lie

Preservation

/ EllieJ / Leave a comment

Even though it may not feel like it, we do not live in the first generation that has been overcome with lies disguised as truth. David was struck with an agony many faithful Christians feel today. And never in my life has his words seemed so apt.

Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing!
The faithful have vanished from the earth.

Psalm 12:1 (NLT)

David’s cry is not so different from that which we are hearing from those churches that have remained faithful—even when it would seem that popular culture wants them to alter the foundation of their doctrine. Even when the words of Jesus himself are considered hateful.

When the world is full of lies, even though it may be easier, it is our responsibility as those who bear the name of Christ both to preserve and to proclaim the truth. Our trust must be in our God, not our government. Our government can’t (or maybe even won’t) save us, but God already has. It is that fact that should keep us on our path in pursuit of truth—God has already saved us!

Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed,
preserving them forever from this lying generation,
even though the wicked strut about
and evil is praised throughout the land.

Psalm 12:7-8 (NLT)

The pull of the world may be strong, but God is stronger. The lies may hide the truth, but the Truth lives longer.

Our help is from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

Psalm 124:8 (NLT)

When the wicked strut about, remember who your help is and where it comes from. God can and will preserve His Church. Trust in that.

Daily Bible reading: Psalm 10-12, Acts 17:16-34

Super-apostles

/ EllieJ / Leave a comment

Did you know that even church people can be deceived? Gasp!

In 2 Corinthians, Paul is writing to the church and is worried that those who had already accepted the true Gospel of Christ might listen to and believe the words of other apostles claiming a different Jesus and offering a different spirit.

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.

2 Corinthians 11:4-6 (ESV)

Lying lips can often spew what sounds like truth.

Psalm 119:11 talks about storing up God’s Word in you heart so that you will not sin against Him. This is why it is so important that you not only know God, but know His Word and how it applies to you. Even the devil quoted scripture to Jesus.

And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:14 (ESV)

Know God. Know His Word. Know how it applies to you so that, when the super-apostles show up, you will be able to discern God’s truth from the devil’s lies.

Daily Bible reading:Ecclesiastes 7-9, 2 Corinthians 11:1-15

Your Trust

/ EllieJ / Leave a comment

The world scares me. As a kid, there was trust in the world. There was truth in the world.

I recently had the opportunity to go through the neighbourhoods where I grew up. I remembered playing in the cul-de-sac with the kids next door. I remembered riding bikes down to the park. I remembered my dad playing ball at the park with my siblings and I.

I don’t remember my parents needing to remind me what truth was because, when I was a kid, truth was still more or less absolute. Boys were boys and girls were girls. Lies were bad and honesty was always the best policy. We held to The Thumper Rule – “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nothing at all.” and freedom of speech still meant we could state our opinions and beliefs without people taking offence and proclaiming it hate speech.

Many Christians have even lost sight of speaking truth and have, instead, taken to speaking what makes people happy. They’ve given up their trust in God for trust in man. Man will always fail.

Blessed is the man who makes
the Lord his trust.
Who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!

Psalm 40:4 (ESV)

Remind yourself that God cannot lie. He is Truth. When your trust is in Truth alone, not only will you be on the right path, but you’ll be on the blessed path.

Daily Bible reading: Psalm 38-40; Acts 23:12-35