Truth?

Truth. Where can we find "truth?"

In the Book of John (NKJV), the Bible gives a clear view on who, and what "truth" is.

First in John 14:6, Jesus says these words, "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Connect this text with John 8:32 and John 17:17 and we can start gaining some useful insight, "And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free." "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth."

We must reference John 1:1-3 to gain a clear understanding of who the Bible refers to as the "word." The Bible reads, "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the Beginning with God.  All things were made through Him..."

Jesus clearly calls Himself the truth and the Bible states that Jesus is the Word, and that we are Sanctified by truth from the Word. Therefore, we can know that there is truth that we should know and follow. Truth that comes from Jesus and the Bible. Now, if you are not sure the Bible refers to Jesus as the word, read John 1:14 and Colosians 1:15,16 NKJV to help.

I do feel it is important to understand that the Holy Spirit is also considered the "Spirit of Truth" and that when He comes He will teach all "truth" to God's people. This does not negate the fact the Word and Jesus are truth. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Bible, each aspect; Jesus, the Bible and the Holy Spirit make up components of "truth."

Furthermore, finding "truth" can be found within the pages of the Bible and through communion with the Holy Spirit.  This is important because we live in a postmodern world, which believes there is no defined answers, that each person may have individual truth, or no absolutes! Yet we know that Pi is 3.14... and various other absolutes within the world. Noone can use any other number to find the circumference for a circle.

How do we deal with this presure and prevailing ideas in our society and world. I have put together four steps from the book Steps to Christ by Ellen G. White. If you have not read the book please do a google search or follow this link. It is a very good book and has some great advise and strategies for life.

First step, it all starts with "love." You must love your neighbor, your friends, family and those around you.  I mean love them with true sacrificial love. When you can really say that you ache for their souls, than you know whether you are truly loving them, instead of dealing with them.

Secondly, realize that our transition to understanding "truth" is not just about loving those around us but helping our hearts change.  We must realize our own sinfulness and that we are just as sinful as the next guy.  We may have different sins and we may have different struggles, but we are all sinful.

Third step, this is the mose important step. If you move to this step without working through the previous steps, one could become quite legalistic. There are three stages: repent, confess, and consecrate. Repentance is merely turning from your sins and those things that you know are sinful. Confess that you have done wrong to God, and ask that "Spirit of Truth" guide you to understand "truth." Consecrate your life to God! That means, like marriage, you are committed to God--no cheating.

Last step, deals with building the relationship and growing in your relationship with Jesus. You will learn valuable lessons in Faith, Acceptance, Doubt, and Discipleship. After you have committed your life to Christ you will go through some tests and struggles, but like a marriage you will stay committed and grow from these experiences. This is a vital step in the search for "truth" because without going through struggles one does not truly become invested into a relationship.

In closing, I would like to encourage each person to read your Bibles, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you what is "truth" and that He will guide you. You do not need human beings telling you what is right or wrong. You do not need some office of the government telling you what is right or wrong. But we do need to know what is right and what is wrong, because it matters.

Truth is truth whether we believe it or not. The most important thing is finding out what it is and whether we are going to follow it. Do not blindly follow someone else but go to the source of "truth."

If you notice the four steps, we start with love, but merely loving thy neighbor does not mean forgetting your Savior, but moving through the other steps.

It's Not Peace, Peace, but Woe, Woe

There has been a large number of events that have happened all over the world, which if I lingered long and hard on, I would probably become quite upset or depressed.  Anybody understand what I am saying?

Whether you like it or not, it is the world we are living in and that we must navigate.  In addition, I believe that we should expect these types of things to happen.  2 Timothy 3 NKJV, describes a world that is very familiar.  Read this list: "For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, having a form of godliness but denying its power.  And from such people turn away!"

I have read many articles and have talked with various people through Facebook and other social media, and there is this underpin of "things will get better."  I do not believe things will get better (here on Earth).  What I do see in the Bible is a picture of pain, turmoil, hate, and deterioration.  Just look at some of the things we have seen over the past 10 years; destruction of the trade centers, wars, even rumors of wars all over, the fear of ISIS, terrorists everywhere, financial crisis, social normals are being destroyed, family values are deteriorating, divorce, and hatred are common place.  Many things we held as wrong are now viewed as right.

Things must get worse before Christ comes back, refer to the list in 2 Timothy 3 for more details.  The more and more we see the deterioration of our world and society, the closer we are to His return.  That does not mean we are supposed to sit back and let it happen or to be happy about it, but we can know, like signs on the highway that we will be going home soon.

We have this hope, and that things will be better one day.  Check out these Bible verses:

"Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.  And where I go you know, and the way you know." --John 14:1-4

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.  There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.  The He who sat on the throne said, 'Behold, I make all things new.'" --Revelation 21:4,5

Do not let the sorrows of this world get you down, but keep your eyes fixed on Christ.

JCA Yearbook Release 2012

Had my first yearbook release as the yearbook sponsor. It was fun and exciting.

We had the students show up to the chapel for a year end pictures. During the setup time the fire alarm went off and we had the students go out for a fire drill.

While we were there a fire truck came blaring its' siren. Anticipation grew as the driver jumped out of the truck and yelled for the Principal.

The Principal raised up the yearbook to a cheering crowd of students. It was great. Some students were surprised as others saw it coming. Our theme for the school year was IGNITE--In God Nothing Is To Extreme.

Glad that is over, but now I must start thinking of next year.

Snake at COOL Camp

#Snake found at COOL Camp. A call came in that there may be a copperhead on the playground at... https://catch.com/m/BnFsW/-EClXHR_Prh

First fruits

Pictures from around the house this week.
The tomatoes are starting to grow, the bees are buzzing around the sunflowers and the sweet peppers are showing up too.
Can not wait to eat the fruits and vegetables.
Enjoy the pictures.