Subscribe to receive weekly emails of the Reasons for Hope blog.

* indicates required

Truth will Change People

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. 20 For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. 21 But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God.” – John 3:19-21
 
It’s really hard to understand why folks reject the truth.  You’d think that when someone hears the truth, it would just make sense, they’d accept it and move on regardless of the cost.  I’d always believed that everybody wants the truth!  But, sometimes I wonder if this is really the case.  It just feels that we’re living in a time when nothing could be further than the truth.
I’ve heard someone use this example.  A man is floating down the river in an inner tube on a hot summer day.  The cool water feels amazing, they’re just enjoying the beauty that surrounds them. There’s only one problem, there’s a deadly waterfall up ahead and in they’re bliss they’re oblivious to it.  
You know what lies ahead so you yell, you scream, you throw them a rope to pull them.  They just blow you off because they’re comfortable and having a good time.  They don’t know what’s headed their way and even when you warn them they don’t want to listen.  So, they suffer the consequences.
Well, recently a good friend told me some true stories that confirmed in my mind that this is scenario is more real than we’d like to believe.  For example:
Scenario 1:  A lady goes to her advisor and tells him the great news that she’d been won $350.00 in a drawing.  There’s only one problem, when they deposited the money into her savings account they somehow added an extra zero making the total deposited $3,500.00.  They were very kind and apologetic and requested that she please refund by sending a wire transfer of $3,150.00 to their account.
She checked her savings account and sure enough, there was a $3,500.00 deposit.  So, she asked her advisor to please wire the refund to this group.
There’s one problem though, the advisor had seen this before and it’s a scam.  To make sure he did his research, and sure enough, someone had hacked her bank information. They had taken a $3,500.00 loan from her home credit line account and deposited it into her savings account!  They did NOT put THEIR money into HER savings.  They took HER money, from HER line of credit, and put it into HER savings account. If she sent them $3,150, she’d be sending $3,150.00 of HER money, NOT a reimbursement.
The adviser gathered all of the paperwork showing the withdrawal coming from HER line of credit and deposited it into HER savings account.  He then explained exactly what was going on and told her to not transfer the funds. Unbelievably she still insisted that he do it. He refused to do it, telling her that it was a scam.  For an hour he explained everything to her, over and over again showing her all of the documentation. “But they deposited the money in my savings account. I owe them!” she exclaimed.
Finally her boyfriend joined the discussion.  This time the advisor explained to them both what had happened.  This client still argued and refused to believe it.  The boyfriend in exasperation said, “It’s your money, they’re tricking you.  Trust your advisor!”  She didn’t.  The meeting ended with the client going somewhere else to make the “payment” because the advisor still refused to make the wire transfer.
 
Scenario 2:  A lady spoke with her banker asking him to transfer everything that she had in her bank account to an account in the Bahamas because someone had contacted her with an investment opportunity.  Because of his years of experience in the business he knew this was very dangerous.
The banker did the research, he double checked everything and found out that this was indeed a scam.  He told the lady what he’d found. She still wanted him to wire transfer everything she had to the other account. This banker also refused because it was an unethical group and they were stealing her money.
This lady closed her account and took all of her money to another bank where they sent the it to the other group.  She lost everything.  As a matter of fact, she also ended up losing her home and eventually had to move in with a neighbor because she had nothing left.
Two years later this same lady came back to the bank that she’d originally been with to open a new  account up.  When she meet the banker who’d refused to wire her money for the scam, instead of expressing sorrow for not listening to what he’d told her, she was still upset at him!
 
Scenario 3:
 An elderly gentleman came into his bank explaining that his son had just called from Mexico and was in trouble.  The father needed to wire transfer money to the son to help him get out of the predicament he was in.  They sent $1,500 to the account.  A very short time later the same man came back to the same bank and said that his son was in serious trouble and needed more money.  This time the banker asked him questions to make sure he wasn’t being deceived.  The man got angry at being questioned, “I know my son’s voice!  He’s in trouble and I have to help him.”
The banker doubting what was going on went back into his office and found the son’s name and work phone number.  He called the work number and spoke with the son and explained what was happening to his father.  The son spoke with the father assuring him that he wasn’t in Mexico and not in trouble.  This man still lost $1,500 and had been totally convinced that it was his son on the phone, until he spoke with his real son.
 
These are true stories that make me realize just how easily we’re deceived.  Satan has had years of practice at duping people and knows the buttons to push.  If you think you can’t be duped, be very careful.
Just like the man floating down the river headed towards a waterfall these three people had somebody who knew the dangers ahead and warned them.  They were given a “lifeline” to protect them, but they chose not to listen and suffered the consequences.  
The exact same thing is true in our lives.  Every day we make decisions that have consequences.  Some have short term consequences, others long term, but one decision is eternal.  In Matthew 11:28 God tells us to come to Him, give your burdens to Him and He will give you rest!  In Acts 16:31 the Apostle Paul tells the jailer to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and he would be saved.  That same salvation is still here.  If you’ve not made the decision to follow Christ, please do that today.
How do we approach the Word of God?  Do we read it because that’s just what we’re supposed to do, or because it gives us a good feeling?  Or, do we read and incorporate what it teaches into our lives? Do we allow it to be the authority for our actions and submit ourselves to what God is teaching there?
In all honesty, sometimes I do read it in the proper manner, sometimes I don’t!  I am working at allowing it to be the absolute authority in my life though.  With God’s grace and strength I’m getting better every day. Pray for me and let us know how we can pray for you.  But, most importantly, if you love Jesus . . .
Stay Bold!
Posted in
Posted in

Recent

Archive

 2024

Categories

Tags

1 Chronicles 16:8-12 1 Chronicles 22:14 1 Chronicles 29:11 1 Corinthians 10:31 1 Corinthians 13 1 Corinthians 15:12-19 1 Corinthians 15:21 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 1 Corinthians 15:33 1 Corinthians 15:45 1 Corinthians 15:57 1 Corinthians 15:58 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 1 Corinthians 6:20 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 1 John 2:15-17 1 John 2:15 1 John 2:2 1 John 4:10 1 John 4:19 1 John 4:7-8 1 Peter 1:23 1 Peter 2:24 1 Peter 3:15 1 Peter 3:18 1 Peter 4:12-13 1 Peter 4:12-19 1 Peter 5:10 1 Samuel 8:4-5 1 Samuel 8:7-9 1 Thessalonians 5:11 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 1 Thessalonians 5:17 1 Timothy 4:8 1 Timothy 6:10 1 Timothy 6:3-10 1 corinthians 10:13 1 thessalonians 5:18 100 miles 100% human 1Peter 1:17-21 2 Chronicles 9:13-29 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 2 Corinthians 12:9 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 2 Corinthians 1:3-6 2 Corinthians 1:3 2 Corinthians 3:17 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 2 Corinthians 4:17 2 Corinthians 5:21 2 Corinthians 6:18 2 Peter 3:9 2 Samuel 23:8-12 2 Samuel 6:17 2 Thessalonians 3:3 2 Timothy 1:7 2 Timothy 2:15 2 Timothy 2:25 2 Timothy 2:7 2 Timothy 3:12 2 Timothy 3:16-17 2 Timothy 4:11 2 Timothy 4:2 25% are staying 50k 55-mile race AI Abraham sacrificing Isaac Abraham was very rich. Abuja Acts 10:3-4 Acts 11 Acts 13 and 15 Acts 17:11 Acts 17:22-34 Acts 17 Acts 1:8 Acts 27:35 Acts 2:42 Acts 3:1 Acts 5:38-39 Acts 9 Albert Einstein All great men were born in February. Alyssa Glander America waited too long. Apalachee High School Apostle Peter Asbury Barabbas Barna poll Barnabas Baruch Bulla Be a Berean Be bold! Be bold Be happy! Be part of the process. Be still and know that I am God Be the hands and feet of Jesus. Best Evidence God Created Bethlehem Bible reading Bible Biblical archaeology Bob Gillespie Brian Miller C.S. Lewis CRT Camp Sigel Candace Nordine Carl Kerby Jr. Carl Kerby Cell phones Choosing for Two Christ in me Christ opened my eyes. Christian Camps Christian witness Christian worldview Chruch Circadian rhythm Colossians 1:27 Colossians 2:14 Colossians 2:8 Colossians 3:16 Colossians 3:17 and 23-24 Colossians 3:17-23 Colossians 3:17 Colossians 3:1 Colossians 4:5-6 Columbo Tactic Creation Creator God D. Mark Jacobs Jr. Dan Lietha Daniel 1-6 Daniel 12:4 Daniel 2:21 Dave Glander David Tautofi DeBunked 15 DeBunked TV DeBunked Deuteronomy 11:13 Deuteronomy 32:35 Deuteronomy 6:4-6 Deuteronomy 6:6-7 Deuteronomy 6:6-9 Deuteronomy 6:7 Did Jesus Commit Suicide? Dr. Andrew Fabich Dr. Francis Schaeffer Dr. Jason Lisle Dr. Juan Valdes Dr. William Beal Draa Mackey EQUIP+ EQUIP Easter Ecclesiastes 12:13 Ecclesiastes 12:14 Ecclesiastes 3:11 Ecclesiastes 4:10 Eleazar Elohim Ephesians 1-3 Ephesians 1:13-14 Ephesians 2:10 Ephesians 2:8-9 Ephesians 3:12 Ephesians 3:17-18 Ephesians 3:19-21 Ephesians 3:20-21 Ephesians 4:29 Ephesians 5:15-16 Ephesians 5:15-17 Ephesians 5:19 Ephesians 5:20 Ephesians 6:10-18 Ephesians 6:12 Ephesians 6:4 Equip Retreat Exodus 13:17-18 Exodus 17:11 Exodus 17:12 Exodus 20:11 Exodus 33:14 Ezekiel 33:11 Facing the Giants Family dinner Fascinating Facts Fearless Faith Frank Figueroa Gabby Terry Galatians 2:20 Galatians 4:4-5 Galatians 5:1 Galatians 5:22-23 Galatians 5:22-24 Galatians 6:7 Galatians 6:9 Gary Varvel Gen Z Genesis 11:1-2 Genesis 11:6 Genesis 11:7 Genesis 13:1-2 Genesis 13:8-12 Genesis 1:14-15 Genesis 1:14 Genesis 1:27 Genesis 1:28 Genesis 1:29 Genesis 1:31 Genesis 1:3 Genesis 22 Genesis 3:10 Genesis 3:12 Genesis 3:14-15 Genesis 3:20 Genesis 3 Genesis 9:7 Genesis and the Gospel Genesis Give thanks to the Lord. Glad You Asked Christmas Edition Glad You Asked Glendive Montana Glory to God! God created you God is light. God is love. God is rich in mercy God loves us. God loves you God makes no mistakes. God won the battle God-created world God-shaped vacuum God's Word God's character God's dwelling place God's grace God's joy God's plan God's pursuit God\'s Word God\'s character God\'s joy God\'s plan God\'s pursuit God\\\'s character God\\\'s joy God\\\'s plan God\\\'s pursuit God\\\\\\\'s character God\\\\\\\'s joy God\\\\\\\'s plan God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s character God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s plan God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s character God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s plan Gods Word is truth Gods Word Gods care Gods character Gods divine plan Gods light Gods love story Gods plan of redemption Gods plan Gods wisdom Good Shepherd Gospel message Grace Mally Grace Moffitt Grammar matters Groggy Habakkuk 1:5 Hallelujah! Hawaii He is always faithful. He is risen Heaven Hebrews 10:1-18 Hebrews 10:19-22 Hebrews 10:23 Hebrews 11 Hebrews 12:1-3 Hebrews 12 Hebrews 13:14 Hebrews 13:5-6 Hebrews 13:5 Hebrews 13:8 Hebrews 4:12 Hebrews 4:16 Hebrews 7:25 Hell His glory Holly Varnum Holy Spirit How can I fight and overcome fear? How to Think Hubble Human life is sacred. Huntsman Center Hurry sickness I Peter 3:15 IMPACT Impact Curriculum In everything give thanks. Is it okay for a Christian to be rich? Is life good? Isaiah 11:1 Isaiah 26:3-4 Isaiah 26:3 Isaiah 40:28-31 Isaiah 40:29 Isaiah 40:31 Isaiah 40:8 Isaiah 41:10 Isaiah 41 Isaiah 43:1 Isaiah 43:2 Isaiah 45:9a Isaiah 53:6 Isaiah 55:11 Isaiah 55:8-9 Isaiah 55:8 Isaiah 64:8 Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 9:6 Israel Museum It is well with my soul Jamaica James 1:12 James 1:15 James 1:17 James 1:2 James 1:8 James 2:14-17 James 2:14-26 James 4:10 James 4:14 James 4:7 James 4:8a James 4:8 January 2022 Jehovah Rapha Jeremiah 17:9 Jeremiah 29:11 Jeremiah 29:13 Jeremiah 31:3 Jeremiah 33:3 Jeremiah 36:32 Jerusalem Jesus and me Jesus chose to die. Jesus comforts the broken-hearted. Jesus saw their faith Jesus the Messiah Jesus Jewish feasts Job 1:3 Job 2:8 John 10:10 John 10:11 John 10:17-18 John 10:27 John 11:25 John 12:32 John 14:1-3 John 14:6 John 15:1-11 John 15:13 John 15:16a John 16:33 John 1:12 John 1:35-42 John 3:16-17 John 3:16 John 3:17 John 4:23-24 John 6:51 John 8:32 John 8:36 John Mark John Ray Joni Eareckson Tada Joni and Friends Joseph A. Kennedy Joseph and Mary Joseph Joshua 1:9 Joshua 22:5 Joshua 24:15 Juan Valdes Jude 1:22 Julaine Appling Justice Kaimuki Bulldogs Kaimuki High School Keeping teens faithful King David King Hezekiah King Solomon Know It! Live It! Share It! Know why you believe. LEAD Wisconsin Lacey Reitz Lamentations 3:22-23 Lamentations 3:22-24 Leviticus 12:8 Leviticus 18:24-30 Leviticus 25:23 Liberty Institute Life in layers Life is good because God is good. Life is good Listen to His voice. Listen Little boys need Mamas. Little boys need to know their Mamas like them. Loose the Lion Luke 12:12 Luke 18:1 Luke 1:32 Luke 22:32 Luke 24:38 Luke 2:1-14 Luke 2:24 Luke 2:55 Luke 2:7 Luke 5:1-11 Luke 5:37-39 MRRHWQ 15:32-38 MTD Malachi 3:3 Malachi 3:6a Malachi 3:6 Marc Glander Mark 10:45 Mark 10:8 Mark 16:15 Mark 1:16-18 Mark 1:35 Mark 2:3-5 Mark 5:19 Mark 6:31 Mark 6:46 Martin Luther Mary Master Potter Matthew 10:20 Matthew 10:32 Matthew 11:28-29 Matthew 11:28-30 Matthew 11:28 Matthew 11:29-30 Matthew 11:29 Matthew 13 Matthew 14:13-21 Matthew 14:22-33 Matthew 14:31 Matthew 15:17-19 Matthew 16:24 Matthew 19:16-24 Matthew 19:23-24 Matthew 1:22-23 Matthew 24:35 Matthew 27:15-25 Matthew 27:75 Matthew 28:18-20 Matthew 4:18-20 Matthew 5:13 Matthew 5:16 Matthew 5:18 Matthew 6:19-20 Matthew 6:19-21 Matthew 6:19 Matthew 6:1 Matthew 6:25-26 Matthew 6:27 Matthew 6:33 Matthew 7:21-23 Matthew 9:35 May 15 1987 Memory Lane Mere Christianity Messiah Mic'd Up Mic'dUP Mic\'d Up Mic\'dUP Mic\\\'d Up Mic\\\\\\\'d Up Mic\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'d Up Micah 5:2 Micah 6:8 Micd Up Michigan State University Miracles Money is their god. Moralistic Therapeutic Deism Mosaic NRB National Religious Broadcasters Never Forget. Never Again. Never thirst again. New Year's resolutions New Year\'s resolutions Nigeria Noah's ark Nobody Loves Me . . . DeBunked Nonconformity Not yet a human. Numbers 23:19 OJ Simpson Parable of the sower Pastor Baba Paul Varnum Peter Philippians 1:6 Philippians 2:13 Philippians 2:3-4 Philippians 2:6-11 Philippians 3:12-16 Philippians 3:7-8 Philippians 4:13 Philippians 4:6-7 Philippians 4:6-9 Philippians 4:8 Pilate Plan C Please say Yes! Please say "Yes!" Please say \"Yes!\" Please say \\\"Yes!\\\" Pool of Siloam Potter Pray for Rachael Neal. Pray without ceasing. Proverbs 11:10 Proverbs 12:26 Proverbs 14:12 Proverbs 14:34 Proverbs 15:4 Proverbs 16:3 Proverbs 18:12 Proverbs 18:24 Proverbs 19:21 Proverbs 1:20 Proverbs 1:8-9 Proverbs 20:12 Proverbs 22:6 Proverbs 23:19-21 Proverbs 27:17 Proverbs 3:5-6 Proverbs 3:5 Proverbs 3:9 Proverbs 3;5-6 Proverbs 6:16-19 Psalm 100:5 Psalm 100 Psalm 103:2-5 Psalm 119:105 Psalm 119:11 Psalm 119:160 Psalm 122:1 Psalm 138:1-2 Psalm 139:14 Psalm 139:17 Psalm 139:4 Psalm 139 Psalm 13:6 Psalm 145:13 Psalm 145:18 Psalm 147:4 Psalm 16:11 Psalm 18:1-2 Psalm 18:30 Psalm 19:1 Psalm 1:1 Psalm 1 Psalm 23:1 Psalm 23:2 Psalm 23:4 Psalm 23:6 Psalm 27 Psalm 29:2 Psalm 2:1-6 Psalm 31:14-15 Psalm 33:11 Psalm 34:18 Psalm 34:19 Psalm 37:3-7 Psalm 37:5-6 Psalm 37:5 Psalm 40:2 Psalm 40:8 Psalm 42 Psalm 55:17 Psalm 63:3 Psalm 68:19 Psalm 69:9a Psalm 73:16-17 Psalm 84:11 Psalm 8:3 Psalm 8:4 Psalm 92:1-4 Psalm 95:1 Pursued Put God first Rachael Neal Reasons for Hope Responds Reasons for Hope in the Mosaic of Your Life Reasons for Hope* Reasons for Hope Rebekah Haynie Respond to God's voice Respond to God\'s voice Respond to God\\\'s voice Respond to God\\\\\\\'s voice Respond to God\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'s voice Resurrection Revelation 19:11 Revelation 20:12 Revelation 22:18-19 Revelation 7:9-11 RforH Romans 10:14 Romans 10:15 Romans 10:9-10 Romans 10:9 Romans 11:36 Romans 12:1-2 Romans 12:2 Romans 12:9-21 Romans 15:13 Romans 1:16 Romans 1:20 Romans 3:23 Romans 5:10-11 Romans 5:12 Romans 5:17 Romans 5:2-5 Romans 5:6-10 Romans 6:23 Romans 8:14 Romans 8:18-25 Romans 8:18 Romans 8:26 Romans 8:28 Romans 8:38-39 Romans 8:38 Sanctity of Life Schaftlein Report Scriptures Seal of Baruch September 11 Shelby Pruitt Shema Spurgeon Stay bold! Stay bold Steve Herzig Supreme Court Surprised by Joy Testify Thanksgiving The Bible Project The Bible is a Jewish book. The DeBunked Files The Plumb Line The Right Ingredients The Screwtape Letters There is no truth. There is no truth There's Nothing Wrong with Abortion ... DeBunked! There\'s Nothing Wrong with Abortion ... DeBunked! There\\\'s Nothing Wrong with Abortion ... DeBunked! There\\\\\\\'s Nothing Wrong with Abortion ... DeBunked! Think before you post. Thinkful TikTok Tish Kerby Titus 2:6 Tower of Babel Trust His heart Trusting God Use God's Word correctly. Use God\'s Word correctly. WEF Wade Wacker Wash their feet. Wealthy Christians What are you thankful for? What is a Christian? What is my purpose? Who Made God? Why am I here? Why did Jesus have to die? Will Our Generation Speak? Within Our Reach Wooed Word of God Your grace still amazes me. Your vote matters. Youth outreach Yuval Noah Harari Zola Levitt a little at a time a process; not an event abortion absolute truth abundant life acacia accepting help achieving the impossible adventure anatomy and physiology angels angry another child of God struggling answering questions antidote to fear anxious apologetics artificial intelligence astronomy astrophysics atonement for sin be not afraid best of luck biblical Christianity biblical creationist biblical perspective biblical worldview biblical worship biology blindfold boldness bold boys branch brokenness bullae bulla butterfly caged called to encourage cancellation cancer journey cancer cease striving certainty challenge character check your attitude children choices clay coercion come alongside comfort zone comfortable Christian commas save lives compromised confidence confused conjunction consequences consistency consistent created in Gods image creation vs. evolution critical race theory critical thinking cross curriculum cut the head off the snake debate deception defend depressed depression design of the eye designed by God desperate passion dinosaur dig distractions don't fight alone don't stop don\'t fight alone don\'t stop don\\\'t fight alone don\\\'t stop don\\\\\\\'t stop dont stop doubt eisegeses election embryology encouragement entrusted by God to do good eternal life eternity without God eternity evangelism evidence for a creator examine the scriptures exegesis eye fair and impartial faith walk family circle family first fear not fearfully and wonderfully made fear feeling lost feeling overwhelmed fig filled with joy and worship flight cancelled football coach forest forever home former athiest free will freedom in Christ freedom of choice freedom fruit fulfilled prophecies galaxies gestation give a defense give thanks glory in His holy name good luck good news of Jesus Christ good news good will toward men government grace gratitude grog having conversations heavenly host hermeneutics heroes of the faith history of the universe hope human eye humble ourselves illness impact lives impact your teammates positively impulsive incomprehensible God inn investment isolation keep moving keep progressing largest church in the world layers leaf let go light year speed like Christ live in freedom loss of loved ones loss love of money love mATTHEW 26: 20-29 made for another world made in His image manger marriage memories memorization without application memorizing Scripture miraculous design missing opportunities more like Christ motivation multiple meanings mystical truth never compromised no coincidence no complaints no hope no pain no gain no place like home no quitting no room in the inn nonconformist not a fetus not ashamed oak objective right and wrong olive one foot in front of the other one race one-world government opened doors opportunity to bring hope overwhelming distance palms part of a team passionate patience patriotism paying it forward peace persecution persevere perspective physics plans pomegranate positive messages postgame prayer potsherd pottery potter power of the Word praying pregnancy pregnant preposition prioritize God pro-life progress propitiation providence quadriplegic quiet time reach the younger generation reality exists reality reassurance red cardinal redemptive work of Christ refining refocus what church looks like relationship with God relentless forward motion represent Christ resolutions rest for your soul rest revival right time right words righteousness root of all evil root sacrifice salvation see God move seed experiment seek the Lord shine a light silversmith situation slavery social media son of encouragement speak life speak your truth spiritual apathy spiritual harvest spiritual legacy spotless Lamb of God stable stagnant church stand boldly on the Word of God stand up against evil star-gazing starstruck stars step by step stranded stress statistics stress study for yourself suffering summer camp swaddling clothes sycamore symbol of God's love and reassurance symbol of God\'s love and reassurance symbol of God\\\'s love and reassurance symbol of God\\\\\\\'s love and reassurance symbol of Gods love and reassurance teaching science technology teen questions teens telescope temple of the Holy Spirit terebinth thank you thankfulness thankful the apple of his eye the finish line the human eye the lion will defend itself the long route the seeing eye the wooing of God theology think for yourself thriving in Christ traditions traffic trees trials tribulation troubles trust Jesus truth turn to God ultamarathon ultrarunner ultrmarathon unborn child uncage the Lion uncertain uncover the truth unfair universe unpredictable use your gift vine virgin birth visual reminders vote voting weathering the storm wethering the storm where two worlds collide willow windows to the soul wonder of boys work ethic worldview worship worth fighting for worth it worthy of protection young earth your circle matters youth ministry youth zeal for worship zoo guide