The Power of Truth

Posted on by andreachatelain

I listen to the world too much. As I do, I feel my wheels going off the track in motherhood, in womanhood, and in faith. I’m done listening. I’m ready to be the one talking. Ready to fight back with Truth.

If you are a believer in Christ there is a battle going on over you. Over this day ahead of you. Maybe you think I’m over dramatic for saying that, but if we don’t believe it then we’ve already lost because we’ve already lost truth.

We have to know there is a fight going on, and who it’s against before we can start swingin’.

Paul puts it this way, “Finally be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the…powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV).

We have to know there is a fight going on, and who it’s against before we can start swingin’. Otherwise we miss the target.

I admit, I have swung and missed on dark days. I have jabbed fellow warriors with my words or unkind spirit when I should’ve been saving that energy to fight the real enemy. But sometimes it feels like the fight never ends. I need reinforcements.

That’s why Paul reminded us to be strong in Jesus not ourselves. Because our power runs out, but Jesus has more than enough of all that we need for our day.

“…and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist…” (Ephesians 6:13-14) NIV.

God has been pressing on me the importance of holding tight to truth lately. That when the days are long and all of our energy is worn out, God’s truth in the Bible gets us back on track. God’s Word fights back for us in our minds and spirits.

Paul continues saying, “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” (6:16-17 NIV).

I used to think when I opened my Bible it would be too confusing or all I would find was condemnation. But instead I find the Truth.

Truth that I am a loved child of God, that He has and will continue to fight for His daughter, and that Jesus is enough even when I am not. But I had to open up my Bible to find that truth. To believe it down in my gut I had to read it for myself.

I had to open up my Bible to find that truth. To believe it down in my gut I had to read it for myself.

I don’t know who or what you are fighting today, but I know God wanted me to remind you to hold to HIS truth. The truth that says you are not alone in the fight. Jesus has an ample supply of courage and strength for your day. So when you’ve done all you can to stand up straight today, dear friend. Stand firm then in Jesus.

 

Journal reflections:book-bindings-3176776_1920

How have you swung and missed?

What truth is God asking you to trust in today?

Open your Bible to the book of Ephesians. Write down verses that hit you as important and use them for battle!

 

 

 

 

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™

I love Jesus but…

Posted on by andreachatelain

I love Jesus, but I cuss a little. I just about died laughing when I read the sign my friend gave me for my writing desk. Then she told me why she bought it for me– because even if we love Jesus we have to remind ourselves daily of some important truths.

Like how Jesus never required perfection.

Most of the people Jesus chose to reveal himself to were very far from perfect

In fact most of the people Jesus chose to reveal himself to were very far from perfect, and less than glamorous. Instead of the righteous Pharisees, His friends started out as social outcasts, murderers, prostitutes, low class fisherman — anyone who wanted more out of life than striving for an invisible goal of perfection.

Because Jesus is our perfection. And we get to breath in a sigh of relief knowing our job is not to prove how good we are, but to live in the grace He won on the cross everyday.

I have been memorizing and resting in Ephesians 2:4-5 lately. Paul writes, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:4-5).

And He pursued us in our darkest moment, not in our shiniest.

I don’t think we can remind ourselves enough of these truths. God is rich in mercy, not stingy. He has great love for you and me, not just enough to squeak by. And He pursued us in our darkest moment, not in our shiniest.IMG_4918

So we live loved by Jesus and knowing that his grace covers the battles we lost. Claiming that He won’t give up on us, but will keep fighting alongside us until we are filled with his love and mercy. And that is what will make us new and whole.

I don’t know about you, but that is good news for me.