Lifetime Daily DevotionsSample

Set Free by God's Truth

How could I have been so stupid?
Why, oh why did I do that?
What a loser I am!
When am I going to learn?
How long is God going to put up with me?
I'm still stumbling around and causing all sorts of problems.
Time and time again I fail.
I'm sick of myself and the things that I do.
I'll never change.
I'm just kidding myself to think that I could ever . . .

Stop! Where are all of those destructive thoughts coming from? Who's talking to me? Something's going on here that doesn't ring true. Sure. I was wrong. I failed and I confess that readily. But this is carrying things too far.

* * *

Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise [again]; Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me.
Micah 7:8

Okay, I blew it! I was wrong!

But don't you try to convince me that God is through with me. He's not going to give up on Anabel. He's the One who saved me in the first place. Don't you suppose He knew what He was getting into with me? He knows everything about me--past, future, and present, and He still loves me--unconditionally!

And I am NOT a loser! I'm a new creation in Christ Jesus. I just haven't learned how to walk like who I really am yet. But I will. One of these days I'll be running instead of stumbling and falling--and I'll win! You'll see.

So you just go back to your lair and shut up, Satan! Even though I've fallen (and will undoubtedly fall again) you don't need to think I'm down to stay. Don't gloat over me, my enemy. It may look pretty bleak right now, but I'll make it . . . because of the Lord. He lives within me and He loves me and nothing I can do will ever damage that love. Furthermore, He has told me, "Anabel, you will stand. I Myself will cause you to stand" (from Romans 14:4).



* * *

Sound theology is my only key to real hope.

Satan, the Deceiver, is a liar, and a very persuasive and convincing liar (John 8:44). How many times I have listened to his insidious accusations and allowed them to separate me from the One who loves me, who can help me. . . .

Lord, I don't want anything to come between us. The knowledge of You and the awareness of Your presence is my most precious possession. How wise of the Evil One to try to drive a wedge that would separate me from You.

Truth is my most powerful weapon. You have said, "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. . . . If therefore the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed" (John 8:32, 36).

I'm free to be lovely
to be hateful and ugly
I'm free to stand or to fall.
I'm free to be sinful
to be headstrong and willful
I'm free to not sin at all.
So who makes me free
who gives me strength
how do I accomplish this feat?
I give Christ my life
Regardless of cost
Then rest in His love--complete.
He takes me and loves me
molds me and shapes me
To His image--beauty divine.
And all that He did
And all that He promised
Through His life and His death becomes mine.