Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Hayward Tucker
The Sky is Fuscia
People can say anything they want, but it doesn’t change the truth. The sky is blue but you can say it’s fuscia — that doesn’t mean it is. I can look in the mirror first thing in the morning and say, “I don’t have any wrinkles.” That would simply mean I don’t have my glasses on yet. The truth is, I do have wrinkles, just not as many as a Shar Pei.
There’s a number of people who refuse to say the Pledge of Allegiance because of the phrase, “under God.” Just because they don’t like those two little big words doesn‘t change the truth. We (everyone on planet earth) are all under God. The Bible makes this clear: “At that time the prophets Haggai and Zechariah…prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel who was over them” (Ezra 5:1 NLT). Since God is over us, that means we are under Him. Personally, I love the U.S.A. flag and what it stands for. I’m thankful to be under God, as that allows Him to be my umbrella and protector.
People can say, “There is no God.” People can say, “There is no devil.” The truth is, both exist and God shouldn’t be blamed for what the devil does. Put the blame on Satan because he’s the “godfather of bad.” God is our Heavenly Father and is responsible for all blessings and everything that’s good. You can blame God unjustly if you want, but it doesn’t change the truth. Jesus makes it clear who’s responsible for bad or good. “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. I am the good Shepherd“ (John 10:10-11 NLT).
But don’t take my word for it, I’m not the final authority on anything — God’s Word is. He trumps every card life plays on His children. I’ll share three excellent scriptures: “So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow” (James 1:16-17 NLT). Many people see the wonderful works of God all around them and still remain unconvinced. Nevertheless, the truth of His life-changing Word keeps marching on day after day.
“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32 NLT). Embracing the reality of Christ Jesus brings freedom and peace into one’s life. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and those wholly following Him can be released from the bondage of lies emanating from our self-absorbed culture. Knowing, accepting, and believing the truth of God’s Word will usually be contrary to what’s popular.
“But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:8-10 NLT). Since God is love, all that He does is done in holy love. When you love your children, you’re not going to give them a gunnysack full of rattlesnakes for their birthday. But the devil would and he’d get a kick out of it.
The Key: Knowing and believing the truth that God is love, and nothing bad comes from Him, will blow your mind and change your life.