Category: Truth

Categories
Counselor Holy Spirit Truth

Validating Truth

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 (ESV) The Holy Spirit lives in you to validate the truth of God’s word. Life in our fast-paced culture can get noisy at times and you can miss the voice of Truth. Having the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, living inside of you means that His activity includes empowering you to decipher the difference between truth and falsehood. God’s word is a lamp unto your feet and a light for your path (Ps. 119:105). The Holy Spirit validates the truth of God’s word so that you can walk in step with God’s will. As a child of the Living God, you have a resident Teacher living inside of you to teach you all things. The Holy Spirit gives you wisdom and insight and illuminates God’s word and God’s will. He reminds you of the teachings of Christ and the perfect example Christ set for you to follow in His steps. Are there areas of your life where you struggle to know God’s truth? Do you combat relational challenges with difficult people and simply need to know the truth behind the challenges? Satan is a master of deception and seeks to pollute your mind with falsehood and to fertilize your mind with lies. The Holy Spirit living in you will bring clarity to the truth of God’s word. He will validate the truth that you need to live a life of surrender and obedience. The Counselor will clarify the truth of your circumstances and will empower you to experience relational harmony with others and with God. Spend some time praying for a heightened sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s validating work in your life today. Following Jesus Every Day, Stephen Trammell

Categories
Hope Psalms Truth

Exceeding Joy

“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:3-4 (ESV) Have you ever used a GPS? The Global Positioning System specifically identifies your location and assists you to your desired destination. It is like having your own car concierge. If you make an improper turn, the GPS recalibrates to get you back onto the proper path. The light of God’s Word will lead you onto the path God has for you. To know God’s will, you must know God’s Word. God has revealed His plan in His Word. As you read and feed on God’s Word, you will be led into God’s presence and you will know His exceeding joy as you praise Him. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 43:5 (ESV) As you travel down the lanes of living in a fallen world, you can easily get distracted and lose your focus. Your soul will go through seasons of being downcast and you will experience seasons of inner turmoil. Let God speak to you. Open your heart to His directive and obey His promptings. God will always point you back to His will and to His way. Hope in God. Place your total confidence in the completed work of Jesus on the cross. Anchor your faith to the Rock of your salvation and praise God for His faithfulness. Express the exceeding joy of the Lord which is your strength! Riding HIS Wave, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell  

Categories
Crisis of Belief Trust Truth

Amplify the Voice of Truth

“And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’” Luke 5:4 (ESV) Jesus had been teaching the crowd from Simon’s boat. The water’s surface propelled the teachings of Jesus with clarity to the hearers. Simon was in the boat with Jesus and overheard His teachings. The lesson was going to be directed Simon’s way. Jesus challenged Simon’s faith by asking him to transition the boat to deeper waters. The request escalated as Jesus exhorted Simon to let down the nets for a catch. What is a carpenter doing telling a fisherman how to fish? Fishermen in that region knew that fishing the shallow waters at night was the protocol for success. Yet, Jesus issues a seemingly impractical call to fish the deeper waters during the daylight. Simon experienced a crisis of belief. He had to wrestle the words of this carpenter up against his own personal experience as a commercial fisherman. Simon knew the waters and the industry. Would he consider obeying the words of Jesus? Sometimes life doesn’t make sense. Sometimes the way of Jesus is counter to the way of logic. Jesus invites us to join Him in the journey of faith. Faith is not a blind leap in the dark. Faith is trusting that Jesus knows what is best for us. We come to the place of experiencing the crisis of believing our own way or the way Jesus illuminates. Simon was willing to take Jesus at His Word and to trust Him with the results. Simon silenced the voice of doubt and amplified the voice of Truth. What are you currently wrestling with? Is there anything agonizing your inner being and causing you to question the best next step? Take God at His Word and trust His prompting. Drawing Near, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Lying Ten Commandments Truth

Tell the Truth

“‘You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.‘” Exodus 20:15 (NIV) The court system of a nation depends on the honesty of its people. Lying misrepresents God, misleads others, & mutilates your testimony. Tell the truth by presenting the truth accurately. Don’t falsify information. “Do not spread false reports” (Exod. 22:1 NIV). Don’t exaggerate information. Don’t withhold information. “Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.” Prov. 25:18 NIV “A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” Prov. 14:24 (NIV) “If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.” Lev. 5:1 (NIV) THINK before your speak. Ask these questions: Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? Be a truth bearer by speaking words of integrity and honesty. Reflect the character of Christ by being truthful and telling the truth. Do not misrepresent Christ by stretching the truth. Commit to speak words that are in alignment with the truth of God’s Word. Speak words that feature accuracy, unity, and a sense of community. The way you speak to others demonstrates how much you value people. When you give false testimony about others, you are demeaning the people Jesus died for. Speak words of life and words of instruction and words of encouragement. Choose to leverage your vocabulary to bring others to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Counselor Holy Spirit Truth

Validating Truth

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV) The Holy Spirit lives in you to validate the truth of God’s word. Life in our fast-paced culture can get noisy at times and you can miss the voice of Truth. Having the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, living inside of you means that His activity includes empowering you to decipher the difference between truth and falsehood. God’s word is a lamp unto your feet and a light for your path (Ps. 119:105). The Holy Spirit validates the truth of God’s word so that you can walk in step with God’s will. As a child of the Living God, you have a resident Teacher living inside of you to teach you all things. The Holy Spirit gives you wisdom and insight and illuminates God’s word and God’s will. He reminds you of the teachings of Christ and the perfect example Christ set for you to follow in His steps. Are there areas of your life where you struggle to know God’s truth? Do you combat relational challenges with difficult people and simply need to know the truth behind the challenges? Satan is a master of deception and seeks to pollute your mind with falsehood and to fertilize your mind with lies. The Holy Spirit living in you will bring clarity to the truth of God’s word. He will validate the truth that you need to live a life of surrender and obedience. The Counselor will clarify the truth of your circumstances and will empower you to experience relational harmony with others and with God. Spend some time praying for a heightened sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s validating work in your life today. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Hope Psalms Truth

Exceeding Joy

“Send out your light and your truth; let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill and to your dwelling! 4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy, and I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God.” Psalm 43:3-4 (ESV) Have you ever used a GPS? The Global Positioning System specifically identifies your location and assists you to your desired destination. It is like having your own car concierge. If you make an improper turn, the GPS recalibrates to get you back onto the proper path. The light of God’s Word will lead you onto the path God has for you. To know God’s will, you must know God’s Word. God has revealed His plan in His Word. As you read and feed on God’s Word, you will be led into God’s presence and you will know His exceeding joy as you praise Him. “Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.” Psalm 43:5 (ESV) As you travel down the lanes of living in a fallen world, you can easily get distracted and lose your focus. Your soul will go through seasons of being downcast and you will experience seasons of inner turmoil. Let God speak to you. Open your heart to His directive and obey His promptings. God will always point you back to His will and to His way. Hope in God. Place your total confidence in the completed work of Jesus on the cross. Anchor your faith to the Rock of your salvation and praise God for His faithfulness. Express the exceeding joy of the Lord which is your strength! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 114: Psalms 43-45, 49, 84-85, 87) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Lying Ten Commandments Truth

Tell the Truth

“‘You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.‘” Exodus 20:15 (NIV) The court system of a nation depends on the honesty of its people. Lying misrepresents God, misleads others, & mutilates your testimony. Tell the truth by presenting the truth accurately. Don’t falsify information. “Do not spread false reports” (Exodus 22:1 NIV). Don’t exaggerate information. Don’t withhold information. “Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor.” Prv 25:18 NIV “A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful.” Prv 14:24 (NIV) “If a person sins because he does not speak up when he hears a public charge to testify regarding something he has seen or learned about, he will be held responsible.” Lev 5:1 (NIV) THINK before your speak. Ask these questions: Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? Is it Kind? Be a truth bearer by speaking words of integrity and honesty. Reflect the character of Christ by being truthful and telling the truth. Do not misrepresent Christ by stretching the truth. Commit to speak words that are in alignment with the truth of God’s Word. Speak words that feature accuracy, unity, and a sense of community. The way you speak to others demonstrates how much you value people. When you give false testimony about others, you are demeaning the people Jesus died for. Speak words of life and words of instruction and words of encouragement. Choose to leverage your vocabulary to bring others to a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Counselor Holy Spirit Truth

Validating Truth

“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” John 14:26 (NIV) The Holy Spirit lives in you to validate the truth of God’s word. Life in our fast-paced culture can get noisy at times and you can miss the voice of Truth. Having the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, living inside of you means that His activity includes empowering you to decipher the difference between truth and falsehood. God’s word is a lamp unto your feet and a light for your path (Psalm 119:105). The Holy Spirit validates the truth of God’s word so that you can walk in step with God’s will. As a child of the Living God, you have a resident Teacher living inside of you to teach you all things. The Holy Spirit gives you wisdom and insight and illuminates God’s word and God’s will. He reminds you of the teachings of Christ and the perfect example Christ set for you to follow in His steps. Are there areas of your life where you struggle to know God’s truth? Do you combat relational challenges with difficult people and simply need to know the truth behind the challenges? Satan is a master of deception and seeks to pollute your mind with falsehood and to fertilize your mind with lies. The Holy Spirit living in you will bring clarity to the truth of God’s word. He will validate the truth that you need to live a life of surrender and obedience. The Counselor will clarify the truth of your circumstances and will empower you to experience relational harmony with others and with God. Spend some time praying for a heightened sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s validating work in your life today. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
Crisis of Belief Trust Truth

Amplify the Voice of Truth

“When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.’” Luke 5:4 (NIV) Jesus had been teaching the crowd from Simon’s boat. The water’s surface propelled the teachings of Jesus with clarity to the hearers. Simon was in the boat with Jesus and overheard His teachings. The lesson was going to be directed Simon’s way. Jesus challenged Simon’s faith by asking him to transition the boat to deeper waters. The request escalated as Jesus exhorted Simon to let down the nets for a catch. What is a carpenter doing telling a fisherman how to fish? Fishermen in that region knew that fishing the shallow waters at night was the protocol for success. Yet, Jesus issues a seemingly impractical call to fish the deeper waters during the daylight. Simon experienced a crisis of belief. He had to wrestle the words of this carpenter up against his own personal experience as a commercial fisherman. Simon knew the waters and the industry. Would he consider obeying the words of Jesus? Sometimes life doesn’t make sense. Sometimes the way of Jesus is counter to the way of logic. Jesus invites us to join Him in the journey of faith. Faith is not a blind leap in the dark. Faith is trusting that Jesus knows what is best for us. We come to the place of experiencing the crisis of believing our own way or the way Jesus illuminates. Simon was willing to take Jesus at His Word and to trust Him with the results. Simon silenced the voice of doubt and amplified the voice of Truth. What are you currently wrestling with? Is there anything agonizing your inner being and causing you to question the best next step? Take God at His Word and trust His prompting. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell

Categories
I am sayings Life Truth Way

Because He Is (6)

Because He is the way, the truth, and the life, I am informed. “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” John 14:6 (NIV) Often I have heard people insert their belief that “we are all trying to get to the same place, just taking different paths to get there.” Scripture does not affirm that belief.  In fact, there is only one way to get to heaven. Jesus is the only way! Now that is both exclusive and inclusive. Those who reject Jesus as the only way don’t receive the benefit of eternal life in heaven. They are excluded from heaven for failing to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. Be informed, since Jesus is the only way to heaven, you can know for certain that you have the gift of eternal life. Everyone who trusts in Jesus alone for salvation is included in the eternal benefits of that decision. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (NIV) “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9 (NIV) “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 (NIV) Have you met the way? Have you embraced the truth? Have you experienced the life? Be informed and be transformed by the only One who can make an eternal difference in your life, Jesus. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Pastor of Leadership and Pastoral Care