Giving You Your Desires

In the last seven or so years, as I've attempted to live more and more in step with the Holy Spirit I have noticed a "pattern". Now, I would never claim that God is predictable in how He functions or works in the lives of His children. But there are consistencies in His character that we can count on. In fact, inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul penned the following words to the people of Corinth:

"But as God is faithful, our word to you is not yes and no. For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us--by me and Silvanus and Timothy--was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes; therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge." (2 Corinthians 1:18-22, NASB)

The very last word in that paragraph also means "down payment".

Thus, all of the promises of God because of Jesus are "Yes!" There is no fickle back-and-forth, no trying to guesstimate God's promises. If He said it...because of Jesus...it is Yes. And we have the Holy Spirit in us as our spiritual "down payment" for proof.

How's that for an amazing return on your investment? Even Dave Ramsey can't beat that interest rate!

I'm explaining all of this because the promise the Holy Spirit reminded me of this morning is this one: 

"Delight yourself in the LORD;

And He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

I would never tell you that this is a promise for financial prosperity...so kick that American-church-culture-prosperity-gospel-way-of-thinking right out of your head. What is does mean is that as I "delight" myself (aka "take pleasure in drawing closer to") my Abba...His desires become my desires. The things that break His heart (poverty, the downtrodden, injustice, etc.) break mine. And the things that please Him (mercy, grace, Love, reconciliation, etc.) please me.

Are we together so far?

If so, then let me give you an example of how this just played out in my life.

A month or so ago I felt the urge (aka leading) to share with our Community Life Director that as she's putting together a new ministry at our church for young adults, if she ever needed me in a "mentoring" capacity, I would love to get to know some young ladies in this 18-29 age group. I know there are a lot of women in this age bracket who either don't have moms nearby or their mom isn't a Christian or the relationship is so broken between them that they don't have an older woman in their life helping them navigate the waters of growing into adulthood. The Holy Spirit has also shown me that the passion, service and reckless abandon that the millennial generation is demonstrating is something I want to be near and will keep me young if I get to taste a small portion of it.

The Community Life Director was encouraging and said she'd definitely keep me in mind as she gets to know this group of young adults.

Fast forward to two nights ago, when in addition to our friend joining us for our new LifeGroup, the only other people to show up were...you guessed it...a couple who are newly married, in their early to mid 20s and are in the middle of dedicating their lives to the wild abandonment of following Jesus wherever He may lead them. 

I loved talking with them. They were gracious. I got to feed them some homemade guacamole, salsa and chips and after they left, I was hoping they will come back next week.

This morning while reflecting upon the week we have had, the Holy Spirit brought to mind my conversation with our Community Life Director. It puts a smile on my face just to think about it.

He gave me the desire.

I acted upon it.

We followed His leading about starting a LifeGroup (when it made no sense to us).

And the Spirit didn't just send one young adult, He sent two to share our Wednesday nights together.

And I know I will learn more from them than I could ever teach!

Holy Spirit as a down payment on God's promise to give me the desires of my heart? Those are some odds with which I am willing to gamble!

Pride

Anyone near-abouts my age might have started humming "In the name of love". But that wasn't necessarily the direction I thought I was headed with this post.

Or is it?

You see, I've been thinking about pride...as in the kind that 'goeth before the fall'. (see Proverbs 16:18) At least that's what all of us who grew up in the church were told that we needed to guard against, almost more than anything I can remember...with maybe the exception of sex.

But several years ago, before our downwardly mobile lifestyle began, God's Spirit specifically whispered the word 'humility' to me. I knew at the time that humility was my next big lesson. I just didn't realize how humbled by my circumstances I could become. How could I have known? I couldn't...plain and simple.

And while I've read cute little sayings that remind us 'humility is one of those things that as soon as you think you have it...you've lost it,' God's clarifying humility a little bit more for me. Or rather, He's shining His light on some wisdom and discernment that myself and many others need to remember.

Here's what I've been noticing:  We are so concerned and hyper-aware that we do not want to be prideful...we are denying the glory to God for the things He has done!

Can I get an 'Amen!'?

Allow me to elaborate.

When I spoke in our Bible study recently, I shared with the ladies a Bible verse that perfectly describes me. "They shall eager utter (or bubble over with) the memory of Your abundant goodness and will shout joyfully of Your righteousness." (Psalm 145:7)

If you give me a chance, I am going to fill your ear with God's goodness and His righteousness. That is just who I am. I'm almost to the point where I simply can't help it anymore. For someone that used to be so terrified to speak up regarding Jesus and His workings in my life, it is nothing but Him that causes His goodness to just roll right off my tongue. I wish everything that came from my mouth were always as good as Him. (But that lesson is for another post)

There was another result of the lesson I taught on that day though (and with the help of Emily Freeman's book, A Million Little Ways)...I realized, this is what I was born to do! 

Sharing God's grace, the Love of Jesus and the discernment of the Holy Spirit either through home schooling, teaching a Bible study, writing a blog or growing a garden (yes...in my brain, it does apply!)...this is what makes me feel ALIVE! And I'm no longer going to apologize for it...sweep it under the rug...try to be something I'm not...or "humbly" shy away from acknowledging how God has gifted me.

Every part of my being is oozing with His goodness and I want everyone to know it! 

With the help of Freeman's book...which I can only read in small doses because it is chock full of godly wisdom...God's Spirit is helping me overcome the fear of my "first thoughts". I shouldn't downplay my gifts. And it is not pride that keeps me from doing so. How do I know this? Because James 1:17 tells us that "every good thing given and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the lights with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow."

Thus, if my heart is surrendered to serving God my Father and He chooses to use the gifts He's given me, it is not prideful to acknowledge the gift and, in turn, give Him the glory. I have even recently heard some people leading up to sharing something that they did...as clearly prompted by the Holy Spirit...and yet, quickly skip over the gift they were able to give away to someone in need! I completely understand that they did not want to sound prideful...but God is the giver of everything we have; He alone prompts us to be giving and kind (that does not come from our Enemy...ever!); and if someone is blessed by that gift...we should not shy away from giving Him the praise.

I will caution that Jesus told us to give in secret (see Matthew 6:4). As someone that has been the recipient of many generous gifts, I almost think this is more to protect the weaker one on the receiving end than to protect the giver from pride. This way, the recipient owes no one. There is no "one-upmanship". There is no burden lurking between the two parties involved. In other words, no strings attached. Also, as the giver, it frees me from taking any credit.

But, admittedly, when I am comfortable and have a rock solid relationship with the one to whom I am giving, I love being able to say, 'I hope we're beyond having to do the secret thing and that you know this didn't come from me. It's from God.' One of my dear friends said to me, upon receiving a gift from her, that she just didn't want any weirdness between us. With the confidence of the Holy Spirit, I could tell her, "No weirdness here. I didn't ask for the gift and it was prompted by the Holy Spirit...so thanks for being faithful to do it." See...God is worthy of the credit, not us.

What might this look like then?

Obviously, I'm assuming that we're not bragging about the gifts we've given to someone in need...directly to their faces. But I don't see any pride in admitting to a friend or companion in Christ that "God gave us this extra blessing and I am thankful He prompted us to share it." It also means living out daily what He leads us to do by the power of His Holy Spirit...and not shoving it aside because it doesn't seem "practical" or it looks "foolish". It's okay to say "I don't take credit for _________________ (Insert gift or talent here). It's what God is working out in me so that I can be the person He created me to be."

It's that simple. God is given the praise. I don't know about you, but I don't ever want the rocks to have to cry out in my place. (see Luke 19:28-40) I'm even beginning to think that when we don't acknowledge how God has gifted us, that is more evidence of pride than anything.

Is it not selfishness and pride that would cause us to deny gratefulness and thankfulness for God's gifts to us?

So here's where I'm at in my processing of this question, What makes me feel alive? Well, obviously, I feel most alive when I am doing, saying and living out the gifts God has innately programmed me to have. My continued existence is proof that there is still something He has left for me to do for His Kingdom that is on Earth as it is in Heaven.

I'm tired of being deceived by my Enemy into somehow believing that it's prideful to want to live out these gifts. I am, quite frankly, exhausted at shoving these gifts to the periphery of my life when God's Spirit keeps trying to draw them out to the forefront, which is precisely where they should be. It's a spiritual "tug of war" that I didn't even realize I was waging until this past month.

It's time, my friends! 

Time to start coming alive, live out the Vision God has for your life and to stop apologizing for it! Augustine is quoted as saying, "The glory of God is man fully alive." We all keep saying with our mouths that we just want to glorify God...I think it's about time our lives looked like it too!

Are you ready?

Go!

Living the Vision, part 6: Everything is Finished

**This is the last in a of a series of posts that are a more in-depth look at a lesson I recently taught to a group of women in our church. To read the additional posts, you can easily access them by clicking on the links at the bottom of the page or in the body of this text.**


Yes, it is finally coming to an end...sort of. See...I think this "Living the Vision"-thing is a lesson that never ends. When I shared how God is drawing me to "live like the vision is complete", it includes coming to Him daily and thanking Him that it is done, and asking Him to show me how to live like it...just for today. Today is enough to worry about, Jesus said. (see Matthew 6) I think He actually meant it, although it flies directly in the face of everything we have experienced in this life.

So to pull all of these posts together, I have taken a little longer to ponder and process for this final segment. It is by far the most potentially volatile and could conceivably be misconstrued on many different levels. Therefore, I am asking you not to take my word for it. Instead, go to the Holy Spirit and ask for His discernment. He has challenged us to
"...cry for discernment, 
Lift your voice for understanding; 
If you seek her as silver 
And search for her as for hidden treasure;
Then you will discern the fear of the LORD
And discover the knowledge of God." (Proverbs 2:3-5)

You also need to know up front that I despise "prosperity gospel" and "name it and claim it" heresy. The "power of positive thinking", might lower your blood pressure, but no where did Jesus equate blessings with wealth, happiness with stuff, or Christianity with an easy-street-pass for ever and ever. Amen!

With that disclaimer in mind, I still want to persuade you of something. This is why I used words like "revolutionary" to describe this "revelation" on how to approach God's will and even how I would pray.

The "thing" is this:
When the Holy Spirit lays a request or desire upon your heart for which to seek His will, wisdom or discernment...we should automatically accept that it is done!

Go ahead...think of something for which you have been praying. Ask these questions...

• Is it good?
• Is it within God's will?
• Can only good come from it?
• If I remember that God still gives visions and dreams; this world as we know it is not all there is and that God dwells in the fullness of time is there any reason why God couldn't complete this "thing" some day?

James teaches us that "Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow." (James 1:17) If only good will result from it...I can guarantee you the prompting is not from your Enemy. Again...I am not talking about stuff! We Americans have to stop thinking of prosperity, blessings, joy, and happiness in terms of wealth and stuff!

When I ask, "Is it within God's will?"...this isn't really as complicated as we make it either. I don't know how many times myself or others have absolutely agonized in prayer over someone's salvation. Is it God's will that a person be saved? Absolutely! If not, then Jesus died for nothing and His blood sacrifice was a waste.

2 Peter 3:9 tells us that, in fact, God wants everyone to come to repentance. Now...don't go around saying that I've become a universalist. Do I think everyone will be in Heaven? Actually, Scripture teaches that many will not. I am saying their salvation is complete. They still have the option to choose it or not.

But God also told us that if we delight in Him, He would give us the desires of our hearts. (see Psalm 37:4) As we delight in Him...His desires are reflected in our desires. If He lays upon my heart to pray for someone to seek a relationship with Him...I am 100% certain that for God...it is done!

We no longer have to agonize over if it's His will for someone to know Him. Instead...keeping the focus simple, as with the Vision for your life...when the Holy Spirit reminds us to pray for a person, we can confidently thank Him that "Joe's" (insert any name He leads you to) salvation is complete! It's done! Hallelujah!

The second part of that prayer is this...Now today Lord...draw them just one step closer to living like it! And then, when we see "Joe" being kind...or generous...or loving...or merciful...or forgiving...or anything that is good...recognize it, remember that "Joe" is on a Journey to becoming the soul God created Him to be and thank God for how you see Him working in "Joe's" life. Once again...I can guarantee none of those "good" attributes are anything "Joe" just drummed up out of the goodness of his own heart. No...Scripture also tells us twice that "every inclination of the human heart is evil." (see Genesis 6:5 and Genesis 8:21) 

Do I think that all "good" people will get into Heaven? Bottom line...I am not God and I will never presume to decide who's in and who's out. What I do know is that Jesus said He is the way to the Father (see John 14:6) I just happen to believe that it absolutely does not matter how God chooses to bring a person to that conscious choice.

As humans created in the image of God, we just don't want anyone to suffer. But sometimes it takes great loss and great tragedy for a person to lean upon an Almighty God. Are we willing to walk through great suffering, loss and tragedy with someone...if it means they can spend eternity with their Saviour? Sometimes I think we want to make everything neat, tidy and pain free. But if someone had to endure pain and decimation in order to experience the full glory of God...wouldn't that be worth it? There is no fuller glory than knowing the redemption of a loving Saviour!

The other example I'll give is when we pray for a person's healing. I don't want to belabor the point, but suffice it to say no one has ever entered Heaven with a tumor on their back...or brain...or colon...or carried a congenital birth defect into eternity. And no matter how much we pray for healing in the now...none of us will be whole and healed until we stand before Jesus.

Can God heal in this life? Absolutely! Does He sometimes choose to do so? Again..a resounding "yes!" But we have to stop thinking that if we agonize in prayer just a little bit more...maybe He'll do it in regards to the loved one for which we pray. Too many parents are beating themselves up for not being faith-filled enough. And too many people begrudge a God that "chooses" not to heal them. 

If we can remember that this life as we know it is not all there is then when the healing occurs doesn't matter...because we know it will!!! Again...God dwells in the fullness of time so for Him your healing is complete...now for today...what do we need to do to live like it?

I would never belittle another person's pain. I also know there are parents with children for whom their prognosis gives great uncertainty as to what their future can hold. I just know that when I am praying as the Holy Spirit leads...I can confidently pray that for Him, that person is healed. But even better...there will be a day when I get to hear the story of how God healed them and how His presence was so real during their illness that they knew He was near.

For me, it does not matter if I hear their story in this life...or the life to come. I will hear it!

And Beautiful Beloved...you will one day have that amazing child look you in the face and tell you how they always knew you were there and they never missed one minute of what you did to love and serve them. And that parent or grandparent that right now struggles to remember your name will very soon sit across the table from you and remind you of your patience, care and joy during the journey of their slow decline.

You see...for God...there is only healing.

I've got to wrap this up, but thank you for hanging with me. I pray you do seek God's wisdom in regards to not only the Vision He has for your life...but how to live it out for today. But more than that...my prayer is that we can boldly and confidently believe Him. Instead of laboring painstakingly to effectively pray and drum up the faith to make the prayers come to fruition and agonizing over when and how the results will be revealed...we can embrace that for God, His will is already complete.

So why aren't we living like it???

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I would delight in hearing how God works this out in you and draws you closer into discovering His Kingdom is already at hand. Feel free to leave me a comment and allow me the joy of rejoicing with you! Amen!

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See also the other posts in the "Living the Vision" series:

Part 1, God Still Gives Visions and Dreams

Part 2, This Life As We Know It...

Part 3, God Dwells in the Fullness of Time

Part 4, The Vision is Complete

Part 5, How Do I Live Like the Vision is Complete?

Learning to Pray Boldly

Pictured above are several index cards with biblical scriptures printed upon them. This is not a concept that is new to me, I've been doing it for about four years now. Beth Moore, in one of her studies, was the first to "turn me on" to this way of learning Scripture and claiming it personally. What is new to me is an idea presented in her Believing God study: Speak the Scripture out loud and claim them with the power and authority of the Holy Spirit whom resides in me.

Obviously, she can explain this much more eloquently and dynamically than I ever could...but here's what I know:  this has absolutely transformed my prayer life and outlook on my relationship with God. Do not tune me out because you think I've bought into some type of "prosperity gospel". I am not claiming a boat or a car or a mansion or a fancy trip or any other number of things that many televangelists and preachers have wrongly taught that you can "name it and claim it".

But if I am praying from a heart that is wholly surrendered to the will of God, asking Jesus to speak His Word into my life and prayerfully expecting the power of the Holy Spirit to deliver on the promises He has claimed that He can, then I can with unfettered boldness declare: God, as Your eyes move to and fro throughout the earth, I know that You will strongly support me (sustain me; make me bold; encourage me; repair me; help me to withstand) because You find my heart (my soul; my inner part; my inclination; my resolution) is completely (wholly, perfectly) Yours. (see II Chronicles 16:9)

By simply taking His Word, inserting personal pronouns and sometimes even my name, (and even looking up alternate definitions for some significant words) I have claimed a biblical promise for my own life. Again, this concept isn't new to me. What is different is speaking it out loud! 

Moore explains the reason for this: We can pray without ceasing and should...but when we speak God's, Holy Spirit inspired Word...we are speaking the very words of God. We've been told in Scripture that our enemies tremble in God's Presence (see James 2:19 for one reference). We've also been told that the Holy Spirit has unsurpassed power and that He is the energy in the spoken word of God (see Genesis 1:2). Thus, when we speak the very Words of God, demons flee and the Holy Spirit is unleashed to work, battle, encourage or discipline just as He has promised He will.

Since I began doing this a few weeks ago, having tailored some specific Scriptures to specific people and situations, I have seen God's Spirit moving and working. Long-buried issues that have needed addressed; old habits that just need to be put away so we, as Christians, can enjoy Kingdom-living (see Proverbs 14:26-27); awareness that we don't fight against flesh and blood but against powers and forces we cannot see so I don't take little slights as personally as in the past (see Ephesians 6:12); a very real knowledge of the closeness of the Presence of the Holy Spirit (see Proverbs 2:3-5); and that His hope for reconciliation, restoration, abiding joy and comfort and beautiful life is always available and no one can take that hope away from me (see Ephesians 1:12 and Romans 5:5 and (I Corinthians 13:13)!!!

Because of all I have seen, heard and felt over the last six weeks, I may be annoying those who know me. I cannot help but be 'bubbling over with the memory of His abundant goodness and shouting joyfully of His righteousness.' (see Psalm 145:7) I have had some amazing conversations the last few weeks and I just know He is only getting started! I have to be honest and say that there has been a lot of activity on my Enemy's part too and I have not been surprised. But 95% of the battle has been in my head and declaring God's Word out loud makes the baddie flee the premises much faster than he used to. Bottom line...I am supposed to be about my Father's business (see Joshua 24:15) so no enemy that comes between that objective should get free rent in my head any more.

God never said this would be easy (see John 16:33), but He promised He would never leave nor forsake me (see Deuteronomy 31:6). So as I "fight the good fight" (see I Timothy 6:12) I am thankful to be learning just how powerful my Sword is (see Ephesians 6:17)!

***Okay, funny side note for anyone that ever grew up in an evangelical, protestant church. Did you ever have Bible drills? Did your Sunday school teacher ever have everyone start with their Bibles extended in the air? Did your teacher ever say, "Put your swords in the air."?? Really? Why did it take almost 40 years for me to get this: It really is a sword!

God of the Tight Places

Yesterday and the day before in my Jesus Calling devotional, the author, Sarah Young, makes reference to the same scripture:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1, New American Standard Bible)

I know beyond any doubt, that in my life, God has proven Himself true to this word. He has been the refuge where I hide...the source of strength when I have none...the help that is always present when I have trouble. What interested me about this passage though was not Young's devotional entry, nor the version as it reads above. No, what intrigued me and has had me mulling over it...chewing on it...and attempting to feebly form words to express it where two superscripts found in the text that offered additional words for the translation.

The first alternative is for the phrase "A very present help". Being a visual person, the substitute of "Abundantly available for help" just happens to hit me in a way that means more than the word "very".

Isn't it great to be assured that the Creator of the universe not only loves us and is available for help...He is abundantly available for help? He is a veritable cornucopia of overflowing presence ready to bail us out, lift us up or keep us quiet...whatever option would be best for us...just when we need Him.

And we've all had lots of trouble, right? But for me, this word makes me think along the lines of something I've done wrong. That's why I think the other option for translating this word spoke to me as it did. Instead of "trouble", the phrase "tight places" better describes most of the obstacles He's had to help me overcome.

Many of us might not be able to think of a lot of troubles in our lives...but I bet we can envision several tight places. They may be tight places of my own doing...like paths I've wandered down that I need to backpedal out of really fast. They may be tight places that occur because we live in a fallen world and can't escape the physical consequence of a world filled with sin. They may be tight places that someone else shoved me into...accidentally or intentionally. And they may be tight places that I was born into, but didn't realize they were even tight until He started to help me outgrow them.

Whatever the tight place...He's there...providing abundant help. Praise God this is a verse I can hang my faith on! Sometimes, when I look back over my 44 years, I am moved to tears at all of the tight places that have been thrown at me and He has pulled me through. There are some that I shake my head in amazement and just simply ask Him, "How did You pull me through that?" The memory of the pain, the confusion, the exhausted energy and even the situation fades...but what doesn't fade...and in fact, becomes more abundant with each tight place I encounter...is the memory emblazoned on my mind of a God who has been faithful to stick His Hand into that crevice by the side of the road where I have been thrust and gently, patiently pulls me out so I can keep heading forward on The Journey.

Whatever the tight place you may presently be enduring...cry out for Him and you will find His Presence ready to help...abundantly.

Amen!

"You Will Always Fail"

Settle in...this could take a while.

I know a couple of ladies that have been regularly posting their friend's blog posts on Facebook. The reason they've been doing this is because this pregnant mom received a devastating diagnosis a few months ago...her baby has Trisomy 18. Aleisa's raw vulnerability, humility and courage to face another day have been awe-inspiring to behold. I do not know her, but as evidenced by her blog, I believe she would give all credit to the Heavenly Father that has been carrying her. [To read the blog, click here I Will Carry You ]

Baby Nora was born on Tuesday the 17th, and as evidenced by the Facebook posts that were circulating that day, I believe hundreds of people have been praying for this family and this tiny little fighter that lived through a miracle, just by living through her birth. As I've been reading through the posts, one thought that's occurred a few times is "What would I do?" But Tuesday, as I kept going back to the blog to find out how things had turned out and just being amazed at this family's courage to share their heartbreak with the world, I was almost numb thinking about this burden they've had to bear.

Then yesterday, as a friend of their family posted some amazing birth photos and I was once again awed at the beauty of exactly what God has done in their lives, my thought was, "I can not imagine!" And the Voice I know so well and love so much said, "And that is why you will always fail."

Strange, I know, to give credit for this to the Holy Spirit but I know it was Him because instead of feeling condemned, judged or shamed...I only felt peace, assurance and light-weighted freedom! I knew exactly what He was saying...but it's taken several hours to be able to put it into words.

"I can't imagine"...what this family is going through, what a single mom faces every day, what a rebellious teen does to his parents' souls, what having a cheating husband who promises to change yet doesn't feels like, what it means to feel starvation, malnutrition, homelessness, molestation, abuse...the list goes on and on and on. And my loving, Almighty, amazing God assures me that because I can't possibly imagine going through any of these...I will always fail.

I will fail to provide all of the grace, mercy, compassion, assistance, understanding, faith, persistence, peace and above all else, Love that is needed for any given situation. I am only human, there are absolute limits to what I can do. And I will fail by judging, condemning, questioning, distancing for fear of reprisals or association or lack of resources...not because I want to...but again, because I am human and every thought or action that comes forth from me is filtered through my limited experiences and understanding.

Why do I find freedom in my failure? Because the burden to "figure it all out" isn't mine! Amen!

This has been a theme for a few days, as just last week I heard Beth Moore's conclusion to one of the points in her Bible study of Esther. The previous week she'd shared that it's "Tough being a woman who feels responsible for the 'how.'" In the last listening session the Scriptures she used to dispel this burden were found in 2 Peter 2:9 and Psalm 103:14

"then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment" (2 Peter 2:9, NASB)

"for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14, NIV)

I don't have to know how because God not only does, but He also knows how finite and limited I am. But do I always remember how finite and limited I am? No! So yes, there is freedom in knowing that I will fail!

I will fail to be everything that everyone needs me to be in every situation that they may ever experience. Ohhhh...but guess Who doesn't?

• "The LORD within her is righteous; he does no wrong. Morning by morning he dispenses his justice, and every new day he does not fail" (Zephaniah 3:5)
• "Lift up your eyes to the heavens", look at the earth beneath; the heavens will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment and its inhabitants die like flies. But my salvation will last forever, my righteousness will never fail" (Isaiah 51:6) 
• "The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail" (Isaiah 58:11)
• "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail" (Lamentations 3:22)
• "For no word from God will ever fail" (Luke 1:37)

And the greatest of these?

• "Love never fails" (I Corinthians 13:8)

Amen! and Amen!