV).

Jesus also bought you BACK into a covenant relationship with God. “…Christ … died  …that He might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18 NASB). “…a right relationship with God …comes by faith…” (Romans 4:13 NASB).

TRULY “…The LORD has done great things for us…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

BEARING YOUR SINS IS ANOTHER “GREAT” THING THE LORD HAS DONE. The shedding of blood was commanded by God as an atoning sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. “…without …[the] … shedding of blood …[there] …is no remission (removal)… [of sin] …” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). “…He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). 

JESUS’ DEATH PAID, THE RANSOM, TO GOD FOR YOUR “DEBT OF SIN.” “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).

Jesus Christ GAVE his life to become a ransom for sinners. He is the atoning sacrifice for YOUR sin. “…He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV). 

What did Jesus Christ DO to become the atoning sacrifice for your sins? “…Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT).

 WHAT HAPPENED? “…Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe. And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands….Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man! When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify him: for I find no fault in him. But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar. Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away…” (John 19:1-16 KJV),

“…And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha: Where they crucified him…” (John 19: 17-18 KJV).

“..After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst. Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth. When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost…” (John 19:28-30 KJV).

 Thus, Jesus became the RANSOM for many and is the ATONING SACRIFICE for SIN. He is your GIFT of SALVATION. “…Christ died for [your] SINS according to the scriptures;  And …he was buried, and … rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV). “…SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…ALL HAVE SINNED …” (Romans 3:23). “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).  

Therefore, “… REPENT and TURN TO God …” (Acts 26: 20 NASB).  “….IF YE BELIEVE NOT THAT I AM HE, YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS…” (John 8:24 KJV). “…HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT IS CONDEMNED ALREADY, because HE HATH NOT BELIEVED in the name of the only begotten Son of God. …” (John 3:18-20 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out…” (Acts 3:19 KJV). “…Whosoever believeth in him SHOULD NOT PERISH, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “…The LORD has done great things for us…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

ANOTHER ONE OF THE “GREAT” THINGS THE LORD HAS DONE IS MADE SINNERS RIGHT WITH GOD.  “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).“…ALL unrighteousness IS SIN…” (1 John 5:17 KJV).  “…ALL wicked actions ARE SIN…” (1 John 5:17 NLT). “…WHOsoever committeth SIN transgresseth also the law: for SIN IS the transgression of the law….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…EVERYONE WHO SINS is breaking God’s law, for ALL SIN is contrary to the law of God….” (1 John 3:4 NLT).

“… [You, the believer, was once]…. DEAD and [have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN; [they were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV). . “…The Son of man came to seek and to save THAT WHICH WAS LOST…” (Luke 19:10 KJV).

However, an unconverted sinner is NOT in a right relationship with God and is STILL lost. “…Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies BLOT OUT “MY” TRANSGRESSIONS (sin). WASH ME THROUGHLY FROM “MINE” INIQUITY (sin), and CLEANSE ME FROM “MY SIN.” For I acknowledge my TRANSGRESSIONS (sins): and “MY SIN” is ever before me. AGAINST THEE (God), THEE ONLY, HAVE “I SINNED” AND DONE THIS EVIL IN THY SIGHT…” (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV).

Jesus is the WAY to get into a RIGHT relationship with Him. “…SALVATION is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved…” (Acts 4:12 NIV). “…REPENT YE, AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19 KJV). “…REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD, and FAITH TOWARD our Lord Jesus Christ. …” (Acts 20:21 KJV).

God established a plan to rescue you from sin and bring you BACK into a right relationship with him. “…For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we DESERVED it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his GRACE through Christ Jesus…” (2 Timothy 1:9 NLT).

Why did God want you in a right relationship with him? “… [So you] … should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “…[That] …thou shalt be saved,…” (ACTS 16:31 KJV). "… “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB). “…The LORD has done great things for us…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

ANOTHER ONE OF THE “GREAT” THINGS THE LORD HAS DONE IS BRING THE LOST SINNER INTO AN ETERNAL COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28 KJV).

What happened to the original covenant God had with his people? They became “…separated from the LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…[They]… were DEAD in [their] … transgressions and sins…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV). How did they die? [Their] … iniquities … separated … [them]… from God… …” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…Your INIQUITIES (have separated between you and your God, and YOUR SINS have hid his face from you, that he will not hear…” (Isaiah 59:2 KJV). “…It’s YOUR SINS that have cut you off from God. Because of YOUR SINS, he has turned away and will not listen anymore…” (Isaiah 59:2 NLT).

How did the sin of ABANDONMENT SEPARATE God’s people from the original covenant with HIM? Over the years, history informs us that God’s people repeatedly abandoned him and the covenant relationship. “…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT). “…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT). “…The Lord replies, “This has happened because my people have ABANDONED MY INSTRUCTIONS; they have refused to obey what I said….” (JEREMIAH 9:13 NLT).

When God tried to WARN his people to stay connected to him through the covenant relationship what did they do? “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts…” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). “…“IF” you refuse to LISTEN to the Lord your God and do not obey all the commands and decrees, …all these curses will come and overwhelm you:…” (Deuteronomy 28 NLT).

How did God fix the covenant relationship with his people? God reversed the CURSE on his people, several times. “… Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin. Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love…” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT). “…Ye were a curse among the heathen, O house of Judah, and house of Israel; so will I save you, and ye shall be a blessing: …” (Zechariah 8:13 KJV).

Why did God KEEP trying to FIX the covenant with his people? “…Great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD” (Psalms 117:2 KJV). “…[GOD] remembered his covenant with them (THROUGH ABRAHAM) …” (Psalms 106:42-48 NLT).

What covenant did God remember he made with Abraham? “…I will BLESS thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a BLESSING: And I will BLESS them that BLESS thee …in thee shall all families of the earth be BLESSED…” (Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).

God, FAITHFULLY, kept his part of the covenant through thousands and thousands of generations. “…Showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments…” (Exodus 20:6 NIV).

Even though God’s people didn’t remember their part of the covenant relationship, God kept his WORD to them. WHY? God says, I “…am WATCHING over my word to PERFORM it…” (Jeremiah 1:12 NASB “…So shall MY WORD be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it SHALL NOT return unto me void, but it SHALL ACCOMPLISH that which I please, and it SHALL PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it…” (Isaiah 55:11 KJV).

God is a FAITHFUL GOD.  Because of his faithfulness EVERYBODY - who chooses and believes by faith - can be bought in a covenant relationship with him too. “…Christ hath REDEEMED us from the curse of the law …That the “BLESSING of Abraham” might come on [“US”]… through Jesus Christ …” (Galatians 3:13-14 KJV).

God’s FAITHFUL love and commitment to his covenant vows survived continual and repeated abandonment of his people as witnessed in biblical history. Yet, he has “….loved ... with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…not that we loved God, but that he loved us ...” (1 John 4:10 KJV).

God’s FAITHFUL LOVE endured the CHRONIC rejections of his people. “..When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him. I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love. I lifted the yoke from his neck, and I myself stooped to feed him. “But since my people refuse to return to me, they will return to Egypt and... They will destroy them, trapping them in their own evil plans. For my people are determined to desert me. They call me the Most High, but they don’t truly honor me. “Oh, how can I give you up, Israel? How can I let you go? How can I destroy you …My heart is torn within me, and my compassion overflows. No, I will not unleash my fierce anger. I will not completely destroy Israel, for I am God and not a mere mortal. I am the Holy One living among you, and I will not come to destroy. For someday the people will follow me. I, the Lord, will roar like a lion. And when I roar, my people will return …And I will bring them home again,” says the Lord….” (HOSEA 11 NLT).

“And now, O our God, what can we say after all of this? For ONCE AGAIN we have ABANDONED your commands!” (Ezra 9:10 NLT).

“….They refused to obey and did not remember the miracles you had done for them. Instead, they became stubborn and appointed a leader to take them back to their slavery in Egypt. But you are a God of forgiveness, gracious and merciful, slow to become angry, and rich in unfailing love. You did not abandon them…” (Nehemiah 9:17 NLT).

However, “…once again we have ABANDONED your commands!” (Ezra 9:10 NLT). “…And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto this great city? Then they shall answer, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the Lord their God, and worshipped other gods, and served them…” (Jeremiah 22:8-9 KJV).

“…[Yet]… in your great mercy, you did not destroy them completely or abandon them forever. What a gracious and merciful God you are!” (Nehemiah 9:31 NLT).

“…The Lord says, “Then I will heal you of your faithlessness; my (MERCIFUL) love will know no bounds, for my anger will be gone forever….” (HOSEA 14:4 NLT).  ^“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (substitute, intervention) for our sins.” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).

“God’s “…love is patient, [God’s]…love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [God’s]…love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, [God’s]…love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).

“…It is of the Lord's MERCIES that we are not CONSUMED, because his compassions FAIL NOT. They are NEW EVERY MORNING: great is thy faithfulness…” (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV

AFTER years of abandonment, rejection, unfaithful, disrespect, dishonor, and chasing other gods; God sent JESUS. “…It is of the Lord's MERCIES that we are not CONSUMED…” (Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV).

Jesus is the guarantee, that God’s people will have a BETTER covenant relationship with God!! “…Jesus has become the guarantor of a better covenant…” (Hebrews 7:22 NIV).

Because of Jesus, we will MAKE it and he will ENABLE us to SUSTAIN faithfulness to the covenant relationship! “…He will keep you strong to the end…” (1 Corinthians 1:8 NLT).  “…The Son …sustaining ALL THINGS by his powerful word…” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV). “…in him (Jesus) ALL THINGS hold together…” (Colossians 1:7 NIV). “…HE WHICH HATH “BEGUN” A GOOD “WORK” IN YOU WILL “PERFORM” IT until the day of Jesus Christ…” (Philippians 1:6 KJV).

God is FAITHFUL forever! “…I am the Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).  ^“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8 NIV).  “…The LORD has done great things for us…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

 “…These THINGS have I SPOKEN unto you that my JOY might REMAIN in you, and that your JOY might be full…” (John 15:11 NIV). “…I have told you this so that my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete…” (John 15:11 NIV).

People who TRULY know Jesus’s JOY through revelation knowledge of his gift of SALVATION and ALL his benefits will be FILLED with JOY! “…my JOY might REMAIN in you, and that your JOY might be full…” (John 15:11 KJV). “…my JOY may be in you and that your JOY may be complete…” (John 15:11 NIV).

 “…Bless the Lord, O MY SOUL: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O MY SOUL, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. …bless the Lord, O MY SOUL…” (Psalms 103 KJV).

“…The LORD has done great things for us…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).

“…we are filled with joy…” (Psalms 126:3 NIV). “…my JOY  … [is] … your JOY …” (John 15:11 NIV).