“Help,Lord,for the godly man ceases to be,for the faithful disappear from among the sons of men. They speak falsehood to one another; with flattering lips and with a double heart they speak.” (Psalm 12:1-2)
Honesty is not something I would say I "struggle" with. In fact, as Christians, it probably wouldn't even make the "top 5 list" of sin we are battling. Dishonesty, lying, or any evasion from the truth, seems to find itself on the list of those 'respectable' sins. But what we often fail to realize is that God sees dishonesty, lying, or whatever you want to name it, as far worse than we often do. Yes sin is sin, but lying makes it in his list of 7 abominations. That is a pretty weighty thought. "There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers." (Proverbs 6:16-19). That word abomination in this context means loathsome, detestable, hateful or vile. Those don't sound 'respectable' to me. And if lying is viewed as so vile in the eyes of the Lord, we must fight to recognize it in our lives, and fight against it, for the glory of His name.
What Christians have failed to realize is that lying is not merely that, telling a lie. It encompasses so much more. Lying involves everything from omission of the truth to exaggeration and everything in between. There have been countless arguments over the years as to if telling a lie is every acceptable, maybe in the context of a surprise birthday party, or for the protection of family if there is danger present. But I would encourage you to move away from the "what-if" scenarios, and move to the command of Scripture. Instead of asking where the line is, look at the black and white meaning found in Scripture, and rather strive for obedience and the pursuit of holiness. The bottom line is that lying is a sin, and if God calls it that, we must too. There never is an "acceptable" time to lie, to exaggerate, or to avoid the truth.
I can think of many times when I have embellished a story, left out an important detail, or simply sat by and listened to untruths without correction. In all of these scenarios, I have sinned. I have committed what God calls an abomination. And although I am forgiven, by the grace of God, it does not negate the fact that in most of those cases I failed to even recognize what I was doing as sin. The truth always wins in the end. There is no getting around that. Your lies will find you out, light will shine in the darkness, and the consequences of creating your own fantasy will be much more costly than speaking the truth immediately. Not only are you disobeying God when you lie (in any form or fashion) you are bringing discipline and chastening from His holy hand upon yourself.
There are countless passages in Scripture that speak to Truth-telling. Here are just a few:
Exodus 20:16
Exodus 23:1-7
1 Peter 2:12
Matthew 15:17-19
John 8:44
Psalm 58:3
Proverbs 19:5
Psalm 63:11
Ephesians 4:25
I Corinthians 13:1
Ephesians 4:29
Proverbs 3:3
James 3:5-6
I Peter 4:11
James 3:17-18; 4:8
You will be face with the temptation to lie, exaggerate, evade the truth, etc., almost every day. Whether that involves an actual explicit lie to make yourself look better, to cut corners at work, to be quiet when truth is misaligned, to withhold the truth because of fear of man, and the list goes on...We must strive to see this 'respectable' sin as anything but, as God does, vile and repulsive. And fight it head on!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Treasure Prayer
Prayer is an often neglected spiritual discipline. It somehow finds itself on the back-burner until we lay our heads on our pillows at night and find ourselves forgetting in the morning at what part of our prayer we fell asleep. Although we may "talk" to God throughout the day, throwing out quick requests or pleas, the precious privilege of purposeful, private prayer seems to be taken for granted.
I recently had the opportunity to read a work from Andrew Murray about the power of prayer that left me encouraged and exhorted to a prayer revival in my own life. In his work, he explained the privilege we have to come before the Almighty knowing He hears and answers. His encouragement came from biblical texts such as James, that remind us that prayer truly is powerful. I suppose it is for this very reason that it is often neglected. It could be the very reason that we push it aside, find such great temptation to be done in those quiet moments with distractions looming in our mind, and fail to come before the Father as often as we should. The enemy, prowling around like a lion, finds great pleasure in working to make sure that Christian prayer is weak, short, and simple. Even he knows its true power. “We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth.”
In prayer, a loving Father listens. Murray puts it this way, "The great thing in prayer is to feel that we are putting our supplications into the bosom of omnipotent love.” And the more we pray, the more our prayers become His prayers. “God cannot hear the prayers on our lips often because the desires of our heart after the world cry out to Him much more strongly and loudly than the our desires for Him.” Our desires will be His desires. And remember He answers! “Ask and you shall receive; everyone that asks receives. This is the fixed eternal law of the kingdom: If you ask and receive not, it must be because there is something amiss or wanting in the prayer. Hold on; let the Word and Spirit teach you to prat aright, but do not let go the confidence he seeks to waken: Everyone who asks receives....Let every learner in the school of Christ therefore take the Master's word in all simplicity....Let us beware of weakening the word with our human wisdom.”
Christian, treasure the privilege of prayer, you can never be on your knees too often.
I recently had the opportunity to read a work from Andrew Murray about the power of prayer that left me encouraged and exhorted to a prayer revival in my own life. In his work, he explained the privilege we have to come before the Almighty knowing He hears and answers. His encouragement came from biblical texts such as James, that remind us that prayer truly is powerful. I suppose it is for this very reason that it is often neglected. It could be the very reason that we push it aside, find such great temptation to be done in those quiet moments with distractions looming in our mind, and fail to come before the Father as often as we should. The enemy, prowling around like a lion, finds great pleasure in working to make sure that Christian prayer is weak, short, and simple. Even he knows its true power. “We must begin to believe that God, in the mystery of prayer, has entrusted us with a force that can move the Heavenly world, and can bring its power down to earth.”
In prayer, a loving Father listens. Murray puts it this way, "The great thing in prayer is to feel that we are putting our supplications into the bosom of omnipotent love.” And the more we pray, the more our prayers become His prayers. “God cannot hear the prayers on our lips often because the desires of our heart after the world cry out to Him much more strongly and loudly than the our desires for Him.” Our desires will be His desires. And remember He answers! “Ask and you shall receive; everyone that asks receives. This is the fixed eternal law of the kingdom: If you ask and receive not, it must be because there is something amiss or wanting in the prayer. Hold on; let the Word and Spirit teach you to prat aright, but do not let go the confidence he seeks to waken: Everyone who asks receives....Let every learner in the school of Christ therefore take the Master's word in all simplicity....Let us beware of weakening the word with our human wisdom.”
Christian, treasure the privilege of prayer, you can never be on your knees too often.
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
Change Your Perspective
My days during the week are consistently similar. Although the evenings at time take shape differently, the majority of my day is a pattern of the same. I've thought a lot about this recently, and the temptation there is for me, or anyone for that matter, to find themselves trapped in a routine, forgetting to be mindful of God's constant working in even the mundane. We usually look forward to the weekends, often because these are the days we get to fill with what we want to do, or maybe just because we get that extra hour of sleep, or a chance to catch up on all the housework. Our weekdays can often become a vicious cycle of the norm. We fix our eyes on the end of the week, hoping each day would only go by quicker. But wait...what if we're missing something. What if the mundane is actually just as precious, purposeful and enjoyable. What if the problem is our perspective?
The fact of the matter is life is a vapor, we aren't guaranteed tomorrow; and in a world as chaotic and ever-changing as ours, this ought to burden our hearts. James writes in chapter 4, verse 14: "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." But do we really believe this? Because if we did, it would radically change our perspective. In light of eternity, how should we live? Below are just a few encouragements that I believe will help you change your perspective about the mundane, everyday days, and help you refocus on reality.
You're Alive for a Reason!
It is a measure of grace that you woke up this morning, and another that you are breathing this very second. In God's infinite wisdom and design, He purposed that you would be alive today doing whatever it is that He has entrusted to you (going to school, working, keeping a house, raising kids, etc.). His work with you isn't finished. He is still at work in your life conforming you into the image of Christ. And He still has things He wants to accomplish through you. Stop and give Him thanks for your very life, for the ability you have been given to go to school, to work, to raise a family, or whatever the case may be. And remember it's not by chance you're alive today, there's a reason...glorify Him in ALL you do!
You're Alive Forever!
As a child of God you have been given a hope that is imperishable and unfading. You, like me, might anticipate what it will be like to meet Jesus face to face, and that very thought often drives you to living for Him. In those moments in life where you are downcast, burdened, or feel as though things might be mundane, stop and remember the TRUE LIFE you have eternally. Use each and every opportunity here on earth, whether it be teaching your children about the Father's love, or conducting a business meeting, as a chance to glorify God. See each circumstance as purposed by your Father in heaven for your good and His glory. Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven. Use your life, both the mundane days, and the 'amazing' days to honor Him, knowing that both pale in comparison to one day with your Maker.
You're Alive Today!
As James said, our life is a vapor, and we aren't guaranteed tomorrow. One of Jonathan Edward's resolutions reads, "Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life." This is a pretty challenging and powerful way of thinking that will no doubt transform your living today. If you change your perspective from tomorrow to today, everything changes. You must refocus your mind on what is reality, and that is today. You have only been given today, nothing else, and because of that you must decide to make the best use of the time you have been entrusted with. Use each opportunity for the glory of God. Redeem each moment. In those mundane moments, find joy in knowing Christ has purposed them just for you. Look for teachable moments with your children. Look for opportunities to share the gospel with your co-workers. Look for God-honoring ways to study, do homework, or prepare a project. You're alive today, rejoice in the day the Lord has given you, and redeem it for His glory. After all, it may be your last.
The reality is you aren't given the promise of another day on this earth. In light of that Truth, you must change your perspective on each day. You must remind yourself that each day is purposeful, precious, and providential. You must seek to find opportunities to redeem the time, redeem the situation, and bring glory to God. Look for opportunities to be taught by His grace, and be thankful for the work He is doing in and through you. There is no such thing as a purposeless day in the eyes of our Maker, but do we really live that way? We must change our perspective!
The fact of the matter is life is a vapor, we aren't guaranteed tomorrow; and in a world as chaotic and ever-changing as ours, this ought to burden our hearts. James writes in chapter 4, verse 14: "Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away." But do we really believe this? Because if we did, it would radically change our perspective. In light of eternity, how should we live? Below are just a few encouragements that I believe will help you change your perspective about the mundane, everyday days, and help you refocus on reality.
You're Alive for a Reason!
It is a measure of grace that you woke up this morning, and another that you are breathing this very second. In God's infinite wisdom and design, He purposed that you would be alive today doing whatever it is that He has entrusted to you (going to school, working, keeping a house, raising kids, etc.). His work with you isn't finished. He is still at work in your life conforming you into the image of Christ. And He still has things He wants to accomplish through you. Stop and give Him thanks for your very life, for the ability you have been given to go to school, to work, to raise a family, or whatever the case may be. And remember it's not by chance you're alive today, there's a reason...glorify Him in ALL you do!
You're Alive Forever!
As a child of God you have been given a hope that is imperishable and unfading. You, like me, might anticipate what it will be like to meet Jesus face to face, and that very thought often drives you to living for Him. In those moments in life where you are downcast, burdened, or feel as though things might be mundane, stop and remember the TRUE LIFE you have eternally. Use each and every opportunity here on earth, whether it be teaching your children about the Father's love, or conducting a business meeting, as a chance to glorify God. See each circumstance as purposed by your Father in heaven for your good and His glory. Store up for yourselves treasure in heaven. Use your life, both the mundane days, and the 'amazing' days to honor Him, knowing that both pale in comparison to one day with your Maker.
You're Alive Today!
As James said, our life is a vapor, and we aren't guaranteed tomorrow. One of Jonathan Edward's resolutions reads, "Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life." This is a pretty challenging and powerful way of thinking that will no doubt transform your living today. If you change your perspective from tomorrow to today, everything changes. You must refocus your mind on what is reality, and that is today. You have only been given today, nothing else, and because of that you must decide to make the best use of the time you have been entrusted with. Use each opportunity for the glory of God. Redeem each moment. In those mundane moments, find joy in knowing Christ has purposed them just for you. Look for teachable moments with your children. Look for opportunities to share the gospel with your co-workers. Look for God-honoring ways to study, do homework, or prepare a project. You're alive today, rejoice in the day the Lord has given you, and redeem it for His glory. After all, it may be your last.
The reality is you aren't given the promise of another day on this earth. In light of that Truth, you must change your perspective on each day. You must remind yourself that each day is purposeful, precious, and providential. You must seek to find opportunities to redeem the time, redeem the situation, and bring glory to God. Look for opportunities to be taught by His grace, and be thankful for the work He is doing in and through you. There is no such thing as a purposeless day in the eyes of our Maker, but do we really live that way? We must change our perspective!
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