John 8:31-32 NKJV
“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
INSIGHT
-Truth is written as emet in Hebrew and aletheia in Greek which relates to genuinity, faithfulness, reliability, and steadfastness, reflecting God’s character. Jesus says to us that, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Jesus reveals the value and power of His true word, in realizing the freedom that comes through believing in Him which is the hallmark of true faith. Believing in Jesus allows His transformational power to take over our hearts setting us free from the bondage of sin, fear and grants us eternal life.
PRAYER
This is the day that You have made Lord, we rejoice and are glad in it. All creation praises You and honors You. At the mention of Your name Jesus, every knee should bow in heaven, on the earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus You are Lord to the glory of God the Father. Thank You for Your word which is true and right. Thank You for Your redeeming power on the cross, You are faithful dear Lord Jesus in all Your ways. We believe in our hearts that Jesus You raised from the dead and lives forever, and confess with our mouths that Jesus You are Lord, unto salvation. Only You dear Lord Jesus are our Lord and Savior, we worship You and give You praise, and it is in Jesus mighty name we pray. Amen
Further reading: Psalm 33:4, Romans 10:9
3 John 1:3-4 NKJV
“For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.”
INSIGHT
–Apostle John expresses joy in hearing that Gaius, his spiritual child, is walking in the truth, emphasizing that his greatest pleasure comes from seeing those he has nurtured in faith live according to God’s word. Psalms 1 reminds us that those who do not walk in the way of the ungodly or in the path of sinners but delights in the law of the Lord and upholding the truth are blessed.
PRAYER
For all have sinned and fallen short of Your glory Lord. Dear Lord Jesus You say in Your word that, if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, merciful Savior You are Faithful and Just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. But if we say that we have not sinned, we make You a liar, and Your word is not in us. May You forgive us and wash us with Your precious blood merciful Savior and deliver us from the evil one and his schemes. May You justify the righteous and fulfill Your promises unto us for we rely and trust in You dear Lord Jesus. May You help us to build our faith on Your foundation of truth and dwell in it dear Lord Jesus. May You answer all our prayers and respond to our deepest hearts desires loving Master. Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory; forever and ever. Amen
Further reading: 1 John 1:8-10, Matthew 7:24-27
1 Kings 17:22-24 NKJV
“Then the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came back to him, and he revived. And Elijah took the child and brought him down from the upper room into the house, and gave him to his mother. And Elijah said, “See, your son lives!” Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.”
INSIGHT
–The widow of Zarephath already facing hardship due to the famine, was devastated by her son’s death and she blames Elijah for her misfortune. Elijah requested for the boy and he prayed for him to God from the upper room. The boy was restored back to life and the woman’s faith was lifted after recognizes the power of God and acknowledges Elijah as a true man of God, whose words are true. Many preachers, priests and prophets have risen and they do not proclaim the true gospel of God. Jesus cautions us from believing in false prophets and false christs have come and show great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect (Matthew 24:23-24).
PRAYER
Dear Lord You are the True Son of God having come in the flesh, showing us love through Your life and death on the cross. We believe in You and honor You dear Lord Jesus. May You shield us from the false prophets and false prophecies, and guide us always in Your way of life. May You forgive the church for the embarrassment and shame it have cause You Oh Lord. Please forgive us for the times we may have misrepresented You and Your word. Lord You have called us to be diligent and to present ourselves as approved workers rightly dividing Your word of truth, may You help us and guide us. May You guide all people in our families and in the world and deliver all persecuted Christians. You are our Sovereign God, our Powerful Maker and Savior may You do a miracle in our lives Oh Lord and deliver us from all our troubles and anxieties. May You fill us with Your grace so that we may do more powerful works for the glory and honor of Your name. We honor You and bless Your name, and it is in Jesus name we pray. Amen
Blessed Wednesday
Further reading: 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Timothy 4:1–3
1 John 3:17-19 NKJV
“But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.”
INSIGHT
–Application of love and truth are mutually exclusive since the love is a mandatory requirement for all believers founded on the true word of God. True love of God and others is demonstrated through actions, not just words, and that by loving and helping those in need, we can find assurance of our faith and our relationship with God. If then one says that he loves God yet he is not will to help his neighbor, it’s a contradiction, as true love for God manifests in loving and serving others. God is love and calls us to love and serve mankind including the least in our society.
PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, we love You, thank You for loving us first. Thank You for the gift of life that You have given us. Thank You for the good health that You have accorded unto us. May You heal all those who are sick and unwell in our families and society. By Your stripes merciful Savior we are healed in Your mighty and holy name. We pray for those who lack the basic requirement of food, shelter, clothing, house rent, school fees and other needs. May You fill us afresh with humility, love and compassion that we represent You and Your name as You desire. We pray this believing and trusting in Jesus mighty name. Amen
Further reading: James 2:15-16, 1 John 4:20
Ephesians 6:13-17 NKJV
“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”
INSIGHT
–Truth in these scriptures is symbolically represented as a belt which holds ones garments so that he can fight effectively in battle. Essentially, the belt is not part of the armor, but before the armor can be put on, the garments underneath must be gathered together. The soldier might be furnished with every other part of his equipment, and yet, wanting the girdle, would neither be fully accoutered nor securely armed. The belt of truth puts on the Biblical beliefs of us Christians as a whole that we may be girded in faith and dwell in the freedom of Christ.
SUMMARY
The theme truth is predominantly mentioned in the Bible and brings about diverse ideas that point to Christ. John 8:31-32 Jesus says, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” True freedom comes through believing in Jesus and His word. 3 John 1:3-4 sensitizes us to walk in truth for God delights in those who do so. 1 John 3:17-19 reveals to us of a method we may use to walk in truth, by demonstrating love but actioning our deeds. This involves giving to the needy in our society. Also by speaking and preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The widow of Zarephath lost her son and when Elijah prayed for him, the son came back to life. She therefore confirmed that Elijah was a true prophet and spoke the truth (1 Kings 17:22-24). God calls us to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24), which is the essence of fellowship with Him.
PRAYER
I lift up my eyes upon the hills, where does my help come from. My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. You are my hiding place loving Father, You preserve me from trouble dear Jesus, You surround me with shouts of deliverance precious Holy Spirit, all glory and praise belongs to You Lord. May You shield us from every plan and snare of darkness and show us Your true salvation. May You forgive us all our iniquities and wash us with Your precious blood. Lord may You do exceedingly abundantly more than we can ask of or think of according to the power that is at work in us. Lord we trust in You and exalt You. We believe that You are able to do more than we can think of or imagine. We believe that we shall be extremely fruitful since we abide in You and You in us. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives and we shall dwell in Your house forever. May You bless us and keep us loving Father, may You shine Your face upon us and be gracious to us. May You lift up Your countenance towards us and give us peace. Amen
Further reading: Psalms 121:1-2, Luke 12:35-36