Left Standing …
Ashamed or Glorified?
When the purity of God’s truth invades our souls it exposes our true beliefs.
After spending a couple years of consistent time one-one-one with God in His Word, I had a life/spirit changing awareness about myself. I realized most of what I believed about Christianity was based on other’s words. Therefore the source of my trust was in others not God, which meant my confidence was in them. Up to that point I assumed I trusted God, but when prompted to take a closer look by God’s Spirit searching in my soul I found a different reality.
As I examined where my truth came from, who and where I went to hear and know truth, it was all centered around others and their words. True their words were supposedly based on God’s truth, but it was still their interpretations and opinions about God’s Word. Along with the multitude of warnings in the Bible about not trusting in others, but God, at that moment I set out to seek God and His truth from Him. Over the years, God has been an incredible and faithful Teacher about Himself. It seems I talk a lot about trust in my blogs, but who we really trust is the core of our faith. It affects everything.
I’ve been reading through Jeremiah and Revelations, some heavy books to say the least, yet amazingly rich. The verses below jumped off the page reminding of this awakening I had some time ago about my belief system, and reminding me to daily examine my beliefs in light of His truth because other’s philosophies can easily creep in unnoticed. 2 Corinthians 10:5
Jeremiah 48:13b “As the house of Israel was ashamed of Bethel (house of God), their confidence.”
Jeremiah 48:7 “For because you have trusted in your works and your treasures, You also shall be taken. And Chemosh shall go forth into captivity, His priests and his princes together.”
Verses like these are what compelled me to a paradigm shift in my beliefs – seeking truth directly from God. If we take time to pause, these verses prod each one of us into a deep self-examination, Who do you trust REALLY?
Who do you trust for spiritual protection? Church, or God Psalm 18:30
Who is your shepherd? Church, or God. Ezekiel 34:23
Where/Who do you go to be fed (spiritual nourishment)? Church or God 1 John 2:27
Where do you learn about God? Church or God Jeremiah 31:33
Where do you learn about truth? Church or God 2 Peter 3:16-18
Who do you trust for the surety of your salvation? Church or God Hebrews 7:22, Proverbs 11:15
If we chose the first option – our trust and confidence is in the wrong place.
Many of us need to take an honest look at our spiritual lives – is the source of trust the church and others or God? And if it is the church (Bethel or House of God), then one day, as Jeremiah says, we will experience great shame for that trust, because we should have been trusting God. If it is God then we will stand with Him glorifying Him with our lives.
We all trust ourselves, the wisdom of the world and others in areas where we should be trusting God, but the question is – are we seeking God and spending time with Him so that our trust will be in Him alone? One reason for the multitude of denominations is that people are really following a multitude of different teachers and not the Teacher – one area of great misplaced trust. Matthew 23:10, 2 Timothy 4:3 A teacher’s role is to teach us to learn of God from God. I see very few actually giving this type of instruction. Most of them are spoon feeding us what they call truth, but it is their point of view from where they are on their spiritual journey. It may or may not be truth, and according to the vast warnings in God’s Word most aren’t teaching truth. Fellowship is great for sharing insights but the source of our truth, our Teacher is to be God.
God is to be the source of our trust. When He is it means we go to Him directly, to the Bible which is His words, to Him in prayer, to Him in stillness to hear His voice. He calls us to come to Him one-on-one with the Spirit as our mediator not man. Jesus came not to bring another religion but a relationship – an intimate personal relationship with our Father where we commune with Him one-on-one. So many have neglected cultivating this intimacy and will fall for it. Most have lost or never had a love for the truth, and will be lead astray. 2 Thessalonians 2:10 If you love the truth – you want to dwell in it daily, seek out its mysteries, live by it, and dedicate time to abiding in it.
Don’t give your life, your beliefs over to another. Don’t be one of those who stands ashamed at the end because you looked to others when God was calling you to Him and waiting to open up His magnificent kingdom to you. Listen to others this week – listen to yourself – where are you getting your truth – are you saying he said, she said or God said?
Living Light 
June 30, 2009 at 12:33 am
I spend so much time in apologetics and early church study that I sometimes forget to just listen to God through His word.
Your post is excellent and I just wanted you to know that I was blessed by it today! I couldn’t agree with you more!
God bless!
June 30, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Brian – thank you so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts and encouragement – it truly blessed me and was greatly needed. It is a strong message and hard to hear sometimes, but something we all need to consider.
July 1, 2009 at 6:18 pm
What truth!
Yes, it is hard message to hear. But it is a message that has been on my heart for a long time.
We wonder why the body of Christ is so weak. But you have only to walk into a Christian book store to understand why there are so many that are still living on milk.
Many of the books and studies are good…but should only be used in a limited amount.
Eventually those being mentored should know Him enough to mentor. And I do believe a mentor should be teaching others to go straight to the Word for food.
I spend quit a bit of time studying with and teaching Beth Moore….eventually I felt God leading me to just teach straight from His word.
Like I said, studies are great….but they need to lead others to a hunger to hear straight from God.
He does speak…..and His children will hear His voice.
Good word girl!
July 8, 2009 at 8:07 pm
Hi Sharon,
Sorry it took me so long to reply – I’ve been in Alaska and didn’t have access to the internet – well not for a steep price. ; -) Thanks for sharing your thoughts and sharing your experience – it is a great testimony to how God calls us to Him one-on-one.
Pingback: We Had The Sentence of Death In Ourselves « Grace County
July 2, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Good afternoon. There is so important information in this post that I don’t know where to begin commenting. The primary thing, however, is to ensure that we are truly following the Lord and not the agenda of another. Jeremiah 33:3 is a favorite passage: “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
Teachers are good, but ultimately we need to hear from the Lord; allowing the Holy Spirit to teach us all things and bring all things to our remembrance.
Blessings always in Jesus name.
timbob
July 8, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Timbob – sorry it took me so long to respond – I’ve been in Alaska and thought I would have access to internet – but didn’t except for a hefty price ; – ) Thanks so much for your insightful comments – that is a tremendous verse you shared.
July 2, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Hi Rachel
Wonderful post it really makes you think! For there is nothing like God’s word and hearing his voice for yourself I enjoyed the read and I hope you and your family have a good & safe 4TH of July.
Love ya
July 8, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Thanks Pat! We did we were on vacation cruising in Alaska! I thought I would have internet access – but none (free anyway) until now in the airport. Hope you had a great holiday as well!
March 3, 2010 at 6:18 am
I pray that God bless you tremendously, its been a while meeting someone who directs you to seeking God’s face and building relationship with him so emphatically, it is refreshing and a real encouragement to any one who’s looking for a deeper walk and change in their life. Keep up the great work. arva.
March 3, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Arva – so glad you stopped by and commented! My passion comes from my own walk and how diligently seeking God’s face changed everything.
December 9, 2011 at 12:51 pm
Hey Rachel, You speak more from the heart of Jesus, where I speak more from what I perceive as the power of God. I need your veiw to keep me in perspective. -No one knows God’s appointed times but Jesus. I say this because after the resurrection, God put all things in Jesus’ hands. What God has not spelled out for us is just as important as what He has spelled out. The Lord said the Spirit will teach us what is to come. -If I may? – Rev.9 speaks of time from 1929 until maybe 2079. Verse 13 begins speaking about the army of delusion, lead by son of perdition, tring to destroy the word of God. “the Lord utters His voice before His army, for His host is exceedingly great; he that executes His word is powerful. for the Day of the Lord is great and very terrible; who can endure it?”-“because you have kept My word of patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial which is coming on the whole world.”-“It is appointed unto man once to die”-“Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth”(Daniel 12:1-4). Rev.10 Jesus will stand with right foot on western Europe &left foot on the United States, for they are the feet of iron mixed with clay on the great image. With loud voice Jesus will say, “there should be no more delay in destroying the earth,(but another 1260yrs. past the Day of the Lord) that the mystery of God, as He announced to His servants the prophets, should be fulfilled.”
December 12, 2011 at 2:16 pm
Hi Eldon, we each hold a different perspective, and we connect with others depending on how alike or not those perspectives are. It is enlightening to hear the perspectives of others as God teaches each one and shows us according to our purpose. It can be the same truth, but a different angle. As for the dates and chapters you’ve referenced, I’m still learning … but appreciate your views.
December 11, 2011 at 2:35 pm
UNDERSTANDING: Mark12:24 is not this why you are wrong, that you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God? 13:14but when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be(let the reader understand) Verse19 for in those days there will be such tribulation as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and never will be. If God had not shortened the days, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose He shortened the days. Luke10:22 all things have been delivered to Me by My Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and any one to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Luke12:56 you know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky; but why do you not know how to interpret the present time? Luke16:8 the sons of this world(man) are wiser in their own generation than the sons of light(angels). Verse16 the law and the prophets were until John (the baptizer); since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached and every one enters it violently. but it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one dot of the law to become void.
December 12, 2011 at 10:26 am
Daniel 8:13 then I heard a Holy One speaking; and another Holy One said to the One that spoke, for how long is the vision concerning the continual burnt offering(Jesus on cross), the transgression that makes desolate(son of perdition standing where he ought not to be), and the giving over of the sanctuary and host to be trampled under foot? HE said to HIM, “For 2300 evenings and mornings(litteral 24 hour days/6&one third years);then the sanctuary shall be restored to its rightful state” — Daniel 9:27 HE(Jesus) shall make a strong covenant with many for one week (week of years 27AD-34AD) for half of the week HE shall cause sacrifice and offering to cease(the cross); and upon the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolation, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator. Mark13:14 but when you see the desolating sacrilege set up where it ought not to be Daniel 11:45and he(son of perdition) shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain(valley of decission/valley of Jehosepht); yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him. — Luke 21:28 now when these things begin to take place, look up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. Verse 32 Truly, I say to you, this generation(the ones seeing these things) will not pass away till all has taken place. — Only those taught by God will have understanding of this. If we were not going to go through this, why would God tell us? The six and one third yrs. is the time of what will repete the last chapters of Jer.. We must stay strong in the Lord. The only way to do this is to ever grow in knowledge and faith.