Who & What? Learning to Believe God’s Truth About Yourself
There was a truth that was waiting for me and if you’re struggling with how to answer your ‘who’ and ‘what’, there is a truth that waits for you too. The absolute TRUTH. The truth of what God says about who and what we are.
The Bible – Don’t Just Visit It, Live in It
I love to read. I used to easily read 4-5 books a week. Most of which were filled with mindless escape, passion, and puzzling ‘who done it’ plots. There’s a wonder and mystery contained in books that have the ability to take us to different places, meet different people and go on a journey all between page one til “the end”. I don’t read that many books in a week any longer and while I’ve become more selective in my reading material, I still love a good adventure and engulfing plot. To date, I haven’t found a book that offers all of it quite like the Bible. While the Bible reads like a well-written novel with adventure, love, war, betrayal, forgiveness, and a hero with an enemy, ultimately, it is a true account of the fall of man, how evil came to be, and the Savior who overcomes it. The wonder and beauty of it is that Scripture takes us on a journey. It is meant to be read in its entirety, enjoyed, studied, learned from, and applied to our lives. It tells us how Eve and Adam didn’t trust God completely, how they fell for temptation, how in the very beginning of time, even with clear instruction, humans chose poorly. It tells us how Satan started his reign on earth, and how even though this would be allowed for a period of time, it does not go on forever. It tells us how God offers to save us, in spite of ourselves and because of His deep love for us, through the life, death, and resurrection of his only son. If only we turn away (repent) from our poor choices (sin). It tells us we have a choice in choosing to follow Jesus or not, this is free will. God wants us to choose Him but as a gentleman won’t force us to do so. This wonderful book is filled with instruction and wisdom that He provided. It tells us how the chaos of this world and the fickleness and failings of humans is temporary and the end, heaven, is better than we can fathom. A non-fiction book that offers us hope. Where we get ourselves into trouble is by not applying what we read, not believing the Bible is real or that only parts of it matter. Our biggest challenges in living the beautiful book of the Bible… We read scripture and discard the ones that make us uncomfortable with our behavior or our actions. Psalm 119:160 “The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.” Revelation 22:18-19 “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this scroll.” We allow current culture to dictate our point of view. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound teaching but having itching ears will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” We don’t trust God. Revelation 22:6 “The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” We mislead ourselves into thinking we know best or know all the facts (the big picture). Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Hebrews 4:13 “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” We ignore who God is and His promises. James 1:13 “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” Romans 16:20 “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” Dear God, thank you for the Bible, for leaving all the generations a book of instruction and wisdom. Lord, if I am passionate about anything let it be my faith in You and my loyalty to You. You always know every person’s heart and motive, may I constantly remember You see me and know me, that I am accountable to You. Lord when doubt comes, help me trust that You have a strategic, best timed out plan that benefits those who chose You for you are trustworthy. Lord, thank you for knowing exactly how the book ends and giving us a glimpse of it. In Jesus Name. Amen. This weeks playlist: Bryan & Katie Torwalt – Prophesy Your Promise (Acoustic Video) – YouTube Prophesy Your Promise Bryan & Katie Torwalt Dante Bowe – joyful ft. Dante Bowe – YouTube Joyful Dante Bowe Michael W. Smith – Surrounded (Fight My Battles) – YouTube Surrounded Michael W. Smith
A Little Fib
A little fib? Is there really such a thing? Like most folks I know I would say “I’m honest” and I do think that’s true. But I want, no I need, to be a truth speaker because of who I am in Christ.
Lies
“Don’t let one lie spoil a thousand truths.” ~unknown When I read that, it struck a chord with me. Any of these lies sound familiar? That healing will never come. They always… They never… That relationship is too broken. I’m alone. No one understands. I’m not good enough. The list of lies Satan uses is extensive. He is a liar. Period, no wiggle room because scripture tells us so in John 8:44. And one day quite literally his pants will catch fire. Well, maybe not his pants but you get the idea. Ok, back to the point. The enemy of our souls, he thrives when we start to believe the lie. He likes to use the same hurts and old triggers to start us down a slippery slope of believing the lie. He isn’t picky, he’ll use the one that strikes us, the one that causes discomfort, pain or doubt. That’s the one he’ll keep coming at. In his limited abilities and limited creativity, he may use a slightly tweaked version, a different person, a new hurt that feels like an old one, a circumstance that feeds the word “always/never”. But God, He is unlimited in his ability and creativity. That’s the truth we each need to stand on… We need to remember what God has already healed, in body, heart, or spirit. Praise Him for the relationship already restored and blossoming. Believe we are called His, we are enough and never alone. He is always there for us but in His unlimited wisdom gave us family and friends to share life with. Understand that “always” and “never” are strong words when it comes to imperfect and flawed humans because each one of us needs God’s grace, daily. Pause for just a moment and look at this image. For the most part they look the same, however, if you really looked, you may have noticed one is slightly different. The image on the right is courser, not as refined as the one on the left. However, here’s the full picture and a reminder that our God is always a truth teller. It’s up to us to not trust everything we see or feel. Even sugar looks like salt sometimes. Or as a friend recently said to me “Shahla, your feelings are real, but that doesn’t make them reality.” So, what lie do you need to stop in its tracks? What one lie are we allowing to destroy a thousand truths? Let’s allow the truth to push back the lie. That’s where the enemy loses, that’s where victory is found. “Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” Mark 9:50 “Through the Lord’s mercies, we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23 “But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together.” Ephesians 2:4-5 Oh Jesus, thank you for being unlimited in power, grace, and mercy. Thank you for being the ultimate truth-teller. Lord, for any lie being believed or any crack the enemy is trying to sneak into, may Your word make him flee, may the salt you offer and call us to be make the enemy shrivel as we stand firm and hold tightly to Your truth. Help give us discernment to recognize lies, to see clearly the liar the enemy is and know the difference between the enemy’s course false sugar and Your refined truth giving salt. In Jesus Name. Amen. This weeks playlist: Haven’t Seen It Yet Danny Gokey See A Victory Caleb and Kelsey Cover (Elevation Worship) Raise A Hallelujah Bethel
The Gates to Your Heart: A Biblical Perspective on Guarding What Matters Most
Did you know the Bible mentions gates over 400 times? But what do ancient city gates have to do with your heart? A lot more than you think! Discover how guarding the gates of your heart—your eyes, ears, and mouth—can protect your soul and invite God’s blessings. Let the King of Glory in!