III John 3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
When others talk about you, what do they talk about? Do they speak about your walk with God or do they speak about other characteristics that have no eternal […]

I John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
You are commanded to add to your faith […]

Matthew 21:26 But if we shall say, Of Men; we fear the people; for all hold John as a prophet.

The chief priests and the elders came to Jesus and asked HIM where HE derived HIS authority. Jesus replied that HE would answer their question if they first answered a question for HIM. Jesus asked them where the baptism of John came from, heaven or of man. The priests and elders gathered together and argued among themselves that they could not say from heaven least Jesus revealed that they knew the truth and they did not obey. They also realized that they could not say that it was from man because the people felt that John the Baptist was from God and it was the people who gave them power.

Matthew 15:18-19 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

The natural condition of your heart is not good. Your sin nature does not naturally produce those things that are pleasing to God. As a result of sin, your heart is filled with things that are not pleasing to the Lord.

Instead of allowing evil to be produced in your heart, you have been commanded to add virtue to your life. Virtue is thinking upon those things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and is of a good report. Virtue does not come naturally. Instead you must learn virtue. You must ask for virtue so that you can receive it. You must place yourself in a position where those around you are demonstrating virtue so that you can learn by their example. Until you make the effort to add virtue to your life, the fruit of your heart will be that which is not pleasing in the eyes of God.

Acts 24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.

Felix had heard the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Evidently, Felix believed Paul�s story over the story given to him by Ananias and Tertullus. However, Felix was corrupt, he desired that Paul purchase his freedom by bribing him with money. Felix may have heard how Paul lived by a different standard, but that still did not stop him from attempting to receive from Paul a bribe in exchange for his release.

What Felix did not understand is that Paul was accountable to God for his actions. Paul had added virtue to his life and as such, while he probably figured out that with a bribe he would be able to obtain a release, if he paid a bribe, he would destroy his testimony. Paul understood that even thinking about paying a bribe to Felix violated at least four things he had told the church that they were supposed to think upon. Taking a bribe would not be true, it would not be honest, it would not be just and it would not be pure.

Acts 24:1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

Lysias, the captain of the guard sent Paul to Caesarea. In Caesarea was Felix the governor who agreed to hear the charges of the Jews. When Ananias arrived, he had brought Tertullus to speak before Felix to communicate their grievances.

Tertullus started off by flattering Felix by letting him know how he had brought peace to their land and how they were so grateful for Felix�s worthy deeds in their land. Tertullus then stated that he did not want to waste Felix�s time and that he would be brief. Next he accused Paul of stirring up the Jews and various other things that Paul had not done. Finally they said that they were about to judge Paul according to their law because he had defiled the temple but that they were prevented because of Lysias actions of taking Paul away from them with violence. Tertullus communicated that this matter was regarding their temple and as such, implied that Felix did not have jurisdiction to hear this matter.

Acts 20:9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and as taken up dead.

Paul was in Troas preaching the gospel to the believers. Paul was only in Troas for seven days and as such, this was the only Sabbath that he was going to be able to teach. Paul had much to share with the believers and as such, he preached long into the night.

Eutychus was a young man who attended the meeting Paul preached. However Eutychus, while a believer was not devouring every word shared by Paul. Rather then seeing how close he could be to Paul, Eutychus found a comfortable spot in the back sitting by a window. Sitting by a window gave Eutychus plenty of distractions from hearing all the words of Paul. In addition, because of his position, he was able to fall asleep with less chance of being detected.

Acts 19:24 For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought no small gain unto the craftsmen;

Demetrius saw how the believers had burned all the books in Ephesus. Demetrius was concerned that he was no longer going to be able to make money selling his shrines so he called together his fellow workmen. Demetrius led a revolt in the city of Ephesus trying to stir up passion and excitement for the worship of Diana.

Demetrius was concerned about the affect the worship of the One true God was going to have upon his god and his profession. Demetrius was not going to sit by and watch his god be diminished by a man like Paul. Demetrius understood the political system and he implemented a plan that enabled him to cause the people to be drawn to action. So effective was Demetrius� actions that the disciples feared for Paul�s life. The confusion created by Demetrius resulted in no one being able to even speak, let alone a defense of the truth that there is only One God.

Acts 19:19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver.

God had brought the fear of the Lord upon many in Ephesus. A revival was breaking out in the community. Many of the believers who use to practice the occult took their books and burned them. It did not matter that these books had great value and that they could be sold to someone else. The believers in Ephesus did not want anyone else to read these books and be drawn away from the Lord.

The believers in Ephesus had no need for these books since they now served the living God. They understood that there could be no other gods before the One true God and as such, they removed from their lives those things that use to be gods in their lives. They understood the importance of having a clear conscience before God and having nothing that could hinder their relationship with God.

Acts 16:17 The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which show unto us the way of salvation.

Paul was in Philippi, the chief city in Macedonia. While he was there, a young lady started following him who was possessed with a devil. She made a lot of money for her masters. People would pay her masters money to hear her tell their future. While she was filled with a devil, she was able to see the truth in Paul�s life and she loudly proclaimed the truth that people needed to listen to Paul.

This lady who was filled with deception was able to see and understand that Paul was from God and he possessed the truth that would set everyone free. Paul�s life was such a testimony for God that the devils inside this young lady knew that greater was HE that was in Paul and that Paul was HIS servant.

Acts 15:20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

A controversy arouse regarding whether the Gentiles had to be circumcised prior to being saved. While the Pharisees that believed felt that circumcision was necessary, Peter shared his testimony and reached the opposite conclusion. James then arose and used the prophets to demonstrate that circumcision was not necessary. However, James did proclaim that there were four laws of Moses that the Gentiles must abide by. The Gentiles were to abstain from idols, fornication, things that were strangled, and from blood.

Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Saul had been religious and was trying to kill the Christians. Now Saul
had been touched of God and he was sharing with others the good report
that Christ was the Son of God. In the matter of a very short period of
time, Paul had been filled with virtue and his entire life had changed.
Paul had spoken to God and God blinded him and then three days later,
after much prayer and fasting, Ananias came and laid his hands upon him
so that he received his sight. At the same time Saul had received his

Acts 9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Saul saw how the teaching of the disciples was destroying the traditions of the Jews. Saul was filled with himself and he decided to do something about it. Saul had been trained in the law of Moses. He did not want to see his power and the power of the priests destroyed because these disciples were teaching a different doctrine.

Because of Saul�s training, he thought he was doing the will of God by destroying those who where harming the traditions of the Jews. Saul was well educated but his knowledge was only superficial because he was more concerned about the power he derived from his knowledge rather than how close of a relationship he could have with God. Saul knew the truth since he was there when Steven preached the sermon using only the Old Testament scriptures. However, Saul rejected the truth of Stephen�s words.

Acts 7:54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth.

Stephen had just finished sharing the truth with the high priest and the counsel. They had given Stephen the time to speak but now that he was done, they openly rejected the message that they had heard. Stephen was fully committed to the cause of Christ and the priests rejected the truth and the messenger.

The sermon of Stephen along with the reaction of the counsel is an excellent example of how there is no gray area. Jesus said HE is the truth. Either the counsel accepted the truth or they rejected the truth. The counsel heard the clear, crisp, clean message of the gospel yet they openly decided to reject the truth. The truth had been presented to set them free, but instead, they chose to live a life bound by their law and sacrifices. They were not willing to admit that they were wrong and that they killed the Messiah.

Stephen�s security was not wrapped up in what others thought of him. Stephen was out to do the will of his Savior. Stephen had filled his heart and mind with the message of truth. Out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth spoke. Stephen knew that if the counsel was going to be saved, they had to hear the message of the gospel and they had to understand the errors of their ways. Stephen was bold enough to share the message to ensure that the counsel fully understood the errors of their way.

The counsel did not want to believe that because the Messiah had come, they were no longer needed to help people get right with God. They were proud of their traditions, they were proud of their importance, and they were proud of their supposed position with God. The counsel rejected the truth because they were unwilling to believe the truth.

You must follow the example of Stephen and fill your life with the truth. As you go about your daily life, God will give you opportunities where you will be allowed to share with others the truth. If you are speaking the truth found in God�s word, people can either accept the truth or they can reject it. You are not in charge of results; all you can do is present the truth as clearly and concisely as you can. The duty is yours to share the truth and results are in the hands of God.

While results are in the hands of God, there is one thing that Stephen did and that you must do if you desire for God to use you. Stephen could not have shared the truth had he not first fully integrated the truth in his life. So must you take the time to fill your mind and your heart with the truth so that when the time comes, the message God desires for you to share has been fully prepared.

God can do the impossible and can use a rock to convict a sinner. Nonetheless, God�s plan is to use you to share HIS truth with others. It is your responsibility to ensure that the message is in your heart so that God can use you and so that you can fulfill your duty to share the truth. When you demonstrate to God that you are filled with virtue, then be prepared for God to open some awesome opportunities where you are able to share. Do not be discouraged when people reject the truth, it is only your duty to share the truth and it is up to the listener to accept or reject the conviction that occurs as a result of the truth.

Acts 7:1-2 Then said the high priest, Are these things so? And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.

Stephen was doing good works for God and God was blessing him. However, not everyone appreciated the message that Stephen preached. Some men claimed that they heard Stephen speak blasphemy against Moses and God. Because of these men�s accusations, Stephen was brought before the counsel. Before the counsel, these men now said that Stephen was guilty of blasphemy against the holy place and the law.

Acts 4:9-10 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

Peter and John went to the temple and as they were entering, a lame man asked for some money. Instead of giving the lame man what he asked for, by the power of Christ, they gave him more then what he asked and enabled him to walk. Because this man had been lame all his life, everyone was astonished and Peter and John had an audience that was causing the priests to become jealous.

Acts 2:16-17 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Peter is speaking on the day of Pentecost. As Jesus had promised, the Holy Ghost had just filled many of Jesus� followers. As a result of being filled with the Spirit, when the disciples spoke, everyone heard the disciples in their own language. At that time, there were many different nations represented in Jerusalem and each individual heard the disciples speak in their own language. Peter than arose and preached a sermon which resulted in three thousand individuals becoming followers of Christ.

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on thee things.

The second precious promise that is given to you is virtue. Peter tells you that you are to diligently add to your faith virtue. Virtue will not magically appear in your life but you must learn to diligently seek it and allow it to change your life so that you might be a partaker of the divine nature. While you may live in the world, you do not need to be of this world. Instead, the inward character of Christ must reside within you so that when people see you, they understand that there is something different about you. The light of God must shine within you and you must allow yourself to be visible to all so that God�s glory will be evident to all who see you.

II Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

The word �sound� in this verse means uncorrupted, true in doctrine. Paul is telling Timothy that he needs to grab a hold of the truth that he had been taught. Timothy was not to allow strange doctrine to control his life, but instead he was to focus on those things that he had been taught that he knew to be true.

By faith Paul had taught Timothy good doctrine. Because of the love that Paul had for the Lord, he had dedicated time into the life of Timothy to prepare him for the ministry that Timothy was now involved with. Paul did not desire that Timothy forsake the doctrine that he was taught, but instead, desired Timothy to preserve the doctrine and abide in it.

Paul understood that he had trained Timothy in the way he should go, and he was now encouraging Timothy not to stray from that path. Paul knew that Timothy would face many trials and temptations that were designed of the enemy to cause him to forsake his first love. Paul desired that Timothy remember his firm foundation and constantly abide on that foundation regardless of what the enemy threw at him.

Paul had modeled to Timothy a life filled with faith and love. A balanced Christian life that permitted others to see that Paul was serving a living God, but done in such a way that unsaved individuals understood that they were important to Paul and that he cared for them. Paul understood that his love for the Lord and his love for his neighbor were important elements that enabled him to demonstrate his faith.

God has blessed you by allowing you to have a copy of HIS words. HIS words are true and they are alive today. Any time you have a question, you are able to turn to God and receive direction. When God speaks to you, you need to hold fast to those words of truth for you know that Satan is going to do everything possible to cause you to stray from the words that God has given to you.

Those words spoken to you by God are for you to assist you in having the faith to weather the storm. Those words spoken to you by God are designed to increase your love of God. Just because you are facing a storm, it does not mean that God�s words for your life are not true and right. The bigger the storm in your life, the more you need to hold on to the words that HE has given to you.

Too many Christians have the problem that when their life does not go according to their plan, they start to throw a pity party. Rather then being bold and focusing upon the things God has done for them and thanking God for their trials, they look at the present and allow themselves to be discouraged and lose focus upon the things of God.

Paul reminded Timothy to hold fast to good doctrine and apply it to his life. Paul knew that Timothy had the truth just like you have the truth. You have the tools necessary to weather the trial that you are now facing. You need to hold onto the truth and understand that you are to live your life through this storm so that God can be glorified and magnified through your life. Be available to be used of God even during the storm. God has given you the truth, hold fast, do not let go, and use the truth to encourage your walk.