Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
"God's Truth"
Feb. 1, 2018
(Jesus said) "Your Word is truth." ~ John 17:17 (ESV)
On June 20, 1940, the French surrendered to Nazi, Germany.
People in Canada and the U.S. saw the newsreel of the event at which the German leader broke into a little dance of joy. The clip, which was played again and again in the movie houses, made people furious that the dictator could be so petty.
There is only one problem: the dance never happened.
What did happen was this: John Grierson was serving as the director of the Canadian Information and Propaganda departments. He manufactured the clip after he noticed Hitler raised his leg rather high up while stepping backwards. Grierson realized he could loop those film frames and make it look like Hitler was doing a little jig of joy. Grierson succeeded in his propaganda; nobody guessed they had been fooled, and hatred against the Nazis increased.
Over the years, photos and films have been doctored for all kinds of purposes.
Back when I was proprietor of "The Baloney Shop," a doctored photo of yours truly showed up in one of our video reports. People at Lutheran Hour headquarters report nobody was tricked into thinking I had been appointed to the Supreme Court.
Because I failed at fooling people, doesn't mean photo doctoring doesn't work. It does. Advertisers redo their models to make them look younger, slimmer, prettier, etc. Photos on magazine covers are doctored to emphasize positives or negatives, depending on what they feel will sell the most.
According to CVS Health Corp, that causes a problem.
The problem is people believe the doctored advertising photos, which is not good. Numerous health studies have shown that these unrealistic body images promoted by the fashion, health, and beauty industries lead to low self-esteem and low self-confidence among women.
In short, these ladies get discouraged because they're trying to copy someone: someone who doesn't exist. To do their part against the practice, CVS say it will no longer "digitally alter or change a person's shape, size, proportion, skin or eye color or enhance or alter lines, wrinkles or other individual characteristics."
In contrast to the propaganda people and the advertisers of the world, we have the honesty of our Lord. He doesn't sweet talk us by minimizing our sins, and He doesn't diminish the punishment that will come on those with unforgiven transgressions. From start to finish, the Lord's Word is truth. It is truthful about the bad news we just mentioned, and it is truthful about the good news which comes to us in the Savior.
Thank the Lord He is truthful about the Christ. By Jesus' sacrifice, we are washed and forgiven of our sins. Through the work of Jesus, we are granted an eternal home which knows no sorrow, sadness, or tears. And that is the truth.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in a world where the truth is told as long as it is convenient, we give thanks for Your truth, which shows us our sins and how You wish to cleanse us of them. Grant that unbelievers may see and be drawn to You and the truth of Your Word. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
On June 20, 1940, the French surrendered to...
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