Truth is truth... but it isn't always welcomed. While you'd think we'd welcome truth with open arms, sometimes it seems we want an 'out' from the truth. Silly, but there it is. There are people and times when living in ignorance is much the preferred choice. It's only a delaying tactic so I'm not sure what is gained by this. Actually, one loses both momentum and time by ignoring. Eventually you do have to face the truth and deal with it. Do you know what your inconvenient truth is? Are there many inconveniences?
I suspect there are multiple times that we face this dichotomous situation since it typically will result in a 'line in the sand', an either/or decision. Truth is uncompromisable - it always is an is. There are those who try to compromise truth, to dilute it, to redefine it - never works. Delusion is harmful but when you know the truth, truth, not delusion, will be your guard. Had you ever thought that truth is a guard?
Webster:
"... the real facts about something: the things that are true; the
quality or state of being true; a statement or idea that is true or
accepted as true..."
Do you have a better understanding of truth from this definition? Does it give you a stronger foundation to stand on? Kinda? My problem with this definition is the final 4 words... or accepted as true.? How do you handle that? Majority rule? That, in my world of words and definitions, is not a solid foundation. Plus, it is always subject to change. How can truth not be truth?
Truth may be difficult to accept and it may be inconvenient but if it isn't an 'is' then what do we do with challenges to what we believe? And that only touches on the issues related to that phrase. Part of our responsibility, in my opinion, is to always 'test the spirits' (1John 4:1) and yes I realize that this applies in a different context, but isn't the essence the same? If you aren't confident of the source on which you base truth, then doesn't this define a 'shifting sand' (Matthew 7:24-27) situation? Yes this refers to where you build 'your house' but isn't truth part of the foundation? Problems occur when there is an 'inconvenient truth' moment. How do you respond?
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Monday, March 19, 2018
Faith is more than feelings...
If you say that you know this then do you act that way? How often do we say, 'I don't feel (fill in the blank)' especially when related to spiritual issues? Can we not believe unless we also feel? Or is the definition of 'feel' a relative issue? A different question is - is the level of your conviction, confidence in what you believe the test of how you respond to challenges to your faith? Can you allow for differences of understanding to determine how you respond? How do you respond when there is error? Do you operate on a 'come let us reason together' approach to understanding?
If we wait till we 'feel' or 'see' then is it really faith? When you wait to act until you do feel or see, then you operate on knowledge (see) and emotion (feel) rather than faith. Faith, in my world of definitions, demands a higher degree of personal commitment. Google 'spiritual definition of faith' and the answer is:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
Google goes on to explain;
"...Faith is the connecting power into the spiritual realm, which links
us with God and makes Him become a tangible reality to the sense
perception of a person."
The Bible Study Tools (.com) states:
"Belief, trust, and loyalty to a person or thing. Christians find their
security and hope in God as revealed in Jesus Christ, and say 'amen'
to that unique relationship to God in the Holy Spirit through love
and obedience as expressed in lives of discipleship and service."
These are only beginnings in understanding faith. The crucial question is do we express faith in our behavior/actions and words? If the only way another person would know that you have faith is if you tell them... then, is there evidence of your faith?
When you look at Ephesians 6 and note that faith is part of the armor of God, what does this tell you?
"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you
can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;" (v. 16)
Faith is a powerful 'tool' in our arsenal to live the abundant life that Jesus purchased for us. It is a main weapon/shield in our arsenal to walk in the world we live in. Yes, faith is a feeling... that only begins the discovery of all that this word is and does.
If we wait till we 'feel' or 'see' then is it really faith? When you wait to act until you do feel or see, then you operate on knowledge (see) and emotion (feel) rather than faith. Faith, in my world of definitions, demands a higher degree of personal commitment. Google 'spiritual definition of faith' and the answer is:
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things
not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)
Google goes on to explain;
"...Faith is the connecting power into the spiritual realm, which links
us with God and makes Him become a tangible reality to the sense
perception of a person."
The Bible Study Tools (.com) states:
"Belief, trust, and loyalty to a person or thing. Christians find their
security and hope in God as revealed in Jesus Christ, and say 'amen'
to that unique relationship to God in the Holy Spirit through love
and obedience as expressed in lives of discipleship and service."
These are only beginnings in understanding faith. The crucial question is do we express faith in our behavior/actions and words? If the only way another person would know that you have faith is if you tell them... then, is there evidence of your faith?
When you look at Ephesians 6 and note that faith is part of the armor of God, what does this tell you?
"In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you
can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;" (v. 16)
Faith is a powerful 'tool' in our arsenal to live the abundant life that Jesus purchased for us. It is a main weapon/shield in our arsenal to walk in the world we live in. Yes, faith is a feeling... that only begins the discovery of all that this word is and does.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Death
If ever there was a subject that most people do not want to discuss, it is death - the inevitable end for all of us... unless Jesus comes first. However, 'end' is not the proper understanding. Randy Alcorn in his book, Heaven, states: "Most people live unprepared for death." Why do we do this? Because we don't know or understand 'what comes next'.? Because we haven't taken the time to study and learn about the what, where, how's, etc. Because we don't want to know?
I've just begun reading Alcorn's book but one point has become crystal clear. No one ever really talks about death except in some vague way. Or we say, when someone dies, that they are in a 'better place' without fear or disease or... But do we take the time to learn in our understanding about death? It really is inevitable. Quite honestly I don't ever remember being afraid of death and somehow I knew that this life wasn't the end. Once I became a Christian (as opposed to only being a church goer), the first step was a belief in Jesus. This meant that I had to believe His words. Again, quite honestly, when I didn't understand what He was meaning I tended to put it on a shelf until I was able to study out the question/issue/apparent contradiction.
When it came to a study about 'what happens next', bottom line for me was - did I believe in what Jesus said on all things? If I didn't then I really didn't believe in Him. This was something that would be totally unacceptable because everything that I said I am, is based in the Lord. Ergo, I had to accept what He said - even the hard things. After death was definitely one of the subjects. One simple example - John 14:2. If Jesus was leaving this earth and telling us He was preparing a place for us then this undeniably meant that there is more for us after our sojourn in this life.
Also, read what Jesus told His disciples after His resurrection:
"When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed
and broke it and gave it to them." (Luke 24:30)
"Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as
you see that I have." (Luke 24:39)
Eating. A body. I think we tend to skim over this revelation since we focus on the reality of Jesus' resurrection. But He has provided so much more information and understanding about what happens... after death.
I've just begun reading Alcorn's book but one point has become crystal clear. No one ever really talks about death except in some vague way. Or we say, when someone dies, that they are in a 'better place' without fear or disease or... But do we take the time to learn in our understanding about death? It really is inevitable. Quite honestly I don't ever remember being afraid of death and somehow I knew that this life wasn't the end. Once I became a Christian (as opposed to only being a church goer), the first step was a belief in Jesus. This meant that I had to believe His words. Again, quite honestly, when I didn't understand what He was meaning I tended to put it on a shelf until I was able to study out the question/issue/apparent contradiction.
When it came to a study about 'what happens next', bottom line for me was - did I believe in what Jesus said on all things? If I didn't then I really didn't believe in Him. This was something that would be totally unacceptable because everything that I said I am, is based in the Lord. Ergo, I had to accept what He said - even the hard things. After death was definitely one of the subjects. One simple example - John 14:2. If Jesus was leaving this earth and telling us He was preparing a place for us then this undeniably meant that there is more for us after our sojourn in this life.
Also, read what Jesus told His disciples after His resurrection:
"When He was at table with them, He took the bread and blessed
and broke it and gave it to them." (Luke 24:30)
"Touch me, and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones as
you see that I have." (Luke 24:39)
Eating. A body. I think we tend to skim over this revelation since we focus on the reality of Jesus' resurrection. But He has provided so much more information and understanding about what happens... after death.
Friday, March 9, 2018
Never leave a void...
I am firmly convinced that whenever we attempt to remove or overcome we must then replace the space left with something better. Matthew 12:43-45
"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry
places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says 'I will return
to my house from which I came.' And when he comes he finds it
empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him
seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and
dwell there, and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
So shall it also be with this wicked generation."
This scripture has always made me think that we always need to fill the place from which the sin or thoughts or attitudes left. Too often we don't fill the void so are left to the issue of being in a worsen condition because the space will be filled!
We are told in so many ways that the mind is the devil's playground. He really has no power other than what we give him - never forget this. And he only knows if we are following him by what WE say and do. We only have to look at our violent prone society to see this at work. Too often we do or say those things that create negatives. And when a Christian falls and doesn't repent, this is visible to everyone. Sadly, this witness only fires the distrust of those who don't know the Lord.
I could provide other examples, but the point is - when we gain control and overcome a bad habit, a sin, a self-defeating attitude or behavior... what do we do next? How do we walk in our new found freedom? Do we fill the void created by the absence of what was there? If we don't, then we can fall prey to the scripture spoken by the Lord in Matthew.
Fortunately there is an answer. We can fill the void and strengthen the new.
"Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things
are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and
if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is
no law." (Galatians 5:22)
These 2 scriptures give us how we need to think and how we act. If the mind is the devil's playground then think on those things that Paul gave us in Philippians. When we dust and sweep the places the other attitudes and sins occupied and replace them with the fruit of the Spirit - then there is no room for those thoughts, behaviors - sins to control us. Never leave a void. Enhance your overcoming.
"When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry
places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says 'I will return
to my house from which I came.' And when he comes he finds it
empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him
seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and
dwell there, and the last state of that man is worse than the first.
So shall it also be with this wicked generation."
This scripture has always made me think that we always need to fill the place from which the sin or thoughts or attitudes left. Too often we don't fill the void so are left to the issue of being in a worsen condition because the space will be filled!
We are told in so many ways that the mind is the devil's playground. He really has no power other than what we give him - never forget this. And he only knows if we are following him by what WE say and do. We only have to look at our violent prone society to see this at work. Too often we do or say those things that create negatives. And when a Christian falls and doesn't repent, this is visible to everyone. Sadly, this witness only fires the distrust of those who don't know the Lord.
I could provide other examples, but the point is - when we gain control and overcome a bad habit, a sin, a self-defeating attitude or behavior... what do we do next? How do we walk in our new found freedom? Do we fill the void created by the absence of what was there? If we don't, then we can fall prey to the scripture spoken by the Lord in Matthew.
Fortunately there is an answer. We can fill the void and strengthen the new.
"Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble,
whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things
are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and
if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things." (Philippians 4:8)
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is
no law." (Galatians 5:22)
These 2 scriptures give us how we need to think and how we act. If the mind is the devil's playground then think on those things that Paul gave us in Philippians. When we dust and sweep the places the other attitudes and sins occupied and replace them with the fruit of the Spirit - then there is no room for those thoughts, behaviors - sins to control us. Never leave a void. Enhance your overcoming.
Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Letting God...
Let God be GOD. If your response is, 'Of course!' Don't be too hasty. What does that mean to you? How are you allowing God to be GOD in your life? Does He have access to ALL parts in your life... and how - in what ways?
Letting God be God requires you (us) to be attentive to what He says, which means continually reading and studying the handbook (Bible) in order to know. It means spending time with Him in a continual dialogue and not just in stress or crisis situations.
Letting God be and do is not you doing nothing. This is not just giving up because you are involved: your decision, your responsibility to listen, your responsibility to act on what you believe how you are being directed. We have always been involved in relationship – it’s a two-way relationship. No condemnation or criticism. Just the question - do you let God be God?
Letting God be God, bottom line, means Trust. Do you trust God in all things regardless of what you see? His word tells us (Jeremiah 29:11) that He has a plan for our hope and future. It tells us (Romans 8:28) that all things work to the good. When you can't find or see the hope, future, good... do you still walk in faith? Do you walk God being God... or do you try to help Him? If you are anything like me, there are times I try to help and typically muddy the water. As difficult as it seems, sometimes you really just have to quiet yourself and look for His hand in your situation. This way you can let God be God.
Letting God be God, bottom line, means Trust. Do you trust God in all things regardless of what you see? His word tells us (Jeremiah 29:11) that He has a plan for our hope and future. It tells us (Romans 8:28) that all things work to the good. When you can't find or see the hope, future, good... do you still walk in faith? Do you walk God being God... or do you try to help Him? If you are anything like me, there are times I try to help and typically muddy the water. As difficult as it seems, sometimes you really just have to quiet yourself and look for His hand in your situation. This way you can let God be God.
Saturday, March 3, 2018
You on YOU
Do you believe in yourself!? No excuses, no defense, no qualifications... do you believe in YOU? If you don't, why not? What keeps you from believing? Life and other people will challenge you, do you accept the criticism without question? Or do you ignore their words? Both positions aren't helpful. Bottom line is that without a belief in yourself you will experience a great deal of pain.
People's reactions to you and your words provide you with information about the affect and ramifications from what you do, say, and how you go about doing it. But it is only information until you determine what you do with it. Will it lead you to new understandings about yourself? You determine the effect. There is a scripture that can be applied.
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether
they are from God..." (1John 4:1)
Granted that scripture is related to prophecy and testing the words and prophet against scripture, but I believe it can be applied to a variety of contexts. In this case, I believe it should always be applied to what other people tell you about you. Listen and then ask questions about why they have reacted the way they have without accusing them.
Remember - only you have walked in your shoes. But this also applies to others, so their experiences are influencing their understanding and reactions. That's why I believe how we go about doing ourselves is equally important as the message. When we provide our 'why' we are saying what we do, then we give very important understanding to the listener. And... I am not talking about censoring what you say. I am merely suggesting that if you want your words to be understood, then how you present the words is important.
I started this with the question of whether you believe in yourself... and what you say and do. Those who present themselves as confident but not closed to a differing view give the listener with a much better basis to react. Their words that relate to you may be worth considering - or not. Last question is do you listen to yourself? You should. Is your message important? How would you react to what you are saying and how. Are there better ways of speaking? Being aware of how your message is received will help you to understand.
People's reactions to you and your words provide you with information about the affect and ramifications from what you do, say, and how you go about doing it. But it is only information until you determine what you do with it. Will it lead you to new understandings about yourself? You determine the effect. There is a scripture that can be applied.
"Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether
they are from God..." (1John 4:1)
Granted that scripture is related to prophecy and testing the words and prophet against scripture, but I believe it can be applied to a variety of contexts. In this case, I believe it should always be applied to what other people tell you about you. Listen and then ask questions about why they have reacted the way they have without accusing them.
Remember - only you have walked in your shoes. But this also applies to others, so their experiences are influencing their understanding and reactions. That's why I believe how we go about doing ourselves is equally important as the message. When we provide our 'why' we are saying what we do, then we give very important understanding to the listener. And... I am not talking about censoring what you say. I am merely suggesting that if you want your words to be understood, then how you present the words is important.
I started this with the question of whether you believe in yourself... and what you say and do. Those who present themselves as confident but not closed to a differing view give the listener with a much better basis to react. Their words that relate to you may be worth considering - or not. Last question is do you listen to yourself? You should. Is your message important? How would you react to what you are saying and how. Are there better ways of speaking? Being aware of how your message is received will help you to understand.
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