Who are you anyway?
"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8
Sometimes we just need a little reminder of who we are.
Sometimes we just need a little reminder of who we are.
We are constantly reminded day in and day out of who or what we are not.
I am very leery of social media. If we are not careful, we find ourselves unhappy when we linger too long on those sites.
We see images, conversations, discussions. These things can get in our head and into our hearts if we are not careful.
We see happy (or at least it seems) families. We see witty and charming updates. We see friends or not-so friends looking fabulous. We see people at parties...smiling, dancing, and just so darn happy!
In turn, we can look at ourselves, our lives, and feel a little discontented. Or maybe, if we are honest, a lot discontented.
As I was praying about this topic and for the Lord to lead me in this post, I opened straight to Luke 21:34.
"34 But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the [a]giddiness and headache and [b]nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the [c]business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose;"
Several things in this passage stand out to me:
Maybe a friend needs to hear these words. Maybe a child or a teenager in your life needs to hear these words spoken over them.
Just last night, I read these words to Presley. She had a tough day at school. She was very upset, and in need of some consoling. The Words of her Father were just the healing she needed. As I read the scriptures to her, she welled up with tears.
"Does God really think that about me?" She asked.
Oh yes, darling. And so much more.
As I was praying about this topic and for the Lord to lead me in this post, I opened straight to Luke 21:34.
"34 But take heed to yourselves and be on your guard, lest your hearts be overburdened and depressed (weighed down) with the [a]giddiness and headache and [b]nausea of self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares pertaining to [the [c]business of] this life, and [lest] that day come upon you suddenly like a trap or a noose;"
Several things in this passage stand out to me:
- be on guard
- hearts overburdened
- depressed
- self-indulgence
- drunkenness
- worldly cares
- business of life
- trap
We must guard our hearts, at all times. This also means guarding our eyes, our ears, and our time.
The world will bombard us with what we are not. We must combat the world {the enemy} with what we are.
As I found myself in funk I posted about, I had to say some truths over and over to combat what the enemy was telling me.
I had to stand on God's Truth and what God says about me. Why? Because what I say about me, and what the enemy says about me is a big fat lie.
We must arm ourselves with the Sword of Truth if we are to slay the enemy and his lies.
A precious friend of mine told me that her daughter had been struggling with "who" she was. My friend gave her daughter scriptures to affirm who her daughter really is.
If you are feeling less than what God says you are, I encourage you to read these scriptures. Write them down, and post them around you.
"I am the righteousness of God in Christ" 2 Corinthians 5:21
"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born I set you apart" Jeremiah 1:4
"God holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways" Daniel 5:23b
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17
"You are the apple of His eye" Psalm 17:8
"You are made in the image of God" Genesis 1:27
"You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears in your bottle and recorded every one in your book." Psalm 56:8
"You have formed my inward parts; You have woven me in my mother's womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Psalm 139:13
"His heart churns for you" Hosea 11:8
"If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath" Psalm 34:18 (The Message)
"See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands" Isaiah 49:16
"See, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands" Isaiah 49:16
"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
Maybe a friend needs to hear these words. Maybe a child or a teenager in your life needs to hear these words spoken over them.
Just last night, I read these words to Presley. She had a tough day at school. She was very upset, and in need of some consoling. The Words of her Father were just the healing she needed. As I read the scriptures to her, she welled up with tears.
"Does God really think that about me?" She asked.
Oh yes, darling. And so much more.
God's Word brings healing. God's Word brings affirmation. God's Word brings Truth.
As I read them again to myself, the magnitude of His Love for me overwhelms my heart...just as it did Presley's.
How can we possibly believe anything or anyone but our Creator, our King, our Father?
How can we possibly believe anything or anyone but our Creator, our King, our Father?
My son plays basketball. His team has not won a game. Want to know the problem?
The team has a good defense, but a terrible offense.
Meaning, they can hardly score a goal.
Good defense is great to have. However, they must have an offense if they want to win. No baskets, no points, no win.
Same thing with your heart. You can defend and guard it all day long, however you must be on the offense as well. Throwing those scriptures of Truth right in face of the enemy's lies.
Believe what God says about you, precious friend. He cannot tell a lie.
"God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind"
Numbers 23:19
learning to play offense,
jill
