Posts Tagged ‘truth’

Truth

Wednesday, June 15th, 2011

Our grandkids recently spent two days with us. When their folks came to collect them, their mom told 3-year-old Anna to put her shirt and socks in the suitcase that was in our bedroom. I happened to be in the bedroom but wasn’t aware that Anna was under orders, so I didn’t pay much attention to what she was doing when she dashed in and out.

Several minutes later, Anna’s mom walked into the bedroom. “Did Anna put her shirt and socks in the suitcase?” she asked me. “I don’t know,” I said. “I didn’t see her do it.”

Anna returned at that exact moment and overheard my statement. She stopped short and looked at me. “Grandma,” she commanded in her pipsqueak voice. “You need to tell the truth.”

I may chuckle at my granddaughter’s observation, but I agree wholeheartedly. I do need to tell the truth. Don’t we all?

Sometimes we struggle with speaking the truth, especially if we think coloring it might benefit us or cover a mistake. Sometimes our human emotions overrule our sense and make it difficult to discern the truth let alone speak it. Occasionally a painful truth is so difficult to bear that we’d rather deny it exists. Or we’re scared to speak the truth lest others take offense.

Thankfully God’s words are always truthful. They never change based on feelings or circumstances, and we never have to question their integrity or wonder if He’ll keep His promises. Psalm 119:160 says, “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.”

Why is truth the essence of God’s words? Because God’s character is truth itself. There isn’t so much as a pinch of deceit in Him, therefore He cannot lie. Just a wee bit different from the lot of us, I’d say.

The very essence of God’s words is truth. Let’s pray that others can say the same for our words.

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What Does Holiness Look Like?

Monday, November 22nd, 2010

This morning I read a short article by Chuck Colson in which he trumpeted a call for the North American church to repent. He noted that many believers are wringing their hands at the state of current affairs. He says we’re blaming the liberals, the gays, and the pro-abortionists when, in reality, we ought to be looking in the mirror. He says we’ve tried so hard to fit in with our neighbors and our society that we’re no longer salt and light, and it’s time to turn things around.

Sadly, Colson’s insights are nothing new. Ezekiel bore the same message a long, long time ago. He called God’s people to forsake their idols, to stop intermarrying, to refuse anything ceremonially unclean. He called for them to live in holiness and to establish their laws based on God’s regulations (Ezekiel 44, 45).

The essence of Colson’s message to believers today is much the same. Repent—change one’s thinking, make a U-turn, and walk in God’s ways. In day to day living, here’s what that looks like:

  • Forsake idols—anything that’s robbing from God the love He deserves. (ie: Money, our home and furniture, our job, physical appearance, a relationship, even ministry.)
  • Fill our minds with what’s pure and holy. Say no to movies, magazines and books that cause us to fantasize and lust. Say no to entertainment that promotes violence.
  • Remain faithful to one’s spouse. Run from temptation! No “innocent” flirting or emotional affairs.
  • Seek to control the tongue. No backbiting, no gossip, no yelling, no lies. Speak the truth in love. Speak words that encourage and promote life.
  • Love others unconditionally. Yikes! That one seems a little much, don’t you think? Sorry. No excuses.
  • Exercise integrity. Keep your promises. Be a person who’s trustworthy at all times.

 

These are just a few examples of how God expects His kids to live in today’s world. We’re to live this way not because we get eternal Brownie points for being good but because God is holy and we’re to reflect Him. We’re to live above compromise and to shine as lights in the darkness around us.

Thankfully He doesn’t expect us to accomplish this on our own. As we walk in a love relationship with Him, He works in us to make us holy: “God, the Father, knew you and chose you long ago, and his Spirit has made you holy. As a result, you have obeyed him and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:2).

One of my prayers is that God will teach me to walk in moment by moment revival. That means being willing to repent of careless words or inappropriate actions or thoughts. I want to shine for Him. I want my life to be spiritually salty so others will thirst for Christ. I pray that the same desire will be true in your life. Together, we can make a difference in the world around us as we walk in God’s ways.

What does holiness look like to you?

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An Error the Width of a Hair

Monday, December 7th, 2009

This Chinese proverb came my way today: “An error the width of a hair can lead one a thousand miles astray.” Its wisdom is irrefutable, and it applies to every aspect of our lives.

Now switch mental gears for a moment. For the past two days, I’ve been reading in 2 and 3 John and repeatedly bumping into the word truth:

  • God’s truth lives in us and will be in our hearts forever (2 John 1:2).
  • God’s grace, mercy, and peace are with those who live in truth and love (2 John 1:3).
  • Our heavenly Father commands us to live in the truth (2 John 1:4).
  • John wrote that his greatest joy came from knowing his spiritual children were living in the truth (3 John 1:4).

Holding fast to God’s Word as the Truth is critical to our well-being. If we deviate from it and follow our emotions instead, we end up headed down the wrong path. Here are some examples:

 * The Truth says believers are not to yoke themselves to unbelievers. A particular Christian woman knows this, but she marries an unbeliever because she doesn’t like the possibility of remaining single for the rest of her life. Several months later she realizes her error, but now it’s too late. Her husband shares none of her interest in spiritual things and she’s never felt so lonely.

* The Truth says to run from temptation, right? An unhappy wife knows this but finds herself emotionally and physically attracted to a coworker. She meets him for lunch a few times, convinced there’s no harm in doing so. One thing leads to another. Before long they’re engaged in a full-blown affair and her marriage is seriously in jeopardy. She never thought their “innocent flirting” would take them down this path.

* The Truth says not to engage in sex before marriage. A teenager disregards the rule and starts having sex with guys from her high school at age 15. By the time she’s 20, she’s had two abortions and has contracted an STD. She struggles with nightmares and the sense that guys pay attention to her only because she’s a warm body, not because she’s a woman of worth.

* The Truth says not to lie, but this is easier said than done for the wife who can’t control her impulsive spending habits. At first she feels guilty about being dishonest with her husband, but her conscience eases up after doing it a few times.

None of these women intended to land where they did, but an error the width of a hair led them a thousand miles astray. If we want to avoid making the same mistakes or traveling down a different road that leads to a sorry end, we need to live in God’s truth. That’s where we’ll experience His grace, mercy, and peace. And that’s where we’ll find joy.

Society (and even well-meaning but immature Christians) will try to tell us otherwise, but let’s stand firm. Let’s remain true to the Truth and avoid making errors that will lead us astray from God’s purpose for our lives.

What are your thoughts about this Chinese proverb?

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A Prayer for Prodigals

Friday, October 16th, 2009

If you’re a parent of a prodigal child, know that you’re not alone. Josh McDowell and George Barna have conducted surveys that say 85 per cent of kids raised in Christian homes are leaving the church within a year of high school graduation. What’s with that?

There’s probably a long list of reasons. Perhaps the media’s influence on their minds is a major culprit. Secular education is another. I also have a hunch that many are turned-off by seeing a compromised faith lived out at home. (Did you know that the divorce rate in Christian families is now 53 per cent? That’s 3 per cent higher than in families that don’t profess faith in Jesus Christ). Whatever the reason for their wandering ways, we need to pray on their behalf. Here’s a Scripture-based prayer for our prodigals:

“Father, please give my child a heart that will recognize You as the Lord. Teach Your ways to him that he might live according to Your truth as opposed to the world’s counterfeit truth or his own emotions. Grant him purity of heart that he may honor You in all he says and does. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” (Jeremiah 24:7; Psalm 86:11 NLT)

Write this prayer out on a recipe card and post it where you’ll see it often. Carry it in your purse or glove compartment. It’s not a magic formula, but it’s a tool to equip you to know how to pray effectively for your precious child. Be encouraged today, my friend. God loves your son or daughter more than you can imagine. Pray, pray, and pray some more…and trust Him to answer.

If you’ve experienced the home-coming of your prodigal, please tell us your story. Your words could be a huge encouragement for those who are still waiting.

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Journal Entry for April 1-2

Friday, April 10th, 2009

I think the attitude with which I read the Bible is forever changed. Over two days, I’ve spent 16 hours participating in “The Truth Project,” produced by Focus on the Family. Our group watched 8 videos on which Del Tackett lectured about Biblical truth as applied to marriage, politics, economics, creation, and more. After each, we split into small groups to discuss what we’d learned and how to apply these insights to our lives.

I was reminded that God is involved in every aspect of our lives and has issued commands for our well-being. I dare not change His commands to fit my whims, nor alter them to suit my circumstances. If I don’t cling to His Word as absolute truth, I’ll run into trouble.

I was challenged not to accept societal norms as “right” just because many people are putting their stamp of approval on them. Here’s an example: society (and the media) says I have the right to be happy. If that means divorcing my husband because I think I’ll be happier in the arms of a different man, then so be it.

God’s Word says otherwise. I’m to remain faithful to my marriage vow until death parts me and my spouse. That might mean enduring very difficult days or weeks or months, or even years. It might mean caring for him if he suffers a crippling injury or illness. It might mean denying my desires for a nice house and financial security so my husband can pursue a job he loves rather than spend most of his waking hours toiling at a task he doesn’t enjoy simply because it pays well.

Statistics show that society approves of divorce. In fact, I read a newspaper article recently that says there are “divorce fairs” in the U.K., designed to help making splitting up easier. But Scripture says that God hates divorce. Is that simply because of the pain inflicted on everyone involved? Not necessarily, although I believe He grieves over it. His hatred for divorce flows from the fact that it goes against His character. He is a God of unity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – three separate beings in one. It’s a mystery, I know. He’s designed marriage to reflect that unity, by a man and woman – two separate entities – becoming one flesh. Another mystery. Divorce destroys that unity. It goes against His very character, and that’s what makes it wrong. That’s also why it has such negative effects.                                                                                                                                                                           

“The Truth Project” contained so much good information that I hope to study it again in the near future. For now, I’ll summarize by saying there’s a cosmic battle going on between good and evil, and its forces are fighting for our souls. The enemy wants to steal, kill and destroy, but our Creator God has plans to give us a future and a hope. Those plans were revealed in the person of Jesus Christ who declared Himself to be “the way, the truth, and the life.” When we live life His way, according to His truth, we enjoy intimate relationship with our Creator. What a gift!

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A Love Life Like No Other — part 3

Monday, January 5th, 2009

No matter how busy our lives get, our obedience to God is of utmost importance. When He speaks, we must do what He says. The older I get, the more I realize how critical this is.

This morning I read the story of Abraham’s obedience — getting up and moving from the familiar into the unknown simply because God said so. I’ll bet that wasn’t easy. Actually, I know that wasn’t easy for him….you see, we’ve done it a couple or three times ourselves. Despite the angst that often accompanies such a move, there’s a strange sort of peace that goes with it when we recognize that God is the One giving the marching orders, and He’s in control of every detail.

Yes, there are certain times when God demands our obedience in the big things. But He also expects obedience in the little things — like telling the truth, being honest if the grocery clerk give us too much change, refusing to entertain lustful or critical thoughts, and so on. This kind of obedience is do-able no matter how busy our lives get. And it’s critical to our spiritual health.

Any insights out there? How has obedience (or lack thereof) impacted your relationship to God?

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