“What Is” Series: Truth

References

“To those involved in a dying world, Satan will come with evil’s undiluted power to deceive, for they have refused the truth which could have saved them. They see truth as a lie and the lie as truth. They accept the lies of the devil.”–Billy Graham

Jesus is the truth and sin keeps us from the truth. But what is truth?

According to the dictionary, truth is “conformity to reality or actuality; a true statement. That which is real in a deeper sense; spiritual or genuine reality; a true thing; a verified fact; a true statement or proposition. An established principle, fixed law or the like; as, the great truths of morals; righteousness; true religion; to assert as true; to declare.”–Princeton’s WordNet–Wiktionary–Webster’s Dictionary

But is truth “absolute/universal?” When someone defends their actions and when asked if they are “lying”, they normally say “that is the absolute truth” whether they are lying or not.

According to the definition of “absolute” truth, it is something that is true at all times and in all places. It is something that is always true no matter what the circumstances. It is a fact that cannot be changed.–Wikipedia

“Tolerance has become the one cardinal virtue of the postmodern society, the one absolute, and, therefore, intolerance is the only evil. Any belief in absolute truth is viewed as intolerance, the ultimate sin. Those who deny absolute truth will often say that is is alright to believe what you want, as long as you do not try to impose your beliefs on others. But this view itself is a belief about what is right and wrong, and those who hold this view most definitely do try to impose it on others. They set up a standard of behavior which they insist others follow, thereby violating the very thing they claim to uphold (another self-contradicting position). Those who hold such a belief simply do not want to be accountable for their actions. If there is absolute truth, then there are absolute standards of right and wrong, and we are accountable to those standards. This accountability is what people are really rejecting when they reject absolute truth.”–www.GodQuestions.net

“There are three evidences for the existence of absolute truth. First, there is the human conscience; second, science; and third, religion. Religion is really evidence that mankind is more than just a highly evolved animal. It is evidence of a higher purpose and of the existence of a personal and purposeful Creator who implanted in man the desire to know Him and if there is a Creator, then He becomes the standard for absolute truth, and it is His authority that establishes that truth.”–GotQuestions.net

“Society no longer cares about the truth. It doesn’t matter what one regards as “truth” just as long as they are sincere. Truth is subjective, society says, and it is up to each individual to decide for themselves what is right and wrong. We need to remember that anything other than the truth needs to be rejected. Our culture shuns authority and looks down upon biblical values.”–LivingWaters.com

This appears to be the mentality of our society today–a lack of conscience to do what is morally right. Doing and saying what you want without regard to whether it is absolute truth or not. A world without a conscience would be a dangerous place to live.

If that is the “truth”, then lets look at what the Word of God has to say about truth (NIV translation):

John 14:6: “Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 8:31-32: To the Jews who believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 16:13: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. he will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.”

John 4:23-24: “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.”

I John 3:18; “Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

II Timothy 2:15: “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Ephesians 4:15: “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.”

Psalm 25:5: “Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

Psalm 86:11: “Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth.”

From these scriptures, we absolutely determine that there is a Creator who will lead us into all truth which is Jesus Christ. Jesus never changes and the Word of God points us to the way, the truth and the life.

When I first thought of writing about “truth”, my first thought turned to the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Then I asked myself, what does “inalienable” mean. According to Vocabulary.com, it is “something that is yours forever, that can’t be taken away and given to your little brother. The word refers to a ‘natural’ right that cannot be revoked by an outside force.”

If that is the case, then Christianity (Salvation) is for all believers–that which is given to all and cannot be taken away by any outside force.

The Word of God is our compass in the world we live in today. It gives us the directions and information on how to live a life pleasing to God in every area of our lives.

Philippians 4:8 says, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”

May we try to live in the truth as we follow Jesus’ teachings and apply them to our lives daily.

Blessings,

Yvonne

Friendspiration: Word of God on Friendship

The Word of God is filled with verses pertaining to friendship(s). These scripture verses are insights and wisdom of instruction regarding finding and keeping friendships as well as how to live our lives on a daily basis according to Christ’s teachings. I will not be covering every scripture but want to share just a few of them with you.

Proverbs 13:20 indicates that “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” This tells us that it is important to choose our friends wisely and to keep the right company. I Corinthians 15:33 further states that “Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character.”

Other scriptures such as Proverbs 17:17 tells us that “a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” No matter what is going on in our lives, a true friend will love us and help us through our adversity.

Encouragement, commitment, love, and support are the qualities of a true friend. Someone who encourages us in the faith and helps guide us along the way to make a strong commitment in that faith through their love and support is a friend worth seeking.

Galatians 5:13 says we are to “serve one another” and Ephesians 5:21 says that we are to “submit to one another.” Serving each other is a way of expressing God’s love and being helpful to another person’s spiritual, emotional or physical welfare.

Guidance from the scriptures help us understand how we are to interact with one another and are commandments for us to follow in our everyday lives. How to live with each other; how to treat each other; how to seek out wisdom and guidance for direction and purpose as we follow Christ’s teachings.

In conclusion, I Peter 4:8-10 says, “…love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.” Now that is “true friendship” shown to others through the faith that we live out each day.

May the Lord help us to share our lives with others and live out our faith each and every day in the way that Jesus taught us through his promises.

Blessings,

Yvonne

Friendspiration: Inspiring Friendship Quotes

As I look around my music/writing room, I see a number of “creativity” quotes to help keep my mind focused on creating beautiful things . Friendship is the same. When we cultivate those friendships, we (as well as they) can blossom into beautiful and lasting friends who “stick closer than a brother.”

Various types of quotes are happy thoughts that we can look at throughout the day. They bring a smile to one’s face and help us remember the small, simplistic things in our lives.

So it is with friendship quotes. They help remind us to look at the “simple things” and to “cultivate” the friendships that God has sent our way–those blessings in disguise just when we need them the most.

There are a number of blogs that have posted inspiring, thought-provoking, beautiful and funny quotes about friendship. Following are just some of the numerous quotes I have gathered for you to ponder and perhaps apply to the friendships you now have (or have yet to find) and to renew friendships that have gone astray. Enjoy and happy reading.

“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”–Walter Winchell

“”Friendship is born at the moment when one person says to another, ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.'”–C.S. Lewis

“A single rose can be my garden…a single friend, my world.”–Leo Buscaglia

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”–Dale Carnegie

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.”–Unknown

“What you do not want done to yourself, do not do to others.”–Confucius

“In everyone’s life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.”–Albert Schweitzer

“A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad.”–Arnold H. Glasgow

“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.”–Audrey Hepburn

“Never idealize others. They will never live up to your expectations. Don’t over-analyze your relationships. Stop playing games. A growing relationship can only be nurtured by genuineness.”–Leo F. Buscaglia

“Tis the privilege of friendship to talk nonsense, and to have her nonsense respected.”–Charles Lamb

“Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.”-Marcel Proust

“If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.”–Zig Ziglar

“Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together.”–Woodrow T. Wilson

“Friends are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer.”–Ed Cunningham

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked.”–Bernard Meltzer

“A friend knows the song in my heart and sings it to me when my memory fails.”–Donna Roberts

“It is not so much our friends’ help that helps us, as the confidence of their help.”–Epicurus

“Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends.”–Abraham Lincoln

“They may forget what you said, but they will never forget how you made them feel.”–Carl W. Buechner

“Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget.”–Unknown

“Don’t walk in front of me; I may not follow. Don’t walk behind me; I may not lead. Just walk beside me and be my friend.”–Albert Camus

“To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world.”–Brandi Snyder

A friend is hard to come by but the one who “holds all our tomorrows” will be the greatest friend of them all–Jesus!

Blessings,

Yvonne

Friendspiration: Friendship Quotes

While doing some research on friendship, I came across a number of quotes that described friendship and decided to share them at this time.

The following quotes are from a book entitled, “Thank Heaven for Coffee and other little pleasures.”

“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within the reach of every hand.” –Mother Teresa

“The best mirror is an old friend.” –George Herbert

“I count myself in nothing else so happy as in a soul rememb’ring my good friends.”–William Shakespeare

“He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious will have the King for his friend.” –Proverbs 22:11 (NIV)

“Friendship with oneself is all-important because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

“My best friend is the one who brings out the best in me.” –Henry Ford

“Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother’s house when disaster strikes you–better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.” –Proverbs 27:10 (NIV)

“I no doubt deserved my enemies, but I don’t believe I deserved my friends.” –Walt Whitman

“Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never ties, and a touch that never hurts.” –Charles Dickens

“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, for in the dew of the little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” –James Allen

“The most I can do for my friend is simply to be his friend. I have no wealth to bestow on him. If he knows that I am happy in loving him, he will want no other reward. Is not friendship divine in this?” –Henry David Thoreau

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I l earned from my Father I have made know to you.” –John 15:15 (NIV)

“A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they’re not so good and sympathizes with your problems when they’re not so bad.” –Arnold H. Glasgow

“Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” –Mother Teresa

From a friend who is “tried and true” to one who shows acts of kindness, herein lies the virtues of true friendship.

Dale Carnegie was quoted as saying, “You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.”

“A friend is someone who understands your past, believes in your future, and accepts you just the way you are.” –Unknown

Let us all cultivate true friendship with others “for if we haven’t learned the true meaning of friendship, then you really haven’t learned anything.”–Muhammed Ali

Blessings,

Yvonne