GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #916 September 24, 2003 Truth  I got into an interesting discussion with a woman at the local coffee shop last week. I'm not certain if she would call herself a Christian or not. She had been a member of a Presbyterian church for a long time, drifted for a while and now is meeting with a group of Quakers (Religious Society of Friends). The subject was truth. Is there truth? If so is it possible to know it?  We had a lively and spirited debate and I suspect that since I see her at the coffee shop regularly, we'll probably continue the debate over time. Neither of us was in any immediate danger of changing the other's point of view. Let's talk about truth.  Truth is truth even when we don't agree with it. 2+2 will always equal 4. We can say we don't agree and that 2+2=5 but that doesn't change the reality of it really equaling 4. Truth is truth even when we don't understand it. I don't understand all the physics involved in nuclear weapons, but their existence and effect is undeniable. Truth is truth even when we've never heard it. An infant may never have heard of mathematics, but it's still true. There are absolute standards of truth. Many would argue that all truth is relative, but in saying that they are making an absolute statement which means that truth is not relative and their argument falls apart. The existence of untruth presupposes true exists. It's like the old saying "I always lie." This statement can never be true. If the person indeed always lies, they cannot make this statement because to do so would be telling the truth. It must by its very nature be false. If something is false, it means there must be truth. I cannot say with absolute certainty "Nothing is true." If I say that, I've declared a truism and defeated my own train of thought. We may not understand it all, we may not agree with it all, we may not have read it all but God's Word is truth.  All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.                    2 Timothy 3:16-17 NIV Christ made an astounding claim before His crucifixion  Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. John 14:6a NIV That's a pretty incredible claim. His resurrection from the dead and many other factors prove His claim. His statement goes even further ... Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV In today's convoluted world of poor logic and "relative truth" (which we know is not truth at all), that's a pretty major claim. It has big consequences if it's true (and it is). Salvation and hope for mankind is found ONLY in Jesus. Most religions offer some form of social benefit, and have some elements of truth in them, but the ultimate truth is that salvation is only through Jesus Christ. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved Acts 4:12 NIV That means if you have accepted Christ, you have a major responsibility to share the only truth with a lost and dying world. If you've been counting on anything other than a personal relationship with Jesus for your salvation, you need to change that and get right with Him today. Until next time, may all you do be anchored steadfastly on the Truth.  Be blessed  Hallelu Yah (Praise God)!  Kevin  YOU ARE  Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour you are saved.  For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that heaven will not be complete without you. HELP FOR THE HURTING  There is truth out there. The truth is you can be forgiven for all of your sins. The truth is you do have an eternal purpose. The truth is you are valuable enough to God that He sent His Son to die in your place. The truth is that there is healing, restoration and love you there for you. All of this is available to you when you simply give your life over to Jesus.     If you want to know how to do that simply email us and we'll send you some Bible verses that will explain it to you.   You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening your heart, admitting you need God's help, and saying a prayer along the lines of: Jesus: I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of. I have sinned. I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to you Lord. Amen If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice with you. Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments, your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential within the Gleanings team. To share your questions, comments, thoughts, prayer concerns and praise reports email us If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page . You can write to us at  Gleanings From The Word Ministries International 114 Oak St Sherwood Park, AB Canada T8A 0V8 © 2003 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin Gleanings From The Word Minististries International - All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS  BACK ISSUES