In light of some great questions from my Krew yesterday, my brain has been buzzing. I love how kids do that, how their own youthful wonderings spark our grown-up thought processes and help us learn and grow right alongside them.
Tuesday's conversation was in response to the verse of the day, which we share and discuss each morning over breakfast. The verse for yesterday was
1 Thessalonians 5:15, which says,
1 Thessalonians 5:15, which says,
"See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people."
This is a wonderful passage in so many ways, but it got my son thinking about evil - and thankfully, he says what's on his mind!
As I briefly addressed his concern, I answered some questions and then tried to refocus a potentially harmful train of thought into action - what can we do about evil? We quickly revisited what Jesus did, and when He was confronted with evil, with direct attack and temptation, He responded by speaking truth.
Truth from God's Word is what puts the enemy of our souls in his place.
Truth from God's Word is what puts the enemy of our souls in his place.
Although our conversation ended as we headed out the door for school, my thoughts did not (go figure, right?).
If we are to utilize the truth, we need to KNOW the truth. We need to be able to state with absolute confidence that "God says..."
What better time to dig in and refresh the memory? What DOES God say?
It is in the absence of our confident knowledge of His truth that the conversations of this world can create question - it is in this uncertainty of our thoughts that those questionings become reality and overtake the power of God's Word within us. This is exactly how evil takes root, as God's truth becomes cloudy and lies become truth. It happens to all of us.
So, to continue solidifying truth in my own heart and mind, to create a strong and confident reality for myself and my children, I revisit God's Word. There is MUCH to be found, but today, a few truths stand out.
Here's what God has to say...
...about the reality of evil:
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith."
1 Peter 5:8-9
"Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith."
1 Peter 5:8-9
...about our freedom from sin and evil:
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins."
Romans 8:1-3
"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins."
Romans 8:1-3
...about God's unfailing love:
"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken."
Isaiah 54:10
...about His purpose:
"The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life."
John 10:10
...about His Word:
"For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword..."
Hebrews 4:12
...about His power in us:
"Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think."
Ephesians 3:20
...about worry:
"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 4:6-7
...about pursuing God:
"Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-78
...about our connection to the ultimate Source:
"Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the Vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit."
John 15:4-5
...about His provision for our needs:
"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."
Matthew 6:31-33
...about life's challenges:
"...when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you."
James 1:2-5
The more truth I record, the more I recall...I could go on for hours! There is SO much more to be found in God's Word, SO many more promises that we can hold fast to and build a strong and confident foundation of truth upon.
This is where our hope comes from.
I pray to always be hungry for truth and to let it take root deep within me so the confusing lies and 'what-ifs' of this world will never have a chance to become my truth. God's truth will always win out when I build my life around it.
"Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the Vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in Me. Yes, I am the Vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in Me, and I in them, will produce much fruit."
John 15:4-5
...about His provision for our needs:
"So don't worry about these things, saying, 'What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?' These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."
Matthew 6:31-33
...about life's challenges:
"...when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you."
James 1:2-5
The more truth I record, the more I recall...I could go on for hours! There is SO much more to be found in God's Word, SO many more promises that we can hold fast to and build a strong and confident foundation of truth upon.
This is where our hope comes from.
I pray to always be hungry for truth and to let it take root deep within me so the confusing lies and 'what-ifs' of this world will never have a chance to become my truth. God's truth will always win out when I build my life around it.
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