truth Archives - Simply Gathering Grace

It was picture day and I sent my child to school in a shirt that perfectly matched the pale blue background he sat in front of. When the cameraman said, “Say cheese,” I’m shocked he never said, “Where’d you go kid?”

The garbage man drove by. I’m sure he shook his head, again, as he saw the 12 bags of trash sitting on my porch that never made it to the dumpster.

I never made it to Grandparent’s Day at school, I was having an “I don’t like old people” day. But how do you explain depression and anxiety issues to a 6 year old?

These are a few things that cause me to hear that voice that says…

You’re not good enough, you’ll never be good enough.

Give up, you’re never going to change.

God has no use for people like you.

You’re a loser with a capital L.

Okay, so I’m not perfect. Actually I’m far from perfect. Those first 3 paragraphs are only a short list of my best messups! I may list a few of my worst ones later on down the road, but that’s for another time.

What I’ve learned is, we don’t have to be perfect for God to use us. We don’t have to be Mom of the Year to be able to encourage someone. We don’t have to be happy happy happy, to offer someone a smile. We just need to strive to be more like Jesus.

I struggle with depression and anxiety, I’m forgetful, I’m impatient, please don’t make me go on. How about you? Does the enemy fill your head with lies? In yesterday’s post we talked about fear. When the enemy corrupts our thinking with lies, like fear, this too is a stronghold. Saying you’re not good enough, is satan’s favorite bluff.

Know who you are in Christ. Reject anything that goes against the Word of God. Don’t be bound by lies but bind the lies with God’s truth! When he calls us “loser”, remember he is the accuser. Revelation 12:10b For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

And he is the father of lies. John 8:44c When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

The thing is, I have learned that lies from satan are just that. Lies. When we have accepted Christ as our personal Lord and Savior who does God say that we are?

1 A child of God

John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God —

2 I am His friend

John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

3 I am blessed

Ephesians 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

4 I am forgiven

Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.

5 I am a citizen of heaven

Philippians 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

6 He chose me

1 Thessalonians 1:4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that He has chosen you,

When we have those bad days, and we will have those bad days, run to Jesus and pray like your hair is on fire, for yourself and each other. The bible calls it, “praying fervently.” Now that we know who we are in Christ, let’s grow together and encourage one another in our “not so perfect” lives. Praying one for another. James 5:16 (KJV) Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

If a maple tree and a rabbit could talk…..

“Why are you crying?” asked Brown Bunny. The Maple tree sighed. “My leaves have turned and will soon fall away,” she said. “Of course Miss Maple. Just like they do every year,” said Brown Bunny as he nibbled on long blades of crunchy grass.

“Well, I wish for once, that I would stay forever green, like Mr. Pine,” said Miss Maple sadly. “Oh but why on earth would you desire to stay forever green?” asked Brown Bunny. “I would be beautiful all year round then Brown Bunny! But instead, I change from green to red. Every. Single. Year. And then, I stand bare all winter long.”

This was the conversation I had with Brown Bunny many years ago, and my life changed forever. This is what I learned.

Every spring I burst forth with newness of life, just like my risen Savior Jesus Christ rose from the dead. We celebrate His resurrection every springtime.

My leaves grow larger until they completely cover my bare branches. Like the grace of God covers man’s sin.

Now with my thick full leaves, you can rest in my shade when the heat of the day gets to be too much. As you also rest in the shadow of the almighty when this world makes your heart heavy.

Then Autumn comes, and God paints my leaves a brilliant red. His glory shines through us.

As my leaves begin to fall and I let all the dead things go, only then can I live again. Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

I now stand bare, all of my weakness and scars can be seen. Then winter time comes and covers them with glistening snow, they sparkle like diamonds. I stand strong in Him, because I allowed my weakness and scars to be seen. He covered me with His grace. 2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Springtime is soon on it’s way, and my branches burst with new life. New green leaves cover my branches, the wind blows and I bow and clap my hands in praise. Isaiah 55:12 For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

Sometimes we focus on the devil’s lies instead of focusing on the truth of God’s word. We become enslaved to the past and the bad things satan is doing instead of enjoying our freedom and the good things God is going to do. We are hurt by someone and we become bitter toward the very person God wants to change. We end up praying against them instead of for them.

We fail to accept the grace of God for our weakness or consider His purpose for the hard times. We fail to let the dead things fall away so God can bring life and newness into our lives. Stand firm in Christ. Galatians 5:1 STAND fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Seasons of life bring difficult changes but the Lord is a constant strength through it all. He is unchanging. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

WHEN THE LIES MAKE YOU WANT TO QUIT

SPRINGTIME BLOSSOM TO LEAVES OF AUTUMN