Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him (John 14:6-7).
In a world where we are becoming more and more use to hearing half-truths, partial truths, someone’s personal version of truth, or a mixture of truth and spin from our leaders, from the media… even from our neighbors, co-workers and employees, no one is sure what real truth is anymore.
However, Jesus, himself, reminds us. He tells us that He is The Truth (as well as the Way and the Life) and then went about living it out. Yet, sometimes it takes modern day experiences to help us realize that He is who He said that He is.
That’s why I like this Chuck Colson quote so much. It gives a clear picture of the Truth of Jesus Christ:
“I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Everyone was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world — and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.” – Charles Colson
Twelve of the most powerful men in the world were involved with Watergate and they couldn’t keep a lie for 3 weeks… THREE weeks!
The Disciples endured much over 40 years as they proclaimed the Gospel, as they shared what they had seen and learned firsthand, as they proclaimed the truth of the Gospel. For forty years they never once broke, they never once recanted their story or turned from the Gospel. FORTY years! They did what they did and endured all that they did because they knew the Truth.
These 12 men not only knew the Truth, but shared the Truth to a lost world around them. These 12, mostly uneducated, common men, changed the world forever! All because they knew the Truth and the power of the Truth. And the Truth set them free to do great things for Him.
What do you say about Jesus? What does your life say about that truth?
The Truth will set you free. Marty Stubblefield
***
SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES
WISDOM FROM PROVERBS 18:
▪ It’s selfish and stupid to think only of yourself and to sneer at people who have sense.
▪ Fools have no desire to learn; they would much rather give their own opinion.
▪ The rich think their money is a wall of protection.
▪ Pride leads to destruction; humility leads to honor.
▪ A man’s greatest treasure is his wife— she is a gift from the Lord.
— o —
Ten Ways To Teach Your Children Integrity
- Drive the speed limit
- Never ask your child to lie for you.
- Apologize when you wrong your children.
- Send them into the store with more money than they need to buy a particular item. When they come out, see if they offer the change.
- Never tolerate even the smallest lie.
- Pick someone out of the newspaper who committed a crime and ask the kids’ opinion about it.
- Fathers, never allow your sons (or daughters) to be disrespectful to their mother.
- Set up tasks that require their follow through without supervision and see if they carry out instructions on their own.
- Take your children to visit their ancestors’ graves. If you know any anecdotes about these ancestors, take time to share a few stories.
- Have them memorize twenty Bible verses on integrity. – Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
***
QUOTES YOU CAN USE
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God” (Psalm 62:5-7).
Everything you were taught can be put into a few words: Respect and obey God! This is what life is all about. God will judge everything we do, even what is done in secret, whether good or bad. (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad. Always be gentle with others. The Lord will soon be here. Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. (Philippians 4:4-8)
Look back and be grateful, look ahead and be hopeful, look around and be helpful. Author unknown
It is better to break a man’s leg than to break his heart. Movie Seabiscuit
Do you see yourself as God sees you? Ken Whitten