Psalms 100:5; “For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting; and His truth endureth to all generations. John 8:31, 32; 31Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.John 14:6; “6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

It is common in today’s culture for everyone to have a ‘my truth’. A ‘my truth’ is truth that is relevant to the speaker only. This truth may be universally true, or minimally true for an individual. Society is quick to say. “It may not be true for you; but, it is true for me.”

We’re exploring ‘Enduring Truth’ this week and in this venture we can’t even examine in depth ‘my truth’ because its very nature is only as lengthy as the speaker is present. ‘my truth’ is only present with its speaker, therefore ‘my truth’ cannot be ‘Enduring Truth’.

His Truth doesn’t change with external circumstances or situations; His Truth remains permanent and fixed over time; and His Truth is dependable. His Truth will successfully carry us from time mortal to time eternal, without faltering. His Truth can’t change in death. GOD has determined heaven and hell; and ‘my truth’ cannot withstand the test of time, which is crucial in eternal placement.

Jesus said that He is the Truth. The Truth that Jesus is, is the same Truth that GOD desires for all of us to have dwelling within. Psalm 51:6; “Behold thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.” With this indwelling Truth, Jesus Christ, we don’t have to worry about being presented or standing before GOD in our own filthy rags. Instead, our presentation to GOD will be the blood stained cloak of righteousness of Jesus Christ.

Jesus met with decided disbelief, accusations, and possible execution when He declared Himself to be the Truth. Truth has always been a valid point of contention because no one wants the truth that he embraces to be referred to as a falsehood.

Last week, we read about “The Eternal Weight of Glory.” In that article, we quoted Paul, in 1Corinthians4:18; “While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” This week, we see Jesus equipping His disciples for their future…Knowing defending and teaching the Truth. In John 14:15-18; Jesus said. “15If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.”

According to this passage, taught by Jesus, the world cannot know the ‘Spirit of Truth’ because they can’t see Him. That let’s us know that the ‘my truth’ must be based on things that you can see, and evaluate, so we have to assume that ‘my truth’ is carnal and not eternal or enduring. On the other hand, Jesus tells us that the Spirit of Truth will abide with us forever. (That’s Enduring Truth).

NOTE:
“Throughout the Old Testament, GOD was invisible, not seen and declared, even by His own people, not to be present. His people erred many times by bowing down to idols, and burning sacrifice in high places to other gods. Other nations taunted and belittled the Hebrew children, because they seemed to have no god. When they saw the power of GOD at the hands of Moses, they cried and told Moses to intercede for them, for they feared for their lives. Even after such a miraculous show of omnipresence and omnipotence, the children of GOD turned from GOD, and did what was right in their own sight.

In the New Testament, they had Jesus, who was the complete fulfillment of the Old Testament prophets. They received from Him healing, food, their dead raised to life deliverance, and even the recovery of sight to the blind. But even though they touched Him, and handled Him, they would not believe Him, when He told them that He was the True Vine, The Only Begotten Son of The Father, The Way, The Truth, and The Life.”
TER

What if someone told you that in two weeks, your job would cease, and the building would be sold to the county, who would eventually wreck it to make room for a parking garage. What if you decided that the information which you had received was NOT ‘my truth’, and you continued to work. Things would be alright for the first thirteen days, then the people would begin to be fewer and fewer. Again, you would declare, “That’s your truth, but ‘my truth’ is intact, and I’m going to continue to go to work.

After 15 days, one of two things would be prevalent. Either you would have a job, or you wouldn’t. Most likely you’d be the only one still coming to work (or to that location) trying to work. This example is simple, but, hopefully it’ll give you a little insight about grabbing hold of ‘Enduring Truth’.

Remember this: GOD wants us to have Truth in the inward parts; and Jesus Christ is Truth; so, when you receive Jesus to live in your heart . . . You’ll have “Christ in You, Your Hope of Glory”.

GOD is so good, and simple too,
It would be a shame, in heaven, to miss YOU!

Lincoln was trying to make a point. His hearer was unconvinced and stubborn. So Lincoln tried another tack. He said to the disputer, "Well, let's see now. How many legs does a cow have?" The disgusted reply came back "Four, of course." Lincoln agreed, "That's right. Now, suppose you call the cow's tail a leg; how many legs would the cow have?" The opponent replied confidently, "Why, five, of course." Lincoln came back, "Now that's where you're wrong. Calling a cow's tail a leg doesn't make it a leg!"

“Money could buy me a house, but money could not buy me a home. There is a difference. Money can buy me companionship, but money can’t buy me true friends. Money can buy me entertainment, but money can’t buy me true happiness. Money could buy me food (I was 275 pounds, I had plenty of food), but money could not buy me an appetite for living. Money could buy me a bed, but money never bought me a good sound night’s sleep. Money bought me a marriage license 22 years ago, but money was not buying me a good marriage. Money could buy me a crucifix which I wore every day around my neck, but money could not buy me a personal relationship with Christ Jesus. Money could buy me the good life, but money was not going to buy me nor will it buy you eternal life. You see, wealth after all is a relative thing. He who has little and wants less is really far richer than the man who has much and is still grabbing for more.”

TJIFA’S BOOK SHELF
HOLY BIBLE:
Are you continuing to read your Bible through this year? FWR said that reading the bible becomes much easier when you play the recording, and read along. This is especially helpful if you have had trouble concentrating on what you are reading.

FWR, I would like to comment on this method: “you are not only reading the word, but you are ‘hearing’ it also. And according to the Word of GOD, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of GOD. Keep up the good work! Thank you for contributing to this week’s newsletter.”
TER

Readers, we have done very well, in reading a book per month. Since we started this new column we have read the following books: “Foxes Book of Martyrs;” “Success GOD’s Way;” “Purpose Driven Life;” “Secrets of the Vine;” and everyone is reading along in the Holy Bible. How do you feel about your accomplishment? You should feel ‘real good’ about this phenomenal achievement. I am very proud to have readers of your caliber and integrity. Keep looking forward.
TER

TRUTH That which is reliable and can be trusted. The Bible uses truth in the general “factual” sense. Truth may designate the actual fact over against appearance, pretense, or assertion.. . .
In the Bible, the known will of God is final for man as a standard of truth, not as arbitrary, but as expressive of God’s nature. God’s nature is all-comprehensive of fact and goodness, and so is, all and in all, the source, support and objective of all concrete being. The will of God thus reveals, persuades to and achieves the ideals and ends of complete existence. The term “truth” is sometimes, therefore, nearly equivalent to the revealed will of God . . .

Generally, as in the Gospel, we approach more nearly than elsewhere in Scripture a metaphysical use, yet always with the practical religious end dominant. Truth is reality in relation to the vital interests of the soul. It is primarily something to be realized and done, rather than something to be learned or known. In the largest aspect it is God’s nature finding _expression in His creation, in revelation, in Jesus Christ in whom “grace and truth came”. Jn 1:17), and finally in man apprehending, accepting and practically realizing the essential values of life, which are the will of God (Jn 1:14; 8:32; 17:19; 18:37 f; 1 Jn 2:21; 3:19). Truth is personalized in Jesus Christ. He truly expresses God, presents the true ideal of man, in Himself summarizes the harmony of existence and becomes the agent for unifying the disordered world. Hence, He is the Truth (Jn 14:6), the true _expression (Logos, Jn 1:1) of God. See the same idea without the terminology in Paul (Col 1:14 ff; 2:9). Similarly, the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth because His function is to guide into all truth (Jn 16:13; 1 Jn 2:27; 5:7). . . .

IN THE MIRROR:
For 35 years, the Motion Picture Production Code served as a moral guideline for American film-makers. The code, to which film-makers were required to adhere, included this paragraph: "No picture shall be produced which will lower the moral standards of those who see it. Hence the sympathy of the audience shall never be thrown to the side of crime, wrongdoing, evil, or sin." How quaint that sounds today.
Cal Thomas, Christian Reader Magazine

This is the kind of article where we can gain some real perspective. It explained a lot to me when I looked back over many of the old T.V. shows, and it made me to realize just why the shows used to be so ‘clean’ in comparison to what comes over the airwaves now. Would it be fair to say that we’ve not only been “thrown to the side of crime, wrongdoing, evil, or sin,” but we’ve been pretty much, ‘thrown overboard’.

There were more Biblical principles in place than we may have thought about, and I believe God is helping us to see that which is necessary to keep and maintain our Christian focus. No, you’re not going to find a scripture in the Bible that says, “Thou shall not watch T.V., or visit your local movie theater,” but you will find scriptures that admonish: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”Proverbs 4:23 (KJV); or what about how Jesus taught in Matthew 12:33-37 “. . . A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things; and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. . . ”

We are living in a time of much peril, and what appears to be a downward spiral with no visible solution in sight, but not necessarily so. We’re also living in a time where there exist opportunity to spread the gospel, (good news) like never before. “How’s that?”you asked.

Charles Swindoll, author and Bible teacher put it like this; “The wonderful thing about God’s schoolroom . . .is that we get to grade our own papers. You see, He doesn’t test us so He can learn how well we’re doing. He test us so we can discover how well we’re doing.”If you want to see how much you’re growing, you have to stand next to a yardstick. The whole Christian life is about growth, and we are to never stop until we see Jesus.

I believe God really does allow us to make our own discoveries because in this life you can learn just as much through your failures as you can through your successes. There are a myriad of people who can attest to that very fact. I am certainly one of them.

Realizing the different people, young, perhaps middle-age, or older who are going to say, “I’m just not ready for that!”;or “I’m not a real Christian yet!” Well you can relax because, none of us come into this world prepared to stand up against the wickedness, and the evils of the world; that’s one of the things Christianity is all about. We are not just saved from the pollutions (2nd Peter 2:20) of this world, but we also had to be saved from ourselves. That’s why most who come to Christ have either read or memorized Romans 12:2; “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

God’s Word promises three characteristics in that one passage alone, when you come to Him in faith, and trust in His Word. The part I always amplify is where the clearest thing you can understand, if you’re willing;“ . . that you may prove . . .”Don’t trust a bent toward false evidence when truth can be gained beginning in your own heart. Everything we learn, is connected to something we already know. Once you give your life to Jesus Christ, He has a way of saying to every life;(in my own words) “I’ll take over now!” Know what I say. “Wheeww!” For me it was the greatest news yet.

The film-makers of the world have no desire to follow a ‘code’ when they have found a way to make millions of dollars off the carnal, sensual nature of man. Shows like ‘I love Lucy’, ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’, a host of the old Variety shows, too numerous to mention; you won’t find many of them anymore.(cable has some) If you’re fortunate enough to find a ‘G’ rated movie today, stand outside the theater and see how many people it will attract. Even small children are allowed to watch movies that are not even fit for our teenagers.

My goal is not to assault the film industry, but when you have to watch the local news, or maybe the daily newspaper, do you ever wonder to yourself, ‘What is in the minds of the people who are carrying out such unprecedented acts, of not only crime, but plain outright immorality?’Do you ever associate it with what is going on in what we call the “T.V., Movie and Entertainment,”sections of our society?

Every one of us has something that only we can do, that will retard the obvious flow of the apostasy that seems to be slowly eating away at the world in which we live. So often I think about the next generation. The one in which our grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be exposed to. If we don’t take a stand and introduce to them the real meaning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how He came to change and transform our life, who will? I’d like to share with you a lovely story I recently read in, ‘Our Daily Bread’:

“The young boy looked up at his grandfather and wondered out loud. “Grandpa, how do you live for Jesus?” The respected grandfather stooped down and quietly told the boy, “Just Watch.” As the years went by, the grandfather was an example to the boy of how to follow Jesus. He stayed rock-steady in living for Him. Yet the grandson lived in a way that was not pleasing to God. One day the young man visited his grandfather for what both knew would be the last time. As the older man lay dying, his grandson leaned over the bed and heard his heard his grandpa whisper, “Did you watch?” That was a turning point in the young man’s life. . .

An example is a very strong tool God gave unto mankind as an agent of change. He never had any doubt as to its effectiveness to bring anyone to where their desire is to be. If those movie producers of much earlier years, and the different people who had a role in the widespread viewing of what would come into the homes all over America, knew of the possibility of moral corruption; how much more should we the ‘Body of Christ’ be warned?

The Bible still remains the book for all times, and is only as effective as the person who picks it up, and starts applying it to their life. This is one of those articles that after sharing from the heart, I know it may be very controversial to some if you’re a big movie fan; so in the Lord, I want to share with you like this:

I feel that I was as big a T.V.fan, and Movie goer as anybody else. But you have to remember that when you come to Jesus Christ, your whole value system changes, and along with that your priorities are brought into focus through the Holy Spirit. Even more helpful, so you won’t put any undue pressure on yourself, you make the quality decision, and believe God for the power to make a way.

I’m glad you asked! Because when you get to a place in your spiritual life that you’re willing to show God He’s more important than a favorite T.V. show or movie, He’s going to take that time and replace it with Himself. I dare you to try it!
God Bless, SLC
O TASTE AND SEE!

1 8 OZ. CREAM CHEESE SOFTENED
1/3 CUP SUGAR
1/3 CUP ALL PURPOSE FLOUR
1 LARGE EGG
1 TSP. VANILLA EXTRACT   ¼ TSP ALMOND EXTRACT
1 15 OZ. CAN DARK SWEET CHERRIES DRAINED
1 21 OZ. CAN CHERRY PIE FILLING
¼ CUP BUTTER MELTED AND DIVIDED
20 VANILLA WAFERS CRUSHED

BEAT CREAM CHEESE SUGAR AND FLOUR AT LOW SPEED.
ADD EGG AND EXTRACTS; BEATING UNTIL SMOOTH (SET ASIDE).
STIR TOGETHER CHERRIES, CHERRY PIE FILLING AND 2 TBLSPS MELTED BUTTER IN LARGE SAUCE PAN.
COOK OVER MEDIUM HEAT, STIRRING OFTEN APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES OR UNTIL THOROUGHLY HEATED.
POUR CHERRY FILLING INTO BUTTERED BAKING PAN; SPREAD EVENLY.
POUR CREAM CHEESE MIXTURE OVER ENTIRE CHERRY FILLING.
SPRINKLE CRUSHED VANILLA WAFERS OVER CREAM CHEESE.
BAKE AT 350 DEGREES f. FOR 30 MINUTES OR UNTIL LIGHTLY BROWNED. REMOVE FROM OVEN, COOL, CHILL AND SERVE.
THIS IS A WONDERFUL DISH EASY TO MAKE AND SATISFIES LOVERS OF CREAM CHEESE CAKE AND CHERRY PIE LOVERS ALSO. REALLY A GREAT DESSERT.
SUBMITTED BY FWR…ENJOY!