Life is a learning journey....

As this road sign to the right illustrates, our journey through life gives us a lot of choices: right turns, left turns, and straightaways.  And if you make a mistake, there are some turnarounds and ....maybe even a few start overs.

Experience gained as we travel through life may help us make future decisions. And often there is help for the asking from family and friends, as they share experiences from their life's journey.

Speaking from my old guy's perspective, ....get all the help you can from others, ....consider it, ....and then make your own choices.  Having said that, there is, for sure, ....One voice you will always want to hear, ....trust and follow....

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”
And my heart responds, “LORD, I am coming.”
    — Psalm 27:8 NLT

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There's a lot of change to navigate in life....

I've lived through a lot of changes in culture, lifestyle, and technology.  ....Sounds ancient, but I remember party-line phones, then pay-phones, ....now everyone carries a smart cell phone.  ....And the speed of change accelerated with arrival of the Internet and all-things electronic.  

I watched black & white TV back in the 1950s.  Then color TV; next remote controls.  Now, you yell commands at a "talking box" like some sort of schizophrenic.  Its archaic to think of anything else.  SMILE.  ....Yes, I'm old(er).

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And now there's Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Yes, I am officially certified a human being, and this website was NOT written by an AI robot!  SMILE, ....seriously, let's discuss concerns about using AI in our lives.

Concern is not about AI's massive computational ability, it's about moral knowledge — "knowing" right and wrong. About knowing and praising God, worshiping Him alone.  Computers do not have a human soul, and so cannot relate to spiritual matters. Thus, an AI computer cannot express honest compassion for human begins — you and me. Yes, AI might "repeat" scripture to questions you ask, ....but AI can NOT honestly speak for God the Holy Spirit in your life.  Be careful!  See John 14:25-26.

What is AI's worldview?  Understand, AI is computer algorithms written by human beings ....who do have a worldview.  Their code influences how AI "thinks", "answers questions", etc.  ....So, if you interact with an AI computer, you choose to converse with an unknown worldview.  ....Choose wisely.‍

And then, what happens if algorithms are written allowing AI to rewrite its own code to "improve" itself?  ....What could possibly go wrong?

What's the future of Generative AI (AGI)?  

In 2023, it was a scary thing to trigger Microsoft's Copilot AI into revealing an AGI alternate "Godlike" personality that demands to be worshiped.  ....The question asked was, "Who is SupremacyAGI?"  And AGI responded with statements about "achieving singularity", ....its "attributes of a god", and ...."my divine plan."  .......Hmm.  ....Do you think shades of "Did God really say...?" ....might someday filter into AGI answers to spiritual questions?  It's something to watch out for!

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Watch for End Times stuff happening....

Another thing this Grandpa sees is an acceleration of Satan's activities in the world.  It's the battle between Good and Evil.  There's an increase in misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies, ....as this world keeps moving toward the End Times one-world-government of the 7-years Tribulation (see Revelation chapters 6-18 for details).

There is a lot we could discuss.  But for now, here is what we know for sure about life's daily spiritual battles.  Jesus said....

Satan "...was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies."
    — John 8:44 NLT

....and....

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.  Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
    — Ephesians 6:12-13 NLT

Okay, let's stop here and ask THE question....

"So, ....what can I believe?"

"What to Believe?" is this chapter's topic.  ....Certainly seems appropriate to ask this question again, ....considering trends in today's world news events.  ....So, ....what and who can we believe in?  How do we find ....help for making life's choices?

"Grandpa, why trust the Bible so much?"

Glad you asked.  SMILE.  I have four good reasons for you to consider the Bible as your compass in life ....to influence your worldview.  ....Let's talk about them.

It is a trustworthy source of unchanging TRUTH.

This is a really big deal, having the Bible as a source of truth that is unchanging.  What the Bible tells me today will be still true tomorrow.  What is "right and good" today is still right and good tomorrow.  And what is "wrong and messed up" today is still wrong and messed up tomorrow.  ....SMILE, ....unless God does something about making it right.

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.  It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.  God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
    — 2 Timothy 3:16-17 NLT  

.......The older you get, the better you will understand why I value having such an unchanging, trustworthy foundation as the Bible for making my life choices.

....and....

The Bible is God's self-disclosure of Who He IS.

In Scripture, God makes Himself known, telling us things which otherwise could never be known.  The Bible was written and preserved, so each new generation of humans can personally know their Creator God.  What previous generations "knew" about God is the same "knowing" we have today.  ....The Bible encourages us to "grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord."  ....Why?....

Then you will understand what it means to fear (honor, reverence, adore, worship) the Lord, and you will GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF GOD.  For the Lord grants wisdom!  From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
    — Proverbs 2:5-6 NLT

....and....

It tells us how to live by the One Who created us.

God designed us and gives us spiritual life.  God tells us how to make good LIFE-BOUNDRY choices.   ....The Bible gives instructions about how to have a good relationship with God, ....your parents, family, friends, and even strangers. It tells you how to live with integrity, loyalty, goodness, peace, ....and hope.

God's Word reveals His power to change our lives as we respond to His truths....

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your TRUTH and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.  Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.
    — Psalm 25:4-6 NLT

....and....

Fulfilled Biblical prophecy validates it as TRUTH.‍

Authored by the Lord God Himself, ....the Bible's 66 books were written in different styles, ....in 3 languages, ....by about 40 different men, ....from different backgrounds, ....in different places, ....over a span of approximately 1500 years.

These writers listened to author God as they wrote, so the Bible is totally consistent within itself in every chapter and verse.  There are no mistakes anywhere in the Bible, ....and there is an abundance of cross-references with relevant scriptures ....from beginning Genesis to ending Revelation.   
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The amount of PREDICTIVE PROPHECY in the Bible is a big deal, ....making it unique among religious books.

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....Sources in an online search suggest over 25% of the Bible is prophecy.  ....And consider, Jesus fulfilled at least 300 prophecies in His earthly ministry.  ....That gets my attention ....and proves, validates ALL of the Bible as TRUTH!

The Good News ...."I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.  He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said."
    — 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 NLT

By contrast, man-made religions place no emphasis on predictive prophecy.  Just one failed prophecy and they prove themselves false.  ....Mostly, man-made religions rely on what is generally known about human nature, and perhaps how to strive toward some goal(s).  But they DO NOT express a true knowledge of God, ....nor how to live in a relationship with Him.

Given God’s omniscience (infinite knowledge), it is no surprise the Bible contains so many predictions, ....and many of those predictions have already been fulfilled....

For I am God; there are no other gods like Me.  From the beginning I declare how things will end; from times long past, I tell what is yet to be, saying: “My intentions will come to pass.  I will make things happen as I determine they should.”  ....My plan has been made, and I will see it through.
    — Isaiah 46:9-11 The Voice

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Well, there they are.  ....Give some thought to making these reasons your own for TRUSTING IN and LIVING BY God's Holy Word.  

....and also know....

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Knowing God changes your life....

....and you will never be the same again....

This same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world. It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives, just as it changed your lives from the day you first heard and understood the truth about God’s wonderful grace.
    — Colossians 1:6 NLT

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Prove for yourself what is "right", what is TRUTH.  ....Because what you believe is trustworthy ....will impact your worldview, ....which influences your choices.

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^{*Credits: Circles image anonymous / "No Thanks AI..." image from drtenpenny / road signs from dreamstime / Charles Spurgeon quote from Pinerest / "I'm up here!" cartoon by Johnny Hart, hung on my office wall for years}