Truth and July 4th

My word for today is “truth.”

 

T ruth comes from God

R est is found in Truth 

U nderstanding comes by knowing God’s Truth

T ruth in found by trusting in God

H onesty and Honor comes with Truth

I didn’t choose to post about Independence Day on this the 4^th of July, but I wish all my readers “A very happy 4th of July day” and be safe. Remember that this "July 4th is the day the Lord hath made. Be glad and rejoice in it."

The Truth

One my devotionals today got me to reflecting on the Truth!

 

In the author’s words, summarized, “Do I believe it, do it, stand for it, spread it. The truth is something we practice, apply, live and obey.” 

 

To help me further, I put it into questions for myself with my answers? 

 

Have I discovered the Truth?   Yes

Have I accepted the Truth?      Yes

Do I believe in the Truth?        Yes

Do I apply the Truth?               I try

Do I practice the Truth?          I try

Do I obey the Truth?               I try

Do I live the Truth?                 I try

Do I stand for the Truth?        I try 

Do I spread the Truth?            Sometimes

Do I love the Truth?                Yes

Do I understand the Truth?      No- because of my wicked ways, how can the Truth love me so that He can die for me? 

 

John 14:6, “Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life, No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The Truth Will Find You

We have all been there! Something we did which we hoped no one saw! I remember the time I duck-walked, very ungracefully, down an icy slope when leaving work because I did not want to take the chance of falling, but later had to laugh with a friend because he  was  sitting in his truck watching.
     Then, there was the time I got my feet tangled in a nearby chair when I was trying to stand, and I landed on the floor. I bounced up very quickly, and like most would do, looked around to see who all saw the unrehearsed event.   

     I have found that it is best and good-hearted to learn to laugh at my mishaps. I also laugh at the title of a book I co-authored. The title is A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Morgue. It is a collection of true short stories about mishaps and funnies written to make people laugh. I often laugh about the title which, in my opinion, was a mistake. It seems when someone is sick and I want to share the book, I hesitate because of the title. No one who is sick wants to receive a book titled "on the way to the morgue."

     Saying all this, I realize that God sees all my mishaps and my all my ways. I hope He laughs instead of being sad over my failures. 

     I am so glad that God is a forgiving God. 

"For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known." 

Luke 12:2 NKJV 

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=A+Funny+Thing+happened+on+the+way+to+the+morgue&crid=QTTJZT8MP30M&sprefix=a+funny+thing+happened+on+the+way+to+the+morgue+%2Caps%2C147&ref=nb_sb_noss

Stop Faking It!

I read a quote this morning which gave me pause: 

 

“Stop Faking It, And Face It!”

 

So, I thought what am I faking? 

 

Maybe it is a smile that instead of faking it, I need to make it genuine.

Maybe instead of saying “yes” when I want to say “no”, just say no.

Maybe instead of hiding a wrong I am doing, stop doing it.

Maybe I need to just stop and really look at myself to see what I need to change.

 

As Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

The Truth Will Set You Free

We have all heard the adage, “The truth will set you free.” I believe this is a true statement. Truth does hurt my pride, but it does set me free from the guilt of having to live with a lie. 

     I remember what my boss told me when I accepted a new job years ago. He said, “If you make a mistake on the job, admit it, and we will work together to get it corrected.” I always tried to live up to that during the course of my career while often watching a few co-workers who tried to cover up their mistakes by not admitting to it or by attempting to blame others. I much prefer the first option of “admitting my mistake and correcting it.” 

     

Actually, there are a few scriptures that could be considered about admitting truth: 

 “…and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32b

 “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

 “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” Psalm 32:3

 “…God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6b

 

What Are The Odds?

Solomon wrote, “Generations come and generations go, but the earth never changes. The sun rises and the sun sets, then hurries around to rise again. The wind blows south, and then turns north. Around and around it goes, blowing in circles…History merely repeats itself.”

     Thinking back to Biblical times, they battled, and we still battle. There was Sodom and Gomorrah, and we have it today. They sacrificed their babies. We are doing the same today through abortions. They sinned. We sin. The grass turns brown, then green again. The wind blows south and then turns north. History repeats itself. 

     There is only one truth that stays the same. It is God and His Word!     

     What are the odds that over 40 human authors, living over different generations, could write a Book (inspired by God) which would map out the beginning and the end and be read over and over throughout all generations?

     God never changes. The truth is that God created all things. Scripture is His Word! He is in control. Jesus came. He died. He arose the 3rd day, and believers are saved.    

My Final John Wayne Quote

My Final John Wayne Movie Quote

     I found this quote by Davy Crockett (John Wayne) in the Alamo which I like.  "I may sound like a bible beater yelling up a revival at a river crossing camp meeting but that don't change the truth none, there's right and there's wrong.  You gotta do one or the other.  You do the one and you're living, you do the other and you may be walking around but you're dead as beaver hat."   
     I wouldn't know how to say it better, but one day we will all be judged.  If we believe and accept Jesus Christ as our Savior we will have an eternal life.  For those who hear the Truth and reject it, they will be cast into the lake of fire.  By the Truth, I mean, that Jesus came, He died on the Cross for our sins, and He was raised the third day. 
     Furthermore, we were given the right way to live through the Word of God.  Once we believe and accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive the Holy Spirit who guides us.  As humans, we are always weak and always sinful.  It is up to us, as servants of the most High, to chose right over wrong, and should we fail, it is up to us to ask forgiveness from our Father in Heaven. 

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

Revelation 21:7-8 "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death."