Choosing God’s grace is something I have to do daily. I want to choose Him as more important than anyone or anything.
“Sociologists have a theory of the looking-glass self: you become what the most important person in your life (wife, father, friend, boss, etc.) thinks you are. How would my life change if I truly believed the Bible’s astounding words about God’s love for me, if I looked in the mirror and saw what God sees?” (Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?)
There have been times when I have chosen the Lie. And when I make that choice, I start to doubt… myself and others. Defeat begins to interfere. I start walking down the road of self-pity or regret or mistrust. Relationships can get painful. The world looks pretty nasty.
Anyone who has experienced God’s love sometimes chooses to listen to the Master Liar. Jesus might be very real, but the Deceiver distorts the
true Message. Has this ever happened to you?
Here’s some of the Liar’s favorites:
“You screwed up so much this time, there is no way God can love you now.”
“It’s no big deal, nobody will know.”
“So either God isn’t as loving as he says, or you’re not the believer you think you are.”
“God plays favorites, He is unfair. He is holding out on me.”
“I am so incredibly stupid. (or ugly, or useless, or worthless)”
“You can’t trust anyone.”
“I only said something negative inside my head, nobody heard it.”
“Why does she get all the ‘gifts’ – a great marriage, a beautiful house, a new car…”
God’s goals: restoration and freedom. He made us and loves us and knows us. “I wonder how many believers today realize that faith is not merely believing that Christ died for our sins. Faith is also being confident that His way is better than sin. His will is more wise. His help is more sure. His promises more precious. And His reward more satisfying.” (John Piper)
The Enemy’s goals: division and destruction. He hates God and us. He’s already lost so he wants to hurt who God loves. He goes after the ones who love God with vengeance.
For me the best weapon against my bad choices and the Liar’s hate is to seek God constantly. To talk to Him whenever and wherever.
Quick prayers, long, drawn-out intense prayers, night time prayers, waking up prayers. Prayers when I drive, walk, wash my face, work, play, use the computer, dig in the dirt, pet the cat. Prayers when the sky is incredibly blue; prayers when the lightning explodes everywhere. Prayers when I am furious with someone who pushes my buttons; prayers when I am amazingly in sync with a dear person. Prayers when I am uber-confident; prayers when I feel insignificant. Prayers when I am energetic, and prayers when a pain makes me wonder what’s wrong with me. Prayers that sound like I’m grown up and mature; prayers when I feel helpless like a little child. *p.s.
If I choose to allow the MESSAGE to speak to me, I am moving forward~being who I am meant to be…getting better a little at a time.
THE MESSAGE
God loves you.
He made us to love Him and others.
“The sovereign God wants to be loved for Himself and honored for Himself, but that is only part of what He wants. The other part is that He wants us to know that when we have Him we have everything – we have all the rest.” (A.W. Tozer) Wow!!!
Choosing the Message can make all the difference.
*p.s. Prayers don’t have to start with ‘Dear God’, and they don’t have to end with ‘Amen’. But they can.
Crystal
August 24, 2011 at 1:52 pm (15 years ago)I’ve all too often been guilty of believing lies in order to protect myself from being disappointed by God. I think that if I don’t hope and trust in his character in any way other than generally (whatever that means), then pain and loss won’t catch me off guard.
It’s amazing how much I can sometimes fight thinking on and hoping in true things…and living like they are true.
Thanks for the reminder to be on guard!
Suzanne
August 30, 2011 at 4:23 am (15 years ago)Trusting God takes concerted effort and daily reminders – that’s what I’ve learned over the years. And it’s really hard sometimes! God loves you way too much to want you being disappointed. All the enemy wants to do is to destroy that trust. Stay strong, Crystal!
Suzanne
Faith
August 23, 2011 at 2:42 am (15 years ago)Excellent message! Every day we face choices and the most crucial choice is whether to believe in God’s Word and His promises or the lies. That’s why it’s so important to not just pray but to know God’s Word. It is frightening how easily Satan distorts God’s Word and the next thing you know, you are believing a lie. I’ve kind of gotten out of the habit, but every day for a long, long time I used to pray the Armor of God every morning. It was a reminder of all that I have in God’s protection as I go forward each day. He’s given me everything I need to protect myself in every area of my life. Praise God for His Love!
Suzanne
August 30, 2011 at 4:20 am (15 years ago)Your comment about being diligent each day is such good advice. We can get misled with our attitudes and our decisions if we don’t ask for guidance and if we don’t know what God is really saying. His Word is powerful! Thanks good friend for sharing. Pray that Armor on!
Suzanne