Spoken Truth

Do you seek to know the truth? Do you research to dig to the bottom of a story to uncover the truth? Are you normally skeptical of what you hear from others or read online or read in books? Are you gullible and willing to believe whatever someone tells you?

Being either always skeptical or gullible does not work well for our lives. We need a healthy balance of both. There are times to we should be skeptical and times being gullible is fine. But when we are seeking truth, leaning more toward being skeptical is more likely to help us discover it.

Pilate was certainly skeptical yet seeking to understand why Jesus was brought before him. Pilate wasn’t necessarily seeking truth. He was seeking to know motive. Motive of the Jews and Jesus’ motive. In fact, Pilate was skeptical of what someone professed to be truth to him. His cynical nature was always seeking to protect his position as ruler over Jerusalem.

Yet, Jesus states His purpose was to come into the world and testify to the truth. What truth was He testifying to? The truth of God. He spoke the true interpretation of God’s commands given to the Jews. He spoke truth to His disciples and the crowds who came to hear Him. He spoke truth about what was going to happen to Him. He spoke truth about His return.

Seeking the truth of God by listening to (or reading) the words of Jesus is in our best interest. We are not to be gullible, but we do need to have faith that Jesus is speaking the truth. It is by listening to Him that we get to know Him better and learn the truth of God.

I pray we all seek to know the truth. I pray we spend time reading God’s Word. I pray each one of us will trust in God’s Word and build our faith in Jesus by listening to Him speak to us. Seek the truth. Read God’s Word. Trust God’s Word. Put your faith in Jesus. Hear Him speak.

John 18:37 Pilate asked him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.”

Be Honest with Jesus

Why do you seek to know who Jesus is? Why do you ask questions about Him? Why do your friends ask questions about Jesus? Who else have you met who asked questions about Jesus? What is their motivation? Does it matter? What do you think?

People ask questions about Jesus for a wide variety of reasons. Some are earnestly seeking to know about Him. Some are trying to trip us up, cause us to doubt. Some are trying to prove Him wrong because they don’t want to believe. Others are only doing so to join a conversation.

Pontius Pilate was questioning Jesus in part to adhere to Roman justice and in part to determine if He was a threat to his throne. Pilate had no interest in becoming a follower of Jesus. As far as he was concerned, the Jews were a conquered people, and they were lesser people than him. He was the appointed ruler in Jerusalem by Rome. He had the seal of Caesar on his appointment. Pilate merely wanted to stop a riot before it got started.

We don’t want to be like Pilate. We should want to ask questions about Jesus to learn more about Him. We should ask questions to seek a deeper relationship with Him. After all, don’t we ask questions to get to know people we want to build a deeper relationship with? All good relationships are built on honesty and knowledge of one another. As we seek to know more about Jesus, we also must be honest about the reason we are seeking to know Him. We must be honest with ourselves and with Jesus.

I pray we all seek to know more about Jesus. I pray we seek a deeper relationship with Him. I pray each one of us are honest with ourselves and honest with Jesus as we seek to know Him. Seek to know Jesus. Seek a deeper relationship with Him. Be honest with yourself. Be honest with Jesus.

John 18:33-34 Then Pilate entered the headquarters again, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus answered, “Do you ask this on your own, or did others tell you about me?”

Priests of God

Do you consider yourself to be a self-made man or woman? Do you believe it only by your own hard work that you have achieved all you have achieved? Do you believe you are the only one you can count on to get things done? Have you considered giving God the glory?

Some of us like to think it is through our hard work and persistence that we have climbed up the ladder of success. We believe the harder we work, the more successful we will be. I know that attitude. I have been there and still go there at times myself.

Yet, when we take time to think about it, really dig down to the bottom of our success, we did not do it on our own. Even if we did not believe in God, we cannot take all the credit. There are others who contributed to it. But those of us who believe in God know it is God who has given us our talents. It is him who has guided our steps, even if we didn’t realize it. It is God who has guided us to the success we have.

What are we to do with that realization? We should praise God and give him the glory for his guidance and blessings. We know that Jesus loves us and freed us from our sins when He went to the cross. But have we thought about being a kingdom? We are a kingdom. Not one identified by land boundaries but one defined by the blood of Christ.

Not only are we a kingdom but we are priests who are to serve God. We do that by continuing to seek his guidance and following his will for our lives. As priests, we are to give God the glory for all he has done and continues to do in our lives. We are to praise him and realize he is the ruler of all and has dominion over everything in this world.

I pray we all know that Jesus has freed us from our sins. I pray we know we are part of God’s kingdom. I pray each one of us will give God the glory, praise him, and know he has dominion over everything. You are freed from your sins. You are in God’s kingdom. Give God the glory. Praise God. Know God has dominion.

Revelation 1:5e-6 To him who loves us and freed us from our sins by his blood, and made us to be a kingdom, priests serving his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Change Your Perception of God

Have you spent much time thinking about who God is? Have you wondered want the heavenly kingdom is like? Do you wonder who is standing before the throne of God? How would you describe Jesus, if you were asked to do so? Have you read descriptions of Him in Scripture?

God can be difficult for us to describe. It can be challenging to think about who he is, how magnificent he is, how powerful he is, and how he can know everything. We may be baffled by what we read of him in Scripture. We may be confused when our pastor tries to explain who he is.

Jesus is a little easier to identify with. We know quite a lot about Him from His time spent on earth. We know about His teachings, miracles, and interactions with people. We know He went to the cross for us, that He died, was buried, and rose again on the third day. We can identify with His human side, even if we can’t identify with His divine side.

But take a moment to read the description John gives in today’s passage. God has always been and always will be. Though we don’t know much about the seven spirits around the throne, we know they must be important to God. They serve a purpose, fulfilling God’s will in one way or another.

Jesus is described as the faithful witness. He is the One who came down from heaven to witness to God’s magnificence on earth. He is the firstborn of the dead, meaning He died and yet rose to reclaim His eternal life. He is also the ruler of the kings of earth. We may wonder about that with the state of our world. Yet we are told that God chooses the rulers of the world and uses them for his purposes. Knowing all this, perhaps our perception of God should change.

I pray we all take time to think about who God is. I pray we seek a better understanding of who Jesus is. I pray each one of us will change our perception based on what we learn about God. Think about God. Seek to know Jesus better. Read descriptions in Scripture. Change your perception of God.

Revelation 1:4b-5d Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

Heart and Soul

Where does God fit in your list of priorities? Is he near the top? Or does he dangle near the bottom? Do you merely give lip service to him? Or have you given your heart to him? Are you somewhere in between? Will you choose to make God your top priority every day?

Our priorities can change at a moment’s notice. A chance encounter with someone we haven’t seen in years can alter our plans for the day. An emergency becomes the number one thing occupying our attention. We may simply decide to move a lower priority up our priority list.

Often our priorities are based on one of two things—needs and wants. We make keeping a job a priority to provide for our needs such as housing, food, and clothing. We make seeking a better paying job a priority to allow us to fulfill our wants. We often justify it by saying we want to better provide for our family, but if truth be told, in most cases, it is more about fulfilling our wants and what our culture tells us we deserve.

King David made God his top priority. He desired to bring the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem. His priority was to bring the presence of God into the holy city. It weighed on his heart so heavily that he could not sleep. David first attempted to move it his own way, but it quickly turned into disaster. Only when he chose to move it in the manner God had instructed was he successful.

We, too, should make God our top priority. Yet, we cannot go about it our own way. If we do, we will meet with disaster just as David did. Only when we come to God in the manner he has instructed will we find success. What is that manner? Bowing humbly before him and obeying his commands. We must submit our life to him, giving our heart and soul to him. Without doing so, we will continue to stumble down a path that leads to disaster.

I pray we all make God our top priority. I pray we seek to obey his commands. I pray each one of us will come humbly before him, submitting to him, giving him our heart and soul. Make God your top priority. Humble yourself before him. Obey God’s commands. Give God your heart and soul.

Psalm 132:3-5

“I will not enter my house 

or get into my bed; 

I will not give sleep to my eyes 

or slumber to my eyelids, 

until I find a place for the Lord, 

a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

Speak as God Guides You

Who is speaking through you? Do you believe your words are your own? Have you considered how many times you are repeating or paraphrasing what you heard from others or read elsewhere? Who do you quote or paraphrase most often? Is it important?

Few of us have an original thought or idea, which makes it near impossible to speak something that has not previously been spoken. We repeat what we see and hear on the news. We repeat what our parents taught us. We repeat what we were taught in school. We quote what we have read.

Do not mistake the repeating or paraphrasing as being bad. Depending on who we are quoting, it can be very good. We choose who we will repeat or paraphrase. Therefore, it is very important we are careful who we listen to and how we evaluate what they are saying. The filters we use to discern what is best for us to repeat are often taught to us at a young age. However, we can learn to be better at it as we grow older. In fact, through experience, it often does.

King David, Israel’s most famous king, states it is the spirit of the Lord who is speaking through him. We know that when Samuel anointed David as God’s chosen king that the spirit of the Lord came upon him. We might think of it now as the Holy Spirit being gifted to David much as the Holy Spirit is gifted to us. David didn’t always listen to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. He ignored it at times, just like we do. Yet, David also listened and followed the Holy Spirit’s guidance often.

When we read God’s Word and listen for his Holy Spirit to guide us, we, too, can have God’s words on our tongue. We can speak the truth of God. The only question is, will we? It is our choice to speak God’s word to others or to ignore his guidance. May each of us choose to speak as God guides us to speak.

I pray we choose to read God’s Word. I pray we choose to listen to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I pray each one of us will choose to speak as God guides us to speak. Read God’s Word. Listen for the Holy Spirit. Follow God’s guidance. Speak as God guides you.

2 Samuel 23:2

The spirit of the Lord speaks through me, 

his word is upon my tongue.

Believe Jesus

What have you heard or seen that is hard to believe? Was it something someone told you? Was it something you saw that was completely unexpected? How did you handle it? Did you come to believe? What is it about God that you find hard to believe?

Sometimes we are told things we find hard to believe. We may decide to research what we’ve heard to verify it. We may see something we think is unbelievable. It may take us a while to process what we saw and come to terms with it.

God wants us to believe what is written about him in the Scriptures. He wants us to believe what is written about Jesus. We may not fully understand initially. We may need to study and research what is written. It may require us to dig into the original languages a bit to better understand. We may even need to research history books to understand what else was going on during that time period.

Jesus tells His disciples and many other people He encounters to believe in God and believe in Him on multiple occasions. He tells us to believe in His works. He tells us to believe His promises and to follow His commands. Jesus performed many miracles, which may be hard to believe, but we are asked to believe them.

Believing in God and Jesus can be challenging. God has done things we cannot do. Jesus did things we cannot do. But just because they are impossible for us does not mean they are impossible for God. In fact, we are told all things are possible for God (Matthew 19:26). Our belief in Jesus is one expression of our Love for Him.

I pray we all choose to believe in God. I pray we believe Jesus’ teachings and His miracles. I pray each one of us will believe Jesus is who He says He is and choose to follow Him. Believe God’s Word. Believe God’s promises. Believe Jesus’ miracles. Believe Jesus’ teachings. Believe Jesus is the Son of God.

John 4:50 The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started on his way.

Birth Pangs

Are you worried about the state of our world? Are you concerned there are two wars ongoing simultaneously? Are you worried about the state of our nation? Are you concerned with the continued hateful language being spewed by anyone who has a disagreement with another?

If you are like me, you hear and participate in a lot of discussion on the state of our world. Prayers are offered on behalf of numerous situations we see on our evening news—wars, natural disasters, elections, hate, racism, division, and a desire for our world to be better.

It is not that we should discount any of those. We absolutely should pray that God step into the midst of them and bring peace to all involved. Yet, when we trust that God is in control and that he will work good out of what is intended for evil, we do not need to worry. We can have our own internal peace because of our faith in God.

Jesus warns His disciples that all we see going on the world will happen. He also states that just because they happen does not mean the end is here. In fact, He says it is just the beginning of birth pangs. For anyone who has gone through giving birth, you know the early contractions do not mean the child will be born immediately. Just as that is true, it is also true that these things do not point to an immediate end.

What does this mean for us who are living in these times? We are to continue to trust in God. Our faith is being tested day by day. It is tested by these horrific events. We pass the test when our faith remains. Therefore, despite the world being in upheaval, hold onto your faith.

Mark 13:7-8 “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed; this must take place, but the end is still to come. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This is but the beginning of the birth pangs.”

Cleansed Conscience

Are you confident or insecure? Do you live with assurance or nervousness? Has your conscience been cleared or are you carrying around guilt? Is your spirit free or is it still bound up? Do you know you can be confident, assured, have clear conscience, and be free?

Some of us are confident in our abilities, yet insecure in our standing with others. We may be assured of our next step but nervous about the one after that. We often carry around guild when we can clear our consciences. We may live imprisoned rather than free as we were meant to be.

Only the High Priest was allowed to go into the holy of holies in the temple, and only at specified times God had appointed. They were fearful of coming into the presence of God. So much so that they tied a rope around their ankle when they were entering the holy of holies. If they were in there longer than normal, it was assumed they had died, and the other priests would pull them out.

We no longer need to worry about being struck down by God in the sanctuary. When Jesus gave up His spirit on the cross, the curtain was torn, the holy of holies became available to all. We can confidently come into the presence of God because we have been washed clean by His blood. We should be assured in our faith that God has welcomed us to him.

I pray we all confidently enter the sanctuary of God. I pray our faith is assured of God’s acceptance of us. I pray each one of us have a clear conscience and our spirits are set free. Confidently go to God. Be assured in your faith. Allow God to clear your conscience. Be cleansed by the blood of Christ.

Hebrews 10:19-22 Therefore, my friends, since we have confidence to enter the sanctuary by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain (that is, through his flesh), and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us approach with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

God Is Just

We have been told many times over that God is love, and that is true. God is the epitome of love. He loves every person who has ever walked this earth or ever will walk this earth. Yet, God is also just and holy. There will be a day of judgment when everyone will answer for their actions.

Jesus was born and lived for one primary purpose, to be the perfect Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. While walking this earth, He taught many lessons, performed many miracles, and demonstrated God’s love, grace, and mercy.

When Jesus had accomplished the work of God, redeeming all those who choose to accept Him as Lord and Savior, He sat down at the right hand of God the Father. He continually intercedes for us before the Father. His shed blood continually washes us clean. Our sins are continually being forgiven.

But there will come a day when God will say enough is enough. Jesus will return to bind Satan and throw him into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:10). At that time all people will be resurrected to face God’s final judgment. Those who have not followed God will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Satan, his demons, and all who have opposed God are his enemies and will face eternal torment.

Though we may suffer persecution in this life, we look forward to the day there will be no more suffering. God has promised he will make all things new. He has promised we will be resurrected and spend eternal life with him. We will be in God’s presence, seeing him face-to-face forever. Therefore, we are to hold onto his promise and continue to follow Jesus.

I pray we all understand the purpose for Jesus coming to earth. I pray we know that He will return. I pray each one of us hold onto God’s promises and look toward an eternal life spent with him. Know you have been redeemed. Know your sins are forgiven. Trust God’s promises. Trust Jesus will return. Look toward eternity spent with God.

Hebrews 10:12-13 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, “he sat down at the right hand of God,” and since then has been waiting “until his enemies would be made a footstool for his feet.”