Words, relevance and the heart

Today: Jeremiah 14-17

There's often a fine line between trying to be relevant...and actually being authentic. The worst situations often arise when were are dishonest in how we present ourselves--or even God--to gain some popularity with people.

This has always been a challenge for God's people. In today's passage, we read about church leaders who ignored the truth of God's Word to present messages that pleased some pretty messed-up people. Let's review God's instruction here:

Use words truly and well.

Don't stoop to cheap whining.

Then, but only then, you'll speak for me.

Let your words change them.

Don't change your words to suit them.

I love this. It's a challenge for every Christian and especially for leaders to use wisdom and love--but to never lose sight of the truth of God's Word. It is possible to be both relevant and have some favor with people (see Jesus' example)--but our top priorities should not be to please others or to be trendy--our main mission is to honor God and obey what He says (also see Jesus' example).

God's message is not always in style with everyone. I've found that when people try to water down Scripture, it doesn't end up doing anything extraordinary. Feel-good messages from twisted Scriptures sound nice, but they sound just like self-help books. Is God's Word full of love, grace and mercy? Absolutely! But the Bible isn't compared to a sword for nothing--it's powerful. It pierces hearts and changes lives. The Bible doesn't cater to people--it challenges them.

Much of today's passage focused on God's assessment of the wickedness of His people--they deliberately disobeyed Him and turned their backs on His love. However, I found it refreshing to see God's words of blessing for those who honored Him:

But blessed is the man who trusts me, God,

the woman who sticks with God.

They're like trees replanted in Eden, putting down roots near the rivers—

Never a worry through the hottest of summers, never dropping a leaf,

Serene and calm through droughts,

bearing fresh fruit every season.

The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful,

a puzzle that no one can figure out.

But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind.

I get to the heart of the human.

I get to the root of things.

I treat them as they really are,

not as they pretend to be."

In this section, God characterized blessed people as those who trust in Him, stay grounded and at peace, and are continually growing and productive. I also love the end of this excerpt--God sees our hearts and not just our words. He wants people to authentically love Him, free of pretension and show. Just real, honest love and living.

Tomorrow: Jeremiah 18-22

Two-liners...

Today: Proverbs 10-12

Most of us have heard of one-liners--those snappy comments that are funny or insightful (and sometimes both!). Today's passage had a lot of interesting two-liners, mostly about wisdom and foolishness. Here are a few that stood out most to me:

The more talk, the less truth;

the wise measure their words.

When the storm is over, there's nothing left of the wicked;

good people, firm on their rock foundation, aren't even fazed.

The stuck-up fall flat on their faces,

but down-to-earth people stand firm.

When you're kind to others, you help yourself;

when you're cruel to others, you hurt yourself.

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout
is a beautiful face on an empty head.

A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump;

a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree.

Fools are headstrong and do what they like;

wise people take advice.

Worry weighs us down;

a cheerful word picks us up.

Tomorrow: Proverbs 13-15

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

Crazy promises, lies and laughter

Today: Genesis 16-18

"The truth always comes out."

I can remember my parents saying this all throughout my growing up years (mainly to prevent my sisters and I from lying during our childhood--it was their equivalent of "We know and see everything."). :)

They were right. Time and time again I've seen that sooner or later, the truth comes out (and if not on this planet, I think it will come out in eternity). I think sometimes the worst lies are those we tell ourselves...or try to tell God Himself. Today's passage illustrated those principles.

Abraham and Sarah welcomed several visitors to their home--special visitors who were really God's messengers (maybe angels). Here's what happened:

One of them said, "I'm coming back about this time next year.

When I arrive, your wife Sarah will have a son."

Sarah was listening at the tent opening, just behind the man.
Abraham and Sarah were old by this time, very old.

Sarah was far past the age for having babies.

Sarah laughed within herself, "An old woman like me?

Get pregnant?

With this old man of a husband?"
God said to Abraham,

"Why did Sarah laugh saying, 'Me? Have a baby?

An old woman like me?'

Is anything too hard for God?

I'll be back about this time next year

and Sarah will have a baby."
Sarah lied.

She said, "I didn't laugh," because she was afraid.
But he said, "Yes you did; you laughed."

First off, I'll admit that God's promises to Sarah were...a little crazy. But aren't those the best kind of promises from God?

Sarah seriously doubted, laughed then lied to herself and to God--because of fear. And God called her out...because He knew (duh!). The cool thing is that despite her laughter and lying, God still made His crazy promises come true for Sarah...because my Mom and Dad were right...and the truth always comes out.

You are who you are...

Today: Romans 1-3

"It is what it is."

"You are who you are."

I can't tell you how many times I've heard words like these. They're not always directed at me, but most frequently used to excuse behavior--like individuals are wired a certain way that they can't break away from. As in, you are (and always will be) a coffee addict. Selfish. Stubborn. Materialistic. Poor. Foolish. Angry. Debbie Downer. (You get the point, right?)

Have you ever thought about how hopeless that perspective feels? (Just watch the Debbie Downer clip...you'll get it.) When it comes to people, the Bible teaches that some things are unchangeable...but sin and sinful attitudes can always be changed through the power of Jesus, His forgiveness and our choices to move in a different direction.

I love how today's passage said:

You are who you are

through this gift and call of Jesus Christ!

Wow. How can we get so off track? How can people live feeling like they don't have purpose? I think the passage explains this situation, too:

What happened was this:

People knew God perfectly well,

but when they didn't treat him like God,

refusing to worship him,

they trivialized themselves into

silliness and confusion

so that there was neither sense

nor direction left in their lives.

They pretended to know it all,

but were illiterate regarding life.

They traded the glory of God

who holds the whole world in his hands

for cheap figurines

you can buy at any roadside stand.

How true is that?!? How many people do you know who have rejected God and the truth of His Word (that really includes all of us at times!) and believed lies like, "You don't measure up," "You can do whatever you want to do," "You're just not good enough," "You don't need God or anyone else to help you...you can do it all by yourself" or "You'll never beat this addiction/habit/poverty"?

If we believe them, the cheap lies and imitations of truth can ruin us. We need God. We need His Word and His guidance for our lives. I love what this excerpt from today's reading says here (note that these are from separate sections of the passage, but I think they're definitely connected):

God is kind, but he's not soft.

In kindness he takes us firmly by the hand

and leads us into a radical life-change...

Out of sheer generosity

he put us in right standing with himself.

A pure gift.

He got us out of the mess we're in

and restored us to where he always wanted us to be.

And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.

That's pretty incredible. Yes, you are who you are...through Jesus. You and I can live freely...to be the people we're meant to be...when we live outside of lies, mess and sin, instead choosing to be led by God.

I should clarify that when you choose to be led by God, you won't be perfect. And while you're still breathing, you'll face the messes, lies and sin of this world. But it will be different because when God sees you, He sees the perfection of Jesus and His forgiveness over your life. One of the best things? You won't be alone, stuck in the mess. God will be with you, leading you to walk through it with His strength.

Tomorrow: Romans 4-7

When the truth hurts...

Today: Mark 6-7

Have you ever had someone tell you the truth--like REALLY tell you the truth?

Particularly if it's about something that's not right about you or your life, the truth is not always easy to hear. You can choose to be angry. You can choose to cry. You can try to ignore it. But you can't deny the fact that you heard.

When this has happened to me, I've had different responses. Sometimes, I'm really angry at the person speaking the truth. But usually, I am more angry at myself. I know the truth is right and so is the person who speaks it. And I HATE not being right. :)

I also know that people who tell me the truth are the same people who REALLY love me. And as much as I could try to shake off what they say, I don't want to let go of their love...their willingness to speak the truth is part of how they love me. In those cases, the truth binds us closer together.

I was a bit surprised to learn in this passage that Herod experienced something similar with John the Baptist. Take a look:

Herod was the one who had ordered the arrest of John,

put him in chains,

and sent him to prison at the nagging of Herodias,

his brother Philip's wife.

For John had provoked Herod

by naming his relationship with Herodias

"adultery."

Herodias, smoldering with hate,

wanted to kill him,

but didn't dare because

Herod was in awe of John.

Convinced that he was a holy man,

he gave him special treatment.

Whenever he listened to him

he was miserable with guilt -

and yet he couldn't stay away.
Something in John kept pulling him back.

What's really sad about this situation is the fact that Herod eventually ordered John the Baptist's beheading. Although part of him KNEW John spoke the truth, he tried to ignore it--allowing the seductive voice of a woman to take precedence over a voice that spoke truth. (Note to guys--this too can happen to you. Note to women--Use your influential power carefully.)

I think there's something interesting in this example for all of us. Telling the truth can be a risk (John paid for it with his life). But if we really care about others, telling the truth (good things, too!) is essential.

I've heard people talk about "telling the truth in love" and I get what they're saying...it's about having the right approach and motivation, choosing words carefully, etc. But I think it's time we started to believe that, "telling the truth is love."

Tomorrow: Mark 8-9