Be Real!

 

Social media is a mixed blessing.  It is a great way to communicate, share ideas, and connect.  It is also unbelievably ‘fake.’ A ‘selfie’ (pictures of one’s self in case you didn’t know) can be taken over and over until just right tilt of the head, sweep of the hair, and smile is in place. That photo can be filtered and adjusted until it is ‘just right.’  It is now known that teens are particularly vulnerable to all of this imagery.  Millions struggle with inferiority because they feel that they cannot measure up to everyone online looking perfect.  Their ‘flaws’ become magnified in their own mind - too many freckles, wrong color hair, not a perfectly shaped body, etc. Sadly it isn’t just teens who play at this.

Evecn those of who are adults, who ought to know better, spend too much time creating an ‘image’ in online interactions – puffing our resume, posting only our successes, attempting to appear perpetually happy and successful. This leads to depression in many cases.

More than a few Christians suffer a similar issue in their spirituality. Our Christian world is filled with celebrities and super-stars whose real humanity is invisible as we know them only 'on stage,' through their books, or by their podcast. From that distance their fears, doubts, sins, and inconsistencies cannot be detected.

They look so beautiful- their lives so utterly wonderful.  By comparison, we are so human.

They change the world, we just try to keep from being mean to our spouse.

Their prayers reflect an enviable friendship with God,
                ours are filled with fumbling, uncertainty - is He really listening?

They seem never to be touched by temptations,
            we feel the magnetic pull of greed, lust, laziness, materialism -
            from the first moments of the day.

At some level, we know that these celebrity Christians are really human, but we want the 'image' to be real so badly. If one of them sins publicly, we are shocked and grow angry. Then, we throw away all their books as though what they wrote is somehow less true because we learn they are struggling, imperfect Christians - just like us!

Living authentically as a Christ-follower is a soul-deep thing that isn't always pretty. Living honestly, confessionally -without pretense- will cause many to turn away from us, disgusted by what they perceive as a flawed soul! The tragic response of millions to this quiet judgment is to create an image.  When we are around other Christians we pray only positive prayers, always smile, never admit to fear or lack of faith,  and we say the right words we feel others expect to hear. The issues of sin, the angst of doubts;  the reality of life, gets covered over with the cosmetics of religion, leaving us with no depth of spirit.

Spiritual superficiality is a curse that Jesus Himself addresses. In the 6th chapter of Matthew, he reminds us to go beyond just 'looking good,' which is hypocrisy, to really be good. “Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, because then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give a gift to someone in need, don’t shout about it as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I assure you, they have received all the reward they will ever get." Matthew 6:1-2, NLT

Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthian church, was confronted with the challenge of preaching the Truth - which sometimes is not so attractive- to people who had been dazzled by 'super apostles' who had come through town with their magic show religion, their puffy words, and with their empty promises. He says that the real Treasure is not us,  it is the Spirit IN us! For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made us understand that this light is the brightness of the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. But this precious treasure—this light and power that now shine within us—is held in perishable containers, that is, in our weak bodies. So everyone can see that our glorious power is from God and is not our own. We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed, but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. Through suffering, these bodies of ours constantly share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.”  2 Corinthians 4:6-10, NLT

Be real, my friend. That doesn’t mean we have to wallow in our uncertainties, revel in our sins, or live defeated and miserable lives. It means we face up to the truth, both about ourselves and the greatness of our God. Then, with honest confession and true faith, we take hold of our spiritual birthright, allowing the Spirit to shine through us, eclipsing our imperfections with His beauty.

Are you ready to wash off the make-up, admit the flaws are there, and let the real beauty of Jesus be created in your soul?

Yes, there is a real beauty that comes from a genuine, ongoing intimacy with the Spirit of God Who transforms our hearts.

The word from the Word for today encourages us to look up. "So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you. Be careful! Watch out for attacks from the Devil, your great enemy. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour. Take a firm stand against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to his eternal glory by means of Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. All power is his forever and ever. Amen." (1 Peter 5:6-11, NLT)

(Video of this blog at this link)

_______________

Hiding In Thee (Oh Safe To The Rock)

O safe to the Rock
That is higher than I
My soul in its conflicts
And sorrows would fly
So sinful so weary Thine
Thine I would be
Thou blest Rock of Ages
I'm hiding in Thee

 

Hiding in Thee
Hiding in Thee
Thou blest Rock of Ages
I'm hiding in Thee

 

In the calm of the noontide
In sorrow's lone hour
In times when temptation
Casts o'er me its pow'r
In the tempests of life
On its wide heaving sea
Thou blest Rock of Ages
I'm hiding in Thee

 

How oft in the conflict
When pressed by the foe
I have fled to my Refuge
And breathed out my woe
How often when trials
Like seabillows roll
Have I hidden in Thee
O Thou Rock of my soul

 

Public Domain
Ira David Sankey

Be Wise!

In an earlier time of life I confused intelligence and knowledge with wisdom. I thought if I ‘knew enough’ it was enough. Hopefully; God, time, and experience has brought me greater wisdom! Knowledge is good, but wisdom gives us the ability to use knowledge, to discern what is best.  The Proverbs teach us "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you." (Proverbs 4:6-8, NIV) 

It is possible to be the smartest person in the room and live as a fool. Intelligence is a gift. We do not get to choose how quickly our brain can process information. Our heritage, our early childhood development and nutrition, how our mother cared for us while we were still in her womb, all seem to be factors in our brain's but wisdom is gained, developed over time. Regardless of an IQ of 100 (average) or 150 (genius), we can live wisely.  

So how can we become wise?

We begin with the humble acknowledgement that we are not God!  The greatest fools are those who deceive themselves into thinking that they can be their own god, living without restraint. The Word says "Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” … The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if there is even one with real understanding, one who seeks for God." (Psalm 14:1-2, NLT)  "The fear (awe/respect) of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)

Oh yes, there is a natural kind of ‘wisdom’ that can help us 'get ahead' of the pack, gain wealth, hold onto position, and exert our influence. It teaches us to put Self first, to paddle our own canoe, to build our own kingdom. But all that cleverness leds us to build only sand castles that will collapse under the wind and waves of time. The Spirit asks us to consider - "Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?" … but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Corinthians 1:24, NIV)  The true wisdom of God is not temporary, nor is it set aside by the changing times.

God invites us to ask Him for wisdom!  "If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking." (James 1:5, NLT) 

Hundreds of times in my lifetime I have come to the Lord with an open heart and prayed for insight and wisdom.  “Father, I feel like a child. The way ahead is hidden to my eyes. Lead me in Your wisdom.” He did and I know He will!  I still seek His wisdom, praying that His Kingdom will come in my life, His will be done in my world. Ask Him!

If you would be wise choose your companions, not by popularity or personal charisma, but by character. God says "Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm." (Proverbs 13:20, NLT)  The loud laughter of those who live for today, who chase momentary pleasure, can tempt a person to join the party, but when the music stops, and the drinks are put away, what then? The steady discipline of those who desire wisdom will bring a life that is solid, rich in relationships, and without regret. 

The Psalmist says it well. "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1:1-3, NIV)

Let’s pursue Wisdom, gaining the ability to discern, with insight that allows us to separate truth from error, mere image from reality. The wise know what is true food for the soul and what is just mental junk food. Want to live well? Then, learn to live wisely! It will make your life a thing of beauty!

Here is a word from the Word. "Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those who are discerning listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them." (Hosea 14:9-12, NLT)

(Video of this blog at this link)

_______________

Build My Life

(Let this worship song speak to you today)

 

Worthy of ev’ry song we could ever sing

Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring

Worthy of ev’ry breath we could ever breathe

We live for You

 

Jesus the name above ev’ry other name

Jesus the only one who could ever save

Worthy of ev’ry breath we could ever breathe

We live for You

We live for You

 

Holy there is no one like You

There is none besides You

Open up my eyes in wonder and show me who You are

And fill me with Your heart

And lead me in Your love to those around me

 

I will build my life upon Your love

It is a firm foundation

I will put my trust in You alone

And I will not be shaken

 

Brett Younker | Karl Martin | Kirby Elizabeth Kaple | Matt Redman | Pat Barrett

© 2016 Martin, Karl Andrew (Admin. by Arkyard Music Services Limited)

Kaple Music (Admin. by Bethel Music Publishing)

Bethel Music Publishing

CCLI License # 810055

Belonging to the truth

 

Being deceived or scammed is as old as time. Every year thousands of people loose large sums of money to schemes of those who steal through deception. We are almost to the end of an election cycle and I will be so glad to see those commercials that take fragments of truth and weave them into a manipulative message. “Messaging” is a code word for learning how to take half-truths and even outright lies and make them persuasive. I heard one leading politician bemoaning the lack of ability in his party’s leadership to get their ‘message’ together.   

Ah, the ‘truth.’ It can be hard to find in this chaotic world. But, if we are ready to learn and grow, if we are humble enough to admit we do not know it all, the truth will emerge, owning us, guiding us, and enriching our daily life.

Are you a person who knows and lives in the Truth?   I am so thankful for the science that helps us understand our world.  Knowing about bacteria and viruses as a cause of disease has remarkably changed the quality of our lives. Antibodies that keep virulent ‘bugs’ from killing us are a wonderful discovery. When I told “Alexa” to turn on my lights this morning and asked that device to give me the weather forecast for the day, I was thankful for technology that makes me more comfortable.  While science is able to explain the physical world and the knowledge gained is valuable for improving our lives, there is more.

Science cannot explain why we exist. It cannot provide us with purpose or meaning nor can it give us ultimate hope. Those issues require the revelation of Truth which comes to us through the Word and Spirit of God. "As your words are taught, they give light; even the simple can understand them." (Psalm 119:130, NLT) "Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by any evil." (Psalm 119:133, NLT)

If we would live the richest kind of life, we will pursue the Truth that is found in God.

It is no accident that the revelation of Himself starts with this line -  "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1.1) Eugene Peterson wrote these words of profound insight: "First, God. God is the subject of life. God is foundational for living. If we don’t have a sense of the primacy of God, we will never get it right, get life right, get our lives right. Not God at the margins; not God as an option; not God on the weekends. God at center and circumference; God first and last; God, God, God."  We exist for more than making money, creating a family, or gaining some measure of success.  God made us to know Him, to become creatures of His glory, and to live eternally in His house!  If that is our first truth, we are positioned to grow into spiritual maturity.

Rejecting God, refusing the truth of Scripture, turning away the whisper of the Spirit, will keep a person living in the dark, a place of confusion and chaos.  

 Paul’s word confront us, asking us to look up. "God’s eternal power and character cannot be seen. But from the beginning of creation, God has shown what these are like by all he has made. That’s why those people don’t have any excuse. They know about God, but they don’t honor him or even thank him. Their thoughts are useless, and their stupid minds are in the dark. They claim to be wise, but they are fools." (Romans 1:20-22, CEV) The Psalmist said "The fool says in his heart, "there is no God!" (14.1)  He is accepted by faith through Christ Jesus. You need not be a theologian to know Him.  An open heart and a mind prepared for submission to His will, can invites Him in and He will ‘live in us.’

Christ is the Full Revelation of God! John tells us that  "The Word became a human being and lived here with us. We saw his true glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father. From him all the kindness and all the truth of God have come down to us." (John 1:14, CEV)  Do you trust Him, friend? Will you give Him first place in your life? When He corrects will you respond with obedience? When He gives light and love to you, will you respond with worship and praise?   

Philip, one of His disciples, asked Him to reveal God to them. Jesus answered him this way. “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work." (John 14:9-10, NIV)  Invite Him, my friend, to show you what cannot be seen with natural eyes or discerned in a laboratory.  In Him, you will find life’s Truth.

The word from the Word for today is both challenging and comforting. Receive the Truth. "(People) perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter." (2 Thessalonians 2:10-15, NIV)

Lord, show us the Way, lead us to Light and Life, through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(Video of this blog at this link)

_______________

Be Thou My Vision

(A beautiful, heart-felt prayer. Pray along with this song.)

Be Thou my vision
O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me
Save that Thou art
Thou my best thought
By day or by night
Waking or sleeping
Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom
Be Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee
And Thou with me Lord
Thou my great Father
I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling
And I with Thee one

 High King of heaven
When vict'ry is won
May I reach heaven's joys
O bright heaven's Sun
Heart of my own heart
Whatever befall
Still be my vision
O Ruler of all

 

Eleanor Henrietta Hull | Mary Elizabeth Byrne

© Words: Public Domain