Iron, magnets and God's truth

Today: Psalm 119: 89-176

Today I was talking with a co-worker about a CAT scan I have scheduled for next week (nothing too serious, but something my doctor wants to get checked out). My co-worker asked, "Do you have any metal in your body?"

"Yeah--the plate and screws in my arm that broke a few years ago."

"You should call the doctor back and let them know--it might impact the scan."

Thankfully, I learned that the metal in my arm won't impact my CAT scan, but it could definitely be a factor with an MRI test. My sister, who works at a hospital, told me that the magnet(s) used in MRI tests are so powerful that hospital staff members are strongly encouraged to ABSOLUTELY, NEVER EVER EVER take any metal in a room containing and MRI machine. My sister has seen footage of metal hospital equipment (such as a crash cart) that was completely destroyed when it shot across the room toward the MRI magnet.

This may seem like an odd way to open my post today, but I thought about these examples when I read about the power of God's truth:

Let praise cascade off my lips;

after all, you've taught me the truth about life!

And let your promises ring from my tongue;

every order you've given is right.

Put your hand out and steady me

since I've chosen to live by your counsel.

I'm homesick, God, for your salvation;

I love it when you show yourself!

Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well,

use your decrees to put iron in my soul.

And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me!

I'll recognize the sound of your voice.

In this excerpt, I think the writer is stating that the decrees of God's Word--His law--can be like iron that strengthens the soul. And like iron, when God's Word really gets in us, it guides us toward truth--like that ultra-strong MRI magnet. God's Word steadies us--it draws us toward Him because it helps us to know His voice and who He is. That's pretty powerful stuff!

Tomorrow: Psalm 120-132

It's time for your check-up...

Today: 2 Corinthians 10-13

Have you ever given yourself a test?

I'm not talking about one of those things with number two pencils and bubbles to fill in. I'm talking about giving yourself a test of faith.

Huh?

I know that may sound strange, but it's something that Paul taught the Corinthians in today's passage. And I think it's good to periodically give yourself a heart check-up (when I read today's verses, I realized I wrote about this topic back in 2007!).

Why do you believe what you believe?

Why do you volunteer?

Why do you go to church?

Or more importantly, why not?

I don't know the answers to these questions in your life (and truthfully, even in my own at times). Asking the questions can be a good starting point, though...because it helps us to not just accept the status quo, get caught up in a routine or become too robotic. Here's what Paul said:

Test yourselves

to make sure you are solid in the faith.

Don't drift along

taking everything for granted.

Give yourselves regular checkups.

You need firsthand evidence,

not mere hearsay,

that Jesus Christ is in you.

Test it out.

I love the part at the end--you need firsthand evidence, not mere heresay, that Jesus is in you. Our God is real--He's not someone to be taken for granted. I know sometimes God may feel distant or far away to you, but I'm a firm believer in the verse that says, "Come near to God and He'll come near to you." (James 4:8) And as Paul wrote, "Test it out."

Tomorrow: Galatians 1-3

Tears, tests and God's help

Today: 1 Corinthians 9-11

I'll start this post with a disclaimer: I'm not a crier.

Growing up, my sisters and I would sometimes tease our mom for her ability to tear up on a dime...with a Hallmark commercial, anything with puppies or the one time on a sitcom ("Growing Pains" to be exact) where she cried because a friend of Mike (Kirk Cameron) was leaving to serve in the Army. :)

That's partly why in a way, it kills me to write this or to be this vulnerable...but I've cried a lot over the past year or so. Today on the way home, I started to get misty-eyed on the downtown trolley ride to my vehicle. When I got to the safety of my car, I lost it. I went in to The Ugly Cry where you sob and your face gets red and blotchy....and if anyone driving next to me saw this, they probably thought I was a little crazy.

At a stoplight, my cell phone rang. It was my sister and I tried to play it cool. But she knew my voice wasn't quite right (I HATE that it's a dead give-away!). "Are you okay? Did something happen today?"

"I'm fine," I answered, "It's nothing...and it's a lot of things. I've gotta go." I hung up the phone partly because I didn't want to get a ticket for using it while driving, but mainly because I didn't want to start bawling again.

I don't want to get into specifics, but I will say that like many people, I've faced a lot of change and hard stuff this year. And I've had some very amazing friends who have been hurt or gone through much worse than I ever have.

However, I will say that a lot of my own tears lately have been the good kind--where I've been so overwhelmed by God and His presence in worship or in His Word (yeah, this project has been part of that, too!).

Case in point, when I read today's passage after my afternoon episode, here's what I saw:

No test or temptation that comes your way

is beyond the course of what others have had to face.

All you need to remember

is that God will never let you down;

he'll never let you be pushed past your limit;

he'll always be there to help you come through it.

Isn't that so like God?!?

Even if one else reads this note or that verse today, He knew I would see it...just when I needed it the most.

If you're reading this post right now, I hope it means something to you. You are in my thoughts and prayers at this exact moment. For what it's worth (and by now you know I'm writing this in the middle of my own "stuff"), faith in God can get us through anything. I believe.

Tomorrow: 1 Corinthians 12-14