(1 Kings 8:56 KING JAMES VERSION)

56 Blessed {be} The Lord, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He Promised: there hath not failed One Word of ALL His Good Promise, which He Promised by the hand of Moses His servant.

(Psalms 89:1-2,33-34 KING JAMES VERSION)

(1) I will sing of the mercies of The Lord For Ever: with my mouth will I make known Thy Faithfulness to all generations.

(2) For I have said, Mercy shall be built up For Ever: Thy Faithfulness shalt Thou establish in the very Heavens.

(33) Nevertheless My Lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer My Faithfulness to fail.

(34) My Covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of My Lips.

Isaiah 66 (King James Version)

1 Thus Saith The LORD, The Heaven is My Throne, and the earth is My Footstool: Where is the house that ye build unto Me? And where is the place of My rest?

2 For all those things hath Mine Hand made, and all those things have been, Saith The LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My Word.

3 He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.

4 I also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears upon them; because when I Called, none did answer; when I Spake, they did not hear: but they did evil before Mine Eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not.

5 Hear The Word of The LORD, ye that tremble at His Word; Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for My Name's sake, said, Let the LORD be Glorified: but He shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

Genesis 28:15 KING JAMES VERSION)

(15) And, behold, I {Am} with thee, and Will Keep thee in All {Places} whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I Will Not Leave thee, until I Have Done {That} which I Have Spoken to thee of.

While it is true that the Bible doesn't specifically list every possible decision you'll face in life, it does address all choices with Principles that Govern Christian Freedom.

When you run your choices in the "gray areas" through the following grid of Principles from God's Word, I trust you'll find both clarity and True Freedom to live your life to God's Glory.

**Will it Benefit me spiritually? All things are Lawful, but not all things are Profitable. All things are Lawful, but not all things Edify. (1 Cor. 10:23) A "Profitable" thing is Useful, Helpful, or to your Advantage to do; and the idea behind "Edify" is to build up Spiritually. So based on this verse, ask yourself, "Will doing this Enhance my Spiritual life? Will it cultivate Godliness? Will it build me up Spiritually?" If not, you should seriously question whether that behavior is the best choice.

**Will it bring bondage? All things are Lawful for me, but not all things are Profitable. All things are Lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything. (1 Cor. 6:12) In the second part of this verse, Paul is saying, "I will not be brought under the Power of anything." If what you are considering can be habit forming, why pursue it? Don't allow yourself to be in bondage to anything or anyone. You are a bond-servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him alone.

**Will it defile God's temple? Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit Who Is In you, Whom you have from God, and that you are Not your own? For you have been bought with a Price: therefore Glorify God in your body. (1 Cor. 6:19-20) Don't do anything that you know will harm your body or bring shame-it is the only instrument you have to Glorify God.

Romans 6:13 says, "Present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as Instruments of Righteousness to God." How you choose to use your body should always reflect your concern to Honor Jesus Christ.

**Will it cause anyone to stumble? Food will not commend us to God; we are neither the worse if we do not eat, nor the better if we do eat. But take care lest this Liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

(1 Cor. 8:8-9) This Is the Principle of Love. As Romans 13:10 says: "Love does no wrong to a neighbor; Love therefore is the fulfillment of the Law." If you know that your choice-what you consider "in bounds" and approved-causes another Christian to stumble and sin, Love that brother or sister enough to restrict your own Freedom. That is not very popular in our self-absorbed society, but it is Biblical.

To continue to indulge in a legitimate Freedom that causes problems for another Christian is a sin. For "by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore," Paul said, "if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, that I might not cause my brother to stumble." (1 Cor. 8:12-13)

**Will it further the cause of Evangelism? Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own Profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be Saved (1 Cor. 10:32-33). Whether you are aware of it, what you allow or disallow in your behavior affects your witness for Christ-and the world is watching. It's an issue of Testimony-what your life says about God. Your Testimony either tells the Truth about God, or it tells a lie. The choices you make in the "gray" areas should reflect your concern not to bring offense to God's Reputation but to bring Him Praise instead.

**Will it violate my conscience? He who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from Faith; and whatever is not from Faith is sin (Rom. 14:23). First Corinthians 10:25 29 contains three references to abstaining from a certain practice "for conscience sake." Never train yourself to violate your conscience. If your conscience is troubled by what you consider, don't do it. If you aren't sure about it, don't do it. It is hard to overstate the value of a clean conscience, but it is worth keeping your conscience clear so that your relationship to God will not be hindered. If you'll keep yourself in Prayer and the Study of God's Word, you will inform your conscience so you can "walk as children of Light...finding out What Is Acceptable to the Lord" (Eph. 5:8, 10).

**Will it bring Glory to God? Therefore, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the Glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31). That verse is clearly both the summary and the goal of all the Principles I've shared. Isn't our Heart's cry to Glorify our Lord and Savior with our lives? Think about your decision-Will He be Glorified, Honored, and Praised through it? May we say along with Jesus, "I Glorified You on the earth." (John 17:4)

So what questions do you have? Run them through the Principles above and enjoy your Freedom in Christ - the Freedom to be what He Created you to be!

"And what does the Lord require of you . . . but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah) and then in Galatians 6:14 "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." and thus will I rejoice and He with me . . .

Titus 2 (Amplified Bible)

1 BUT [as for] you, Teach what is fitting and becoming to Sound (Wholesome) Doctrine [the Character and Right Living that identify True Christians].

2 Urge the older men to be temperate, venerable (serious), sensible, self-controlled, and sound in the Faith, in the Love, and in the Steadfastness and Patience [of Christ].

3 Bid the older women similarly to be Reverent and Devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in Sacred Service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give Good Counsel and be Teachers of what is Right and Noble,

4 So that they will Wisely Train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (Temperate, Disciplined) and to Love their husbands and their children,

5 To be Self-Controlled, Chaste, Homemakers, Good-Natured (Kindhearted), adapting and subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the Word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited).

6 In a similar way, urge the younger men to be Self-Restrained and to behave Prudently [taking life seriously].

7 And show your own self in all respects to be a pattern and a model of Good Deeds and Works, Teaching what is unadulterated, showing gravity [having the Strictest regard for Truth and Purity of motive], with Dignity and Seriousness.

8 And let your Instruction be Sound and Fit and Wise and Wholesome, Vigorous and Irrefutable and Above Censure, so that the opponent may be put to shame, finding nothing discrediting or evil to say about us.

9 [Tell] bond servants to be submissive to their masters, to be pleasing and give satisfaction in every way. [Warn them] not to talk back or contradict,

10 Nor to steal by taking things of small value, but to prove themselves Truly Loyal and Entirely Reliable and Faithful throughout, so that in Everything they may be an Ornament and do credit to the Teaching [which is] From and About God our Savior.

11 For the Grace of God (His Unmerited Favor and Blessing) has come forward (Appeared) for the Deliverance from sin and the Eternal Salvation for All mankind.

12 It has Trained us to reject and renounce all ungodliness (irreligion) and worldly (passionate) desires, to live Discreet (Temperate, Self-Controlled), Upright, Devout (Spiritually Whole) lives in this present world,

13 Awaiting and looking for the [Fulfillment, the Realization of our] Blessed Hope, even the Glorious Appearing of our Great God and Savior Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One),

14 Who gave Himself on our behalf that He might Redeem us (Purchase our Freedom) from All iniquity and Purify for Himself a people [to be peculiarly His own, people who are] Eager and Enthusiastic about [Living a Life that is Good and Filled with] Beneficial Deeds.

15 Tell [them all] these things. Urge (Advise, Encourage, Warn) and Rebuke with Full Authority. Let no one despise or disregard or think little of you [Conduct yourself and your Teaching so as to Command Respect].

2 John 1 (Amplified Bible)

1 THE ELDERLY elder [of the church addresses this letter] to the Elect (Chosen) lady (Cyria) and her children, whom I Truly Love--and not only I but also all who are [Progressively] Learning to Recognize and Know and Understand the Truth--

2 Because of the Truth which lives and stays on in our Hearts and will be with us Forever:

3Grace (Spiritual Blessing), Mercy, and [soul] Peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ (the Messiah), the Father's Son, in all Sincerity (Truth) and Love.

4 I was greatly delighted to find some of your children walking (living) in [the] Truth, just as we have been Commanded by the Father [Himself].

5 And now I beg you, lady (Cyria), not as if I were issuing a new Charge (Injunction or Command), but [simply recalling to your mind] the one we have had from the beginning, that we Love one another.

6 And what this Love consists in is this: that we live and walk in Accordance with and Guided by His Commandments (His Orders, Ordinances, Precepts, Teaching). This is the Commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you Continue to Walk in Love [Guided by it and Following it].

7 For many Imposters (Seducers, Deceivers, and False leaders) have gone out into the world, men who will not acknowledge (Confess, Admit) the coming of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) in Bodily form. Such a one is the Imposter (the Seducer, the Deceiver, the False leader, the antagonist of Christ) and the Antichrist.

8 Look to yourselves (Take Care) that you may not lose (throw away or destroy) all that we and you have labored for, but that you may [Persevere until you] win and receive back a Perfect Reward [In Full].

9 Anyone who runs on ahead [of God] and does not Abide in the Doctrine of Christ [who is not content with what He Taught] Does Not Have God; but he who Continues to live in the Doctrine (Teaching) of Christ [Does Have God], he has both the Father and the Son.

10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this Doctrine [is Disloyal to what Jesus Christ Taught], Do Not Receive him [Do Not Accept him, Do Not Welcome or Admit him] into [your] house or bid him Godspeed or give him Any Encouragement.

11 For he who wishes him Success [who Encourages him, wishing him Godspeed] is a partaker in his evil doings.

12 I have many things to write to you, but I prefer not to do so with paper and ink; I hope to come to see you and talk with you face to face, so that our Joy may be complete.

13 The children of your Elect (Chosen) sister wish to be remembered to you. Amen (so be it).

Proverbs 20:6 (KING JAMES VERSION)

Most men will proclaim every one his own Goodness: but a Faithful man who can find?

Recall God's Mercies (Faith to Faith, Copeland)

"This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassion's fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
–(Lamentations 3:21-23)

"God is faithful. He's full of compassion. His mercies are new every morning. As a believer, you know all that. But simply knowing it is not enough.

For it to do you any good, you have to recall it. You have to remember it again and again in order to rekindle your hope and stir your faith.

So, make it a point to remind yourself of God's faithfulness every morning. Remind yourself of the benefits that are yours in Jesus.

What are those benefits? Psalm 103 spells them out:

1. He forgives all your sins.
2. He heals all your diseases.
3. He redeems your life from destruction.
4. He crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies.
5. He satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
6. He executes righteousness and judgment for you against oppression. He sets you free.
7. He makes known His ways to you.
8. He gives you His grace and mercy in times of need.

Make it a point every morning this year to say those things out loud to the Lord. Stand before Him in prayer and recall His mercies to you. Keep it up and by the end of this year you'll be stronger in faith and more confident of God's love than you've ever been before.

Don't just settle for knowing God's blessings. Remember them every day and watch them come alive in you."

Scripture Reading: Psalm 103:1-17

1 Samuel 26:23 (KING JAMES VERSION)

The LORD render to every man his Righteousness and his Faithfulness: for the LORD delivered thee into [my] hand to day, but I would not stretch forth mine hand against the LORD'S Anointed.

Strong's Greek Definition for # 4103



4103 // pistov // pistos // pis-tos' //

from 3982 ; TDNT - 6:174,849; adj

AV - faithful 53, believe 6, believing 2, true 2, faithfully 1,
believer 1, sure 1; not tr 1; 67

1) trusty, faithful
1a) of persons who show themselves faithful in the
transaction of business, the execution of commands, or
the discharge of official duties
1b) one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust
1c) that can be relied on
2) easily persuaded
2a) believing, confiding, trusting
2b) in the NT one who trusts in God's promises
2b1) one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead
2b2) one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah
and Author of Salvation



Strong's Hebrew Definition for # 0530



0530 // hnwma // 'emuwnah // em-oo-naw' // or (shortened)
// hnma // 'emunah // em-oo-naw' //

from 0529 ; TWOT - 116e; n f

AV - faithfulness 18, truth 13, faithfully 5, office 5, faithful 3,
faith 1, stability 1, steady 1, truly 1, verily 1; 49

1) firmness, fidelity, steadfastness, steadiness