Uncovered

There's a store nearby that our family has paid our LAST visit to. Due to completely personal reasons, we have decided that instead of grumbling and complaining every time we pulled in the parking lot, we would simply shop elsewhere. The decision has been wonderful! My daughter made an insightful observation because of our experience that has spiritual application as well. She said, "_______ is just a nasty store. They try to make their stuff look nice but it's just nasty stuff in a nasty store. It's just like our bodies - we try to make them look nice, but inside we're just nasty."

I promise I didn't add anything to her comment! After I heard her say it, I ran to grab my quote book and a pen, repeating her phrase over in my head. Which is funny, because she doesn't just say things once, so she was following me,  repeating it as well! Anyway, I thought those were strong and sobering words from a 7 year old. However, I agree with her assessment. What a wretched woman I am. At the core, because of sin, my every inclination pulls towards self. Only because of God's grace and mercy through His Son Jesus Christ do I have any hope of doing or living any other way than to please myself. When I look at it that way, no wonder I mess up! No wonder I fail and stumble. And no wonder others have failed and hurt me. Thank you Lord for your grace that takes my fallible human effort and uses it by Your power for Your glory.

I see something else when I look through life using those lenses. Paul says it best in 1 Tim 1:13:
 "Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners - of whom I am the worst."

Who is Paul exalting in that statement? Himself or Christ? Christ! When we see Christ for who He truly is, we also see ourselves for who we truly are. When I'm in that position, the plank in my eye is obstructing my vision a whole lot more than the speck in my brothers. Now the gospel message can be shared with grace and truth, free of condemnation. It's not about me and my record, its about Him and His love and finished work on the cross. His love has covered all our sins. When I see it that way, my nose comes back down out of the loftiness that my self-righteousness can place it and meets people lovingly where they are. To finish Paul's statement in the next verse,

 "But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."

I'm thankful to have a store to stand as a reminder that Jesus is the only One who covers up my nasty heart!

Truth and Twizzlers

Webster defines the word Freedom as the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action...

If you've ever wallowed in wonderment of a situation, you know the relief truth brings. It's that moment when, no matter how monstrous, you can handle life now because you're dealing with facts and not just bits and pieces and streams of emotion. I remember being told as a child and now repeat as a parent that I can handle anything you've done as long as you tell me the truth. The reason this equation works is because the truth sets free. It releases captives...the lies and hidden motives at work. Truth is what we crave; it is what we earnestly seek after. Truth is sown into the fabric of being by our Creator. As a result, the enemy of our soul sets out to destroy and distort it. He tells us,"What is truth anyway? Is that really the Truth? It may be truth for them but not for you!" The only way to counter these types of lies is with the solid, unchanging, living and active Word of God. Here's what Jesus says, 

"To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.'" John 8:31-32

Jesus knew what the culture said then and now about truth and He knew we needed to know this. True freedom is found in the Truth! Any other rock we look under will only hold chains and shackles no matter how it's disguised!

I have a precious rule follower in my house. He's growing in grace, but still makes an excellent police officer. He's the kind who would to sit at the edge of the speed limit reduced sign and make sure we all slow down appropriately. Well, he's been on a kick about eating the exact serving size of candy bars, chips, etc. He'll count out or measure his chips and cereal according to the package label. He just likes knowing how much they say is 1 serving, then he can say, "I had 1 serving!" So one day, he used his own money to buy his favorite candy. He brought it home and excitedly unwrapped it. Then he turns the crinkly package over to see what the serving size says and he responds, "It stinks that the Twizzlers serving size is only 6, especially when it's a king size bag!" He's figuring up in his head how long it will take him to consume the whole favored package. Now, he was "free" to eat the whole thing, but it would've made him sick and he knew that.

Ps 16:5-6 "Lord, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance."

In the same way, we are "free" to run after other gods, to pursue selfish gain and ignore the Word of the Lord, just as Israel did. But I hope you're ready for similar tummy-aching consequences for those decisions! When we begin to exchange the truth of God for a lie we go outside His boundary lines and into slavery and bondage, which He never desires for us. For that is why Jesus came! He came to free us from the bonds of slavery sin causes. May our lives be testimony of the liberating power of Christ! May we be men and women of Truth.