Quit Calling God a Liar

            Yeah. I said it. Quit calling God a liar.

            I’m not just saying this to whoever is going to read this post. I’m saying it to me—to my soul because about a year ago (and again yesterday), I realized that I was telling God that what He said about me was wrong.

            No. I never said those words, but when I read Psalm 139:14-15 and let the words “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” sink into my soul, I’d spew out thanksgivings to my faithful God, but then the next day, I’d look in the mirror or weigh myself and tell myself that I’m too skinny. Shame and self-pity would seep into my soul and, most days would win out over the absolute truth spoken by a loving God. Not only would I down my looks, but I’d down my worth, thinking that I’m not good enough to be used by God—that I have to try harder.

            I’d let lies of insecurities whisper to my soul until I turned up their volume and down the volume of truth, and I realized why. For some reason, I had let myself believe God didn’t mean what He said.

            The problem with that mindset is that it’s  a big lie.

            If God has told me that He counts me worthy, that I am loved, and that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, who am I to question that or spit out reason after reason that that just cannot be true?

            No, I never told God He was a liar, but my life and my mindset did (and sometimes still does). It’s time to stop believing the lies of the enemy and silence them for good. Believe that God created you fearfully and wonderfully. He has made you beautiful, ladies. He has made you handsome and strong, gentlemen. 

God created a masterpiece when He designed us. His masterpiece isn’t a big mess, either. It’s beautiful. When God told us that He’d send the Spirit and give us power, He meant it. We don’t have to make ourselves up or gather accomplishments to be valued and useful because in reality, nothing we do in our own power can compare to His ability and power to do the impossible.

Quit calling God a liar, and claim what He has called you as TRUTH.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are coheirs with Christ. You are loved. You are worthy. You are whole. You are His child. You have nothing to fear. You are HIS.

Living Life Together

,

Rebecca Thomas 

Past Sins

            They haunt many of us.

            Past failures and mistakes loom over us and fog our vision. The sin we committed yesterday or ten years ago still grips the minds and hearts of many Christians today. Instead of looking forward, many of us have our heads craned backwards, scared that those sins will forever haunt us, eternally bind us.

            We misconstrue the truth of grace. We forget and really don’t fully believe that grace sets us free; so, we chain ourselves. I’ve heard people say “How could a perfect God ever love me after what I’ve done?” Our spiritual feet become crippled as we fall prey to the lie that God doesn’t want to spend time with us after we’ve sinned (even after we’ve confessed) or that God doesn’t fully forgive. The thought is that He just says that he forgives, but in reality, He keeps records of wrongs.

            These beliefs are destructive lies filled with no ounce of truth.

            1 John 1:9 states, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (NIV).  

            Isaiah 43:25 declares, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

            Romans 8:1 tells us that “there is no commendation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

            From these verses, we can know that God forgives us completely, forgets our sins, and purifies us. We have no need to live in our past failures; God doesn’t want us to.

            The next time you find yourself in despair from past sins, remember that when we confess our sins, God erases the sins from existence.

            We no longer have to live in shame when we are in Christ Jesus. He makes our soul white as snow while He remembers our sin no longer.

            One final thought: "For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin night be don away with that we should no longer be slaves to sin--because anyone who has died has freed from sin" (NIV, Romans 6:6-7).

           You're totally forgiven and free from sin. Live in those truths today. Let them overwhelm you. 

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Steadfast Peace

            Sometimes, life can really stress you out. 

            Maybe tomorrow seems uncertain or a person in your family is sick or some circumstance has you worried. Whatever is going on, the fact is that we all have troubles, even Jesus agreed with that (John 16:33). But when we face these troubles, we have a choice about how we’re going to react and who we’re going to trust. 

            Many times when I face uncertainties or stressful circumstances, I first try to figure out a solution on my own or I pray and then instead of relying on God for the answer, I rack my brain for the much needed wisdom. The problem with that way of fixing a problem is that I’m not equipped to figure things out on my own—I need a Savior. 

            When I realize that I am not fully equipped, my mind starts churning and most nights, I have trouble sleeping. My life is chaotic—the opposite of peaceful. 

            The truth is that when we don’t rely on Jesus, we will stumble and our lives will be full of chaos and uneasiness, but life doesn’t have to be this way; we can have peace. 

            Isaiah 26:3 declares that God “will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in [God]” (NIV). The key to having peace is trusting in God. When storms arise, remind yourself of the truth: God provides (1 Timothy 6:17), we are loved (John 3:16), He is our refuge and shield (Psalm 119:114), we will never be alone (Hebrews 13:5), and He is our strength (Philippians 4:13). Those truths are just a few of the promises God has given us that we can trust God for. I challenge you to mine through God’s Word for yourself and discover that numerable promises God has for us. 

            When we trust in the Lord, He gives us peace, even that is a promise. One of my favorite passages is Isaiah 40:30-31, which reminds us that “even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

            Today, whatever you’re facing, trust our faithful God. Even if you have to say His name over and over or repeat biblical truths in your mind until you remember to trust Him, do so because we desperately need Him.

He is the only one who can give you peace. 

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas

Broken Tools and Shattered Mirrors

            This past Easter, my church did this thing where we could take a tour of creation to the cross where Jesus died. I’ll never forget the experience of creation.

            Imagine perfection. You’re whole and one with God. You’re in perfect relation with Him, yourself, and others. One room in creation had tons of mirrors hanging on the walls and one large one sitting in the middle of the room. The only instructions said to imagine yourself as God had created you to be: perfect, flawless. Before the fall, we knew that God created us wonderfully and fearfully and didn’t question that fact. I wouldn’t see my big feet and ears. I wouldn’t see the two red scars on the side of my nose that I believe everyone will see if I don’t cover them up. I wouldn’t think I was too skinny or not pretty enough. Before the fall, I would know that I am created beautiful, but that perfect creation didn’t last—Adam and Eve sinned and brokenness entered our world.

            As I walked out of the creation room and entered the fall, everything was mangled and tattered in the dark room. A picture of twisted DNA with garbage pushing through the strands rested on a pile of sticks. Then, a pile of broken tools and equipment sat on the floor with signs saying, “You’ll never be good enough.” “You can’t fix it,” “Give up.” Why even try.” It was a broken mess representing how sin killed the way men view themselves. I was heartbroken. Tears welled up inside me.

            Then, I saw a broken mirror with glass scattered on the floor. Pictures of the “ideal” woman were strewn across a bulletin board. Some signs read “Shake yourself skinny,” “10 ways to lose weight,” “You’re not pretty enough,” or “No one will want you.” Pictures of photoshopped women covered the board. In that moment, I realized what we had lost when sin entered our world, and my heart broke into pieces.

            I also realized that that perception of us, men or women, was a lie. Yes, a lie. It was also a sin. God tells you and me that we ARE fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14, NIV). For us to say that we aren’t is to tell God that He is a liar. I don’t want to do that.

            Men, God created you to be leaders and hard workers, which means that He has designed that into your DNA. Yes, sin has messed up a lot, but with God you can be who He created you to be. Be strong warriors. You can protect us. I believe that. God says it. He created you to love women fearlessly and to provide for us. Trust Him to sharpen that in you. He can. Through Him, you’re good enough, strong enough, brave enough.

            Women, my fellow, precious women. You’re beautiful. We don’t have to look for flaws. God has created us wonderfully. He designed us and calls us HIS daughters. Be confident. You don’t have to be a certain weight or height or color or anything else because God loves you and KNOWS that you are beautiful.

            Don’t let the lies of Satan drag you down. Remember who God created you to be. He doesn’t make mistakes. He is the perfect artist. You are beautiful. You are worth it. You are loved. You are being fought for. You are His.

           And remember, the story didn't end at the fall. One day, when Christ returns, we won't be a broken mess anymore. We'll live in perfection with the One who saved our souls. I can't wait until that day.

Living Life Together,

Rebecca Thomas

Out of Tune Clanging Cymbals

            "The people in the crowd rise to their feet as the first notes of the National Anthem ring across the stadium. Everyone opens his mouth to sing along, but a sound similar to nails scratching down a chalkboard permeates through the crowd causing the people to plug their ears in desperation to stop the noise. The vocalist keeps belting out lyrics of freedom, but the only thing the crowd wants is a power outage to silence this butchering of the National Anthem. The message of the lyrics is sweet, but the out of tune notes misconstrue the message."

            Most of us can relate to this make-believe scenario described above. The National Anthem (along with other beautiful songs) has been sung over and over and many times, terribly messed up by the band or vocalist. When this has happened to me, I’ve felt embarrassed for the performer, and I’ve wanted to stop hearing the song immediately. If it was a song I’d never heard before, I simply stopped listening to it, never to find out if the message was worthwhile.

            1 Corinthians 13:1-3 sums it up well, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing” (NIV).

My dear brothers and sisters, please speak in love. We have enough people yelling in this world. As followers of Christ, we have the most beautiful, love filled, and important message for the entire world, but they will never hear it if we argue and fight with them. Jesus was able to love the sinners (while never supporting their sins), and that love changed their lives. We can love them, too. Love those who do not know Christ, and through that love they will know that we are His disciples and maybe, thirst for the same Living Water (John 4:10 & 13:34-35).

We can proclaim the truth from the mountain tops, go on a million mission trips, memorize the Bible, pray 24/7, and everything else, but if we have not love, we’re just like the out of tune singer and band playing the national anthem.

But if we have love, we’ll be like the first rain after a drought—soothing and refreshing, a much desired necessity. 

Living Life Together, 

Rebecca Thomas