What is truth? Ask THE TRUTH.

"I wish you'd never told me. If I didn't know, I'd be happy right now."

- Game of Thrones, Season 8, Episode 4

 

Can you relate to that statement? Can you relate to the mentality behind it? "Don't tell me the truth; it will ruin my happiness." "Don't tell me the truth; it's too inconvenient! It will change things! It will force me to have to choose and I don't want that responsibility!"
 

The saying "Ignorance is bliss" exists for a reason. We can't be upset about what we don't know. We can't be held responsible or more importantly culpable for the things we do if we don't know they're wrong. But once we know the truth - things are never the same again. We might be able to ignore the truth, suppress our knowledge of it, but we can never really forget the truth once it's known. The truth changes everything.

A Francis Chan message I listened to recently demonstrated this very point. He talked about how since he was a kid he has liked eating salami. He has no idea how it is made and he said he didn't want to know for fear that knowing the truth would ruin his ability to enjoy eating it anymore. It's a simple example that is very relatable to many areas of life. How often we just don't want to know the truth!

Sometimes the truth just hurts. I am sure you can think of time in your own life where the truth brought devastation but here are few scenarios that are playing out right  now somewhere for someone in which the revelation of the truth isn't a blessing but a seeming curse:

• You think your teen son is at a safe supervised party but they are really in a dangerous situation with drugs, drinking, and difficult choices they're not yet strong enough to resist.
• You think your family member is looking out for you only to learn the truth that they have stolen your identity to perpetuate financial fraud.
• You think your partner is working overtime every week only to learn the truth that they are meeting someone else for an affair.

"So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”  Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38)

"What is truth?" This is a very philosophical existential looking question and without the context of Jesus the Son of God it can seem like an abyss in which to flounder and drown.

But Jesus didn't say he was bearing witness to a truth but to the truth. Long before this trial Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7)

"So what?" you might ask. What does this talk of the truth mean for us now? It means the originator and definer of truth isn't science or history or man - it's always been Jesus. Today in whatever your doing and in all you do - seek the truth, listen to the truth, and let the truth live through you. Hold all your thoughts, words, and actions up to the truth and see if meets His standard. Through Him we know truth. 

Link: What is truth? 

a daughter of Abraham

"Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And behold, there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability.” And he laid his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and she glorified God. But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the people, “There are six days in which work ought to be done. Come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day.” Then the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Does not each of you on the Sabbath untie his ox or his donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? And ought not this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day?” As he said these things, all his adversaries were put to shame, and all the people rejoiced at all the glorious things that were done by him." Luke 13:10-17

Observations regarding the passage:
1) The synagogue ruler didn't care that a fellow congregate was suffering. Not only did this woman suffer physically from a chronic condition but her condition most likely made her a social outcast as well  leading to another dimension to her suffering. That Jesus removed her suffering meant nothing to the supposed rule "law" followers because they were so desensitized to the suffering of others. "Let her be healed some other day" that's the speech of someone extremely calloused to the suffering of other people. If you were suffering would you want to wait for another day to be healed? Today is the day, that's Jesus' way.

2) When I first read this section of scripture I was greatly disturbed for it says "Satan had kept her bound for 18 years" but if we think through what we know of God's sovereignty and omniscience, it was God who allowed Satan to bind her all that time. God may not have caused her suffering but He allowed it and allowed it to go on for almost 20 years. I was deeply troubled for some time.
But then I read it again and the words "She glorified God" popped out at me. It might be that she wouldn't be a daughter of Abraham if she hadn't suffered this affliction. If it came to the choice of a straight spine during life on earth but with no thoughts of God or a crooked back for 20+ years leading to trust in God and an eternity in the bosom of Abraham, I hope we know what we'd rather have.

3) She went to the synagogue on the Sabbath. It doesn't say of this was her regular practice or if she was drawn to the synagogue just this once because she had heard Jesus was there. But she went. It's a great lesson about not putting off attendance at church or resisting the command to gather with fellow believers. We need others and they need us.

Prayer: God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob - who is God our Father - I am a Daughter of Abraham because of the finished work of your Son Jesus. I share in the eternal inheritance you have promised all your children. If it comes to a choice between my will and my dreams with an eternity apart from you OR trust in your will, filled with temporary sufferings and personal costs, with an eternity as your daughter - I ask you to help me make the righteous and wise choice. Give us spiritual eyes that look beyond this temporary fading world. Let us gather together and relieve the suffering of those around us today. Amen.

We Can Do Nothing

This Sunday Stateline Church's services were dedicated to to preparing meals for Kids Around the World and One Meal. It was a really great experience and a chance to reflect on the great blessings we take for granted everyday - like having running water in our homes, food in our cupboards, and the ability to go to church and worship Christ so openly. As I was driving home I reflected on God's goodness and what our service to God should look like.

John Piper writes in his book Desiring God:

In John 15:5, Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” So we really are paralyzed. Without Christ, we are capable of no Christ-exalting good. As Paul says in Romans 7:18, “Nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” 

But John 15:5 also says that God does intend for us to do much Christ-exalting good, namely bear fruit: “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” So as our strong and reliable friend — “I have called you friends” (John 15:15) — he promises to do for us, and through us, what we can’t do for ourselves.  

How then do we glorify him? Jesus gives the answer in John 15:7: “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” We pray! We ask God to do for us through Christ what we can’t do for ourselves — bear fruit.  

John 15:8 gives the result: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.” 

So how is God glorified by prayer? Prayer is the open admission that without Christ we can do nothing. And prayer is the turning away from ourselves to God in the confidence that he will provide the help we need.

Oh merciful, generous Father. We thank you for the blessing you have given us in just knowing who you are - your goodness, faithfulness, and love. It's the greatest blessing anyone can have - to know you and your son Jesus whom you have sent. Today our goal was to make 75,000 meals for those in the devastated and impoverished regions of the world. We offer up every grain of rice and packet of vitamins to you - and ask you to bless it and that those who receive it, not only get full stomachs but everlasting life in knowing You and Your Son whom you sent. Purify our minds to think the way you think. Purge our hearts of pride, materialism ,and apathy. We are your temple and we ask the Holy Spirit to come and move our hearts to love with your love. We can do nothing apart from you Jesus. Use today's work to glorify you and your name. Amen.

God's Promises: Can you name just one?

If the heart is the fountain of our true emotions, what does it mean when it ceases to flow or even have a trickle of joy/gladness/hope in God? If God is the greatest glory, wisdom, and might that exists in and outside of time, how can it at times stop feeling that way to us or cease seem to be marvelous to us?

Our hearts are fickle contrary things. Sometimes they are bursting with hope, love, and trust in God only to a few weeks, days, or moments later be a lifeless desert, filled with darkness, disinterest, and despondency.

These extremes in our hearts condition can be caused by different things. Sometimes the cause is identifiable - a change or uncertainty has approached and its quenched the life giving water because it has shaken our trust and faith. Other times a new flashy fake love (idol) has dethroned Him as King in our eyes. And yet there are times when nothing can be pinpointed as the source of the drought - all we know is something is off, missing, not right.

I think we go through these highs and lows because:

1. We are human - weak, fragile, fleeting creatures and these extremes we suffer from should not lead us away from Him but draw us closer to Him. He is merciful, kind, and abounding in love to those who seek Him. It's a call for us to not ever let a circumstance or feeling stop our communication with Him. Talk to Him about your highs and lows, seek His help and council, cry out to Him literally even, read His words, recall what He had done for you and for others.
2. It's a great chance to remember Jesus. Jesus our savior. Jesus our King. Jesus our Hope. Jesus our Lamb. Jesus our Victor. Jesus, who lives to intercede for us. Jesus. He was fully God and lived fully as a man just like us. He sympathizes with our sorrows and understands our needs. Whether you are on the mountaintop of great connection in which God feels so near or in the lions den with enemies spiritual and physical all around you - Jesus' life show a God who never forsakes or leaves those who trust Him despite the circumstances. The ups and downs of life are not only just happening to us alone for we all have them, they are not catching God by surprise, they are not evidence that God has lost control - they are opportunities to centralize Him as the One certainty of life and hope of the soul. Recalibrate your compass to what is true. If there is one good thing to obsess over in this world, it's Jesus the Son of God and that because of Him we are redeemed from our sins, daughters and sons of God, secure forever, seated with Him now, the list goes on and on.

When we are in a valley of darkness, may we remember it's just a shadow, The Light giver and maker has never left us and His character is a proven constant, we can trust He will never leave us. If we can remember just one promise of God may we remember Jesus who fulfilled so many of them and is where our hope can rest with confidence. He is risen! He is alive! He is our Amen Forever! I can't wait to be with Him forever - Can you? xo

the universal answer

This is the last season of HBOs Game of Thrones. If you are one of the few who don't watch it, Game of Thrones is a fantasy fiction show in which there are fire breathing dragons, tragedy to rival Shakespeare, and apocalyptic frozen zombies bent on destroying the 7 kingdoms of Westeros. Of course being HBO there is crudity, nudity, and violence...

At this time, I'm not going to debate whether or not this is something a Christian should watch or not watch. If you haven't watched it as of yet, I don't insist that you do or recommend it as something to invest your time in. 

But what I have enjoyed about watching this show is that it's a common relevant topic to discuss with strangers, acquaintances, and friends. It's interesting to listen to people's grasp on what happened in the last episode, their theories about what will happen next, and who they think will ultimately succeed in obtaining the throne. It truly is interesting. There are not many things that people can discuss with enthusiasm and honesty, which is sad. Politics - No. Religion - Ha. Weather - Yawn.

I connect with the show because of one character in particular - Jon Snow, the bastard son of Ned Stark who time reveals is really the legitimate son and true heir to the entire kingdom. 

Why is it we mortals have invented so many stories about someone being more than they first appear to be? What is it about that theme that connects with us? It is repeated over and over again in literature, film, and theater. Is it because universally humankind longs for life to be more than it seems to be on the surface? Is it because we subconsciously know that man is more than he appears to be? 

The Hero's Journey - Mythic Structure of Joseph Campbell's Monomyth

The question of "What is man?" is not a new one. The questions in our search for meaning and purpose are plenty: Are we just a bunch of chemistry that came together randomly and that is it? Are the things we do significant to the universe at all, will they last in anyway long after we are dust? Are we nothing more than big slightly more complicated lizards beholden to the primal limbic brain? Are we truly capable of love, sacrifice, and loyalty and if so, why?

The most epic and original "Hero's Journey" is the one God preordained and completed over 2000 years ago now. Think about it. What is Christianity claiming? It's claiming that God who is outside of time, beyond it, above it, creator of it - entered into it as a human. Actually, first he was what we would today label a "fetus" and then he was a baby; a baby born like the billions of us are, have been, and God willing will be. This total God/total human wasn't born into a traditional family, no, but to a virgin girl and her fiancé during a foreign occupied dictatorship of their homeland. He wasn't born in a mansion with OBYGNs on standby and a fine crafted crib from Pottery Barn Kids to sleep in. Not at all. His "Hero's Journey" goes on from these humble beginnings and only becomes more insanely amazing, historic, prophecy fulfilling, global impacting, destiny altering, evil destroying, kingdom building, personally relevant, life changing, soul saving, event of all times. 

Under what captivates the masses, is the universal longing of all man - someone worth living and worth dying for. Do you know such a Man? Thanks be to God forever that He can be known to us. "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). xo

YET I AM NOT ALONE

"Behold, the hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me." John 16:32

I wonder if abandonment is just as painful if it's predicted. I wonder if knowing that those closest to us wouldn't be sticking around during the toughest times would lessen the blow in any way.

I doubt that the gift of foresight and omniscience lessens the loss; it may even heighten the pain.

Jesus was not surprised by anything anybody did. He knew that when the shepherd is struck down the sheep scatter (Matthew 26:31). But He didn't despair. When I read... "each will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me" I was awed and deeply encouraged.

I know we all have lost people close to us. Either by disease and death or by distance and time - we all lose people we love. If you have not, you will.

But remember the words of Jesus when you feel or are most alone - You are not alone, the Father is with you. If He can say it, know it, believe it at the toughest times He ever knew, we can too. xo

a JOY that can't be taken

"So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you." John 16:22

There are not many joys that last forever. Some joys are overtaken by the sorrows and sufferings of this world. Some joys become like ashes in our mouths when it is found that it was founded on untrue love and broken promises. Some joys are stolen by the grueling unstoppable hand of time.

There are not many joys that last forever.

Jesus promises a joy that no one can take away. A bliss that can't be blighted by the many sufferings of this world. An exuberance that no human being - whether it be a king or dictator, lover or enemy, friend or foe - can seize from you. A delight that time cannot diminish or dull.

What is this joy He is talking about?

John 16 is an amazing chapter. It's primarily all red - filled to the brim with the words of Jesus. He starts with a frank warning that dangerous murderous times are coming for His followers. His motives in speaking so plainly: "I have said all these things to keep you from falling away." (John 16:1) He speaks truly about the harsh realties coming for Himself (foreshadowing His being seized, arrested, and executed) and the sorrow His followers will feel at the loss of His physical, bodily presence. He counters those realities with a promise that these horrors are to our advantage because He will send a Helper.

The joy that Jesus references - this joy that no one will take away - is the joy of Jesus' resurrection.

Sorrows didn't define Him.
Suffering didn't defeat Him.
Death didn't destroy Him.

He said "I will see you again."  I will see you again after, after my earthly followers and spiritual brothers abandon me, after I am wrongfully tried and convicted, after I am mocked and mutilated, after I am crucified in agony - after, I will see you again. He foreshadowed that this seeing of Him resurrected, alive, glorified - will bring a rejoicing that is never-ending. "It is finished" He proclaimed from the cross. The question of unending joy has always been, "Do you see Him?" I plead with all of us to embrace the only joy that can't be taken; there is no joy like Jesus. xo