Tag Archives: Biblical truth

Knowing God

Myths, Lies, and Misunderstandings about Eternity

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It is important that we have a clear understanding about eternity.  Living in the 21st century requires that we equip ourselves with correct information.  Therefore, we will close this series on myths, lies, and misunderstandings discussing the deadliest of them all—MLMs pertaining to eternity.

The Danger of Eternity MLMs

MLMs hinder our ability to accept the reality of life and death.   Since our belief systems influence our behaviors and the choices we make, a misstep or an error in belief can have “forever” ramifications.  We get one chance to make the right choice. (Acts 4:12 )

Myths

Myths are often connected to spirituality or other religious beliefs versus Christian doctrine.  They can result in a false sense of spiritual security. Many myths are often tied to what heaven or hell will be like.

Heaven will be a dreamy, floating existence in the clouds.

Heaven is the place where we will continue to serve the Lord (Revelation7:14-15 ). Just as Adam was given charge of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15 ), we will fulfill the God-glorifying, personally fulfilling work that was part of God’s original plan for our life.

Hell is a place where there’s always a good time and party. 

Hell was initially designed to house Satan and those fallen angels that participated in open rebellion against God in heaven (Isaiah 14:12-15 ). People who joke about wanting to go to hell is so much foolishness.  There will be no partying in hell only darkness, weeping, and gnashing of teeth (Matthew 8:12 ; 13:42 ) .

Lies

Lies are the most dangerous MLMs.  Why?  Because our belief in them can result in our being in a place we don’t want to be for eternity.  There will be no “do-overs.  Following are the most frequently cited and the deadliest.   

There is no heaven nor hell. 

Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for us (John 14:2 ).  We know that when “our tabernacle is dissolved we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in heaven.”  (2 Corinthians 5:1 )

Hell is real (Matthew 25:41 , 46 ).  It is a place of eternal punishment. There are those who propose that because God is good and loving, He would never condemn anyone to a place of eternal torment.  God doesn’t send people to hell.  People send themselves.  

All roads lead to heaven.  

While this may be a very popular view, the Bible teaches that the only way a person can go to heaven is on “God’s terms”.  He has made His terms very clear in His Word and by Jesus Himself.    “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me”. (John 14:6 ).  Other reference scripture includes John 3:3, 16 , Acts 4:12 , and Galatians 1:6-9.

Misunderstandings

Misunderstandings are often the results of incomplete or incorrect information.  While they are the most benign of the MLMs, it is still important to seek reliable and accurate information about eternity.

God is responsible for death.  

Well-intentioned people console loved ones at the death of a family member with statements such as, “God wanted them with Him.” “They’re in a better place.” “God knows what He’s doing.”

The truth is death is the result of man’s sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2).  It is a sure fact that we all will die.  The best way to be with family in eternity is to receive Jesus as Savior.

We will worship God in a tabernacle in heaven.  

The tabernacle of the Old Testament and the church structure today provide a physical place to worship God.

However, there is need for neither in heaven because we will live in God’s presence.   The object of our worship, God, will be with us throughout eternity.  We will freely worship God continuously (Revelation 21:3 ,22 ).

The True Beauty of Eternity

Our understanding of eternity influences all that we do today.  It becomes the filter by which we evaluate how we spend our time; what we focus on: where we place our priorities.

Eternity, most importantly, is where we will spend forever with Jesus.  Our relationship will never be interrupted by our busy schedule, our unconfessed sin, or the enemies’ fiery darts aimed at our faith.

Knowing God

Myths, Lies, and Misunderstandings about the Bible, Part 2

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Our Search for Truth

Myths, lies, and misunderstandings (MLMs) are dangerous to the spiritual welfare of both believers and nonbelievers.  This is especially true with regard to MLMs about the Bible.  Why?  Because it results in people’s hesitancy to see the Bible as the authoritative source for their lives, their beliefs and their behaviors.

Last week I focused on the biggest MYTHS concerning the Bible in the 21st century.  Today we will complete this study by reviewing the most frequent LIES and MISUNDERSTANDINGS.

What is a Lie?

A lie is a statement that is false and is created with the intent to deceive. And Satan has done an excellent job in intentionally deceiving people to believe that the Bible is not the primary source of truth.

In this postmodern era, relativism offers the view that there is not absolute truth.  Truth is viewed as “relative” based on individual perceptions and considerations.  This kind of thinking often finds its place in the context of moral or ethical questions and decisions.   Satan has used this thinking to continue his campaign to “blind the eyes” of mankind to the source of truth and relevancy (2 Corinthians 4:3-4)

Lie #1 The Bible is no different than any other book.

Without a doubt, it is different! All Scripture is God-breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  The Bible was written by God using the unique talents and personalities of its authors.  They wrote “God’s Word” not as robots with pens.

The Holy Spirit superintended the human author without taking anything from their personalities.  He made sure that what they chose to write was exactly what He wanted to communicate to people through them.    The writers were different, but the message remained the same and was consistent, from Genesis to Revelations.

Lie #2 The Bible is full of errors and mistakes.  (Written by men who make mistakes)

First, I must share that In the Word Ministries believes in the authority of Scripture which is another way of saying that the Bible is the inspired, infallible, and inerrant (without error) Word of God.  It is the ultimate source of knowledge about God, as well as the definitive guide for our daily lives.  It is the infallible rule of faith and practice.

Secondly, you will find that the Bible has been proven, by secular sources, to be historically correct and accurate in its rending of events recorded within it–this includes the people, places and events, including the events surrounding the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  A great resource on the historicity and inerrancy of Scripture is Hank Hanegraaff of the Christian Research Institute, www.equip.org.

Is it just a Misunderstanding?

A misunderstanding is a mistake of meaning or intent.

Misunderstanding #1 The Bible is boring and difficult to read.    

The first question to ask concerning the Bible being boring is, “what is our intent in reading it?” The Bible was not written to entertain! It was written to reveal the plan of salvation God has for His people and to disclose who He is.  It is about INTENT and PURPOSE.

I am reminded of a story I heard in a business class.  A lady called to complain that the taste of Clorox should be changed.  She was using it as a mouth rinse.  The customer did not use the product for its intended purpose.

Although the Bible contains history and poetry, narratives and even love stories AND has been on the most read, best seller list for centuries, its purpose is not for entertainment.   It is the ultimate source of knowledge about God as well as the definitive guide for daily living.

 Don’t be Fooled!

Truth is being challenged on every hand.  It is important that we do everything in our power to ensure we make our decisions based on the best sources.  Beware of those things that mask the truth, especially concerning life now and eternity.  We must be on the alert for myths, lies, and misunderstandings that misguide and misdirect you from the purpose God has for our life.

 

Knowing God

Myths, Lies, and Misunderstandings about the Bible, Part 1

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Why don’t people read the Bible?

If I had the definitive answer to that question, ministers would be flocking to my door.  I have, however, had opportunity to talk to many individuals who give reasons why they choose not to participate in Bible classes.

Their answers agreed with that which was discovered in the Barna Institute’s research study on the Bible.

With over 5 billion copies sold, the Bible remains earth’s most-read book. But the world in which we read and engage with the Bible is rapidly changing. The steady rise of skepticism is creating a cultural atmosphere that is becoming unfriendly to claims of faith; the adoption of self-fulfillment as our culture’s ultimate measure of good is re-orienting moral authority; and the explosive growth of digital tools such as Bible apps, daily reading plans, study resources and online communities offer unprecedented access to the Scriptures.[1]

 As stated earlier, the best strategy to guard against spiritual error is God’s truth.  That truth is available through the Holy Spirit and the Bible.  Therefore, as is the case with the Holy Spirit, the Bible is also the target of many myths, lies, and misunderstandings.  To that end, I would like to put forth the thought that many people don’t read the Bible because of myths, lies, and misunderstandings they have about the Bible.

Because MLMs about the Bible are widespread and spiritually detrimental, we will focus this week’s WordBytes on Bible myths.  Myths are widely held but false beliefs or ideas.  Myths are upheld to misrepresent the truth and to maintain certain views or ideas, i.e., the worldview, Satan’s lies.

The Bible is outdated.

This myth supposes that God is like man, constrained by time and space.   He is not.  God is infinite and never changes (Malachi 3:6).  His Word is therefore timeless.  In addition, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8) and His judgments unsearchable (Romans 11:33,34).   Who is in position to question His intentions and instructions?

The Bible is “contemporary”.  Its knowledge and wisdom come from God who whose existence is independent of any created being.  The Bible speaks truth regardless of the reader’s position in time.

It reveals God’s expectations of us and how we are to relate to one another—family, socially, and the church and to Him.  It contains both moral and social principles of living which are never outdated.

The Bible is irrelevant in the 21st century.

We often hear this myth about the Bible because it doesn’t conform to the world’s view—which is usually contrary to the way and wishes of God.  This belief is common and is based on a “self-directed” life, where individuals are encouraged to pursue their own path in life.

However, Jesus warned in his Sermon of the Mount (Matthew 7:13-14).

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way.   But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.

The truth of the matter is the Word causes great discomfort to those who operate as “sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).  The Word’s power causes individuals to feel convicted of their wrongdoing and therefore, they reject its application to their life (Hebrews 4:12-13).

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Next week, we will discuss, “Lies and Misunderstandings” about the Bible.

[1] The Bible in America:  6-Year Trend, Barna Research Group.

The Holy Spirit

Myths, Lies, and Misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit

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Myths, Lies, and Misunderstandings about the Holy Spirit

Danger ahead…MLMs

As we discussed last week, myths, lies, and misunderstandings (MLMs) are dangerous to the spiritual welfare of both believers and nonbelievers.  The best strategy to guard against MLMs is God’s truth.

That truth is available through the Holy Spirit and the Bible.  Because Satan is continually exposed by both, it is not surprising that these two are frequently the subject of many MLMs.

Today, we will share MLMs most often repeated about the Holy Spirit.

Top MLMs about the Holy Spirit

Though not exhaustive, here are my top MLMs concerning the Holy Spirit.  The source of this list are frequent questions I have received concerning the third person of the Trinity.

Myth: “The Holy Spirit is for Super Christians.  He is not for everyone.”

Unfortunately, this myth has been around for quite some time due to religious and denominational differences.  The devastating result of this myth is that people question whether they are indwelled by the Holy Spirit.  In addition, this myth gives the perception that Christians receive the Holy Spirit based on their merit.

When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, Jesus gifts us with the Holy Spirit (Galatians 3:14).  While we can’t control the Holy Spirit, we can, however, hinder His work.  We can quench the Holy Spirit by refusing His guidance or grieve Him by continuing to do sinful acts.

As we surrender our will to God’s will, we will receive greater filling by the Spirit.  “Filling” means we empty ourselves of self and make room for MORE of HIM.  This results in the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and conforming to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

Lie: “The Holy Spirit is actually our inner spirit guiding us on the path to our true purpose and destiny.”   

It’s a path alright.  A path to nowhere. This is perhaps the most egregious lie designed by the devil.  It denies the reality of God.  Satan’s MO is to always have man look to himself as the primary source of power and control.  This is a “self-directed” belief (lie) that keeps people from coming to the “glorious gospel of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:4).

This strategy of Satan is intended to keep us bound, broken, and discouraged.  We fail to reach God’s designed purpose for our lives.  Why?  Because we attempt to do what only God can do through His Holy Spirit in us (John 15:5; Ephesians 3:20).

Misunderstanding:  “The Holy Spirit is like an angel that God sends to help people.”

This belief reflects a lack of understanding of who God is and the work of the Trinity.  First and foremost, God is one God with three distinct, eternal, coexistent persons.  God is the Creator of all things (Genesis 1).  Jesus, who is God’s only begotten Son is also God.  And finally, the Holy Spirit, who is God’s Spirit is also God.

Regarding these three manifestations of our one, God, we must recognize their distinctions, but not separate them from one another. We will never understand all that God wants us to know about him without having full knowledge of each representation of him. [1]

Without a correct knowledge of God, we risk “being tossed to and fro by every wind of new teaching and influence, when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth” (Ephesians 4:14, NLT).  The best approach to deal with MLMs is to know the truth.   Be alert to myths, lies, and misunderstandings that threaten our walk of faith.

Next week we will focus on MLMs pertaining to the Bible.

[1] Lead Me, Holy Spirit:  Longing to Hear the Voice of God, Stormie Omartian

Knowing God

Guarding Against Error: Myths, Lies, and Misunderstandings

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Myths, Lies, and Misunderstandings

Living in the 21st century requires that we be diligent and equip ourselves with correct information (Proverbs 4:7).  This guards us against error, especially, with regard to our spiritual beliefs.

Error often presents itself in the form of myths, lies, and misunderstandings (MLMs).  This includes what we know about the  God and and His purpose for our lives.  Today we will examine MLMs and how they can negatively impact our ability to have a correct view of God.

MLMs—the what and the why?

Myths, lies, and misunderstandings can be credited to many different things.

  • Myths are widely held but false beliefs or ideas. Myths are upheld to misrepresent the truth and to maintain certain beliefs.
  • Lies are statements that one knows are false, with the intent to deceive.
  • Misunderstandings stem from a failure to understand something correctly. A misunderstanding can be caused by an incorrect conception or a misinterpretation. It can also be mistakes of meaning or intent.

Myths and misunderstandings can be attributed to a general lack of knowledge.  Even within our churches, discussions on the Holy Trinity are limited.  Congregations need to be better informed on our relationship with each member of the God Head and how each of them impacts our lives.

Lies, of course, can be assigned to the father of lies, Satan.  Satan has done an excellent job in intentionally deceiving people about who God is.  We tend to make God smaller than He really is, to fit our human view.  We compare our limited abilities with God’s infinite power.  We do this to justify our decisions and behaviors (Jeremiah 17:9).

God is the true source for victorious living.  It is in Him that we live and breathe and have our meaning (Acts 17:28).  Our personal relationship with God provides us with courage and hope amid our struggles.    It strengthens our faith and points us to the One who will sustain us in the most difficult of times.  Therefore, we are able to persevere and do not “faint” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

How to deal with MLMs?

What is the best approach to deal with myths, lies, and misunderstandings?  Seek out and know the truth through spiritual discernment.  The primary source of that truth is the Bible.  The Holy Spirit leads us in all truth (John 16:13).

In this postmodern era, relativism offers the view that there is no absolute truth; truth is relative based on individual perceptions and considerations. Satan uses this thinking to continue his campaign to “blind our eyes” about God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 4:4).

We must seek truth in all we do and boldly denounce MLMs that keep others in darkness (Ephesians 5:11).  Myths, lies, and misunderstandings intent is always the same:  to deceive, mislead, and misrepresent.

For the next few weeks we will explore  other MLMs that  lead us to spiritual error and away from God’s truth.

Spiritual Renewal

Defending the Abundant Life

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Who stole our abundant life: Recap

In our early discussions on abundant living, we acknowledged the forces that vie for our attention and inevitably drain us of living the abundant life promised to us, by Jesus in John 10:10.  These forces are described as thieves that creep into our lives to “steal, kill, and destroy”:  to steal our peace, to kill our hope, and to demolish our lives.

 Abundant life, offered by Jesus, is a life vigorously devoted to and in personal relationship with God and with others (John 15:4-5)).   Abundant life offers spiritual freedom and eternity with God to those who put their trust in Christ (John 3:16).

We concluded that abundant life is only possible through the leading (filling) of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). The result?  Life lived “in the presence of, under the authority of, to the honor and glory of God. (Coram Deo)

To close the study on abundant living, let’s detail three key threats to our abundant life.

The Thieves

God’s Word warns us of three “thieves” that have operated in the world since its creation and continue with extraordinary success today.  They are the areas that are responsible for the demise of not only individuals but also families and nations.

These thieves have mastered the art of seduction and deception.  They use not only our personal weaknesses against us (Hebrew 12:1) but also information gleaned from social media and digital platforms.  The three thieves attempt to stand between us and God.  Their intent? To damage our relationship.  To stop, block, and damage our source of abundance, which is God alone.    They create breaches in our spiritual wall that result in the lack of God’s abundance.  These thieves are the world, Satan, and our flesh.

The World and Satan

As followers of Christ, abundant life is not dependent on the world’s view of abundance.  While God blesses us with provision and favor in this life, we are not dependent on the things offered by the world for our needs.

The world attempts to dictate our identity based on computer algorithms and logic versus our identity in Christ. (Galatians 2:20) The world demands our attention and fosters the belief that our best life centers on wealth, power and influence.  The world draws us away from the true source of all our needs (John 15:5).

What can we say about Satan?  He does sin very well.  He is a master of deception and lies.  It is his intention to keep us as far away from God and the truth as possible.

One way He does that is by developing “counterfeits” to the real things that are possible only through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  (2 Corinthians 11:14-15; 1 John 4:1)

Satan rarely invents; he imitates and corrupts. God offers truth; Satan substitutes deception. God offers life; Satan promises life but produces death. God offers eternal joy; Satan offers fleeting pleasure with lasting consequences. The Holy Spirit gives discernment so we believers can recognize the difference.

Our Flesh

The quote “We have met the enemy and he is us.” is most famously attributed to Walt Kelly, creator of the comic strip Pogo, written for a 1971 Earth Day poster. Kelly’s quote pointed to the source of many of our problems—our actions, attitudes, and choices. Our flesh controls those actions, attitudes, and choices.

Awareness of our flesh’s weakness is offered in passages such as:

      • Jeremiah 17:9 – “The heart is deceitful above all things…”
      • James 4:1 – “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?”
      • Romans 7:18 – “I know that in me dwelleth no good thing.”

Our flesh’s desire to satisfy our needs (versus God’s will) result in disobedience and sin (1 John 2: 88).  We can’t blame everything of the world and Satan.  Sometimes the enemy is “in me.”

Defending God’s Gift of Abundant Life

How do we defend our abundant life?  Short list.

      1. Grow in the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. (2 Peter 1:2)
      2. Pursue and maintain an intentional, intimate walk with Jesus. (James 4:8)
      3. Be filled (obedient) with the Holy Spirit. (John 10:27)

Meditate on the scriptures cited on the short list.  Begin implementing the offered  solutions in your life.  Then watch God’s abundance flow freely into your life.

Spiritual Maturity

Are you a Truth Teller?

Are you a Truth Teller?

Are you a truth teller? 

We (believers) define truth as the meaning and reality of life defined by God versus truth shaped by postmodern thinking.  The believer’s source of truth is presented by God Himself in His Word and through the direction of the “Spirit of Truth”, the Holy Spirit.

Truth defined by God becomes the compass by which believers are able to discern truth from error (1 John 4:6) therefore allowing them to live out their God-ordained purpose (Ephesians 2:10).

How well am I doing with being truthful?

Following God’s truth may result in rejection and personal persecution.  Inside the safety of the church walls it’s easy to agree with the ethics and morality inherent in God’s truth.

However, once outside the “physical boundaries” of the church, it is the “heart” which must reflect God’s truth.  It is the heart that directs the mind, will, and emotions (the soul) to sieve the noise of the world through the filter of God’s truth.

Truth and obedience are closely connected as believers must choose between God’s instructions or man’s acceptance (Matthew 10:28).

Does the world want to know the truth?

We discussed this question earlier as to the world’s readiness for the truth.  Often the world’s responses make the truth appear to be a remnant of the 20th century—no longer relevant in today’s fast-paced, high tech world.    Unfortunately, truth is often defined by what’s trending on social media.

To further complicate the search for truth, corporate/community leaders and aspiring politicians create “untruthful” responses to difficult social issues that simply satisfy people who don’t really want to know the truth; so the community and nation are given a lie (instead of truth) to make them feel better.

Unfortunately people would rather believe a lie than the truth—think about that for a minute!  Are people really being deceived or are they simply choosing to believe a lie? It’s easier (2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Am I ready to be a truth teller?

In Psalm 119:46, the writer speaks of their unfailing dedication to the truths offered by  God:  “I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings.  And will not be ashamed.”  Testimonies speak of witnessing.  In Scripture, it relates specifically to divine testimonies or truth directly from God.

We must ask ourselves why we sometimes choose to believe a lie rather than the truth.  The truth may be related to our life style, our family, or even about us personally.  Perhaps we are judgmental, critical, or unforgiving.  That’s why it is so important to regularly pray that the Holy Spirit expose those areas that interfere with receiving the truth of God.

The gold standard for truth tellers

To be a truth teller requires boldness to stand for holy “rightness” (Hebrews 13:6) and to proclaim what is God’s truth versus what is politically or socially correct (Luke 12:4-5; Psalms 119:46).

When Jesus taught the Beatitudes to His disciples, He established a new standard of truth that was to be actualized in the life of the believer—a standard that would result in holy and sanctified (set apart) living.

Paul declared himself to be a truth teller.  While it resulted in his persecution and polarization from the mainstream, he boldly proclaimed:  “None of these things [persecution and prison] move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I can finish my race with joy.” (Acts 20:24)

Let us follow the examples given to us by God.  Dare to be a truth teller.

Spiritual Maturity

Truth: The Divine Perspective

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Truth: The Divine Perspective

Truth is an incredibly significant concept.  Our view of truth shapes not only our personal lives but also our society.  It especially impacts our relationship with God including our view of Scripture.

Our definition of truth is affected by what we watch, what we read, and even the opinions of our friends.  Add to that the sway of social media, your “truth” is being adjusted with every post and tweet you receive.  Imagine there are 500 million tweets sent every day[1].  Scary isn’t it.

Let’s face reality!  We live in an age where we are being bombarded by varying opinions as to what is or isn’t truth.  Because of these deceptive trends, it is important that we have a reliable and trustworthy compass by which to navigate in this world.  We need guidance from God.  We need God’s divine perspective.

God’s perspective of truth

In the Old Testament, truth is rendered as true or faithful.  In either case, the Hebrew concept communicates reliability and trustworthiness.   This trustworthiness is frequently used to describe God’s divine faithfulness (Psalms 31:5; Jeremiah 42:5).

In the New Testament, truth emphasizes reality as God has revealed it in creation (Romans 1:18) and in the gospel (Ephesians 1:13; Colossians 1:5; 1 Timothy 2:4).   God’s perspective of truth is given to us through His Word and through the Spirit of Truth—the Holy Spirit.  Armed with these divine gifts we are provided a continual source of truth.

Truth in action

Adherence to the truth was critical during the formation of the early Church. Pressured by the Judaizers to continue with the practice of circumcision, the church at Galatia was in danger of spiritual error.  They were rejecting the truth (salvation through Jesus Christ alone) to avoid persecution.  We at one time or another have been guilty of quietly accepting error versus being truth tellers.  That is to our shame.

In Galatians 5:7, Paul poses a question to this young church: “You were getting along so well. Who has interfered with you to hold you back from following the truth?”

Paul continues by stating emphatically, “This persuasion does not come from the One who calls you.”  When we drift from the truth that God has revealed, we can be assured of its origin—the puppeteer of deception and lies, Satan.

Coram Deo is a Latin phrase translated “in the presence of God”.  It has its origin is Christian theology which summarizes the idea of Christians living in the presence of, under the authority of, to the honor and glory of God.  Truth is to be lived Coram Deo.

Practicing God’s divine perspective

Truth is to be practiced not only within the church but also outside its four walls. Imagine the impact that error has on every aspect of our society—in our homes, in the workplace, and in our institutions.  Practicing God’s divine perspective acknowledges the importance of sharing truth in every sphere of our life.

Using God’s revelation, we have access to reliable knowledge—divine truth—about God, about ourselves, and how we are to live in relationship with our fellow man.  Unfortunately, we often separate our “faith walk” from our “lifestyle”.  God’s truth should permeate every area of our life.  Practicing God’s divine perspective requires that we walk in God’s truth continuously. 

Dependency on the Divine

Our dependence on God’s truth is not based on emotional sentimentalities but firmly grounded in the nature of God (Deuteronomy 7:9).  We walk in accordance with His moral realities and act in harmony with His divine revelations (Psalms 26:3).   Practicing God’s divine perspective recognizes God’s trustworthiness.

Knowing the reliability of God and accepting the reality of God, we can begin to operate from God’s divine perspective.  God’s divine truth becomes the vehicle by which we can successfully navigate in this 21st century postmodern society.

[1] Brandwatch.com

Spiritual Maturity

God Speaks Through Circumstances

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How are you really?

In our culture, it is not unusual for people to greet one another with the inquiry, “How are you?”  In response, a multitude of replies are available but my favorite is, “I doing fairly well under the circumstances.”  This is my opportunity to respond, “Why are you under your circumstances and what are you doing to get back on top?”

Circumstances are conditions or facts that affect a situation.  These can be either positive or negative.  They define a state in which an individual, group, or even a nation may find itself.  This week we will explore how God speaks to us through circumstances.

Biblical Examples

There are many biblical examples that illustrate how God used circumstances to speak to His people.  Circumstances dictated that Moses would be set adrift in the Nile.  It was there that he would be found by the king’s daughter and adopted into the royal household by the ruling Pharaoh (Exodus 2:1-10). God later spoke to Moses after his 40-year circumstance and re-directed him to deliver Israel from bondage.

In the book of Acts, we find God speaking to the early church by using the political and social circumstances around them.  Jesus had clearly articulated the scope of the church’s ministry:  “and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).  While it was within their “comfort zone” to stay in Jerusalem, God spoke through the circumstance of persecution to move the gospel to a larger audience.

Throughout the Bible we find God speaking to people through special favor, through personal loss, or through miraculous deliverance.  God spoke to them through their circumstances.

But does God speak today?

God still speaks today through circumstances.  He will use conditions and situations from our everyday life to place us in a position to hear His voice.  Does God create circumstances to make us do His will?  No, God has created us as freewill agents and desires that we choose to live within His divine plan. But God will allow circumstances to flow into our life to accomplish His glory and our good (Romans 8:24).

In addition, to conform us to the image of Christ, God will permit circumstances in our lives that will mature us and grow our faith (1 Peter 1:5-7).  What may appear at first to be a “stumbling block” may, in actuality, turn out to be a “stepping stone”.  God speaks through closed doors as well as opened doors; through delayed prayers as well as answered ones.

Why does God speak?

As believers proceed in this Christian walk, we must remember that the intent of our life is to glorify God and to accomplish His purpose on earth (2 Corinthians 5:15). That’s why it is important to be intentional in prayer and reading God’s Word especially during difficult and challenging times, regardless of the circumstance (Philippians 4:6-13).

As we develop our personal relationship with God, we will understand that He loves us and can be trusted with every aspect of our life. Then circumstances will not overcome us nor will we live “under them” (1 John 4:4).

Our Faith Walk

Throwback Wednesday: What’s with Watchfulness?

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Throwback Wednesday : Life Keeps on Life-ing

Watchfulness.  What does that mean to us in today’s world?  With the many events that are occurring in our world, it is imperative that we give special attention to the environment around us.

To watch is used over four hundred times in the Old Testament with the basic meaning of “take great care” and to “keep alert”.    In the  New Testament, the definition continues with the addition of the warning to “keep watchful.”

Jesus often used the concept of watchfulness in may of His parables to relate to His Second Coming . (Luke 31:26)  He also warned believers to be aware and prepared for Satan’s attacks.   (Mark 14:38).

Jesus’ teachings on watchfulness is especially relevant for us today.  Each day, we are challenged to carefully assess what is happening around us.  Not only for our physical well-being but especially for our spiritual health.

Therein lies the reason for this our Throwback Wednesday, “Practicing Watchfulness:  Be Prepared.”  Click on the “next post” to access  all the  Practicing Watchfulness series.   That’s how important we think watchfulness is needed right now.

Practicing Watchfulness: Be Prepared