May 26, 2009

Replace Those Lies With TRUTH!

My ladies Bible study is wrapping up now. We are on to the last lesson in the book, and it's basically a re-cap of key Scriptures proclaiming God's truth and exposing lies that we frequently believe.

I'm going to take the next few days this week to post these 20 foundational truths. We have been encouraged to commit these verses and the corresponding truths to memory, and I think that's a wonderful idea. God's word is a powerful weapon, and it stands above all.

Truth #1 God is Good
Psalm 119:68 "You are good and what you do is good: teach me your decrees."
Psalm 136:1 "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever."

God's goodness does not depend upon our circumstances. It's easy to believe He is good when there's money in my bank account, or I'm feeling well physically. However, when things aren't going so well, when that layoff notice comes and the bills are pouring in, or that good friend moves away, or someone we love dearly finds out they are terminally ill, it's easy to doubt God's goodness. God IS goodness. He is not good because things are going well. His very nature is good.

Truth #2 God loves me and wants me to have His best
Romans 8:32, 38-39 "He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [...] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Again, God's love is not dependant upon my circumstances or my performance. His very nature is love, and there is absolutely nothing that I can do to gain worthiness for His love. He loves me, and sent His Son to die on the cross for my sin so we can have a relationship while I'm on earth and eternally in His kingdom.

Truth #3 I am complete and accepted in Christ
Ephesians 1:4-6 "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves."

We may get fired from that job, or rejected by our close friends, or even our adult children, but we can rest in knowing that we have been fully accepted by Christ. We are complete in him. I do not need a busy social life with dozens of friends buzzing around me to feel accepted or complete. God has completed me and has given me what truly matters eternally, His Son Jesus Christ.

Truth #4 God is Enough
Psalm 23:1 "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."

I do not need those new clothes, that bigger house, to go on a date night once a week... I do not need anything because the Lord is enough. He has given me all I need, and that's His love and grace.

Truth #5 God can be trusted
Isaiah 28:16 "So this is what the sovereign Lord says, 'See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.'"

When we are in heaven and are able to have the same eternal perspective as God, we will understand that His will for our lives really was the best. When we have doubted His goodness, or whether to be obedient in a tough situation, or walked away from His Word, we will see that He really could be trusted. What we only know by faith now on earth, we will be able to see in heaven. God can be trusted, His ways are perfect, His statues really are what's best for our lives. I am reminded of that verse in Matthew when Jesus was talking to the crowds about not believing and judgment. "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30) When we stop resisting God's ways and submit our lives to His will and commands, we find rest. He can be trusted!

2 comments:

Kristen, pajama mama said...

those truths sum up everything, don't they? love how simple that makes things!
and oh my goodness-you've done such a great job on your daughters hair! both styles are super cute!

Anonymous said...

Your idea is very good