Truth Defined:
Truth, what does that actually mean? To begin, the Webster's Dictionary defines truth in the following ways: the body of real things, events, and facts: a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality, dependability, reliability.

Strong's Bible Dictionary simply defines truth as: in reality, in fact, certainly, verity or true.

With that being said, truth is a very important subject today. We must know and understand truth or we will believe the lies of the enemy. The Bible uses truth many times to describe God and Christ deity. The Bible also uses the word truth to explain how we as believers should worship and live our lives. Here are a few of those verses that use the same Greek definition for truth:

• God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

• For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)

• Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:25)

• Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

• that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thess. 2:12)
  

When I look at the above scriptures, I have to point out the fact that truth is never compared to anything else. It is to be understood beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is only ONE TRUTH! The article "the" distinguishes that fact.

Why then is there Deception:

If God is Truth, the only Truth, and nothing but the Truth, then why do people believe a lie? The Bible answers this question. Scripture helps us understand that the root of deception is Satan. It states that Satan is the Father of lies (John 8:44).

If God is truth, the Creator of truth, then truth has to have an opposite. Therefore, truth can't come from all the many different sources of which the world declares are truth. Truth must start and end with GOD! Everything else is deception!

If we walk with Christ, then we have to believe that He is who He says He is. We have to believe that the Word, the Bible is ALL truth. If there is any skepticism, then the enemy can cause us to walk in the spirit of deception.

I believe that deception comes when we begin to believe the lies of mankind rather than what God's Word states is Truth. If there is a God (and there is), then there can only be ONE. If God is who He says He is (And HE is), then TRUTH comes from Him and Him alone.

The enemy, Satan, comes to steal, kill, and destroy. He wants us to believe that Sin is not the way God defined it. He wants us to believe that there are many ways to get to God. He wants us to believe that Hell does not exist, but Christ said these words, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10). The life that Christ is referencing is not just the here and now but eternity.


So today, begin to pray and ask God to deliver you from the deception of man and turn to Christ, the Word of God and walk in HIS TRUTH because only HIS truth can make you free! And whom the Son sets free is truly free, indeed (John 8:36).


Truth, ONE Truth=God's Truth!
#hope-in-Christ

Today's world is full of many religious beliefs, but let us never cease to forget that there has always  been ONLY ONE WAY!! Jesus Christ!! As an English, Language Arts teacher, I pay close attention to words when I am reading the Bible. When I read John 14:6, I focused on the fact that the article "the" is being used by Jesus himself. This is a Definite Article. Webster's dictionary defines definite in the following way: having distinct or certain limits: free of all ambiguity, uncertainty, or obscurity: unquestionable, decided.

This definition paints a powerful picture because it leaves NO ROOM for inquiry! Jesus uses strong connotative language here so that we might get the visual of who He is in our minds. He states without a doubt, "I am the way, the truth, and the life! Jesus uses "the" 3 times for emphasis.

Now read the scripture again by focusing on the definition that is included above. Isn't that powerful? God had a plan from the beginning to redeem us to Himself and He gave us free will to come to Him for ourselves. Now that is true love!!! This scripture is only a reminder of what we already know in our hearts! Jesus Christ is not just a man in the Bible and our history books. He is Lord and He is God!! He couldn't redeem us otherwise!!

So as our world around us continues to walk in deception and uncertainties. We as believers in Jesus Christ can stand firm on "the" Truth because there is only One. There is no other God!! Jesus (the Word) became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). He gave us access to the Father!! He and the Father are ONE (John 10:30)!!

Call upon Him and He will answer. Seek Him and you shall find Him as you search for Him with all of your heart (Jer. 29:13).

Be Blessed!
#hope-in-Christ

Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

My quiet time with God has become the most important part of my day. I have been saved for many years now, but I got away from spending time in prayer and reading God's Word. I didn't realize that I had gotten so distracted with the things around me. Work was one of the main things that got me off track. As a teacher, my job can become overwhelming at times. I had to be reminded that nothing can come before my Savior. I must continue to walk with Him and seek Him day by day.

With that being said, God had to become my priority. With the advice of my pastor, I started to get up earlier in the morning. I find that as I get up earlier for prayer and study that my day goes smoother. Quiet time with God is not an option for a believer. It is what we need because He is what we need to continue this walk of faith. Today, find a quiet spot and begin to seek God. Tell Him what is on your heart, read what ever scripture that comes to mind, and listen for His instructions.

Be Blessed!
#hope-in-Christ  

God's love is inconceivable! Many times we respond to God based on the way that people have treated us. Then God begins to show us that His love is unconditional. No matter how we respond to Him, He is faithful and never leaves our side. God reaches out to us in the midst of our troubles and carries us through our pain. There is no greater love in heaven or on earth. So today, let us rest in His love knowing that it never fails and with God's love we can withstand any test and any trial.

Be Blessed,
#hope-in-Christ


Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New Living Translation were found on Bible Gateway.

This is a very powerful scripture! Today we find ourselves in a society that is void of love. Society is void of love because society is void of the giver and producer of love, God himself. There are many religions and other practices. But love can only be found in the source, the creator of Heaven and Earth! Christ is not a religion; He is creator and Lord! So today, I urge you to seek the face of the true and living God. He is our provision. He is our source. He and only He can show us what true love is and then teach us how to love others!

Be blessed! #hope-in-Christ


Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

In my Christian walk, I have heard so many people misquote the above scripture. I have listened to people try to manipulate others in pursuit of money. As I was reading this scripture, I thought about the word motive. Motive is why we do things. Why we do things is often times more important that what we do. The why has to do with our hearts, and this is what God searches. So let us not seek riches, but seek God alone! When we seek God, He will provide us with what we need. Joy and peace will be attached to what He gives to us. Pursue His will and His kingdom and He will add everything else to you (Matt. 6:33).

#hope-in-Christ


Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New American Standard Version were found on Bible Gateway.

Loving God is the number one commandment!  I often wonder about the world around us today. I see so much evil that the Word of God predicted would take place. All of this is due to the lack of love and reverence for God today. You see, when we truly love God, then and only then can we love and have regard for others. God teaches us how to love because He is love! We don't have the capacity within ourselves to truly love anyone or anything. Today, let us pray for hearts to return to the true and living God! Let us pray for individuals to flee from evil and allow God to restore their souls and cleanse their hearts. Today let us fall in love with Jesus! For this is the will of the Father!! He loves us and desires us to seek and find Him as we search for Him with all of our hearts!!!

#hope-in-Christ


Copyright © 2016 by Denise Walker/Project H.O.P.E. Ministries, Inc.
Bible Verses from New King James Version were found on Bible Gateway.

Saturday I attended my bi-weekly women's ministry meeting. We met outdoors near a lake. As we ended our study, we begin to walk around and discuss trusting the Lord with all of our hearts. We watched how the geese were so carefree and going on about their business as God guided them. Then some questions were posed to us, "Why do we worry and fear? Why are we so busy but yet not at peace? Are we trusting God as these animals out here? I found myself pondering on the last question. Am I really trusting God in such a manner? My answer was no. We all want to get to a place of trusting God completely, but we get distracted by life, people, and things. Today let us stop and focus on God's creation around us. It will remind us that our heavenly Father loves us more than we could ever know and He has our best interest at heart. So join me in prayer this week as I pray to trust and love God with every fiber of my being and not leaning on my own understanding.

Prayer - Father you are the giver of life. And because You created us, You are the only one that knows what we truly need. One of those great needs is a relationship with You and putting all of our trust in You. So Father today help us to grow in our relationship with You and our love and trust will grow stronger. Help us to deny ourselves and others, and surrender our hearts and lives to You. In Jesus name, amen.