Do you ever feel like the world as you know it is not quite what it
seems? Like maybe there is a whole other truth-the real truth-out
there waiting to be found. There are many books and movies with this
theme- someone is hiding the better reality from society in an attempt
to be in control. I feel as though I have recently been "awakened" to a new reality.
But I am still in that dazed stage where things are a little foggy and
I am uncertain sometimes what is real and what is a lie. What I have discovered is that Satan, the master of lies, has been
diligent to take every opportunity to see that people do not follow
God in the way God commands. Satan likes to convince us that we are
God's people, but we can still look like the world and there is really
no true right or wrong-everyone must judge for themselves. I am blown away how Satan's teachings have touched almost every aspect
of human life, including the ways we worship God. Is this important
to understand? I believe it is critical! God is the Creator and Author of life, not Satan. God sets the rules.
He knows what works and what doesn't. He openly gave us everything
we need-and still does. But along the way Satan crept in and said,
"No, He didn't really mean that. He meant this. Why not do it this
way? It would be a lot more convenient." His lies have multiplied
and compounded until they rule the way the world works. Is there a way out of the lies? Yes! God always provides the way.
But the struggle is weeding out the world's ways, listening to the
truth, embracing the truth, and finally living the truth. It sounds
hard and it is hard. The starting point of truth for my family has been the Sabbath. From
there truth has completely snowballed! Sometimes it seems impossible
to get past all of Satan's lies that I and others around me have
always embraced. But I have discovered that one step in the right
direction-God's direction-can make all the difference. I now ask myself, "What is the reason behind what I am doing? Is it
of God? Where did it originate? Does this please God? Does it make
a difference? Does it set me apart as God's child?" This may be a lot to chew on this week. I feel so strongly, though,
about encouraging others to ask these questions about your spiritual
lives and practices. The answers may be unwelcome or uncomfortable,
but finding and living God's truth is why we were created. Until next week,
Lisa G.
seems? Like maybe there is a whole other truth-the real truth-out
there waiting to be found. There are many books and movies with this
theme- someone is hiding the better reality from society in an attempt
to be in control. I feel as though I have recently been "awakened" to a new reality.
But I am still in that dazed stage where things are a little foggy and
I am uncertain sometimes what is real and what is a lie. What I have discovered is that Satan, the master of lies, has been
diligent to take every opportunity to see that people do not follow
God in the way God commands. Satan likes to convince us that we are
God's people, but we can still look like the world and there is really
no true right or wrong-everyone must judge for themselves. I am blown away how Satan's teachings have touched almost every aspect
of human life, including the ways we worship God. Is this important
to understand? I believe it is critical! God is the Creator and Author of life, not Satan. God sets the rules.
He knows what works and what doesn't. He openly gave us everything
we need-and still does. But along the way Satan crept in and said,
"No, He didn't really mean that. He meant this. Why not do it this
way? It would be a lot more convenient." His lies have multiplied
and compounded until they rule the way the world works. Is there a way out of the lies? Yes! God always provides the way.
But the struggle is weeding out the world's ways, listening to the
truth, embracing the truth, and finally living the truth. It sounds
hard and it is hard. The starting point of truth for my family has been the Sabbath. From
there truth has completely snowballed! Sometimes it seems impossible
to get past all of Satan's lies that I and others around me have
always embraced. But I have discovered that one step in the right
direction-God's direction-can make all the difference. I now ask myself, "What is the reason behind what I am doing? Is it
of God? Where did it originate? Does this please God? Does it make
a difference? Does it set me apart as God's child?" This may be a lot to chew on this week. I feel so strongly, though,
about encouraging others to ask these questions about your spiritual
lives and practices. The answers may be unwelcome or uncomfortable,
but finding and living God's truth is why we were created. Until next week,
Lisa G.
