TRUTH ESTABLISHED

 

TRUTH ESTABLISHED Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 12:19 Truth endures. Though time may test it, truth withstands the trial. If I have spoken the truth and must suffer for it at present, I must be content to wait. If I believe the truth of God and endeavor to share it, I may face much opposition: but I need not fear, for in the end, the truth will prevail. How fleeting is the temporary triumph of falsehood! “A lying tongue is but for a moment!” It is like a plant that springs up overnight and withers just as quickly; the more it grows, the more obvious its decay becomes. On the other hand, how noble is defense of THE TRUTH: the Holy Word which never changes—the everlasting Gospel, grounded in the unchanging Truth of our Holy God who does not change, cannot change and has no need to change! Dearest friends, be sure that you are always on the side of God's Truth, both in small matters and in great ones, but especially on the side of Him through whom grace and truth have come to humanity! Mankind fusses and frets over many things but those who focus on Christ will have peace that rises above the affairs of this world. Do not neglect reading the Word of God because it was given to us for this purpose: You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. John 8:32 By Charles H. Spurgeon, updated.

 

THE MOST DANGEROUS ILLUSION

 

THE MOST DANGEROUS ILLUSION What is the most dangerous illusion? Those who believe they cannot be wrong. Social Media, source unknown. An unteachable spirit is a great tragedy, especially when it comes to matters of faith; because we can't possibly have clear discernment without the ability to listen carefully. Careful listening requires us to slow down, stop our own thoughts and focus on what others are saying. This is true whether we're listening to people, or listening to God. The conspiracy groups are the most unteachable people I have encountered. That includes the far left as well as the far right: their stubbornness is exactly the same. People are listening to extreme interpretations of what's happening in our world, and they seem to love those extreme interpretations. They love the self-righteous anger, the hate, the intense emotions that those conspiracy gurus stir up. Never mind that what they're saying is not quite true, or an outright lie: it just feels good to hear the bitterness that flows from such sources. Perhaps this is because people are feeling angry and fearful, and the conspiracy theorists give them hope that something is being done. When in fact, NOTHING productive comes from any of that chatter. What it does is drive a deeper wedge between people, including families and friends, as well as citizens. Unfortunately, our major news outlets aren't any better than the off-road conspiracy websites. They're making things up and inventing their own "truth" also. Satan (the great Liar) is obviously taking an active part in all of these things.  People are being hardened until they lose the ability to be reasonable, temperate... or even considerate. For them, everything exists in black-or-white, for-or-against, good-or-evil, us-or-them. But Jesus didn't divide people like that. He didn't regard ANYONE as disposable or deplorable. He came to save everyone. Each one. Anyone. He came to reconcile people to God, to soften hearts, teach humility and show us the better Way to live. Jesus is the only hope we have in this world, because ANY other path is loaded with bitterness that leads to despair. Pride makes people stubborn and unreasonable. The humility that Jesus teaches enables us to learn moderation, patience and gentleness. Humility makes it possible for us to hear.

 

EPHESIANS 2:1-8

 

EPHESIANS 2:1-8 1 It wasn't so long ago that you were mired in that old stagnant life of sin. 2 You let the world, which doesn't know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience. 3 We all did it, all of us doing what we felt like doing, when we felt like doing it, all of us in the same boat. It's a wonder God didn't lose his temper and do away with the whole lot of us. 4 Instead, immense in mercy and with an incredible love, 5 he embraced us. He took our sin-dead lives and made us alive in Christ. He did all this on his own, with no help from us! 6 Then he picked us up and set us down in highest heaven in company with Jesus, our Messiah. 7 Now God has us where he wants us, with all the time in this world and the next to shower grace and kindness upon us in Christ Jesus. 8 Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It's God's gift from start to finish! From THE MESSAGE version of the Bible, by Eugene H. Peterson

 

VICTORIOUS LIVING IS POSSIBLE

VICTORIOUS LIVING IS POSSIBLE Nothing shall be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20 It is possible, for those who really are willing to reckon on the power of the LORD, to lead a life in which His promises are taken as they stand and are found to be true. It is possible to cast all our care upon Him daily and to enjoy deep peace in doing it. It is possible to have the thoughts and imaginations of our hearts purified, in the deepest meaning of the word. It is possible to see the will of God in everything, and to receive it, not with sighing, but with singing. It is possible by taking complete refuge in Divine power, and become strong through and through; so that our greatest weaknesses no longer have power over us. This is His work is us; such victories cause us to thirst and long for even more of Christ's victory in our lives. We cannot possibly be satisfied with anything less—than to walk with God each day and hour and moment. Handley Moule

 

THE FOURTH TRUMPET

 

THE FOURTH TRUMPET Continuing the Study of Revelation REVELATION 8.12 The fourth angel sounded, and one third of the sun was struck, and one third of the moon, and one third of the stars; so that one third of them would be darkened, and the day wouldn’t shine for one third of it, and the night in the same way. 8.13 I saw, and I heard an eagle, flying in mid heaven, saying with a loud voice, “Woe! Woe! Woe for those who dwell on the earth, because of the other voices of the trumpets of the three angels, who are yet to sound!” -WEB Bible.  There are many things that might cause a haze to obscure the sun, moon and stars; and dim their light. If one of the super volcanoes erupted (such as Yellowstone), the resulting ash cloud would do it. Or, a giant meteor such as Wormwood could throw up a huge dust and ash cloud. The event would have to be catastrophic to cast one-third of our celestial lights into darkness. Whatever the cause: the sun and moon will be dimmed by one-third, and only the brightest stars can be seen through the haze. And, something else would happen: without full sunlight the earth would cool off dramatically! You can read about the "Year without a Summer" on Wikipedia. It happened in 1816 and was most likely caused by two major volcanic eruptions. As a result of the cold weather, crop failures across the Northern Hemisphere caused severe food shortages. Later in Revelation 12:4, we will read again how 1/3 of the stars fall to earth. If that event is the same as this one, then the darkness may be due (in part) to the war and conflict going on in the heavenlies when Satan will be thrown out of heaven. The Tribulation will be in the final stages at that point, and the spiritual battle will be more intense than at any time in earth’s history. In the image above, an eagle warns that the three remaining trumpet blasts will be especially violent and destructive. There will be much suffering. And, the very backbone of earth's financial and political systems will be destroyed by the three woes which are coming. Mankind's power cannot hold up against the wrath of God! This study of Revelation will continue on Thursdays. IMAGE CREDIT: Photo composition by C.A. Stevens.