Truth or Dare
Transformation takes place when we live in the truth.
“Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do: For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord...From what you have, take an offering for the Lord...everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord"
Exodus 35:1-2, 5, 21, 29
The people needed help understanding how to live in community and walk by faith with the Lord. God spoke truth to Moses to share with the people teaching them how the truth would bring freedom to their lives. The decision to practice these is optional according to one's own heart, but the truth of the benefits is not.
Two simple truths that can change your life are practicing rest and participating through generosity. These truths are counter cultural. We live in a fast-paced world that often measures success by activity and economic status. God says there is a better way to live that will free your heart and mind. Rest requires intentionality and might be one of the most ignored commandments in scripture. Generosity demonstrates trust that God has and will provide for all we need even though we are letting go of some of what we have.
Do you practice the Sabbath? Why or why not? How can you grow in the grace of giving and trusting God with what He has given to you?
“I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land. Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven."
Psalms 85:6-9, 11-13
David says the truth is you can practice righteous fear or foolish folly. He says it starts with listening. Listen and contrast what He says versus what you hear in the world around you. Have you examined what you are thinking about or how you are feeling in the light of the truth of what God says? If you are living in truth you will experience the peace that surpasses understanding.
David sees how God is faithful to us by producing from the fruit of the earth and righteous by showering us with the blessings of heaven. David uses our senses and invites us to not only hear what God says, but see how God is moving. How are you seeing God move all around you? Consider counting your blessings.
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace. He has made everything beautiful in its time... He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end."
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, 6-8, 11, 14
Wisdom says that we have seasons of our lives. There will be ups and downs, hills and valleys, ebbs and flows. It is easy to react strongly to a changing season, but when we consider our circumstances in the truth of how it fits within the totality of our lives, we can hold on to the peace God offers in each season.
Truth says God made everything beautiful in its time. Can you see the beauty of the time you are in? Is it easier to see the beauty of time when you look back or when you look ahead? What does that say about how you are thinking?
"Listen! I am going to bring on this city and all the villages around it every disaster I pronounced against them, because they were stiff-necked and would not listen to my words.’ ”
Jeremiah 19:3, 14-15
The truth is there are consequences when we do not listen to God or learn to live in truth. God calls the people stiff-necked because they refused to turn from a life that led them away from Him. People loved darkness more than light. Ask God to search your heart to see if there are any stiff-necked or stubborn ways that are not true?
“Then the detachment of soldiers with its commander and the Jewish officials arrested Jesus. They bound him...Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?” “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?” Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.” “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” “What is truth?” retorted Pilate. With this he went out again to the Jews gathered there and said, “I find no basis for a charge against him.”
John 18:12, 33-38
The truth is Jesus was innocent and did not deserve to die. The truth is Jesus chose to take our place and the punishment we deserved for not following God's ways. Jesus says He came to testify to the truth. Why? So that anyone who would listen would turn to God and find healing, help, and hope.
The truth is Jesus loves you whether you have been living in the truth or not. He wants to meet you right where you are and lead you to the life you were made to live. A life that has rest and peace by trusting God with each day and practicing the Sabbath. A life of freedom through generosity by trusting God for your provision and learning to be a vessel of His love. The truth is you are loved. The invitation today is to let go of the false and listen to the voice of truth speak to your heart right where you are.
This worship song by Pat Barrett sums this passage up well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOzsJlk8p6I&list=RDMOzsJlk8p6I&start_radio=1