Know the Truth, He Never Lies

But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 2:20 (NIV)

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

The truth can be hard to come by. Think about it. How many times have you thought someone was telling you the truth only to find out they were lying. When someone tries to represent themselves as something they are not, we call that living a lie. Of course you have heard the joke, "Do you know how to tell when a politician is lying? Their lips are moving."

Knowing Christ is knowing the truth. God can not lie. What we learn from Christ, from the Bible, we can depend on as truth. I know that some people view the Bible as an antiquated piece of literature full of myths and fables. But, that is not what it is at all. One hundred plus years ago dictionaries defined Hittites as a mythological  group of people referred to in the Bible. Later, they discovered evidence of the existence of the Hittites. Admittedly, many people have misunderstood, misinterpreted and misrepresented the Bible. But, it has proven itself true again and again. 

Yet, truth is more than just an opinion of what one perceives to be true. Truth is about knowing who Christ is and knowing him as the truth. When you know Christ as Lord you know that the universe was made through him (Hebrews 1:2). Christ is the truth. Science may discover things but it does create the laws that govern the universe. Albert Einstein said, "I want to think God's thoughts, the rest are details." 

We can choose to live by faith in the truth or not. If you know Jesus, you know the truth. 

Father, thank you that Jesus is the truth and we may know him. Praise be to you in us today!

You Don't Have a Cartoon Religion

For we did not follow cleverly devised stories when we told you about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ in power, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. He received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain.

2 Peter 1:16-18 (NIV)

I must admit that I laugh (to their face) at arrogant evolutionists  who scoff at creationism. Their big proof is "illustrations" of hypothetical evolutionary steps from something crawling out of the water, to a monkey to modern humans. It's a cartoon! You might as well believe that Bugs Bunny is an alien who came from outer space and spiked our ancient microbial ancestors to set us on an evolutionary pathway to the humanity we are now. 

Peter is proclaiming that the apostles gospel is not a made up fantasy but truth and reality in the most undeniable manner. They saw and God heard speak from his Majestic Glory proclaiming Christ as his Son. They saw him live, die and rise from the dead. They did not make up some clever story. The simply told the truth about who Jesus is. 

For us today that means we are basing our hope on the truth of Christ. He is Savior and Lord. He ever lives to intercede on our behalf. He will never leave us or forsake us. He will remain faithful even when we don't. He is faithful to complete the good work he began in us. That is the truth. 

Father, thank you for the truth in Christ. Help us to live by faith i Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

Efforts of Faith, Not Works

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV)

Even though the verse says to "make every effort" I know that legalism is not part of the meaning. In other words, this is not a to do list that must be followed to the letter, and if I miss one part then it all falls apart. Legalism puts it all on me and that is not faith.

Faith in the finished work of Christ is what I am trying to grasp. I do, at times, feel ineffective and unproductive in my relationship with Christ. So, trying to add goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love to my faith does not mean acts that earn me God's favor. 

I think it was Zig Ziglar who said, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time." What will you seek today? By faith you can aim at several things that God promises to use to make us effective and productive in our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don't aim at nothing, aim at goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. 

Father, help us to walk by faith and may our knowledge of you be effective  and productive. Praise be to you in us today!

A FEW GODLY MEN

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Hebrews 13:7-8 (NIV)

I have been very blessed to have had some godly men in my life. My youth pastors were both great guys who gave me time and we're great examples of real men living lives for Jesus. Both worked full time jobs while volunteering as youth pastors. How these men treated their wives and children influenced how I would be a husband and father.

When I attended Bible school in England the schools' principal befriended me. I learned that being a leader doesn't mean that you go it alone. His honesty, humility and openness taught me how to love others in a truly Christlike manner.

I thank God for these men and the example they set for me. I saw the love of Christ lived out in these men and their lives. Their lives were real. Their faith was real. The love of Christ was real. 

Father, thank you that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever and his love for us never ceases or changes. Help us to love as he has loved us. Praise be to you in us today!

THE POINT: CHRIST IS

"The point of what we are saying is this: We do have a high priest, who sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, and who serves in the sanctuary, the true tabernacle set up by the Lord, not by man." Hebrews 8:1-2 

You have a need. I have a need. We need someone to represent us to God Almighty. We need our sins forgiven. We need someone to be interceding on our behalf. 

Christ died for our sins; past, present and future. Christ sits at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven. Do you realize what that means? It means where the battle is being decided, we have the advantage. Christ, is representing us. That doesn't mean everything is easy. It does mean that Christ will keep us in his will and his way. And in the end, he will give us victory. 

Remember Job. Satan had to ask permission to do him any harm. Job suffered great losses to learn that God alone is Creator and Ruler, Righteous and Holy. God blessed him more in the end of his life than before, but, he did go through quite a battle. 

So, remember whom you have in heaven. Humbly and thankfully call on him. 

Thank you Jesus for being our High Priest and meeting our needs in yourself! Praise be to you in us today!

DON'T LET GO! HE WON'T!

"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess." Hebrews 4:14

Jesus, unlike some so-called prophets or gods, actually died and rose again. His life was to make God knowable. His death was in our place and his resurrection was to give us victory over death. Victory for the present not just the future! 

Jesus IS our High Priest. Not was. Not will be, but, is. That is why we hold firmly to the truth that Jesus died for us and that he ever lives to intercede for us. Right now he is on the job. At this moment he is interceding for you and me!

Hold on! He is working...

Father help us to hold on to the faith we profess.  Thank you that Jesus is our faithful High Priest who ever lives to intercede for us. Open our eyes to see you in our lives! Praise be to you in us today!

BOASTFUL HOPE

"But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." Hebrews 3:6

Think of Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with you." And I Corinthians 3:16 says, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" Theses verses teach us the truth that we, as believers, have a special relationship with God where his very Presence becomes a part of our lives.

Christ, God's son, is faithful as the builder. He will do what he set out to do. He came to save us from sin, to make us children of God. Our job is courageously hold on to the hope we have in Christ's faithfulness. To some our hope may seem a bit bold, maybe even absurd. But, we are not hoping in our own strength. Our hope is in Christ Jesus who died and rose again. That same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the power that God is working in our lives to conform us into the image of Christ Jesus, his son. He is faithful and he will do it!

Father, help us to hold on courageously and confidently to the hope we have in you. Open our eyes to see you in our lives. Praise be to you in us today!

NOT ASHAMED OF YOU

"Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So, Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers." Hebrews 2:11

I kind of felt sorry for my younger brother because he had to enter every class with a teacher who knew he was my brother. He was every teachers dream, while I was every teachers recurring nightmare.  I was not until we were in High School that I got my act together. Then only a few teachers would say, "You're his (spoken with disdain) brother..." By then I had given my life to Christ and was leading Bible studies and then my brother took up guitar and led worship. He would lead the worship and I would teach the Bible study. God redeemed us both and made us holy in his site. 

Jesus, has made us, who were formerly not so holy and possibly the "foolish" (see I Corinthians 1:20-2:5) of this world into the wisdom of God! I think that is amazing! How God has got me as far as he has gotten me is probably more miraculous than I can even imagine. That God is not ashamed of me is...beyond my ability to express!!! 

Think about that for a minute. We all have done things we not only wish we did not do, but, things we probably don't want anyone else to know. Peter, denied Christ three times at the most crucial moment in history! Yet, Jesus was not and is not ashamed to call him his own. 

Jesus is not ashamed to call you his brother! That is why Jesus is supreme! That is why he is the way, the truth, and the  life! 

Jesus is not ashamed to call you his brother...

Thank you, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for making me holy and making me a part of your family! Thank you for not being ashamed to call me your brother! Praise be to you in us today!

A TASTE OF DEATH FOR YOU

"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,   now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone." Hebrews 2:9

Here's the deal: Jesus was made like us to die for us. Get it? Jesus didn't come into the world to become God, he always has been, and he always will be God. He came to provide redemption, salvation, forgiveness and the deliverance from death.  

When Christ was on the cross just before he died he cried out, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34). The pain of separation from the Father shook the earth and spit the temple curtain in two (Matthew 27:51-52). The sting of death, is eternal separation from God. Physical death is only a part of death. Spiritual death is the other. Death, is actually eternal aloneness. Alone from hope, alone from peace, alone from God. 

When Christ died on the cross, he experienced death for us. The superiority of Christ is demonstrated in the completeness of the salvation he provides for us. 

The moments of aloneness we experience on here on earth are to remind us that Christ took that upon himself so that we do not have to die apart from God, but, we can live forever with him in paradise. 

Jesus, thank you for tasting death for us. Praise be to you in us today!

CHRIST REIGNS IRREGARDLESS OF PERCEPTION

""...and put everything under his feet."

 In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not  subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him." Hebrews 2:8

Well, this is reality isn't it? We know Jesus is Lord, we just can't see it all the time. I think this is where faith truly comes into our lives. 

You may think there is some magic prayer of faith that will induce God to act quickly. But, his time is not our time. 

You may have heard that there is an exalted state of personal faith where your belief in the greatness, faithfulness and power of God will open the blessings of heaven upon your life. But, God's often tends to dispense his blessings in ways we can't imagine. 

You may think that your faithfulness to Christ warrants some kind of tangible evidence of the reign of Christ in and around you life. But, our righteousness is but filthy rags in God's sight. The truth is that it is never about our goodness but it is always about his faithfulness. Although I do believe that living by faith helps us see God working, our works can never force God to act. 

God acts when he sees fit. His ways our not our ways (yes, I find that frustrating sometimes).  But, his love in unfailing and everlasting. His promise is to work all things for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purposes (Romans 8:28). God reigns. God will and does act when he sees fit and he will not be persuaded to move until he knows in his perfect wisdom, the time is right. 

Father, help us to be still and know that you are God. Open our eyes to see you in our lives today! Praise be to you in us today! 

CHRIST IS MORE THAN ALL THAT

"So he became as much superior to the angles as the name he has

inherited is superior to theirs." Hebrews 1:4

The point the author is trying to make is that Christs' position in the universe is superior to anything else, save the Father. This is important when we realize that then as now people were concerned with how God worked in their lives. The emphasis is that God sent his Son to intercede in our lives, not just angels. 

It is a wonderful thought to know that God uses his angels to guard us (Psalm 91:10-12; Matthew 4:6; Luke 4:10). But, to know that he sent his One and Only Son to die for our sins and that Christ now sits at the right hand of the Father interceding on our behalf, that is amazing! 

The name Jesus inherited is the rank of firstborn. Think of it this way. Why do some religions want to say that Jesus is a prophet? Because they want to make him one of many prophets, not the Son of God. The author of Hebrews is reminding us that Jesus is superior to anything or anyone else. 

Father, praise you for sending Jesus to be our High Priest. Thank you that he died for our sins and that he ever lives to intercede for us at your right hand! Praise be to you in us today!

IT'S NOT ABOUT SECOND CHANCES/ Hebrews 1:3

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:3

Wow! Salvation is more than forgiveness. The work of Christ as Savior and Lord is more than dying for our sins, as if that wasn't more than we could imagine in itself. Our Savior provides continued salvation by interceding for us. Later in Hebrews 7:25 we learn that Christ "is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them". That is one reason why he sits at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 

No if, ands or buts about it, your salvation is complete. Every "if I", "and I", or even "but I" is included in your salvation. Remember, it is not about second chances to be good enough. Think about that! Christianity is not about being good enough to deserve salvation. No one will ever be good enough. It's just about living in the grace of the moment. 

Father, help us to live in the realization that Jesus sustains us in his grace. Praise be to you in us today!

THE SON IS

"The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven." Hebrews 1:3

If you have ever watched "Swamp People" then you know who Troy Landry is. You can definitely see him in his sons. They each one reflect their father to some degree. God's Son, the Lord Jesus Christ reflects God's glory the deepest most real way possible. 

Jesus Christ radiates the truth and reality of his Father, God. If you want to know what God the Father is like, see Christ. In Matthew 21:12-13 we see that God does not like people taking advantage of others, especially in his house. All through out the gospels we see Jesus dealing with the sinners and calling out the "religious" self-righteous leaders. If you want to know who God is, look at what Jesus did. 

Jesus, loved us by dying for us. God's righteousness and mercy met in Jesus' death on the cross and revealed to us the absolute truth about who God is. Christ's resurrection proclaims God's power over death, which only he can do. 

Do you want to know God? Know Christ.

Father, thank you for sending Jesus to reveal yourself to us. Open the eyes of our understanding to know you in Christ. Praise be to you in us today!

GOD SPEAKS, DO YOU HEAR?

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe." Hebrews 1:1-2

God has something to say to each one of us. And the most important part of what God is trying to tell us is completely centered around his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

It may not seem like it right now, but Christ is the King, he will be the King and his reign will be everlasting. When he returns he will take his rightful place as Lord of Lords and King of Kings and every knee will bow down before him and acknowledge that he is Lord.

The universe itself was created by him. Christ is eternal. Christ is Creator. If anyone understands anything, it must  be Christ. He knew before the creation that mankind would rebel and sin. He knew that Satan would try to usurp his authority. He knew that many would reject his gracious act of redemption. Yet, he created. Still he came and died in our place, for our sins. 

What God has to say to us, he is saying through Christ. 

Listen...

Father, praise be to you, praise be to the Lord Jesus Christ. You are Creator and Redeemer. Open our hearts and minds to hear all that you are saying to us! Praise be to you in us today!

Paula Deen, Hate and Mercy / Titus 3:4-5

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous thing we had done, but because of his mercy." Titus 3:4-5a

The Apostle Paul knew all about hate. He went from house to house to persecute the church.  But the kindness and love of God appeared to him. Saul was changed to Paul. 

Think back in your life. Remember what God in Christ has saved you from. I am always struck by the amount of hate I see in the world today. And there is no mercy, no grace. Think of Paula Deen, the now ex Food Network host. Years ago she used a racial slur. There is no grace for Paula Deen from the world. There is forgiveness, mercy and grace from Christ.

But, that is not how God works. God sent Jesus Christ to die for ALL our sins. It is not about our righteous deeds, because they are but filthy rags in his eyes (the only eyes that matter), it is about his mercy. There is mercy for me and you. 

So stop and take stock. Are you living more like before you gave your life to Christ? Maybe you have never given your life to Christ? Is hate, malice and envy controlling you and dominating your thoughts? Maybe it's time to get some mercy. Maybe it's time to share some mercy and grace. 

Father, thank you for your mercy and grace toward us! Help us to live in your mercy and give your mercy to those around us. Praise be to you in us today!

ARE YOU READY? / Titus 3:1

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good." Titus 3:1

In sports there is the "ready position". You know, feet just a little more than shoulder width apart, knees bent, hands out, and ready to move which ever way is necessary to make the play. Spiritually speaking we need to be ready to make whatever play the Spirit of God puts before us. 

Ephesians 2:10 reminds us, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

In I Peter 3:15 the Apostle says, "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 

Maybe this is why the saying, "What would Jesus do?" came about. I think that is always a good "stance" or mindset to be in. 

BOY SCOUTS AND GODLINESS / Titus 2:13-14

"While we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:13-14

My youngest son is in Scouting and he just transitioned from a Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. He had to learn the Scout Oath and Law. We had a Court of Honor meeting last night and our troop does a potluck. As we were getting in the car my son held the door open for his sister to get in first. That does not always happen. But, going to the scout meeting reminded him to act like a scout. I think that is kind of like us and the second coming of Christ. Realizing that Christ is coming should give us extra motivation to good. 

I think I should be eager to do what is good naturally. Unfortunately we do have a sinful nature that seeks self gratification without thought of the consequences.  It is worse than eating something that you know will give you heartburn later. It is worse because sin sometimes leaves a scar or a hook. But, doing what is godly, living a life of love in faith, never leaves a scar and doesn't hook you but frees you. When we do what is good, which is love as Christ loved us, we will reap the fruit of righteousness. 

Here's the to do: Be good to other people. How will you be good to your spouse today? Your kids? Your fellow workers or employees? Love as Christ has loved you...

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for your love toward us. Thank you for your forgiveness, patience, grace and mercy. Your faithfulness is amazing! Help us to love as you have loved us! Praise be to you in us today!

GRACE & SELF-CONTROL/ Titus 2:11-14

"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us  to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." Titus 2:11-14

Self-control is a lifelong lesson. It is life long because although everyday is connected to the past and bridges to the future, it is new and unique unto itself. Today I will encounter circumstances, situations and people that will be opportunities to experience God and to seek to be godly. 

How does the grace of God that brings salvation tie into this moment? 

How does the grace of God affect the way I respond to each person and each situation and circumstance?

Father, teach us to say "No" and abide in you. Praise be to you in us today!

I KNOW WHO I BELIEVE: II Timothy 1:12

"That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day." II Timothy 1:12

That are a lot of things that are important but knowing God has got to be at the top of the list. To say that you are a Christian and yet not know Christ is a contradiction in terms. Knowing Christ is all about believing that what he said is true and acting like it. 

This is not about feeling warm fuzzies and spending your day in spiritual bliss. Knowing Christ is believing he is Sovereign Lord and has unfailing love for you when life is a blessing and life is a bummer. 

Knowing Christ as your Savior and Lord is more than a mere repetition of words. Knowing Christ is acting according to the truth in Christ. If Christ says to seek first his kingdom, I need to seek first his kingdom. My faith determines how I act with my wife and children. My faith determines how I go about my job and how I treat others at my job. My faith determines how a manage my son's baseball team and lead his Cub Scout Pack. My faith is to love as Christ loved me. 

To know Christ is to know his love. To live by faith is to share his love. 

Father, thank you for your love for us in Christ. Help us to walk by faith. Praise be to you in us today!