That's why I'm honest about the topics here. If I have an issue in any one of these areas, I want to be "upfront". So, if for some strange reason, just because I write this blog everyday, you may be thinking I have it all together, I have to inform you, that "NO", I'm far from it.
There are no perfect people. We are all flawed and that goes in the area of honesty and truth telling. My point today is not about we humans, that goes without saying. We've all lied or "fudged" or exaggerated. I'm talking about God today, that He IS Truth, and He will never lie. What He says stands firm. It is up to us to believe Him and the truth of His Word, the Bible.
Below are some verses that speak about God's Nature in the area of honesty, truthfulness, and promises that are found in scripture.
Version: NAS
Numbers 23:19
"God is not a man, that He should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent; Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
God is not like us in the area of truth telling, He never needs to repent because He is perfect, without flaw. When He says something in His Word, or to us personally, it is our responsibility to have faith in that "word" and believe Him for it.
Isaiah 55:10-11
10. "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; 11. So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding [in the matter] for which I sent it.
God sends His Word out through the scripture in the Bible and just like the rain waters the earth, we can count on it. His Word waters our thirsty souls and gives birth to the seed He puts there. When you feel The Holy Spirit "quickening" your heart over a matter; when a certain scripture just "speaks" straight to you. Grab ahold of it, and let it get planted in your heart. Water it with faith in God and His Word. Let it stay there until, in God's perfect timing it will sprout and flourish.
John 4:50-53
50. Jesus said to him, "Go your way; your son lives." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he started off. 51. And as he was now going down, [his] slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 52. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." 53. So the father knew that [it was] at that hour in which Jesus said to him, "Your son lives"; and he himself believed, and his whole household.
This man had come to Jesus because he had a sick child. He wanted Jesus to come with him before it was too late, but Jesus said in so many words, "If you will just trust my word your child will live." That is what happened.
Acts 10:34-35
34. And opening his mouth, Peter said: "I most certainly understand [now] that God is not one to show partiality, 35. but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right, is welcome to Him.
In Acts Chapter 10 Peter meets with a Gentile (anyone not a Jew) named Cornelius. He was a Roman centurion, who was a believer in Jehovah God. Up until this time, the message of salvation had been only for the Jews, but now God was showing Peter, the Apostle, that the message was for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike. It was an eyeopener for Peter. God desires and loves each and everyone of us, no matter what nationality. It is totally up to our belief in Jesus as God's son. That is the qualifier.
2 Corinthians 1:19-20
19. For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us-- by me and Silvanus and Timothy-- was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. 20. For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.
God's Word is full of "promises". It is up to us to read and find them. Then believe God for them. They are all "yes" !
2 Peter1:3-4
3. seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. 4. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them you might become partakers of [the] divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.
Believing God's promises enable us to live a fruitful life. We get to know Him through His Word. We can trust Him, and all that He says to us.
Don't be overwhelmed with the amount of scripture. Let God speak to you about what He has for you. Let God put it in your heart for your particular need.
What I'm going to say next is of critical importance.
In the past, I knew God had told me something...He had given me a promise, but I didn't see it happen when I thought it should. God and I got in a big tangle over it. From that moment on I realized I do not know the "timing" of things, only that He is truth, not a liar. My job is to believe, trust, and wait. Wait until it comes to pass.
And that is where "patience" kicks in!
love,
Debra
I was reading this morning about Zechariah and Elizabeth. God sent His angel Gabriel to tell them of what was to come. But they had to believe, obey and wait for the manifestation of that Word/Promise to be fulfilled.
ReplyDeleteGod isn't held to time and space like we are. When He says it, He speaks only Truth. He means it, and it WILL come to pass. We're the one's who watch the clock and think it has to happen within our time-frame.
Good and thought provoking study today Debra!
How awesome is our God? In a world where everything changes and no one is accountable, God says I AM. You can trust me, I will not change, I will not go back on my promises. Take it to the bank! I love that He speaks to us using emphatic words, not passive, so there is no question in our minds that He means what He says. And in a time where there are no absolutes we can rely on, He says, I am Truth, you can depend on Me.
ReplyDeleteThis message makes me want to jump up and down - it is such good news! I admit there are times when I doubt because I look at the circumstances and they are daunting, and sometimes don't see anyway out. Then I pray, Help my unbelief. Thank God He knows me and my heart and that I am flesh but I so want to believe - I choose to believe.
Then there is that timing thing - you hit the nerve Debra. The waiting is hard. I have to remind myself that God knows all the things around us that He is working through, and to be patient and WAIT. Waiting isnt passive though (like a Waiter - actively about the business of serving others - thats how I like to think of it).
Well here I am practically writiing a thesis -sorry Sisters. I also just wanted to mention that yesterdays post was perfect for me. I wanted to comment, but was interupted, and on went the day. I reread the post this morning, and it was even more pertinent because of a circumstance that arose yesterday. So you see, God was preparing me and giving me Hope. Thank you Debra for being His vehicle.
Praisng God from Whom all Blessings flow,
Rebecca
The truth is SOOOO important! I am so glad God cannot lie. What would faith be without that promise?
ReplyDeleteI pray & pray & pray that my kid's are reminded by the Holy Spirit to tell the truth & that when they lie it really bothers them until they tell the truth. :) Poor kids :)
I am told that patience is the ability to believe despite all circumstances. I like that definition, don't you? I love that God's Word has within it the ability to bring its own self to pass. We don't have to figure it out or try to make it happen. The Word is self sufficient. You are so right, Debra. All we have to do is believe. Thanks again for your diligence to host this wonderful Bible study.
ReplyDeleteAMEN...I, too am very much a work in progress and always will be, until the end.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, hugs, and prayers,
andrea
See? I just want to sit over there in that corner and listen...'kay?
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I know that when you speak of patience, you are speaking directly to me. It's my life-long struggle, and it might just very well take the combined prayers of each and every person reading this blog to help me conquer it.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Just thank you.
Anne
I am happy to be a work in progress. It wasn't always so....but I realized to be a finished work meant stepping into eternity. Was I ready for that? NO. Yes, I want to meet God face to face, but not until he has finished working with me and through me.
ReplyDeleteRose