The Pastor’s Blog
Rock of Truth
In 1972 singer/song writer Jim Croce came out with a hit song entitled “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.” The chorus went:
“You don’t tug on Superman’s cape
You don’t spit into the wind
You don’t pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger
And you don’t mess around with Jim”
After a recent experience I would add one more thing you don’t do; “you don’t spray window cleaner on a window with a vent underneath it while the furnace fan is running.” I know it’s not quite as catchy as Croce’s lyrics, but it’s just as true and the window cleaner blown back into my eyes is the proof.
In the days we live in a lot of things that were once considered truths to live by are no long accepted as truth. It seems like most everything is open to interpretation and the person or group with the most persistent and loudest argument gets to define truth for all. This makes for a society and culture that is built on ever shifting sand.
That got me to thinking, what is truth? That is the same question Pilate asked Jesus in John 18:38, when Jesus appeared before him during His trial. Although Jesus didn’t answer Pilate’s question at that time, He had answered it a few hours earlier as he met with His disciples as we read in John 14:6, where He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
The Greek word that is translated truth in both Pilate’s question and Jesus’ statement is defined as “the reality lying at the basis of an appearance; the manifested, veritable essence of a matter.” While human debate may continue to redefine what we think we know to be true, Jesus will never change and we can trust that as we know Jesus we know truth. Which also means that the better we know Jesus the better we understand what is true.
As we base our lives, choices and decisions on Jesus the truth, we don’t have to worry about the winds of question, doubt and redefinition that swirl around us and in our culture. Instead, we can firmly place our feet on the Rock of Truth where we never slip and can never be shaken.
This is a process and a life-long journey for sure, but if we live committed to Jesus and continue growing in our knowledge of Him and in our relationship with Him, we can live in the truth that sets and keeps us free (John 8:32).
God’s Grace and Peace,
Mark
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Home Study June 4 through 9, 2012
Monday – Read Exodus 4:18-23
In verse 22 how what does God call His people Israel?
What then is His relationship to them?
What does this passage tell us about how God cared for His children Israel?
What does it tell us about how God cares for us today?
Tuesday – Read Psalm 68:1-6
What do these verses tell us about the power of God?
Why may we who know and follow God rejoice?
How does God become a father to the fatherless?
What hope does this give you?
Wednesday – Read Jeremiah 3:14-20
In verse 19, what kind of relationship does God say that He wants with His people?
According to verse 20, how did His people respond?
How can we avoid being unfaithful to God as our Father?
How does this passage challenge you?
How will you respond?
Thursday – Read Romans 8:12-17
How do we become children of God?
How should that impact and change our lives?
What is the difference between being a slave and being a child?
As heirs of God, with Jesus, what do we have to look forward to in our lives on earth and in eternity?
How should that impact how we live?
Friday – Read Matthew 6:5-15
How does Jesus describe God here?
What hope does this give us as we pray?
What warning does God give us in verses 14 and 15?
How should this passage change the way that you view God, yourself and others?
Saturday – Read Luke 3:1-20
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Song Of The Week
A couple years ago Brandon Heath Came out with a song called Wait And See, and it wasn't really my type of music that I enjoy listening to, but I don't know why, I just found this song really catchy and got excited whenever I heard it. I also love the message that it gives that God is never finished with you. He has lots of plans for you and even when you think you have got it, he has something even bigger in store for you. A lot of times we forget that God really does have a plan for us and if we just let him take control of our lives then everything will fall into place and he will provide many things for us to do. So here is the song of the week, Wait And See by Brandon Heath.-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJwlmb4V-0Y
Brandon Heath-Wait And See-What If We
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Home Study for May 28 – June 2, 2012
Monday – Read Acts 4:8-12
What does verse 11 mean?
Why is salvation found in no one else but Jesus?
What happens if a person is trusting in anything else to save them?
How is Jesus challenging you?
How will you respond?
Tuesday – Read I Peter 1:17-21
What price was paid for our redemption?
When did God develop His plan to redeem and save humankind?
What is significant about that?
What does this mean to your life?
Wednesday – Read Romans 1:14-17
To whom does the good news of the gospel apply?
According to verse 17 how are we saved and how are we to live?
How does this challenge you?
What will you do?
Thursday – Read Matthew 4:12-17
Here Jesus is applying a passage from the prophet Isaiah to Himself.
What is meant here by the “shadow of death?”
Who is the light?
How does the light chase away the shadow?
What hope does this give you?
Friday – Read Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:25-26
In these days, why has God kept the Jewish people from seeing Jesus as the Messiah?
What difference did it make in your life when you received Jesus as your Savior?
What will happen when the Jewish people finally recognize Jesus as the Messiah?
Pray for the people in your life who need to accept Jesus and for God’s plan of Salvation for all people to be fulfilled.
Saturday – Read Luke 2:41-52
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