Truth. The truth found in God’s holy Word is the forever word. It is the final and only authority for a believer in Christ. God’s Word is a blueprint for every believer. It provides direction, lessons, wisdom, discernment, and exercises our faith and trust. God is Truth, and truth begins and ends with Him. He is the Creator of the universe, the King of Kings. He is worthy of our attention, our praise, and our allegiance.

In light of God’s Word, manmade rules mean nothing. In light of God’s Word, “progressive thought” means nothing. In light of God’s Word, theology foreign to God’s Word means nothing. In light of God’s Word, laws normalizing sin mean nothing. In light of God’s Word, ritualistic pomp and circumstance mean nothing. In light of God’s Word, people in any position, from any walk of life, pontificating their own truths outside of God’s holy Word means nothing.

Let’s. Get. Real.

The only thing which carries weight…the only thing that matters is what God himself has said. His commands, His Word, His ways, His truth…that is what matters. All else is meaningless. All else leads hearts astray. All else is deception. We are burying our heads in the sand if we believe that God has changed His stance on sin. We are willfully blinding ourselves to truth when we bend the rules to fit our own agendas. We are fooling ourselves when we play in the grey areas and dilute, twist, make excuses, take away from or add to God’s Word.

If we love God, we will obey Him. We will strive to place Him first…above all else. Our allegiance will be to Him, not a man, a movement, an experience, or things that “tickle the ears.” Our heart’s focus should be to do His will regardless of the twists and turns society takes. We’re called to follow Him and take the approach of the Bereans… testing everything that comes our way to make sure it lines up with God’s Word. We’re to be set apart. We’re to be instruments God uses to impact and change the culture, not be changed and impacted by the culture.

We are imperfect vessels, but when we hold to truth and cling to God, walking the straight and narrow, we will make impactful strides for the kingdom as we exercise obedience.

God is very clear. His commands have never changed and will never change. He is clear that He himself has not changed and will never change. Malachi 3:6 says, “For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.” Hebrews 13:8 states, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Let’s dive into some other verses:

“The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11).

“To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).

“If we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself” (2 Timothy 2:13).

“God is not a man that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:19).

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

“Of old you laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. They will perish, but you will remain; they will all wear out like a garment. You will change them like a robe, and they will pass away, but you are the same, and your years have no end” (Psalm 102:25-27).

“Forever, O Lord, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).

Society can change, man’s thinking can change, government’s laws can change, but God never changes. It should humble us as brothers and sisters in Christ to remember that He is the same God who created the universe. He is the same God who created all of mankind. He is the same God who brought salvation. And He clearly says His laws and His Word are as relevant today as when they were written all those years ago.

As believers, we’re called to follow Him wholeheartedly. Jesus said this to his disciples as recorded in Matthew 16:24, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

Romans 12:2 reminds us of our place in this world, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

James 4:4 goes on to state, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

The Bible clearly states that there will come a day when everyone will give an account for their lives. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:11-12).

Will we be ready to face that day? Will you be ready to face that day?

When you stand before Him, will He be able to say, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”

2 Corinthians 5:10 states, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

As we take more steps into 2020, let’s look to God and follow the blueprint He’s given us concerning this life. Let’s decide today to fully commit to Him, to His commands, and to His truth.

Let’s pick up our Bibles. Let’s share our hope with others. Let’s take a stand. Let’s dive deeper into the things of God. Let’s allow God to use us. Let’s listen to His voice and obey His commands. Let’s, as Jesus said, “pick up our cross and follow Him.”

Let’s start today.

Let’s. Get. Real.

hspate@verizon.net

 

As we wave goodbye to the year now behind us and set our gaze on the new year before us,  let’s take a moment to thank God for all our past blessings. Let’s reflect on God’s greatness and His merciful, amazing gifts of salvation, unconditional love, joy, peace, forgiveness, relationship. And, with hearts of hope, let’s step into a new year confident that the Creator of all, Almighty God, the King of Kings, has a plan and a purpose for each of our lives.

To many, the idea of a new year is associated with a fresh start…a new beginning. It’s about a new chapter…a chance to change oneself, one’s circumstances, or simply a chance to wipe the slate clean and start fresh. It’s about letting go, learning from mistakes, cherishing memories, and moving forward. It’s about forgiveness, both forgiving ourselves and forgiving others. It’s about learning from the past and, in many cases, leaving the past behind.

A new year can spring forth the feeling of something new and exciting ahead lavishing us with feelings of hope and joy, or it can bring a sense of anxiety and uneasiness concerning the unknown.

For Christians, a new year should bring a sense of joy. Why? Because an unknown future lies in the capable hands of an all loving, all knowing God. The One who knows our story from beginning to end. The same God who declared in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

The same God who said in Isaiah 43:18-19, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

The same God who conveyed in Lamentations 3:22-25, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him.”

2020 isn’t just about entering another new year; it’s about another year with Christ. Another year to become more like Him… to be His hands and feet to a lost world. Another chance to learn from mistakes, repent from past wrongs, and receive the blessings of His forgiveness and mercy. Another year to share the Good News, grow closer through studying His Word, sharing His grace, praying, and fellowshipping with other believers.

It’s a time to be reminded of the truth we all share when we come to Christ: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).

I could list verse after verse after verse concerning God’s merciful nature, His all-consuming love for His creation, and the many blessings He gives His children.

We are blessed because we have a relationship with the Savior. We are blessed because we can place our trust in the very One who created us and promises to guide and direct our every step and to illuminate our path. We are blessed because He’s the Alpha and Omega…the Beginning and the End. He knows all, sees all, and holds all. He is sovereign, faithful, and worthy of all our trust and praise.

He’s provided salvation. He continually provides, guides, and unconditionally loves us. And, He promises to prepare a place for us…a place waiting for us when we take our last breath on this earth and enter into His presence for all eternity. A place of perfection beyond our wildest dreams or imagination.

This beautiful promise is mentioned in John 14:1-3, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 goes on to say, “However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard and what no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love him.”

Praise God! A wonderful future awaits us. The very best is still yet to come!!

And, while we’re reminded of this beautiful promise to all believers, He also wisely sets before us important reminders as we live out our lives here on earth:

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21).

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

As we meditate on these scriptures, let’s allow God to mold us, to teach us, and to work in us. Let’s give Him the praise and glory that’s due Him. Let’s make Psalm 51:10-12 our heart’s prayer for the new year: “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.”

As you step into 2020, be encouraged!  Remember, your joy as a believer is not conditional. As long as you have Jesus, you have joy. And, because of Jesus, you have everything.

Happy New Year!

hspate@verizon.net