"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me" (John 18:37).

We have an interesting situation we are dealing with in our home. Our daughter Ester is now attending a career and technology center for part of each school day. (This is similar to what they call "vo-tech" in other parts of the country.)  Once a month in her class they bring in a lady (and pay her) who leads the kids in a session of yoga. I continue to be amazed at the proliferation of destructive error in our culture.  Throw the Bible out and something will fill the vacuum.

Thankfully she discerned that something was not right about this and we have discussed it together, hopefully further arming her against spiritual deceptions. I did speak to one school board member (however not in this particular school) and she told me she suspects it gets in due to the supposed exercise value. When I went to school we did calisthenics and isometrics for exercise.  I wonder what the ACLU* would do if I went in and led the students in these type of exercises as we learned Bible verses! I wonder if they would pay me to do that?

One of the great spiritual responsibilities we have is exercising discernment and teaching those whom we influence to do so as well That's why we are so pleased by Ester's response. There is a cacophony of voices that call out to us to go the wrong way. We are exposed to these voices at all ages, but our youth are particularly vulnerable. 

Today's Bible text is a portion where Pilate is questioning Jesus at His trial. He seems at one point to have the correct revelation that Jesus is a king, "You are a king, then!"  However in spite of this declaration he certainly did not act appropriately.

I am so enriched by what our Lord Jesus said, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth."  Christ knew who He was and why He had come. He came to testify to the truth.

But let us consider the latter portion of our Lord's response. "Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."  I certainly want to be on the side of truth and thus I must listen to the voice of truth.  Lord, give us all discernment to hear, listen to and heed Your voice today!


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Brooksyne's note - Somehow the picture of Stephen leading students in a stretch style of exercises strikes me as rather hilarious.  If you know him personally; his physique and type A personality, you also will be laughing as you try to picture him in such a setting.

Stephen's counter note – That's true, I just wouldn't have the poise of some lady leading yoga in stretch pants, but I sure would give the kids a good workout. Can you imagine leading them in a song like "Father Abraham"?

Brooksyne's prayer – Jesus, I want to be on the side of truth, for You are the Way, the Truth and the Life.  I place my complete trust in You and not the trends or vain philosophies promoted by the world.  May Your words be embedded in my heart and mind to guard me against false teachings. May my standard for rejecting or accepting any principles from this world always be in agreement with the Bible, for that is my standard for walking in the light of Your Word.  Keep me faithful and true to You, Jesus, Amen.

Here are some other Scripture verses on this topic of hearing the Voice of the Lord:

• "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:21).
• "When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice" (John 10:4).
• "In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe" (Hebrews 1:1,2).
• "Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts" (Hebrews 4:7).

For a Christian perspective on yoga see these sites:
http://www.probe.org/content/view/967/0/
http://www.watchman.org/na/yoga.htm
http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-yoga.html
http://www.macgregorministries.org/cult_groups/yoga.html

Finally today's message calls my attention to a great song that really blesses me titled, "The Voice of Truth".  Here's an audio demonstration clip.

* For international readers: the ACLU is a godless organization intent on removing Christian influence in America.

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