How Eyewitnesses & the Holy Spirit Speak God’s Love and Truth
The other day, I received the following comment on something I shared on Pinterest…
“Reading about imaginary deities won’t add to your knowledge.”
I get similar comments fairly often and honestly, although they sadden me they no longer surprise me.
What does surprise me are the times when people who identify as Christians but don’t stand in agreement with what the Scriptures say about things like sex, life, hell . . . and the list goes on and on.
There are educators and influencers who approach the Bible with a critical spirit. They analyze it with a negative fault-finding attitude and conclude that there are verses, chapters, and even books of the Bible that do not belong and don’t matter.
In his second letter, Peter wants his readers to know they can count on the truth and integrity of God’s Word.
For we were not making up clever stories when we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. We saw his majestic splendor with our own eyes when he received honor and glory from God the Father.
2 Peter 1:16–17a
The truths in God’s Word are from eyewitnesses!
Peter was there and saw Jesus glorified at the Transfiguration. He saw His nail-marked hands in the upper room after He was resurrected. He saw Jesus ascend into heaven and he experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. He spoke God’s truth as a Holy Spirit inspired eyewitness.
The same Holy Spirit who was directly and intimately involved in the writing of God’s love letter.
Above all, you must realize that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophet’s own understanding, or from human initiative. No, those prophets were moved by the Holy Spirit, and they spoke from God.
2 Peter 1:20–21
The Bible is God’s very Word given to people through people. (LAB Notes)
God worked in and through Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, and many others. Through the Holy Spirit, He inspired them to write His authentic and reliable message to people of every generation.
And through His Word and the power of His Spirit, He continues to work in and through people today.
The world will tout “knowledge.” But I’ve discovered that much of their so-called knowledge is opinion-based and ever-changing. I want a stronger foundation than that. I want eyewitness TRUTH I can rely on today, tomorrow, and forever.
Let’s thank and praise God for using eyewitnesses and the Holy Spirit to give us the TRUTH . . . everything we need to live a godly life.
A Prayer Thanking God for the TRUTH
through Eyewitnesses and the Holy Spirit
Father, thank you for wanting me to know You . . . not just about You but to actually KNOW You. You revealed yourself to people throughout history. You spoke to Moses, Elijah, Isaiah, and others in the Old Testament. You sent Jesus to walk with countless eyewitnesses that we might know Your heart. Then You sent the Holy Spirit that we might KNOW YOU. You are not just a god far out there viewing the world from on high. You are personal, loving, and caring. You are righteous, just, and fair. You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
Thank you, Lord, for all You have done and continue to do for me. Thank you for Your Word that I might know You. Thank you for inviting me to come to You in prayer. Thank you for giving me faith and for covering me with Your grace, mercy, and love.
I give myself to You. I entrust myself to Your care. Please guide me today and always, give me all I need to trust and obey, and help me that I might live for Your glory. Amen.
I love the way The Message paraphrased 2 Peter 1:3 says this:
Everything that goes into a life of pleasing God has been miraculously given to us by getting to know, personally and intimately, the One who invited us to God. The best invitation we ever received!
You and I have been given the best invitation ever . . . an invitation of God’s love! Through the eyewitness accounts of those who know and love the Lord, we can personally and intimately know Jesus. We can have faith that is based on a rock-solid foundation of God’s TRUTH!
On today’s note write:
Praise God for powerfully sharing eyewitness truth through His Holy Spirit inspired Word.
May God bless you today as you grow in His truth and testify to His love.
It’s the “bending” of the rules to make what seems acceptable according to man not God. His words, I say time after time, are law…the culture wanting to flip the “script” on scripture doesn’t make it so…the last few days have felt heavy for me…even though I am not plugged in to social media or watch TV news, I know what’s out there and the separation of the good people and lies running rapid. It saddens me to see so many being lead blindly. It’s ugly and I am without words this AM. When does it end? Where is the harmony…not to sound in a dramatic way…I wish there was something I could do, but pride and ego are strong in many…
Pray ???? God Is Listening as Deb has said. We are blessed and share are blessings. There will be healing if We All Prayer on Thanksgiving. Thanks Deb .
Thank you, Robert! I truly appreciate your encouragement. God bless you!
Thank you Robert…I appreciate your kindness…blessings to you and yours…
I can find my heart feeling the weight of the world’s messages too, Lily! I keep giving it all to the Lord and praying that He will help me focus on Him. I want to faithfully lift up those who are restless and haven’t experienced His transforming power. God has so much He wants to give us. His promises are forever true! God bless you!
Thank you Deb. I agree…forever and true, no matter how they spin it. Blessings to you!
Thanks, Lily! I appreciate your visit and your encouragement. God bless you!
Good morning Deb, it is terribly sad to find people who use knowledge as their power source, rather than relying upon faith in the One who truly holds all power! For those who won’t willingly submit their will to His authority, the day is soon coming where “every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” (Phil 2:10-11)
So true, Ken! What a day that will be! Blessings!
Amen, to the devotions and to the comments from Lily. I too, feel so sad and heavy laden with all those who don’t believe, who ridicule, those that think the Bible and God are made up fairy tales. I pray most earnestly for them. I know that someday, they will know the true reality of God and His Word, but it will be too late for them. I cannot imagine not believing in God and His Son Jesus. How truly sad it makes me to know all the non believers will be forever sorrowful. Evil may be winning the battles for now, but our Father God, the Author and Finisher of our faith will WIN THE WAR!
I think that’s what we are called to do . . . share His love and pray for souls. What a blessing to be able to trust His heart and know that His grace is sufficient. I love Billy Graham’s quote – “I’ve read the last page of the Bible, it’s all going to turn out all right!” Jesus has already won the victory. We can have peace as we keep our focus on Him. God bless you!
Hang in there Kathy…I remind myself to remember God is in control and in knowing His words, scripture, I know it will be ok. Not to say this is easy…such turbulent times…I miss knowing what it was like before 2020…the mental warfare and power of the enemy running amuck…as for me and my house, (Joshua 24:15) we serve the Lord…it’s Biblical and I am truly blessed to be a woman of God. His word, His laws…let no man…is also biblical. Isaiah 54:17. Thank you for the mention in your reply…we are not alone…
Well said, Deb. “…identify as Christians but…” BUT being a keyword. I hear and see such almost every day, and almost everywhere — including inside church buildings, as well as seeing those who gather on Sunday mornings, running off to meetings with the Masons (for example — yes, I know several). The word Christian has come to be a word that is tossed about and abused, nowadays. When someone asks my hubby and me if we are Christians, we have changed our “yes” to “we are biblical conservatives”. This has stopped some in their tracks, others have asked what we mean, and it has sparked some very meaningful conversations. There are no “buts” about true faith — plain and simple. Thanks for your site. Your articles are very thought provoking.
Thanks, Pam! I so appreciate your encouragement. I too tend to simply tell people I believe the Bible. There are so many labels added to the word Christian and to the various denominations. I want to focus on Jesus telling us to be united in our faith . . . to trust that God is who He says He is. And I want people to know and trust Him. Blessings!
So well said. I am pretty sure we cannot outsmart God!
It is such an incredible blessing that He wants us to know Him. We may not always understand His ways but He certainly has made clear His heart. Blessings, Jean!