Tackling Ten Timeless Truths, Part 5

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Turn\ with\ me\ in\ your\ Bible\ to\ the\ book\ of\ Hebrews,\ the\ 13th\ chapter,\ as\ you\ once\ again\ set\ out\ to\ tackle\ ten\ timeless\ truths\.

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As\ you\ do,\ I\ want\ to\ read\ to\ you\ a\ verse\ from\ the\ book\ of\ Proverbs\.\ A\ few\ weeks\ ago,\ I\ read\ to\ you\ Proverbs\ chapter\ 13,\ verse\ number\ 13,\ which\ says,\ The\ one\ who\ despises\ the\ word\ will\ be\ in\ debt\ to\ it\.\ In\ other\ words,\ those\ who\ despise\ what\ God\ says\ will\ be\ destroyed\ by\ what\ God\ says\.

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Then\ he\ says\ this,\ he\ says,\ but\ the\ one\ who\ fears\ the\ commandment,\ that\ one\ will\ be\ rewarded\.\ Those\ who\ revere\ the\ word\ will\ be\ rewarded\ by\ the\ word\.\ Well,\ Proverbs\ 16,\ verse\ number\ 20,\ says\ these\ words,\ says\ he\ who\ gives\ attention\ to\ the\ word\ will\ find\ good\ and\ blessed\ is\ he\ who\ trusts\ in\ the\ Lord\.\ The\ one\ who\ pays\ attention\ to\ the\ word\ of\ God\ will\ find\ goodness\ and\ blessedness\.\ And\ my\ prayer\ for\ you\ today\ is\ that\ you\ and\ me\ would\ pay\ very\ close\ attention\ to\ what\ the\ spirit\ of\ God\ has\ for\ us\ as\ we\ study\ the\ word\ of\ God\.

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That\ we\ might\ find\ the\ goodness\ and\ blessedness\ that\ comes\ in\ paying\ very\ close\ attention\ to\ all\ that\ God\ says\.

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When\ you\ woke\ up\ this\ morning,\ you\ like\ everyone\ else\ in\ the\ world\ knew\ that\ this\ day\ would\ not\ be\ like\ yesterday\.\ Today\ would\ be\ different\.\ How\?\ You\ don't\ necessarily\ know\.\ You\ just\ know\ that\ today\ will\ be\ different\ than\ yesterday\.\ When\ you\ woke\ up\ yesterday,\ it\ was\ sunny\ and\ warm\.\ When\ you\ woke\ up\ today,\ it\ was\ cloudy\ and\ cool\.\ Already,\ the\ weather\ had\ changed\ in\ just\ a\ short\ 24\-hour\ period,\ which\ would\ cause\ you\ to\ change\ maybe\ your\ plans\ for\ today,\ change\ what\ you\ would\ wear\ today,\ or\ change\ what\ your\ children\ would\ wear\ today\.

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But\ one\ thing\ is\ certain,\ when\ you\ woke\ up\ today\ like\ every\ other\ person\ in\ the\ universe,\ whether\ saved\ or\ unsaved,\ you\ knew\ today\ would\ be\ different\ than\ yesterday,\ which\ was\ different\ than\ the\ day\ before\.\ Why\?\ Because\ we\ live\ in\ a\ universe\ that's\ in\ constant\ change\.\ Nothing\ remains\ the\ same\.\ Nothing\.\ Things\ change\ moment\ by\ moment,\ day\ by\ day\.\ They\ change\ for\ us\ financially\.\ They\ change\ for\ us\ relationally\.\ They\ change\ for\ us\ sometimes\ even\ spiritually\.\ Some\ days\ we're\ growing\ and\ we're\ walking\ with\ the\ Lord\.

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Others\ days\ we\ are\ stagnant\ and\ stale\ in\ our\ walk\ with\ the\ Lord,\ but\ we\ are\ in\ constant\ change\.\ Of\ the\ 151,000\ people\ that\ died\ between\ yesterday\ morning\ and\ this\ morning\ around\ the\ world,\ their\ lives\ were\ changed\.\ Some\ went\ off\ into\ a\ blessed\ eternity\ with\ the\ Lord\.\ Others\ went\ out\ into\ eternity\ separate\ from\ the\ Lord\.\ But\ of\ those\ 151,000\ people\ that\ died,\ all\ their\ families'\ lives\ were\ changed\ as\ well\.\ They\ lost\ friends\.\ They\ lost\ loved\ ones\.\ Some\ lost\ husbands\.\ Some\ lost\ wives\.\ Some\ lost\ children\.

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But\ all\ their\ lives\ were\ changed\.\ Of\ the\ 353,000\ babies\ that\ were\ born\ between\ yesterday\ morning\ and\ this\ morning,\ all\ those\ families'\ lives\ changed\ for\ the\ good\.\ They'd\ received\ a\ gift\ from\ the\ Lord\.\ And\ all\ those\ families\ who\ had\ newborns,\ their\ lives\ would\ forever\ be\ altered,\ forever\ be\ changed,\ because\ now\ there's\ just\ not\ two\ but\ one\ or\ maybe\ three\ or\ four\ or\ five\ or\ six\ or\ seven\ children\.\ Who\ knows\?\ But\ their\ lives\ were\ changed\.\ Of\ the\ 200,000\ babies\ that\ were\ aborted\ between\ yesterday\ morning\ and\ this\ morning,\ those\ people\ who\ went\ through\ the\ abortion,\ their\ lives\ will\ be\ permanently\ changed\.

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They'll\ never\ be\ the\ same\ again\.\ Of\ the\ 29,000\ people\ that\ were\ arrested\ between\ yesterday\ and\ today,\ their\ lives\ changed\ and\ their\ families'\ lives\ changed\.\ Of\ the\ 6,500\ weddings\ that\ took\ place\ between\ yesterday\ morning\ and\ this\ morning,\ those\ people's\ lives\ have\ been\ changed\.\ No\ longer\ are\ they\ two\.\ They\ are\ now\ one\ and\ they\ begin\ their\ journey\ together\.\ And\ it'll\ be\ a\ journey\ of\ life,\ change\.\ You\ see,\ everything\ in\ this\ world\ is\ at\ best\ tenuous,\ at\ best\ temporary,\ at\ best\ transitory,\ except\ one\ thing,\ one\ person,\ and\ that's\ Jesus\ Christ,\ our\ Lord\.

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He\ never\ changes\.\ And\ that's\ what\ the\ writer\ of\ Hebrews\ tells\ us\ in\ chapter\ 13,\ verse\ number\ 8\.\ Jesus\ Christ\ is\ the\ same\ yesterday,\ today,\ and\ forever\.\ I\ wonder\ if\ you've\ ever\ thought\ about\ that\.\ The\ writer\ of\ Hebrews\ is\ giving\ us\ these\ truths\ that\ we\ must\ adhere\ to\ and\ understand\.\ We\ began\ by\ telling\ you\ the\ first\ one\ was\ we\ need\ to\ respond\ with\ love\ to\ the\ needs\ of\ others,\ that's\ verses\ 1\ to\ 3\.

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Reaffirm\ our\ loyalty\ to\ Mary,\ that's\ verse\ number\ 4\.\ Resist\ the\ love\ of\ money,\ that's\ verses\ 5\ and\ 6\.\ And\ remember\ your\ leaders\ and\ follow\ their\ example,\ that's\ verse\ number\ 7\.\ Why\?\ Because\ the\ same\ Jesus\ Christ,\ the\ Messiah,\ who\ watched\ over\ their\ forefathers'\ lives,\ protected\ them\ and\ preserved\ them,\ is\ the\ same\ today\ as\ he\ was\ yesterday\.\ He's\ the\ same\ God\.\ So\ principle\ number\ 6\ in\ our\ outline\ is\ simply\ the\ fact\ that\ we\ need\ to\u2014I'm\ sorry,\ principle\ number\ 5\.\ Did\ I\ say\ 6\?\ I\ meant\ 5\.\ Sometimes\ I\ lose\ count\.

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Principle\ number\ 5\ is\ that\ you\ need\ to\ relish\ the\ unchangeable\ character\ of\ God\.\ You\ need\ to\ truly\ relish\ the\ unchangeable\ character\ of\ your\ God\.\ Theologians\ call\ it\ the\ immutability\ of\ God\.\ He's\ unchangeable\ in\ his\ nature\.\ He's\ unchangeable\ in\ his\ character\.\ And\ if\ you\ were\ to\ study\ the\ attributes\ of\ God,\ you\ would\ want\ to\ begin\ here\.\ And\ you'd\ begin\ here\ simply\ because\ the\ nature\ of\ God\ is\ unchanging\.\ So\ if\ you\ were\ going\ to\ study\ the\ nature\ of\ God,\ you'd\ begin\ with\ his\ immutability,\ his\ unchangeableness\.

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So\ you\ would\ understand\ that\ his\ love\ is\ unchanging,\ his\ mercy\ is\ unchanging,\ his\ wrath\ is\ unchanging,\ his\ jealousy\ is\ unchanging,\ his\ omnipotence,\ omniscience\ are\ all\ unchanging\.\ His\ omnipresence\ is\ unchanging\ because\ that's\ who\ he\ is\.\ And\ so\ if\ you\ were\ ever\ to\ embark\ on\ a\ study\ of\ the\ attributes\ of\ God,\ you\ begin\ with\ this\ one\.\ So\ you\ would\ know\ that\ your\ God\ never\ changes\ when\ it\ comes\ to\ love\ and\ mercy\ and\ grace\ and\ faithfulness\ and\ truth,\ and\ his\ presence,\ his\ power,\ and\ so\ forth\.\ Where\ did\ the\ writer\ of\ Hebrews\ come\ up\ with\ this\?

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Well,\ of\ course,\ it's\ the\ Spirit\ of\ God\ and\ inspired\ him\ to\ write\ these\ things\.\ But\ the\ writer\ of\ Hebrews\ understands\ Old\ Testament\ concepts,\ understands\ what\ the\ Lord\ has\ already\ said\ all\ the\ way\ back\ to\ the\ book\ of\ Numbers,\ the\ 23rd\ chapter\.\ It\ says,\ God\ is\ not\ a\ man\ that\ he\ should\ lie\ nor\ a\ son\ of\ man\ that\ he\ should\ repent\ or\ change\ his\ mind\.\ Has\ he\ said\ and\ will\ he\ not\ do\ it\?\ Or\ has\ he\ spoken\ and\ will\ he\ not\ make\ it\ good\?\ Moses\ tells\ us\ at\ the\ very\ beginning,\ God\ is\ unchangeable\.\ When\ Malachi,\ the\ prophet,\ was\ speaking\ to\ Judah,\ he\ wanted\ them\ to\ understand\ that\ God\ is\ a\ just\ God\ because\ they\ asked\ the\ question\ in\ chapter\ two,\ where\ is\ the\ justice\ of\ God\?

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And\ Malachi\ will\ tell\ them\ that\ the\ Son\ of\ Man\ is\ going\ to\ come,\ the\ Messiah\ is\ going\ to\ come\.\ He's\ going\ to\ come\ suddenly\ to\ his\ temple\.\ The\ messenger\ in\ whom\ you\ delight\ is\ going\ to\ arrive\.\ And\ when\ he\ arrives,\ his\ justice\ will\ be\ swift,\ his\ judgment\ will\ be\ quick\ and\ it\ will\ be\ severe\.\ But\ he\ says\ these\ words,\ Malachi\ 3,\ verse\ number\ six,\ for\ I,\ the\ Lord,\ do\ not\ change\.\ Therefore,\ you,\ O\ sons\ of\ Jacob,\ are\ not\ consumed\.\ Do\ you\ know\ why\ Israel\ is\ around\ today\?\ They\ shouldn't\ even\ be\ here\.\ They\ should\ have\ been\ wiped\ off\ the\ face\ of\ the\ earth\ many\ times\ over\.

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Satan\ would\ love\ to\ destroy\ the\ nation\ of\ Israel\.\ He\ just\ can't\.\ Why\?\ Because\ God\ is\ unchangeable\.\ That's\ why\ he\ calls\ them\ the\ sons\ of\ Jacob,\ because\ he\ wants\ them\ to\ realize\ that\ there's\ a\ covenant\ made\ with\ Abraham,\ Isaac\ and\ Jacob,\ a\ covenant\ made\ all\ the\ way\ back\ in\ Genesis\ chapter\ 13\ with\ Abraham,\ an\ unconditional,\ unilateral\ covenant\ that\ God\ made\ with\ Abraham\ that\ his\ seed\ would\ endure\ forever\.\ And\ therefore,\ there\ will\ always\ be\ a\ remnant\ that\ set\ aside\ and\ will\ be\ saved\ by\ God,\ because\ Romans\ 9\ tells\ us\ that\ all\ Israel\ will\ be\ saved\.

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And\ God\ says\ to\ the\ pen\ of\ Malachi,\ listen,\ Judah,\ listen,\ O\ sons\ of\ Jacob,\ I\ want\ to\ let\ you\ know\ why\ you\ are\ not\ consumed\ because\ of\ your\ sin\ and\ your\ rebellion\ against\ me,\ which\ has\ been\ constant\.

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It's\ because\ I'm\ a\ God\ of\ mercy,\ a\ God\ of\ loving\ kindness\ and\ forgiveness\.\ And\ I\ made\ a\ covenant\ with\ Abraham\ and\ my\ word\ is\ sure\ it\ never\ changes\.\ So\ therefore,\ you\ live\ today\.\ Oh,\ you'll\ be\ chastised,\ but\ you'll\ never\ be\ consumed\.\ So\ he\ says\ in\ verse\ seven,\ from\ the\ days\ of\ your\ fathers,\ you\ have\ turned\ aside\ from\ my\ statutes\.\ You\ should\ have\ died\.\ I\ should\ have\ killed\ you\.\ But\ I\ didn't\.\ You\ have\ not\ kept\ them\.\ So\ return\ to\ me\ and\ I\ will\ return\ to\ you\.\ All\ that's\ based\ on\ the\ unchangeable\ character\ of\ our\ God,\ his\ immutability\.

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The\ psalmist\ in\ Psalm\ 102\ speaks\ about\ the\ ever\-changing\ life\ that\ he\ himself\ is\ encountering\ and\ finds\ solace\ in\ the\ unchangeable\ nature\ of\ God\.\ He\ says\ this\ in\ Psalm\ 102,\ verse\ number\ one,\ hear\ my\ prayer,\ O\ Lord,\ and\ let\ my\ cry\ for\ help\ come\ to\ you\.

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Do\ not\ hide\ your\ face\ from\ me\ in\ the\ day\ of\ my\ distress\.\ Incline\ your\ ear\ to\ me\ in\ the\ day\ when\ I\ call\.\ Answer\ me\ quickly,\ for\ my\ days\ have\ been\ consumed\ in\ smoke\ and\ my\ bones\ have\ been\ scorched\ like\ a\ hearth\.\ My\ heart\ has\ been\ smitten\ like\ grass\ and\ is\ withered\ away\.\ Indeed,\ I\ forget\ to\ eat\ my\ bread\ because\ of\ the\ loudness\ of\ my\ groaning,\ my\ bones\ cling\ to\ my\ flesh\.\ I\ resemble\ a\ pelican\ of\ the\ wilderness\.\ I\ have\ become\ like\ an\ owl\ of\ the\ waste\ places\.\ I\ lie\ awake\.\ I\ have\ become\ like\ a\ lonely\ bird\ on\ a\ housetop\.

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My\ enemies\ have\ reproached\ me\ all\ day\ long\.\ Those\ who\ deride\ me\ have\ used\ my\ name\ as\ a\ curse\.\ Verse\ 11,\ my\ days\ are\ like\ a\ Lincoln's\ shadow\ and\ I\ wither\ away\ like\ grass\.\ But\ the\ biologies\ of\ scripture\ are\ so\ enormous\.\ But\ you,\ O\ Lord,\ abide\ forever\ in\ your\ name\ to\ all\ generations\.\ In\ the\ midst\ of\ everything\ that's\ changing\ in\ my\ life,\ when\ it\ comes\ to\ my\ relationship\ with\ others,\ when\ it\ comes\ to\ my\ physicality,\ everything\ is\ changing\.\ I'm\ wasting\ away\.\ I\ need\ something\ solid\.\ I\ need\ something\ sure\.

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I\ need\ something\ steadfast\.\ I\ need\ something\ rock\ like\.\ I\ need\ a\ fortress\.\ I\ need\ something\ that\ never\ changes\ and\ God\ never\ changes\.\ So\ he\ says\ this,\ verse\ 25,\ of\ old\ you\ have\ founded\ the\ earth\ and\ the\ heavens\ are\ the\ work\ of\ your\ hands\.\ Even\ they\ will\ perish,\ but\ you\ endure\ and\ all\ of\ them\ will\ wear\ out\ like\ a\ garment,\ like\ clothing\.\ You\ will\ change\ them\ and\ they\ will\ be\ changed\.\ But\ you\ are\ the\ same\ and\ your\ years\ will\ not\ come\ to\ an\ end\.\ Lord,\ you\ are\ the\ same\.\ You\ never\ change\.\ You\ endure\ forever\.

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You\ are\ my\ hope\.\ You\ are\ my\ stay\.\ You're\ everything\ because\ you're\ constant\ in\ a\ world\ filled\ with\ inconsistencies\ and\ where\ nothing\ is\ constant,\ God\ himself\ is\ constant\.\ God\ himself\ is\ sure\.\ We\ sang\ about\ it\ earlier\.\ He\ is\ an\ anchor\ for\ our\ soul\.\ He\ is\ the\ rock\ of\ our\ salvation\.\ He\ is\ a\ refuge\ in\ which\ we\ run\.\ He\ is\ everything\ and\ he\ never\ changes\.\ He's\ always\ the\ same\.\ So\ important\ to\ understand\.\ Simply\ put,\ God's\ immutability\ describes\ the\ changelessness\ of\ his\ character\ and\ that's\ good\.\ Why\?\ Because\ any\ change\ for\ better\ would\ make\ God\ not\ the\ best\ and\ make\ him\ imperfect\.

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So\ he\ can\ never\ change\ to\ get\ any\ better\ than\ he\ already\ is\.\ In\ other\ words,\ he\ can't\ change\ for\ the\ worse\ because\ then\ he'd\ be\ imperfect\ and\ they\ would\ not\ be\ God\.\ In\ other\ words,\ God\ doesn't\ change\ in\ his\ knowledge\.\ He\ knows\ everything\.\ The\ Bible\ tells\ us\ he\ knows\ the\ head\ or\ the\ hair\ on\ top\ of\ your\ head,\ the\ number\ of\ the\ hairs\ on\ the\ top\ of\ your\ head,\ and\ he\ never\ had\ to\ count\ them\ to\ know\ them\.\ Because\ if\ he\ had\ to\ count\ them\ to\ know\ them,\ that\ means\ there\ was\ something\ he\ did\ not\ know\ at\ one\ time\.

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But\ that's\ not\ true\ of\ God\.\ He\ knows\ everything\.\ So\ he\ knows\ the\ number\ of\ the\ hairs\ on\ your\ head\ just\ because\ he\ knows\ them\.\ Without\ ever\ having\ to\ count\ them\.\ Because\ he\ knows\ everything\.\ And\ that\ character\ is\ something\ that\ never\ changes\.\ Everything\ that's\ created\ runs\ down\ and\ wears\ out\.\ God\ is\ the\ uncreated\ being\.\ He's\ always\ existed\.\ He\ has\ no\ beginning\.\ He\ has\ no\ end\.\ He\ just\ is\.\ So\ he\ can\ never\ wear\ out\.\ He\ can\ never\ grow\ old\.\ You\ and\ I,\ we\ grow\ old\.\ We're\ a\ lot\ different\ this\ week\ than\ we\ were\ last\ week\.

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Our\ hair\ is\ probably\ a\ little\ grayer\ than\ it\ was\ last\ week\.\ We\ have\ a\ little\ bit\ more\ wrinkles\ than\ we\ had\ last\ week\.\ We\ don't\ walk\ nearly\ as\ fast\ as\ we\ used\ to\ walk\.\ We\ don't\ run\ nearly\ as\ fast\ as\ we\ used\ to\ run\ or\ we\ don't\ even\ run\ at\ all\.\ Why\?\ Because\ our\ physicality\ is\ expiring\.\ And\ everything\ is\ wearing\ out\ and\ running\ down\.\ The\ New\ Testament,\ the\ book\ of\ James,\ tells\ us\ this\ in\ James\ chapter\ 1\ verse\ number\ 17\.\ Every\ good\ thing\ given\ and\ every\ perfect\ gift\ is\ from\ above\.\ Everything\.\ Everything\ that's\ good\ comes\ from\ God\ because\ God\ is\ good\.

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Every\ perfect\ gift\ coming\ down\ from\ above\.\ It\ says,\ coming\ down\ from\ the\ father\ of\ lights\ with\ whom\ there\ is\ no\ variation\ or\ shifting\ shadow\.\ The\ father\ of\ lights\ is\ an\ ancient\ Jewish\ title\ for\ God,\ referring\ to\ him\ as\ the\ creator\ of\ all\ things\.\ He\ is\ the\ creator\ of\ light\.\ He's\ the\ giver\ of\ light\.\ He\ created\ the\ sun,\ the\ moon,\ and\ the\ stars\.\ And\ those\ celestial\ parts\ are\ changing\ constantly\.\ And\ one\ day\ they\ will\ completely\ fade\ away\.\ And\ every\ day\ the\ sun,\ as\ it\ moves,\ casts\ a\ shadow\ upon\ the\ earth\.

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And\ that\ shadow\ begins\ to\ shift\ moment\ by\ moment,\ hour\ by\ hour\.\ But\ with\ the\ father\ of\ lights,\ there\ is\ no\ variation\.\ There\ is\ no\ shifting\ shadow\.\ Why\?\ Because\ he's\ always\ the\ same\.\ He\ never\ changes\.\ Nothing\ gets\ better\ with\ God\.\ Certainly\ nothing\ gets\ worse\ with\ God\.\ Because\ he\ is\ absolute\ perfection\.\ That's\ who\ our\ God\ is\.\ So\ in\ other\ words,\ his\ person\ never\ changes\.\ When\ God\ has\ made\ up\ his\ mind,\ his\ mind\ is\ made\ up\.\ But\ he\ doesn't\ make\ up\ his\ mind\.\ His\ mind\ is\ already\ made\ because\ he\ already\ knows\.

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In\ fact,\ way\ back\ in\ the\ book\ of\ 1\ Samuel,\ as\ you\ remember,\ King\ Saul\ had\ refused\ to\ pay\ attention\ to\ the\ word\ of\ God,\ Proverbs\ 16,\ 20\.\ Because\ if\ you\ pay\ attention\ to\ the\ word\ of\ God,\ it\ will\ be\ good\ for\ you\.\ You'll\ be\ blessed\.\ Instead,\ he\ despised\ the\ word,\ Proverbs\ 13,\ verse\ number\ 13,\ and\ he\ would\ be\ disciplined\ and\ destroyed\ by\ that\ word\.\ Because\ he\ was\ told\ to\ kill\ all\ the\ Amalekites,\ kill\ all\ the\ possessions,\ all\ the\ livestock\ of\ the\ Amalekites\.\ But\ Saul\ chose\ not\ to\ do\ that\.\ He\ chose\ to\ spare\ the\ king\ and\ to\ spare\ some\ of\ the\ livestock,\ thinking\ that\ he\ could\ offer\ some\ of\ those\ lambs\ up\ to\ the\ Lord\ for\ sacrifice\.

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But\ he\ disobeyed\ the\ Lord\.\ And\ so\ Samuel\ called\ him\ out\ on\ that\.\ And\ Samuel\ said\ these\ words,\ Has\ the\ Lord\ as\ much\ delight\ in\ burnt\ offerings\ and\ sacrifices\ as\ in\ obeying\ the\ voice\ of\ the\ Lord\?\ Behold,\ to\ obey\ is\ better\ than\ sacrifice,\ and\ to\ heed\ than\ the\ fat\ of\ rams,\ for\ rebellion\ is\ the\ sin\ of\ divination,\ and\ insubordination\ is\ as\ iniquity\ and\ idolatry,\ because\ you\ have\ rejected\ the\ word\ of\ the\ Lord\.\ He\ has\ also\ rejected\ you\ from\ being\ king\.\ Then\ Saul\ said\ to\ Samuel,\ I\ have\ sinned\.\ I\ have\ indeed\ transgressed\ the\ command\ of\ the\ Lord\ and\ your\ words,\ because\ I\ feared\ the\ people\ and\ listened\ to\ their\ voice\.

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Now,\ therefore,\ please\ pardon\ my\ sin\ and\ return\ with\ me\ that\ I\ may\ worship\ the\ Lord\.\ But\ Samuel\ said\ to\ Saul,\ I\ will\ not\ return\ with\ you,\ for\ you\ have\ rejected\ the\ word\ of\ the\ Lord\ and\ the\ Lord\ has\ rejected\ you\ from\ being\ king\.\ Over\ Israel,\ as\ Samuel\ turned\ to\ go,\ Saul\ seized\ the\ edge\ of\ his\ robe\ and\ it\ tore\.\ So\ Samuel\ said\ to\ him,\ the\ Lord\ has\ torn\ the\ kingdom\ of\ Israel\ from\ you\ today\ and\ has\ given\ it\ to\ your\ neighbor,\ who\ is\ better\ than\ you\.\ Also,\ the\ glory\ of\ Israel\ will\ not\ lie,\ nor\ will\ he\ change\ his\ mind,\ for\ he\ is\ not\ a\ man\ that\ he\ should\ change\ his\ mind\.

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God\ said,\ that's\ it\.\ You're\ done\.\ And\ Saul\ was\ done,\ because\ God\ is\ unchangeable\ in\ his\ nature\ and\ in\ his\ character\.\ The\ Bible\ says\ these\ words\ in\ Acts\ chapter\ 15,\ verse\ number\ 18,\ known\ to\ God\ are\ all\ his\ works\ from\ the\ beginning\ of\ the\ world\.

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Known\ to\ God\ are\ all\ his\ works\ from\ the\ beginning\ of\ the\ world\.\ In\ other\ words,\ God\ knows\ everything\.\ God\ never\ has\ to\ change\ plans\.\ We\ have\ to\ change\ plans,\ right\?\ We\ make\ a\ plan\ that\ this\ week\ we're\ going\ to\ do\ this,\ but\ it\ rains,\ so\ our\ plans\ have\ to\ change\.\ Or\ somebody\ gets\ sick,\ my\ plans\ have\ to\ change\.\ Or\ somebody\ dies,\ my\ plans\ have\ to\ change\.\ But\ God\ never\ changes,\ because\ he\ makes\ all\ the\ plans\.\ And\ so\ known\ to\ God\ from\ the\ very\ beginning\ are\ all\ of\ his\ works\.\ And\ God\ never\ forgets\.\ Do\ you\ forget\?

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Sure,\ we\ forget\.\ But\ God\ never\ forgets,\ because\ he\ knows\ everything\.\ In\ fact,\ the\ Bible\ says\ over\ Isaiah\ 40,\ verse\ number\ 28,\ when\ Israel\ was\ concerned\ about\ God\ rejecting\ them,\ and\ God\ not\ knowing\ anything\ about\ their\ condition,\ when\ they\ asked,\ why\ is\ my\ way\ hidden\ from\ the\ Lord,\ and\ that\ justice\ do\ me\ escapes\ the\ notice\ of\ my\ God\?

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Jeremiah\ says,\ do\ you\ not\ know,\ have\ you\ not\ heard\ that\ the\ everlasting\ God,\ the\ Lord,\ the\ creator\ of\ the\ ends\ of\ the\ earth,\ does\ not\ become\ weary\ or\ tired\?\ His\ understanding\ is\ inscrutable\.\ In\ other\ words,\ when\ he\ expends\ energy,\ he\ doesn't\ decrease\ in\ energy\.\ His\ expending\ of\ energy\ is\ nothing,\ because\ he\ never\ loses\ his\ power\.\ It's\ always\ there,\ so\ he\ can\ give\ strength\ to\ the\ weary\.\ He\ can\ call\ the\ youths\ to\ rise\ up\ and\ stand\ strong\.\ Why\?\ Because\ that's\ what\ God\ does\.\ His\ unchangeable\ character\ says\ that\ his\ power\ never\ is\ relinquished,\ or\ distinguished,\ or\ expended\ to\ such\ that\ he's\ so\ tired,\ he\ says,\ I\ spent\ so\ much\ time\ helping\ this\ family,\ I\ can't\ help\ yours,\ I'm\ worn\ out\.

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Because\ God's\ unchangeable\ in\ his\ power,\ in\ his\ knowledge,\ in\ his\ character,\ that's\ who\ he\ is\.\ God's\ unchangeable\ in\ his\ person,\ God's\ unchangeable\ in\ his\ precepts\.\ They\ never\ change\.\ Psalm\ 119,\ 89,\ forever,\ O\ Lord,\ thy\ word\ is\ settled\ in\ heaven\.\ It's\ settled\.\ God\ never\ misspeaks\.\ God\ never\ says\ anything\ that\ says,\ oh,\ I\ shouldn't\ have\ said\ it\ that\ way\.\ I'm\ sorry\.\ We\ do\.\ We\ say\ things,\ and\ those\ words\ come\ out\ of\ our\ mouth,\ and\ we\ try\ to\ grab\ them\ and\ put\ them\ back\ in\ again,\ because\ we\ shouldn't\ have\ said\ what\ we\ said\.

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But\ God\ never\ regrets\ what\ he\ says\.\ Never\ does\.\ Why\?\ Because\ he\ always\ speaks\ truth\.\ The\ Bible\ says\ in\ Isaiah\ 40,\ verse\ number\ eight,\ the\ grass\ withers,\ the\ flower\ fades,\ but\ the\ word\ of\ the\ Lord\ stands\ forever\.

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That's\ God's\ word\.\ His\ precepts\ are\ unchangeable\ because\ his\ person\ is\ unchangeable\.\ His\ precepts\ are\ immutable\ because\ his\ person\ is\ immutable,\ his\ plans\.\ Number\ three,\ Psalm\ 33,\ 11,\ the\ counsel\ of\ the\ Lord\ stands\ forever,\ the\ plans\ of\ his\ heart\ from\ generation\ to\ generation\.

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Nothing\ changes\ the\ plans\ of\ God\.\ Proverbs\ 19,\ 21,\ there\ are\ many\ plans\ in\ a\ man's\ heart\.\ Nevertheless,\ the\ Lord's\ counsel\ stands\ forever\.\ In\ other\ words,\ there\ are\ many\ plans\ that\ you\ and\ I\ have\.\ We\ plan\ to\ grow\ up\.\ We\ plan\ to\ get\ married\.\ We\ plan\ to\ buy\ a\ house\.\ We\ plan\ to\ have\ kids\.\ We\ plan\ to\ have\ this\ kind\ of\ job\ and\ have\ this\ kind\ of\ income\.\ We\ make\ all\ these\ plans,\ but\ they're\ ever\-changing\ because\ I\ don't\ control\ them\.\ There\ are\ outside\ circumstances\ that\ affect\ things\ that\ I\ do,\ schools\ I\ attend,\ jobs\ I\ interview\ for\.

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But\ with\ God,\ his\ counsel\ stands\ forever\.\ Job,\ we'll\ talk\ about\ him\ on\ Wednesday\ night,\ says\ this,\ he\ knows\ the\ way\ I\ take\.\ When\ he\ has\ tried\ to\ me,\ I\ shall\ come\ forth\ as\ gold\.\ My\ foot\ has\ held\ fast\ to\ his\ path\.\ I\ have\ kept\ his\ way\ and\ not\ turned\ aside\.\ I\ have\ not\ departed\ from\ the\ command\ of\ his\ lips\.\ I\ have\ treasured\ the\ words\ of\ his\ mouth\ more\ than\ my\ necessary\ food\.\ But\ he\ is\ unique\ and\ who\ can\ turn\ him\?\ God\ is\ so\ unique,\ you\ can't\ turn\ him\ around\.\ You\ can't\ change\ his\ mind\.\ You\ can't\ change\ his\ plans\.

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You\ can't\ do\ that\.\ And\ what\ his\ soul\ desires,\ that's\ what\ he\ does\.\ Wow\.\ Don't\ you\ wish\ that\ you\ could\ do\ whatever\ your\ soul\ desired\?\ You\ can't\.\ And\ thank\ God\ that\ you\ can't\ do\ that\.\ But\ God\ can\.\ He\ can\.\ For\ he\ has\ performed\ what\ is\ appointed\ for\ me\ and\ many\ such\ decrees\ are\ with\ him\.\ Job,\ who\ had\ no\ theology\ books,\ no\ Bible\ to\ read,\ knew\ in\ the\ sovereign\ providence\ and\ plan\ of\ God\ that\ it\ can\ never\ be\ thwarted\ because\ his\ God\ cannot\ be\ turned\.\ He\ cannot\ be\ changed\.\ He\ can't\ be\ coerced\.\ He\ can't\ be\ manipulated\.

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He\ just\ can't\.\ Because\ his\ plans\ stand\ forever\.\ His\ person\ is\ unchangeable\.\ His\ precepts\ are\ unchangeable\.\ His\ plans\ are\ unchangeable\.\ His\ provisions\ are\ unchangeable\.\ James\ 1\ tells\ us,\ we\ looked\ at\ earlier,\ every\ good\ gift\ and\ every\ perfect\ gift\ coming\ down\ from\ the\ father\ of\ lights\ with\ whom\ there\ is\ no\ shifting\ shadow\.\ There\ is\ no\ variation\.\ There\ is\ no\ change\ about\ him\.\ He\ is\ the\ constant\ when\ it\ comes\ to\ goodness\.\ He\ is\ the\ constant\ when\ it\ comes\ to\ perfection\.\ But\ he's\ the\ one\ who\ provides\.

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He\ provided\ for\ Daniel\ when\ he\ was\ in\ the\ lion's\ den\.\ He\ provided\ protection\ for\ him\.\ Our\ Lord\ is\ the\ same\ yesterday,\ today,\ and\ forever\.\ Our\ Lord\ provided\ for\ Paul\ when\ he\ was\ shipwrecked\.\ He\ preserved\ Paul\ through\ all\ those\ shipwrecks\.\ He\ protected\ Daniel\ when\ he\ was\ in\ prison\.\ And\ he\ pulled\ Peter\ right\ out\ of\ jail\ at\ the\ right\ time\.\ Why\?\ Simply\ because\ his\ provisions\ are\ unchangeable\.\ His\ prophecies,\ they're\ unchangeable\.\ God\ has\ predicted\ the\ past,\ predicted\ the\ future,\ excuse\ me\.\ As\ he\ predicts\ it,\ he\ does\ it\ with\ precision\.

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And\ in\ a\ few\ weeks,\ we'll\ embark\ on\ Great\ Friday\ and\ Resurrection\ Sunday\.\ And\ you'll\ see\ once\ again\ the\ perfection\ and\ the\ precision\ of\ prophecy\ that\ everything\ he\ said\ came\ true\ exactly\ when,\ how,\ and\ where\.\ Because\ he\ knows\ the\ end\ from\ the\ beginning\.\ He\ does\ not\ change\.\ Meaning\ his\ prophecies\ will\ never\ change\.\ His\ promises,\ they\ never\ change\.\ I\ will\ never\ leave\ you,\ nor\ will\ I\ ever\ forsake\ you\.\ You\ read\ that\ earlier\ in\ Hebrews\ chapter\ 13\.\ It's\ taken\ from\ the\ Old\ Testament\.\ God\ promises\ he\ will\ never\ leave\ us\ or\ forsake\ us\.

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Psalm\ 8411,\ no\ good\ thing\ will\ I\ withhold\ from\ those\ who\ walk\ uprightly\.\ It's\ a\ promise\ that\ never\ changes\.\ It's\ an\ immutable\ promise\ given\ to\ us\ by\ the\ living\ God\.\ Over\ in\ the\ book\ of\ Isaiah,\ the\ Lord\ says,\ fear\ not,\ I\ am\ with\ thee\.\ I\ will\ strengthen\ thee\.\ I\ will\ help\ thee\.\ I\ will\ uphold\ thee\ with\ my\ righteous\ right\ hand\.\ God's\ promises\ are\ unchangeable\.\ In\ fact,\ so\ much\ so\ that\ in\ the\ book\ of\ 2\ Timothy\ chapter\ 2,\ verse\ 11\ says,\ this\ is\ a\ trustworthy\ statement\.\ There\ are\ five\ of\ them\ in\ Scripture\ and\ they're\ axiomatic\.

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Everybody\ knows\ this\.\ So\ when\ Paul\ says,\ this\ is\ a\ trustworthy\ saying\ deserving\ of\ full\ acceptance\.\ In\ other\ words,\ everybody\ knows\ this\ is\ a\ saying\ that\ everybody\ understands,\ the\ trustworthy\ statement\.\ For\ if\ we\ died\ with\ him,\ we\ will\ also\ live\ with\ him\.\ That's\ true,\ right\?\ I\ am\ crucified\ with\ Christ\.\ Nevertheless,\ I\ live\ in\ it,\ not\ I,\ but\ Christ\ lives\ in\ me\.\ If\ we\ endure,\ we\ will\ also\ reign\ with\ him\.\ That's\ true\ too,\ right\?\ Those\ who\ endure\ to\ the\ end,\ they\ will\ be\ saved\ and\ they\ will\ reign\ with\ him\ throughout\ all\ eternity\.

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That's\ a\ promise\ God\ gives\.\ That\ will\ never\ change\.\ If\ we\ deny\ him,\ he\ will\ deny\ us\.\ That's\ a\ promise\.\ He\ who\ denies\ me\ or\ he\ who\ confesses\ me\ before\ men,\ I\ will\ confess\ before\ my\ father,\ but\ he\ who\ denies\ me\ before\ men,\ I\ will\ deny\ him\ before\ my\ father\ who\ is\ in\ heaven\.\ He\ who\ is\ ashamed\ of\ me\ and\ my\ words\ in\ this\ generation,\ I\ will\ be\ ashamed\ of\ him\ before\ my\ father\ who\ is\ in\ heaven\.\ If\ we\ deny\ him,\ he\ will\ deny\ us\.\ Now,\ careful\ with\ the\ next\ statement\.\ It\ says,\ if\ we\ are\ faithless,\ he\ remains\ faithful\.

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And\ people\ will\ say,\ well,\ that's\ good\ to\ know\ because\ I\ am\ so\ faithless\ sometimes,\ it's\ good\ to\ know\ my\ God\ is\ faithful\.\ That's\ not\ what\ it\ says\.\ No,\ that's\ what\ exactly\ what\ it\ says\.\ No,\ that's\ not\ what\ it\ means\.\ It\ is\ true\ that\ whenever\ we\ are\ faithless,\ God\ is\ faithful\.\ Peter\ was\ faithless\ and\ God\ was\ faithful\ to\ him\.\ Disciples\ are\ faithless\ and\ God\ was\ faithful\ to\ them\.\ But\ in\ the\ context\ of\ Second\ Timothy,\ Chapter\ two,\ he\ is\ saying\ this\.

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If\ we\ are\ faithless,\ he\ remains\ faithful\ for\ he\ cannot\ deny\ himself\.\ In\ other\ words,\ if\ we\ are\ faithless,\ if\ we\ deny\ him,\ he\ will\ deny\ us\.\ And\ because\ he's\ so\ faithful\ to\ what\ he\ says,\ it\ is\ true\ that\ when\ you\ deny\ him,\ he\ will\ deny\ you\ before\ his\ father\ who\ is\ in\ heaven,\ because\ that's\ how\ faithful\ he\ is\ to\ his\ word\.\ You\ can\ count\ on\ that\ because\ it\ was\ unchangeable,\ immutable\ character\.\ That's\ what\ it\ says\.\ It's\ a\ promise\ of\ God\.\ They're\ unchangeable\.\ You\ say,\ wait\ a\ minute,\ wait,\ hold\ on\ a\ second\.

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Didn't\ God\ change\ his\ mind\ in\ the\ book\ of\ Jonah\?\ Didn't\ God\ change\ from\ destroying\ Nineveh\ to\ saving\ Nineveh\?\ That's\ what\ it\ says\ in\ Jonah,\ Chapter\ three,\ verse\ number\ 10\.\ It\ says,\ and\ God\ saw\ their\ works\ that\ they\ had\ turned\ from\ their\ evil\ way,\ and\ God\ changed\ his\ mind\.\ God\ repented\ of\ the\ evil\ that\ he\ said\ he\ would\ do\ unto\ them,\ and\ he\ did\ not\.\ So\ right\ there\ it\ says\ that\ God\ changed\.\ Doesn't\?\ Who\ changed\?\ God\ or\ Nineveh\?\ Nineveh\ changed\.\ Nineveh\ heard\ the\ preaching\ of\ the\ word\.\ This\ is\ why\ Jonah\ didn't\ want\ to\ go\ to\ the\ Ninevites\.

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He\ knew\ that\ if\ he\ preached\ the\ word\ of\ God,\ they\ would\ respond\ and\ be\ saved\.\ He\ didn't\ want\ that\ to\ happen,\ but\ God\ sent\ him\ there\ anyway,\ because\ God\ was\ going\ to\ show\ himself\ faithful\.\ And\ when\ they\ repented,\ God\ saved\ them\.\ God\ didn't\ change,\ they\ changed\.\ Because\ the\ character\ of\ God\ says\ this,\ if\ you\ repent,\ you'll\ be\ saved\.

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But\ if\ you\ reject,\ you\ will\ die\ in\ your\ sins\.\ And\ they\ were\ on\ their\ way\ to\ hell\ until\ they\ heard\ the\ gospel\ preached\ through\ Jonah,\ and\ they\ repented\.\ They\ changed\ their\ mind\.\ They\ turned\ to\ follow\ God,\ and\ when\ they\ did,\ God\ saved\ them\.\ One\ author\ says\ it\ this\ way,\ you\ can't\ blame\ the\ sun\ for\ melting\ the\ wax\ and\ hardening\ the\ clay\.\ The\ problem\ is\ in\ the\ substance\ of\ those\ objects,\ not\ in\ the\ sun\.\ The\ way\ a\ man\ stands\ before\ God\ dictates\ what\ happens\ to\ him\.\ Have\ you\ ever\ ridden\ a\ bike\ against\ the\ wind\?

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It's\ a\ struggle\ until\ you\ turn\ around\ and\ coast\ with\ the\ force\ of\ the\ wind\.\ You\ can't\ say\ that\ the\ wind\ changed\.\ You\ changed\ in\ relation\ to\ the\ wind\.\ God\ never\ changes\.\ He\ will\ continue\ to\ reward\ good\ and\ punish\ evil\.\ How\ you\ view\ his\ actions\ depends\ on\ where\ you\ are\ in\ his\ grace\ and\ his\ will\.\ So\ true,\ the\ same\ God\ that\ saves,\ condemns\.\ Can't\ blame\ God\ for\ that,\ because\ it\ deals\ with\ the\ objects\ through\ their\ response\ to\ him\.\ And\ so\ you\ begin\ to\ realize\ that\ it's\ not\ God\ who\ changed,\ it\ was\ the\ Ninevites\ who\ changed\.

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And\ God\ only\ operated\ in\ conjunction\ with\ his\ already\ unchangeable\ character,\ which\ is\ he\ will\ have\ mercy\ on\ whom\ he\ will\ have\ mercy\.\ He\ will\ bestow\ grace\ on\ those\ who\ are\ needed\ grace\.\ He\ will\ always\ forgive\ those\ who\ repent\.\ God\ does\ that\.\ So\ what\ does\ this\ mean\ for\ you\ and\ me\?\ It\ means\ so\ much\.\ It\ means\ that\ when\ you\ call\ upon\ him,\ he\ hears\.\ Why\?\ Because\ he's\ constant\.\ He's\ unchangeable\.\ Whosoever\ shall\ call\ upon\ the\ name\ of\ the\ Lord\ shall\ be\ saved\.\ So\ we\ are\ to\ call\ upon\ his\ name\.\ First\ Chronicles\ 16,\ 8\ says,\ give\ thanks\ to\ the\ Lord,\ call\ upon\ his\ name\.

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Psalm\ 86,\ verse\ number\ five,\ for\ you,\ Lord,\ are\ good\ and\ ready\ to\ forgive\ and\ abundant\ and\ loving\ kindness\ to\ all\ who\ call\ upon\ you\.\ Because\ God\ is\ abundant,\ loving\ kindness,\ because\ God\ is\ forgiving,\ he\ will\ forgive\ those\ who\ call\ upon\ him\.\ The\ Bible\ says\ in\ Psalm\ 91,\ he\ will\ call\ upon\ me\ and\ I\ will\ answer\.

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I\ will\ be\ with\ him\ in\ trouble\.\ I\ will\ rescue\ him\ and\ honor\ him\.\ With\ a\ long\ life,\ I\ will\ satisfy\ him\ and\ let\ him\ see\ my\ salvation\.\ Psalm\ 116,\ I\ love\ the\ Lord\ because\ he\ hears\ my\ voice\ and\ my\ supplications,\ because\ he\ has\ inclined\ his\ ear\ to\ me\.\ Therefore,\ I\ shall\ call\ upon\ him\ as\ long\ as\ I\ live\.\ God's\ unchangeable\ character\ beckons\ us\ to\ call\ upon\ him\ because\ he\ hears\.\ The\ Lord,\ it\ says\ in\ Psalm\ 145,\ verse\ number\ 18,\ is\ near\ to\ all\ those\ who\ call\ upon\ him,\ to\ all\ those\ who\ call\ upon\ him\ in\ truth\.

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Psalm\ 145,\ verse\ number\ 18\.\ We\ are\ to\ call\ upon\ the\ Lord\.\ Jeremiah\ 33,\ 3,\ call\ to\ me\ and\ I\ will\ answer\ you\ and\ I\ will\ tell\ you\ great\ and\ mighty\ things\ which\ thou\ knowest\ not\.\ Because\ God's\ unchangeable,\ you\ can\ call\ on\ him\ constantly\.\ Because\ he's\ unchangeable,\ you\ can\ come\ to\ him\ confidently\.\ Matthew\ 11,\ come\ unto\ me,\ all\ ye\ that\ labor\ and\ are\ heavy\ laden,\ and\ I\ will\ give\ you\ rest\.\ John\ 7,\ verse\ number\ 37,\ if\ anyone\ is\ thirsty,\ let\ him\ come\.\ Taken\ from\ Isaiah\ chapter\ 51,\ 55,\ excuse\ me,\ verse\ number\ one,\ everyone\ who\ was\ thirsty,\ come\ to\ the\ waters\ of\ salvation\.

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In\ John\ chapter\ six,\ verse\ number\ 35,\ Jesus\ said\ to\ them,\ I\ am\ the\ bread\ of\ life\.\ He\ who\ comes\ to\ me\ will\ never\ hunger\.\ And\ he\ who\ believes\ in\ me\ will\ never\ thirst\.\ Verse\ 37,\ all\ that\ the\ father\ gives\ me\ will\ come\ to\ me\.\ He'll\ come\.\ And\ the\ ones\ who\ come\ to\ me,\ I\ will\ certainly\ never\ cast\ out\.\ You\ can\ call\ upon\ him\ constantly\.\ You\ can\ come\ to\ him\ confidently\.\ In\ fact,\ the\ very\ last\ invitation\ in\ the\ Bible\ in\ Revelation\ 22,\ verse\ number\ 17,\ says\ the\ Spirit\ says,\ come,\ and\ the\ bride\ says,\ come,\ and\ that\ he\ who\ is\ thirsty,\ come\.

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Come\.\ Why\?\ Because\ there's\ a\ Savior\ who\ will\ save\ you\ from\ your\ sin\.\ You\ can\ call\ upon\ him\ constantly\.\ You\ can\ come\ to\ him\ confidently\.\ You\ can\ communicate\ with\ him\ courageously\.\ He\ says,\ ask,\ keep\ on\ asking,\ keep\ on\ seeking,\ keep\ on\ knocking\.\ Why\?\ Hebrews\ four,\ we\ have\ a\ high\ priest\ who\ can\ sympathize\ with\ our\ weaknesses\.\ Therefore,\ we\ are\ to\ come\ boldly,\ courageously\ before\ the\ throne\ of\ grace,\ that\ we\ might\ receive\ grace\ to\ help,\ mercy\ in\ time\ of\ need\.\ God\ never\ growls\ or\ snarls\ at\ you\ or\ says,\ really\?

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You're\ coming\ again\?\ I\ just\ talked\ to\ you\ this\ morning\.\ Why\ are\ you\ back\?\ Was\ it\ once\ enough\?\ Do\ you\ have\ to\ keep\ crying\ and\ beckoning\ and\ calling\ and\ asking\?\ Yes,\ because\ that's\ what\ he\ said,\ keep\ on\ asking,\ keep\ on\ seeking,\ keep\ on\ knocking\.\ He\ never\ wearies\ or\ is\ tired\.\ He\ wants\ you\ to\ communicate\ with\ him\ courageously\.\ And\ once\ you\ call\ to\ him\ constantly\ and\ come\ to\ him\ confidently\ and\ communicate\ with\ him\ courageously,\ you\ can\ count\ on\ him\ completely\.\ You\ can\ count\ on\ no\ one\ else\ completely\ or\ totally\.

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You\ can\ only\ count\ on\ the\ unchangeable\ character\ and\ nature\ of\ God,\ because\ he\ is\ the\ one\ who\ will\ treat\ you\ tenderly,\ because\ he\ knows\ our\ frame,\ Psalm\ 103\.\ He\ knows\ that\ we\ are\ but\ dust\.\ He\ will\ treat\ us\ tenderly\.\ He\ is\ a\ God,\ sacred\ as\ one,\ of\ all\ comfort\.\ Not\ only\ will\ he\ treat\ you\ tenderly,\ but\ he'll\ transform\ you\ totally\.\ That's\ how\ you\ can\ count\ on\ him\.\ To\ the\ man\ being\ Christ,\ he\ is\ a\ new\ creation,\ been\ transformed\ from\ the\ kingdom\ of\ darkness\ into\ the\ kingdom\ of\ God's\ dear\ son\.\ And\ one\ day,\ one\ day,\ this\ lowly\ body\ will\ be\ transformed,\ will\ be\ glorified,\ will\ become\ like\ our\ Lord's\ body\.

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That\ which\ is\ perishable\ will\ take\ on\ that\ which\ is\ imperishable\.\ That\ which\ is\ mortal\ will\ become\ immortal\.\ Why\?\ Because\ in\ the\ twinkling\ of\ an\ eye,\ we\ shall\ all\ be\ changed\.\ See\ that\?\ He'll\ transform\ us\ totally,\ because\ he\ treats\ us\ tenderly,\ because\ he\ always\ tells\ the\ truth\.\ Psalm\ 19,\ verse\ number\ 9,\ the\ judgments\ of\ the\ Lord\ are\ true\.\ They\ are\ righteous\ all\ together\.\ God's\ word\ is\ completely\ and\ totally\ true\.\ He\ never\ lies,\ never\ misspeaks,\ never\ sorry\ for\ what\ he\ said\ or\ what\ he\ does,\ because\ he\ has\ a\ plan\ that\ runs\ to\ perfection\.

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He\ only\ has\ one\ plan\.\ Does\ it\ have\ a\ plan\ B\ or\ plan\ C\?\ Does\ it\ have\ an\ alternate\ route\ or\ an\ alternate\ plan\?\ We\ got\ one,\ and\ it\ runs\ right\ on\ schedule\.\ That's\ why\ A\.W\.\ Pink\ says\ this,\ human\ nature\ cannot\ be\ relied\ upon,\ but\ God\ can\.\ However\ unstable\ I\ may\ be,\ however\ fickle\ my\ friends\ may\ prove,\ God\ changes\ not\.\ If\ he\ varied\ as\ we\ do,\ if\ he\ willed\ one\ thing\ today\ and\ another\ tomorrow,\ if\ he\ were\ controlled\ by\ caprice,\ who\ could\ confide\ in\ him\?\ But\ all\ praise\ to\ his\ glorious\ name,\ he\ is\ ever\ the\ same\.

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His\ purpose\ is\ fixed,\ his\ will\ is\ stable,\ his\ word\ is\ sure\.\ Here\ then\ is\ a\ rock\ on\ which\ we\ may\ fix\ our\ feet\.\ While\ the\ mighty\ torrent\ is\ sweeping\ away\ everything\ around\ us,\ the\ permanence\ of\ God's\ character\ guarantees\ the\ fulfillment\ of\ all\ his\ promises\.\ Jesus\ Christ,\ the\ same\ yesterday,\ today,\ and\ forever\.\ The\ truth\ you\ need\ to\ tackle\ and\ treasure\ is\ a\ timeless\ truth,\ because\ you\ need\ to\ relish\ the\ unchangeable\ character\ of\ the\ living\ God\.\ Let's\ pray\.\ Lord,\ thank\ you\ for\ today\.\ Lord,\ so\ much\ to\ cover,\ so\ little\ time\ to\ do\ it\ in\.

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Our\ prayer\ is\ that,\ Lord,\ your\ word\ would\ take\ root\ in\ the\ lives\ of\ those\ who\ are\ here,\ that\ you\ grow\ them\ deep\ as\ they\ give\ attention\ to\ your\ word,\ and\ the\ good\ they\ will\ receive,\ and\ the\ blessing\ they\ have\ because\ they\ trust\ only\ in\ the\ unchangeable\ character\ of\ our\ God\.\ In\ your\ name\ we\ pray,\ amen\.

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