The word for this week is "true". We'll be looking at these verses in the New Testament:
John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. KJV
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. KJV
Romans 3:3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. KJV
In both references in John we have the Greek word "alethinos". Strong's Concordance says: truthful. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: that which has not the name and semblance, but the real nature corresponding to the name, real and true, genuine. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: denotes true in the sense of real, ideal, genuine. Used of God, declaring the full meaning of His Name, He is "very God" in distinction from all other false gods. He is true to His utterances, He cannot lie. The Theological Dictionary says: sincere, true, correct, sure and certain, reliable, righteous, real.
In Romans we have the Greek word "aleethees". Strong's Concordance says: not concealing. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: not hidden, unconcealed. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: manifest. The Theological Dictionary says: constant, valid, trustworthy, sincere, genuine.
In going through the Bible we see that mankind fell away from the TRUE God they once knew and began to worship any number of man made things, idols, false gods. When they turned away, they ceased to teach and train their children to follow the TRUE God, so there were whole groups of people who never knew HIM! When we heard, and then believed, we became TRUE worshippers! The TRUTH of Who HE is was revealed to us and as we pursued to know Him more, He revealed more and more of Himself! The unbelief of people did not change GOD. Our belief in HIM changed US! 1 John 3:2 says this:
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. KJV
I believe that as we spend time in His presence, He reveals more and more of Himself. As we receive that revelation, we become more and more like Him! HERE and NOW! Not perfectly, as we will be then, but progressively. Acts 4:13:
13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. KJV
That is something that is so evident with you and Kristine! You have become more and more like JESUS! The love, the joy, the wisdom, the 'realness' of who you are in Him. The way that you treat others, the way you are training your daughters, you are representing JESUS as He truly is! The way that you love and honor us! Thank you SO very much for allowing us to spend time in your home! Those times have been some of the most peaceful and restorative times! Your generosity (thank you so very much for the ticket to the Vikings game) is humbling! We love you all and appreciate you so much and we are praying and expecting that every year is going to be blessed beyond measure in every area! Here is another older song that Brooke Ligertwood brought back in her new album. The song is "I Will Exalt You", but we always sing "I Exalt You" as a present TRUTH and not as a future promise to do so!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
