Death or Life, Lies or Truth | John 8:44, John 10:10, & Joshua 24:15 by itisfinished

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· @itisfinished ·
$1.33
Death or Life, Lies or Truth | John 8:44, John 10:10, & Joshua 24:15
This week my community group has decided that we are going to forgo the usual bible study and sit-down dinner, choosing rather to meet, and celebrate Christmas with song. 

We plan to meet, share appetizers and sing our favorite Christmas carols together! 

![home-family-diy-christmas-carolers.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbjPAXn9YBvivdjmkpMDTxCHn1rbScvwdYjxWC6AoUNKv/home-family-diy-christmas-carolers.jpg)
[Source](https://www.hallmarkchannel.com/home-and-family/how-to/diy-christmas-carolers)

I've never done this sort of thing before, but I am very excited and nervous. Not nervous because "oh, I might sound bad", but nervous in the way I always get before I enter into praising the Lord. There is this little dissenting voice, a whisper in my heart, that says "this is a bad idea", "no one cares", or "they're all going to laugh at you". 

The voice of the enemy trying desperately to silence my worship of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Fortunately I've learned in those moments to look my enemy in the eye and sing louder, because...

"The Devil is a Liar.", CS Lewis, *Screwtape Letters*
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![Quotefancy-368627-3840x2160.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmS9rsmA1qVEhJuFs8tiX3BnnT9eefhivxMZ3hdPr7miXK/Quotefancy-368627-3840x2160.jpg)
[Source](https://quotefancy.com/quote/27755/C-S-Lewis-Readers-are-advised-to-remember-the-devil-is-a-liar)

John 8:44 King James Version (KJV)
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>*44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. 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 10:10 King James Version (KJV)
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>*10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.*

Death or Life, Lies or Truth:
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In the end, no matter lies the enemies spews, no matter the lies and pain he pours upon us, we know, he is a liar. Our choice is therefore clear, doubt and death, or truth, love, light and life.  "Choose you this day whom ye will serve... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." John 24:15

Joshua 24:15 King James Version (KJV)
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>*15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.*

My Prayer:
- 
I hope you are, like me, taking time this season to come together with friends and family, in celebration. Not just in honor of Christ's incarnation, but also because He is the risen King, who defeated death itself, and by whose power we stand in clothed in righteousness, promised abundant life. 

May God's Holy Spirit fill your heart this season as the lord of liars whispers his dissidence into your darkest moments. You are not alone. You are not worthless. You are surrounded by God's holy presence, and defined by His eternal love. 

May God's truth saturate your mind, heart and soul, so that at every moment your heart sings for joy, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. 

As always, thank you for your time and attention. Have an amazing day and God bless you. 

p.s. If you need God's encouragement in courageously denying the enemy's lies, hear this:

Zach Williams - Fear is a Liar (Official Live from Harding Prison
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https://youtu.be/e5LNfj2F5qI

![1112.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZEYkWarimLf3m4j5tHMszPeTXxoNCWRS9Tmvr2XQ2q8b/1112.png)

![1113.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmW7GFZE9o8jyzvPhkfr6nt8ijBn7xEXzjCe9tm3ZqmoPc/1113.png)

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vote details (188)
@barncat ·
I don't see how the verse from Joshua applies. We can't just choose to become Christians today. Nobody can be saved unless they hear the gospel and the Holy Spirit draws them. 

I also don't see how Satan can silence your worship. Does he take away your voice? It's more likely that Satan puts evil thoughts into your head. Or unpleasant memories come back about other people and you're reminded of those times you were hurt by them.

The Holy Spirit will fill you as engage in spiritual disciplines. Those are prayer, church attendance, and Bible reading. As well as growing in obedience.  You can listen to Bible podcasts and those will feed you as well. My favorite is "Thru the Bible". You can download the entire 5 year program for free at ttb.org.
👍  
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@itisfinished · (edited)
Joshua was making a public declaration to the Israelites that he and his home would serve, love and proclaim God as King. The connection between that verse and my core point is that there are influences in your life (people, pride, satan) that can convince you to be silent in a moment, when you ought to sing God's praise. 

I agree that we do not choose God, we are either made to see or blind, however, free will exists. 

If free will exists, then how we choose to proclaim or be silent is our own choice. Do you sing God's praise, do you let your discomfort in a moment silence you? Like Joshua, do you proclaim God as King publicly or not? Even satan knows Christ is God, but satan is not saved. Therefore, knowledge alone is not salvific. Rather, salvation comes from our coming underneath the righteousness of Christ, so that God's holy justice will "pass over" our transgressions, as we are "clothed in His righteousness". 

If there were no free-will, then how might satan know Christ's divinity, and yet not be saved by it? He freely chose, in prideful arrogance, to deny God's gift of salvation, grace and mercy. As do some of us. 

Make sense? Its so complicated I struggle holding it together myself. I write so that I can explore the depth of these truths and better comprehend God's ways. This is why its so lovely when someone like yourself shares your thoughts or feedback, because it helps me explore the adequacy of my comprehension. 
Thanks for the comment. 
Have an awesome day. God bless.
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