Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations, and repays to their face those who hate Him, by destroying them. He will not be slack with one who hates Him. He will repay him to his face.  Deuteronomy 7:9-10

stacked papers: Brrr! by Kristmess Designs

Heavenly Father, We thank you for how you never change and therefore, are just as worthy, trustworthy, faithful and true today as you always have been and always will be.  As we read this passage, it's hard for us to fathom how anyone could hate you, but we see how the world is blinded by Satan into esteeming worthless things  and carnal experiences, and focusing on themselves instead of you.  We want more than anything for everyone to come to repentance and faith.  We didn't save ourselves--you drew us to you in various ways and means until we came to know and love you.  Please use us to shine your light of truth on others so that they can perceive the deception around them and "wake up," seeking you while you may still be found.  Please fill us with your strength and wisdom to persevere through these difficult times when your holy name is being profaned, and good things are being defiled and evil things are being exalted.  Please help us to stand firm for the truth all the while remembering that our goal is to show your love in words and actions--not caving into the pressure to join in or accept sin, but not despising the lost for living in darkness either.  Our hearts break for those who don't know you, who refuse to enter the narrow door, Jesus, to receive salvation.  We cringe when we see them being led astray, putting their trust in themselves or the "wisdom" of the world.  Let us never grow weary of proclaiming your love and the only Way to be saved, until Jesus returns.  In His beautiful, glorious, exalted name we pray, Amen.

Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart.  But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.  And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing.  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.  For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.  For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:1-6