"If your heart is broken,
you'll find God right there . . . (Ps 34:18 The Message)
When I was much younger, I attended a church where
grace was unknown and legalism was the rule. Although I could never accept
certain aspects of my church's doctrine, I believed that they had the truth.
Unfortunately, their truth was not founded on the person of Christ. Instead, it
was founded on doctrines requiring us to attain our salvation through works.
Completely hooked in, I was involved in every aspect
of the church. I was an elder and a youth leader. I directed Vacation Bible
School and was the chairman of the school board. I was the superintendent of
fellowship Bible Studies, I visited the elderly, I acted as a mediator, and I
did quite a bit of lay preaching. I was constantly in the lime light, but
although I enjoyed every minute of it, I was completely empty.
What bothered me the most was that most people in my
church weren't sure of their salvation. Was I really worshipping God here, or
was I on a self-delusional trip to an asylum? The weight on my shoulders became
heavier, the emptiness more pronounced.
I finally cried out to God: "Lord, help me find your
truth. I am so confused!"
His promise of "Ask and it will be given to you; seek
and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who
asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be
opened." (Matt 7:7-8 NIV) became a reality, and I found that truth is not a
concept or a doctrine, but a Person: "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6 NIV)
God's Spirit became real to me, and His Word, the
Bible, became alive. Peace overcame me, and love from the Most High invaded my
life.
I didn't immediately leave that church. Instead I
tried to share my newfound joy with its members. But they were too scared that
doubting the doctrine of their church would result in hell-fire. That's when I
learned that any church that holds on to lies can never have the Truth of God.
This mixing of truth and lies is the way the devil got his foot in the door in
the first place, isn't it? "Did God really say . . . ?" (Gen 3:1 NIV)
Truth says: No one can reach heaven on his own. (See
Eph 2:8-9)
Truth says: I am not a concept, but a Person who will
help you break free from your bondages (See John 8:36).
Truth says: It is God who saved us through His Son
Jesus. We had no part in it, except to accept His gracious offer and fall on our
knees in total gratitude (See John 3:16).
Truth says: We have a reliable guide who will lead us
in God's truth. Our only job is to rely on Him (See John 16:13).
Truth says: It
can only be found in God's Word, the Bible. And the way to unlock that Truth is
by letting God's Spirit, the author of this fantastic book, guide you (See James
1:22-25).
But before I could truly recognize Truth, I had to be
broken. Before then, God couldn't penetrate my self-imposed, thick-headed
shield. He couldn't be in charge of my life when I was so rigidly in the
driver's seat!
Do you want to know freedom? Would you like to
experience Truth?
Then from the bottom of your heart, ask God: "Lord
please guide me to Your Truth."
Remember that you will need to be utterly broken
before you can hear God's voice. He has been trying to reach you since you were
born, but your defense shield is keeping Him at bay. He truly loves you. He is
more than willing to lead you to real Truth that will liberate you from your
bondages.
Why not ask Him today?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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