TRUTH TRUMPS!

Festivals reign in the summer months in America. Music. Wine. Cherry blossom. Mystic. Beale Street.

Our word is filled with cultural ideology and belief. People certainly think differently---often wanting to state ideas and opinions as truth.  

This year a festival of IDEAS is being held in Aspen, CO this very week.

I am not opposed to ideas, beliefs or opinions. 

I certainly have plenty. But.......one needs to be careful that opinions don't blur the truth.

And you shall know the truth and the truth will set you free. (John 8:32)

Sanctify them by thy truth; thy word is truth. (John 17:17)

The Lord is near to those who call upon him; to all who call upon him in truth. (Psalm 145:18)

Truth Trumps!

CHOOSE: TO SEE TRUTH

How does one see truth?

Just put on your spiritual glasses and open God's word.

• The sum of Your word is truth, (Psalm 119:160)
• Now, O Lord GOD, You are God, and Your words are truth,(2 Samuel 7:28)
• Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. (John 17:17)

His word is truth. 

Choose it daily for guidance instruction.

Reliabili-TEA of God's Word

God's Word---the only "real" truth one has these days! At this point in time it's hard to differentiate true news from fake news or just celebrity opinions. (John 17:17)

Grandaddy's Open Bible 11/6/1981--property of Robert Thomas Liles

There is nothing better to rely on these days than an "open" Open Bible.

His Word is the cuppa truth I'm relying on---filled with the reliabili-TEA of His Truth!

CHOOSE: LIGHT

Friend and BSF teacher, Sally J., chooses to put on the armor of God everyday!

She uses Ephesians 6:13-18 as her head-to-toe guide: helmet of salvation (guard the mind); breastplate of righteousness (cover and protect the heart);  belt of truth (buckled at the waist w/ God's truth) and feet shod with the gospel of peace. She then takes up the shield of faith (to ward off attacks) and the sword of the Spirit (word of God) as she steps out to begin the day. What a great beginning!

I had never considered "light" as part of armor unit until reading Jesus Always (2/21)

Metaphorically, light is a necessary covering to "put on." Believers receive the light at salvation. Yet, sometimes in our lives we forget to clothe ourselves with His light. The light which dispels darkness.

Darkness is prevalent in our world. It can blind us or at least dim our vision so that we no longer see clearly. How easy it is to fall into the "worldliness" that surrounds us. His light is our protection from said world. (John 17:17)

God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all. (1 John 1:7)

Come, O house of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord. (Isaiah 2:5)

I choose the One who is Life and gives light.
I choose the "Light of the World" as my armor of defense for today. (John 8:12)

TEA-lightfully clear

God's Word is truth. (John 17:17) God-breathed. (2 Timothy 3:16) Yet, to many, parts of scripture are unclear. Direction needed. Crystal clear direction. Clarity in God's word

Isn't that what we all want? A cup of clari-TEA as we read God's word---to know His truth?

To know what God is really saying, especially to each of us personally?

Last week at BSF, Cathy, our teaching leader, gave insight into this conundrum.

All scripture is equally true....BUT not all scripture is equally clear. 

A TEA-lightful quote for me to remind me of truth that I do understand and to trust the Lord in the parts which I don't.

HOLD FAST

In the midst of a "tough" diagnosis of a dear friend, I have had to hold unswervingly to the truths of God's word. The Word of Life is always needful, especially during such hard times. 

I need to hold fast....to God's truth, to His goodness, to Him......and to friends who are also holding fast. Fellowship is held fast by the shared hope from the One who is our hope as we comfort one another.

Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; (Hebrews 10:23)

But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; (1 Thessalonians 5:22)

Hold fast to it for the sake of your holiness. “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17)

And if I'm struggling to remember, God has a creative way of reminding me----right before my eyes!

FORAGERS

Foodies search far and wide for the "best food." Brooklyn offers a plethora of restaurants, diners, food trucks, open air cafes and even grocery stores for said foodies. We found such a grocery store in DUMBO, (Down Under Manhattan Bridge Overpass) near Brooklyn Bridge Park, Foragers.

With the BEST house roast beef on ciabatta for Pop Pop and a baked bialy for Lucy, we had a bench picnic at the park before going to ride Jane's carousel.

With Josh and Megan as our guides, we have been foragers, searching all of Brooklyn for unique food. Seek and ye shall find---especially with a good guide. Fresh oysters with mignonette, blue crab rolls, lobster potato salad and the BEST EVER crabcakes served with pickled corn and arugula. YUM! All of that was just at one place, Brooklyn Crab, in the Red Hook area.

Believers are also foragers when they seek truth and are willing to search the entire word of God---wide and deep. (Proverbs 30:5-6)

One "kids" himself when he says he wants to "find" truth and yet does not bother to study the whole word of God. Not just picking and choosing out of context, making God's word say what one wants it to say. A pretense. Pretending he/she wants to be led to truth but not bothering to truly seek that guidance.

Spiritual fodder. Fodder for the soul. Feeding truth to one's innermost being. (John 17:17)