|
For His Glory!
|
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life…” John 14:6
Last time we explored some aspects of YHVH’s Faithfulness. One attribute of faithfulness is ‘truth’. Pilate asked "What is truth?" John 18:38 (NAS unless indicated). How would you answer this question?
When Yeshua (Jesus) walked this earth as a man He taught His disciples many astounding things. One thing He revealed was that He is the truth. If Yeshua is our Savior this characteristic will be evident in our lives also. How much do we know about truth?
Luke was so careful to record the truth: Luke 1:4 so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
YHVH: Ex 34:6 … "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth <0571>; 0571 'emet - true, right; (truth - as spoken; of testimony and judgment; of divine instruction; truth as a body of ethical or religious knowledge; true doctrine)
TWOT: 116.0 (' aman) to be certain, i.e. to believe (faithful) (116k) (' emet) firmness, truth (faithfulness)
This very important concept in biblical doctrine gives clear evidence of the biblical meaning of `faith' in contradistinction to the many popular concepts of the term.
' emet. Truth, faithfulness, verity. This word carries an underlying sense of certainty, dependability. We find it used in several categories of contexts, all of which relate to God directly or indirectly.
First, it is frequently applied to God as a characteristic of His nature.
It is a term fittingly applied to God's words. { Ps 119:142,151,160 Dan 10:21 }
As a characteristic of God revealed to men, it therefore becomes the means by which men know and serve God as their savior, { Jos 24:14 1Ki 2:4 Ps 26:3 Ps 86:11 Ps 91:4 Isa 38:3 } and then, as a characteristic to be found in those who have indeed come to God. { Ex 18:21 Ne 7:2 Ps 15:2 Zec 8:16 }
Because it is an attribute of God which is manifest in man's salvation and life of service as God's child, the word is often coupled with another attribute of God related to our salvation, `mercy' or ‘love' { Ge 24:27 Ps 61:7 Ps 115:1 Pr 14:22 Pr 16:6 Pr 20:28 }.
And because these attributes of God's truth and mercy lead to God's peace toward sinful men, saved by God's grace, the word is also often coupled with peace. { Isa 39:8 Jer 33:6 }
All truth comes from God and is truth because it is related to God.
Yeshua and truth: John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.
John 8:45 "But because I speak the truth…
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.
Not so with the devil: John 8:44 "You are of your father the devil…and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.
Worship in spirit and truth: John 4:23-24 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."
John 8:32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."
The Spirit of truth: John 14:17 that is the Spirit of truth …you know Him because He …will be in you. John 15:26 "When the Helper comes, … that is the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify about Me, John 16:13 "But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.
Clear statements about truth: John 17:17 "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.
1John 5:6 … It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.
1John 2:21 … no lie is of the truth.
2Co 13:8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth.
Re 15:3 … "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations!
John 18:37 … Jesus answered, "You say correctly that I am a king. For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice."
The only True God: John 17:3 "This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
We can believe Him: Re 22:6 And he said to me, "These words are faithful and true"…
Halleluiah: Re 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat on it is called Faithful and True…
We long for Your presence Faithful and True One and Your glorious appearing, Amen. |
|
Proverbs 3:3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Proverbs 23:23 Buy truth, and do not sell it, Get wisdom and instruction and understanding.
It is evident that truth is what we must seek, cling to and make a part of our lives. |
|
“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.” Helen Keller
In the truth of Yeshua’s words: John 8:12 … "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
John 3:21 "But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God."
May we keep our face to the true Light. |
|
|
In our pursuit of humility: (Lesson from humility in daily life.) “Humility before God is nothing if it is not proven in humility before others.” Andrew Murray
Humility is not some air we put on when we come before our Creator in prayer or attend a religious ceremony. We must demonstrate the true sincerity of our humility before YHVH and before others.
This truth is found in Scripture (a statement regarded as authoritative and true). Colossians 3:12-13 So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. |
|
The latest from Saturn
If you are wondering where the time goes, consider the planet Saturn. Scientists recently discovered that a day on the ringed gaseous giant last a mere 10 hours, 34 minutes, and 13 seconds - and that’s actually five minutes shorter than previously was believed. A new process based on the planet’s magnetic fields is considered more reliable than previous measures, which were hampered by the fact that Saturn doesn’t have a solid surface for reference.
In other news from Saturn, readings from the Cassini space probe show evidence of ammonia (probably mixed with water ice) on the surface of the planet’s largest moon, Titan. Ammonia, when mixed with the methane and nitrogen of Titan’s dense atmosphere, could create a kind of “pre-biotic stew” in the environment there similar to that of Earth during the era when life began to develop here. (Interesting indeed but I think these scientist need to look elsewhere for the beginning of life. MEM staff.)
The Origin of Potato Chips In 1853, a chef named George Crum in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. grew frustrated by a diner, who kept sending his potato crisps back, complaining they were soft and soggy. Crum sliced some potatoes as thin as he could, fried them in oil, and sent them out. The customer loved them and a new snack food was born.
The most expensive ZIP code In terms of home cost Alpine, N.J. (07620) is the most expensive. Forbes magazine reports that the median asking price of a house there is $4.14 million. And that is down 23 percent from the previous year.
The material contained in this section is for informational purposes only and has not totally been verified by us. |
|
The second day of a diet is always easier than the first. By the second day you’re off it. - Jackie Gleason
A cement mixer collided with a prison van on the Kingston Pass. Motorists are asked to be on the lookout for sixteen hardened criminals. - Ronnie Corbett
They think they can make fuel from horse manure… Now I don’t know if your car will be able to get thirty miles to the gallon, but it’s sure gonna put a stop to siphoning. - Billie Holiday
Potential excuses for being late - in a light hearted way: “The traffic lights were all slower than normal.” “I tried a new shortcut, and it took me two hours longer.” “I had to floss my cat.” |
|
Andy Rooney says: I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December. I don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and hire a lawyer when my high school teacher taught his Theory of Evolution.
Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal? It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts. They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game.
But it's a Christian prayer, some will argue.
Yes, and this is the United States of America, a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1. So what would you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna? If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I would expect to hear a Jewish prayer... If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.
And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit. When in Rome.....
But what about the atheists? Is another argument. What about them? Nobody is asking them to be baptized. We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds. If that's asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs. Go to the bathroom. Visit the concession stand. Call your lawyer!
Unfortunately, one or two will make that call. One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don't think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.
Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights. Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing. Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying.
God, help us. And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me. The silent majority has been silent too long. It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want. It is time that the majority Rules! It's time we tell them, You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him. That is your right, and we will honor your right; but you are no longer going to take our rights away. We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!
God bless us one and all ... Especially those who denounce Him, God bless America, despite all her faults. She is still the greatest nation of all. God bless our service men who are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God. |
|
One need only look at the history of the church within the last generation or so, to see that our resolve has been weakened, and is almost nonexistent when it comes to defending the truth, or standing up for what we know to be just and right. For most people, silence and retreat is more acceptable than the defense of truth, because chances are very slim that one will get wounded while retreating. We weigh the matter judiciously, conclude that it’s too small a thing to get worked up about, and back away slowly as to not stir the attention of the enemy. We don’t like making waves and the enemy knows this. We have an aversion to being marginalized, to being mocked, to being ridiculed, to being persecuted, and so we would rather slink away in the middle of the night than confront the enemy. We have taken it upon ourselves to become negotiators, when we have been called to be messengers, to be spectators when we have been called to be soldiers. We have become passionately passionless, and purposefully purposeless for fear of offending the unregenerate and unrepentant. I realize full well that some continue to be under the misconception that they can strike a truce with the enemy and somehow coexist. The only problem is that the enemy never honors your terms of surrender, and you will be a slave, and subject to his whims. Knowing that the enemy is merciless, ruthless, vile and heartless, his whims will always gravitate toward creating an environment of pain, sorrow and heartache for those who surrender and give up the fight. When we are faithful, when we honor God in the little things… it is worth defending and worth standing our ground over, we know that God stands with us, and though the enemy might outnumber us, it is the Lord who will save us by a great deliverance.
(Michael Boldea Jr.)
|
|
Don’t ever slam a door…you may have to go back
Love cures people; both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it
Elephants and grandchildren never forget
Success is built on the ability to do better than good enough
Nonsense happens when we fail to use common sense (Reminisce) |
|
Psalm 15 (Faithfulness - truth) 1 Yahweh, who can find a home in your tent, who can dwell on your holy mountain? 2 Whoever lives blamelessly, who acts uprightly, who speaks the truth from the heart, 3 who keeps the tongue under control, who does not wrong a comrade, who casts no discredit on a neighbour, 4 who looks with scorn on the vile, but honours those who fear Yahweh, who stands by an oath at any cost, 5 who asks no interest on loans, who takes no bribe to harm the innocent. No one who so acts can ever be shaken. (NJB)
Here we have an idea of the character of those who will be with YHVH in His Kingdom. These are the attributes of the faithful, those that speak the truth from the heart.
Blessed be YHVH (Genesis 14:20 And blessed be God Most High…) |
|
1. “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” - John 1:46 2. Revelation 3. The Amalekites - 1 Samuel 15:1-3 4. Paul - Ephesians 3:8 5. 480 years - 1Kings 6:1 6. Paul - Acts 27:1 7. Peter - Acts 8:20 |