Yesterday got off to a rough start. In fact it just seemed to be spiraling downward until 12:45 when I had to leave to take my son to hockey. It wasn't anything major, just the typical family stuff, strife between siblings, bad attitudes, and my slip into worry over homeschooling and discipling my children. I dropped off my son and one of my daughters at the door of the arena because I didn't feel ready to go in. I took a few minutes in the parking lot and preached the gospel to myself. What did that look like? It was a prayer acknowledging my need for God's intervention and strength. It was a confession of my sins of that morning. It was a plea for Him to help me live out the reality of being free from sin and belonging to him because of Jesus. You know what? It helped. I didn't have an instant joyous feeling like I did the other day in the middle of the store, but the truth seeped into my mind. By the time hockey was over the previous concerns had been replaced with hope in God's faithful and patient work in my life.
Is the gospel a magic pill? I've been trying to remember it all week, has it simply been a technique to make my days go better? No, the gospel is truth and it transcends my feelings. The gospel is fact. Facts don't change people but when people put their trust in facts there is a peace that springs up and a change in action. If I didn't believe that the air outside my house was Ok to breathe I would never go outside. The fact that it is Ok to breathe doesn't change my desire to go out unless I believe it. If I believe that I can walk outside and breathe normally then I will. Believing in the gospel changes people not just at conversion but on a day to day basis. The more we trust in the truth the more we will feel it's transforming effects in every area of life. Even the ability to believe is a gift of grace from God. How thankful I am for that gift.
The week is over and I hope to keep remembering the gospel on a daily basis. As for daily blogging I'm not sure. I'll take that a day at a time.
Comments
Apr. 18, 2008 - I vote for daily blogging!!!! :-)
Posted by baronsgirl
How I've appreciated your insights this week, Joy. As always, of course! I know it takes TIME to do, and I appreciate it.
Today's message is one that I had the privlege of hearing from my dad over and over and over again when I was struggling SO much in the UK. He kept reminding me to trust in God, in His Word. The unchanging One! That I needed to stop paying so much attention to my fickle feelings and listen to the Truth. Cling to it, even when I felt so numb. He was right, and it's still tough for me to do when I'm in the midst of circumstances that I "don't like." How silly is that?
I'm so thankful that the Lord has given you the grace to recognize your need for preaching the Truth to yourself when you're actually IN the midst of it! I seem to not realize it until it's too late. Or at least later than I should have!
As I read your post and as I'm writing, I have the lyrics of Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns going through my head. My 6-year-old has been singing that over and over, as he's been having to preach to himself at night when the evil one seeks to torment him with nightmares. It's pretty amazing to see a young one aware of his need for putting on the armor and trusting God and believing His Word for our every day life. I can learn much from his example of faith.
Lord, help us all to recognize our need to hear and believe Truth in the midst of our circumstances! Thank You the many evidences of grace in Joy's life, and for her willingness to share the work You're doing in her. Thank You for Your grace, Father. Please give us the grace to be aware of our need for the gospel in the thick of the daily battle, that we might preach Truth to ourselves and believe it and be changed by it!
For our good and YOUR glory, Lord!!! In Christ's Name, Amen.