Tuesday, August 23, 2016

The Truth

What is Truth?  Truth can be described in many ways, sometimes it's best defined in its opposite.  An absolute truth, sometimes called a universal truth, is an unalterable and permanent fact.   In a culture where ultimate truth is treated like a fairy tale, an outdated idea or even an insult to human intelligence, the motto of the day becomes, "WHATEVER!"
 “Believe whatever you want.” “Do whatever seems best to you.”              “Live for whatever brings you pleasure, as long as it doesn't hurt anyone.”                                
And of course, be tolerant. Don't try to tell anyone that there “whatever” is wrong.   The truth can hurt, Truth can be exposing, and we live in a world of lies because we don’t want, to tell the truth. But in the end, it always comes out because truth is discovered not made up.
My Dad says that “I would rather someone steal from me than lie to me” The reason, he explained, “you might be able to get something stolen back, but a lie can never be replaced.”
John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”   If you are seeking truth, then you are seeking Jesus, and if you are seeking Jesus you are seeking truth.  “Yeah, yeah Preacher that sounds like something you would say.” Okay, but watch what happens when you substitute “Jesus”, or his words in the first person, like “my” or “I” with “Truth” and vise verse. 
John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Now with the word “Truth” . “A new command Truth gives you: Love one another. As Truth has loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are Truth’s disciples, if you love one another.”
Consider, John 8:32 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Now with the word “Jesus”  “Then you will know the Jesus, and the Jesus will set you free.”
I believe in Absolute Truth because I believe in Absolute Jesus.
Grace and Peace
Blan

Thursday, August 18, 2016

Achoo! Bless You!


If there is one thing that can be a certainty in Texas, it’s that allergies are everywhere. Pollen, Pets, Mold, Dust; you name it, we have it! As my Mom always says, “You gotta pay a price to live in Texas.”
I don’t think that anyone knows when saying “Bless you” after someone sneezes started, but I'm sure glad we do it. Why? Because we are living in a time where people need blessings more and more!
Here's the good news. We don’t have to wait for sneezes. The list of ways to bless someone is too long to write out, but here are a few: You can be a blessing to others by speaking kind words, volunteering in your community, giving to charity, sharing things, giving food, sharing how the LORD is working on you, praying for someone, and listening to someone.
We all know the Golden Rule. “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Luke 6:31.
If used correctly, this scripture can be our day to day guide for blessing others. It’s quite simple really. Think what the person would like, then do it. Don’t wait for them to do something for you. Take the initiative!
Do you want to be forgiven? Forgive. Do you need affirmation? Affirm. If you feel hurt, wounded, or broken and could stand some gentleness, be gentle with others. Do you appreciate tact? Be tactful. Do you enjoy a nice compliment? Compliment others.
The truth of the matter is that you are really doing more than giving a blessing. You are BEING a blessing.
There is always an opportunity to bless someone. The more that we seek to bless others, God will provide for us and open more doors to accomplish His will.
Grace and Peace

Blan