Thu, Dec 27th - 9:44AM

Truth Matters

⁵ And in their mouth was found no deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.  Revelation 14:5 (NKJV)

The word "deceit" here is also translated "guile" and "lie(s)" or "false word".  The indication I get is that they were beyond the telling the truth in the way we measure it.  By that I mean, I can say I told the truth if you cannot say that what I said was factually incorrect.  It may be exagerated, or missing information, but it is the truth, as far as it seems to go.  You could attribute the differences to opinion, and I think we often do. Does that make the differences still truth?  Not so, I think.  That is why I chose this translation.  I think "deceit" holds with it that a slightly imperfect truth can be just as misleading as a bald faced lie.  This "deceit" is not our calling.

Be careful about arguing over small points, though.  Where is the measure?  I am not sure!  I still seek it...

Now, I consider myself far from living up to this standard as far as I should, yet I am accused (so it feels) of being too honest sometimes.  Occasionally, it takes me back and causes me to question.  I do see harm directly falling from what I say in the best honesty I can muster sometimes and I have regrets for having said whatever I had.  Sometimes, I was just not understood correctly, but just as often, I was.  This can cause extreme distress, for I do also believe that I am called to be loving, and what kind of love is it that causes such pain?

Just because I think something is the truth, is it so?  No!  But I must press forward as true as I can, and if I seek truth, I will listen when needed, and maybe that is why the pain is there sometimes, to slap me into listening, or maybe the other person sometimes.  Each time it is its own reason.

Do not think I consider myself at all perfect in Truth.  I am not.  I am as guilty a sinner as any of you.  I also understand taming the tongue as it speaks of in James.  If I were that good, I would/could do no more wrong!  I believe that, completely, and so seek this the way I do.  Don't be discouraged with where you are.  The path lies ahead, that is important.  What is behind is already forgiven.  (as is some of what you will do in the future as we see it...) Press on, knowing what that means.

The nugget I really wish to share is this:  That harm, (that seemed to come from truth) it was already there.  You only exposed it so it can be healed.  Remember that, and remind me of that when I loose sight of that.  But don't assume my words to be perfect, yet.  They might be right...

In Christ,

Mel

Sat, Dec 22nd - 4:11PM

Psalm 91:14-16 (NIV)

¹⁴ "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
      I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

¹⁵ He will call upon me, and I will answer him;
      I will be with him in trouble,
      I will deliver him and honor him.

¹⁶ With long life will I satisfy him
      and show him my salvation."

Fri, Dec 21st - 10:07AM

⁴When the seven peals of thunder had spoken, I was about to write; and I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Seal up the things which the seven peals of thunder have spoken and do not write them."      Revelation 10:4 (NASB)

Yes, I have more I could add, but lacking time will let you run with this for a bit.  I'll try to get back to this over the weekend...

;'{P~~~

Thu, Dec 13th - 9:49AM

Two sides of the same understanding...

⁹No one born (begotten) of God [deliberately, knowingly, and habitually] practices sin, for God's nature abides in him [His principle of life, the divine sperm, remains permanently within him]; and he cannot practice sinning because he is born (begotten) of God.    1 John 3:9 (AMP)

¹ My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.    1 John 2:1 (NLT)

⁸If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.    1 John 1:8 (NIV)

When you make a judgement (discerning between Good and Evil in someone's life), keep all this in mind so that it might humble you properly and you may help them...

In Christ,

Mel

Wed, Dec 5th - 11:32AM

They are never too far gone -- Bring them back in love...

James 5:19-20 (NIV)

¹⁹My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, ²⁰remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Wed, Dec 5th - 11:24AM

Just a weird thing to see...

Isaiah 55 (NIV)

 ¹ "Come, all you who are thirsty,
       come to the waters;
       and you who have no money,
       come, buy and eat!
       Come, buy wine and milk
       without money and without cost.

 ² Why spend money on what is not bread,
       and your labor on what does not satisfy?
       Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good,
       and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.

 ³ Give ear and come to me;
       hear me, that your soul may live.
       I will make an everlasting covenant with you,
       my faithful love promised to David.

 ⁴ See, I have made him a witness to the peoples,
       a leader and commander of the peoples.

 ⁵ Surely you will summon nations you know not,
       and nations that do not know you will hasten to you,
       because of the LORD your God,
       the Holy One of Israel,
       for he has endowed you with splendor."

 ⁶ Seek the LORD while he may be found;
       call on him while he is near.

 ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way
       and the evil man his thoughts.
       Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him,
       and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

 ⁸ "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
       neither are your ways my ways,"
       declares the LORD.

 ⁹ "As the heavens are higher than the earth,
       so are my ways higher than your ways
       and my thoughts than your thoughts.

 ¹⁰ As the rain and the snow
       come down from heaven,
       and do not return to it
       without watering the earth
       and making it bud and flourish,
       so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

 ¹¹ so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
       It will not return to me empty,
       but will accomplish what I desire
       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

 ¹² You will go out in joy
       and be led forth in peace;
       the mountains and hills
       will burst into song before you,
       and all the trees of the field
       will clap their hands.

 ¹³ Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
       and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
       This will be for the LORD's renown,
       for an everlasting sign,
       which will not be destroyed."