Soul Scientist

Jeremiah 29:11 ICB “I say this because I know what I have planned for you,” says the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future.”

Proverbs 24:26 HCSB “He who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips.”

A good friend recently gave me the gift of a rebuke. I didn’t want to admit the truth that my faith was weak, even though it was (and still is). My friend wouldn’t let me slide into hiding from truth with excuses. He kindly persisted until I grudgingly admitted.

My friend knew the truth would set me free (see John 8:32). And it did and it is! My Good God continues to peel back those layers of lies I’d set up in my mind. In the doing, He’s helping me to hide more of His word in my heart that I might not continue to sin against Him (see Psalm 119:11).

I’d recognized I was mired in unbelief. And like the man in Mark 9:24, I’d been asking God to “help me in my unbelief.” But I’d failed to realize that even though I trusted my Good God to do good in certain areas of my life, I didn’t trust Him to do good in all areas of my life (see Romans 8:28).

And that wasn’t good.

Because partial obedience is disobedience.

That realization reinforced my need and desire to plant the seeds of truth from part of the Lord’s Prayer even deeper into the soil of my soul. To help me do this, I am using a little alliteration tool which I hope might also be of help to you today:

Matthew 6:11 GNT “may your Kingdom come; may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

Your will.

Your way.

Your working.

Your wisdom.

Your word.

Your worship.

I still struggle with wanting and choosing my way, will, working, wisdom, words, and worship. That weedy sin of self needs a fresh dose of strong hoeing and herbicide every single day. But hopefully, as the soil of my soul starts to soften, these daily doses will get easier… Realistically, I doubt that. Yet I’m choosing to not doubt my Good God’s supply for every need and every dream in His will, His way, His working, His wisdom, and His word for His worship.

For His worship is the only thing worth every rebuke and realization, every day and desire, every trial and trusting, every choice and confidence.

If you’re looking for some more of His word to help you today, here’s a few passages I’ve been soaking in lately:

Matthew 6:9-13

Romans 8:28

Isaiah 60:22b

Deuteronomy 10:12

James 1:5

Psalm 111:10

Hebrews 13:21

Colossians 2:12

John 4:24

Exodus 34:14

For those of you in the West TN area, I’d LOVE for you to join me at a Meet and Greet at Green Frog North (1410 Union University Dr, Jackson, TN 38305) on August 17th from 8-10am. Please come and bring a friend!

written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2024.