Tag: truth

Awakening Your Faith

I was once told by a former Sunday School teacher that when something happens in “threes” it may be wise to take heed to what’s going on.  This past week I heard 3 different people at 3 different times talking about the time the disciples had followed Jesus onto a boat, but a great storm arose.  It wasn’t just a small storm with some thunder and lightning.  It was a very scary time in which the disciples believed they may face an untimely death.  The word perish means to “suffer death, typically in a violent or sudden way.  As the disciples feared for their lives as the water was crashing over into the boat they finally found Jesus asleep in the boat.  

They awoke Him crying out that they are perishing, yet He was the one trying to wake them up to a new level of faith.  Jesus said unto them, “Why are you so afraid, and have such little faith?” At this point Jesus had not yet calmed the storm.  This means the thunder was still clapping and the lightning was lighting up the sky.  The winds were blowing fiercely and waves were still crashing down inside the ship. 

Jesus was still laying down when He had asked them about their little faith.  “…Then He arose, and rebuked the wind and the sea; and there was a great calm” Matthew 8:26.  By this time in the disciples following Jesus they had heard Him preach and teach.  They had seen Him heal all manner of illnesses and cast out demons, and when they were now at a point in their lives having to face a storm they knew where to go in order for Him to save them.  

At the time they possibly had no idea what Christ was going to do in order to save them, because they all were astonished and marveled being amazed that even the wind and the sea obeyed His command.  This was to give them a glimpse that He was from the beginning of the earth and more specifically on the second and third days was the one who created the heavens and the sea. If He had spoken them into existence then of course He could tell them to stop. 

Through facing storms in our own lives we can hopefully hear the Spirit telling us to “wake up your faith.”  See that Christ can keep us safe even in the midst of the storm.  We can learn from the disciples to follow Him and learn from the wind and the sea to obey Him. 

Our faith and obedience will help us weather any storms of life we may face.

~TRS 1/19/25

Live Truth. Be Different.

At the beginning of each year I try to have a new “motto” for the new year.  That seems better for me personally than trying to hold onto a new year’s resolution.  If one were to look up what is a motto they could read that it is defined as, “a short sentence or phrase chosen as expressing the beliefs or ideals guiding an individual, family, or institution that encourages a rule for sensible behavior.” 

Some of the more “famous” or well known mottos that most have either said or heard are; When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  Live everyday like it’s your last.  Be the change you would like to see in the world.  Always find a reason to laugh.  Taking one day at a time and if you haven’t found it yet, keep looking.  According to the web every state either has an official or unofficial state motto.  Kentucky’s is “united we stand, divided we fall.”  

Most people probably have some “saying” that they will often say or live by even if they don’t even realize it.  If it is something that you truly believe in, the saying would have to be rooted in your values and the things you hold important.  It would need to be something that when thought of or said out loud would inspire you to make better choices in your life.  

As the title of this column says, Live Truth.  Be Different.  This is my motto for this year.  To break it down as to what this motto means to me is to put it into action.  The word “live” means one is actively and continually doing something, but how do I want to live?  Truth is what some may think is relative (subjective, changing, or conditional) whereas absolute truth is not changing and eternal.  In John 14:6 Jesus claims, “I am the way, the Truth, and the life and no one comes to the Father except through Me.” 

I choose to believe this is the truth and to live in that truth as what John 15 explains as abiding in the vine. Truth has been before the beginning of time and actually created time until He returns and time will be no more, but those who believe and abide will live with Truth for eternity.  However, as we are choosing to live truth in our daily lives we will not be able to help but “be different’ than those who choose not to abide.  This does not make one perfect or  untouchable.  Life will still happen and sorrows will come, but our perspectives on how we deal with what life dishes out will be different.  

We will also hold true to Romans 12:2 which encourages us to “not conform or copy the ways of the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  It is only then that we will be able to truly know the will of God for our own life that is good, pleasing, and perfect.  If the decisions you make and the way you live are like those who have no faith or belief in Truth then you may want to seek Truth and believe the declaration of the Lord, that promises for those who seek Me with all their heart shall find Me.  Once He is found you will Live Truth and Be Different.

1-28-24 ~TRS

Justice Served

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the “just” person as “one who typically does what is morally right and is disposed to giving everyone his or her due.”  Cornell Law School explains that justice is “the ethical, philosophical idea that people are to be treated impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably by the law.  The laws are to ensure that no harm befalls another, and that, where harm is alleged, a remedial action is taken; both the accuser and the accused receive a fair trial.  

In the gospel of Mark chapter 3 tells of a time when Jesus entered into the synagogue where there was a man with a withered hand.  The Pharisees watched Jesus to see if He would heal the man on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.  To be accused is to have a claim that one has done something wrong or illegal.   1 Peter 5:8 informs us that we are to “be sober, be vigilant: because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”   Satan means adversary or accuser and that is what he will do.

The devil will bring up your past and all the things done that go against the will of God.  None are perfect and all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory.  Just like whoever makes a game it is the inventor of it that gets to make the rule book.  God is creator and creation and those created need to know the rules to live by.  It has been said that none of us play by the rules all the time.  Romans 3:20 explains that it is “by the law the knowledge of sin” is known.  Since we all have sinned then the only way to be justified is to have one who can pay the debt or fine we cannot pay ourselves. 

With faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe through the act of repentance we can one day stand before God knowing our debt was paid.  Some unwisely speak to say that “God will be my judge” with the thought that as long as they are a “good person” and have not done any “major” wrongs in life, then they will be granted access to Heaven.  However, this is not going by “the rule book.”  

When true justice is served it will be based upon whether your debt has been paid or not.  We can’t pay it but a way was made.  If one has not accepted that then you will be judged according to the rules and you will have to give an account for all wrongs done.  True justice is to get consequences for that which was not done right.  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God.  Yet, there is hope that we are made righteous through our faith and belief that will give us rays of hope into eternity.  

TRS 12-3-23