tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400340423678181828.post2712796268797493646..comments2023-10-04T18:01:43.464-05:00Comments on Dads Teach the Bible: Disciples of Impostors (Firewall cont.)Mike Cunninghamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971102076711413290noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8400340423678181828.post-20322448997213300042017-05-09T13:22:22.440-05:002017-05-09T13:22:22.440-05:00Our society (and our churches) is full of deceptio...Our society (and our churches) is full of deception. Listen to the news, even, with a discerning ear.<br /><br />But I sadly admit that I am my own most lethal "deceiver." I find my own heart seems to have no bottom to my ability to live permanently in a state of denial.<br /><br />I see new relevance as the Hebrews writer in Ch.12 reveals how God deals us when He needs to as "sons/daughters," with discipline. And that discipline comes to us in the form of hardships (v.7).<br /><br />Why does God send (I select that word carefully) us hardships? Sometimes to exercise our faith in various ways to make us stronger for more challenges to come. <br /><br />But sometimes it is to get my attention, to help show me sin(s) in my life I have either not recognized, or even more tragic, that I refuse to acknowledge. I decided several years ago that my capacity to deceive myself is practically unlimited. There is no end to that capacity.<br /><br />The last two years I have endured the most difficult stage of my journey probably, of my whole lifetime. I know that if could I would take a way of escape; but there is none. I have had to face things in my life to an extent I never have before - emptiness, hopelessness - and despair lives right next door. I know of course a multitude of promises - and believe them. But getting them operable in my life remains elusive to the extent I deeply long for. I can say with Job, (Job 23:8-10) "Behold, I go forward but He is not there, And backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him." All seems really dark out there ahead.<br /><br />But Job had more to say: "But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold."<br /><br />What am I learning? I have denied for years two particular issues in my life that are displeasing to the Lord. The gracious, measured blow I have taken has cleared my spiritual eyesight; I see them painfully clearly. And I see that the Lord was speaking to me through the gentle reproofs of others, most notably my godly wife. I would not listen.<br /><br />I wonder where else I am so deceived...? Somehow I feel there is more to come.<br />chuckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04631165961382647198noreply@blogger.com