Something you may not know about me is that I used to play basketball for the Mountaineers… the little league team in Weston, WV. This particular little league did not count three-pointers. Foul shots were one point a piece, and everything else was two. It did not matter if I made a layup or made it from half-court—they were both worth two points. This meant our coaches coached us to shoot inside the three-point line to get a closer and easier shot. However, once a year, at our end-of-season party, this restriction was taken off.
One year, we had a party in one of the gyms we practiced in, and the coaches gave us some basketballs to shoot around. I remember I shot so many threes—I don’t remember how many shots I took, but I remember that I made eight of them and was very proud of myself. So proud that I went to my head coach and told him how many I made, naturally expecting a compliment or some praise, maybe an NBA contract (who knows?!), but I didn’t get any of those things. My coach responded, “Well, how many did you shoot?”
This did not crush my confidence or self-esteem or make me think I should retire. But it did make me rethink how good my jump shot was from three, and it made me realize that if I wanted to be a great three-point shooter, I needed to be closer to making eight out of eight and not eight out of a number I couldn’t keep track of. I was blind to the truth of how skilled I was at basketball.
One year, we had a party in one of the gyms we practiced in, and the coaches gave us some basketballs to shoot around. I remember I shot so many threes—I don’t remember how many shots I took, but I remember that I made eight of them and was very proud of myself. So proud that I went to my head coach and told him how many I made, naturally expecting a compliment or some praise, maybe an NBA contract (who knows?!), but I didn’t get any of those things. My coach responded, “Well, how many did you shoot?”
This did not crush my confidence or self-esteem or make me think I should retire. But it did make me rethink how good my jump shot was from three, and it made me realize that if I wanted to be a great three-point shooter, I needed to be closer to making eight out of eight and not eight out of a number I couldn’t keep track of. I was blind to the truth of how skilled I was at basketball.
Ask yourself, “Why do I believe this?” “Where does this ‘truth’ I’m believing come from?” Then, with diligence and patience, relentlessly seek the truth.
This past Sunday, I listened to Pastor Tim’s teaching, and it brought to mind a more important truth to consider—God’s truth, which is the truth (John 17:17). Many people, both saved and unsaved, can be blind to the truth that God has revealed to us in His Word. We can take what our heart desires over what He says, which is a dangerous way to live. As the Bible says in Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is more deceitful than anything else and incurable: who can understand it?”
When we base our lives, the decisions we make, and our perspective on who God is solely on what we “feel” is right and not on what God’s Word says, we are operating in foolishness rather than wisdom.
When we base our lives, the decisions we make, and our perspective on who God is solely on what we “feel” is right and not on what God’s Word says, we are operating in foolishness rather than wisdom.
The one who trusts in himself is a fool, but one who walks in wisdom will be safe.
– Proverbs 28:26
This week, I encourage you to pause, slow down, and think about what you believe—about the world, yourself, humanity, and God. Ask yourself, “Why do I believe this?” “Where does this ‘truth’ I’m believing come from?” Then, with diligence and patience, relentlessly seek the truth. Go to God in prayer, read His Word, and He will direct you to the truth and the way you need to go.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
– Proverbs 3:5-6
Do not forget, you are not alone in your journey to discover and know the truth. We are designed by God to do life together. Ask a Bible-believing Christian (even if you are one yourself) for help, guidance, resources, or maybe just for a listening ear as you begin to process and understand what the truth is and how to walk it out.
Recent
Archive
2024
January
February
Prayer Plan // February 2024Honduras Day 1 // Feb. 3, 2024Honduras Day 2 // Feb. 4, 2024Truth Is - Part 5 [Notes]Honduras Day 3 // Feb. 5, 2024Honduras Day 4 // Feb. 6, 2024Honduras Day 5 // Feb. 7, 2024Two Roads Diverged in a Wood…Honduras Day 6 // Feb. 8, 2024Honduras Day 7 // Feb. 9, 2024Truth Is - Part 6 [Notes]Something You May Not KnowTruth Is - Part 7 [Notes]Can We Get Along With Others?Foretold - Part 1 [Notes]Living IntentionallyPrayer Plan // March 2024
March
Foretold - Part 2 [Notes]The Cornerstone of Our FaithForetold - Part 3 [Notes]Wrestling With the TextForetold - Part 4 [Notes]Deliverance Through CommunityForetold - Part 5 [Notes]Not My Will // Palm Sunday [Holy Week]Spring Cleaning // Holy Monday [Holy Week]Broken // Holy Tuesday [Holy Week]Last // Holy Wednesday [Holy Week]Jesus Barabbas // Maundy Thursday [Holy Week]The Old Rugged Cross // Good Friday [Holy Week]I Surrender // Holy Saturday [Holy Week]The Resurrection Changes Everything // Easter Sunday [Holy Week]Easter With The Ridge // Foretold - Part 6 [Notes]
2023
January
February
March
April
May