Tell The Truth and Shame The Devil

Have you ever looked someone in the eye and told them a lie? Of course you have. We all have. It is something that begins when we are small children and continues on unchecked for most if not all of our lives. Many of us say we hate liars, but we are all liars. Do you hate yourself? I know that question might jar you, but remember this is tell the truth and shame the devil.

The truth is you don't hate yourself. I don't hate myself. We all have a healthy degree of regard for who we are, but we are all a bit naive. If I say that I weigh 130 pounds when the scale says 140, I am a liar. If I tell a friend I was sleeping when they called while I was watching a movie, I am still a liar. If I tell a story in a way that I look blameless when I am actually guilty, I am a liar. Liars align with and glorify the father of lies. But, I am a Christian. Right?

Telling the truth about myself is difficult. It is hard to admit that I have told lies without even thinking of them. I have allowed people to assume things. I have had to then lie for the sake of the implied lie that they believed. I'm not boasting here. I am actually doing what we all have to do. We must tell the truth and shame the devil.

We must admit that we have a problem and seek God's help to fix it. Saying I've lied about my weight or my age or whatever it is pleases God and brings shame to the devil. Speaking the truth allows us to hold one another accountable so that we can turn away from lying and turn back to the freedom that is found in the truth. Telling the truth requires a repentant heart. One that convicts you the moment that you lie. One that pushes you to seek God's face. One that won't allow you to continually speak untruthfully. One that forces you to speak God's truth and bring the devil shame.

All Your words are true; all Your righteous laws are eternal. ~ Psalm 119:160

Adayinthelife :-)

I Need Thee

I remember how the church mothers used to sing "I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. Oh bless me now my Savior. I come to Thee." I can hear distinctive voices throughout the sanctuary crying out to God in song. Their voices were not in perfect harmony or key, however their voices were sincere. Their voices reflected the urgency of each woman's individual need. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee.

Every time they would cry out to God, all the kids would sit quiet. The sermon might not have kept us still. The choir might not have always held our attention, but I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. These were words that we somehow knew signaled something different. The mood was different. The atmosphere was different. We were different.

We sat waiting for God to respond. We waited not knowing what anyone needed except God. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Seven words that touched me as a child and changed me as an adult. I grew past sitting and watching to crying out myself. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. Oh bless me now my Savior. I come to Thee. I cried out to God in the sanctuary. I cried out to God in my car. I cried out to Him on my job. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. 

I didn't have an audience of children staring waiting for something to happen. All that I had was a song in my heart and a desire to be closer to God. He heard me and He comforted me. He heard me and He saved me. He heard me and He completely changed my life. 

He answered me as I read the scriptures. He answered me as I went to Him in prayer. He answered me often in the words as they were sung. I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Even now, I know He hears me. I sit waiting for Him to answer my heart's song...... I need Thee. Oh, I need Thee. Every hour I need Thee. Oh bless me now my Savior. I come to Thee.

Adayinthelife :-)

The Art of Giving

If you were challenged to give every time someone asked, would you be able to do it? Would you be able to respond favorably to every request for money, affection, or time? Would you be able to change your mindset from I will give what I have to I will give to all who are in need? Think about it. How different would your life be if your objective was to give without hesitation, question, or condition?

Could you allow your eyes to be opened enough to see the need and not the person? Could you respond to the deficit without allowing your assessment of the situation to hinder your progress? Could you give in response to a request where what was requested looked different than what you thought was needed? Could you live solely to give?

The questions surrounding giving are as vast as our opportunities to give. Each of us is afforded opportunities to give on a daily basis. Often we focus on the times when giving requires something tangible instead of the endless supply of opportunities that we have to give those things which are intangible. Giving our attention, a listening ear, a sincere smile, or a comforting hug are all that many ask of us. Yet, we fail to give. We fail to recognize the moments where what is needed is as simple as hello and as empowering as God bless you after a sneeze. I know that many of you paused at empowering, but ever time we say "God bless you" we have activated something in the spirit realm. We have given a blessing to the one who has sneezed.

So why do we resist it? Why do we hang on so tight to the things that we have been so freely given? God gave you your smile. He gave you the ability to bring comfort with your embrace. He gave you the power to bless and uplift. Every good thing comes from Him and as freely as He has given to us, He expects us to give.  We must arrive at the point where we give with the heart and mind of God and not for the thrill or recognition that may come with it.

Let all that you do be done in love. ~ 1 Corinthians 16:14

Adayinthelife :-)

Whose Law Governs Your Life?

I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. God is the head of my life. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul. But, God, He is the head of my life. I surrender everything to His control.

How can one live life according to their own terms while still being subject to God’s law? It would seem to be impossible. I am the master of my fate suggests that I am in complete control. My actions are my choosing. I move at my own command. I have control of everything that happens. There is no need or room for God.

Think about how truly limiting that is. Living a life that is directed by self instead of by God. This is a life of selfishness. This is a life of thoughtlessness. This is a life devoid of Love. However, it is a life that many choose to live. I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul.

I am the one who decides which law I will follow and which truth I will uphold. I am the one who determines how I will treat someone. I am the one who I will rely on. I am the captain of my soul. I am the gauge for what is right. I am the measure for how far I stretch myself and how much of me you get to hold. I am the master of my fate. I live according to what’s in my own soul.

But God is the head of my life. He is in complete control. His word comforts me when I am low. His word teaches me how to live. His word teaches me how to love. I read it and I am inspired. I read it and I am empowered. I read it and I am made whole. His word is a lamp unto my feet. His word is food for my soul.

I wrestle with what to do. I wrestle with whose law I want to uphold. How can I be the master of my fate if I’ve already given God my soul?

It is God’s will that your good lives should silence those who foolishly condemn the Gospel without knowing what it can do for them, having never experienced its power.

1 Peter 2:15 (TLB)

Adayinthelife :-)