Making Truth Effective - 4 - Resolution of Truth

Once an idea has been learned, there is a war within our minds. Two sides are being formed. The question is being bantered back and forth. Is this idea true or not?

(There are many people who have dismissed the Bible as not true or not livable. A vibrant Christian can't stay in this mindset. A vibrant Christian will look to Scriptural teachings as they really are, the teachings of Jesus. Jesus is not a liar or a deceiver. Numbers 23:19)

Something has to give with the dichotomy of these conflicting ideas. The old way of looking at things and doing things will have to change if we accept new truth. This old way will have to go. How will we respond to God's truth when we hear it? Our life is like soil. The way we receive God's words will show what kind of soil we are made of.

When seed is sown among weeds, it won't have a chance to grow because of competition. To accept God's teachings, the weeds in our life will have to be pulled out, but how? It is possible to renew our minds. Romans 12:1-2 We renew our minds by going over and over the Scriptures we are learning. Pondering and considering them, stating they are true. Emphasize each phrase and let the ideas seep in.

(Note: without laying down our life for Christ and denying our fleshly desires, we won't be able to accept God's words. They will be foolish to us. Romans 12:1)

Our life will move to where our mind dwells. The more we saturate our minds with the truth of God's word, the less we will be thinking that truth is not effective.

Making Truth Effective - 3 - Revelation of Truth

Receiving Revelation from the Lord.

Revelation 1 John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day and received the book of Revelation. It is putting our minds on the spirit of God that opens us to receive from God. When we allow our minds to stay on the things of the flesh that we miss out.

Psalm 119:130 “The unfolding of Your words gives light;
It gives understanding to the simple.”
John 6:63 “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

When God's light comes to us with understanding it sparks life within. Often I would read the Bible as if in a race to get through it. It is when I read the Bible to prayerfully ponder its meaning over and over that I receive light. Bible memory helps me in pondering Scriptural truths as I go throughout the day. Some say they can't memorize. Can you memorize your phone #? If you can, you can memorize.

What enables us to see this light of the Spirit? John 3:3 “Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” It is being born again that enables us to see. What has happened to me is I go to sleep spiritually and don't act and use what I have.

John was in the Spirit on the Lord's day. It was a day dedicated to serve and worship God. It is when I live for  God that I am able to see what the Lord has. When I live for myself nothing happens.

Matthew 18:3 “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.” When I am able to not argue or debate Scripture, but instead accept it, then I am on the road to revelation.

There is a difference to saying you agree with an idea and believe it. I move from agreeing with Scripture to believing it by mediation and following.

Making Truth Effective - 2 - Perception of Truth

What how and whom
What are you hearing?
How are you hearing it?
Who is tell it to you?

There is much that comes across our life and takes our attention. Be careful what you pay attention to. Also guard the time spent in listening to things that are not productive to your life. That is not to say there can be no idle or recreational times. But guard those times that they are not counterproductive to what is your purpose.

The first thing is to decide to seek the Lord. When we hear we also need to know who is talking. How are they explaining the idea. And what are they saying.

It doesn't matter who says it or how they say it or what they say. We will make a decision on the validity of the message. It makes it easier to accept what someone is saying if they say it in a way that is pleasing to us. Don't reject teaching out of hand. On the other hand there is a filter we use to accept when to listen and when to not listen. Be humble and consider what others say. Sometimes we realize that a teaching is good but the teacher is not worth following. Matthew 23:3

My experience is that I am inundated in teaching and ideas. Where should I spend my efforts? Prayerfully read the Bible each day and let that set the tone for all the other things you hear.

What we hear can be life giving or bring death. Seek to perceive when you are hearing words of life.

John 6:63 NASB “ It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.”

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Making Truth Effective

John 8:31-32 “ So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

I have been meditating on this scripture off and on for the past few months. I came across a booklet by Timothy Jorgensen called the “Process of Truth”

There are 12 chapters and I am expecting this study to help me in my understanding of John 8:31-32

The Reception of Truth
The Perception of Truth
The Revelation of Truth
The Conclusion of Truth
The confirmation of Truth
The commitment of Truth
The Application of Truth
The Assimilation of Truth
The Transformation of Truth
The Revolution of Truth
The Impartation of Truth

Each day I will comment on the next chapter. Today is chapter one.

The reception of truth takes a commitment of our attention. In the Sower parable there are 4 soils listed. Roadside soil, rocky soil, thorny soil and good soil. The roadside soil are the people that reject the seed of Jesus' teachings out of hand. They don't spend time considering it. Rocky soil are those who accept the teaching but give up on it when problems arise. Thorny soil are the people that are consumed with the worries and pleasures of life. Good soil are the people that receive the word and let it bear fruit in their life.

Note: The Sower parable is recorded in Matthew 13; Mark 4; and Luke 8.

To give a teaching from the Bible a chance to impact our lives, we need to get rid of the distractions that come our way.

Radio, TV, internet, social media, people, problems, other interest. All of these may be valid and useful but should be put aside to give the idea being presented in the Bible or from a teaching at church or a book or a mp3 message or a youtube message a chance. The messenger is presenting a message from the Bible and to allow God's truth to effect our lives, distractions need to be dealt with so we can let the message take effect.

Don't multi-task but instead give the idea your full attention.

Psalm 62 Trust

My soul waits in silence for God only;
From Him is my salvation.
2 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.

Making God our refuge in times of trouble. People start with this and are troubled by men of evil. With this trial their faith will grow or be destroyed.


3 How long will you assail a man,
That you may murder him, all of you,
Like a leaning wall, like a tottering fence?
4 They have counseled only to thrust him down from his high position;
They delight in falsehood;
They bless with their mouth,
But inwardly they curse. Selah.

In verse 5 - 8 the statement of God being our source and strength is repeated. But this time, there is no greatly being troubled but instead there is victory.

5 My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.
6 He only is my rock and my salvation,
My stronghold; I shall not be shaken.
7 On God my salvation and my glory rest;
The rock of my strength, my refuge is in God.
8 Trust in Him at all times, O people;

Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us. Selah.

Silence and hope bring salvation, rest, rock, refuge, trust. These are things we should wait for God and gain strength. Our soul will be strengthened and we will not be shaken. Use God's Scriptures and meditate on them. Especially the promises that speak to you.

Verses 9 & 10 talk of what man will do to find an answer. But if we turn to the Lord our refuge is in Him and He will answer according to His word and reward those who trust in Him.

9 Men of low degree are only vanity and men of rank are a lie;
In the balances they go up;
They are together lighter than breath.
10 Do not trust in oppression
And do not vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them.

Our trust in God should not start when the problem starts but way before there is a problem. The trial will show where our trust is. If we have not built our house on the rock we will be destroyed. Matthew 7:24-25 If our trust is in Him we will stand through the trial.

Don't live willy nilly. Live with purpose of serving God and trusting Him for your needs. When you find your faith is lacking. Use the trials of life to build faith. Then the next time you will stand strong on the rock who is Jesus Christ.

Sureness of God's Word

Numbers 11:23 “The LORD said to Moses, "Is the LORD'S power limited? Now you shall see whether My word will come true for you or not."

God will back up His word. God said to Moses that He would see if His word is true. Remaining in God's word is to continue to believe in it. When we believe we will see. It is like a seed. If you watch over the word, water it, weed it, and protect it, the seed will grow to maturity.

Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?”

God will fulfill His promise, but will we believe? If we believe, we will stand on the promise until harvest time and then receive what is promised.

Joshua 21:45 “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.”

There is a sureness to what God promises. The problem lies in our actions before the time of fulfillment. Will we give up on what was promised to us, or will we act in faith according to what the promise is? The children of Israel were promised the land of Israel. They feared the giants and their own lack of fighting ability to take the land. Because of this fear they were not permitted to enter. Fear will keep us from receiving what God has promised. Let us not shrink back but press on to what God is promising.

 2 Kings 13:21 “As they were burying a man, behold, they saw a marauding band; and they cast the man into the grave of Elisha. And when the man touched the bones of Elisha he revived and stood up on his feet.”
Elisha was promised so many miracles. He was supposed to get a double portion of what his mentor Elijah had. When he died, he was lacking one miracle. Many would say that God failed His promise to Elisha, but that was not the case. God had one more for Elisha which was not apparent. Do we look at God and say He failed us? No it is our misunderstanding of God that is the problem. God does not fail.

Joshua 6:26 “Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying, “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates.”

After Israel had defeated Jericho and took all they wanted for the Lord's treasury, they made this oath and curse. It came to pass when people rebuilt the city. This curse remained for 500 years. God will watch over His word to preform it. Jeremiah 1:12 He will not miss one promise.

1 Kings 16:34 “In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.”

1 Kings 8:56 “Blessed be the Lord, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised; not one word has failed of all His good promise, which He promised through Moses His servant.”

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. You have acted foolishly in this. Indeed, from now on you will surely have wars.” NASB

This is one of my favorite verses. God is looking for people of faith. He will support those who have faith. When we turn only to others for help, we will have trouble in life. Don't give up on God.

Psalm 19:7-10 The Law of the Lord is:
Perfect restoring the soul.
Sure,, making wise the simple.
Right, rejoicing the heart.
Pure, enlightening the eyes.
Clean, enduring forever.
True, they are righteous altogether.
More desirable than fine gold, sweeter than honey.

When we understand the Word of God with our spiritual eyes, we have the answer to life.


Psalm 111:7-8 “The works of His hands are truth and justice;
All His precepts are sure.
8 They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth and uprightness.”

Psalm 118:89 NASB “Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven.”

God's word is settled in heaven and the promise is there for us to use it on earth for the benefit of others to come to Christ and serve Him.

Psalm 119:160 “The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting.“

Don't just take one Scripture without being open to other Scriptures clarifying it. As we come to know more and more of the Scripture, we come to a fuller and fuller understanding of God's direction. On the other hand. Don't live hog tied because you don't know everything. When you get revelation, live according to that revelation. When you receive more adjust your life to that added revelation. Isaiah 30:15

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”

People mock the Bible. In the end they will receive the results of their foolishness.

Isaiah42:9 "Behold, the former things have come to pass, Now I declare new things; Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you."

Isaiah 48:3 "I declared the former things long ago And they went forth from My mouth, and I proclaimed them. Suddenly I acted, and they came to pass.”

Isaiah 55:11 God's word will accomplish what it was sent for.

Jeremiah 1:12 “Then the LORD said to me, "You have seen well, for I am watching over My word to perform it."

Ezekiel 12:45 "For I the LORD will speak, and whatever word I speak will be performed. It will no longer be delayed, for in your days, O rebellious house, I will speak the word and perform it," declares the Lord GOD.'"

2 Tim 3:16 all Scripture is profitable for reproof, for correction for instruction in righteousness.

Paul's writings are Scripture according to Peter. “as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” 2 Peter 3:16

John 8:32 the truth will set you free.

The problem is not God's failure to act. It is our unbelief. We can live by God's word.

Blessing and Faith

Be Attitudes Matt 5:3-12 Luke 6:20-23
Blessing guidelines Deuteronomy 28

Blessings are based on our actions from these passages.

God is not the source of your trouble. God is your deliverer. Faith with obedience are needed. Stand against the devil.

Faith and obedience are needed for the answer of blessing. James 1:22 Some would say it is by grace and not works. Ephesians 2:8-9 Salvation is by grace through faith. Grace is offered and we take the grace by faith. Faith is expressed by our actions. Some would say, it is God who gives us faith. Yes, God gives faith to all. Romans 12:3 We all have faith, just as the disciples had. 2 Peter 1:1 It is given to us to grow our faith and use our faith. We are not saved with no action. Action is the result of faith and not the other way of action giving rise to faith. Philippians 3 shows Paul  seeking God with zeal. He doesn't trust in his zeal but in the work of Christ. Philippians 3:9 Zeal will follow, when faith is there.

If you have faith and no zeal, your faith is dead. James 2:17 What do you do when your faith is dead? Let God arise. Ps 68:1; Revelation 3:20; Isaiah 40:31-41:1a; Romans 10:17  With God, faith is activated. And when faith is activated zeal is there. Without the zeal we will question the idea that Bible hope is producing. The hope of the Bible brings God and faith. The hope of the Bible without God brings arrogance and/or frustration. The hope of the Bible without God is powerless. It is faith that overcomes. If we are not overcoming something is missing. 1 John 5:4

What do we do when something is missing? Seek God! Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 6:33; Isaiah 40:31-41:1a And continue seeking Him till we understand what is going on. James 1:5; Matthew 7:8 With God and His direction we will overcome. 1 John 5:4 Some would say, “but I haven't overcome. This faith stuff doesn't work.” We don't try faith for a while to see if it works. We live by faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 Faith doesn't quit in hard times. Faith rejoices in hard times! Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4 It is the hard times that brings the power. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Remember:
Understanding Scripture is not for self indulgence. John 10:10 says Jesus came to give us an abundant life. It also says in Luke 12:15 we are not to be greedy. Even when we have an abundance our life does not consist of our possessions. So, our abundant life is not talking about possessions. We can't believe in godly faith for our own pleasure. James 4:3 Yes, there is prosperity. Proverbs 10:22 The purpose of prosperity is the advancement of God's kingdom. Deuteronomy 8:18

Jesus is our life and light. Every day is an adventure with Jesus.