623 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THIS TEXT TRUTH CHALLENGE!
As we pursue God's vision for our lives and we write our stories, we are all faced with obstacles. We all hear lies that try to keep us from living out that vision.
So how do we replace lies with truth?
Every time Jesus is lied to in the desert, he immediately fires back with truth from the Bible.
Join us for a seven day reading plan that will help us replace the lies with truth. Each day we will share a passage of scripture related to who God says we are along with a few sentences of commentary about the meaning of that truth. Readings will be posted here daily.
Join with us for 7 days and let God’s truth shape you.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
The Message translates verse 13 like this: “Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me what I am.” Paul talks about the extremes of life’s circumstances and the confidence he has that Jesus can empower him to walk through any situation. God desires that we develop a confidence in Him that is greater than anything we can face and that He can give us strength needed in every moment for every situation. This is a statement of faith and a statement of fact: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
"I am God's workmanship, created for good works."
Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Have you ever created something you were really proud of? Maybe you spent weeks, months, or even years on a project and then it’s finally complete. You feel so accomplished and excited that you immediately want to share your work with others. Or, has a child ever come up to you and given you something made out of simple things, like construction paper and glue, yet they are so proud of their work! They’re so proud you can’t help but hang the hodge podge mess of a creation on the fridge.
The Bible tells us we are God’s handiwork - we are his creation and he is so proud of us! He looks at us as beautiful pieces of art. Maybe you have a few cracks or a few dents, and you may feel like a hodge podge piece of art yourself, but that doesn’t bother the Creator. The Bible tells us we were created for a purpose; to do his great work! We are able to do his work through the grace of Salvation, which has been given to us as a gift! No strings attached, no fine print, God made you, loves you, and has made you for a purpose. You are one of the most beautiful pieces of God’s creation. God looks at you with such awe and delight. He is proud of you and if he had a fridge, your picture would be on it - front and center.
"I have been given a spirit of power."
2 Timothy 1:6-7
6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.
Let’s face it, we don’t always feel brave. Mountains we face seem high and treacherous; the wind and the waves of life push us around and twist us up. Facing yet another challenge can cause us to recoil or draw back in fear (false evidence appearing real). But God says that He has not created us for that kind of response. He has given us a spirit of power (not powerlessness), love (selfless, self-sacrificing love), and self-discipline (or a sound mind). This spirit He gives us proceeds from His Spirit and that spirit is the exact opposite of fear. When you are tempted to respond in fear, remember that God gives you the incredible resources of power (His power), love (His love), and self-discipline (the mind of Christ).
"I cannot be separated from the love of God."
Romans 8:35-39
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
It’s a good question. What has the power to separate us from God’s love? Maybe you have a quick answer(s). Something you did wrong? Didn’t do? Suffering or even death? What about strange or scary powers of evil? Certainly it can feel like God isn’t paying attention, or maybe we lost God somewhere when we face these things. The Enemy would love to fill in the blanks here and say, “Yes, all of this and more can separate you from God’s love.” Only, the writer here is so clear. And, this isn’t even a complete list! There is nothing at all, no matter how bad it seems, that has the power to keep you from God's love! That’s the truth. It’s a truth that can change your life! God's love won’t necessarily keep bad things from happening, but rest assured, no matter what you’re facing, God is not lost or absent. His love is near and present with you. His love for YOU is clearly shown in Christ's love displayed on the cross. His love is for you even when you’re at your worst.
And, His love is a force that can empower you to be transformed as well. We can conquer what faces us, and become who He calls us to be through His transforming love. Nothing. Not even death itself can separate you from God's love. And there is no end to it. No end to what His love can accomplish. What does it look like to accept God's love in your life today?
"I am Christ's friend."
John 15:13-15
13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
When you think of God, what comes to your mind? Maybe you think of his vastness. Maybe you think of his power and might; or maybe you think of him as King and Creator. God is big and most certainly powerful, but have you ever thought of God as your close friend? The kind of friend you call when you’re down, or the kind of friend you celebrate with when you have exciting news to share. Isn’t it incredible that the God of the universe wants to be our friend? He isn’t like any other friend, he’s a friend who knows everything about you. He’ll never forget your birthday; he could tell you how many hairs are on your head; and he knows every one of your wildest dreams.
Maybe you’re in a season where friendship is difficult, lean into the one who understands your deepest feelings. Maybe you’re in a season where friendships are letting you down, lean into the one who will never leave you. Maybe you’re in a season of loneliness, lean into the one who hears you and sees you. Jesus is the only friend who came for you, died for you, and conquered death for you so you could live! Jesus being our friend is a concrete truth that’s true for everyone, at every age and stage of life. Let Jesus meet you where you’re at today; he is your forever friend.
"I am free from condemnation."
Romans 8:1-4
1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
We all know what it means to be guilty - whether we told a lie, drove too fast, took something that wasn’t ours, or hurt someone. We all know there are real and just consequences for breaking a law, disobeying a parent, or even choosing to live in a way we know is wrong. Take speeding for example. There are times when you choose to go over the limit on purpose, and other times you suddenly realize you’re going too fast. Either way, the law is the law. Facing the consequences alone can be overwhelming. And, speeding isn’t our only problem, is it? How can we ever imagine living a life that is good, righteous, and pure? How can it be possible to stand before God without guilt or shame? Sometimes we can believe that no matter what, we’ll always be screwed up and destined for the consequences we’ve earned. This passage makes it clear - you’re not on your own, and you’re not doomed! Jesus enters into the story to face the consequences, and root cause of this vicious cycle in our lives (sin and the flesh). This doesn’t mean you’ll act perfectly forever, but it does mean Jesus has changed the dynamic forever. He takes our tendencies and decisions, on purpose or not, and gives us a new way of life (life in the Spirit), where we can learn to live in His strength, His way, and with Him!
"I am a child of God."
John 1:9-12
9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
When Jesus came into the world not everyone chose to follow Him. Not everyone recognized Him. But some did. Some realized he was the Messiah. Some believed. And those who believed received an incredible privilege—they were born into a new family. They were called children of God. And that’s what we are. No matter what our past, no matter where we have come from or what we have done, we can rest in the truth that we are God’s children when we receive Him and believe in His name.