iBelieve Truth Devotional for Women 17th August 2021, Tuesday Message By Meg Bucher
Topic: What Are We Thinking?
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“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
The barrage of insults streamed in.
“By what authority do you have…?”
“You will be rejected.”
“People do not like you.”
“What are you even doing here?”
“So-called author.”
I let them chase me into a corner, paralyze my progress and chip away at my self-esteem. Critics can be ruthless, but the most deceptive ones are born in our inner monologue. Two of the above comments came from actual people. I just assumed and assigned the other ones to myself. When distorted thoughts roam free and reign, they congeal in a lethal injection of condemnation. The Bible says to take captive every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5). So, we have to ask ourselves, What are we thinking?
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God is faithful to remind me that salvation is not based on anything I do (Ephesians 2:8-9). So why do I allow criticism to condemn me? Romans 6:4 says, “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (NIV)
It’s impossible to control all of the thoughts that bounce into our brains every day, but we can intentionally choose to clear out the critical thoughts heaping shame and guilt upon us. Those are never from God. The Holy Spirit will convict us to confess and turn away from sinful behavior, but God’s love for us remains unchanged. The Creator of the Universe reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
When our thoughts start to sound more like comment trolls, flick them out! Rejoice over the gift our God has given us. We did nothing to earn it. To believe in Jesus is a freedom we all possess. He is risen! He is real! He never leaves us! As believers, we walk around this earth with the power of the LIVING GOD living in us. Power to shut the critical thoughts up and replace them with praise, worship and truth about who we really are in Christ Jesus our Savior.
In this world, we will have trouble. Trouble blindsides us when it comes from within. To fight the battle of our minds, it’s important to get quiet with God every day. It’s essential to the health of our souls to make sure His Word is permeating our minds and alerting us to falsities throughout the day, every day. He has big plans for our lives, and a love for us that is bigger than anything that could ever come against us when we are walking in His will. God won’t leave us for a second as we conquer the seemingly impossible for His glory.
Ask yourself today: What am I thinking?
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Meg Bucher writes about everyday life within the love of Christ as an author, freelance writer and blogger at Sunny&80. Her first book, “Friends with Everyone,” is available on amazon.com. She earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University, but stepped out of the business world to stay at home and raise her two daughters. Besides writing, she leads a Bible Study for Women and serves as a Youth Ministry leader in her community. She lives in Northern Ohio with her husband, Jim, and two daughters.