God cannot lie. The Bible is the only truth to stand on. (For all eternity, to be exact.)
If you have a Bible on your shelf or can open an app on your device, it’s time to hear God’s voice instead of man’s highest wisdom.
I sound so dramatic, don’t I? And I’m a nobody. I have no large platform. “Oh, Toni’s always telling us to read our Bibles. Isn’t that just like her?”
NO! I’m not just talking flowery, or “religious” words! I’m talking about truth with a capital T and life, hope, and the only Love out there:
“For God so loved, “me,” . . .
Stop a minute and speak this aloud.
“He gave His only Son,. . . “
But God isn’t only Love, He’s just! He’s holy. Jesus came. He died on the cross, as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world,” John 1:29.
His blood was shed to wash our lies, our impatience, our envy, our pride, our anger, our hate . . . all our sin away.
It’s time to believe in Him, the Rock of our salvation, and stop building our “houses” of our souls on fear and unstable foundations that continue to change, crumble, and fall.
It’s time to humble ourselves and agree with God, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” John 3:16.
The endless lies and “new” definitions about Jesus, family, humankind, marriage, babies, freedoms, justice . . . the Bible speaks on all of this in Genesis, Revelation, the Book of John, the Book of Proverbs, in all of the 66 Books of the Bible. Open The Book and hear it for yourself, not “hearsay!”
I spent my whole summer meeting up with children and bringing them the story of Noah in Genesis 6-8.
Can you believe, for 120 years Noah worshiped God, built an ark for a huge rain that no one believed would come, and told the people, “Come through this door and you will be saved from the destruction!”
No one listened. Everyone laughed and mocked, except his immediate family.
Noah wasn’t talking about the “end of the world,” he was talking about a saved life in a new earth. Noah was inviting people for safety, security, provision, protection, covering—
Year after year, month after month, day after day. Noah loved and obeyed the Lord.
The worldwide flood did come. We can go to the zoo and thank Noah he obeyed God and remained faithful to build the ark with the help of God’s Spirit and instruction. (Genesis 6-8).
As in the days of Noah, Satan is working overtime. Are there lies? Is there violence, stealing, and hatred in our world? What does the Bible have to say about Satan:
“. . . He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies” John 8:44.
What did Jesus have to say?
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” John 10:10.
Jesus told us He is life. We can read it ourselves when we spend time individually, intentionally, and whole-heartedly with Him.
As Noah, we are to “build each other up,” (not be tearing each other apart,) and talk of the wonderful works of God.
Today, I talk about God’s greatest work. His gift of Jesus. He is the “Door,” to deliverance from evil, salvation, and life. He is the Good Shepherd. He is our only hope:
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.
My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.
I and My Father are one” John 10:27-30.
Do you feel the Lord tug on your heart? Is your soul thirsty for Living Water? Do you feel the need to turn around to the Lord of love?
We are at the last hour. There was a day when God said, “Noah, get on the ark.” And only days later, God shut them in. The time is short.
Do it today. Make today the first day of the rest of your “eternal life,” and pray to Jesus,
“Dear Lord, You have touched my heart. I need a Savior. I need to turn back to you. You alone can help me. Take my anger, my critical spirit, my hurts, my pains, my brokenness. Heal me, Jesus.
Take my life and come in to make me new. I need “new.” Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name,
Amen.”
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Please tell someone if you have asked the Lord in your life. Pick up a Bible and make it yours. If you don’t have a Bible, ask the church if they have one for you.
Look up John 3:16,17 and yellow it in!
For God so loves . . . you!
Take a moment to let the sound of kids sing God’s Greatest Gift Song: John 3:16 & 17 to fill your heart with the joy of the Lord as you rejoice in His great love: