The Truth vs Lies

Following is a continuation of my July 22 post on Whose truth?

"Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, 'If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.' " (John 8:31-32 NKJ)

"... if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.

"I know that you are Abraham's descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you.

"I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your Father." (verses 36-38)

Being a descendant of Abraham does not make you a believer.
"If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham." (verse 39)

But they seek to kill Him.

"You do the deeds of your father." (verse 41)

Their father, whom they profess is God, is not. It is the devil. For Jesus says in verse 42, "If God were your father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me."

"Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.

"You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

"But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me."(verses 43-45)

"He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear because you are not of God." (verse 47)

Stay focused on Jesus

It's when we lose our focus that our belief falls away and we follow our own line of thinking. When our focus is off the almighty, our minds wander aimlessly along the path of "what will we do," "how will we make it." If we can just stay focused on Jesus, stay in His word, remember His promises, not waiver off the trail He has forged for us. Listening to, thinking on anything that is not entirely the Truth brings remorse, repercussions, pain.

Even Abraham at times thought he knew better than God and acted on those very thoughts. But his thoughts were not God's thoughts. God knows all. We know very little in comparison.

Worry ... bring anxiety ... which brings separation from the almighty Father.

Satan wants us to worry - then we will do things not pleasing to the Lord.

Abraham introduced Sarai, his wife, as his sister to the Egyptians (Genesis 12:10-20). This was a half truth as she was his half sister.

Abraham and Sarai concocted a way to have the child the Lord promised them - through Sarai's handmaiden Hagar (Genesis 16:1-16).

The future is not ours to know. The present is where we are currently. The past we have come through.

The future is everything past this moment. As the moments go by our future becomes our present and then our past.

Love each moment for the Lord, to the Lord. Plan your moments as to the Lord, to His glory. Do not look this way and that way. Stay tuned to the one who truly cares for us.

"When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me." (Micah 7:8)

When I pass through the waters of life, the fires that try to consume me, the Lord my God will be with me. He will protect me. I will not be burned, I will not be overwhelmed. He will lead me, guide me over the paths of darkness I see before me. He will make the rough spots even so I will not trip and fall. (paraphrase of Isaiah 43:2)

And even though I pass through the valleys of intense pain and suffering, the fear that attempts to stifle me will not because of my God and Savior who is always with me. (paraphrase of Psalm 23:4)

There is no hope except in you Lord Jesus.
There is no one to trust wholly, completely, except you Lord Jesus.
No one can remove the fears that seek to swallow me. No one, that is, except you Lord Jesus.

"Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you." (Psalm 56:3)

I believe in the Lord Jesus. I believe what I say I believe. I have witnessed the power of the Lord Jesus - His mighty hand has been upon me, upon my beloved Jimmy, in times past. He will not leave me. He remains steadfast. I must not allow any doubt to get the best of me. Doubt is fear. I have nothing to be afraid of. Jesus is right there beside me, holding my hand, cradling my head, rubbing my tummy, bringing me soothing relief.

Close the gate. ... To all that works against you. Close the gate to your doubts and fears. Close the gate and move on. Hand in hand with Jesus walk on. Close the gate. Forge ahead. Ignore the enemy. Follow Jesus. Jesus will help me overcome all my fears.

I am no better than any other.

The only difference, perhaps, is that I know I am a sinner. Jesus accepts me anyway. He offers me grace. He brings peace to my soul. When I accept Him and believe in and on Him, I can rest in His fold. Like the sheep gone astray and found.

When we stay true to all He says and obedient to His instruction it reveals our love for Him. He loves us so much he died for us. We love Him so much we stay true and obedient to Him, even unto death.

No amount of pain we suffer will ever be as much as Jesus' pain that He suffered on the cross at Calvary when He took ALL of mankind's sin upon His shoulders, His body, and gave up the ghost and died. Oh but he rose again. What glory.

Today you will be with Me in Paradise (in Heaven, in My Kingdom)." (Luke 23:43)

Every moment is one closer to being with Jesus.