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"Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your truth" (Daniel 9:13).
Brooksyne and I drove through Columbia PA yesterday in the course of our chaplain work and passed a tattoo/body piercing shop. The sign advertised the various body parts on which piercing could be performed such as the tongue, nose, and naval. After these body parts were listed it included the phrase, "etc." Yuck! The world is obsessed with titillating outward change but gives very little attention to the inner pining for a spiritual transformation which is foundationally a result of giving our attention to God's truth.
Daniel is writing concerning the exiled Jews in our daily text. The first part of the ninth chapter of Daniel is one of the great prayers of the Bible and the daily verse comes from this prayer. The Jews had been exiled to Babylon as a result of years of failing to live by God's Law. Moses had warned of this and now Daniel acknowledges, "All this disaster has come upon us."
Daniel summarized the foundational reason leading to this disaster as "we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God" and goes on to specify two evidences of this:
1) by turning from our sins and
2) giving attention to Your truth."
Today I want to consider the single phrase, "giving attention to Your truth." Just consider how fundamentally and commonly this failure to give attention to God's truth is expressed today. Evidence of people's rejection of God's truth is all around us. I once read a sign that states, "Truth is hate to those who hate the truth." Indeed many today hate the truth and associate the truth with hate.
The God of the universe is fundamentally characterized by truth. Jesus said, "I am… the truth" (John 14:6). He said of His Father "Your Word is truth" (John 17:17). He spoke of the Holy Spirit as "the Spirit of truth" (John 14:17). Isaiah uses the descriptive title, "God of truth" (65:16). The Psalmist asserts, "All your words are true" (Psalms 119:160). And the writer of Hebrews informs us that "It is impossible for God to lie" (6:18). What great assurance this brings God's people as they build their spiritual foundation on God's Holy Word!
The ancient people of God did not give attention to God's truth and neither do the majority of people living today. One of the most descriptive verses in the Bible regarding the human condition is found in the Epistle to the Romans, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie" (1:25). Talk about moral bankruptcy! The apostle Paul gives a sobering indictment in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, "They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."
What about us today? Are we giving attention to God's truth? My prayer today is expressed by the Psalmist, "Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell" (43:3).
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father Your truths do not fluctuate nor are they subject to reinterpretation by the accepted philosophies of our day. Your truths are explained through the inspiration of Your Holy Word and understanding given to us by Your Holy Spirit. May our ears be open and our eyes focused to see that Your truth is the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen.
Yesterday I mentioned my participation in a community prayer event and how it occured to me that I really did not fear being shot for my public stand for the Lord Jesus. This morning I read this article from Mission Network News, a very informative ministry concerning current mission news around the world that has a daily updated website. They also offer various formats to receive their materials.
Today's issue is heavy on my heart and I will likely address it again in future messages. A verse that I am studying is from 2 Thessalonians 2 that states, "For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness." Is this "powerful delusion" coming soon or is it already here?
I have not read the following book but hope to soon. I have appreciated John MacArthur's writing ministry through the years and this looks like a very timely book.
The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception By John MacArthur / Thomas Nelson
Right now, Truth is under attack, and much is at stake. In a postmodern culture, Christians are caught in the crossfire of alternative Christian histories, emerging faulty texts, and a cultural push to eliminate absolute Truth altogether. As a result, many churches and Christians have been deceived. Worse still, they propagate the deception that poses itself as Truth! In The Truth War, John MacArthur reclaims the unwavering certainty of God's Truth and anchors Christians in the eternal, immovable promises found in His Word.
Suggested music:
Break Thou The Bread Of Life" (Listen to instrumental piano) played by Terry Lee Ousley of Farmington, Michigan
"Lord the Light of Your Love" (Listen) by Graham Kendrick
"The Voice Of Truth" by "Casting Crowns." In preparing today's message I also consider one of my favorite songs I have used several times in this series and many of you have heard it and probably sung it. Here's a rather low audio quality online version.
Today's photo: I took today's photo in eastern Lancaster County the other day. It is actually a color photo but the sun was setting on the other side of the silo thus giving the photo a black and white effect.
"Attention To God's Truth"
"Just as it is written in the Law of Moses, all this disaster has come upon us, yet we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God by turning from our sins and giving attention to Your truth" (Daniel 9:13).
Brooksyne and I drove through Columbia PA yesterday in the course of our chaplain work and passed a tattoo/body piercing shop. The sign advertised the various body parts on which piercing could be performed such as the tongue, nose, and naval. After these body parts were listed it included the phrase, "etc." Yuck! The world is obsessed with titillating outward change but gives very little attention to the inner pining for a spiritual transformation which is foundationally a result of giving our attention to God's truth.
Daniel is writing concerning the exiled Jews in our daily text. The first part of the ninth chapter of Daniel is one of the great prayers of the Bible and the daily verse comes from this prayer. The Jews had been exiled to Babylon as a result of years of failing to live by God's Law. Moses had warned of this and now Daniel acknowledges, "All this disaster has come upon us."
Daniel summarized the foundational reason leading to this disaster as "we have not sought the favor of the LORD our God" and goes on to specify two evidences of this:
1) by turning from our sins and
2) giving attention to Your truth."
Today I want to consider the single phrase, "giving attention to Your truth." Just consider how fundamentally and commonly this failure to give attention to God's truth is expressed today. Evidence of people's rejection of God's truth is all around us. I once read a sign that states, "Truth is hate to those who hate the truth." Indeed many today hate the truth and associate the truth with hate.
The God of the universe is fundamentally characterized by truth. Jesus said, "I am… the truth" (John 14:6). He said of His Father "Your Word is truth" (John 17:17). He spoke of the Holy Spirit as "the Spirit of truth" (John 14:17). Isaiah uses the descriptive title, "God of truth" (65:16). The Psalmist asserts, "All your words are true" (Psalms 119:160). And the writer of Hebrews informs us that "It is impossible for God to lie" (6:18). What great assurance this brings God's people as they build their spiritual foundation on God's Holy Word!
The ancient people of God did not give attention to God's truth and neither do the majority of people living today. One of the most descriptive verses in the Bible regarding the human condition is found in the Epistle to the Romans, "They exchanged the truth of God for a lie" (1:25). Talk about moral bankruptcy! The apostle Paul gives a sobering indictment in 2 Thessalonians 2:10, "They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved."
What about us today? Are we giving attention to God's truth? My prayer today is expressed by the Psalmist, "Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell" (43:3).
Thou art the bread of life, O Lord, to me,
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
Thy holy Word the truth that saveth me;
Give me to eat and live with Thee above;
Teach me to love Thy truth, for Thou art love.
Be encouraged today,
Stephen & Brooksyne Weber
Daily Prayer: Father Your truths do not fluctuate nor are they subject to reinterpretation by the accepted philosophies of our day. Your truths are explained through the inspiration of Your Holy Word and understanding given to us by Your Holy Spirit. May our ears be open and our eyes focused to see that Your truth is the same yesterday, today and forever. Amen.
Yesterday I mentioned my participation in a community prayer event and how it occured to me that I really did not fear being shot for my public stand for the Lord Jesus. This morning I read this article from Mission Network News, a very informative ministry concerning current mission news around the world that has a daily updated website. They also offer various formats to receive their materials.
Today's issue is heavy on my heart and I will likely address it again in future messages. A verse that I am studying is from 2 Thessalonians 2 that states, "For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness." Is this "powerful delusion" coming soon or is it already here?
I have not read the following book but hope to soon. I have appreciated John MacArthur's writing ministry through the years and this looks like a very timely book.
The Truth War: Fighting for Certainty in an Age of Deception By John MacArthur / Thomas NelsonRight now, Truth is under attack, and much is at stake. In a postmodern culture, Christians are caught in the crossfire of alternative Christian histories, emerging faulty texts, and a cultural push to eliminate absolute Truth altogether. As a result, many churches and Christians have been deceived. Worse still, they propagate the deception that poses itself as Truth! In The Truth War, John MacArthur reclaims the unwavering certainty of God's Truth and anchors Christians in the eternal, immovable promises found in His Word.
Suggested music:
Break Thou The Bread Of Life" (Listen to instrumental piano) played by Terry Lee Ousley of Farmington, Michigan
"Lord the Light of Your Love" (Listen) by Graham Kendrick
"The Voice Of Truth" by "Casting Crowns." In preparing today's message I also consider one of my favorite songs I have used several times in this series and many of you have heard it and probably sung it. Here's a rather low audio quality online version.
Today's photo: I took today's photo in eastern Lancaster County the other day. It is actually a color photo but the sun was setting on the other side of the silo thus giving the photo a black and white effect.
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