truth – girlgrowing

Hey there,

Just thought I’d share a little of what’s been on my heart lately.

In a word, I’d say that God has been speaking to me about submission.

He has been taking me on a journey to challenge some things in my life, and to shake my understanding of some things in order to speak His truth to me.

💙💜💙💜💙

People say that the truth hurts, but that’s not true.

The truth may feel like it hurts, as in, it feels to our flesh that it’s hurting us, because it has offended us that we’ve heard that truth that says that something in our life is not right. But the truth heals.

Jesus is the truth – He heals – so He comes into those places and He redeems them (John 14:6). He frees us from those things.

To have that happen, we have to submit to Him and allow the flesh to be crucified; the flesh to be dealt with, so that we can actually walk in the truth of Christ and not be held captive by the lies of the devil.

So… the truth does not hurt. It heals. It sets the captives free.

Selah {Pause and think on that}

Are there areas in your life where perhaps you need God’s truth to invade?

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For me, God has been showing me areas in my life where I’ve known the truth, but haven’t been living/experiencing it.

One example, is in healing. I’ve known for a long time that Jesus purchased our healing when He died on the cross. Yet, I’ve lived unwell.

Over the past few months He has shown me how to walk in my healing. His Word says that we overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony (Rev 12:11). I have been learning to declare this; learning to remind the devil that any ‘symptom’ he throws my way, is just a lie that I don’t have to accept, as he has no authority over my life. Learning to expect my body to be healed and whole, for this is what is rightfully mine as a daughter of the King, the Most High. Praise God! I’ve never known so much freedom. I am still *pinching myself* at the goodness of God that has been manifested in my life – so grateful for all He has done!

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And the best is yet to come…

Living healed and whole is one area of change in my life, but that is just the beginning.

I mentioned earlier in this post the word submission. Well… God has placed on my heart a desire to be fully submitted to Him in every area of my life, and He is doing some interesting things in my world along those lines (more on that another time…).

I’m going to leave you with a song that has spoken to me about truth and being submitted unto it.

Ponder… listen… pray… Allow God to speak what is true to the inmost parts of your being. Expect Him to change you in exciting ways!

//Here’s my heart Lord//

Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Speak what is trueHere’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Speak what is true’Cause I am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I’m made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am freeHere’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Speak what is true’Cause I am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I’m made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am free’Cause You are strong, You are sure
You are life, You endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking throughHere’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Speak what is trueHere’s my life Lord
Here’s my life Lord
Here’s my life Lord
Speak what is true
Speak what is true
Speak what is trueI am found, I am Yours
I am loved, I’m made pure
I have life, I can breathe
I am healed, I am free‘Cause You are strong, You are sure
You are life, You endure
You are good, always true
You are light breaking throughYou are more than enough
You are here, You are love
You are hope, You are grace
You’re all I have, You’re everythingHere’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Here’s my heart Lord
Speak what is trueHere’s my life Lord
Here’s my life Lord
Here’s my life Lord
Speak what is true
Speak what is true
Speak what is true
Speak what is true

Xx A girl growing in lived out truth!

Scripture references: The Holy Bible (several translations)

Song:

Songwriters: Jason Ingram / Chris Tomlin / Louie Giglio
Here’s My Heart lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol Christian Music Group

Photo credit:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/blur-close-up-dangerous-depth-of-field-230864/

© Girl Growing. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission, from this blog’s author and owner, is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Girl Growing, http://www.girlgrowing.com

Lately, I’ve found myself mulling over the notion that many people today want a ‘fluffy, soft pillow’ kind of Jesus, rather than the hard hitting truths of our rock solid God.

We learn about this in 2 Timothy…

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather round them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.”
2 Timothy 4:2‭-‬5 NIVUK
(http://bible.com/113/2ti.4.2-5.NIVUK)

Or put another way…

“… People will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but … will … satisfy their own desires and … the errors they hold … and [they] will accept the unacceptable.”
2 TIMOTHY 4:3‭-‬4 AMP
(http://bible.com/1588/2ti.4.3-4.AMP)

and

“…They will find teachers who say what they want to hear.”
2 Timothy 4:3 ERV
(http://bible.com/406/2ti.4.3.ERV)

As I read this, I am reminded of Simon in Matthew 16. He had incredible revelation of the Messiah. Jesus called him Peter, meaning ‘rock’, and said, “Upon this rock I will build my church and all the powers of hell will not conquer it”. And YET, when Jesus spoke with him of his coming crucifixion and resurrection, Peter was offended. Offended by God’s truth. Offended by the gospel.

Offended. BOOM! It didn’t tickle his ears or his fancy. It wasn’t palatable and pleasant. He didn’t like that it was so confronting. He didn’t like the thought of Jesus enduring such hardship. Perhaps he thought it too extreme. Or maybe even unnecessary.

But Jesus didn’t water-down the gospel for him. He laid it out plainly, saying,

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.
Matthew 16:24‭-‬25 NLT
(http://bible.com/116/mat.16.24-25.NLT)

Peter’s ‘rocky’ journey (pardon the pun 😉) continued…

After hearing about all that was to come, he told Jesus that he’d stand by him, never deny him. Again Jesus told him the truth – that he would in fact deny him three times before nightfall. Peter wouldn’t have it. Jesus was right…

“Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.”
Matthew 26:75 NLT
(http://bible.com/116/mat.26.75.NLT)

Oh Peter…

Can you picture him?

I believe this was probably a turning point for Peter. I imagine his understanding of, and reliance upon, the Word would have increased dramatically in this moment. I get a sense of him acknowledging before God his own weakness and imperfection – his sinfulness – his need of the Messiah who gave His life to save him. I daresay he grieved greatly over his lack of faithfulness, his unbelief, and his desire for a ‘pleasing’ gospel rather than a saving one. I imagine him bowed down before the Father in prayer, repenting and turning from his ways, committing his life to serving Him. I feel a new line may have been added to his vocab, “What did Jesus say about this?”

Fast forward and he sees things unfold just as Jesus had told him they would. He sees the fulfilment of His promises. God did indeed use him mightily to build His church.

What a timely reminder for us to seek His truth and not be those who like having our ears tickled.

What blessings we can experience if we allow ourselves to be uncomfortable in God’s presence as He offends the things in us that do not align with His Word. What character will be built in us if we submit, in obedience to Him, to grow in our understanding in those areas. What bright futures lie ahead for those who humbly weep before our Messiah, allowing ourselves to become transformed into His likeness.

This week think on this…

“Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another—showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 MSG
(http://bible.com/97/2ti.3.14-17.MSG)

Consider what your ears are listening to and what the Spirit of Truth is speaking into your life.

Grow ☺🌱

(This has been so much on my heart lately. I’m getting more used to His ‘uncomfortable’ prompts as He deals with me in different areas. Be encouraged that He does so with love. Also, share your journey with some trusted friends – it’s great to encourage one another around the things He is doing in our lives).

Scripture references: The Holy Bible (several translations)

Photo credit: Pixabay

https://www.pexels.com/photo/accomplishment-action-adult-adventure-372098/

Tag: truth

The truth hurts

Rock solid