Tell Yourself the Truth!

“When we inject the truth into our every thought, taking a therapeutic broom and sweeping away the lies and misbeliefs which have enslaved us, we find our lives radically changed for the happier better.”(1)

Our happiness is not based on circumstances. It's based on what we tell ourselves about our circumstances.

For example:

Lie: “I can’t be happy because of this broken relationship.” 

Truth: “I’m sad about this broken relationship, but with God’s help I can find joy and happiness in spite of it.” 

This isn't about naming and claiming it. It's about the comfort, joy, and peace we have in Christ in the midst of difficult circumstances.

The Bible says Christians, even when persecuted and grieving, are “Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous –with life-joy and satisfaction in God’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions)” Matthew 5:1-11 (Amplified Bible). 

Our happiness is not based on outward conditions but inward peace, so we must quit telling ourselves lies! 

(1)Telling Yourself the Truth,  William Backus and Marie Chapian, Bethany House Publishers, copyright 1980, forward.
-----------------------
Dear Subscribers: To access this devotion, to pin or bookmark it, you must use this link: Tell Yourself the Truth! 
On Tuesdays and Thursdays, the title link quits working shortly after devotions are sent out. Thanks!
--------------

God is Never On Vacation

God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” 

Hebrews 13:5

The wording of this verse in the Greek gives it emphasis, almost as if God is saying, "I will never, never, never forsake you." 

God's Spirit is with us no matter what...through thick and thin...in good times and bad...always...no exceptions...whether we feel His presence or not.

Knowing God is always with us, will we ignore Him or take His hand throughout the day? Will we acknowledge His presence or take Him for granted?

 

Please join me today in thinking of ways to remember God's faithfulness. 

One way to do this is to set an alarm to go off every hour as a reminder to pause and say "I love You" to the God who will never, never, never leave you.

Here are some additional Scriptures to encourage you: 
Psalm 94:14;  Psalm 37:25;  Deuteronomy 31:6;  Deuteronomy 31:8; Joshua 1:9; Romans 8:31-39.

For full text Scriptures and additional insights, check out today's Bite Size Bible Study.

Scripture: 4 Facts and 4 Purposes

2 Timothy 3:16-17 is a Scripture we should fully understand:

"All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work." (AMP)

1. All Scripture, not part.

2. God-breathed, inspired, ordained.

3. Profitable for:
    1) Teaching us what Christians believe.
    2) Rebuking our sinfulness, convicting us of sin.
    3) Correcting our errors, misunderstandings, and compromises.
    4) Training us in righteousness, conforming us to God’s will and His ways.

4. Thoroughly preparing us for anything and everything we encounter in our lives.

Jesus is the Word (John 1:1; John 1:14), and He warns us against being ashamed of His words (Luke 9:26).

We should be offended by anything that contradicts, changes, limits, or twists Scripture.