I am encouraged by

I Am Encouraged By….Truth

Tuesday at Ten

 

Standing and waiting for the elevator door to close, a young woman late for an appointment catches the elevator as the doors are closing. I live in San Diego where the weather is mild, as she enters the elevator, rushing,  I look into her eyes, she probably was late from trying to find a parking space at the hospital. For some reason, I notice she was wearing sandals which is not unusual but with the threat of rain, I was wearing enclosed shoes. The part that was interesting is that she looked down at her feet and started to say something as she had some of her toenails polished and some the polish worn off. So to make her more comfortable, I glanced away so that it appeared I had not seen that she needed a pedi-cure.  Beloved, I am encouraged by truth. However, I would never say something like, “Some of your toenails are lacking polish.” That would have been rude.

Sometimes it is better to not say what one is thinking. To have a filter of kindness that words sift through your mind before the words hurt another person. My daddy sometimes speaks without thinking. In 2009, I had gained some of my weight back but I was still in a size 16 at this time. My dad was visiting from Oklahoma. My vacation had not started yet so I dressed in a pant suit with a pastel pink shirt on my way to work.  As I was leaving, my sweet dad said, “Honey, you gave your step-mother some of your beautiful clothes, you should have just kept them because you are busting out of that jacket.” I still remember this as being hurtful, so I walked in forgiveness that day and I forgave my dad for making this comment as it hurt my feelings. Beloved, I am encouraged by the truth. However, I would never say, “you are busting out of your jacket” to someone. Would you agree some truth is better not said?

Jesus said in John 14:6,

 “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

I am encouraged by God’s truth. I am encouraged that I live free in Christ. I am encouraged that as I claim the promises of God, I can encourage others to live free in the truth of whom God says we are. Let’s look at the truth Neil Anderson’s wrote in Victory Over The Darkness about who we are in Christ. This is only one section, you can find the rest at https://www.diana2rockwell.com/who-I-am-in-Christ.

I am Accepted

I am God’s child. John 1:12

I am Christ’s friend. John 15:15

I have been justified. Romans 5:1

I am united with the Lord (one spirit). 1 Corinthians 6:7

I am bought with a price: I belong to God. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20

I am a member of Christ’s body. 1 Corinthians 12-27

I am a saint. Ephesians 1:1

I have been adopted as God’s child. Ephesians 1:5

I have access to God through the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 2:18

I have been redeemed and forgiven. Colossians 1:14

I am complete in Christ. Colossians 2:10

Do you know how counterfeit money is found? Counterfeit money is found because the people looking for the counterfeit money have studied real money. This person knows money so well that counterfeit money stands out. Beloved, we need to know the word of God so well that we recognize when someone is not sharing truthfully. Additionally, Jesus confronted Satan with God’s word when Jesus was tempted. Beloved, Satan will run and hide if you share the truth of God’s word.

I am encouraged by truth. Whether the truth is a compliment or the truth is hurtful,  God’s truth will never hurt you.  [Tweet “”God’s truth will set you free.” “]

Beloved, we are free in Christ. Galatians 5:1 says,

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

Father God, I pray today that as the world becomes more corrupt, that we as Christian women stand in the truth of God’s word. We do not have to give in to half-truths, we can know the whole truth. Thank You Lord that we are complete in Christ, that we have access to You through the Holy Spirit, that we are saints who sometimes sin, that we are bought with a price, and that we belong to you. Lord God, thank you for the truth of your word and that the truth sets us free. Father God, thank you for the writing prompt from Tuesday at Ten and for Karen who lets us link up with her each week.

Beloved, your turn, “I am encouraged by…………..”