Life is a learning journey seeking "truth"

Okay, I'm repeating myself, but this is important....

There are a lot of voices in life wanting our attention — some good, some not so good.  YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT IS TRUTH AND WHAT IS NOT.  Because "what" you believe influences the choices you make in life.

Having said that, there is....
‍....One Voice WHO WILL ALWAYS TELL YOU THE TRUTH,
....One Who we can TRUST and FOLLOW, ....and His Name is JESUS!

As you travel life's journey with Jesus, ....ask Him to help you LEARN WHAT IS TRUE ....and what is not.  WHY?, ....so you can LIVE BY HIS TRUTH, and make good choices in life, .......especially choosing to spend Eternity with Jesus in Heaven.  

But living in this world, we soon find that....

Why?  ....Because of an unwillingness to acknowledge
God's Lordship over their lives.  It's a spiritual battle....

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It started with "Did God really say....?"

....as spiritual warfare deception from the Devil, ....because it works so well on us humans, ....when WE WANT TO LIVE INDEPENDENT OF GOD. ‍

Our lives depend on being aware spiritual battles are real....

....Apostle Paul said it this way....

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on all of God's armor so that YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STAND FIRM AGAINST ALL STRATEGIES OF THE DEVIL.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
    — Ephesians 6:10-12 NLT

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We must also know....

....and that stated in scripture ....looks like this....

Our weapons in spiritual warfare....

"....are not of this world, but are POWERED BY GOD and effective at tearing down the strongholds erected against His TRUTH.  WE ARE demolishing ARGUMENTS and IDEAS, every high-and-mighty PHILOSOPHY that pits itself against the knowledge of the one true God. WE ARE taking prisoners of every THOUGHT, every EMOTION, and subduing them into obedience to Jesus."
    — 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 The Voice

Think about it. God knew we needed help,
....and gave us Jesus, the Word of God

....for OUR SPIRITUAL PROTECTION, ....when we live by HIS TRUTH....

So, ...."What can I believe is true?"

....is this chapter's topic.  ....And "yes, we need answers" ....considering trends in today's world news events.  ....So, "WHO?" and "WHAT?" can we believe in, ....and find HELP FOR MAKING LIFE'S CHOICES?

"Grandpa, why trust the Bible so much?"

....Glad you asked.  SMILE....  I have 4 good reasons for you to CONSIDER THE BIBLE AS YOUR COMPASS IN LIFE ....to influence your worldview ....and choices you make.  

Let's talk about them....

The Bible is a trustworthy source of unchanging TRUTH.

This is a really big deal, having the Bible as a source of truth that is unchanging.  What the Bible tells me today will be still true tomorrow.  What is "right and good" today is still right and good tomorrow.  And what is "wrong and messed up" today is still wrong and messed up tomorrow.  .......SMILE,....unless God does something about making it right.

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.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
    — 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT  

.......The older you get, the better you will understand why I value having such an unchanging, trustworthy foundation as the Bible for making my life choices.

....and....

The Bible is God's self-disclosure of Who He IS.

In Scripture, God makes Himself known, telling us things which otherwise could never be known.  The Bible was written and preserved, so each new generation of Believers can personally know their Creator God.  What previous generations "knew" about God is the same "knowing" we have today.  WHY?

Then you will understand what it means to fear (honor, reverence, adore, worship) the Lord, and you will GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.  For the Lord grants wisdom!  From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
    — Proverbs 2:5-6 NLT

....and....

God's Word tells us how to live with Him ....and for Him.

God created each of us as an eternal soul and gives us spirit life to live with Him now, ....so we can have a loving relationship with Him.  In God's Word, we learn to make good LIFE-BOUNDRY choices.   ....The Bible tells you how to live with integrity, loyalty, goodness, peace, ....and hope.

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your TRUTH and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.  Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.
    — Psalm 25:4-6 NLT

....and....

Fulfilled Biblical prophecy validates the Bible as TRUTH.‍

Because of fulfilled Biblical prophecy, ....we can trust reasons 1, 2 & 3 above!

Stay with me here.... This is the biggest of BIG deals!

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Integral part of Scripture — constituting nearly 30 percent of the Bible.  It helps us understand the "whole counsel of God", which is vital for our spiritual health and growth.  It's all about Jesus for you.  ....Romans 16:25-27 NCV

Demonstrates God's Sovereignty — fulfilled prophecy illustrates God's control over human affairs and history.  Assures believers of God's ultimate authority amid changing world events.  If God said it, believe it.  ....Romans 8:28; Isa 45:6-7; Eph 1:11; Col 1:16-17; Ps 115:3; Daniel 4:35

Offers Hope and Encouragement — fulfilled prophecy affirms God's love and goodness in our lives, encouraging believers to maintain faith and hope now, ....living with Him for the rest of Eternity.  Jesus IS the Way, ...Truth, ...Life.

Assures Jesus IS Who scripture says He IS — Jesus is believed to have fulfilled over 300 prophecies from the Old Testament, including aspects of His life, death, and resurrection.  Fulfillment of these prophecies is evidence of Jesus' Messianic role in God's counterintuitive plan for our salvation.

The probability of one person fulfilling just eight (8) specific prophecies is estimated to be 1 in 100 quadrillion. This staggering figure confirms the significance attributed to Jesus' fulfillment of over 300 Biblical prophecies.  ....God did not leave any doubt ....Who Jesus IS!
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On Resurrection day, Jesus appeared to His disciples....

and said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you (before the Resurrection): Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law
of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
    — Luke 24:44 NIV

Given God’s omniscience (infinite knowledge), it is no surprise the Bible contains so many predictions, ....and most of those predictions have already been fulfilled....

For I am God; there are no other gods like Me.  From the beginning I declare how things will end; from times long past, I tell what is yet to be, saying: “My intentions will come to pass.  I will make things happen as I determine they should.”  ....My plan has been made, and I will see it through.
    — Isaiah 46:9-11 The Voice

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Well, there they are.  ....Give some thought to making these reasons your own for TRUSTING IN and LIVING BY God's Holy Word.

‍Because....

Knowing God changes your life....

Prove for yourself what is "right", what is TRUTH.  ....Because what you believe is trustworthy ....will impact your worldview, ....which influences your choices.

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^{*Credits: Spirals-Circles image anonymous sent to me by a friend / Bible and phone scriptures anonymous /
"I'm up here!" cartoon by Johnny Hart hung on my office wall for years / Jesus image from The Chossen}