A tongue to speak slowly and well-considered

God has given us two ears, but one tongue,
to show that we should be swift to hear, but slow to speak.
God has set a double fence before the tongue, the teeth and the lips,
to teach us to be wary that we offend not with our tongue.
- Thomas Watson

The very best and highest attainment in this life is to remain still
and let God act and speak in you.
- Meister Eckhart

What is more pleasing than a psalm?
A psalm is a blessing on the lips of the people,
praise of God, the assembly's homage, a general acclamation,
a word that speaks for all, the voice of the Church,
a confession of faith in song.
- Ambrose

Thoughts from Proverbs:

"For my mouth will speak truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips" 8:7

"Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool" 10:18

"Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is His delight" 11:1

"The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the perversity of the unfaithful will destroy them" 11:3

"The truthful lip shall be established forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment" 12:19

"Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal truthfully are His delight" 12:22

"Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool" 19:1

"'It is good for nothing,' cries the buyer; but when he has gone his way, then he boasts" 20:14

”He that loveth pureness of heart, For the grace of his lips the king will be his friend.” 22:11

"Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding" 23:23
-------
The Bible

”And when they lead you to judgment, and deliver you up,
be not anxious beforehand what ye shall speak:
but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye;
for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit.
Marcus 13:11

”a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”
Ecclesiasts 3:7

”For wisdom is expressed by the word, and in speaking of your tongue is the day you've learned.”
Syriach 4:24

”The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies;
neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth;
for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid”
Zephania 3:13

God speak to me and give me spiritual wisdom and a good voice
that speaks the truth and dares to come out for You and your son.
I want to talk about Your awesome strength, Your righteousness,
Your generosity and loving indulgence.
Give me elocution
because I do not want to be like the many who make of the Word of God merchandise,
but I want to proclaim your Word in sincerity,
before You face to face, in Christ Jesus.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Eén tong om langzaam en doordacht te spreken

+++

2016 May 26 update for links

Related articles

• Lying is an abomination to the LORD
• The Even-Handed Justice of Man (A Word to the Wise)
• Proverbs 1
• God's Holy Spirit and Google Earth Software
• Good versus Evil
• God's Power
• Safe Haven
• Jesus is Lord
• KKK recruit new members with anti-transgender fliers in Alabama
• Welcome Holy Spirit: #2

If we view the whole world through a lens that is bright

"If we view the whole world through a lens that is bright,
Then the world appears rosy and cheery;
Or if viewing the world through a lens that is dark,
The whole world will seem weary and dreary.

But the world hasn’t changed, for it’s only the lens
That’s distorting whatever we see.
So abandon the lens and seek truth, pure and free,
For God lives in both truth and reality!"
- Peggy Ferrell, Poems and Prayers

"Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says
is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself,
goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom,
and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it –
he will be blessed in what he does."
James 1:23-25

Lord, give that I shall view the world more properly
and study Your Word.
And that I shall let me direct in this world by your blessed Word,
in Jesus name, Amen.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > De hele wereld door middel van een lens bekijken
+++
2013 update:

Words (Photo credit: sirwiseowl)

Related articles

• The Light of the World
• God is More than Enough by Tony Evans: A Review
• Because of the Increase of Wickedness, the Love of Most Will Grow Cold
• 1 Corinthians 5:9-11 "I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people
• Daily Prayer for January 8th

Doest thou well to be Angry?

"Human nature has not changed since the fall of Adam and Eve. No one likes to be wrong. When someone shows us we are wrong, the natural reaction is to become angry at our teacher. It has ever been thus. It happened even when God was directly involved.

When Cain's sacrifice was rejected by God we are told that "Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell." In this case the LORD held a conversation with Cain and asked him, "Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?" Of course God knew the answer, but He was giving Cain an opportunity to answer for himself. Either Cain refused to answer God or else his answer is not recorded. The LORD continued speaking kindly to Cain and said, "If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door." God was giving Cain an opportunity to change. But we do not like to change. Cain did not want to change. We would think that if the LORD spoke to us that surely we would change, but Cain did not.

One of the characteristics of being wrong is being angry. Cain did not want to change. His defense was to be angry. Jonah was angry. God asked Jonah "Doest thou well to be angry? Jonah replied quite boldly to God, "I do well to be angry, even unto death." We might add that Jonah's anger was more deep seated than merely the loss of shade from the gourd. Paul was angry. He was "not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which Stephen spake." Rather than follow the wise teachings of Stephen, Paul was so angry that he cast his vote to kill Stephen, and by his own admission, later said concerning the Christians, that "he was exceedingly mad against them."

Human nature has not changed. These examples were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. When we find that we disagree with someone and we feel anger welling up within us, it should tell us to stop and examine ourselves. Do we do well to be angry? We usually can convince ourselves like Jonah did that "we do well to be angry" but we might be surprised to find that we are wrong to be so angry. If we are in the right, there is no need to be angry. Instead of being angry, we should feel pity and compassion for our opponent who is wrong. Since we are in the right and they are wrong, they need our help, not our anger. If it should turn out that we are in the wrong, how foolish to have been both angry and wrong!

Wouldn't it be wonderful if people really listened and changed? Wouldn't it be grand if all followed the request of the Lord when he said, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Here God is asking us to sit down and to be reasonable when we are wrong, and certainly we should be this way when we are correct. This is why Paul exhorts us saying, "The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient in meekness, instructing those that oppose themselves."

We need to remember this when we are trying to teach the truth to those who have held wrong doctrine all their lives. People do not change easily or quickly. Some never change. Whether they change or not, we must be gentle, patient and meek. When we are trying to teach someone that their soul is mortal, we need to be patient for they have always believed otherwise and do not unlearn wrong things quickly or easily. We need to keep on trying to teach them even though they oppose themselves We keep hoping "Peradventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth."

If we adopt this principle with those who are outside the household of faith, then certainly we should be this way with those that are inside. We need to be extra loving, extra patient with those for whom Christ died. There is no room for anger here. If they are wrong we pray that God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. If they refuse to change then we pray that God will be merciful to them and forgive them. It is certain that we also are going to need the mercy of God or we are lost. Who is to say that their wrong is worse than some sin we have committed. We are not without sin.

Have we ever thought that there is a limit to God's mercy? We sometimes talk about how unlimited His mercy is. We often quote the Psalm "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us." While this is true, nevertheless the mercy of God is definitely limited. What is the limit of God's mercy? Jesus tells us. He says, "Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven." This means we are going to receive mercy only if we have been merciful; we are going to be forgiven only if we have forgiven, so each one of us is placing a limit on the mercy God is going to give us by the mercy we give to others."

"Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful."

-------
Brother Robert Lloyd
Minute Meditations

Bijbelonderzoekers en Russelism

Gemakkelijk stelt men bijbelonderzoekers of Bijbelstudenten voor als JG of als Russelieten of navolgers van Russellism.
Bij “Russell-ism”, refereert men naar diegenen die na Charles Taze Russell zijn dood in 1916, zijn inzichten bleven of nog steeds volgen.
Zowel de JG als de Russellieten blijven aannemen dat in 1914 Jezus zijn Koninkrijk reeds opzette. Tegenwoordig geloven niet alle bijbelstudenten of zelfs volgelingen van Russell dat niet meer.
Verscheidene leiders trachten scheuringen te verkrijgen in de bijbelstudentenbeweging na Russll's dood. Zij wilden dat de leden hun keuze maakten of kamp kozen.
Men kan de vraag stellen: "Wat is de Waarheid?" als men voorop stelt dat men moet kiezen voor Dé Waarheid. Welke vereniging kan er zich op beroepen de waarheid in pacht te hebben of er trots op zijn om het meeste licht te hebben verkregen?

>  Russellism; Self-Inflicted Wound.doc (66 KB - downloaded 3 times.)
The "Russellism" Label > http://reslight.net/forum/index.php/topic,842.msg2037.html#msg2037

> There is a point in this  in that Russell was viewed as the "faithful and wise servant", "the Laodicean Messenger", etc., which doctrines were held to as a basis for supposed doctrinal "unity", but which doctrines themselves actually have led to divisions amongst the Bible Students. The viewpoints extended from Brother Russell's thoughts in the harvest also became a dividing point. And all of this does show the results of limiting belief to a certain set of thoughts revealed in the writings of one servant of the Lord to such an extent as to view those writings as though they were nearly or actually divinely-inspired scripture. And yet, like the holy scriptures, the meaning of much that Russell wrote is still debated to this day, often without thought that we should move beyond what Russell wrote, and simply consider what the scriptures state.

> How does one be "in the truth"? Is it by accepting the doctrine of this or that man, even to accepting the thoughts of this or that man as "doctrine" when such is not directly revealed in the Bible? (1 Corinthians 4:6) Jesus claimed to be "the truth" (John 14:16); that is, that the words he spoke were true words of the only true God. (Deuteronomy 18:18; John 14:10; 24) Thus, scripturally, to be  'in the truth', as it relates to the Christian, is to be  "in Christ". -- Romans 8:4; 12:5.

> here is also an understanding of prophecies that are due to be understood in our day, that were not previously understood. (Daniel 12:8-10) Part of our walking in the light would entail walking in agreement with such increased understanding. As we understand these prophecies, although the revealment of the "light" itself is in the prophecy, our understanding of the prophecies does constitute an increase of light for us individually, and even collectively, as the understanding becomes available to us, regardless of who is/are the agent(s) in showing the understanding. However, it is the thought of men's reasoning beyond what has been written (1 Corinthians 4:6) to assume that a Christian has to identify this or that man, or group of men, etc., so as to follow such a man or men in order to walk in the light of truth. Jesus did not say "You must find and identify that one faithful and wise servant whom I have appointed to give to you food, and if you do not so recognize that one faithful servant, you are not in the light." Yet this appears to be what many have thought and read into Jesus' words. < schrijft Ronald RD van Restoration Light

Be Honest

Be Honest

Paul exhorts us in I Timothy 2:2-3 to lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.

Being honest in the sight of all men means that we must be completely straightforward and truthful in our dealings with others -- and also to ourselves. We say we have accepted the Truth and claim therefore that we are honest. But do we continue to make mischief and tell lies?

To be honest is hard

Sometimes we find it hard to be honest because we don’t want to upset anyone. To take a very trivial example: we see a friend and we don’t think that her clothing is at all appropriate but we are afraid to say so and end up complimenting her. Is that being honest?

In speaking the truth we have to be gentle and considerate, but sometimes even that can bring hurt feelings.

Complete honesty

We are supposed to be missionaries preaching the Lord Jesus Christ in word and action. He was always totally honest and true ­ as we must be! He was not only honest in the sight of all men, he was totally honest before God. And he will help us in our aim to be honest before God, for only then will our honesty be complete. Look how he helped Peter to overcome his shameful dishonesty. And he did it in deepest love.

The Lord hates lying lips

Sometimes we tell lies and excuse them as jokes when they are found out. “Like a madman shooting firebrands or deadly arrows is a man who deceives his neighbour and says, ‘I was only joking!’” (Prov. 26:18-19). This kind of behaviour is often seen in children and because it is not corrected it continues into manhood. It is never too early to learn that complete truthfulness must be a way of life from childhood onward. These things the Lord hates ­ a proud look, a lying tongue, a false witness who tells lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.

The evils of repetition

We must be on our guard that we are not taken in by lies just because we hear them over and over again. We must also make sure that we ourselves are not guilty of trying to convince others of something that is not true by the use of repetition. Remember that mob in the theatre in Ephesus? They wanted everybody to believe that the goddess Diana was real. So they just shouted and screamed and chanted in unison “Great is Diana of the Ephesians” for a couple of hours until everybody was hoarse. But the idol was as dead at the end of all those “vain repetitions” as it was at the beginning. Let us not be so proud as to refuse to give up a false opinion we have, even though the truth has been revealed to us.

Recently I spoke to a sister concerning a brother and family member about some misunderstanding that had taken place. The sister made it clear that there was nothing I nor anyone could do to convince this brother that what he heard was a lie. He is stubborn and too proud to let go of self and be humble. We deplore this behaviour in others. Let us also be sure that we despise it in ourselves as well.

Dwell together in unity

In Psalm 133, we are reminded that it is good and pleasant for brethren to dwell together in unity. The final blessing of eternal life will come only to brethren and sisters who dwell together in unity. Spreading lies and believing them causes discord and unhappiness. What a hateful thing to sow seeds of bitterness in a united family and cause unnecessary strife! This is the old nature of man, but for those who are washed in the blood of the Lamb, this should not be named among us. Our faith should be stronger than to tell lies.

A new medium for lies

The Internet and E-mail have provided a new medium for spreading lies about those whom we may not like. We can hide our identity while still causing pain to others. I have been appalled at the misuse of the Internet by brethren who should know better. I know one sister who has suffered intense distress because of untrue things circulated widely about her, in some cases by brethren who have never even met her. It should never be like that in the family of God.

Why should anyone ­ especially a brother or a sister ­ tell such lies deliberately? Is it to accomplish evil? Why go naked to such a work when there are many beautiful garments ready to hand? It is easy to feel bitter and find covering which might even deceive ourselves.

Be thankful

We have much to be thankful for today through the mercies of God shown in the saving name of Christ Jesus. That’s why many of us who have lying lips like Ananias and Sapphira don’t drop down dead immediately as they did. There is still time to start a life of truthfulness. How long are we going to wait before we,

Speak the truth and speak it ever, cost it what it will.

He who hides the wrong he did, does the wrong thing still.

Brethren and sisters, we cannot lie our way through to the Kingdom. Instead, be honest and true. Be truly serious about the word. Be true to one another."

Gerzel Gordon - Editorial
--------------------------

-----
The Caribbean Pioneer - May 2002
http://www.tidings.org/pioneer/pioneer200205.htm

Act as if everything you think, say and do determines your entire life

"Act as if everything you think,
say and do determines your entire life
- because in reality, it does!"
- Laurelle Adrian

"Therefore, prepare your minds for action;
be self-controlled;
set your hope fully on the grace to be given you
when Jesus Christ is revealed."
1 Peter 1:13

Lord let me always do right.
Girded me with the armour of truth and justice.
Let me always be sensible and sober in order to work on this earth for you.

Dutch version / Nederlandse versie > Handel alsof alles wat je denkt, zegt en doet uw hele leven bepaalt
+++
2013 update:

Related articles

• Has No one Condemned You - John 7: 53 - 8: 11
• God's Overpowering Purpose
• Teach Us to Number Our Days
• Elena Brower Talks About Self-Doubt
• Genesis 26, Matthewe 25, Esther 2, Acts 25

Truth never plays false roles of any kind, which is why people are so surprised when meeting it

"Truth never plays false roles of any kind, which is why people are so surprised when meeting it.
Everyone must decide whether he wants the uncompromising truth or a counterfeit version of truth.
Real wisdom consists of recommending the truth to yourself at every opportunity."
- Vernon Howard

“Let not kindness and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart:” (Pr 3:3)

“The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.” (Pr 12:19)

“Buy the truth, and sell [it] not; [also] wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” (Pr 23:23)

“These are the things that ye shall do: speak ye every man the truth with his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates;” (Zec 8:16)

“Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether [there is any] truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye [are] spies.” (Ge 42:16)

“Now therefore fear Jehovah, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve ye Jehovah.” (Jos 24:14)

“Only fear Jehovah, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you.” (1Sa 12:24)

“Mercy and truth are met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth springeth out of the earth; And righteousness hath looked down from heaven.” (Ps 85:10-11)

“But he that does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.” (Joh 3:21)

“and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (Joh 8:32)

Jehovah I have chosen the way of truth and faithfulness:
Your ordinances have I set before me. I go for the truth.
Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
Remember now, O Jehovah, I beseech thee, how I have walked before You in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in Your sight.
Guide me in Your truth, and teach me; For You are the God of my salvation; For You do I wait all the day.
Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart,
that I may fear your name.
Into Your hand I commend my spirit: You have redeemed me, O Jehovah, You God of truth.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Waarheid speelt nooit valse rollen van welke aard dan ook
+++
2013 update:

truth (Photo credit: Erick-Pardus)

Related articles (updated 2015 august)

• For Jehovah is greatly to be praised
• What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits
• Praise be to God
• True wisdom comes from God.
• Good News from God!
• God's Low Whisper
• The Prophet Of Fire
• Psalms 25
• Genesis 40
• Additional Thoughts on Theodicy

The naked truth is always better than the best dressed lie

Dutch version / Nederlands > De naakte waarheid is altijd beter dan de best geklede leugen

"The naked truth is always better than the best dressed lie."
- Ann Landers

"O LORD, who may dwell on Your holy hill?
He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness,
And speaks truth in his heart."
Psalm 15:1-2

God, let my hands be clean and let me be pure of heart.
Let my soul not subject to forgery, but make that my life will be made in justice and truth.
Let those who are nearest speak the truth and be a pure limb of your church.

+++

2014 update:

Related articles (update 2016 06 09)

• Earthly Good

• Complete Honesty (lordiofferyoumylife.wordpress.com)
  In the book of Acts, God gave us a sobering example of how He views dishonesty (4:32–5:11). Some believers had sold their land and shared all the proceeds with the church. Ananias and Sapphira decided to do likewise. But the couple kept some money back despite declaring that they had given the whole amount. Expecting commendation, they were struck dead instead.
• Signs of Maturity (faithlovejoyhope.wordpress.com)
  If we are physically mature, then it follows that we should also be emotionally mature. We have learned how to take control of our emotions and actions.
• "Any area of my life for which I have no hope is under the influence of a lie." ~~Bill Johnson (quotesthoughtsrandom.wordpress.com)
  If I am not feeling a sense of hope, I am listening to a lie. But even worse than listening to the lie, my actions begin to be influenced by the lie.
• Lying Journalists Are the Result of a Lying Worldview (politicaloutcast.com)
  
  The plain truth about the most elite “higher education” in America is that it is based in a world of make-believe—a highly convoluted example of “the modern American intellectual emperor has no clothes.”
• 11/30/2014 Scripture (hiking2christ.org)
  O Lord, keep me out of the hands of the wicked.
      Protect me from those who are violent,
      for they are plotting against me.
• From Despair to Victory (johnnysstudies.wordpress.com)
  The psalmist comes to God knowing the Holiness and Justice of God, knowing his own sin and its’ seriousness before God. He does not make excuses other than his own weakness as a man with s sin nature. Today in society and sadly in the in the church also sin is excused and given other names to make it sound better homosexuals are now gays, sex outside of marriage is not fornication and adultery but sleeping together. The absolute holiness and justice of God is downplayed.
• Hidden Treasures (africanaprincess.wordpress.com)
  The Lord has given men whom He has called hidden treasures in their belly. These hidden treasures are to be used for the Glory of God. These treasures will set men apart so that the people will know that God has given them favor.
• The Slipping Feet Of The Righteous vs. The Slipping Feet Of The Wicked (psalm115three.com)
  The slipping feet of the wicked – their fate is sure and God will be vindicated. Their feet will not hold firm forever in rebellion against the living God:

God let my compassionate affection be tolerant and kind

God let my compassionate affection be tolerant and kind. Make that my charity suffers long and would not be jealous. That she is kind and envies not, brags not itself, is not puffed up or not swells with arrogance. That I be a person possessing compassionate affection that reaches out. That I not behave unseemly and shall not continue to seek my own self-interest. That I not seek just self-concern, but seek rather the concerns of others. Let I not be easily provoked. That I think no evil, do not record harm and that I'll do not rejoice over injustice. Let me rejoice not in iniquity, but rejoice in the truth.
Let me bare all things, believe all things, hope all things, and endure all things. Let charity or compassionate affection never fail.

Dutch version > God laat mijn meedogende genegenheid tolerant zijn en vriendelijk

+++

2013 update:

 

Related articles

• Created in the Image of God
• Is God Good?
• "a Lamp to my feet. a Light for my path." - Isaiah 30:19-21
• Giving Thanks for Compassionate Intent
• How to Become More Compassionate
• Compassion Cultivation Training: Read How One Teacher Is Creating A More Compassionate World
• More like who??
• "How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these." - George Washington Carver
• Hunting? Unthink
• Christmas and the Compassionate High Priest

The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen

SOMETHING TO CHEW ON

(Written by Jason Cook)

There is a time in a person’s life when there are many questions to be asked but few answers to be given. This is what can make life so difficult. The only way to find true peace is by seeking God. He has the answers which we truly desire which will enable us to have peace within our whole being. The Bible clearly states in Deut. 6:5: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Verse 6 also goes on to say “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” Verse 7 again says “You shall teach them diligently to your children and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up.”

  God can do many things for us if He is our true life. 1 Cor. 1:26: “For you see your calling brethren that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called.” For we all have a calling but it is by the hand of God and not by the hand of the world, for the world is so caught up in its cunningness and its desirable ways that we do not see what is right from wrong except through the word of God. The truth is very plain to see and God can be clearly seen and heard speaking to our hearts and to our minds to give us courage to be able to carry on with the things that surround us.

  Even before time began God has been there. Time is a wonderful thing to have but it is how we spend our time and what energy we put in to it that matters; “a time to love a time to cry, a time to rejoice and a time to celebrate.” One thing we must spend time with is the Word of God. There are many times when God is in effect put on the shelf and left closed like a dusty old book forgotten about. But to realize who He is and what He truly stands for and what He is all about is light and love and pure strength.

 

Psa. 27:14 says “Wait on the Lord, be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart. Wait, I say, on the Lord.”

  Waiting can be one of the hardest things to overcome because that is the way of human nature and the flesh. Waiting with patience is the one thing we must all learn to have and some have more than others which is a blessing.

  Jam. 1:4: But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. God has the power to give us all that we need. Not always what we want, but with the time and patience that He gives us, later He may even give us some of our wants. The trust that we show to the Lord can come in many ways. One way is how we live our lives, asking God to help us with the things that we are to face each day, week, month and year. Another way is to talk to others about the wonderful hope that the Lord gives us if we trust in Him with all our heart. One of the first commandments was “to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul and strength,” and to “seek first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you.”

 We are all influenced by many things in this life that we live. There are so many things that can encourage us but there are so many things that can prevent us from moving forward from the past and going forward into the future. We can either choose to be in the dark or we can be covered by the glory of the Lord.

 Rom. 3:23 “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Rom. 9:23: “and that He might make known the riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy which He had prepared beforehand for glory.” To really realise that we have a God that watches us and waits for us to be able to call on His name whenever He is needed, is a pretty powerful thing to behold, for the power of God cannot and will never be able to be comprehended except by reading His word. By doing so we can truly know who God is which is truth in itself. Truth can be a painful thing when we are not prepared for it. But we must all deal with these things when we are faced with the thought that we could or might be wrong. We must all come to the conclusion that there is only one true thing for us and that is the Lord thy God who has the power over all things. He is in control of all the beasts that walk the earth, all the creatures that swim in the ocean and the birds which fly in the heavens. From the insects to the air we breathe, the sun which heats our planet to the love which surrounds us and our family.

 We live a life which we are totally in control of in deciding which path we should lead and how we should be living it. By reading the Word of God it can give us strength and hope with the promise God has given us of the gift of life eternal through the lord Jesus Christ. Through his salvation we can be saved from the darkness and turn it into light to move forward strengthening our faith and our belief in what we feel is necessary for the  hope that God has in store for us. Hoping for this we can always depend upon His love and kindness.

  Psa. 116:1-2: “I love the Lord, because He has heard my voice and my supplications. Because He has inclined His ear to me, therefore I will call upon Him as long as I live.”

  Psa. 116:8-9: “For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears and my feet from falling. I will walk before the Lord in the land of the living.” When we walk with the Lord it is not an easy thing to do as we have seen. Looking around us we see how dangerous the world really is. The flesh in itself finds it nice to the eye but so evil in its content and what it represents. There are so many nice things in the world that appeal to the flesh and take us away from God but with it there comes a price - the price of sin and death. This is one thing we truly do not desire to have, but that is up to each person’s responsibility in how they live their lives. Each person has his or her own responsibility to make their own choice whether right or wrong. My choice is our almighty God.

  When you try to think of the many ways God has intervened in our lives it is amazing. He has provided food and shelter and we have our families which give us strength. But most importantly we have His love all around us. We represent God and the truth that He stands for and all the goodness that is in His son Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour who is the light of the world. He sits at the right hand of power which is the everlasting Father God almighty. We have all been called in some small way by God and there are many ways by which we are called.

  1 Pet. 5:5-11: “Likewise you younger people submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another and be clothed with humility for God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. Casting all your care upon Him for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary human nature walks about you like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. Resist your nature, be steadfast in the faith and know that the same sufferings are experienced by your brothers and sisters in this world. But may the God of all grace who called you to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you. To God be the glory and the dominion forever and ever amen.

  There is a saying “you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink.” The same goes that “you can lead a man to God but only he can get his salvation.”

  Ps. 3:8: “Salvation belongs to the Lord; your blessing upon Your people.”

  2 Cor. 6:2: “For God says in an acceptable time I have heard you and in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

  Heb. 2:3: “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.”

  Psa. 68:20: “Our God is the God of salvation. And to the Lord belongs escape from death.”

  We all try to the best of our ability to live under God’s law and His guidance by reading His Word and studying with willingness. By having a hunger for the Word of God to truly know who God is and to know that He will never leave us or forsake us. He is not a god of wood or stone; not a god we cannot hear or cannot see, but a God who loves us and cares for us and accepts us for who we are, not what we are. Praise His almighty name for He is a God of the living, not the dead.

  Thank you Father for being in our lives and showing us the path to life - not to destruction. We want to live Lord, we all want to live.

  We desire oh Majesty that we might live by Your decree Amen.

Thy Word is Truth

A new Bible Class mp3 audio file ‘Thy Word is Truth’  has been added to the resources on the Christadelphians web site. You can access it from:

www.christadelphians-online.org/res2a.htm

Unarmed truth and unconditional love

I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have
the final word in reality. That is why right, temporarily
defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.

      -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Ongewapende waarheid en de onvoorwaardelijke liefde

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2016 update

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