Making God a Liar

Making God a liar. It happens when we doubt His promises.

God says – fear not. But when we do…we cast a shadow on the integrity of His promise.

God says He will supply all our needs. But when we worry about provisions…we fail to take Him at His word.

When Jesus said He is preparing a place…and we question the reality of heaven — we make Jesus a liar.

But sometimes it’s easier said than done.

A father brought his demon-possessed son to Jesus and said to Him — “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” And the boy was healed.

When we have moments of doubt…He hears our cry for help.

Commit yourself to a life of faith – lest you be guilty of making God a liar.

Double-talking

Double-talking. It’s when the words of the mouth are contradicted by the message in the heart.

David spoke of this. “With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.”

It’s about integrity – so the words spoken are an accurate reflection of what is in the heart.

When people listen to you…they should be able to look right through you. What is observable should also be what is held in the heart. Mouth and heart are then the same.

This is authentic integrity. It is a discipline that every follower of Jesus should embrace. It’s the life of freedom…that comes from transparency.

To hear the words of Jesus is to see His heart.

Strive for the same. No double-talking.

A Heinous Sin – and a Gracious Pardon

A heinous sin — and a gracious pardon. It demonstrates the mercy of God…when there is deep repentance.

King David committed adultery…and then attempted to cover his transgression with murder. But Nathan the prophet exposed his sin…and David humbled himself in repentance.

Here is David’s prayer — “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin…Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…”

No sin is unforgiveable – when there is deep repentance. Yes…there were consequences…but David’s forgiveness was never in question.

There is no sin so dark that the light of God’s mercy cannot dispel its darkness. There is no hole so deep…that God’s mercy is not deeper still.

Yes…God hates sin – but He is merciful to the repentant.

Narrow – but Wide

Narrow — but wide. That describes the abundant life lived in the center of God’s will.

Jesus spoke of the narrow way that leads to life everlasting…and the wide road that leads to destruction.

Some people think the narrow way is dull and boring – they demand freedom to do as they please. But the opposite is true. It’s in the narrow way that the best life is found.

A clear conscience. A deep peace. In harmony with God and man. The promise of hope of an eternity in God’s presence.

That’s a wide place.

Jesus said – “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” That is narrow…but very wide.

A narrow way – but wide in the love…mercy…and grace of God.

The River of Delights

The river of delights. That’s how the psalmist described the blessings that flow out of a life of worship.

“…you give them drink from your river of delights.”

Some people think that a life of godliness is dull…gloomy…and drab. They pity those who submit to the commands of God.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead…godly people drink from a river of delights.

Here are just some of the delights.

To know you are forgiven.

To live a life of purpose.

To know deep peace.

To life in God’s love.

To have the hope of an eternity in God’s presence.

So today…plant yourself next to the river of God’s delights. Drink deeply as you worship the Lord.

Betrayed by a Close Friend

Betrayed by a close friend. That is very painful.

David had such an experience. While we do not know the details…his deep hurt is most apparent.

“Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.”

Has this happened to you?

Of course…you will need to forgive and move on. But draw on the mercy and grace of the Lord…and see this painful experience as an opportunity for spiritual growth.

In a more general way…learn always to see painful experiences as opportunities to practice what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

Never waste the betrayals of life – but see them as opportunities for growth.

Shamed

Shamed. That is a painful experience.

It might be the consequence of a poor decision…the betrayal by a trusted friend…or even some injustice for which you bear no responsibility.

David knew about this — “…do not let me be put to shame…”

Shame shatters your self-confidence…wrecks your sense of dignity…and makes you want to withdraw from interactions with people.

So…what do you do if you have been shamed?

If it is a consequence of sin…ask for forgiveness. Jesus died to make that a reality.

If it is because you were shamed unjustly…then pray for God’s mercy on those who have shamed you.

Finally…put your shame away. Take it to the cross. Leave it with the One who prayed — “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”

And then live in the freedom that Jesus gives.

Gazing on the Beauty of the Lord

Gazing on the beauty of the Lord. And what a wonderful sight it is.

The psalmist prayed that he might “gaze upon the beauty of the Lord…”

What do you see when you gaze on the beauty of the Lord?

The beauty of creation. Look at the sky on a clear night.

The beauty of His redemptive plan. At Calvary Jesus paid the price to forgive you.

The beauty of His eternal plan. Jesus is now preparing a home for you…and all who put their trust in Him. Can you imagine a dwelling place being built by the Creator of the universe?

You have a choice. Gaze on current conflicts and the darkness of evil…or gaze on the beauty of the Lord.

It’s the gaze that enriches your life.

His Holy Place

His holy place. But…who can enter there?

“He who has clean hands and a pure heart…”

And what a wonderful place that is. Listen to the testimony of Isaiah the prophet: “…I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. He heard the seraphs singing – “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

Like Isaiah…cultivate a passion to experience His holy place.

But there is a requirement. It’s like an angel stands at the door…checking to see if hands are clean and hearts are pure.

You live in a world that is filled with violence…greed…lust…deceit. This is why you need the Lord to wash you clean.

So…present yourself at the gate. And enter into His holy place.

Two Worlds

Two worlds. The visible and the invisible – and both are real.

In fact…the visible world was created by the invisible world.

“…what is seen was not made out of what was visible.”

But some live only in a visible world. For them…there is no reality except that which is material.

They regard the things of the Spirit as foolishness…and they will not believe because their minds are carnal. They live in darkness.

But…it is by faith that you enter the world of the invisible. It is there that you encounter the glorious revelation of all that is found in Jesus Christ.

For in Him you find forgiveness…healing…fellowship…and the hope of life eternal.

Rejoice today that you live in the world of the invisible.