In this episode we begin a discussion on quoting sources. While, on the surface, this might not seem like a biblically relevant topic, it is one that people have differing opinions on throughout Christian circles.

When we quote various books and authors, what is the responsibility of the person offering the quote to make disclaimer statements regarding what ELSE from the author we do or do not ascribe to?

Most of the sources we will draw on (outside of Scripture itself) will be connected in SOME way to something unsavory, undesirable, or downright unholy. While, of course, we should be careful about where we draw information from and use solid discernment while reading and studying (especially as it relates to assisting with our understanding of Scripture), does the inability of any person throughout history (aside from Jesus Christ) to stand up to rigorous scrutiny mean that we should avoid quotations or references altogether?

The reality of the situation is, there are many people who use quotes regularly in sermons or conversations with other Christians AND there are many who are uncomfortable with a loose utilization of quotations for fear of some being led astray when checking out quoted sources that, in other places, might state things better left unsaid.

In this environment, and whatever our responsibility towards precise vetting of sources for moral purity, we are responsible for treating one another with love when we disagree - especially on topics like this.

Email: [email protected]

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #faithful #religious #spiritual #theology #apologetics #biblical #bible #biblestudy #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #God #sources #quotations #quotes #references #disagreements #disagreement #unity #Christian #Christianity #fyp #fypyoutube

In the book of Exodus we read a very challenging set of verses. One says that GOD hardens Pharaoh's heart. One says that PHARAOH hardens his own heart. Everyone wants to know - which one is true and what are the implications for God's goodness and sovereignty in the face of the human suffering (the plagues) that came from this moment?

In this episode we take a look at the best modern explanation I've ever heard for this conundrum that explains it with simplicity and clarity. We also take a look at a centuries old explanation that mirrors the first one.

Hopefully, this grants us some peace with these verses, some solidarity with ancient thinkers, and some encouragement to be actively engaged in some of the writings of the early church fathers (as well as modern discussion with our peers) in order to glean some solid points on things that have been discussed for ages.

While I don't see the early church fathers as authoritative in the same way Catholics do, to take the opposite approach and ignore them entirely is to pretend that we, in our historical context, are the first ones to approach scripture and, therefore, miss out on many points of wisdom that have already been laid as groundwork for good biblical study.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #God #earlychurchfathers #churchfathers #origen #exodus #moses #pharaoh #wax #clay #heart #hope #love #theology #apologetics #Catholic #Protestant #biblestudy #biblical #Christian #Christianity #religious #faithful #spiritual #truth #truthbetold #tbt #fyp #fypyoutube

Sometimes when we read scripture we might walk away feeling like we got NOTHING from that bible study session. It can be aggravating and defeating, but we have to keep reading. You never know when something you read NOW might connect perfectly to something you read later.

In this episode we examine one of my personal favorite stories: the woman with the flow of blood for 12 years. On its own, this story is an incredible story of the compassion of Christ, the faith of a broken woman, and a merciful miracle. But when we keep reading, particularly later in the book of Matthew, we learn more about the incredible, CONTINUED faith of this woman, the effect our story can have on others, and a wonderful lesson about the goodness of God NOT being too good to be true.

Email: [email protected]

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoutic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #theology #apologetics #fyp #fypyoutube #spiritual #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #God #bible #biblestudy #biblical #womanwiththeissueofblood #matthew #mark #luke #john #gospel #gospels #healing #miracle #Christian #Christianity

I recently returned from a trip to India for the Feast of Tabernacles where I traveled with my dad, my girlfriend, and her best friend. 

After the Feast, and before returning home, we took a brief trip to Mumbai where we experienced the most chaotic journey through the streets that we have ever lived through. We were the racial minority, we got odd looks from everyone, we were visiting at peak holiday season with Diwali coming up, millions of people swarmed the streets, we were tired, some of us were injured, and we were lost with no knowledge of how to make it back to our hotel.

During this terrifying walk through the city, the thought that kept coming into my head as I led this group was, "Where should I stand?" If I stand in front of the group, I can lead. If I stand behind the group, I can protect.

In these moments of indecision, I was drawn to the times where God says to His people, "I will go behind and before you." I was grateful to God for this promise and jealous of God for His ability to do both.

In this recounting of this journey through Mumbai, and a reflection on the times God has promised this to His people, we also draw out a lesson for what WE should be doing for each other in following God's example.

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

This episode is case and point why we should always be reading our Bibles.

I just recently got done with a full study of the book of Romans, Romans 5 is one chapter I've studied extensively, there are memory verses all throughout it - but it took reading it THIS time to draw out something that struck me differently.

In this episode we walk through and appreciate a logical case that Paul outlines for why we should feel confident in God's sanctifying work in our lives AS MUCH AS we should be confident in Christ's work on the cross.

Hopefully, by the end of this episode, you can breathe a sigh of relief like I did after examining this section more closely.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #God #Christian #Christianity #bible #biblestudy #biblical #faithful #religious #spiritual #spirit #truth #hope #love #assurance #soteriology #theology #apologetics #newtestament #romans #romans5 #apostlepaul

Throughout the Bible, particularly in Isaiah and Romans, there are allusions to the story of Gideon's defeat of the Midianites, but these allusions come at times that might not make much sense to modern readers. In fact, they might be missed as allusions altogether!

In this episode, we walk through this story in Judges 7 and analyze the allusions to learn more about what this story points to in the minds of Isaiah and Paul.

This narrative is a memorable one full of oddities and interesting occurrences, but the lesson it teaches us about ourselves and who we REALLY are even when we're feeling at our worst should prove encouraging and empowering.

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

Waiting is one of the most frustrating things that people have to do in general, and that Christians are called to do.

We know it's just a part of life, but that doesn't make it any easier. Sometimes, depending on how desperate a thing we're waiting for, it can be downright torturous. 

Isaiah writes, "men have not seen, nor has ear heard, nor eye perceived a God besides You who acts for those who WAIT for Him."

Paul commandeers the verse and writes, "no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who LOVE Him."

I don't know about you, but in moments of desperation, of pain and suffering, of intense fear - waiting feels nothing like love. And yet, Paul's use of this verse is good and correct. How?

How can Christians turn waiting into anticipation? How are waiting and love connected? 

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly 

A few weeks ago I ran into a guy at the self-checkout that felt the need to share an incredibly personal story about a struggle he was currently experiencing.

I asked if he believed in God. He said, "I don't think so, but I'm not sure since I haven't really looked into all that."

I asked if he would let me pray with him. He said he, "didn't really see the point," and clearly felt skeptical and uncertain of the idea.

Ultimately, however, he was interested in the idea enough to come BACK to me and let me explain prayer and walk him through one.

I left hoping that God would use that moment of this man's openness to show him mercy and love and draw him closer to Himself.

*FAST FORWARD A FEW WEEKS*

I'm reading in the book of Hebrews and come across a verse that says ANYONE who desires to DRAW CLOSE to God, must believe that He exists AND believe He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

This stopped me in my tracks.

That guy in the self-checkout was very skeptical about God's existence. He was even more skeptical about whether prayer would be any benefit at all.

Does Hebrews 11:6 mean that my interaction with this person was fruitless and a waste of time? Was there no chance for God to do anything in this situation because this man was experiencing uncertainty? If so, how can ANYONE EVER draw near to God?

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #doubt #uncertainty #prayer #skeptic #doubtful #Christian #atheist #agnostic #Christianity #God #bible #biblestudy #biblical #God #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #Messiah #apologetics #theology #evangelism #Hebrews #Hebrew #Hebrews11 #Greek #NewTestament #OldTestament #podcast #fyp #fypyoutube

The Question of the Day: What outside/extrabiblical sources and resources are appropriate for a Christian to use?

Word of the Day: Discernment.

Christians tend to fall all along a spectrum of belief on this topic and, while I wouldn't agree with an extreme liberal view that all information is good and created equal, that you should consume information without abandon, and all paths lead to God, a hyper-traditionalist view is also problematic.

In fact, if you are someone who holds the hard line that, "The Bible is all we need," I'd ask you the question, "all that we need for what?"

Absolutely, the text of Scripture is the inspired word of God and absolutely it is truth about God and man and the story of our departure from Him and His rescue of us back to Himself.

However, we know, instinctually, that the Bible does not tell us EVERYTHING about EVERYTHING.

So, where is the line?

Are commentaries good, but works of fiction bad? Is Josephus good but mythology bad? Is empirical truth right but story false? What about philosophy and wisdom - aren't those just attempts at syncretism and gnostic thinking?

As wild as it might seem, the biblical authors seem far less afraid of this possibility and use outside sources and resources about the world around them, morality, and wisdom to HIGHLIGHT biblical truths about God with ease.

Let's learn from their example.

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #theology #apologetics #philosophy #wisdom #logos #greek #Socrates #Plato #platonic #socratic #bible #biblical #biblestudy #spiritual #faithful #religious #Oldtestament #Newtestament #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #resources #sources #extrabiblicalsources #thecave #John #apostleJohn #Gospel #1John #parousia #scripture #church #philosophical #God #fyp #fypyoutube #Christian #Christianity

I know it might sound silly to some, but there is, quite literally, no area of life that cannot be transformed completely by God through radical goodness, self-sacrifice, compassion, and love for others - even the world of Pokémon shows us this.

Many people experience feelings of tension when they consider the transformative life they believe Christianity calls them to on one hand, and the confusion they have over how they are to live that out practically on the other.

While I often emphasize the importance of verbally sharing your faith with others and being unafraid to speak about Jesus Christ to those who need Him, one example of good works and Godly action has stood out to me as worth sharing.  ⁨@CoopsCollection⁩  and  ⁨@BeardDadCardz⁩  are two Pokémon card vendors who, regardless of what they believe theologically, have chosen to lead their businesses with generosity, compassion, and love for their customers.

While their constant giving might seem like it is contrary to effective money-making, business strategies, it is IN these actions that others have taken note, followed, and joined in the giving process.

Our words can be a very effective form of communication and they should never be foregone in efforts to preach the Gospel to others. However, SHOWING others the light of God in us is super effective in exemplifying what all people are starved for and searching for, and also provides them with an actionable step after witnessing that Gospel in real-time.

Email: [email protected]

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthBeToldYouTube

Logo: Matt Hernandez

Music: Acoustic Indie Folk Years By MarkJuly

#faith #religion #spirituality #pokemon #pokemoncards #pokemontcg #pikachu #coopscollection #coopfluenced #coopatroopa #bearddadcardz #tradingcards #cards #hobby #pokemoncommunity #pokémon #pokemongo #gospel #Jesus #Christ #JesusChrist #spirit #fruitofthespirit #evangelism #faithful #biblestudy #biblical #bible #God #Christianity #Christian #religion #religious #Scripture #church #podcast #fyp #explore #fypyoutube