For Those Desiring a Deep Christian Faith...
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2023 Meditations
    • February Meditations >
      • February 1
    • January Meditations >
      • January 1
      • January 4
      • January 6
      • January 9
      • January 11
      • January 13
      • January 15
      • January 17
      • January 20
      • January 22
      • January 24
      • January 26
      • January 28
      • January 30
    • 2022 Meditations
    • December Meditations >
      • December 2
      • December 4
      • December 6
      • December 8
      • December 11
      • December 13
      • December 15
      • December 18
      • December 20
      • December 22
      • December 25
      • December 27
      • December 30
    • November Meditations >
      • November 2
      • November 4
      • November 6
      • November 9
      • November 12
      • November 14
      • November 16
      • November 18
      • November 20
      • November 22
      • November 25
      • November 27
      • November 29
    • October Meditations >
      • October 3
      • October 5
      • October 7
      • October 12
      • October 14
      • October 16
      • October 19
      • October 21
      • October 25
      • October 27
      • October 29
      • October 31
    • September Meditations >
      • September 1
      • September 3
      • September 6
      • September 8
      • September 10
      • September 12
      • September 14
      • September 16
      • September 18
      • September 21
      • September 23
      • September 26
      • September 28
    • August Meditations >
      • August 2
      • August 5
      • August 7
      • August 9
      • August 12
      • August 14
      • August 16
      • August 18
      • August 20
      • August 22
      • August 24
      • August 27
      • August 30
    • July 2022 Meditations
    • June 2022 Meditations
    • May 2022 Meditations
    • April 2022 Meditations
    • March 2022 Meditations
    • February 2022 Meditatons
    • 2021 Meditations >
      • January 2021 Meditations
      • February 2021 Meditations
      • March 2021 Meditations
      • April 2021 Meditations
      • May 2021 Meditations
      • June 2021 Meditations
      • July 2021 Meditations
      • August 2021 Meditations
      • September 2021 Meditations
      • October 2021 Meditations
      • November 2021 Meditations
      • December 2021 Meditations
    • 2020 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2020 Archive
      • February 2020 Archive
      • March 2020 Archive
      • April 2020 Archive
      • May 2020 Archive
      • June 2020 Archive
      • July 2020 Archive
      • August 2020 Archive
      • September 2020 Archive
      • October 2020 Archive
      • November 2020 Archive
      • December 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Do you hold a grudge?
    • Have you actually asked for God's help?
    • Sin is the cause of all your problems
    • Amazing Grace!
    • Are you consumed by worry?
    • Is God punishing you?
    • Spiritual Warfare
    • Stubborn?
    • How often do you pray?
    • Have doubts?
    • Who are you listening to?
    • Emotional Black Holes
    • Unanswered prayers?
    • Have you compromised your faith?
    • Life in the pits...
    • Is your life in a rut?
    • Demonic Influences?
    • Let God Ease Your Burdens!
    • Danger of Success
    • Feeling alone
    • Are you broken-hearted?
    • Feel vulnerable?
    • Is God pushing you?
    • Do you lack faith
    • Being Tested
    • Your Place in Heaven
    • Does your past haunt you?
    • Is worldliness creeping into your life?
    • What is acceptable worship?
    • Angry?
    • Spiritual Radar
    • Can you be obedient to God?
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • Does Hell Exist
    • A Sin of Omission
    • When Life Gets Crazy
    • When God is Silent
    • Weakness
    • On Death and Dying
    • Feeling Guilty for no Reason?
    • Is wealth damaging your faith?
    • Satans Games
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • False Guilt
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Impatience
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Uplifting Video for the Day
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • COVID Vaccine
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Chinese Communist Party Chooses Catholic Bishops!
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
    • Christian Parenting Failing God
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners
  • Yearly Meditations Template

August 7

“You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44, NRSV)
Picture
Jesus used the above words in dealing with some Jewish leaders who thought they were godly and righteous.  Jesus called them out for being liars and living a lie.   Now, think about this for one moment.  These Jewish leaders were convinced they were holier, more righteous, more religious than others.  They thought they were even more holy than Jesus.  Jesus saw them differently.  He noted that these specific Jewish leaders were doing the devils’ work.  How?  They were lying to themselves and to others.  A few verses later, Jesus made clear that while HE taught about the truth, these Jewish leaders lived a lie.
 
Just as these Jewish leaders though they were faithful when in fact they were living a lie, there are many people today (even lifelong Christians!) who think they are being faithful when in fact they are living a lie.  They lie to themselves.  They do not speak the truth.  They believe what is not true.  They spread what is false.  Christians who distort or outright spread lies instead of the truth are not spreading the gospel or being righteous in any way.  They too are “children of the devil”.  They too have “no truth in them” (John 8:44).
 
In John 8:44, Jesus called out these Jewish leaders as liars.  They lied to themselves.  They did not know the truth and even rejected it.  They saw Jesus as evil.  They believed the gospel to be untrue.  Because they rejected Jesus, they rejected the truth of the gospel.  This caused them to be allied with the devil.  Then, these people ended up “doing their father’s desires”, the devils desires.  Why?  Because “there was no truth in the devil” either.   Jesus characterized the devil in this verse as “a liar” and “the father of lies”.  Satan is a “murderer”.   There is “no truth in him”.  He lives and breathes lies.
 
As for you, my beloved reader, don’t be too quick to judge these Jewish leaders.  They were very religious people like you.  They worshipped our God.  They sat in sanctuaries and sang praises.  They read their Bible daily. They prayed often. However, they still believed the lies perpetuated by the manipulation of the devil.   They did not recognize the lies they believed.  All their reading of the Bible and worship was for naught because they lived a lie.  Until they accepted God’s truth, they would remain deceived by the devil.
 
Are there any lies that might be separating you from God?  Are you afraid of some bit of truth God needs you to accept?   Is there a lie you tell yourself that damages your relationship with Jesus? 
 
Renee is a wonderful mother.  She is loved by her husband.  She is cherished by her church.  However, Renee is living a lie.  Inside her heart and soul, Renee feels she is undeserving of forgiveness by God.  When Renee was young, she lived in a dysfunctional household.  She was punished for the slightest error. If she brought home a “C” on a test, she was punished.  If she forgot to do any one of her dozen chores, she was sent to her room without dinner.  If she dared question why her parents were doing something, she was beaten.  When she made a mistake in her cleaning or homework or actions, she was chastised over and over repeatedly for days.   Renee’s parents believed the lie that children should be beaten until they are afraid of you, beaten into submission, beaten until they do anything the parent needs.   To this day, Renee carries this fear of failing and lack of forgiveness inside her heart and soul.  Beaten into her by her parents, this attitude even pervades and poisons her relationship with God.  In her prayers as in her dealings with God, Renee feels like a failure, unworthy, and undeserving of grace.
 
Renee is a very religious person.  But inside, she is living a lie where she does not deserve love and forgiveness and the grace of God.  She feels like the only way she can receive the love of God is by doing extra-special things for others.  Sadly, she feels the need to earn her grace and forgiveness from God and others, as if this was possible!  She feels undeserving of Jesus’ love.  When she fails, she tells herself over and over that she is worthless.   The lies go deep into her heart and soul and mind.
 
Unless Renee fully accepts that she is living a lie and accepts the truth of the gospel, she will never really understand salvation.  Until she lets go of her self-loathing, she will not be able to see herself as a true child of God.
 
Many people who sit in the pews on Sunday morning are living with lies.   Some lies have been taught to them.  Some lies have come from distorting the truth.  In any case, the lies they believe damage their relationship with God in Christ.  They distort their view of the true gospel.  Until they repent and reject these lies, they will be manipulated by the father of lies, by the devil himself.
 
The lies you believe will not only distort the truth, but they will also form your beliefs.  If, like Renee, you believe yourself to be a worthless screw-up, then you will have a hard time believing that Jesus died for you.  If you believe you are holier than thou, you may have a difficult time forgiving others when they fail.  Should you be addicted to money, it may be difficult to justify giving a tithe.  When you are selfish, you might hold onto the false belief that you more deserving than others.  Lies permeate the devil’s character. Lies also seep into the soul of the non-believer.  Worldly lies told by politicians and social groups and even by mistaken parents can be deeply imbedded in your core understandings.  Many of the most dangerous lies of the devil may even sound very religious, very faithful, very patriotic, or very true!
 
Don’t let lies define you!   Search your heart and soul for any lie you tell yourself.  In order to be a true disciple of God, you will need to face your lies and accept God’s truth.  Otherwise, you are doomed to fail God.  Otherwise, the devil will own you.  Otherwise, you will be a lost soul always searching for peace and wholeness, just like the devil wants you.

click here to view other august Daily Meditations
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Daily Meditation
  • Past Daily Meditations
    • 2023 Meditations
    • February Meditations >
      • February 1
    • January Meditations >
      • January 1
      • January 4
      • January 6
      • January 9
      • January 11
      • January 13
      • January 15
      • January 17
      • January 20
      • January 22
      • January 24
      • January 26
      • January 28
      • January 30
    • 2022 Meditations
    • December Meditations >
      • December 2
      • December 4
      • December 6
      • December 8
      • December 11
      • December 13
      • December 15
      • December 18
      • December 20
      • December 22
      • December 25
      • December 27
      • December 30
    • November Meditations >
      • November 2
      • November 4
      • November 6
      • November 9
      • November 12
      • November 14
      • November 16
      • November 18
      • November 20
      • November 22
      • November 25
      • November 27
      • November 29
    • October Meditations >
      • October 3
      • October 5
      • October 7
      • October 12
      • October 14
      • October 16
      • October 19
      • October 21
      • October 25
      • October 27
      • October 29
      • October 31
    • September Meditations >
      • September 1
      • September 3
      • September 6
      • September 8
      • September 10
      • September 12
      • September 14
      • September 16
      • September 18
      • September 21
      • September 23
      • September 26
      • September 28
    • August Meditations >
      • August 2
      • August 5
      • August 7
      • August 9
      • August 12
      • August 14
      • August 16
      • August 18
      • August 20
      • August 22
      • August 24
      • August 27
      • August 30
    • July 2022 Meditations
    • June 2022 Meditations
    • May 2022 Meditations
    • April 2022 Meditations
    • March 2022 Meditations
    • February 2022 Meditatons
    • 2021 Meditations >
      • January 2021 Meditations
      • February 2021 Meditations
      • March 2021 Meditations
      • April 2021 Meditations
      • May 2021 Meditations
      • June 2021 Meditations
      • July 2021 Meditations
      • August 2021 Meditations
      • September 2021 Meditations
      • October 2021 Meditations
      • November 2021 Meditations
      • December 2021 Meditations
    • 2020 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2020 Archive
      • February 2020 Archive
      • March 2020 Archive
      • April 2020 Archive
      • May 2020 Archive
      • June 2020 Archive
      • July 2020 Archive
      • August 2020 Archive
      • September 2020 Archive
      • October 2020 Archive
      • November 2020 Archive
      • December 2020 Archive
    • 2019 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2019 Archive
      • February 2019 Archive
      • March 2019 Archive
      • April 2019 Archive
      • May 2019 Archive
      • June 2019 Archive
      • July 2019 Archive
      • August 2019 Archive
      • September 2019 Archive
      • October 2019 Archive
      • November 2019 Archive
      • December 2019 Archive
    • 2018 Daily Meditations >
      • December 2018 Archive
      • November 2018 Archive
      • October 2018 Archive
      • September 2018 Archive
      • August 2018 Archive
      • July 2018 Archive
      • June 2018 Archive
      • May 2018 Archive
      • April 2018 Archive
      • March 2018 Archive
      • February 2018 Archive
      • January 2018 Archive
    • 2017 Daily Meditations >
      • January 2017 Archive
      • February 2017 Archive
      • March 2017 Archive
      • April 2017 Archive
      • May 2017 Archive
      • June 2017 Archive
      • July 2017 Archive
      • August 2017 Archive
      • September 2017 Archive
      • October 2017 Archive
      • November 2017 Archive
      • December 2017 Archive
  • Special Bible Studies
    • Do you hold a grudge?
    • Have you actually asked for God's help?
    • Sin is the cause of all your problems
    • Amazing Grace!
    • Are you consumed by worry?
    • Is God punishing you?
    • Spiritual Warfare
    • Stubborn?
    • How often do you pray?
    • Have doubts?
    • Who are you listening to?
    • Emotional Black Holes
    • Unanswered prayers?
    • Have you compromised your faith?
    • Life in the pits...
    • Is your life in a rut?
    • Demonic Influences?
    • Let God Ease Your Burdens!
    • Danger of Success
    • Feeling alone
    • Are you broken-hearted?
    • Feel vulnerable?
    • Is God pushing you?
    • Do you lack faith
    • Being Tested
    • Your Place in Heaven
    • Does your past haunt you?
    • Is worldliness creeping into your life?
    • What is acceptable worship?
    • Angry?
    • Spiritual Radar
    • Can you be obedient to God?
    • Courage in the Face of Trials
    • Does Hell Exist
    • A Sin of Omission
    • When Life Gets Crazy
    • When God is Silent
    • Weakness
    • On Death and Dying
    • Feeling Guilty for no Reason?
    • Is wealth damaging your faith?
    • Satans Games
    • Death and Eternal Life
    • Depression
    • Family Problems
    • False Guilt
    • Food Issues
    • A Lack of Forgiveness
    • Frustration
    • Jealousy or Envy
    • Life out of Balance
    • Lying to Yourself or Others
    • Getting Married
    • Missions and Outreach
    • Prayer Life
    • Repentance
    • Sharing the Faith
    • Socialism
    • Stressed out
    • Impatience
    • Too Hard on Yourself
  • Uplifting Video for the Day
  • Videos for Reflection
    • Videos for Reflection 2
    • Videos for Reflection 3
    • Videos for Reflection 4
    • Videos for Reflection 5
    • Videos for Reflection 6
    • Videos for Reflection 7
    • Videos for Reflection 8
    • Videos for Reflection 9
    • Videos for Reflection 10
    • Videos for Reflection 11
    • Videos for Reflection 12
    • Videos for Reflection 13
    • Videos for Reflection 14
    • Videos for Reflection 15
    • Videos for Reflection 16
  • COVID Vaccine
  • Standing up for God
    • Jatya
    • Archbishop Mouche
    • Pastor Andrew Brunson
    • Our Coptic Christian Friends
    • Petr Jasek
  • Bible Challenge Gateway
  • Faith Issues in the Modern World
    • Chinese Communist Party Chooses Catholic Bishops!
    • Christians Attacked by ISIS in Mozambique
    • The Pope Changes Lord's Prayer
    • Museum of the Bible Washington DC USA
    • Persecution at All-Time High
    • Suicide Bombing in Pakistan Christian Church
    • Attack by Muslim terrorists against Egyptian Church
    • Underground Christians in China
    • More Persecution of Chinese Christians
    • The Growing Church in Iran
    • Christian Parenting Failing God
  • Video Studies
    • Video Bible Study Introduction
    • Prayer in the Bible
    • Faith Hebrews 11
  • Walls of Inspiration
    • Wall of Inspiration 1
    • Wall of Inspiration 2
    • Wall of Inspiration 3
    • Wall of Inspiration 4
    • Wall of Inspiration 5
    • Wall of Inspiration 6
    • Wall of Inspiration 7
    • Wall of Inspiration 8
    • Wall of Inspiration 9
    • Wall of Inspiration 10
    • Wall of Inspiration 11
    • Wall of Inspiration 12
    • Wall of Inspiration 13
    • Wall of Inspiration 14
    • Wall of Inspiration 15
    • Wall of Inspiration 16
    • Wall of Inspiration 17
    • Wall of Inspiration 18
    • Wall of Inspiration 19
    • Wall of Inspiration 20
    • Wall of Inspiration 21
  • Bible Helps
  • Stories of God's Power
  • Comments
  • Bible Challenge Badge Earners
  • Yearly Meditations Template