The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep recognize his voice and come to him. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. – John 10:3

There are some nasty lies that have somehow become a part of my identity lately. They are shouted into my mind by the enemy, and the voice used sounds an awful lot like my own voice. He’s tricky that way, isn’t he? I’ve given him power. I’ve taken to making these statements right out loud, and I’m sure that he gets giddy when he realizes he’s been successful in knocking me back a bit.

These are some of the things I say to myself:

I am lazy. I am high-maintenance. I am a drain to all who know me. I’m a party pooper who ruins plans and good times. I am useless. I’m an embarrassment to my family.

Do you do this, too, Dear One? I realized tonight that I was doing it again. Saying it right out loud. Calling myself names I would never dare even think of someone else. As soon as I realized it, I got my Bible out. It’s not called the Sword of the Spirit for nothing. It’s a weapon we can and should use to beat back the dark. When I opened it this time, I found what God has to say about me.

Those lies of the enemy, they are wrong. Wrong in every way. So I wrote this scripture down instead and have it taped up where I can see it often. I thought maybe you might need to hear it, too.

Here’s what God says about us:

You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. – 1 Peter 2:4-5

But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.

“Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.” – 1 Peter 2:9-10

I’m clinging to this truth about myself today, Dear Ones. This is who I am in my Father’s eyes, and He’s the only One that matters. Cling with me, won’t you?

 

Dear Lord, help us to keep Your words in our hearts and minds instead of the ones the enemy likes to scream at us. Thank You for loving us in such a wonderful way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen…

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May God Bless You,

Shelly