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2 Timothy 3:16 – All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. (NLT)
Some truth never changes.
I don't remember whether Mom and Dad explained the importance of what I was watching on the television or not, but I remember watching with great interest. Just shy of nine years of age, I sat in the den of a church parsonage and stared at a small black-and-white television. The date was July 20, 1969, and American Neil Armstrong was about to be the first man to set foot on the moon.
Although I didn't know it at the time, I discovered later that many people didn't believe that anyone was on the moon. I suppose that they still thought that scientists couldn't launch a space machine and land it on the moon — much less that someone could walk on it. So, despite evidence to the contrary, some didn't believe.
In giving instructions to a young minister, Paul reminded Timothy about the nature of God's Word. He, too, would encounter some who would not believe its message, despite evidence to the contrary.
Almost 2,000 years of history haven't changed anything. Opinions about the Bible vary. Some believe every word to be accurate, while others think that nothing is true. Many are in the middle. They believe that it records truth where faith and some historical matters are addressed but have no confidence when it speaks of scientific things and many historical events. For them, it's mostly a collection of myths, legends, and fairy tales.
We have only two choices when it comes to God's Word: it's either truth entirely or not truth at all. If we can't trust what it says about scientific and historical matters, how can we be sure that it speaks the truth when addressing issues of faith?
Accepting God's Word is an act of faith, just like belief in Jesus Christ as Saviour. We must believe that God breathed the words and that those words show us the way that He wants us to live, think, and speak. Measuring our actions and attitudes by the Bible's teachings shows us where we need to make changes. Believing its teachings and promises and watching them being fulfilled in our life reinforces its validity. What we think about God's Word will show up in our lifestyles.
What do you believe about the Bible?
Prayer: Father, give us the courage to take the step of faith by believing that the Bible is Your trustworthy Word to us. Amen.
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Thursday, January 23, 2025 – In Europe — Pray for the Jewish community to be encouraged and feel the love of their non-Jewish Christian friends. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open the hearts and minds of these secular Jews, and for God's leadership in my work.
daughter: "Update December 30, 2024: And please touch her heart that she may turn to YOU.* November 12, 2024:..." 
Amen and amen Martin!
Written in the environment of its time and inspired by God with a living message of salvation, hope.
Good morning
Thank you so much for today’s devotion.
Every blessing to you in the New Year.
Thank you for your thoughts in the devotional for today. I’ve claimed Psalm 119:105 for many years. Keep on encouraging us!! Blessings.
I really enjoyed your devotion today! I really believe the Bible is God’s holy word. I really believe if others would have faith in Him, it would not be hard for them to believe also.
Dear Martin,
Thank you for your thoughtful and thought-provoking devotional about “truth” and the direct call for application. I always appreciate your writing.
Thank you Martin for another of your very informative and mindful devotionals. Yes the words of the Bible give us much reassurance and instruction of how we should conduct our daily lives, therefore we need faithfully follow those words. Blessings for your special writings.
Right on, Martin! When I first made the decision to follow The Way, after being a Social Christian up ’til then, the book of Romans read like a letter, written to me personally… what a revelation!
Still reading The Book after 45 years, STILL finding deep truths for daily living!
Thanks, bless you,
(BC)
Loved this! Not only written well but so true. There is not enough truth telling! I believe just as God counts the hairs on my head, has me on the Palms of his hands, and personally collects my tears in a bottle. I know every stripe on a zebra was his creation and that he laughs at the giraffe as he stretches his long neck to get the tastiest morsel from the top of the tree. As you say, to take anything, even the zebra’s stripe, would be tragic. That would mean that Baby Jesus was not born, he did not die, nor was he resurrected, and waits for us to join him. It is either all or nothing. Wow! Thank you, Marten! Working for his glory!
Good morning, Martin,
I very much enjoyed your devotional and how it unfolded. My believe unfolded also as I grew. At first I didn’t understand how people could write accurate descriptions years after something happened. It took me awhile to understand that God was guiding them in what they wrote.
I did not know that people didn’t believe the landing of men on the moon. Now I can believe that people do think that way even when there is firm evidence. There is more easily available access to how people behave and show what they believe.
Once I understood about “God breathed” I was more confident in my faith. I do think that if you don’t believe it all, how can you believe parts of it.
I appreciate your faith and willingness to share it with others.
Thank you and best wishes for 2023.
Amen, Martin. So may it be! Thank you for this good, clear message.
Hi Martin
I’ve been following PresbyCan Devotional for over 10 years and I’ve appreciated your many devotionals along the way.
I have to tell you that I think we are on dangerous grounds when we say, “We have only two choices when it comes to God’s Word: it’s either truth entirely or not truth at all.”
This logic implies that if I was to learn (or believe) that Methuselah didn’t actually live 969 years, I would have to throw out everything else concerning scripture. I’m not prepared to rest my faith on everything in scripture being absolutely precise before I commit my life completely to Jesus.
Keep writing. I appreciate your wisdom, even if we diverge in small ways!
Blessings.