Tammy on Tuesday »

PINIMAGE

I did a google search a few days ago, “Find your truth.” Frankly, I have never heard anything so ridiculous, and yet it’s widely embraced because of its appeal. I imagine kittens and soft blankets and flowers as I read the titles that came up in my search.

PINIMAGE

PINIMAGE

PINIMAGE

“Wait, I can decide what ‘works for me’ and embrace it as my truth? I like the sound of that. Answer to no one or no standard that I haven’t set for myself? Sign me up!”

I’ll give you a simple example of why deciding my truth doesn’t ever work for me.

My truth at 7 AM: I have to get into a good healthy routine with my physical fitness and diet! I MUST start today to really do a good thing for myself – to break free of all of that toxic food I’ve been eating. I have a responsibility to my family and to myself to be healthy.

My truth at 4 PM: I worked hard all day. I’m not perfect. I never claimed to be. I love blizzards – cotton candy blizzards! I earned one with all the challenges I faced today. I dodged bullets left and right. The only proper way to celebrate is a blizzard, and I deserve it.  

Sounds silly, right? But I bet you chuckled because you’ve done something like that – oscillating back and forth between viewpoints. And with equal passion.  

I can’t trust myself. I need the TRUTH in every corner of my life to mold and shape me. I cannot be left to myself. 

Sadly, the idea of “finding our own truth” is happening at every level in our society.

Someone once said, “It’s easier to fool people than to convince them that they have been fooled.” Buying into “finding our own truth” is one such pitfall.

Stop and let that sink in. Do you care? Would you want to know if you’ve been fooled? Or would you instead want to choose your “own truth” and decide for yourself? 

I noticed in the simple search I mentioned the reference to tarot cards and other forms of divination. That doesn’t surprise me. Let’s throw in a little help from the spirit world to help you establish your truth. The Bible warns against these practices. These have long been characterized as tools of the devil. Forgive me for sounding old fashioned. But Jesus described satan this way:

He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. John 8:44b-45

What do you make of this? 

Jesus is telling us the truth about satan, and yet He knows His audience refuses to believe. Notice the last sentence – “But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.”

I hate being lied to. And yet, at times in my life, I’ve even lied to myself.   

After too many mistakes and self-inflicted wounds, I’ve learned not to look within. Truth does not come from within us. We are not the deciders of truth. Yet if you google it, you’ll find a mountain of nicely-packaged lies to buy into. 

And while I’m at it…why do we need “fact-checkers” (who do such a bang-up job of being unbias) if truth is relative? I digress.

If we ignore the truth of God’s Word, if we say God’s Word is not the ultimate truth, if we continue to pursue our own truth – which inevitably makes someone else’s truth somewhere a lie, what happens to us

In their case, the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4

If we ignore the truth, we are doomed. 

But I have good news. 

In John 14:6, Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

He also says in John 8:31-32, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 

How do we know the truth? What does Jesus say? Believe Him. Abide in His Word. Abide means: to live there, set up lodging, dwell.

We are to dwell in the Word of God. Are you in the Word? Need help to get started? I’d love to help! Please e-mail me at tammy@tammyontuesday.com.

Brothers and sisters, I urge you to pray and ask the Lord to reveal truth to your heart in this time of turmoil and confusion. I know, for myself, I sometimes begin to entertain a lie in my thoughts and emotions, and if I’m not careful to ask the Lord to speak truth to me daily from His Word, these lies can easily go undetected and spiral out of control. Start today by asking God to reveal to you any lies you have embraced – anything that keeps you from the truth. Confess them. Ask Him to break any chains of deceit that have you bound. And begin being a diligent pursuer of truth.

It will truly set you free. Satan is out to destroy and lie to those who will listen. But we can take refuge today in Jesus, the way, the truth, and the life.

From the end of the earth, I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Psalm 61:2-3

PINIMAGE

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7

Great passage! Right? It’s been quite timely for me. I have struggled with anxiety about the uncertainty of life as we know it right now. Uncertainty is all around us. So much division, strife, deceit, and fear! It’s heavy.  

For those who have put their trust in Christ and stepped into a relationship with God through Him, we have the promise that God will guard our hearts and minds when we struggle with anxiety. Its a PROMISE. This is sure footing. It is our peace. 

God is truth, and everything He tells us is true. So we can trust Him when He says in Philippians 4:7, He will guard our hearts and minds. All we have to do is lift our burdens to Him in prayer. Be careful to notice from the passage, we are told to do so with a thankful heart.

How do you express thankfulness to God when facing trials, big and small, that seem to overwhelm you like a tidal wave of trouble? That’s just it. The only way to find thankfulness even in trials is to make an about-face. Turn your eyes from the trial and FIX them on the Lord.

David said in Psalm 27:4, One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.

David desired intensely to be where God was, to worship in His temple and GAZE upon His beauty. He sought the presence of the Lord. He went to the house of the Lord.

And he didn’t stop with gazing. He inquired of the Lord. Want to know what to do in your current situation? Want to know the truth about the troubles in your heart? Ask God, who always tells the truth. Inquire of Him!

Do I mean that you should pack a bag and go live in a church building somewhere? No, I am saying it’s imperative to keep your thoughts turned to God if you want freedom from your anxiety and burden – TO SHUT THE DOOR ON THE VOICES THAT SHOUT FEAR and DEATH – even the ones in your heart.  

Very early the other morning, I was sitting in my quiet time chair in the corner of my room, and Mark was already down in the living room studying when I heard Bianca’s bedroom door open and close. Thinking she was headed to the bathroom, I went back to my reading. Then, I looked up and saw her standing a few feet from me. She said, “I had a bad dream, and I’m really freaked out. Can I get in your bed?”

Bianca is fifteen, but there is something about my bed that brings comfort to her and all my kids. They come to my room when they are “freaked out” – aka afraid. I know they feel safe when they come to our room. As I sat there watching her drift back to sleep from my chair, I was delighted that she came to me when she was afraid.  

I woke up this morning feeling heavy and, frankly, fearful. I sat down in my chair and didn’t even feel like opening my Bible. I worried I would read through the passages, and the words would fall flat. My quiet time has felt that way over the past few days. I hadn’t been able to really put a finger on the reason for this constant feeling of dread.  Why couldn’t I find joy???

As I expressed this struggle to God, a thought came to my mind.  

Had I been gazing on the beauty of the Lord and “inquiring in His temple?”  

Friends, it should be no surprise to you, if you’re filling your days with social media, the news, Netflix binging, whatever the world has to offer that you would find yourself depleted, fearful, defensive, and alone.  

I started to really meditate on why I was struggling so with anxiety. An instance came to mind. I thought back to last night before bed. I spent time catching up on Facebook. I intended to wind down and see what was going on in the world around me. Boy, what a mistake! So much of my feed was filled with noise and unrest. After a short while, I turned off my phone and turned off the light. But my heart was racing, and my thoughts were spinning. Why did I allow myself to be bombarded with the onslaught of the never-ending social media battles?

You know what I mean. After spending time on Facebook, do you feel like frolicking in a meadow kissed by the morning dew? I don’t think so!  

I was anxious.

This morning, after a time of prayer, I felt the Lord impressing on my heart, “Come to me. Find safety and help. I am here, and I delight to watch over and keep you. I will teach you and guard you.” 

“But, also, will you shut the doors to your heart and mind that lead to fear and death? Or, will you continue to open doors to the enemy?”    

It’s no surprise to me that the passage at the beginning of the blog about dealing with anxiety has more to say. Read the next words of wisdom…

Finally, brothers (and sisters), whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.Philippians 4:6-9

Friends, I encourage you to close the doors that lead your heart and mind to fear, anxiety, anger, and death, and keep them closed. Don’t be enticed. Don’t say to yourself, “I’ll scroll for just a little while today. I just want to catch up,” if you know that Facebook is a continual drain and stumbling block to your joy.  

How do you know when to shut the door?

• Is what you are entertaining true?
• Is it honorable and just (honest)?
• Is it pure? Is it lovely?
• Is it commendable?
• Is there any excellence? Is it worthy of praise?
• If the answer is yes, THINK ON THESE THINGS!

And if we choose to ignore good instruction, should we be surprised to feel as though we are emotionally spiraling out of control?

Friend, I’m going to be intentional today. I am considering the doors I’ve left open too long. I am asking God today to give me the power to slam them shut. Then I’m running to God and His embrace. It’s there that we find safety, peace, and wisdom.

How about you? It’s time to shut the door.

PINIMAGE

Not long ago, as Mark and I settled into bed, we started watching a TV series called ALONE. If our tv is ever on, it’s when we decompress from the busyness of the day. The show we’ve been watching is called Alone.  

ALONE follows the self-documented daily struggles of 10 individuals as they survive in the wilderness for as long as possible using a limited amount of survival equipment. With the exception of medical check-ins, the participants are isolated from each other and all other humans. They may “tap out” at any time, or be removed due to failing a medical check-in. The contestant who remains the longest wins a grand prize of $500,000.  (Wikipedia)

These contestants are not just anyone. They are trained in survival. They were vetted in a rigorous selection process. They have years of experience. They were not going in ill-prepared. And they were each allowed to select a handful of survival items to take with them. Think of how vital the selection of items must be. 

While watching the show, we saw some distinctive developments in the contestants every single season. I mean, change the location, change the people, change the circumstances, and still, these things would emerge.

• Most of the contestants would be crying around day 40. And it was like they all cried on cue. As if there was a barrier that was breached in their psychological wellbeing. In the end, victory came to those who could mentally/emotionally endure.
• Each season, the one who emerged as the winner was able to beat weakness, hunger, injury, exhaustion, and fatigue. But, more than anything else, they battled against loneliness. I remember telling Mark one evening, “This show validates that God created us with a need for community, a need to connect with other flesh and blood.”

Could I be on a show like ALONE? Frankly, I don’t want to find out. I probably would not make it very long.  Did I mention there are wild animals, some of them dangerous?

Now in season 4 (I think), I have drawn an interesting parallel with the show and my daily life as a Christ-follower. I trust you’ll identify.

The other day, I was reading in Luke, and something jumped out at me that reminded me of ALONE. It’s the account of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness.

Luke 4: 1-2 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry.  

I was able to really draw a picture in my mind of what he may have endured and how that might have looked. He was ALONE. 

In His vulnerable state, Satan comes to tempt Him. This would be the time in ALONE that Jesus might consider tapping out. But instead, He pulls out His survival tool and fights back with the Word of God. Satan, seeing Jesus was anchored to the Truth of the Word, left Him. But look at what verse 13 says:

 13 And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.

(Satan) departed from Him until an opportune time.

Brothers and sisters, that is all Satan is looking for in your life – an opportune time. What a powerful sentence! I’ve had to spend some time reflecting on it.

Satan, seeing his attacks on Jesus had been futile, didn’t give up, and say, “Well, Jesus IS the Son of God. What’s the use?” He leaves intending to return at an opportune time. If he was looking to ruin Jesus, then we’d all better be on alert. Friend, we are in his crosshairs.

He’s looking for an opportune time to take us down.  

• He waits until you are spiritually starved (no time in the Word or in prayer and fellowship with God).
• He waits until you are tired (emotionally, physically, spiritually, and mentally drained).
• He waits until you are wounded (hurt by others, carrying unforgiveness and scars from the past, betrayed, disillusioned, numb).
• He waits until you are weak (duped by lies, pride, sin, rebellion, indifference, entitlement, selfishness).
• He waits until you are lonely (feeling isolated, misunderstood, unloved, unseen)

How are you doing? Are you on alert? Have you thought about tapping out? The enemy desires to take you down. If he is able, he will destroy your family, your influence, your testimony, your life. He’s just looking for an opportune time. Is this an opportune time for him to step in? Consider me your wake up call. DON’T GIVE UP. DON’T TAP OUT!

Instead, I want to encourage you today to equip yourself against the attacks of the enemy. Don’t give him the opportunity.  God’s Word actually has something to say about any and all the things you might be struggling with.

Are you hungry?  

In John 6:35 Jesus says – “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.”

Are you tired? 

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Are you wounded?  

Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” God Himself promises to bind up our wounds as we bring them to Him.

Are you weak? 

 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation, he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Are you lonely?  

• Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us, “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”
• Psalm 27:10 says, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.”
• Romans 8:38-39 says, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

PINIMAGE

Last evening Mark and I were talking with a friend who had watched a season or two of the show. Mark said to him, “I’d take my Bible as one of my survival tools, and I think I could do it. I think I could stay til the end. I would fill the void of loneliness with reading God’s Word and spending time with Him in prayer.”

I piped up. “I don’t think they let you take a book.” Mark replied, “I just don’t think any of the contestants considered a book to be a valuable survival tool and opted for other things. But I would bring my Bible. And I believe it could give me what I need to endure to the end.”

Jesus Himself said, when tempted, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God’.”

I feel like that’s a perfect point to land on. God’s Word is what will keep you til the end. Are you in a wilderness? Are you in survival mode? Don’t let the enemy find an opportune time. Cling to God and His Word, and His power to endure.  

He will strengthen you.  He will keep you.  He will be with you.  

To the very end.