He taught with real authority—
quite unlike their teachers of religious law. Matt. 7:29
When our reality doesn’t line up with actual reality (reality according to Father God) deception is a soul gripping slippery slide.
It can come in loads of different forms/natures:
· An athletic sport endeavor where the sport becomes the thing to be worshiped and God, our puppet for success.
· A business venture where the venture becomes our god, and God is blamed when the venture veers south.
· A relationship where it seems, “I’m just helping him/her”, but in reality, are enabling poor behavior and playing “Jesus Christ Jr.”.
· An attraction to someone other than our spouse. One that we convince ourselves is a “healthy relationship”, yet in reality, is anything but.
· A legalistic mindset on a neutral biblical tenet, causing one to errantly deduce, “if it is right for me, it therefore MUST be right for you.”
· Etc. etc
God’s Word is love and God’s Word is power. ~~When it is spoken over our lives and we choose to ingest it into our inmost parts (not merely 1-2 inches), then choose to be trained by it, …His LOVE and POWER go to work in us, transforming us from glory to glory until the day when we are with Him, reigning alongside Him in heaven forever! AMEN!
The Power of Truth:
· “For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Heb. 4:12
· “To Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” Eph. 3:20
· “the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” Eph. 1:17-20
Ingesting and Training in the Power of Truth:
· “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.” Heb. 5:13-14
· “…Exercise yourself toward godliness.” 1Tim. 4:7
· “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” 1 Cor. 9:25-27
Oh Lord, please touch us afresh this week. Where we are in error, correct our thinking, cause us to want to repent and follow Your lead. Amen.
Much love, Shaun and Betsy
