Why Do We Lie?

A condition of the fall is we lie, we tell falsehoods.  In our social spears today this is almost typical, expected.  We don't show people what is real, we sugar coat it, or we cover the blemishes so we appear different than we really are.

But why?

The heart of the matter is we have an idea of what is good, what is perfect, what is righteous... and the fact is we are not.   We are none of these things, we are not good, we are not perfect, and we are not righteous.

In the Bible we see the first lie was Satan deceiving Eve, "you will be like God".   Even bought the lie, but she rejected the truth.  Adam also took the lie, and rejected God's word. 

When God came into the garden where Adam and Eve were and he found them covered with for leaves.  They had already bought the lie.   They became the lie.

There is truth in the world and there are likes. Unlike teaching of this world, relative truth is a lie.

We must keep our focus on what is true and what is right.

The Valley of Vision

Lord,
     High and Holy,
            Meek and Lowly,
Thou has brought me to the valley of vision,
      where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
      hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
       that the way down is the way up,
       that to be low is to be high,
       that the broken heart is the healed heart,
       that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
       that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
       that to have nothing is to possess all,
       that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
       that to give is to receive,
       that the valley is the place of vision.
Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
   and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;
Let me find thy light in my darkness,
                    thy life in my death,
                    thy joy in my sorrow,
                    thy grace in my sin,
                    thy riches in my poverty,
                    thy glory in my valley.

Amen

It's the End of the World... and It's OK, God is still in control!

It's fine,  that loud noise, it's nothing... just the end of the world!!! 

Last week was a crazy week in the media,  as a Christian I felt that the entire nature of law was put down for emotion filled testimony rather than solid evidence.   Testimony can be very objective if it answers detailed information about the incident in question, such as who, what, where, when, and of course why.   The problem is the who's in mention don't agree with the testimony, and the where and when are not even know by the accuser.  So we are left with what and of course why....  This is the motivation of the heart...  one testimony to brandish a person a felon for the rest of time here on earth!  Do we know if this man is a good person? 

Of course he isn't good, if he was good he would be perfect like God, and there is no one perfect.   So did he mess up?   Maybe.  But one testimony isn't good enough to determine if he did or didn't.   In our social system, we need to look beyond the incident and look at his heart.  Does he serve in the community well,  Yes.   Has there been an opportunity for this accusation of wrong doing?  Sure, so is there evidence that he has acted on it?  No.  Should we look beyond this one accusation.  Of course.  This was an unjust trial. 

But, maybe it was the trial God wan't unleashed against this man.   Trials make people stronger,  and I hope this tough trial makes this man a better judge and a better leader.   Might he seek justice and mercy, both which have been denied to him.  He will still remain to be a judge, let us pray for him that God will use him for His Kingdom, and His Kingdom's work.   Though the gates of hell seem to flood our world with all that is not good,  we know for sure one thing, God is still in control!

Amazing Grace

O Thou giving God,
My heart is drawn out in thankfulness to thee,
for thy amazing grace and condescension to me
in influences and assistances of thy Spirit,
for special help in prayer,
for the sweetness of Christian service,
for the thoughts of arriving in heaven,
for always sending me needful supplies,
for raising me to new life when I am like one dead.

I want not favour of man to lean upon
for thy favour is infinitely better.

Thou art eternal wisdom in dispensations towards me;
and it matters not when, no where, no how I serve thee,
no what trials I am exercised with,
if I might but be prepared for they work and will.

No poor creature stands in need of divine grace
more than I do,

And yet none abuses it more than I have done, and still do.

How heartless and dull I am!

Humble me in the dust for not loving thee more.

Every time I exercise any grace renewedly
I am renewedly indebted to thee,
the God of all grace, for special assistance.

I cannot boast when I think how dependent I am upon thee
for the being and every act of grace;

I never do anything else but depart from thee,
and if ever I get to heaven it will be because thou willest it,
and for no reason beside.

I love, as feeble, afflicted, despised creature,
to cast myself on thy infinite grace and goodness,
hoping for no happiness but from thee;

Give me special grace to fit me for special services,
and keep me calm and resigned at all times,
humble, solemn, mortified, and conformed to thy will.

Amen.

From "The Valley of Vision: A collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions"
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Intentional Prayer

There are so many that are lost in our lives, are we so providentially blessed to know a few to petition the Lord for their salvation.    To be intentional, means to take time daily and put these petitions before the Lord in a formal time of prayer.   These prayers are not focused on prosperity and health, but only on the salvation of the few who are chosen.   These few people who are in our lives maybe family members, maybe people from work, or people that we just know from other venues, they too can inherit such a wealth that is beyond comprehension.
As a devout believer in our Lord Jesus Christ, I have seen a laps in my own life, a carious heart towards the lost.   It's often easier to just say "Make it easy Lord, I don't want to do the hard work" when it comes to the great commission.   Sometimes we see it as a lost call, because so many have turned there back on the Lord.  The problem is, we were called to be among the world, but not living as the world lives.
What can I give up that the world might know you more! The first step is to be intentional in prayer for those I know.   List out those people, know them, and pray for them daily.   Learn the struggles in their lives, and keep those requests before the Lord.
The way others know, is the Holy Spirit must renew their hearts, to turn from a heart of stone to a heart of flesh.  To know the Lord requires regeneration.   We have but one purpose, to be the mouth of God to a dying world.   This dying world knows God exists, but refuses to acknowledge Him. 
So Christian, devote yourself to praying for your unsaved friends.   Know them, and reveal your petition to the Lord and stand back and let Him work.

That the world might know He is God!