The Voice of Truth...

"I know very well how foolilsh the message of the cross sounds to those who are on the road to destruction. But we who are being saved recognize this message as the very power of God. As the Scriptures say, "I will destroy human wisdom & discard their most brilliant ideas." So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, & the world's brilliant debaters? God has made them all look foolish & has shown their wisdom to be useless nonsense. Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never find him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save all who believe. God's way seems foolish to the Jews because they want a sign from heaven to prove it is true. And it is foolish to the Greeks because they believe only what agrees with their own wisdom. So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended, & the Gentiles say it's all nonsense. But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews & Gentiles, Christ is the mighty power of God & the wonderful wisdom of God. This "foolish" plan of God is far wiser than the wisest of human plans, & God's weakness is far stronger than the greatest of human strength." 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

"I have plenty to boast about & would be no fool in doing it, because I would be telling the truth. But I won't do it. I don't want anyone to think more highly of me than what they can actually see in my life & my message, even though I have received wonderful revelations from God. But to keep me from getting puffed up, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me & keep me from getting proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. Since I know it is all for Christ's good, I am quite content with my weaknesses & with insults, hardships, persecutions, & calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

One of my favorite Casting Crowns songs is "Voice of Truth" which is based on the above Scripture verses. I have been listening to it a lot lately because I need the reminder. I am easily distracted right now & need a constant reminder to focus on Jesus & not all the waves crashing around me as I attempt to get out of the boat.

"Voice of Truth" by Casting Crowns

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes to climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand

But the waves are calling out my name & they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before & failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time & time again, "Boy,(or girl) you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
And the voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all of the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen & believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling & a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out my name & he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times I've tried before & failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time & time again, "Boy (or girl) you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop & listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me
I will choose to listen & believe the voice of truth. I will listen & believe. Jesus you are the voice of truth.