Proverbs 30:6
Don't change what God has said! He will correct you and show that you are a liar.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Years ago, my husband worked with a man who liked to say, “If you lie, you fry. – Hezekiah 3:5.” For the record, there is no book of Hezekiah in the Bible… and this is not an actual scripture passage. We’ve laughed at this phrase and used it as a running joke for years. But there are other phrases that people use and claim to be scriptural… such as “God helps those who help themselves”… that are not actually found in the Bible, either.
While these phrases and others like them are relatively harmless… and they may even hint at an actual Biblical truth… some people want to interpret scripture to suit their own situation or desires… and this is very dangerous. When you hear someone say, “That may be what the scripture says, but that’s not what God meant,” your antenna should automatically be raised. A lot of us would like to twist God’s words to justify our own desires and behaviors. But this simply is not how we Christians should operate!
Everybody makes mistakes, and we will all have to admit at some point that we were wrong about one thing or another. But nothing will ever compare with the humility of having to admit you twisted God’s words to suit yourself. God will not be pleased, mocked, or misrepresented! If you believe there is “wiggle room” with the laws of God, you are greatly mistaken. The devil – the king of liars – has convinced you that God can be swayed… and I assure you, He cannot!
We cannot change what God has declared… and honestly, we don’t want to do this. His ways are perfect… His plans are exactly right for us… His will is for us to have everything He designed for us and to experience peace, prosperity and joy in Him. The only change necessary is how we are thinking… our attitude and our reactions to life circumstances. Don’t try to change what God has said… instead, ask Him to change YOU… to give you an attitude of humility and servitude - and confidence in His plans for your life.
©2010 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label changing your mind. Show all posts
Showing posts with label changing your mind. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for January 4, 2011
1 Samuel 15:29
Besides, the eternal God of Israel isn't a human being. He doesn't tell lies or change his mind."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever thought about how often we change our minds? We go to a restaurant, saying all the way there, “I’m going to have a steak.” But when we arrive, the “special” is a shrimp dinner that sounds so good that we just have to order this instead. We make plans to wear one outfit, and at the last minute, something doesn’t “feel” right, so we change to another. We carry an item around the store, planning to purchase it, and before we check out we have talked ourselves into putting it back on the shelf. We are certain we are going to major in medicine until we go to anatomy class and nearly faint when we have to draw our own blood!
And how many times do we lie? Oh, we don’t call it that… we call it, “withholding the truth.” We don’t want to hurt feelings, so we change the subject when a friend asks for our opinion about their mode of dress, weight, or hair color. When someone asks, “Was I wrong to feel this way?” we carefully weigh our response and offer something we feel is politically correct… but not altogether honest. We omit information from our resume that we feel could keep us from getting a job, hoping the employer won’t investigate and find out we had poor attendance at Job ABC. We cut corners and skip steps and hope nobody notices.
What if God operated this way? What if we were sick and God kept serious complications at bay for months… then suddenly decided He didn’t care any longer? What if God had led Moses and the Israelites to the Red Sea and then changed His mind about parting the waters… or He had simply lied about this? What if God told us to do something and promised to guide and protect us, and then He didn’t honor His promises?
As human beings, we can change our minds about things like menu choices, careers, relationships, and more. Sometimes there are few consequences – if any. Sometimes the consequences can be rather serious and life-changing. I’m thankful to know that my God doesn’t change His mind in a way that brings anything to my life but grace, mercy, and blessings. I’m grateful to Him for keeping His word… for choosing the absolute best for me and making it happen.
I am so comforted to know that God is firm in His plans for my life and does not waiver. And what He does for me, He is doing for you, as well. Have you thanked Him lately for being so steady? Have you praised Him for His honesty and consistent care? Isn’t it time to do so?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Besides, the eternal God of Israel isn't a human being. He doesn't tell lies or change his mind."
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Have you ever thought about how often we change our minds? We go to a restaurant, saying all the way there, “I’m going to have a steak.” But when we arrive, the “special” is a shrimp dinner that sounds so good that we just have to order this instead. We make plans to wear one outfit, and at the last minute, something doesn’t “feel” right, so we change to another. We carry an item around the store, planning to purchase it, and before we check out we have talked ourselves into putting it back on the shelf. We are certain we are going to major in medicine until we go to anatomy class and nearly faint when we have to draw our own blood!
And how many times do we lie? Oh, we don’t call it that… we call it, “withholding the truth.” We don’t want to hurt feelings, so we change the subject when a friend asks for our opinion about their mode of dress, weight, or hair color. When someone asks, “Was I wrong to feel this way?” we carefully weigh our response and offer something we feel is politically correct… but not altogether honest. We omit information from our resume that we feel could keep us from getting a job, hoping the employer won’t investigate and find out we had poor attendance at Job ABC. We cut corners and skip steps and hope nobody notices.
What if God operated this way? What if we were sick and God kept serious complications at bay for months… then suddenly decided He didn’t care any longer? What if God had led Moses and the Israelites to the Red Sea and then changed His mind about parting the waters… or He had simply lied about this? What if God told us to do something and promised to guide and protect us, and then He didn’t honor His promises?
As human beings, we can change our minds about things like menu choices, careers, relationships, and more. Sometimes there are few consequences – if any. Sometimes the consequences can be rather serious and life-changing. I’m thankful to know that my God doesn’t change His mind in a way that brings anything to my life but grace, mercy, and blessings. I’m grateful to Him for keeping His word… for choosing the absolute best for me and making it happen.
I am so comforted to know that God is firm in His plans for my life and does not waiver. And what He does for me, He is doing for you, as well. Have you thanked Him lately for being so steady? Have you praised Him for His honesty and consistent care? Isn’t it time to do so?
©2010 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for January 3, 2011
Deuteronomy 29:4
He has even told you, "For forty years I, the LORD, led you through the desert, but your clothes and your sandals didn't wear out, and I gave you special food. I did these things so you would realize that I am your God." But the LORD must give you a change of heart before you truly understand what you have seen and heard.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched several episodes of a cooking competition lately called “Worst Cooks in America.” Two accomplished chefs tried to teach people who couldn’t boil water how to cook like a pro in only two short weeks. One man in particular seemed to catch on quickly to the techniques… but he always had to deviate from the recipe in some way and put his personal “spin” on the dish, which drove his instructor crazy. And while the chef stressed neatness and finished products that were plated cleanly, one contestant consistently turned out sloppy products. The chef asked, “Haven’t you been listening? Haven’t you heard anything I’ve told you about neatness?”
Maybe you have experienced the frustration of trying to show someone how to do something numerous times, and it’s as if they either do not comprehend… or they simply are not listening. I’ve watched Timothy play with his little box of shaped blocks and the lid that has holes that correspond to these shapes. Even though we show him how this works, he will repeatedly put his blocks atop the hole with the wrong shape and then get frustrated because the block won’t fit. But Timothy is not even two years old… he has an excuse! As he grows and matures, his understanding of this concept will change. For us… the “change” is often more one of our heart and will, rather than one of intellectual maturity.
One of the biggest revelations for me in recent years is how much God has been trying to give me… and yet, it’s as if I have had a giant “Spiritual firewall” in place that prevented reception. More often than not, that “firewall” has been my heart! See, we have to open our heart and mind to the possibilities God offers. We have to walk in faith and trust that He will do what the Bible tells us He has promised. We have to truly believe that with God, all things are possible. There is no room for “Yeah, but…” We have to operate completely in “For sure!”
The other thing we have to remember is that this change of heart is not instantaneous. We are works in progress. God is never done with us, and there are always new things to discover about His plan for our lives. But a good first step is to open our heart and mind to the possibilities and promises. The more we do this… the more we accept His incredible love and care for us… the more we can truly understand what we have seen and heard. Have you checked your heart for “Spiritual firewalls” lately? Isn’t it time to remove them?
©2010 Debbie Robus
He has even told you, "For forty years I, the LORD, led you through the desert, but your clothes and your sandals didn't wear out, and I gave you special food. I did these things so you would realize that I am your God." But the LORD must give you a change of heart before you truly understand what you have seen and heard.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I watched several episodes of a cooking competition lately called “Worst Cooks in America.” Two accomplished chefs tried to teach people who couldn’t boil water how to cook like a pro in only two short weeks. One man in particular seemed to catch on quickly to the techniques… but he always had to deviate from the recipe in some way and put his personal “spin” on the dish, which drove his instructor crazy. And while the chef stressed neatness and finished products that were plated cleanly, one contestant consistently turned out sloppy products. The chef asked, “Haven’t you been listening? Haven’t you heard anything I’ve told you about neatness?”
Maybe you have experienced the frustration of trying to show someone how to do something numerous times, and it’s as if they either do not comprehend… or they simply are not listening. I’ve watched Timothy play with his little box of shaped blocks and the lid that has holes that correspond to these shapes. Even though we show him how this works, he will repeatedly put his blocks atop the hole with the wrong shape and then get frustrated because the block won’t fit. But Timothy is not even two years old… he has an excuse! As he grows and matures, his understanding of this concept will change. For us… the “change” is often more one of our heart and will, rather than one of intellectual maturity.
One of the biggest revelations for me in recent years is how much God has been trying to give me… and yet, it’s as if I have had a giant “Spiritual firewall” in place that prevented reception. More often than not, that “firewall” has been my heart! See, we have to open our heart and mind to the possibilities God offers. We have to walk in faith and trust that He will do what the Bible tells us He has promised. We have to truly believe that with God, all things are possible. There is no room for “Yeah, but…” We have to operate completely in “For sure!”
The other thing we have to remember is that this change of heart is not instantaneous. We are works in progress. God is never done with us, and there are always new things to discover about His plan for our lives. But a good first step is to open our heart and mind to the possibilities and promises. The more we do this… the more we accept His incredible love and care for us… the more we can truly understand what we have seen and heard. Have you checked your heart for “Spiritual firewalls” lately? Isn’t it time to remove them?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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