December 22, 2022 – Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

 ^“For we know that even the things of nature, like animals and plants, suffer in sickness and death as they await this great event. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children, including the new bodies he has promised us—bodies that will never be sick again and will never die. We are saved by trusting. And trusting means looking forward to getting something we don’t yet have—for a man who already has something doesn’t need to hope and trust that he will get it. But if we must keep trusting God for something that hasn’t happened yet, it teaches us to wait patiently and confidently.” (Romans 8:22-25 The Living Bible)

“Shift not yourself in the sight of others nor gnaw your nails.” (George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation; number 11; p. 10, Applewood books”)

Pilate famously said “What is truth?”, as he responds to Jesus telling him that he came to testify to the truth. (John 18:38) The Latin is Quid est Veritas? What Pilate nervous being in the presence of Jesus – or just worried he might be killed soon?

Quid est Veritas? What is the truth? What is the truth of faith and works? What is the truth of the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus? Our main hope is that we might encounter some truth in our lives—truth about the world, about existence, and about faith. The bible continues to tell us that it is the truth—that it posits to us G-d’s truth. The Bible states: ‘“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32) and ‘”Your word is truth.” (John 17:17).

The truth is revealed in The Bible as the person and character of Jesus Christ, and His teachings, and the reality of G-d’s promises. Jesus Christ is the truth; He is the absolute standard and embodiment of truth. The Holy Spirit of G-d gives the revelation of the truth to individual children, men, and women. The Bible does not provide every answer to every question of life, but it does provide much of what G-d wants to share with us about Himself, His Son, His Spirit, and His eternal purpose.

Let us pray: Dear G-d, we know the Bible provides standards and morals for living; and helps us to know right from wrong. Give me a sense of your truth and your will today and every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave