lies and truth

I had dinner with a very neat friend last night. This is a friend with amazing perception, insight and wisdom. I am blessed. It was one of those dinners that linger on and on and on. I love them! We sat down around 7ish and we didn't leave til 9:15 and that was to catch a movie....or I am sure we would have been there awhile more....I love that! As we talked and shared and laughed....many things struck me. First, I love that I can have a friend who can laugh about girl things.....things that to some may not seem "appropriate" for a Godly woman to discuss....I call that being REAL. We can in one breath laugh about silly things, and then jump in the deep and talk about God and what he is doing in our lives...AND encourage each other in a NON CONDEMNING or JUDGING way.....we can share our journey with each other. I so love that. I love that in one minute, you can be almost in tears about something serious, and then the next laughing about how cute the waiter is serving the next table. He was REALLY cute. I love girl time.

But as we were talking and sharing she encouraged me to blog something I said to her. I was sharing with her certain struggles I have faced in the past.....and my deep concern over a friend of ours who is in a deep struggle now.....and I said in reference to this friend, and to me in my past that "the lies are louder than the truth" It is true you know. Julia Roberts's character in the movie Pretty Woman said it this way, "It is easier to believe the bad stuff" Lies are louder than truth sometimes.......what do you think about that? Even when we know they are lies......they are louder.

Well, I guess what I want to say is to anyone who is struggling right now in something, and that is most of us, that first and foremost....your struggle is NOT because God is trying to teach you a "lesson" or a punishment or a consequence. Your Jesus loves you! Your Jesus is CRAZY about you. Whatever you are struggling with...it makes no difference. One struggle is no better or worse than another. God doesn't grade it...So, whether it is an addiction, thought life, financial, emotional, loss, whatever it is.....hold up your hand and let your Jesus pull you up to walk in freedom. There is no condemnation in Jesus. He isn't punishing you....or trying to teach you a lesson...Don't let anyone tell you differently either. That is a performance and works based religion. God is a God who showers over us with His grace, mercy, forgiveness, and love. Receive it. He wants to freely give it to you...hold out your hand and receive it.

The battle comes when we want to take that help from him...we want to let him be our strong tower, and our fortress, and the enemy says, "Oh no, you are not good enough...you gotta clean it up....you are too messed up....you aren't worthy." I know these lies well. So here's the deal...we hear the lies....we know the Truth. The Truth is life...and the Truth gives life....the lies tear us apart.

Sometimes, the Truth is a soft whisper we may remember from a Bible verse or a sermon, or something we read from the Bible or devotional, something a friend told you....but the lies are louder. Lies are easier to believe. I have myself, been hearing a lot of lies lately. Lies of judgement, Lies of condemnation, Lies of fear, lies of rejection....and some of them from people who want to quote scripture behind it.....all in the name of "Christianity." Some of the givers of the lies are even people who love me and think they know what is best for me. Sound familiar?

Only you and God truly know what is best for you. BUT, if you are a "performer, or a people pleaser...." like I have been in the past and still struggle with at times...then you will listen and do what others think you should do. Tap into the Lord, in His word and hear His voice. It is Truth, and the more you hear it, the louder it will become and eventually, the lies will not be as loud.

So what is your Truth? Ask God. I am constantly reminding my daughter, "what does God say about that?" "What does God think you are?" It doesn't matter what others say or do. Go to the scriptures and find out what God says about you. That is the Truth. Just a few things I know that God says about us....God says we are redeemed, saved by grace, loved with an everlasting love, that we are the "apple of his eye", his joy, forgiven, we are made righteous and holy...we are navels (read my post on navels). Those are just a few that came to me now.

My journey has taught me so much about loving people. All I have been through in my life has given me the ability to feel great love and compassion for others no matter what their circumstances. That is the beauty from ashes I have received from my pain that is talked about in the book of Isaiah:

Isaiah 61:3
....and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. (see my blog on oak trees.....)

Wont you walk in freedom today? Please? Hold out your hands, reach up and let God pull you up. Hear the Truth....dispel the lies. Get out of the pit and get on the solid rock. Get some TRUTH speakers in your life. Get some people who truly LOVE you no matter what you are doing or in.....You don't have any? Call me.....I will love you, I will speak truth to you...I will help you find some other people to do that too. But right now go to read the Psalms. God is a big God, and He will rescue you when you ask. Reach out your hands....

He promises to : "make our way strait, make us glad in his refuge, surround us with favor as with a shield, be gracious with us, HEAL us, RESCUE us, sustain us, be our shelter, Lift us up from the gates of death, that we may tell of all His praises...he will strengthen your heart, he will vindicate the orphan the the oppressed...He restores our soul....he is your portion and your cup...your support, your lot...he will counsel you...he will not abandon you...he will make known to you the path of life....he will fill you with his joy....

There is way more he promises to do....that was just a smidgen.