Opening Prayer: “Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.”
Daily Scripture Reading:
- Genesis 37:31-35
- John 8:32
- John 16:13
- Ephesians 6:14
- Colossians 2:8
Jacob believed a lie and it changed his life. When his sons brought Joseph’s falsely bloodied robe to him he believed the worst. Of course he did. All evidence pointed to the lie. Everyone around him corroborated the same deceitful story. Joesph was dead and with him Jacob’s dreams and joy. His whole world was crumbling down as his boy was actually being lifted up.
In John 8:44 Jesus says of Satan, “When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” He doesn’t play fair. He lied to Jacob and he is lying to us still today. He will tell you that your dream is dead. He will tell you that you are nothing but bait for those that seek to destroy you. He will tell you that the pit is a punishment and the suffering will last forever. He will tell you no one is coming to your rescue.
If we are not standing firm in God’s Word about our circumstances, our identity, our pit, and our dreams we can fall prey to the lies too. Colossians 2:8 implores you and me to not be taken captive through hollow and deceptive ideas that depend on the things of this world rather than on Christ. We see that it was Jacob, not Joseph, who was the real slave.
Truth is freedom. Just think if just one of the brothers had been moved by their father’s grief and had the compassion to tell him the truth. He would have been freed from decades of bitterness and mourning. He could have gone running to rescue his son and Joseph would have been freed from servanthood and prison. Truth is freedom in our lives as well. But to use it to break chains we have to know it. We have to read it and meditate on it and recognize it when it whispers to us. The lies will come. It’s a given. It will take no effort on our part to be lied to. To stand on Truth, to know it and declare it to the lies, that will take some fight! Are you up to it?
It’s a simple balance that is anything but easy. What are you filled with- truth or lies? What do you pursue- truth or lies? What do you spend your time on- truth or lies? What voice is louder in your heart? The world’s, the father of lie’s or the Word, the Spirit of Truth’s? We get to choose what we listen to- truth or lies- and that choice will change our lives as well.
Today’s Big Questions: Honestly think about the amount of time in a day or week that you spend in the Truth of God’s Word, vs. the hollow things of this world- TV, social media, Netflix, hobbies, etc. Do you need to make some changes if you want live in the freedom of the truth?
Prayer Response: Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any lies you are believing about yourself, your life, or others. Pray the promise of John 16:13 back to Him, “Spirit of Truth, please come and guide me into all truth concerning ___________”
Optional Action Step: Spend some time in listening prayer today. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal truth to you through His still, small voice. Stay there long enough to recognize it. Ask him questions and listen for His answers. For example: “How do you feel about me? How can I please you today?” Journal what you hear and consider sharing it with a trusted friend.
Closing Prayer: “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” – Ephesians 3:20-21