“The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words.” ~King Solomon

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King Solomon, Listen, Proverbs 10, Truth, Wisdom, Wise Sayings

We all know people who have something to say about everything. Is this me? Is this you? Think about it.

It is true that you can’t know something about everything. We all know it. The more I talk about things I am really ignorant about, the less “truth” is contributed to the conversation.

I need to cultivate the habit of listening and learning. That requires that I pontificate less.

“The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words.“ ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 10:19 The Message)

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“If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” ~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 8, Truth

So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” They answered Him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, ‘You will become free’?”

Source: John 8:31-33 NASB – The Truth Will Make You Free – So Jesus – Bible Gateway

There is a special arrogance that believes I am not enslaved … to anyone. It is special because it is flat out wrong. It is a lie and it comes from the evil one.

I need to stand up straight and take the truth. Jesus is the truth and the truth of Jesus is absolute. Truth has a spine. Truth gets me in trouble. Truth may get me killed. Jesus stared in the face of evil and defeated it. Jesus defeated it for me. That is the truth.

I need to stand up, wash my face and greet the day with Jesus. I must continue in the word of Jesus. I must be disciplined and be a disciple. I must not wimp out. I must abandon my snowflake ways.

Jesus is the truth. I must know Jesus. Jesus will give me a spine and set me free. I will be free from a relative life to an absolute life of love and kindness.

In truth, Jesus warns me that I am going to suffer. In spite of my suffering, the truth is that I should be grateful. God is good and in a good mood. The truth is that the suffering is for my own good. I am challenged by Jesus to drink it in. I am challenged by Jesus to love the suffering. Seriously? Yes, seriously.

The evil one has come to harass and bully me. Jesus whispers in my ear that I don’t have to take, not at all. That is the absolute truth. If I wimp out, I will not be happy.

Responsibility has been abdicated by way too many followers of Jesus. That is where Jesus lets me know that there is an opportunity lurking. The opportunity is the absolute truth. The opportunity is persistence. The opportunity is to get up again tomorrow and fight the good fight for absolute truth.

Some days I wake up in a sweat. I am afraid the fear won’t go away. I am reminded, by the Apostle John, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love.”

More from Jesus on truth

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.”

John 4:23 “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.”

John 8:44 “You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, 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.”

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.”

John 18:37 Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” 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.”

“Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool; you’ll only look foolish yourself.” ~King Solomon

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Fool, King Solomon, Proverbs 26, Truth, Wise Sayings

We all know foolish people. We see them every day on TV or at work. Everyone really knows they are a fool and speaking stupidly.

I have a tendency to jump into the fray. I answer them. I argue with them. I defend myself and others I care about. I get sucked in. It isn’t pretty.

To what use is my response to a fool? Wisdom challenges me to not respond.

So why not respond? I look foolish falling into the fool’s trap. That is not the way of Wisdom. God’s goal for me is to focus on the truth and speak it plainly.

“Don’t respond to the stupidity of a fool; you’ll only look foolish yourself.” ~King Solomon

Source: Proverbs 26:4

“Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” ~Apostle Paul

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Apostle Paul Sayings, Armor, Devil, Ephesians 6, Faith, Good News, Peace, Righteousness, Salvation, Spirit, Truth, War

Paul reminds me. I am at war. It is an ongoing war. It doesn’t stop.

Who is the enemy? The enemy is the Devil, the evil one. His mission, as described by Jesus, is to kill, steal and destroy.

The good news is that God has given me weapons. I have to learn how to use them. They each serve a different purpose.

• The belt of truth buckled around your waist.
• The breastplate of righteousness in place.
• Feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the good news of peace.
• The shield of faith,with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
• The helmet of salvation.
• The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

“What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?” ~Jesus

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Emmaus, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Light, Luke 24, Truth

Jesus has risen from the dead. I guess I could stop with that but there is more. Luke gives us a few snippets of what it was like in the days right after that.

• The disciples were all confused by what was going on. I get confused as well. I get all distracted discussing what I think is going on. I’ve not heard from God. I just trudge on.
• Jesus walks up. How often has Jesus come to me to take care of things. Jesus comes to bring light to the dark situation. That is the way Jesus works. He doesn’t leave me to just wander around.
• Even after Jesus comes, I don’t recognize him. I’m clueless. It happens. Its not pretty, I know.
• And then … Jesus speaks to me. Eventually my eyes are opened and I know it is Jesus. Now that is good news. I’m left to my own ignorance.

That same day two of them were walking to the village Emmaus, about seven miles out of Jerusalem. They were deep in conversation, going over all these things that had happened. In the middle of their talk and questions, Jesus came up and walked along with them. But they were not able to recognize who he was.

He asked, “What’s this you’re discussing so intently as you walk along?”

Source: Luke 24:13-18

“I try to be as true to my word as God is to his.” ~Apostle Paul

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2 Corinthians 1, Apostle Paul Sayings, Flip Flop, Jesus, Truth, Yes

Oh my goodness. Am I as true to my word as God is to His?

God doesn’t flip flop when He promises me something. God isn’t glib in His approach to what He says to me. God doesn’t waffle or waiver. Not at all. Not ever.

God is always faithful to His word. God is God. Jesus is his Son and in charge of God’s world.

May I be as true to my word as God is to His.

Are you now going to accuse me of being flip with my promises because it didn’t work out? Do you think I talk out of both sides of my mouth—a glib yes one moment, a glib no the next? Well, you’re wrong. I try to be as true to my word as God is to his. Our word to you wasn’t a careless yes canceled by an indifferent no. How could it be? When Silas and Timothy and I proclaimed the Son of God among you, did you pick up on any yes-and-no, on-again, off-again waffling? Wasn’t it a clean, strong Yes? 2 Corinthians 1:17-19

"Your task is to be true, not popular." ~~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Luke 6, Popularity, Truth

Being true to Jesus runs counter to our culture. Of course, being true is exactly how Jesus lived. Jesus calls for a radical commitment. He is truth.

Jesus knows that there’s trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests.

Jesus challenges me to live and say the truth. He does not demand I be popular.

May I win the truth contest.

Your task is to be true, not popular.” ~~Jesus (Luke 6:26 The Message)

Subtle Influences

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God’s Word, Truth

There is truth. We can know it. Psalm 119:11 says “I have hidden your word in my heart that I may not sin against you.” A good place to start.

4th Quarter Musings

C.S. Lewis wrote in the Screwtape Letters, “The safest road to Hell is the gradual one — the gentle slope, soft underfoot, without sudden turnings, without milestones, without signposts.” Letter XII

Most of us have heard the term “slippery slope.” We hear it and, in today’s world, we allow ourselves to become distracted because we know whatever follows is someone’s projection of imminent disaster at some future point in time. There are voices from all aspects of the political and sociological spectrum forecasting the demise of society as we know it resulting from an initial tiny step being approved today by some arm of our government. The fact that God is in control gives us great comfort, but we must also deal with the reality that He gives us great latitude in determining our own, and society’s, pace of ethical and moral decline. Refusal to acknowledge the broader and long term…

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“Love rejoices with the truth.” ~Apostle Paul — The love of Jesus will turn you INSIDE OUT!

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1 Corinthians 13, Freedome, Jesus, Kind, Love, Patient, Truth

Love of Jesus

The love of Jesus will turn you INSIDE OUT! 

Jesus was pretty clear that it’s mandatory. “A New Command,” He said. “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

The best thing about love is not just what it does to others. They will react as they can within their own limits. I think that Love’s most powerful aspect is what it does to the Lover. Loving others as God loves me will turn me inside out from the toes up! 

It leads to personal transformation. It changes me.

It leads to Freedom. It leads to Joy. This is really powerful stuff! It is the real deal!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13 4-7

“Are you being willfully stupid?” ~Jesus

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Heart, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Mark 7, Truth

Some days I just don’t get it. Am I being willfully stupid?

Jesus knows the truth. It is not what I eat that causes contamination inside me. It is what is in my heart that is the issue. That is what counts.

What is in my heart will be demonstrated then in what I think, next in what I say and finally in what I do.

It all works from the inside out.

May I have a heart after God. May nothing else matter.

Jesus said, ‘Are you being willfully stupid?’ …. Mark 7:14-23

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” ~Author of Hebrews

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Encouragement, Hebrews 10, Hope, Jesus, Truth

Hope

We have run with our very lives to God. He is our spiritual lifeline for sure.

We have hope. So we see the lifeline He gives us and grab it with both hands. It is secure. We don’t let go.

Why would we?

His spiritual lifeline is unbreakable. It reaches past this unreal world right to the very presence of God.

That is where Jesus is who went ahead of us. He is there interceding for us and giving us right standing. This is the new plan based God’s goal of complete redemption.

God did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 10:18-20

“We don’t expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders.” ~King Solomon

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King Solomon, Lie, Proverbs 17, Truth, Wise Sayings

Truth – Can you handle it?

It is sad that we have probably come to expect lies from our leaders. It clearly shouldn’t be that way but it seems to happen time and time again now. While it is a political problem, it is also a religious, business and community problem.

God is the truth. God sent his son Jesus to us to represent his truth. God’s goal for us is to be truthful.

We need a moral revolution.

We need Jesus.

We don’t expect eloquence from fools, nor do we expect lies from our leaders. ~King Solomon Proverbs 17:7

“There will be lying religious teachers among you.” ~Apostle Peter

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2 Peter 2, Apostle Peter Sayings, Lie, Prophets, Religious Leaders, Truth

No Lying Zone

Being a religious teacher doesn’t mean you are telling the truth about Jesus. This stuns me but I must learn to discern the truth from a lie. Some ministers lie. Peter promised this would be true.

I must be able to tell right from wrong. To not do so can lead me downhill and off the cliff. Destruction and death follow suit.

Is the message one of unity or division. Am I being pitted against others? Am I encourage to look down at others or even hate them?

I need to consider the message as a reflection on the messenger. God’s goal for me is to follow the truth. I need to find ministers who teach the truth about Jesus and don’t lie.

But there were also lying prophets among the people then, just as there will be lying religious teachers among you. They’ll smuggle in destructive divisions, pitting you against each other—biting the hand of the One who gave them a chance to have their lives back! They’ve put themselves on a fast downhill slide to destruction, but not before they recruit a crowd of mixed-up followers who can’t tell right from wrong.

~Apostle Peter – Source: 2 Peter 2:1-2 (The Message Bible)

“I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best.” ~Apostle Paul

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Apostle Paul Sayings, Authentic, Beauty, Best, Compelling, Gracious, Jesus, Master, Noble, Philippians 4, Praise, Reputable, Truth

Think Happy

When I have changed my mind (repented), I need to fill my mind with the right things. What should I think about? What should concern me?

When I have learned something, I need to put it into practice. Life with Jesus, our Master, is not an exercise in intellectual gymnastics.

Thinking the right things and doing the right things makes everything work together. It creates an amazing harmony.

God has a goal from me. It is transformed thinking and acting on love.

Here is a great list of things to think about:

• What is true
• What is noble
• Who is reputable
• Who is authentic
• What is compelling from Jesus
• What it takes to be gracious
• What is the best
• The beautiful things in life
• Things to praise

Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.

Source: Philippians 4:8-9 (The Message Bible)

“We keep everything we do and say out in the open.” ~Apostle Paul

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2 Corinthians 4, Apostle Paul Sayings, Jesus, Master, Messiah, Truth

Jesus is the Truth

God is open and plainly shares truth with us. God has given us good news and made it known without hiding what he has done. God is generous to us in pouring the reality of his truth down on us. We cannot walk away just because times get tough and people make fun of us. There are times I want to but I’ve come too far to stop now.

Because God is open, we can be open. God’s goal for us is to avoid playing games and wearing a mask to hid who we really are in him. We keep everything out in the open. We are willing to let others see the truth so they can make their own minds up and accept Jesus the Messiah and our Master.

Since God has so generously let us in on what he is doing, we’re not about to throw up our hands and walk off the job just because we run into occasional hard times. We refuse to wear masks and play games. We don’t maneuver and manipulate behind the scenes. And we don’t twist God’s Word to suit ourselves. Rather, we keep everything we do and say out in the open, the whole truth on display, so that those who want to can see and judge for themselves in the presence of God. 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

“Exactitude is not truth.” ~Henri Matisse

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Facts, Henri Matisse, Jesus, Messiah, Truth

Just the Facts

I appreciate the facts. I love data and analyzing it for conclusions. There is a very precise world out there.

Truth is not facts. Faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Master, while based on facts, is still about faith.

Exactitude is not truth. ~Henri Matisse

 

“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. ~Galileo Galilei

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Galileo, Jesus, Messiah, Truth

Jesus, the Messiah, challenges us to know that he is the way, the truth and the life. Jesus wants us to discover that he is the truth. God, through his Holy Spirit, leads us to discover his son Jesus.

We have a choice though. Having discovered “The Truth”, will we believe? Will we have faith?

All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. ~Galileo Galilei

“As a businessperson, you have no greater leverage than the truth.” ~John Whittier

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John Whittier, Quote, Truth

Truth – Can you handle it?

Truth is the great advantage of any business person. People are seeking after the authentic. The marketplace responds to leadership built on the real thing.

Even when things go bad, people respond to hearing the truth.

“As a businessperson, you have no greater leverage than the truth.” ~John Whittier

Are we rearrainging the deck chairs on the Titanic as the band plays on?

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Jesus, Messiah, RMS Titanic, Truth

Jesus is the Truth

They didn’t think it could happen but it did. How often does that happen? We believe something that isn’t true. And we go down with the ship.

In 1912, the British passenger liner, the RMS Titanic, sank in the North Atlantic at 2:20 a.m., two and a half hours after hitting an iceberg. 1,517 people are killed. They said it was unsinkable. They were wrong. And, the Band played on!!

Jesus the Messiah calls on us to know the truth. The truth will set us free.

“The very one who argued you down, will sometimes be found, years later, to have been influenced by what you said.” ~C. S. Lewis

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C. S. Lewis, Jesus, Truth

Jesus is the Truth

We never know the influence our words may have when God is moving in someone’s life. His words don’t return empty. And, we may never know the final outcome. They may become a powerful follower of Jesus. We may just sowing the see.

May we speak the truth at all times.

The very one who argued you down, will sometimes be found, years later, to have been influenced by what you said. ~~C. S. Lewis

Remember the early days when we first came to Jesus?

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Faith, Jesus, Messiah, Perseverance, Truth

Jesus Messiah

We should remember the early days when we first came to Jesus, the Messiah, and saw the truth. Those were not always easy days. Friends didn’t understand. Family members laughed at us. They “knew” us too well. But, we knew who we knew.

Jesus was with us through it all. We knew our real treasure. In one way, it seemed like nothing bothered us at all. We were willing to endure anything for Jesus. We were sure of Him.

So, will we throw it all away now? No, we need to stick it out no matter what.

We need to stay with the new plan. It is so much better than how we used to justify our missing God’s goal for our life. The new plan is a sure thing. Jesus has promised to complete everything and so we need to go for the prize. It isn’t going to take as long as we think. Jesus will be back anytime now. We need to thrive on loyal trust. We can’t cut and run away.

We aren’t quitters. We aren’t losers. We are going to hang in and see it to the very end. Trusting God who is always faithful.

He is the truth.

“But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is!” ~Apostle Paul

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Anger, Jesus, Lying, Mistrust, Reality, Romans 1, Truth, Wrongdoing

There are many mysteries with God. But His reality is plain enough. All anyone has to do is open their eyes. The reality is right in front of us.

You can’t hide the truth. God is and God is love. God is and God is light. Plain enough to see that. Jesus came as an act of God’s love and showed us the truth. Jesus is the Messiah, the one anointed by God to restore us in right standing with God.

But God’s angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people try to put a shroud over truth. But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! Romans 1:18-23

“Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity.” ~King Solomon

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King Solomon, Love, Proverbs 20, Truth, Wisdom, Wise Sayings

Love

When we think of leaders, how often do we think of love and truth?

That should become our normal criteria. God’s goal for us is to love. Love, coupled with truth, is the essence of integrity. That makes for a sound leader. Truth, without love, can lead us astray.

A leader must care about people. Without that foundation, truth cannot stand on its own.

Love and truth form a good leader; sound leadership is founded on loving integrity. ~~King Solomon (Proverbs 20:28)

Transform a life in a moment #goeverywhere2015 #whyibelieve

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Goeverywhere, Good News, Jesus, Truth, Whyibelieve

Imagine Christians all over the world, standing together in a single moment in time, declaring their faith. Imagine millions receiving the answer of the Gospel, transforming their lives and their worlds. Imagine you’re sending that message to a friend, a family member, or to someone you know who is looking for answers. This is #goeverywhere 2015.

On 30th September, the same gospel video will be shared by believers worldwide on social media at the same time, with the hashtag #whyibelieve. Simply visit the website to view the gospel video that will be shared, and schedule your #whyibelieve post on twitter or facebook.  On 30th of September this is going to become a viral gospel movement!

Add your voice today at goeverywhere.global.

Jesus is the Truth

“My word that goes out from my mouth will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” ~God

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Isaiah 55, Jesus, Messiah, Purpose, Truth

God has a purpose in what He says to me. There is something He has in mind to accomplish. And, it will be accomplished. He is true to His word. He doesn’t say things He doesn’t mean. What He says will be done.

The enemy is a liar. He would deceive me.There is no peace or gift of grace in what he says.

God is God. My heavenly Father and King Jesus, the anointed Messiah are the truth. I can count on them.

May I believe His word that He is speaking to me now.

  My word that goes out from my mouth:  It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. 

—–Isaiah 55:11

“The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.” ~Frederick Douglass

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Frederick Douglas, Honest, Truth, Virtue

 

Virtue

We think a lot about who to elect to office.

How about people of combine the virtues of honesty, truthfulness and being virtuous?

That would make a difference.

“The life of the nation is secure only while the nation is honest, truthful, and virtuous.” ~Frederick Douglass

“We’re writing hoping that you’ll now see the whole picture as well as you’ve seen some of the details.” ~~Apostle Paul

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2 Corinthians 1, Apostle Paul Sayings, Jesus, Messiah, Truth

We hear a lot about seeing the “big picture”. The Apostle Paul clearly got that. He realized it is easy to see the details. It is hard to see what he calls the “whole picture”. There is a difference, however, between the big picture and the whole picture. I think it is actually a huge difference.

God’s word, and the insight of the Holy Spirit, gives us the whole picture. The truth, clear truth, helps us see the whole picture.

May I see the whole picture. May I see it today and every day.

“We’re writing plain, unembellished truth, hoping that you’ll now see the whole picture as well as you’ve seen some of the details.” ~~Apostle Paul  (2 Corinthians 1:13 The Message)

"God’s truth judges created things out of love, and Satan’s truth judges them out of envy and hatred." ~~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

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Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Judge, Love, Truth

Truth – Can you handle it?

God is love. Jesus challenges us to love God and to love everyone else we know or meet.

God’s truth judges created things out of love, and Satan’s truth judges them out of envy and hatred. ~~Dietrich Bonhoeffer

“Finish what you started in me, God.” ~King David

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Finish, Jesus, Psalm 138, Start, Truth

Jesus is the Truth

Starting is important. We all need to start.

The important thing though is to finish. Our prayer to God is have him finish in us what he started.

God’s goal is for us to be complete. That is a journey he is taking us on. We don’t start at the finish line. That is the truth that Jesus reveals to us.

When I walk into the thick of trouble, keep me alive in the angry turmoil.

With one hand strike my foes, With your other hand save me.

Finish what you started in me, God.

Your love is eternal—don’t quit on me now.

via Psalm 138:8 MSG – When I walk into the thick of trouble, – Bible Gateway.

"You spoke the truth there, sure enough." ~~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 4, Truth

Jesus knows us. Jesus knows us to our core. We can try to evade the truth but Jesus knows the truth. So there is no point in even trying to hide.

The kind of people our Father is out looking for are those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. He wants that kind of relationship with us.

“That’s nicely put: ‘I have no husband.’ You’ve had five husbands, and the man you’re living with now isn’t even your husband. You spoke the truth there, sure enough.” ~~Jesus (John 4:18 The Message) 

"Don’t say anything you don’t mean." ~~Jesus

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Commitment, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Love, Matthew 5, Pious, Truth

We say something we regret. We excuse it by saying, “I didn’t mean it”.

That doesn’t cut it in God’s world. We need to control what we say and only say things that we mean. We should tell the truth. We should be counted on for that.

We need to keep our promises. If we say we are going to do something, we should do it. If we can’t, we shouldn’t say it.

If we love someone, we should only speak words of love and caring. Jesus challenges us to love everyone.

God’s goal for us to say what we mean. And if we don’t mean it, don’t say it.

“And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong. (Matthew 5:33-37 The Message)

"Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth." ~~Jesus

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Jesus, Jesus Sayings, John 4, Pursue, Spirit, Truth, Worship

Jesus challenges us to worship God in a way we have never known before. Do we think worship is sitting in church singing the hymn and raising our hands? It is definitely not.

Worship is at the core of who we are in pursuit of who God is.

Are we pursuing God in our worship? Are we heads over heals going after Him? Are we engaged with Him like never before?

Jesus wants us to know that God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration.

God’s goal for us is to engage our spirit in worship of the living God.

 “Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth.” ~~Jesus (John 4:24 The Message)

Is God two-faced? Is God fickle?

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Faith, Truth

I am God

Is God two-faced? Is God fickle?

God isn’t fickle. No way at all. There is nothing in Him that is two-faced. God couldn’t be deceitful if He wanted to. It just isn’t in His nature. God isn’t wishy washy. God doesn’t say one thing and do another.

What Jesus says is true. Jesus has brought me to life using the true nature of His word. When Jesus says it, I can count on it. That’s good stuff to be sure.

God is God. God is always true to himself and his word. We can count on it.

"When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." ~~Jesus

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Goal, Jesus, Jesus Sayings, Manipulate, Matthew 5, Pious, Truth

We miss God’s goal when our goal is to get our own way. Jesus stops us dead in our track by saying it like it is. That approach is wrong. We are wrong when we do it.

Manipulation is a huge problem. It is core to the culture in this world. We are steeped in it. It is “dead dog” wrong.

Jesus has a better way. In everything we do, we must strive to hear God and do what He wants. No manipulating people to get our own way. Only knowing what God wants and that is to love.

“And don’t say anything you don’t mean. This counsel is embedded deep in our traditions. You only make things worse when you lay down a smoke screen of pious talk, saying, ‘I’ll pray for you,’ and never doing it, or saying, ‘God be with you,’ and not meaning it. You don’t make your words true by embellishing them with religious lace. In making your speech sound more religious, it becomes less true. Just say ‘yes’ and ‘no.’ When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong. Matthew 5:33-37

Thank you Jesus for making it clear.

“Jesus is both True God and Real Life. Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles.” ~~Apostle John

Tags

1 John 5, Apostle John Sayings, Jesus, Life, Messiah, Truth

Jesus is the Truth

Not everything is the real thing. There is the real GOD and there are clever facsimiles. It may, in fact, be difficult to see the difference. They look the same. They sound the same.

Jesus brings truth and life. The evil one lies and cheats us of life. GOD holds us firm. When we came to realize we were missing GOD’s goal for our life, we changed our mind and came to trust Jesus as the one who could save us from that type of life.

We know we are children of GOD and we live in His world. We are protected by GOD.

God is great. Jesus, the Messiah, has defeated the evil one. GOD protects us. GOD is in a good mood and we can live in truth.

We know that none of the God-begotten makes a practice of missing God’s goal [sin] —fatally missing God’s goal [sin]. The God-begotten are also the God-protected. The Evil One can’t lay a hand on them. We know that we are held firm by God; it’s only the people of the world who continue in the grip of the Evil One. And we know that the Son of God came so we could recognize and understand the truth of God—what a gift!—and we are living in the Truth itself, in God’s Son, Jesus the Messiah. This Jesus is both True God and Real Life. Dear children, be on guard against all clever facsimiles. (1 John 5:18-21 The Message)

“There are others who need stories.” ~~Jesus (Luke 8:10)

Tags

Insight, Jesus Sayings, Kingdom, Luke 8, Truth

Truth – Can you handle it?

It is hard for us to deal with the truth. Jesus told the truth through stories (parables).

The disciples of Jesus could understand, directly from Jesus, how God’s world (Kingdom) works. Others needed to hear it via a story. For some, even stories didn’t work.

I want to be in the group who can hear God’s insight directly from Jesus.

God’s goal is for us to understand what God has in mind for us.

 His disciples asked, “Why did you tell this story?” He said, “You’ve been given insight into God’s kingdom—you know how it works. There are others who need stories. But even with stories some of them aren’t going to get it:

• Their eyes are open but don’t see a thing, 
• Their ears are open but don’t hear a thing.

(Luke 8:10)  

"God rewards those who seek him. Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds." ~~Max Lucado

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Jesus, Max Ludado, Seek, Truth

Seek God

Jesus is clear. God’s goal for us is to seek God. If we seek God, we will find Him.

There is a reward there for us. Seeking leads to finding.

Jesus is also clear that it not about finding religious truth or enlightenment. There is no power in the “religious system”. Creeds are useless without the power of God in our life. The Good News of Jesus is liberating.

Our focus is to seek God. I will be rewarded for that.

God rewards those who seek him. Not those who seek doctrine or religion or systems or creeds. ~~Max Lucado

“A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout your life." – Winston Churchill

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Service, Simplicity, Truth, Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill

Truth can be spoken in many ways. We get to chose how to pair it.

Winston Churchill learned that by coupling truth with simplicity, we can be of great service to ourselves and to others.

A vocabulary of truth and simplicity will be of service throughout your life. ~Winston Churchill

“We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies.” ~Apostle Paul

Tags

2 Corinthians, Culture, Emotion, Obedience, Truth, World

Culture of Corruption

All it takes is to watch the evening news to know we live in a massively corrupt culture. God’s goal is that we tear down the massively corrupt culture of this world and replace it with God’s culture and society.

Our Father has given us tools to demolish that culture. To bring it right down.

I can’t fight it the same way the world does. My tools are different. Will I allow God to demolish it in my life?

May I live a life of obedience that leads to maturity.

May I receive the good news of God’s new goal for me.

May I not miss God’s goal in my life today.

The world is unprincipled. It’s dog-eat-dog out there! The world doesn’t fight fair. But we don’t live or fight our battles that way—never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by the Messiah. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity. 2 Corinthians 10

 

Is the truth to close for comfort?

Tags

Happy, Heaven, Matthew 5, Prophets, Truth

All heaven is applauding when I get in trouble for speaking the truth of the government of God. God is God and in control. I am in good company when I am put down for making his rule known. God is light and shines truth on us all. I can’t hide His light. I can’t pretend He isn’t in control.

How often, though, am I considering what others will think if I speak the truth in love? God has a goal for us to speak the truth about Him and His government. He is in a good mood and wants us to let others know about it. It may make them uncomfortable. That is OK.

May I speak the truth and seek our Father’s approval and not others.

Not only that—you will be more than happy every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don’t like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. Matthew 5:1-12