Discerning Lies from Truth..Kia Stephens

 Discerning Lies from Truth

By: Kia Stephens

“You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” - Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV)

There are lies that immediately sound like lies and then there are those that closely resemble the truth. In those instances, we have to be able to exercise discernment. This is the only way to identify falsehood and refute it with the truth of God’s Word.

In the book of Genesis 2:16 (NIV), the Lord God commanded Adam, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Here we see God gave Adam a clear command. God explained why He gave the command and he took the time to point out all of the alternative options in the garden that Adam could choose instead.

From a parenting standpoint, God clearly created boundaries and parameters for Adam and Eve to follow. Unfortunately, the breakdown in communication occurred when Satan, in a cunning and sly way, deceived Eve into believing what God said was not true.

This is a lesson for all of us. When thoughts come to us, we should measure their authenticity against God’s Word. We have the luxury of having God’s Word as close as our nearest device if we so choose. All we need to do is read it.

Eve, on the other hand, had to rely on her memory and it proved to be an insufficient match for the serpent. “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:4-5 (NIV) The serpent told a lie. No, Eve would not die an immediate physical death, but she would eventually die. The devil knew this when he approached her.

He also knew that she would die a spiritual death as well. The serpent did not explain this to Eve because had he done so, the decision of whether or not to obey God would have been an easier no. When we are tempted to disobey God, we too need to weigh all the possible consequences of our actions. What may seem like an okay or harmless decision could have lasting repercussions.

The Serpent sweetened his scheme by tempting Eve with the possibility of becoming like God. He appealed to a secret desire in her heart to be all-knowing. This lets us know that the devil knows us intimately. He can hear our thoughts and use them to impact our decisions.

Once our desires are involved resisting lies becomes that much more difficult. We must discern whether opportunities that are placed before us come from God or are traps set by the enemy. The only way to do this is to immerse ourselves in the word of God. In doing so we can readily recognize when an opportunity is rooted in lies or founded on truth.

A Prayer to Know You Are More Than a Pawn..Christopher Eyte

 A Prayer to Know You Are More Than a Pawn

By Christopher Eyte

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God." - John 1:10-13

A pawn is the least valued piece in a game of chess. It moves forward in one direction only and just one step at a time. Even so, the pawn has the potential to change and become a queen if it reaches the other side. The idea is really quite remarkable. A boring, nondescript piece of plastic is unrealized royalty!

Some people see themselves as mere pawns on the chessboard of life. They are influenced by the condemnation of others who tell them, ‘You are nothing more than a pawn.’ This sense of negative identity eats into the soul. It can often lead to addictive lifestyles as ‘pawns’ look for self-worth and comfort. Examples of these dark coping mechanisms are reliance on virtual (internet-led) lifestyles, unbalanced eating habits, sexual addictions, gambling, shoplifting, alcohol, caffeine reliance, and even drugs, both ‘legal’ and illegal. This is not an exhaustive list.

This repetitive desecration of identity overwhelms those known as ‘sinners.’ It eventually seems to define them. Any notion of royalty becomes laughable on the aforementioned chessboard of life. Pawns are only helpless pawns, right?

Here is a truth that outrages atheists and those who refuse God’s love. The King of kings, Jesus Christ, entered the world as a pawn to rescue pawn addicts. The world didn’t recognize him but ‘his own’ did accept him. He was born to seek out and save those who have no self-control. To listen to those who feel least valued and very lost. Those who have given up. Anyone walking in darkness who wants light. Downtrodden and downhearted - sick and needing a cure. Pawns are stuck in a rut and moving forward only one step at a time.

Jesus isn’t interested in those who think they have got life right. ‘Those who are well have no need for a doctor,’ he once said. He holds his hand out to the weary. Jesus stands ready to forgive, restore, free, and love. Turn to him. Dwell upon this incredible invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest’.

If you are a pawn addict, or you know someone trapped in that sense of helpless identity, listen carefully to what Jesus says. Surely John 6:37b in the Bible sums it up best. Jesus is recorded as saying this: “I will never turn away anyone who comes to me.”

Let’s pray:

Lord Jesus,
I am not a pawn. I am royal because you saved me. My identity is based on your love not on my failures. Today I choose to hold your hand again and trust you as you lead me. I am forgiven. I am free. I am loved. You accept me, and I accept you. Lead me as I follow you each day, week, month, and all the years ahead - always. Thank you. Amen.

Seeking God in Solitude..Craig Denison Ministries

 Seeking God in Solitude

Craig Denison Ministries

Weekly Overview:

Learning to seek the face of God is the foundation for experiencing the amazing life Jesus died to give us. We have available to us through Christ all the wonders, excellencies, and satisfaction we can fathom. God has granted us grace upon grace, mercy upon mercy, affection upon affection, and love upon love. When we pursue him through all the avenues available to us, a door is opened in which we discover all our heavenly Father longs to give us. May you grow in your pursuit of God this week as we study various ways we’ve been given to seek his face.

Scripture:“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” - Matthew 14:23

Devotional:

Our world is filled with hustle and bustle. We reward busyness as if always working, striving, and achieving were the true marks of a life well-lived. We elevate those who have given everything to gain success. To be tired is to be weak. To be in need is to fail. To rest instead of work is to be lazy or selfish. As believers, we’re living in a society whose values do not match that of our heavenly Father’s. We need an adjustment of perspective.

We are created for time spent alone with our heavenly Father, away from the cares and ways of the world. We are created to seek God in solitude. Jesus modeled this important principle throughout his ministry. Luke 5:15-16 says, “But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” >Mark 1:35 says, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” And Matthew 14:23 says, “And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” If Jesus needed time alone with the Father, you and I most certainly do.

Solitude is vital in our pursuit of deeper relationship with our heavenly Father. What would a marriage be if the couple only ever saw each other in large groups? What would a friendship be if you never spent time as just the two of you? Yet countless believers, Sunday after Sunday, file through church doors to meet with a God they are not encountering in the secret place. Our heavenly Father loves corporate worship to be sure, but community is intended to be an extension of the love and transformation we are receiving in solitude with God. Matthew 6:6 says, “But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” It’s in the secret place that we learn what our Father is really like. It’s in the secret place that we discern what his voice sounds like, find his heartbeat, and become like him.

Without solitude our faith will not stretch into the inner places of our hearts that so desperately need to be flooded with the light of glorious relationship with our heavenly Father. If you long to be loved, it’s in the secret place you’ll discover the wellspring of affections found in the heart of God. If you need someone to listen, it’s in solitude you’ll discover the always listening ear of your heavenly Father. And if you need a friend, it’s in time spent alone fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit that you will find a friend who will never leave you, forsake you, hurt you, or mislead you.

May you discover what you’ve been longing for in the secret place with God. May you pursue deeper connection with your heavenly Father through the wonderful discipline of solitude.

Guided Prayer:

1. Meditate on God’s desire to meet with you in the secret place.

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” - >Matthew 6:6

2. Reflect on your need for solitude. If Jesus needed time with the Father, receive the truth that you need it as well.

“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.” - >Mark 1:35

“But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.” - >Luke 5:15-16

“And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.” - >Matthew 14:23

3. Spend time alone pursuing God in solitude. Allow the silence to draw you into a deeper place of reflection. What has been hurting you? Where do you need your heavenly Father’s affections?

“But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.” >Galatians 1:15-17

St. Anselm of Canterbury wrote, “Enter into the inner chamber of your mind. Shut out all things save God and whatever may aid you in seeking God; and having barred the door of your chamber, seek him.” May you find the everlasting love of God as you seek him in solitude.

Extended Reading: Matthew 4

The Aroma of Christ..Whitney Hopler

 The Aroma of Christ

By Whitney Hopler

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?” - 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 NIV

When my daughter Honor was three years old, she asked to go shopping with me for some new candles for our home. I told her she could choose a few candles with her favorite fragrances. She began methodically sniffing candles at the store, row by row until she had sniffed every single one of the more than 300 candles in stock. After the first 20 or so, I was already losing patience and telling her to hurry up and choose some.

“Wait,” she replied simply, continuing her olfactory adventure. Annoyed, I paced around the aisles while watching her. Her face lit up with awe every time she breathed in a new scent – gingerbread, crisp linen, raspberry, apple pie, lavender, vanilla, cinnamon, rain showers, rose, eucalyptus, pumpkin, spruce, jasmine, sage, and many more.

Soon, concerned that I was missing out on a valuable experience, I joined her. Time seemed to stand still as I gave myself over to the wonder of savoring each scent. I don’t know how long we were in that candle store since time no longer mattered while we experienced a sense of awe together.

Our sense of smell can usher us into awe-inspiring experiences in many ways. We can enjoy the aroma of freshly baked bread or chocolate chip cookies at a meal and give thanks to God for our food. We can hike in a forest and enjoy the scent of evergreen trees as nature reminds us of God. There are countless other ways that our physical sense of smell can lead us to spiritual awe. When that happens, our souls notice the wonder of God’s work around us, and we’re filled with gratitude.

One way we can thank God for being able to enjoy pleasing scents is to try to live in a way that smells pleasing to God. When we prioritize our relationship with God and ask for his help to be holy day by day, we become “the pleasing aroma of Christ” that the Bible describes in 2 Corinthians 2:15 NIV. Ephesians 5:1-2 NIV encourages us to: “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” In biblical times, people often used incense during worship so that a strong and pleasant fragrance would rise to God along with their prayers. Psalm 141:2 NIV says in part: “May my prayer be set before you like incense…” and the Book of Revelation describes people’s prayers on earth showing up in heaven with the scent of incense.

Our physical sense of smell can remind us of the importance of living lives that give off the spiritual aroma of Christ. So, let’s stay connected to God in prayer and do our best to live in ways that honor him. When we do, we’ll please God and help others notice how sweet it can be to enjoy relationships with God.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
As you reflect on the aroma of Christ, consider these questions:

• What are some fragrances that help you feel a sense of awe?
• What memories or emotions do those scents evoke? How do they remind you of God’s presence and love in your life?
• How can you intentionally seek out those scents in your life?
• How can you use your sense of smell to connect with God more and to remind you to live a life that is pleasing to God?
• What are a few specific decisions you can make to live a life that gives off the aroma of Christ? 

Further Reading:

• Genesis 8:20-21
• Proverbs 27:9
• Song of Solomon 1:3
• Hosea 14:6
• Revelation 8:4

The Lost Word ..Brent Rinehart

 The Lost Word (2 Chronicles 34:15)

By Brent Rinehart

“Then Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan” (2 Chronicles 34:15)

It’s hard to imagine a church, body of believers or even an individual Christian who loses interest in God’s Word. How does one set aside such an important book? How does a people lose touch with God like this?

Whenever I read this story about the reign of King Josiah in Judah, found in 2 Chronicles 34, I’m in awe. Josiah became king when he was only eight years old. I have two small children, so that fact in and of itself is enough to make you pause. But, the story gets better.

Both his father (Amon) and his grandfather (Manasseh) did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. But, his great-grandfather Hezekiah was a good king who “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Chronicles 29:2). Based on the math, it was about 86 years between Hezekiah’s reign and Josiah’s. In the grand scheme of things, it wasn’t that long. But, it was long enough for an entire nation to fall away from God so far that even the Book of the Law couldn’t be found in the Temple.

Any of us who have started a New Year’s Resolution that never made it out of January understand that it’s way harder to form a new positive habit than it is to break one. Many times, my best intentions are derailed by a missed day here and there that turns into a week or a month.

How did the Book of the Law come to be put aside after the reign of King Hezekiah? It probably started small. A day here and a day there. Like a slow fade, people slowly begin to forget about God’s law. People relied less on His Word, because they didn’t even know what was in it. Before you know it, generations have fallen away and followed their own ways instead of God’s.

It is tempting to solely apply the truths in this account to what we see in the secularization of America, with good reason. But, when I read this passage, I think about myself. I recall those New Year’s resolutions that fall so quickly to their ruin. The exercise schedules that never truly get off the ground. The healthy eating plans sidelined by my love of Chick-fil-a and ice cream.

A healthy relationship with God mandates a healthy appetite for His Word. “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119: 103). The Bible is God’s main method of communication with His children. We should crave hearing from Him. If we aren’t reading His Word regularly, we run the risk of slowly falling away until we are no better than the Israelites who couldn’t even find the copy of the Book of the Law. They eventually found it buried under piles of ruin the other kings had let become of the Temple.

What things in my life – what rubbish – is keeping me from God’s Word?

We need the comfort, direction and rejuvenation that comes from reading God’s Word daily. A dusty Bible is a recipe for a doomed life. A lost Bible is what will lead to a lost soul.