It's time to begin another new year with the Internet Cafe Chat. And here is Kim's question to start 2009:What is the most important truth/lesson you feel God taught you in 2008? How will that truth change your life in 2009?
I read this question earlier this morning, and then spent some time in prayer and thought before answering. God has taught me a lot of truths regarding Himself this year, a lot of lessons--some of them through some rather painful pruning.
As I prayed, the answer that God gave me is that I am worthy, valuable, unconditionally loved by Him, and that my identity is in Jesus.
The enemy knows my weaknesses all too well. I have been feeling tired, drained, worn out and just plain exhausted for well over 2 months. What a better time to plan an attack--when your defenses are down and you are vulnerable?
Those old tapes began playing in my head because satan always begins in my thought processes. The tapes that said, "You are nothing, you will never do anything right, you will never succeed enough to please me, you must do _________(fill in the blank of the many things I was expected to do in my life) in order for me to love you" and the list could go on and on.
I have replaced those old tapes with video images of God--through His Word. I know that I am a true daughter of the King, and He loves me, cares for me, I am valuable to Him. Why? Just because I am HIS CHILD, a child that HE created out of love. He loved me first without me even knowing Him. How can I not return that love?
With a friend's help, we have personalized many verses to help me through these times of self-doubt, and I would like to share some of them with you:
John 1:12 BETH is God's daughter.
But Beth received Him, and to Beth He gave the right to become God's daughter, because Beth believes in His name.
John 15:5 BETH is a part of the true vine, and a channel of Christ's life.
I am the vine. Beth is a branch. If Beth remains in Me, and I in her, she will bear much fruit, for apart from Me, Beth can do nothing.
Rom. 8:17 BETH is a joint heir with Christ, she shares Christ's inheritance with Him.
And if a daughter, then an heir; an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ; if indeed Beth suffers with Him, that Beth may also be glorified with Him.
Col. 2:6-7 BETH is firmly rooted in Christ and she is being built up and established in Him.
As Beth received Christ Jesus, her Lord, she must walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, even as Beth was taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.
Col. 2:10 BETH has been made complete in Christ.
And in Him, Beth is made complete, who is the head of all principality and power
John 15:16 BETH has been chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.
Beth didn't choose Me, but I chose Beth, and appointed her, that she should go and bear fruit, and that her fruit should remain; that whatever Beth will ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to her.
Titus 3:5 BETH is washed and renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Not by works of righteousness, which Beth did herself, but according to His mercy, He saved Beth, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Eph. 1:7-8 BETH has been redeemed and forgiven and BETH is a recipient of His rich grace.
In Him Beth has her redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of Beth's trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward Beth in all wisdom and prudence.
Eph. 4:32 BETH has been forgiven in Christ.
And Beth is to be kind to others, tenderhearted, forgiving others, just as God also in Christ forgave Beth.
There are many more--these are just some of the verses that we have personalized to help me through these times of old tape playing.
This year I have learned through the study of God's Word, applying His Word directly to myself, that I am indeed worthy, valuable, loved, chosen by God and forgiven by Him.
In this coming year, I intend to review these and many more verses, immersing myself in God's word and completely erase those old tapes--never to hear them again.
Stop by the Internet Cafe Chat and see others' responses for what is their most valuable lesson this year. In fact, why don't you join in and share? I'd love to read your response.
Beth
As I prayed, the answer that God gave me is that I am worthy, valuable, unconditionally loved by Him, and that my identity is in Jesus.
The enemy knows my weaknesses all too well. I have been feeling tired, drained, worn out and just plain exhausted for well over 2 months. What a better time to plan an attack--when your defenses are down and you are vulnerable?
Those old tapes began playing in my head because satan always begins in my thought processes. The tapes that said, "You are nothing, you will never do anything right, you will never succeed enough to please me, you must do _________(fill in the blank of the many things I was expected to do in my life) in order for me to love you" and the list could go on and on.
I have replaced those old tapes with video images of God--through His Word. I know that I am a true daughter of the King, and He loves me, cares for me, I am valuable to Him. Why? Just because I am HIS CHILD, a child that HE created out of love. He loved me first without me even knowing Him. How can I not return that love?
With a friend's help, we have personalized many verses to help me through these times of self-doubt, and I would like to share some of them with you:
John 1:12 BETH is God's daughter.
But Beth received Him, and to Beth He gave the right to become God's daughter, because Beth believes in His name.
John 15:5 BETH is a part of the true vine, and a channel of Christ's life.
I am the vine. Beth is a branch. If Beth remains in Me, and I in her, she will bear much fruit, for apart from Me, Beth can do nothing.
Rom. 8:17 BETH is a joint heir with Christ, she shares Christ's inheritance with Him.
And if a daughter, then an heir; an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ; if indeed Beth suffers with Him, that Beth may also be glorified with Him.
Col. 2:6-7 BETH is firmly rooted in Christ and she is being built up and established in Him.
As Beth received Christ Jesus, her Lord, she must walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him, and established in the faith, even as Beth was taught, abounding in it in thanksgiving.
Col. 2:10 BETH has been made complete in Christ.
And in Him, Beth is made complete, who is the head of all principality and power
John 15:16 BETH has been chosen and appointed by Christ to bear His fruit.
Beth didn't choose Me, but I chose Beth, and appointed her, that she should go and bear fruit, and that her fruit should remain; that whatever Beth will ask of the Father in My name, He may give it to her.
Titus 3:5 BETH is washed and renewed by the Holy Spirit.
Not by works of righteousness, which Beth did herself, but according to His mercy, He saved Beth, through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.
Eph. 1:7-8 BETH has been redeemed and forgiven and BETH is a recipient of His rich grace.
In Him Beth has her redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of Beth's trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward Beth in all wisdom and prudence.
Eph. 4:32 BETH has been forgiven in Christ.
And Beth is to be kind to others, tenderhearted, forgiving others, just as God also in Christ forgave Beth.
There are many more--these are just some of the verses that we have personalized to help me through these times of old tape playing.
This year I have learned through the study of God's Word, applying His Word directly to myself, that I am indeed worthy, valuable, loved, chosen by God and forgiven by Him.
In this coming year, I intend to review these and many more verses, immersing myself in God's word and completely erase those old tapes--never to hear them again.
Stop by the Internet Cafe Chat and see others' responses for what is their most valuable lesson this year. In fact, why don't you join in and share? I'd love to read your response.
Beth
5 comments:
What valuable lessons! Learning and remember who you are in Christ!
The messages you share are truth, the old recordings ared and always have been lies!
Dear Beth,
I love how you personalize who you are in Christ, using God's Word to replace the lies of satan. Jesus used Scripture to respond to satan. And He is our example.
Thank you for your words and for visiting Heart Choices. I appreciate your thoughts on the guest post. I love that we can encourage one another and help each other as sisters in Christ.
Thanks for participating today... I too loved how you personalized the verses, and you are right we have to keep renewing our mind with God's truth, over and over until it becomes part of our belief system...
Blessings!!!
An excellent idea! I've seen pastors do the same thing during baptism or confirmation services. It's a great way to remind oneself of the fact that the Bible is speaking directly to us, even 2,000+ years later.
Blessings to you,
Hopeful Spirit
On the Horizon
Aaesome, lady! I'm new to this but I love it! What amazing women you are!! I'm working on "prayer cards" and "scripture cards" and your verses are GREAT! May I borrow them? :)
I struggle with this area, too--old inadequacies creep in. I try to focus on renewing my mind and replacing lies with TRUTH! Great post--looking forward to a new question every week!!
-Tabitha
Roots & Wings
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