Tag: foundation

Older shepherd teaching a young man from an open glowing book with sheep grazing in the background
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The Shepherd of Truth

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“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” – Proverbs 30:5

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:20

As a child, I often felt like I was standing on shifting sand.  Almost daily my mom would find ways to keep me guessing and questioning myself.  I would look outside to decide what to wear to school (long before weather apps), only for my mom to tell me I was completely wrong. If I dressed for heat, she’d insist I needed a jacket. If I wore a jacket, she’d say I’d be too warm.

Sometimes she was right—but often it felt like a game that left me off balance, unsure of what was true.  My mother-in-law once asked me why I got into arguments about trivial things with my mom.  My response to her was it didn’t matter the topic, if I said the sky was blue my mom would say it was pink.  

That constant contradiction shaped me more than I realized. Without a foundation of truth in my early relationships, I struggled to trust there was a truth.   As an adult my husband would tease me about being a “woulda, coulda, shoulda” person.  The truth and trust never seemed to be within my grasp.

While there certainly are areas where black and white aren’t our only choices, as a Christian we can look to God’s Word for that firm foundation of truth we so desperately need in our lives.  Without it we get tossed about on our little life rafts by waves of messages and opinions that come at us from all sides.

“I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.” – Isaiah 45:19

An alarming number of Americans want to pretend we don’t need this stability in our lives.  The Truth has become My Truth.  Truth becomes relative to the situation or need or feeling.  For example, it’s “wrong” to kill an 8 year-old child but “ok “to kill an eight-month old baby in the womb.  Simply because “my truth” means “my comfort.”  

According to a Gallup Poll done in 2022, only 20% of Americans now say the Bible is the literal word of God.  Meanwhile, a new high of 29% say the Bible is a collection of “fables, legends, history and moral precepts recorded by man. 

I would venture to say that in the 80% that don’t believe the Bible to be the literal Word of God there are quite a few professed Christians counted among them.  I know, I’ve met some of them.  The truth of God’s Word is manipulated and conformed to affirm whatever sin plays out in the person’s life.  The lie becomes a useful pattern to feed our flesh over and over.

But God being the Creator, Sustainer and Perfecter of all that we know is the God of truth.  His truth is the foundation from which we can draw on daily.  His truth is what brings us into righteousness.  When faced with difficult choices, difficult people, tragic circumstances or devasting news, His Word anchors us and directs our steps.  

The acceptance and knowledge of God’s truthfulness strengthens the suffering and persecuted saints worldwide.  It’s what has given me courage to stand for what is eternally right and to turn from what is evil in the eyes of the Lord.  It’s not Kris’ truth I seek, but God’s.  His truth may make me uncomfortable and cause me consternation.  But I want to stand on something that has weightiness, not something gauzy and flimsy.  A truth that has been the truth since the beginning of time.

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.” – Psalms 145:13

God’s truthfulness means we have a glorious future awaiting us no matter what we face here in this place.  We can live without fear or dread of the “someday.”  When Pastor and author Tim Keller and his wife faced his terminal cancer diagnosis he had to decide if he really believed God was truthful in His Word.

“If Jesus Christ was actually raised from the dead, then you know what? Everything is going to be all right. Whatever you’re worried about right now—whatever you’re afraid of—everything is actually going to be okay. . . . If Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, then the whole world is going to be, in a sense, resurrected. . . . 

Kathy and I cried a lot together last night. Sometimes the reality of the shortness of what we have left just overwhelms us. . . . [But] if Jesus Christ was raised from the dead—and he was—you’re going to be okay.” Tim Keller 

Friends, I realize it’s hard living in this time of “my truth.”  It comes at us from our friends, family, the media and our enemies.  At times it comes from the church.  We need to step back just like Pastor Keller and ask ourselves if we truly believe the Word of God.  Then we need to go back to Him for the Truth.  And share it courageously with anyone who will listen.

Our God is faithful and true.  At times the promises He has made seem so far off and unbelievable.  But Scripture—especially the words of the prophets—reveals both present truth and what is still to come.

It’s an undisputed truth that Jesus was a real person.  He died for our sins.  He said He came as God.  He warned us of falling for lies and false teaching and having our heads turned from the Truth. 

Let us be among His sheep who stay close to our truthful Shepherd.  The One in whom we can trust all things.

I want to leave you today with this quote by Dr. Jeff Myers, President of Summit.org and the author of the book Truth Changes Everything: How People of Faith Can Transform the World in Times of Crisis.  His comment is on a survey done in 2022.

“The number of Americans who say there is no absolute truth is alarmingly high. But among young adults, we have now officially passed the tipping point. The majority of youth now say that each person determines their own version of truth. The loss of truth has grave consequences for community, justice, a sense of purpose, and mental health. I’m not aware of any civilization that has abandoned reality to this extent and survived. The good news is that Americans still hold out hope that each person can make a difference. If there ever was a time to stand for truth, it is now.”

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Deeply Rooted

krisshetter 
“The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.” Matthew 13:20-21

Before we move on to another topic in our sanctification journey, I felt the need to look back at our first steps on the path.  These last few weeks we’ve discussed the importance of seeking knowledge in two ways – through group learning and individual study.  But let me clarify, all the knowledge in the world won’t lead you to Christ.  Just ask Richard Dawkins and Stephen Hawking.  The list of brilliant, atheist scientists and well-educated humanists show us that knowledge of the world, and maybe even some version of God, is not the enlightenment that brings us to our knees in thanksgiving to Jesus.

Throughout this series I’m writing to believers who have said they accept Christ as their Savior.  However, as a believer myself I also know the difference between drinking mother’s milk and eating meat.  And, how each step along my journey is designed for one purpose: to make me righteous and holy before God.  In other words, to simply bring me into a beautiful relationship with our Creator.

The scripture I started with today is our transitional on-ramp from knowledge of God to what the Bible calls “trials and tribulations.”  You see, in the parable of the Sower (Matt 13:1-13) the second (and really the first as well) person described is the one who says they accept Christ yet does not hunger and thirst for Him.  

Foundational Root System

He or she lacks the foundational roots to withstand being pulled out by the obvious and also subtle evils of the world.  They don’t know or understand God’s covenantal promises.  They don’t grasp the true nature of why Jesus came to die and rise again.  And many disdain learning of the beautiful character of God from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22.

Without this firm foundation we become, as it’s said in Matthew 8:26-27, “a foolish man who built their house on sand.”  They listen to the world tell them the Bible has numerous errors and can’t be trusted.  They hear strange interpretations or misuse of God’s Word and are sucked into mistrust.  And friend, that mistrust grows along with worries, fears and lack of peace.

I heard a Christian teacher once say, “It’s one thing to be an unhappy unbeliever but it’s a whole other shame to see a miserable Christian.”

You can see in the Sower verse the end result of lack of hungering for the Word of God.  When trouble or persecution comes, they quickly fall away  And let me tell you a truth we must accept about life – trouble comes for us all.

It Comes For Us All

"Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.  But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed." 1 Peter 4

Believe me, I don’t think it was a coincidence that my mother passed away when she did.  It was all in God’s timing.  And He had prepared me for that moment.  I’d been a Christian for about 20 years but I was still drinking mother’s milk until about 5 years ago.  My roots were at the surface, ready to be plucked at any time.

I’d been angry with God (and my parents) a number of times during those 20 years.  In other areas of my life, I watched as my daughters experienced various social and medical pains, we experienced financial loss, and had our share marital struggles.  Through it all I seemed to have had just enough faith to keep me on Jesus’ path.  

I’m thankful that a dear friend asked me at the end of 2018 to start leading another Bible study group.  I had backed away from leading a year prior and was struggling to get my footing in a secure relationship with God.  So, at the beginning of 2019 our small, sweet Bible Study Girls began.  Within a few short months during a study, we were asked to evaluate our faith growth.  Each of us were amazed to see how far we had progressed!

You all know what happened next, since it happened to every single person on the planet.  Covid19.  So much fear and disruption descended on us for the next couple years.  A great trial that preceded the greatest trial humankind will eventually face.  

The scripture in 1 Corinthians 10:13 was prophetic when Paul tells us, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.”  Because we know the sinful temptations, we all faced during that time were beyond counting.  For many, that trial overshadow other, everyday trials of cancer, marriage problems, addictions, lost adult children, and more.  It created new problems such as divided friendships, political outrage, boiling over anger from fear, and despair over church failures.  

My relationship with my parents deteriorated even farther as they sunk deeper into their fears.  They pulled away from society and life in general.  And my mother’s mental concerns grew.  Through this all I was learning to hold fast in trusting the Lord.  The Holy Spirit led me to a new prayer tactic.  I stopped praying for my relationship with my parents and instead I began praying for their salvation.  I prayed to love others better, as Jesus commanded.  

Stronger Roots

Let me ask you this, my friends: Did you come out the other side of COVID stronger in faith?  I hope you did.  If you didn’t, you may need to go back to step one in our journey – knowing God and His ways

Through seeking God’s word and direction, I learned in my trials to show love and forgiveness to my parents by continuing to offer help while being rejected over and over.  I learned how to love and be compassionate towards those who had fears which I didn’t understand.

My beautiful friends in Christ, you may be going through a terrible trial right now—I would love to pray for you if you want to share.  Lean into the Great Gardener.  Dig deep and plant your roots firmly in Him.  He will tend to your needs as you grow stronger and stronger.  

Next week we will take one more look at our sanctification through trials.

This week’s question: What’s something you learned about God during one of your trials?

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A Promised Foundation

krisshetter

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;

    he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.

He will be the sure foundation for your times,

    a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;

    the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

Isaiah 33:5-6

I don’t know about you but I sure can use some stability this year.  As a child my life, viewed from the outside, looked very stable.  My parents were married, we had a nice home, two kids, dogs, cats, a little garden in the backyard.  I was a Girl Scout and did well in school.  And I felt so alone.  

I blamed all my family problems on moving from the Los Angeles area down to San Diego when I was in 4thgrade.  Everything seemed to change.  My mom was extremely unhappy and angry so often and my father rarely spoke.  My brother was fast approaching a time when the hidden timebomb of a manic-depressive disorder would take over his life.  My parents weren’t what you might call a “team.”  Having the benefit of hindsight, I realize now it had nothing to do with the move and everything to do with a lack of a solid rock within our family unit.

Not being raised in a Christian (or any faith) environment I found myself searching for stability through my parents and then friends and boyfriends.  As my mother’s own mental health issues began coinciding with my brother’s, the atmosphere around my house became so volatile so I searched for peace and love through insecure friendships and lopsided romantic relationships.  This led to competitive relationships and risky sexual behavior.   All the while I longed for a firm foundation to set my hopes, my fears, and my need to find joy.

Thankfully, through God and a wonderful husband, I have found that “sure foundation,” as written by the prophet Isaiah.  The promise God makes in this passage is that He is our solid rock, He is the stability for which we all yearn.  He is the same today as he was yesterday.  And He will be the same tomorrow.  There’s no rug pulled out from under us.  There’s no switching of loyalties.  There’s no character flaw that suddenly comes to light and bites us.  He is perfect.  He is solid.  He is the “rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge.”

Lest we miss the agreement part of this promise let me remind you of the last sentence of Isaiah 33:5-6: “The fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”  There’s that other half of the covenant.  Our part in this relationship requires us to exalt God and respect His place in the universe.  He is God and we are not.  And when we try to place others above Him, they will surely crumble, at some point. 

I was reading today about an astronaut’s “lifeline.”  NASA (the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration) considers there to be two lifeline systems for astronauts:

“From lift off through landing, the astronauts aboard the Shuttle along with the thousands of people supporting the flight on Earth depend on NASA’s team of experts to manage this complex communication system. Maintaining good communications is critical.  The lifeline is comprised of two systems – a ground-based network composed of communication stations, and a space network operating orbiting satellites. As the Shuttle orbits the Earth, the NASA team monitors and continually adjusts the communication pathways to ensure that command, tracking, telemetry, video, and voice communications are clear and secure. “

I like that visual – a large team of incredibly talented people making sure our astronauts in space are able to accomplish their mission goals and come home safely.  As Christians we have our own talented team that makes up our solid rock – God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.  

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. 
You believe in God; believe also in me.
John 14:1

When we live in constant communication with our Holy team, they can continually monitor our progress, provide a firm foundation, and keep us on the right track – completing the mission and bringing us safely home.