Truth!

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Truth. Pilate ask Jesus, “are you a King?” Jesus then says that He has come to “bear witness of the truth”, prompting Pilate's question “what is truth”? We seem to ask the same thing about many things.

We wonder when considering our Politician's, what is the truth. What do they really want to do? What are their real policies? With the low rating for all our government leaders it seems safe to say we don't believe them.

The other day, I don't remember what I said, but some one responded, “And you believe they went to the Moon too.” It was obvious that he believes the rumor that it was all staged. I suppose this was born out of our distrust of the Politician's and Scientists.

We have so many commercials on our TV's, pushing drugs and making claims, only to find out later that they lied. Recently, there was an expose about a sprinkle on food supplement for weight loss. During the research they were interviewing a woman who worked for some government agency. She said that when she came to work for the first time she read a statement on the wall in big letters, “In God we trust, all others must show data”.

Data, proof of the claims, repeated results that confirm the veracity and credibility of the claims. There has been a number of drugs introduced lately, that a few months go by, and we learn of how the benefits are overshadowed by side affects or the claims were lies. Even the news media, they issue these hyped up teasers to keep us tuned in and then when they report the story, we hear that question mark. There really isn't a 100 foot tidal wave heading for Boston, but someday there could be. I'm sure you've heard these.

With all this manipulation it makes you want to ask, like Pilate, what is truth or is there any truth? Can't anyone say what they mean? Can I believe any one? Yes you can. You can believe God!

In the Gospel of John chapter 17 and verse 17, Jesus is praying for all the believers, then and now. He asks God the Father to sanctify us in truth and says, “Your Word is truth”. The Bible is the truth, absolute truth.

That statement might be a challenge for you. If so let me point out some data. Everything that the Bible said has been proven to be true. Even science, proven science not theoretical science, confirms Biblical statements. All the prophecies regarding the Messiah, Israel and the condition of the world have or are coming true. If you challenge these statements, ask yourself, on what data?

There are many day to day questions we ask ourselves, making decisions that are required. We make those decisions based on our life's goals and responsibilities. If we are short on funds to pay bills and we are offered additional work that conflicts with some other activity we would prefer, we need to decide. Our decision is determined by our goals. Whether responsible or not, they are determined by our goals.

Our goals are those things we want or places we want to be. If we want to be a business person you're not likely to spend your time studying for ministry, like me. If your desire is to respond to a “calling” God has put on your life, then you aren't likely to study the cards at a blackjack table. We choose our goals based on our desires and then make decisions that will help us achieve our goals. Even if our goal is to do as little as possible.

I have been discussing practical and temporal matters. But what about eternal spiritual matters. What are your desires for you when you cross the threshold of death and enter eternity? Additionally, how will you prepare for that and how will that affect the decisions you make now.

 

I was 30 years old, a fisherman and real estate broker, when I had what I can only describe as an experience with God, an epiphany. All my life I believed in God, but now I believed God. I believe He is, yes, but also that He wanted the best for me. The best for me was to serve Him by serving His people. I had often wanted to do so, but I was raised in a faith that didn't permit marriage for those who chose a life of service to God, and I liked girls. I wanted to get married.

I was taught that their way was the only way. But that day with God He showed me they were wrong, and I believed Him. I didn't only believe in God, that He existed. But now I believed what He said to me.

Well, as you might expect, I wanted to hear more. He directed me to the Bible. I had researched many other religions, it was the 60's. Confucianism, Hinduism, Judaism, Paganism and the list goes on. Some were appealing but they didn't give me the answers I was searching for. What is my purpose, my purpose, not humanities purpose but mine? Is there life after death? How can I prepare for it if there is? How should I live my life now to receive the greatest benefit? You know the normal stuff.

After reading much of the writings of these religions I must say that some of the things were helpful and even true, but none of them were completely suitable for the answers I needed. An example was the Hindu writings, Veda and learning of Vishnu, Kali and Shiva. I realized what they were saying was that they strove for enlightenment and repeated lives to achieve it, only to tell us they didn't and that they would be back. Buddha, in his writings concludes with he made it, good luck. Paganism seemed so complicated and not reassuring. I expected to devote myself to sacrificing to these gods and possibly gain their favor.

Well, I thought, I had given these other religions the time to read their books and research, why not Christianity. I had been told I shouldn't read the Bible because I wasn't able to understand it. I was encouraged to let the leaders teach me what I needed to know. I really hadn't done the research and now God, I believed, was telling me if I wanted Him to talk to me more I should start by reading the Bible.

So I did. I discovered truth for the first time. Originally I read it with a jaundice eye. I was determined to locate and expose all the contradictions and myths in it. But, it exposed all the contradictions and myths in me. I found out why I was alive and my purpose. I learned how to fulfill that purpose and the way to prepare for my immortality. I was and am being trained in how to receive the benefits of this life and the one to come. No guess work. No vain labors. I discovered, along with millions of others the definitive and correct way to live this life to the fullest, with satisfaction, understanding and achievement, and the assured entrance into the Kingdom of God, heaven.

So all that's left is to ask you, what are your goals and are you making decisions that will guarantee that you will meet them? I have bee and still am. I also believe, no know, that the Bible is the truth you need to know. If you think I might be right, then let me encourage you to begin with Genesis and Exodus in the Old Testament. Then go to the New Testament and read the books of Luke through to and including Romans. You can fill in the blanks later, but these will wet your whistle so to speak.

If you need any help along the way, e-mail me. Come on, you know you want the truth!

 

About My Father's Business,
Pastor Joe.

 

Come join us at Pembroke Assembly
and Know God by the Book!

 

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