Saturday, September 26, 2009

Truth or Consequence



Our class this week was about Truth or Consequence (chapter 1) from the book  “Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free.”

All quotes are in blue from this book.

Most of us don’t mind hearing a little bit of truth, but the whole truth, now that can make us uncomfortable. When Truth is spoken you can be sure that Satan will stir up trouble.  He might make you believe that you are being  judged by another “sinner.” Or he may offer up the question “Did God really say?”

We need to be very aware of the enemy’s lies. To know when deception has been wrapped beautiful with a small amount of Truth. Remember, he weaved in truth with deception as he was tempting Jesus in the desert. Satan, by no means, would never place something before anyone that would be ugly and unappealing, now would he. If we are honest, there’s a certain aroma of pleasure when we are being tempted. The smell, it’s alluring. The taste, it’s so sweet. You can even feel it in the air.  But once you're there, darkness begins to consume you and death closes in. It’s not what you expected. You now find yourself even farther from the Truth.
  
Nancy makes this statement “listening to a viewpoint that was contrary to God’s word put Eve on a slippery slope that led to disobedience, which led to physical and spiritual death.”  

I don’t know about you, but I’ve stood in front the serpent listening to his sales pitch, and then believing it, and finally, acting on it. Big mistake! It lead me away from God. Eventually, I found a place where no one would see my shame. No one, but God. Just like in the garden, God called out “Where are you?” Now, he knew where I was. But He calls out to us, so that we will realize just how hidden we’ve become.

So, where do we hide? Could it be in the movies we are watching, magazines that we are reading or television shows that tell us there is no "absolute Truth." I sure did like my soap operas and Jackie Collin novels. They took me to a place that made me feel good and reminded just how much I hated my married life. Oh, an during that time, my marriage was going down a slippery slope. And yes, I was a Christian.


Nancy writes "every act of sin in our lives begins with a lie."

I bought into the lies of the enemy and have dealt with the consequences. It took me along time to realize how Satan deceived me, and he even made me believe that he really didn't exist.

So, what I've learned along the way, is by listening to ideas or thoughts that don't line up with God's Truth sets us on the path to destruction.

Here's a piece of truth that God has placed in my heart... The Truth is what brings us to God as we leave ourselves behind.

The truth is Jesus came to testify to the truth. (John 18:37)
The truth is the path WE choose may seem right (Proverbs 14:12)
The truth is His Word sanctifies us. (John 17:17)

John 8:31-32 (Message) Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you."
Are you willing to live out God's Truth?

Tammy

Monday, September 21, 2009

Convinced

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Last Wednesday was our first women’s bible class for the fall season. I, along with my friend Debbie, will have the privilege teaching from the book “Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Set Them Free” by Nancy Leigh DeMoss, I highly recommend this book. I hope to share with you in the weeks to come my thoughts that I will be presenting to the class.

Genesis 3:6 The woman was convinced. The fruit looked so fresh and delicious, and it would make her so wise! So she ate some of the fruit. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her. Then he ate it, too


As I was reading this verse,  this statement got my eye…The woman was convinced.


I was convinced that the grass was greener on the other side. That’s why my first marriage ended after 10 years and my second was spinning out of control until the Truth grabbed my heart. I was convinced that the night life would fulfill me rather then home life. Through all these feelings, and that is just what they are, feelings, I was convinced.

Instead of writing the rest of this message, I have attempted to video tape. Enjoy.



 
I'd like to thank my husband for putting together these videos, especially the blooper.
As you can see, he was quite amused with the "clearing my throat" which he added three times :(

Tammy