Thoughts
Worth Thinking
Truth
or Consequences
From the “Golden Era of Television,” many
will remember the famed Bob Barker and his game show, Truth or Consequences.
The show challenged people to face the truth about various situations (sometime
the “truth” changed or simply was unknown in order to heighten the shows
comedy). When the answers were deemed untruthful, they “paid the consequences”
of their error, all in order to win prizes and entertain the audience. That is
NOT real life! That is COMEDY. In REAL LIFE, failure to know the TRUTH, the WHOLE
TRUTH and NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH results in eternal consequence.
Jesus said, “Ye shall know the TRUTH and the
TRUTH shall make you free.” (John 8:32) Such TRUTH as Jesus demands requires a
willingness to LEARN that truth – not merely “hear” it. Examine the word “know”
in this passage. It means “to understand, resolve, be
sure.” No one was ever “forced” to know the truth against his/her will. To KNOW the truth requires several items: reading,
studying and learning are just the beginning stages. (Eph. 3:4).
To know the TRUTH is also to know JESUS
(John 14:6). This knowledge of TRUTH cannot be a simple “acquaintance” with
Him, but needs to be a relationship equal to the knowledge and understanding of
His Word. (1 John 2:3) Most recognize they must study
to learn His Word (2 Timothy 2:15), but many believe a simple recognition of
the existence of Jesus and a casual knowledge that He shed His blood for the
remission of our sins is enough “knowledge of the truth” to set them free from
sin! That simply is not TRUTH. Read 1 John 2:3 again
and note the inspired REQUIREMENT for “knowing” Him! How can a casual
acquaintance with either Him or His Word fulfill this requirement? Yes friend,
it requires BOTH – and neither comes from casual observance!
The consequences for failing to KNOW the
TRUTH are severe! Examine 2 Thessalonians 1: 7 – 9: “And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In
flaming fire taking vengeance on them
that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the
Lord, and from the glory of his power.” Still, it is your choice – TRUTH
or CONSEQUENCES!
Ten Ways to Love
I do not remember who sent me the following,
and therefore cannot give the correct acknowledgement of its source.
Nonetheless, it is a “brief sermon,” that enlightens the studious mind in
wondrous fashion! I hope you appreciate and gain from it as much I do!
Pray for Me
Daily, someone sincerely requests, “Pray for
me.” Often, these making request express a conviction that, “somehow your
prayer will be heard instead of mine.” Perhaps they are (or maybe they are NOT)
aware of James 5:16. Regardless, when Jesus states, “Bless them that curse you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you,” it seems best to honor their
request and pray! Now I have request for you: PRAY FOR ME. Like all preachers,
(in fact like all brethren) there are times of despair, discouragement,
frustration, and even anger! Each emotion is under MY control (1 Cor. 9:27), but admittedly, receiving the loving,
prayerful help of faithful brethren helps a well; for it solicits God’s
assistance – assistance of which NONE can be without! Oh yes, I continue to
pray for you also!
Mike’s Musings …
To What
Do I Owe the Pleasure?
It’s a common
expression; one uttered when something or someone is presented rather
unexpectedly. Usually, the expression is one of gladness and surprise, and
should never to be used as sarcasm. Yet, I muse on how
often we TRULY acknowledge a “debt to the pleasure” presented us.
Pleasantries abound if we look for them and
accept them. Life isn’t “filled” with bad things; life
contains a few to make us appreciate the good with even greater gratitude! The
older we are, the clearer we should see this reality (Heb. 5:14). The pleasures
of life indeed surround us if we but open our eyes, ears and our hearts and
observe!
Notice this teaching with Jesus: “Behold the
birds of the air … behold the grasses of the field …” (Matt. 6:26 – 34). Sure, it’s easier to see the “wrongs” – especially when that’s all you’re
looking for! An Indian proverb says, “Yesterday is but a dream,
tomorrow but a vision. But today well lived makes
every yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look
well, therefore, to this day.” Jesus did NOT tell us to look for sorrows and
troubles, but instead to look at the things that are pleasurable and teach us
righteousness! (Prov. 27:23 for example)
“To what do we owe the pleasure,” is GOD!
(James 1:17) “As we have therefore opportunity …” (Gal. 6:10) is ALWAYS
abounding if we’re looking for the pleasurable items
of life. Examine 1 Peter 2:10 – 12 for example, or
Colossians 3: 1- 5. Upon what must we focus? What “UNpleasant”
things exist in these passages!
Sometimes the “owe the pleasure” to
individuals who caringly cheer us, encourage us, support us, and at times,
correct us! Sometimes, situations bring the pleasures. In every case, being
pleased to serve God in truth and righteousness is pleasurable (John 4:24). As
with David of old, we should be glad when they say to us, “Come,
let us go into the house of the Lord.” (Ps. 122:1) Nothing should be us greater
pleasure than being in the serving our Lord (Heb. 10:25.)
I muse on the several pleasures we have; and
I thank God and His providence for their provision!