Apr 08
Today’s Truth
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
Friend to Friend
The girl looked in the mirror. She noticed her slumped shoulders, her lack of motivation and her tired eyes. Life was always letting her down. People were too.
Still, she got up and went to her closet. Before her, stood the garbs of gold, laced with jewels and vibrant colors, but as always, she was drawn to the clothes of old. She knew them well. They were comfortable.
I can never be more. I can never do more. For I see my past. I remember what I did, how I lived, and how I so horribly failed.
The girl was trapped in a way, but in another way she was free. The door was open to her, she could go wherever she pleased, and she could step into purpose, if only she’d choose. In fact, the King had invited her to the fullness of his kingdom. He wanted that for her.
Most days, she remembered her old home – the little hut, far off. She focused on the mean people there and her retaliatory behavior on those bad days. She usually lived there.
With this, she knew, she didn’t deserve to be adopted – nonetheless by someone so amazing, so powerful and so loving as him.
Could he really be that way, loving? Not mad at me?
Could I really be princess, not pauper?
…Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV)
What are you wearing? The robes of old mistakes, problems and relational issues or Christ’s robes that wrap you in holiness, purity and purpose?
Perhaps, today is the day, you let go of the clothes of old – the anger, the bitterness and the hurt – to grab hold of the attitude of bold. Perhaps, today is the day you receive and believe in God’s fullness. Perhaps, today is the day, you look in the mirror, confident and sure, with the knowledge you are: accepted, valued, rejoiced over, covered, equipped, protected, instructed, called, empowered with the mind of Christ, counseled, known, loved, seen, established, anointed, sealed, blessed, holy, seated with Christ, victorious, set free, safe and redeemed.
Perhaps, today is the day you say, “I am walking out of my torture chamber, for I am His and He is mine. I am His daughter.”
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, you see me as your daughter. Help me to see myself the way You see me. May I know Your love, a love that would go to any lengths to save me. In fact, Your love already did that, with Christ. May I accept the fullness of all He did for me when He died on the cross. May I welcome You, and all that You are into my life, without fear. Teach me to have joy in who You declare me to be.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
You are: accepted, valued, rejoiced over, covered, equipped, protected, instructed, called, empowered with the mind of Christ, counseled, known, loved, seen, established, anointed, sealed, blessed, holy, seated with Christ, victorious, set free, safe and redeemed.
What word above most encourages you? How do you think you have been holding God back? How might you apply this truth to your life?
More from the Girlfriends
Kelly Balarie, blogger at Purposeful Faith and author of “Fear Fighting: Awakening the Courage to Overcome Your Fears” is passionate about joining hands with women who often find themselves stuck in the pits of life. Step-by-step, word-by-word, her dream is that together they can emerge better – fear, fret and panic-free. Get all of Kelly’s Purposeful Faith blog posts by email for a dose of inspiration and encouragement.
What a great article. The depiction of the girl looking in the mirror and in her closet of clothes really helped me see how great God’s love is for me, and how He doesn’t see us as prisoners of our past. Wonderful!
Well said, Beth. Prisoners of our Past. We should choose to believe what God says about us instead of what we used to say about ourselves.
It is so true, Jilian. I love how you are such an uplifter!
Beth, you are not your past, you are a reflection of Christ. We can lose this image through the fog of our days. I am praying you remember it.
Thanks a million. This was much needed as I’ve been praying for confidence in my daily walk. Your words always inspire me but this morning’s “food for the soul” knocks it out of the park.
I am going through a breakup, after 6 years, and my confidence is weak. I am constantly told I am attractive, friendly, classy & always giving a kind word but I don’t feel like I am worthy. I second guess who I am & always allow Satan to creep in.
Your word identifies me as valued, a child of the Most High, appreciated, loved!
Your word has inspired me to see myself as He sees me…full of worth & able to achieve what He says I can achieve.
Thanks GIG…your words are always on time!!!
Yes, Yolanda! You are the daughter of the most high King. You wear royal robes. He adorns you in the fullness of his love. Stand there.
What a great message for my birthday! I struggle with many of those labels. I need to put on a new wardrobe. The one Christ assigned me. Beautiful devotion. Thank you
Happy Birthday! Wear those royal robes, new friend. Let Jesus be all over you.
I could identify with the girl looking in the mirror as well as you Yolanda. It’s hard to receive a kind word a compliment. Pray for me as this is an area Istruggle with. Thanks to the author if this devotion.
Gen,
I will lift you in prayer. You pray for me, I pray for you & watch God change things.
We serve a God who is fully equipped to give us the world, if it coincides with His will for our lives.
Let’s expect great things because He says we are His children & He will pour out blessings we don’t have room enough to receive.
Satan is busy but we WILL not allow him to second guess our AWESOME God.
Keep praying, keep believing His word & keep meditating on His promises.
Luv u!!
Dear God, let Gen’s true identity soak in. I pray she knows who she is, what she is called to do and she accepts your love. Encourage her heart and bless her. Uplift her head. Let her see your face. Amen.
I think this is one of the areas we women struggle the most. The enemy is always trying to put us down and makes us feel unworthy, but when we realize and understand the position Jesus has put us on, our struggles disappear and we are able to walk with our heads up knowing that we are Daughters of the King. Of course, it is not easy to get to this point, I recently had a battle to fight related with this issue; but Glory to God for the Holy Spirit and His Word that brought me victory.
Ladies do not be afraid, He is with us!
Blessings
I celebrate your progress today, Victoria. I love how God has moved your heart. Continue to wear those robes for you are highly loved, chosen and called. Thank you for reading this today.