May 2008
In this issue... A Rock you can Trust Part 3 |
 One of "The Monuments"...Learn more on The Lake Trail at this website. |
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Mark's Trail Phone 909-549-0068
Contact Hiking the Trail of Truth, hikemark@hotmail.com
Page 2
 From The Editor... |
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Hello, and Welcome to the May 2008 HTTOT Newsletter! We here at Hiking the Trail of Truth sincerely hope this year that you have allowed the loving Spirit of God to be active within your heart, and that you are perhaps able to get out for a hike and consider many of the wonders He has made. We are uniquely drawn to these wonders because we were formed from the very dust of the earth, and, because of that relationship, we have the ability to develop the understanding that will allow us to discover our unique balance with nature. Come along with us on a most profound adventure of learning...
WEBSITE NEWS:
Knowing God is first seeing Him through the things He has made (Romans 1:20). Hiking the Trail of Truth is here to help you along in your journey of discovery and sharing. If you have been or are presently unable to get out this season for a physical hike, just visit our website's feature trail for this month; The Lake Trail . Your mental trek there can take you where you may be unable to journey physically. The eye-opening education, inspiration and lasting encouragement which you can find along the Lake Trail will be well worth your time... Just click on the Lake Trail link on the bottom of this newsletter, or click on that trailmarker on the left side of the website's Home page, or you can locate the marker on the website's Hiking Maps and Trailheads page as well.— We sincerely hope that you will hike all of our devotional and educational trails at the website this year. Again, we are here to help you in any way we can and, as always, look forward to hearing from you. Hiking the Trail of Truth is currently one of the most truthfully informative Christian sites on the web. Please, be our guest; explore this truth for yourself and discover!
The Newest Addition to the HTTOT website is the Trail to the On-Line Church. Don't have a church home? Then this trail is for you. Learn the Bible correctly, or get help with personal problems/spiritual needs in the privacy of your own home. Ask questions and get good, solid answers. We hope that you will hike to the On-Line Church and choose to benefit from it!
The most important way to begin your day is with a short reading from the Bible. Today is indeed a good time to begin that resolve. For this purpose, the Mountain and Valley Trail was built. There you will find daily Bible readings for the entire year, with accompanying photos, created especially for you. To locate this picture/Scripture calendar, simply click on the Mountain and Valley Trail. You will find a compass there that will lead you to the calendar of months, and you can then choose a month to begin your day-by-day readings. Your daily journey through life is sure to begin in the right direction! After all, we live only one day at a time, right?— Why don't you then take the opportunity now and begin a one-year hike along the Mountain and Valley Trail. You will not be disappointed, in fact, your journey will be full of enlightening, life-changing insights!
Don't forget that HTTOT offers FREE COUNSELING to anyone who wants it (Lord knows we all need it). Your varied questions are also important, and are given the utmost consideration in answering them. For you to be aware of the truth, in a world where falsehood abounds, is very important to us. Your spiritual struggles are of our utmost concern—we can help! We serve a loving and compassionate Creator. So just phone or e-mail any time. Contact information is listed at the bottom of the cover page of this Newsletter, or you can visit Questions and Answers Trail Camp at the website, where a ''submit a question" link is provided, or you can visit the On-Line Church to submit your inquiries or learn there how to understand the Bible correctly...
May's Letter From the Editor : A Rock you can Trust...
Part 3 (final)
The message of the cross is indeed enlightening, but perhaps difficult to understand for most folks. Let us then consider this profound message through four basic points...the four points of the cross... First of all, the cross represents the Justice of God. The penalty for sin is death. The Scriptures teach that every person breathing life upon the earth sins and falls short of the glory of God. The death penalty is God's just consequence for sin. This sin debt must be paid by each and every individual, for all have sinned (Romans 3:23). God cannot go back on His word, for He does not lie. His justice demands payment for the sins of the world. His judgement is righteous and true; being taught in numerous, comprehendible ways throughout the Scriptures. The soul who sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:4). There is no escaping the justice of God. The cross represents the horrible devastation and consequences of sin upon one's life. Humility is the key unlocking the door to understanding and accepting the judgement of God. |
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Secondly, there is the Wisdom of God. The Scriptures teach us that the wisdom of God seems entirely foolish to men. Yet, God uses this supposed foolishness to confound the wise. God in His wisdom chose his only Son as a pure sacrifice to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. He allowed for that sacrificial death to take place on a cross. The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent" (1st Corinthians 1:18, 19). God turns conventional wisdom on its head and exposes the so-called experts as the truly foolish ones. The message that points to Christ on the cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent for destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense, for Jesus said, Oh Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank You for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike. Yes Father, it pleased You to do it this way (Luke 10:21). Humility is the key that opens the door to understanding God's wisdom.
Thirdly, the cross, God's plan for redemption, displays the Love of God. Through this nearly incomprehensible act of love He allowed that His only Son would take on the sin debt for the entire world, becoming the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). God's deep love for mankind (His creation) can be seen in the parable of the lost sheep (Luke 15). In this remarkable story, God literally runs to greet the repentant sinner walking toward Him. He even puts His arms around the sinner and hugs and kisses him. This particular man had "sinned himself" into utter depravity—his life displays the devastating effect of sin's consequences on the entire human race. This man had sinned beyond most folk's understanding of sin, yet, nothing could keep him from God's love once he chose to seek it. This man represents each of us who make ourselves willing to comprehend the depth of our wicked ways and turn toward our Creator in repentance and hope. Many folks wonder how God could love someone who had strayed this far. The fact is that we have all strayed far, yet, His love is boundless, and He can teach us to comprehend and to even practice it if we choose to learn. Again, humility is the key to open the door of understanding regarding the completeness of God's love.
Fourthly, all things are done through the Power of God. God's universal power goes far beyond the limits of our finite imaginations. The word of God is the power of God regarding all matters of salvation (Romans 1:16). He shields and keeps those whom He loves through His power (1st Peter 1:5). We even exist through His power (2nd Corinthians 6:7, 13:4). He formed the entire universe by His power (Hebrews 11:3). He declared Jesus to be His Son with power, giving Him power, and brought Him forth through the resurrection of the dead (Romans1:4). God's fullness (all His power) dwells in the person of Christ, and God has reconciled to Himself all things by making peace through Christ's blood which was shed on the cross (Colossians 1:19, 20). God's power is infinite, and the power of His message is found in and through the cross. There, His justice was served, His wisdom was vindicated, His love bore the ultimate fruit, and His power was displayed throughout the entire universe. That, dear friend, is the profound message of the cross. That message is the answer to all of your problems. Meditate upon it. Seek to comprehend it. Once again, humility is the key to a deep understanding of this message. It is indeed a Rock that you can Trust.
Understanding the message of the cross will allow you a deeper understanding of God and of yourself. Through this understanding your life will take on new meaning and renewed hope. You will truly be able to to trust in the Rock, who is Christ...See you next month for another Letter from the Editor. Sincerely, Mark
Encouraging Gods' Children...
Here is this months' list of those who need encouragement through your prayers and letters. I hope you will take the time to encourage them... Some of their problems are personal and we will respect their privacy; leaving it up to those individuals to share at their discretion. Please pray for them and write to them (I can provide addresses for you. Please call or E-mail me for that information). Encouragement is a noble thing and a profound way to honor God through lifting up His children... Please inform me if you would like to add anyone to our prayer list. Also, please check Newsletter Archives for folks and their situations previously on the prayer list.
Let us this month encourage and pray for...
Please remember all of the homeless, the poor, and the hungry of this world as you go about your daily routine this Year. Try to locate a homeless, poor, or hungry person and help them in any way that you can... Continue to pray for all of those "in need" of any type, and please pray earnestly for all the people of the world in which we live—in every country—that men and women will desire to find wisdom, that they will turn and seek God's face as their true need in this world full of spiritual blindness, rebellion and increasing depravity. The Lord's coming will not be delayed much longer. Endeavor to encourage others to seek Him, in truth, while there is still time. His love is worth finding.
Father, grant us the humility to seek Your face for the well being of others. Help us to reach out to them, in all seasons, with kindness in word and in deed. May our actions reflect Your character. We are, each one of us, in need of Your guidance in the use of possessions, our prosperity, our tongues and our talents. Though we are quite unworthy, we ask you to bless our efforts... In the name of your glorious Son, Jesus, we pray.
Thank you so much for hiking with us through the May 2008 issue of the Hiking the Trail of Truth Newsletter. Until June then, may the grace of our Lord Jesus be upon you...
Sincerely, Mark S Taylor
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HIKING THE TRAIL OF TRUTH
Mark S. Taylor
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