Daily Devotional – 2/24/12 “Write your vision, make it plain!”

In the bible, Habakkuk is one of the few books that we rarely hear or even speak about but if you happen to read it, you’ll find it very interesting (I think). Let me tell you why. In Habakkuk 1, Habakkuk is complaining to God because he feels like God isn’t hearing his pleas and cries for help from the violence and evil people that seem to have overtaken their land and when he asked God why, God simply replied in Habakkuk 1:5, “Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe even if you were told.” Habakkuk still complained because he felt as though God was allowing the evil folks to overtake the righteous and kill them but God replied by saying in Habakkuk 2:3 “Write my answer plainly on tablets, so that a runner can carry the correct message to others. This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” See, even though God was answering a complaint by one of his people then, this verse still speaks to us today. Why? Because someone is questioning God about why he allowed death to come into their home or family, someone is asking God why they got cancer, someone is asking God why they lost their job, home or car and someone is asking God why are they alone but God simply says, “Listen to me and write my answer down and make it plain so that others might see.” See, after you’ve gone through your appointed storm or situation and you’ve gotten the answers to your questions or complaints, God says to write them down and share them with others, and this is called your testimony. Now, this isn’t about boasting but it’s about allowing others to see that even though you’ve been through the storm, you can still come out rejoicing. Even though it seems like you weren’t going to make it, you did and it was by God’s grace. On those nights when there was no food, God fed you! On those nights when it seems like you were going to toss and turn all night, God sent rest. These are the types of things we, as Christians, are supposed to share but after we go through our bad winter season, we pack away all the things we needed to survive it and never speak about it again. But Romans 15:4 say, “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

Many times, as Christians, we keep our struggles to ourselves but how can you tell somebody about God’s healing power if you never tell them about your healing? How can you tell someone that God can make a way when it seems like there is no way if you never share how he brought you out? How can you make a sinner in the world believe that God is a provider if you never tell them how he provided for you? How can you tell someone that’s grieving that their joy will return if you never tell them how you got yours back? Psalm 102:18 says, “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD.” When you write your testimony down or even when you share by telling, it gives others hope even after you are no longer living. How else would we know about things in the past if we didn’t have history books? You ought to share the goodness of God with folks because not everybody can understand the King James Version of the bible, but your interpretation might just be what they need.

Now, writing the vision and making it plain can also be about you and your endeavors, whether business or personal. How, you may ask? Well, if you’ve ever been interested in starting a business most folks ask for your business plan, right? This is you writing your vision and your vision comes from God, so you’re still being obedient to his word. How can you plan for the future without writing your vision down? How can you teach tomorrow without writing your vision down today? See, your vision is simply a plan for a future event and just like God said, “If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.” Although it may seem like your vision is slow coming about, just wait and don’t be anxious because usually when you’re anxious you tend to make mistakes and bad judgment. Don’t rush, just wait. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.” Write your vision but make it plain and wait for God to guide you. There isn’t any sense in writing your vision down and no one can understand it, but make it plain enough for all to get. Trust in God when it comes to his word because he won’t leave you nor will he forsake you. Stop being bound by fear and step out on faith because faith is a belief in what you do not see but acting as if it is already done. Through faith you receive favor and favor makes you fruitful and being fruitful means you’re fulfilling the need and once the need is fulfilled then you’re rewarded! Not a reward by man but rewarded by God who keeps dropping blessings in your bucket even after you feel like you don’t deserve them.

Daily Devotional – 2/23/12 “Mind your own business!”

Now, I know this is a Christian Devotional but sometime you got to break this thing down for better understanding. Johnnie Taylor has a song that’s called “Doing my own thing” and I don’t know why the Lord placed this on my spirit but he did, so I am being obedient. Don’t act like I am stepping outside of Christianity with this because the bible says don’t conform to the patterns of the world, which I’m not, but I’m simply conforming the world to Christianity. The lyrics of the song say “Live it like you want to live it, give it like you want to give it, love like you want to love it, hold it like you want to hold it. It makes me so mad, every time I turn my back, people are talking about me, saying I’m doing this or that but that don’t bother me cause I’m not bothering you, I’m doing my own thang; that’s all I want to do. If I want to go get drunk every night and day, if I don’t throw beer cans in your back yard, what do you have to say? Let me do my thang that’s all I want to do!” Now, I know you’re wondering how this fits in, but let me drop this in your spirit. If more Christian folk would keep their nose out of worldly business, then they could be better Christians. We sit around and gossip with folks about how many baby daddies she got instead of inviting her to church so that she can learn about the worthiness that God has bestowed upon her as a woman. We forward text messages around about the Pastor and then bring that mess to worship service on Sunday instead of listening to the message and if the truth shall be told, you only came to church to see if he was going to say or do something that you can go back and report on. But baby God isn’t fooled by the act you put on. If you would do you own thing, then you wouldn’t have time to worry about foolish mess. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 says, “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.”

Isn’t that something? When you mind your OWN business, sinners will respect the way you live and you won’t lack for anything. See, when you’re doing what you’re supposed to be doing, on your Christian journey, then God will reward your efforts but as soon as you step foot in someone else’s yard tending to their business, you become messy and messy folks tend to leave a mess! It’s like when you step in mud, no matter how much you try to clean off your shoe, some will still remain and you’ll end up tracking it back into your house. Well, when you dip into other folks business, it also tends to follow you back to your house. Let me explain. You see your neighbor’s husband occasionally and one day you come home from work early and see him with another woman outside of their house. You know it’s not his wife and you know it’s not a sister because a sister and brother don’t act like that so here you go with your nosey self. The next day you happen to see the wife at the mailbox and you run over there to tell it. Now all hell is breaking loss at their house and now the husband is upset and banging on your door. Why, because you should have minded your own business. You don’t know the mentality of folks and you can never tell how they handle certain situations and you could have easily put your family in harm’s way by sticking your finger in someone else’s Kool-Aid. Proverbs 17:9 says, “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” Just because it was your eyes that saw, doesn’t mean it should be your tongue that talks. You’ll end up losing a friendship by telling somebody what their man or woman was doing because they tend to believe the one they’re sleeping with over you any day. Mind your own business!

Now, I am not saying be rude or mean, to folks in the world because you are supposed to love everybody but I am saying, know your limit and stay in your lane. The bible says in Colossians 4:5, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.” The outsiders in this text are those who are not in the church. Not necessarily sinners because we are all sinners, the only difference is one repents and one doesn’t. But, this scripture is saying just because you go to church on Sunday and a few days during the week, it doesn’t make you capable of sending me to Heaven or Hell. Just because you know a few scriptures by memory it doesn’t mean you can treat me like I am nothing compared to you. Just because you got a little favor from God, it doesn’t mean you treat me like I am dependent on you when I may ask for a little help. Haven’t you heard that you can be so Heavenly bound that you’re no earthly good? Well, it can happen. You carry the bible under your arm and you act so perfect but you’re human so you have or will make a mistake, so don’t act like you don’t. Stop acting like folks in the world aren’t worthy of a blessing, because it’ll only take one step for you to backslide. It’s sad sometimes how “Christians” act. You turn your nose up at the man at the liquor store who is begging for money, but it could be you. You quickly delete the emails asking for help in raising food for the homeless, but it could be you. You cross the street or roll your window up when you see someone coming who may ask for something, but it could be you. Your blessed life can be turned upside down quicker than a blink of an eye. Don’t act like you’re the only one God can bless but be willing to help somebody sometime. You don’t have to make a show of it or do it for gratification and glory from man because Hebrews 13:16 says, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” You can help folk without being all in their business. If I call and ask you to borrow $20, give it to me if you have it and stop asking all them dang questions! If I ask you to pray for me, do it without needing to know every little bit of what’s going on. Stop being so nosey all the time and mind your own business. I’ve learned if you stay in your own yard (minding your own business), you won’t be involved in drama and mess which takes you off of the path of receiving God’s message which then detours you down the wrong road. Mind your own business and you’ll then have time to hear God’s voice when he’s speaking. Mind your own business and you’ll be alert enough to receive your blessings instead of letting them pass you by.

Daily Devotional – 2/22/12 “Reality TV isn’t real!”

In today’s world, reality TV has become the new thing. You have ladies inviting cameras into their lives and even allow the world to see them act unchristian-like and actually have folks believe it. Since when was it a good thing to be a grown woman fighting on TV with another grown woman? Since when was it cool to walk around flashing money making young girls thinks that it’s easy to come by? Reality TV isn’t real and folks ought to stop buying into the hype because once the cameras stop rolling, the majority of those people go back to their real lives and it’s far from what is being shown. Yea, they make it seem all well and good for the cameras but it scripted for higher ratings. If reality TV is supposed to be real, then why are the producers telling them what to do and how to do it? It’s sad that most folks would rather sell their soul to the devil for a high price instead of standing up to be the person that God has made them. Don’t they realize the bible says, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2)? They’ve allowed the world to snatch any religion they have and place it on the back burner. Do you honestly think God is pleased with the mess that folks do for fortune and fame?

Please don’t get me wrong, I am not picking on one TV show because they are all the same, messy! This isn’t the way women should be showing other young women how to act. Basketball Wives (which by the way none of them are) shows young women all they have to do is snatch up a baller and then they’ll be able to live the lavish lifestyle. However, they don’t show the struggles of being a basketball wife, the nights they have to spend alone while he travels, the other women and babies, the sitting on pins & needles wondering if he will get signed back to the team he’s on and if not if someone else will (which may mean he has no job), the constant scrutiny by the media and never having privacy because you’re now in the light. Love & Hip Hop shows the party life but it doesn’t show the battle after the party is over. Yea, most of the women were shown driving expensive cars and wearing expensive clothes and shoes but can you imagine what they had to do to get those things? I’ve learned that if it’s easily given then the cost is usually high to keep it and if you can’t pay the cost then it’s not yours to begin with. And please don’t get me started on any of the Real Housewives shows because everybody knows that none of those are real housewives. If you want somebody to look up too, follow a mom who is up at 5AM getting the kid’s lunches packed, school clothes ironed, backpacks together and the family breakfast made. Then at 7AM she is driving carpool to make sure the kids gets to school, then it’s on to grocery shopping, picking up dry cleaning, paying a few bills and then home to put away the groceries, clean & wash clothes, get dinner started and then off to pick up the kids at 4PM. She may have a soccer game or football practice and then home to finish dinner while helping with homework, feeding the kids, bath time, bed and now she has to tend to her husband who doesn’t understand why she is so tired. She finally lies down at 11PM only to start it all over again in the morning. Now, that’s a real housewife! If life was as easy as having a nanny, chef, housekeeper and driver, wouldn’t we all have it?

See, the world has gotten so caught up in getting rich and living the glamorous lifestyle that God’s word is not being placed in the midst but the bible says in Mark 4:19, “but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” Worrying about fame and fortune is like a weed that has wrapped itself around the root of your rosebush. Once the weed has it wrapped up, none of the nutrients the rosebush needs reaches it and it’ll eventually die. Well, when all you desire is wealth and all you do is worry about how to get it, it’ll wrap itself around your root and then all the nutrients you need from God to grow don’t reach you anymore because you’re no longer studying the word or going to church and eventually you’ll wither. If you don’t believe me, read 1 Timothy 6:10 which say, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Haven’t you heard that having more money means more problems? Now, I’m not saying that we shouldn’t strive to prosper because God says in 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may prosper and be in good health, just as your soul prospers.” But you should prosper in God’s way which means you can never lose it.

We, as Christians, have to stop trying to conform to the world and that includes reality TV. Just because you see them wearing $300 shoes, it doesn’t mean you take your whole check to buy a pair because if you wear shoes long enough, they’ll wear out and you’ll soon need another pair. Just because TV makes it seem like having all the money in the world is the life to live doesn’t mean it is because what the cameras doesn’t show is the person who cries themselves to sleep at night because they are lonely or the one who is on the verge of suicide because their life has become too stressful. The cameras don’t show the abusive husband or the family that is almost broke and homeless. The cameras don’t show the worry on someone’s face who is trying so hard to fit in that now they’ve turned to drugs and alcohol. The cameras only show what they know the world wants to see and it’s become so glamorous that we’ll work until day comes in and then goes back out to get to that level. But the bible says in Matthew 6:19-20, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.” God can give you the desires of your heart if you trust him. He can give you what you need, if you ask him. I’ve learned in my adult life that you can’t lose with the gifts that God has given you to use because what God ordains; he gives you the ways and means to maintain! Live a life that is pleasing to God and he’ll do what he does to please you!

Daily Devotional – 2/21/12 “Is that you?”

Have you ever seen a person that you lost contact with over the years and when you see them they don’t look the same, so you say “Girl, is that you?” You run into a guy you went to school with years ago and you look at them and say, “Man, is that you?” Well, many times in our Christian walk, God is asking the same thing. Not because of a physical change but because you don’t act, talk, walk or look like the Christian you portray on Sunday mornings. You know how you are so nice to your church members but then curse your husband out on the way home because he wasn’t moving fast enough for you or how you’re so helpful to your choir members when they call but your sister can’t even get you to drop her off at work. God is asking, “Is that you?” I’m asking the same question because you know how folks act one way around certain folks and then another when those folks are gone, God isn’t pleased. How can you be the minister of music on Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon and choir practice on Thursday but yet still in the club on Saturday when they make the last call for alcohol. No, God is not pleased. You have to be the person that God destined you to be no matter where you are because if God has to ask, is that you, then your walk isn’t pleasing to him.

There was a story about this woman who was driving erratically, throwing finger signs, cursing at other cars when she drove by and having a full effect of road rage. Well when she passed this police officer he pulled her over and took her to jail. After a few hours, he came to release her and she asked him why was she arrested in the first place and he said, “Well I saw this car that had all kinds on Christian bumper stickers over the back of it with your bible in the back window and then I saw you acting all crazy and cursing, so I just assumed you had stolen it.” See, Christians should act like Christians every day, no matter where you are because you never know whose watching you. I’ve said this many times before but I’ll throw it in again, the closest most sinners get to God is through a Christian but how can you save somebody else when you pull your Christianity off like socks? You can’t be Holy on Sunday and Hellish on Monday because God doesn’t work that way. Either you’re a full time Christian or you’re not! Now, I’m not saying that you’ll be perfect all the time because you are entitled to make a mistake that’s why we have repentance but if you live in the world all week and then do the Christian bounce on Sunday; God is asking, “Is that you?”

You’re ashamed for your boys to know that you know the Lord so you act like a thug in the streets, on Saturdays, with your pants hanging low, smoking, drinking and cussing and then you stand up in church on Sunday morning leading the devotion but God says in Luke 9:26, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” See, you want to play hard Monday through Saturday and then play the Christian on Sunday but God is not pleased. You hang out with your girls when they are shoplifting in the mall and stealing from folks but you don’t open your mouth to tell them they are wrong and even if you never steal one shirt, you’re still guilty by association. You can’t dabble in the world and in the word and expect God to know who you are because when you have 2 things pulling you, one will eventually win. Why do you think God says you cannot serve me and man ( Matthew 6:24)? Why don’t you invite your boys to church in order for them to see the goodness God has instead of inviting them to hang out? Why don’t you pass around the bible instead of a blunt and offer them God’s way instead alcohol? Why don’t you tell your friends that you can’t hang out all day Saturday because you have church on Sunday instead of acting like you’re not a Christian? The bible says in Matthew 10:33, “But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.” Don’t you know that it is up to Christians to save the sinners and not the Pastors of the church? I, as being a Christian, am responsible for bringing lost souls to Christ and it is the Pastor’s responsibility to try to keep them walking the right way by teaching them God’s word but I can’t do my job if I am not looking like the Christian I am supposed to be.

When you ride in your car with all that Hell in you, God is asking, “Is that you?” When you’re lying, backbiting and stabbing friends in the back, God is asking, “Is that you?” When you’re sleeping with other folks husbands or wives and you got your own at home, God is asking, “Is that you?” When you wear the skirts so short on Saturday that allows the world to see your insides when you bend over and then a skirt so long you keep tripping over it on Sunday, God is asking, “Is that you?” You do the worldly dance all night in the clubs and then come to worship service and shout all over the altar, God isn’t pleased. Why? Because you’re messy! God has given you the gift of life so you are supposed to live but live the Christian way. This is why you have to be the same when you’re in your blessing season and during your stormy season. God doesn’t need fake folks that are full of fluff but he needs real righteous respectable folks that are willing workers! See, Matthew 25:29 says “To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away.” God gives you blessing and how you use those blessings determine if you should get more but if you take the blessings from the job that God has blessed you with for worldly mess, then why should God continue to give you an increase? You’re a Christian but you don’t believe in tithing. You’re a Christian but then you sit around in the barber and beauty shops spreading rumors/gossip about Pastor So & So. You’re a Christian only when it’s convenient to you.

God has himself to you which then gives you joy and having this joy gives you strength to do all and be all that you want to be, so why are you so mean? Now, I can understand having a stressful day and you not wanting to be bothered, but being mean from the time you wake up until the time you go back to sleep is not right. If you’ve accepted God into your life then you should have joy and with joy comes peace and with God’s peace it surpasses all of your understanding. Philippians 4:7 says, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” You know how you get a call about a job that you haven’t even applied for and you’re trying to figure out how, it’s God’s peace that surpasses your understanding. You’re still trying to figure out how you got approved for the car you wanted when 3 other folks had turned you down, but that’s God’s peace that surpasses your understanding. You’re still worried about the cancer the doctor found in your breast only to go back to find out the tumor is gone, that’s God’s peace that surpasses your understanding. God will do his part but you have to do yours. Don’t make God ask, “Is that you?” Be the Christian man or woman God as made you. Genesis 1:27 says, “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” He didn’t make you to be full of hell all your life but he made you to have joy in your heart, a smile on your face and love to share. Don’t make God question who you are based on your actions. Live a life that is pleasing to God so that he recognizes you every time he hears your voice.

Daily Devotional – 2/20/12 “Tell the truth and shame the devil!”

There was once this young man who had accepted God into his life. He went to bible study, Sunday school and worship service twice on Sunday. He helped out wherever he could and seemed to have everything all together. On a sunny, warm afternoon while driving home he was killed in an automobile accident and his soul was carried home to stand in front of God to be judged. He knew he had this covered because he was a Christian, you see. He reached the Heavenly gates and he was in awe of the beautiful sight that he was now seeing. He couldn’t believe that he was actually there and was about to see God because he had so much he wanted to thank him for. When it was finally his turn to take the stand in his defense, God asked him, “Young man, do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth before your God?” The young man answered quickly, “Yes sir!” God then asked, “Do you think you deserve to walk through the gates of Heaven?” “Yes sir,” he exclaimed! “I’ve done what you asked me to do even though I wasn’t always perfect but I was a willing worker for you on Sundays and Wednesdays. I helped folk that needed it and I went when I didn’t feel like going, isn’t that what you asked?” God replied, “Yes, but did you read all of my commandments?” “Yea, I read them and I tried to keep them all but it was just so hard. I told a few lies here and there but they were small so I didn’t think they mattered much so I didn’t repent for them. See, I only told them to keep from hurting folks feelings like when my wife would ask how she looked in that dress or when my boss would ask if I mind staying late at work even though I had made plans. I told those lies to spare them, so I assumed you would let those pass.” God replied, “Didn’t you read in my word where is states , “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds, and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Colossians 3:9-10)? You know that I hate liars but you continued on anyway. If you were such a loving husband, you wouldn’t lie to your wife because you’d want her to look her best at all times, right?” “Yea, but …” he said. “There isn’t a but to add because you should have been honest and when you lied to your boss and stayed late even though you had plans, you became angry which leads to bitterness and bitterness leads to resentment; all because you lied. This could have all been avoided if you would have told the truth.” Now crying, the young man hangs in head because he didn’t realize the small lies could detour his walk through the gates. He never imagined a simple lie to spare someone’s feelings could hinder him.

Hmm, this is worth thinking about huh? What good does it do to tell a lie when the truth will do? Do you tell so many lies that folk now treat you like the boy who cried wolf? The bad part about it is Christians are the ones that can tell a lie quicker than you can blink. Simply sad, when the bible says in 1 Peter 3:10, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.” You know that your husband looks a mess in those pants that are too short but you lie and tell him he looks fine when he asked because you got an attitude. You tell your wife she looks great in that floral print dress when you know it should have been thrown away back in the 70’s, all because you don’t want her to get mad. You let your girlfriend go out to the club looking like a box of off brand crayons because you don’t want her acting crazy when you tell her she looks a hot mess. Child, you’re lying to them and yourself and if you think God is pleased you’re kidding yourself. A lie is a lie no matter how small. Who cares if folk get mad when you tell them the truth because if they are true friends and Christians then they will know that you love them and want to see the best for them in what you tell them. See, when you speak the truth you speak it from your heart. Ephesians 4:25 says, “So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.”

Don’t you know that when you lie you have to keep telling lies to cover the first one? It’s like a never-ending process when you should have told the truth to begin with. Now, I am not saying go back and tell the truth from things that happened in your past but repent for the old sins and vow to be truthful from now on. I know that it’s not always easy but it’s right and a lie is slippery so keep it tight. Haven’t you heard that your tongue has power? If you continue to lie, eventually you’ll start to believe it. If you think that stealing is the only way for you to survive, then it will be until you end up in jail for 15 years because as you continue your need increases because you get greedy (the never-ending process). Tell the truth and shame the devil. If you’re my friend and you see me making a mistake, tell me. I might now show you, then, that it matters but I’ll hear your voice in my head which just may make me change. If you’re my parent and you see me going down the wrong road, tell me. I may act like I don’t care but I do and I’ll eventually change. If you act like you don’t care then I begin to think you don’t, so I’ll continue to do what I want. James 5:20 says, “remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”

Tell the truth and shame the devil! Tell the truth and remain on God’s level! My grandma says, “It’s the little lies that’ll send you to hell!” If you don’t believe me, keep telling them. Telling lies leads to more lies which pushes you further from God’s grasp and once you’ve out of his reach he can’t stop you from falling, he can’t pick you up once you have fallen and he can’t dust you off once you’re up. Oh, but telling the truth keeps you under the umbrella of God’s hands which keeps you dry even though you’re standing in the rain, it’ll keep you cool even though you’re standing in the sun, it’ll keep your clothes white even though folks are throwing dirt on you, it’ll keep your knees from getting scarred up when folks keep pushing you down, it’ll keep you from getting burned even though you’re standing in the fire and it’ll keep your clothes in tact even though folks keep pulling you in all directions. Telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth before your God keeps your blessings falling in your direction. Telling the truth keeps the Hell off your back while you’re trying to make it to Heaven. Telling the truth keeps folks from putting their mouth on you. Telling the truth shall make you free! Plus (and I’ll throw this in for free), telling the truth at all times keeps you from having to keep up the lies you tell sometimes.