Ten Core Values for the Christian life (9)

We are nearing the end of this blog series.

In the introduction I wrote; "It is one thing to say we don't steal, but are we generous? It is one thing to say we don't bear false witness, but do we speak truth when we open our mouths? Going from commandment to core value is, in essence, going from theory to application."

Let's continue with the ninth commandment: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (Exodus 20:16).

Of course, if all is well we will not lie, cheat, or falsely accuse others. But the real question is: Do we speak truth when we open our mouths?

One of the most famous questions ever asked in the history of mankind, was the one Pilate desperately confronted Jesus with: ‘and what is truth?’ That question still lingers in our courtrooms. As a matter of fact, it lingers in our homes, schools, political arenas, businesses, and even in our churches. What is truth? A very relevant question for today.

As in Pilate's time, we also live in a world that is made up of accusations, lies, and gossip. We are constantly bombarded with stories about people cheating, lying, and accusing others of being the reason for the mess they are in. Such practices even have entertainment value. It seems mankind hasn’t moved up the ladder of integrity very much.

Can we answer Pilate’s question with a certainty that would settle all dispute, all error, and all doubt? It is now more important than ever before, that we live and speak truthfully and discover how to stand up for biblical values and principles in a troubled world that seems to have taken a free fall into lawlessness. 

👉The core value I have attached to the ninth commandment is TRUTH

We will stand up for truth and boldly proclaim the values and principles of the Bible.

🕂🕂🕂🕂🕂

For more on this topic, read my book 'SPIRIT OF TRUTH' (Finding certainty and standing firm in a troubled world). This book is available on Amazon in your country.

The good armor (7)

Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation... we looked at it briefly in the previous blogs. They are the God-given weapons we need to fight with and to protect ourselves with in a hostile world.

When we read verse 17 in the sixth chapter of the letter to Ephesians in its entirety, it says:

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

The sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. So, what is this sword? The Spirit of God or the Word of God, or maybe both? Surely, we are not supposed to stab people with Bible verses, as if we were in a sword fight ...

No, that would not be wise. However, this verse does show us that the Word of God is sharp, and no doubt powerful. The Bible is not just a book full of letters, it is a book full of life. Jesus said to His disciples, The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63).

Such an awesome statement. The words of Jesus are spiritual and full of life, which is why they are still speaking to people today (two thousand years later)! His words are not theory or theology, but spiritual truths. In Hebrews 4:12 the Word is described like this:

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

The sword, we cannot and should not live without it. Reading (and then doing) the living word is essential everyday food!

The good armor (2)

Thank you for joining me in this new blog series. Spiritual warfare, oh my goodness, such an important topic.

There are different ways to arm oneself in the battle between good and evil. Some people opt for aggression, others for cynicism, and still others for campaigning. Defense, attack, or run away, it is all possible.

The Bible also speaks of armor that we can reach for. His weapons are of a completely different order, a spiritual order.

You can find the basic text for this series in Ephesians 6:10-13. It will help you to read it regularly, as a reminder that 1) there is a spiritual battle, 2) God gives us weapons, 3) we do not fight against people and 4) we can stand firm (yeah!).

If we continue reading in Ephesians 6, we come to verse 14, which is a strong appeal: Stand ready, the Good News translation says. In other translations: Stand firm! Be prepared! The message is clear: get off the couch!

The first weapon God gives us is TRUTH, to wear as a belt. We must gird ourselves with truth. To gird means to encircle or bind with a belt or band, to surround; enclose; hem in, frame, encircle, encompass.

We live in a world where the opposite will happen if we are not careful, we are surrounded (girded) by lies. I hear it almost daily in conversations ... who speaks the truth? How do I know if this is true? Why do people lie under oath? etc. etc. In order to have a somewhat clear understanding of the thousand things that come our way each day, it is crucial that we are enclosed by the truth, that we have embraced truth.

When we are encircled (girded) by truth, we look to the outside as through a filter. A truth filter. And you know what, Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. Apart from Him, apart from the truth, we cannot stand in battle. If you believe in Him, He will give you the Spirit of Truth, who comes to live in you and will be with you always. 👉 He gives truth counsel.

PS: In my book Spirit of Truth I go deeper into the root cause of deception, which is twisted truth. I believe it is a must-read for such a time as this. Kindle and paperback are available on Amazon.

This troubled world

Last week I received a message from a friend in northern Italy. Shortly after the government restrictions were imposed, she lost her job. 'Can I translate another book for you,' she texted, 'that will give me something to do.'

I proposed the translation of Spirit of Truth to which she responded: 'Boy, do we ever need that now!' And so she went to work on that one. When I picked up the book from my library, I noticed the subtitle... almost as if for the first time, since the book came out 4 years ago:

Finding certainty and standing firm in a troubled world.

A troubled world? Back in 2016? You gotta be kidding, right? Wasn't life a picnic back then? Well, no, not exactly. 2016 was a year full of disasters, from deadly earthquakes, terror attacks, life-depleting droughts, devastating storms, to unceasing wars. Many thought the end was near. But here we are...

Up until now 2020 is no picnic either. We are still in this troubled world, trying to make sense of it all and, who knows, trying to find truth in it all. Four years from now, we will find ourselves facing new challenges in a world that knows no lack of trouble. 👉We better get used to it.

Jesus said: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33). You will have... so, let's not try to escape, let's try to cope.

I think this is the art of faith... having peace in perilous times, trust while in trouble, and joy when all we know and have is in jeopardy.

Together with Jesus, we can overcome the world. Why refuse His outstretched hand? We have nowhere else to go.

The Holy Spirit introduces Himself

Most of you may have heard about me and I suspect some of you have even read books about me and have thoroughly studied my actions. I am glad that you do not deny my existence and I am grateful for the special place that I have received in your life.

Strangely enough, the fact that I live in your house does not mean that you know me personally. For many people, I am unfortunately no more than a mystery guest. That saddens me because I want more. I want attention!

Simply, because it is the Father's plan that you and I develop a close relationship. Your pastor knows about this, because every week he sends you home with the blessing from 2 Corinthians 13:13, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. By that fellowship (unity) He means the community or intimacy that should be between the two of us and other believers. Perhaps your reluctance to have this intimate relationship with me stems from the fact that we do not communicate so often.

It has come to my attention that many of you have a somewhat distorted image of who I am. In fact, I have even heard that some spread rumors of me being a mystery, rather vague and somewhat elusive. I have no idea where such ideas come from, but I do think that people have developed a certain opinion about my personality based on metaphors.

Yes, on comparisons that describe me as a fire, wind, a dove, or heavenly power. Those comparisons are certainly true, but that is not who I am. That is just what I can be compared with. Just as Jesus is not a vine, piece of bread or water well, those are comparisons that say something about who He really is.

Even though I was personally sent to the earth by Jesus Christ, when He sat down at the right hand of our Father, that was not my first trip. I was here from the very beginning. You can read in the Bible how my presence affected creation, how I empowered people to do extraordinary things, and how I was present at the conception of the Son of Man. All those stories about the past are powerful of course, but to be honest, my current position is crucial for today's church.

I know about your difficulties and struggles and I know sometimes you wonder where it will end up with all those empty pews and church buildings. But let me encourage you: if you don't stop or restrain me, you'll see great things happen.

I am the helper, comforter and teacher and would appreciate it if you would come to me with your questions. I will show you the way to the complete truth. I will convince you of sin and justice. I will dare to tell you things about the future and will always honor Jesus in everything I do. Moreover, I will bring back to you every word that Jesus has ever spoken, for that reason alone you should desire to get to know me better.

To be honest, I don't know if it is necessary to entice you even further, but I would still like to give you some gifts, spiritual gifts. Those gifts are freely available and it is my desire that they will visibly work in you, for the benefit of the common good of course.

You can reach me by calling me by one of my beautiful names. Yes, I have many names, just like the Father and the Son. Spirit of Truth, Spirit of Christ, Holy Spirit of Promise and Eternal Spirit to name but a few. Let's agree that you no longer call me mysterious, foggy, or vague. On the basis of mutual respect, I am happy to enter into a close friendship with you. Listen, I am calling you by name!

And what is truth?

Signing the book 'Duch Pravdy' 

And what is truth? Pilate asked Jesus that question. The very Truth stood right in front of him, but he doubted. He was influenced by the crowd ... by people who didn't know the truth and were just repeating words of others without thinking.

And what is truth? I find it an intriguing question and I have used it as the foundation for my book Spirit of Truth that was published back in 2016. Two weeks ago that book was published in the Slovak language and we traveled to the beautiful city of Bratislava for the presentation. How exciting!

Preaching on Sunday morning

We were invited to speak about this theme during a youth evening at the Faith Baptist Church in Bratislava. Around forty(!) young people were present and we spoke about truth and twisted truth. Later that weekend I spoke on Sunday morning in that same church about the attack on truth nowadays, much like  it was attacked when Jesus stood before Pilate.

We also spoke at the Teen Challenge drug and alcohol rehabilitation home in Sered about the importance of knowing the truth and about the lies that keep people imprisoned for years. "You always remain a user," "you need drugs or alcohol," "you will never be anything." Lies the enemy whispers.

The truth is that Jesus wants to set people free, truly free! He said to Pilate: In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth (John 18:37). That is quite something.

And what about us, what is expected of us now that Jesus no longer walks the earth? We must also testify to the truth and for that reason we receive the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth. And that's what the book is all about!

Words travel far

I have always been intrigued by the words in Isaiah 55:11 (maybe because I am more of a 'word' than a 'visual' person.

The words God speaks are being compared with the rain and snow that come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.

And then it says:

It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.

Words travel and produce fruit. I want it to be like that with my own words, whether spoken or written down in a book or blog. ➽➽ It is amazing to think about the places where our words can travel and I would certainly like to encourage you all to keep on writing good stuff!

I am thrilled to announce that a Slovak edition of my book 'Spirit of Truth' is coming out April 8th. My husband and I will be traveling to Bratislava (that is the beautiful capital of Slovakia) for the book presentation. We will speak at different venues and do a book signing. I am so looking forward to this trip and to share what God has put on my heart.

I never thought my books would be available in Slovakia, but God made a way. It is my prayer that the words we write (as bloggers and authors) will travel... and produce fruit... and accomplish all we want it to... and prosper wherever we send them.

The English e-book edition of Spirit of Truth is available on amazon.

Do you receive encouragement?

Sometimes I want to throw in the towel. Yeah, honestly. I am talking about writing books, blogs and articles. I am talking about the calling that is on my life. Do you ever feel that way?

At times I find it very difficult to concentrate, to find (or better: make) time to write, to ponder, to reflect. At times I am disappointed because a book I expected to be a success, did not sell so well. At times I wonder if anyone is encouraged and built up at all by my writings.

Oh well, I know all writers and bloggers deal with this from time to time. I've read it on your blogs, I've seen it in other authors and artists. I call it 'being overrun by waves of doubt and discouragement'.

But somehow, each time I feel like throwing in the towel, I receive encouragement from unexpected sources. Like the other day... I received an email from a gentleman all the way in the north of Sweden, who picked up my latest book Spirit of Truth,

"Gull-Brith, my wife, loves your book Spirit of Truth very much and so do I. We belong to a generation that did not learn English at school... She has gone through the book a couple of times and now she is working on the vocabulary."

Such emails make my day and I see them as encouragement from the Lord... go on, don't stop, I have your back. And at such moments I know it: I am blessed!

I am wondering, what kind of encouragement do you receive from time to time? Want to share your thoughts?

Spirit of Truth review snippets

In my post The fear of reviews I stated that reviews should be the fertilizer for our next work! Most writers will admit to having a love-hate affair with reviews. We dread 'm, we love 'm and we need 'm.

Having said that, I am thankful for every review, recommendation, endorsement and kind word written about my books. I am learning from reader's comments. As promised I'll share some snippets from recent reviews concerning my latest book Spirit of Truth. I hope they will help you to make a decision whether this book is worth reading or not.

"In Spirit of Truth we certainly get to the heart of the matter of truth. A new perspective of the trial of Jesus is placed in your mind, which I found incredibly hard to shake, but very easy to relate to... This delightful book, well thought out and relevant to us today... will give a unique insight, which has changed my perspective! A book you will certainly read often."

Readers Favorite

"In this brief, easy read, Marja has exposed deception and its destructive power. Just as effectively, she has compiled the facts of truth... I found the bullet points that close each chapter thought provoking and challenging, a nudge toward practical application. I highly recommend this book: it's full of sound, scriptural guidance for any young sojourner, and just as importantly, seasoned, mature readers will be challenged to consider their habits and whether they are walking in the Spirit of Truth or stumbling about in deception."

Amazon

"Prior to reading this book, I had not considered interpreting truth from so many angles. I appreciated the challenge to examine how I view truth, as well as the encouragement to live accordingly. Readers will enjoy Ms. Meijer’s friendly, conversational style as she guides them on an insightful journey to define and apply Biblical truth in their lives. I recommend this book to anyone who is seeking truth, as well as those desiring a deeper relationship with the Lord."

Karen Lange

"Marja delves into the nuances of being truthful about what we share with others. She approaches the issues involved with a magnifying glass and sheds light on issues most of the people would only think about in passing. I like the concept of the series of which this book is a part; the whole series is about the Ten Commandments in the 21st century."

Cecelia Lester

Get your Kindle edition today!

The fear of reviews

So, you've written a book. The days of crying, wrestling, whining, procrastinating and too much chocolate are finally over. The books arrived at your door step.

You touch the book, open it carefully and hold your breath while quickly scanning the pages... and you silently pray, 'please, don't let there be any typo's.'

You place it on your desk and enthusiastically leave copies all over the house: on the coffee table, the kitchen counter, the front porch, in the bathroom and the glove compartment of your car. It´s probably better for everyone that your husband stopped you before venturing out into the neighborhood.

You restrain yourself and carefully plan the announcements on your social media. Not too much, not too much, lest people will grow tired of your efforts. You check Amazon two thousand times a day to see whether someone left a review or purchased the Kindle version that you practically offered for free. It's your book, it's your baby, it's your tears and your pain.

Everyone told you it would be like this and yet.... the agony is worse than imagined. Will readers like the book or will they nail it to the floor? Will they tell others about it or will their silence drown your story? Legitimate questions of course, but maybe we're missing the most important one: Why fear the reviews?

We all need honest feedback, even if it hurts. It is part of the writing process which, by the way, does NOT stop when the book goes to print. Good, unbiased reviews build our character and sharpen our writing skills and purposes. As a matter of fact, I believe they should be the fertilizer for our next work!

I'll share some recommendations from recent reviews about my latest book Spirit of Truth in my next blog post. But besides that, I am curious... what are your experiences with writing or receiving reviews?

Blogoversary continued...

The party isn't over until it's over! That certainly goes for my 10 year blogging anniversary.

I am thankful for everyone who participated in my blogspecial Bloggers@work. If I have learned something, it is that we bloggers/writers don't like editing and that we should never, ever give up on writing!

Susan Reinhardt threw in a giveaway and I asked her to draw a name. She writes: "I drew a name, but made an executive decision :) Since May was also my blogoversary month, I'm going to bless all three of these ladies!"

• Susan will send a paperback of The Moses Conspiracy to Cecelia
• Jen will get a Kindle version of The Christmas Wish
• Elsie will get a Kindle version of The Moses Conspiracy

Isn't it great to celebrate together?! Thank you Susan, for your kindness.

To top it off, Cecelia Lester posted an interview with me on her blog and a review of my latest book Spirit of Truth. I quote:

"Marja delves into the nuances of being truthful about what we share with others. She approaches the issues involved with a magnifying glass and sheds light on issues most of the people would only think about in passing."

I am looking back with a grateful heart at a this blogoversary and I hope yours will be a blast as well, in due time. Let's keep on blogging!

Blogoversary giveaway!

Yep! It's coming up: my 10 year blogoversary. Believe it or not, but I penned my first blog post in May 2006, not knowing where the adventure would lead me.

Not knowing that I would meet so many other bloggers and writers online, sharing the same passion and drive to be an encouraging and positive voice on the world wide web.

I have learned a lot from you all. I am thankful for your visits and comments on my blog posts and appreciate your likes and retweets. A blog will not survive without a faithful group of readers and it is time to thank you all again for following, reading and sharing.

Let's welcome the month of May and begin the celebration with a giveaway. As you may have read in previous posts my new book Spirit of Truth has just been released. The subtitle says: 'Finding certainty and standing firm in a troubled world'.

It is an encouraging message that will inspire and equip readers to stand up and say no to the negative voices of the world (lies, accusations, fear, worries, pain and defeat) and yes to the Truth of God's Word.

I will send you a signed copy of Spirit of Truth with some other goodies, wherever you live. You can enter this giveaway by:

• leaving your comment and
• sharing this post on your social media

Please do this before May 10th, 2016. I will draw a name and announce the winner on this blog. To further celebrate I will also host several bloggers@work...

Let's celebrate blogging!

Each one his or her own truth?

Have you heard it in a conversation lately: "You have your truth and I have mine ..."?

A strange idea actually, because if everyone has his or her own truth, truth has become a variable. Friends today, enemies tomorrow. Taboo today, acceptable tomorrow. Truth has become rather confusing in our society today. It is no longer regarded as a foundation upon which we can build our worldview.

Do we find the truth somewhere in the middle? Is it possible to find truth in the midst of many voices, views and opinions? What is wrong with having our own personal truth? Ethical questions that are interesting enough to dig into, and I did ...

In my latest book Spirit of Truth I have taken a closer look at three statements by three different people:

• Pilate, who proclaimed three times that he could not find any fault in Jesus
• Peter, who said three times in a row that he did not know Jesus and
• Jesus, who announced three times the coming of the Spirit of truth

Three men, each portraying their 'own' truth. In Spirit of Truth I am taking the reader to the courtroom where Jesus stands in front of Pilate, while Peter was outside denying his friendship with Jesus. Pilate confronts Jesus with a direct and desperate question: What is truth?

We are being challenged to answer that question!

Spirit of Truth is available on Kindle and Kindle unlimited for only $2.99.

The questioning of truth

"Imagine a court room. A humble, quiet man has been brought in. He is being accused of a crime. No one seems to know exactly what kind of crime, even the judge doesn’t know for sure. What he does know however, is that all kind of charges and complaints have been filed against this man. He is trying to sort things out. Justice must prevail!

During the trial several people come forward to tell lies about the defendant, who appears particularly quiet and peaceful during this ordeal. His sad but friendly eyes drift around the room only to rest for a mere second or so on some of his countrymen. They look back with hatred and spit in his direction as if to silence his kindness..."

So begins my new book Spirit of Truth. Looking back at the events in the courtroom, where Jesus stood before Pilate, we can see a desperate cry emerge. A cry that still lingers in our courtrooms today. As a matter of fact it lingers in our homes, schools, political arena, businesses, and even in our churches: 'And what is truth?' 

In Spirit of Truth the reader is being challenged to answer Pilate's question, not just inside the courtroom... but where it matters most: in our daily lives.

'A delightful book, well thought out and relevant to us today... A book you will certainly read often.'

Reader's Favorite USA

The message in this book is very inspiring and encouraging, especially if you find yourself struggling from time to time to stay hopeful and positive in a world  that has taken a free fall into lawlessness.

The paperback edition will be published and distributed in Europe (where I am residing), but there is also a Kindle edition which is now available at Amazon for just $2.99.

Spirit of Truth is the sixth book in a series about the Ten Commands in the 21st century. The message is related to the 9th commandment: 'Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor'. 

New release: Spirit of Truth

I am happy to break in to my Bible alphabet blog series with some exciting news.... I have a new book coming up! (which is about time...)

Yep, when bloggers are getting quiet, they're probably hiding behind their computer screen and working on a book :) Spirit of Truth is my sixth (English language) book and for several reasons (such as procrastination) it took me quite some time to finish it.

In this new release I am taking the reader back in time to one of the most famous questions ever asked in the history of mankind... and that is the one Pilate desperately confronted Jesus with: ‘and what is truth?’

It is the very scene where Jesus stands before Pilate that I have used to unfold the historical case truth vs. lie. I have taken Pilate's question and related it to the 9th commandment which teaches us not to accuse anyone falsely or in other words: speak truth.

Today, as in Pilate's time, we live in a world that is made up of accusations, lies and gossip. We are constantly being bombarded with stories about people cheating, lying, and accusing others of being the reason for the mess they are in. Such practices have even gotten entertainment value. Pilate's question still lingers in our courtrooms everyday. As a matter of fact, it lingers in our homes, schools, businesses and churches. What is truth? A very relevant question for today.

It will be a few more weeks before the paperback version will be available, but... you can get your Kindle edition  right now for only $2.99!

Get your e-book copy of Spirit of Truth today and be blessed and encouraged as you read through the pages! In the coming weeks I will post some give-aways and recommendations.