I've talked all my life, as my family will quickly agree. From a year old, no one was a stranger, and so friends, family--and foes if they'd listen--became the target of my incessant chatter--whether they liked it or not. A favorite memory is that of my creative younger son rigging up what he called a "Mommie Muzzle" so he could watch a TV movie in peace!
Well, I'm not alone in my chatter...for deep within my heart--and yours--there are voices we can heed or deny, and depending on who's talking, we need to do both! The Lord talks and we listen--I hope we do--BUT the liar talks and we listen too....and therein lies the problem. Come with me to see what the old sinister snake is up to...he may be gone from the Garden, but he's still hangin' around our global premises, chattering away.....listen!
"You're a dummy!"
Has he ever said that to you? Well, join the crowd. He talks to us all, intent on filling our souls and spirts with low self-worth. And we listen--we bend an ear to hear him say, "See what you did? See what you said?" and we sink into the slough of despair, time and time again. Well, get up from the pit. You are NOT a dummy--you are made in HIS image. Listen to the Word of the LORD!
Read Psalm 139 ... and believe the Word of the Lord!
"You can't do it!"
You've heard this one too...."Hey, forget trying something new; forget trying to serve God; forget doing something hard--YOU CAN'T DO IT!" Keep listening, and he will steal every bit of self-confidence you own.....and frankly speaking, it's not self-confidence that we need, it's GOD-confidence. He is our source; He is the one who gives us a confidence beyond ourselves and our own abilities. So stop listening to the liar--you CAN do it--just listen to the Word of the LORD!
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengtheneth me (Philippians 4:13).
"Your God's Dead!"
Back in time a few years, this was the trendy saying of liberal theological thought--you read it everywhere. Then IT died and GOD lives on. But the devil wasn't through; if he could not get the masses to believe it, he'd head for your heart to whisper those same words--YOUR God is DEAD....He does not hear you, see you, watch you, or know what you need. He hands you heavy stuff and then heads in another direction." Well, it's about time to whisk that LIAR off your premises. God is alive, He does care, He does know and watch over you. He DOES answer prayer. Refuse the rubbish that the LIAR would like you to believe--and LISTEN to the LORD!
"For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting,
and his truth endureth to all generations (Psalm 100:5).
Now go read Psalm 34--loud enough so the liar can hear it too!
Listen to the liar? No way! Listen to the Lord! Talk to Him, walk with Him, and remember the words of the Lord,
"...He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it (John 8:44)."
Life Verses at Peggie's Place!
A Prayer:
"Lord, I've listened too long to the liar, and I now turn to You. Let me believe Your Word, and receive it deep within my heart, as I meditate upon your TRUTH each day, In Jesus' Name, Amen."
And now, an assignment for you. Visit Bible Gateway, bookmark it and begin reading through the Book of Psalms--there you will meet the Lord of glory, the One who speaks truth to your heart and life. Follow His voice--and be forever set free!
P.S............TOLD you I was a talker....chuckle......go get some chocolate from The Virtual Chocolate Shop, find a puppy who doesn't talk - and have a great day!!!
--Copyright 2008 by Peggie Bohanon, Springfield, MO.
--Bible readings: Courtesy of "Daily Manna," International Bible Society
--IBSDirect International Bible Society's bulk Bibles/resources at discount prices.
