Two boys in a basket

Lies I have believed

I cannot tell you how many times I have refused to see truth because the lies were so much easier to believe. My new Bible study (see earlier post) has already shown me how important God's word is to be able to distinguish truth from lies. The world promotes all sorts of lies. People lie. Commercials lie. Satan is all about lies.

Here are some of the lies I have believed.

I have believed credit cards are OK as long as you manage them well. Nope. That's a lie that is going to cost me and family for the next few years. Debt is debt is debt. Even if it is only for one month.

I have believed that I am incapable of sticking to a healthy lifestyle. Another lie. God says our bodies are to be holy temples. He will provide the strength for me to prevail, as long as I don't lose sight of Him. (which I have in this area, incidentally)

I can be happy doing things my own way. BIG FAT LIE. I am a created being with a God-given purpose, which is to love and know my God.

I cannot put God first in my life because I am too busy. I have too many things on my list. I am overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of stuff I tell myself I need to do. Another one of the world's lies. Truth: If I put God first, the necessary things will fit in with his grace. Thank God!

The Devil made me do it

I'm in week two of my new Bible study. We are going through Beth Moore's "Breaking Free."

I love this study already, but her studies are quite meddlesome. She contends, and backs up scripturally as a side note, that any stronghold we allow Satan to have in our lives is based on lies.

And, only the truth we find in Christ has the power to set us free. Sin starts small. Then as it grows, so do the lies and the excuses. Bottom line for Satan, as long as we are not furthering the kingdom of God, he's happy.

And, if we are not living lives that reflect Christ, all the talk in the world is cheap, cheap, cheap.

Finally, to truly live in freedom, God's freedom, means two things. One is that you must continually be devouring and studying his holy Word. And second, you must have a meaningful prayer life to get to know your Savior.

New planner

Almost immediately she regretted wearing her "fun" shoes. Wishing for heavier bags to justify the elevator, she slowly began the climb to the third floor. This likely was the most leisurely part of her day.

Piles of paper beckoned to her as she frantically worked throughout the day to shorten her night. Hopeful in the a.m. that she might make a dent in the pile, she takes time to clean out the e-mail to-do list. (big mistake)

Later as she's moments from walking across campus for a meeting that will ultimately end her day, she pokes her head in the office. It's Oct. 3, and yet her new planner for 2008 has arrived.

Thinking of the many items already lining up to be penned into the new version, she sighs. It used to be a lot more fun to get a new planner.