By my good friend, Amanda Barnes…
Today, as I ponder the NEW year and all of its possibilities – I am battling with some OLD lies.
Ones based in fear, rejection, doubt, and control. They’re struggling to maintain strength and are causing irritation, going against the NEW in me.
There is an age-old battle within me, my relationships, and my home….
A battle between GOOD and evil,
LIGHT and dark,
WHOLENESS and sickness,
PEACE and argument,
CHOSEN and victim,
TRUTH and lies…
Frankly – I am being forced to make a choice.
- Will I live from my testimony?
- Which side of the cross will I stand on?
- Where will I land today?
For the moment, I am standing (however unstable) on my NEW foundation in Christ. In a place where Truth reigns and rejects the Lie… where fear is trying to gain ground but Trust is holding.
But it is so easy to behave the ‘old way’ because the old way can ‘feel’ more real than the Truth… because the ‘old way’ goes long and deep… and old-habits die-hard!
However, GOD has been planting HIS WORD in my heart – He’s already spoken many Truths to me. He’s spoken them to you, too.
We are CHOSEN and WANTED and DELIVERED.
We BELONG and are WORTHY of living LOVED.
And anything GOOD in us starts with HIM.
Do you believe those Truths? To be honest, it’s a choice… and a very unnatural one at that. Choosing God’s WAY goes against our flesh, but presents us with the opportunity for a NEW way of living.
A NEW hope.
So here I sit – with a NEW task in front of me…
Starting a new venture with my beloved friend. Co-Laboring with Christ and Carey to create a space and a place for encouragement… Agreeing to write a monthly blog called:
“The Matthew 5:16 Project”
It’s a challenge to live intentionally and in such a way that others see the LIGHT in us reflecting our good deeds… resulting in PRAISE to our HEAVENLY FATHER.
But – today I am struggling.
I’m distracted by:
- a cranky strong-willed child,
- another child with walking pneumonia,
- an unusually irritated spouse,
- a ridiculously messy house,
- a heavy (all too familiar) dark cloud of oppression resulting in foul mood and cluttered thinking,
- and in the midst of trying to write optimistic and encouraging words to live by – a PC failure.
And yet, here I am… persevering in writing this invitation (this challenge) – for us to accept.
Trying to forgo my old responses and instead focus on NEW ones.
It’s a constant battle, but I’m ready for it. Are you?
It won’t be easy. When we take a step towards God… the Enemy wages a greater war against us. I’m feeling it today.
But when we decide to live a NEW way… think in a NEW way… trust in a NEW way… and respond in a NEW way… others will clearly see God because of it. And that is the point of our existence.
So…
How will we walk out the intentional pursuit of a NEW perspective?
How can we choose to BELIEVE God – His WORD and His FAITHFULNESS?
How will we live seeing Heaven in each of our moments?
How will we let our LIGHTs shine bright so that others see our deeds and PRAISE our Father in Heaven?
Consider joining in The Matthew 5:16 Project.
HERE’S OUR JANUARY FOCUS:
For the entire month… let’s begin the year by making a shift in our thinking – in our focus – from what is OLD to what is NEW in us.
- Let’s recall every lie that has been replaced with TRUTH.
- Let’s recite every time God has trumped an enemy attempt to take us out.
- Let’s remember where His Hand has already held us close to His heart.
HERE’S HOW WE WALK IT OUT:
- Cut slips of paper and write OLD/Lie on one side… and TRUTH/NEW on the other.
- Find a bucket to hold these slips of paper and pens.
- Place a little bowl next to the bucket to collect the completed slips of paper, leaving the TRUTH side up.
Make sure to include a Bible, so the tools needed to KEEP perspective and RENEW thinking will be always accessible.
Every time a negative thought or feeling arises – we are to (gently) remind one’s self or one another to take that thought to the LORD and ask Him what He has to say about it… writing down the lie or old habit and trumping it with the TRUTH and the PROMISES made by God.
Are you with me?
Breathe in the Truth and Believe – Exhale the spoken Word… creating a NEW perspective and NEW habit to LIVE from….
Other ways to find NEW perspective:
- Share and listen to Testimonies of God’s goodness and faithfulness.
- Memorize scripture.
- Look in past journals to remember what God has done in your life.
- Play music and engage in Worship.
- Look up ‘NEW’ in your bible or online at biblegateway.com.
- Keep your lies trumped with TRUTH in a journal or on index cards.
There is no right or wrong way to pursue God’s Truth in your life – just start, and don’t quit… He’s got lots to say!
Are you ready for the NEW He wants to release in and through you?
†††
©2011 The Matthew 5:16 Project – careyscotttalks.com, Amanda Barnes
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I am a recently new subscriber, and I enjoy your blog emensely. It seems as though your words always come at exactly the right time. Today’s post spoke right to my heart. I have been struggling with having the courage to deliver a message. I write for a monthly local news publication, and over the last year, my column has evolved – taking on new life by infusing biblical passages into my work. It has been well received by the editor and my readership. But for 2012, I feel called to step it up a notch – which is where the courage must come in. Thank you for your message today. It was much needed food for me.
JoAnn… so glad to have you aboard! Sister, I love that God is moving you to be bolder in speaking His Truths. What a privilege to further His Kingdom. I bless you in this NEW adventure. Remember that when God calls you… He also equips you!
love this initiative!! I’ve been doing this very thing for about 2 years now — I call it the lie-dector {hope every thought captive} while I’m “holding” the thought I determine what it is…lie? truth? If it’s a lie, I off-set it with the truth by “allying” myself — telling myself the truth. For example, I think…you’re not good enough {lie} then I tell myself…You have everything it takes, you are very good {truth} — it WORKS, but I have to tell you it takes TIME and PRACTICE and INTENTIONAL PERSEVERANCE for sure!!
The key…like you mentioned is …make sure you include the Bible!! The WORD OF GOD speaks TRUTH…also others who are like-minded help in this process.
Thank YOU for sharing The Matthew 5:16 Project – The New In Me — many lives will be changed. =)
Keeping it Personal,
Teri Johnson
Teri… you are spot on, girl! It does takes TIME and PRACTICE and INTENTIONAL PERSEVERANCE. Thanks for adding your insight and experience!
I sit here amazed at how quickly God answered my prayer. I am struggling with deep buried emotions and other things that I have just not been able to get a hand on. How can I move forward if I don’t know what to tackle? So this morning I prayed asking God to help me identify things that are buried so deep that I can’t see, but feel the results daily as I try to move forward.
Thank you for these words of truth and encouragement spoken to me today.
Angie, I love hearing about your journey. You’ve become so intentional in seeking His will for your life. He will bless that, sweet friend! Love you!
I enjoy reading your FB posts and tweets. I am so glad I investigated this FB posting further. I am on board. Thanks for the great idea and initiative. Seems fun and encouraging all at once. Setting this up today – Thanks again!
I’m glad you investigated it, too! I bless your month of reNEWal!
Delighted by this challenge to take action. To not sit back and allow the things of God to be missed. I love the way our actions can challenge and change our thoughts. They say it takes 30 days to create a habit!! May speaking God’s words over my worth, my thoughts, my identity not only become a habit but a renewed transformation. Thank you for this practical step to co-laboring with the Lord.
Jeanelle… so glad we can make changes in our actions which helps makes changes in our thought-life. Powerful post by our friend, Amanda!
I was recently introduced to your blog and was scrolling back through your achives a few days ago when I read the post you shared about Three Voices. I had planned on using that as a focus in 2012, but this initative is even more specific. Thank you ladies! Brook
Be blessed, Brook! Thank you for stopping by today!
How well you’ve described the Accuser’s voice and influence! I had a great holiday season and was too busy to listen to lies…but last night on the eve of my first day back to work, the harassment began. I can recognize the lies, but letting go of the emotional spin-put and allowing God to restore my mind and emotions, especially during the night when I want to be peacefully sleeping, doesn’t come easily. Thank you for a great intentional tool towards overcoming! God is so faithful and to know you all are in this with me is encouraging. Onward, then, my friends.
Ruth
Ruth, just the fact that you are AWARE of the lies puts you so far ahead of the game! I’ll be on the front lines of the battlefield with you, sister!
How this all devotions talks to me! I can relate in every verse and thought. It is hard though isn’t it. I will gladly join the matthew project, because I believe God is really trying to talk to me once for all, He wants me to really leave those failures and lies behind and I think now it’s the time! Happy New Year Carey and thank you for your precious time that you take to share this with all of us. I am convinced that my life will be changed by the Truth of God’s word!
Aida… so glad to have you aboard. Look for a new project idea at the beginning of each month. Be blessed, sister!