May 27, 2010
Parking My Mind on Truth
"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 8:32 (NIV)
Devotion:
Whatever we are facing in this moment we can choose to grab on to the truth. Let everything else go. Let go of the anxiety, fear, uncertainty, and frustration. Park our mind with what is true. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:32).
What truth can do for us is really amazing.
A few weekends ago I was wrapping up at a conference where I'd been speaking. My friend Beth and I were talking about where the team would be meeting for dinner that night. Suddenly, a very frantic arena staff member came over and told us there was an emergency and we were needed right away.
A lady attending the conference had just been told her two grandchildren had been killed in a fire that day.
We rushed over to find a lady surrounded by her friends. She was sobbing to the point she could hardly breathe. She'd just been with her grandbabies ages 8 and 4. They'd spent spring break with her last week. She'd held them, rocked them, stroked their hair, and kissed them all over their faces. How could they be gone?
It was too much for her brain to process.
The EMT stepped aside so we could hold her hands and pray over her. At first I stumbled my way through requests for Jesus to pour His most tender mercies into this situation. I prayed for comfort and the reassurance that these children were being held by Jesus in this moment.
It was so hard. My mommy heart ached so deeply for this woman. My eyes welled up with tears refusing to stay contained.
As Beth took her turn to pray I noticed something miraculous. Every time we said, "Jesus" her body calmed, her crying slowed, her breathing stopped sounding so panicked.
So, when it was my turn to pray again I just said His name over and over and over. This sweet grandmother joined me, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."
As we said "Jesus" over and over, truth flooded my mind.
I remembered what I'd written in last week's devotion about fearing death... Death is only a temporary separation. We will be reunited again.
I remembered this truth from 2 Samuel 12... When David's infant child died, David confidently said, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me" (v. 23b). David knew he would see his child again- not just a nameless, faceless soul without an identity, but his very child. He would know him, hold him, kiss him, and the separation death caused would be over.
The only thing that seemed to calm my devastated sister was the name of Jesus and His truth.
What a powerful reminder to us all.
Hold on to His Word, sweet sister. Speak His truth and the name of Jesus out loud in the midst of whatever you are facing today. Our souls were formed to recognize and respond to the calm assurance of Jesus and truth.
Never has this been clearer to me.
Please pray for my friend and her family.
And remember in the midst of whatever you face today...
We can choose to grab on to the truth. Let everything else go. Park our mind with what is true. "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free," (John 8:32).
Dear Lord, I lift up my friend and her family today. I also lift up my mind, and ask You to help me remember to speak Your Name and Your truth in any situation I'm in that seems overwhelming- little things and big things. Truly my soul was formed to recognize and respond to the calm assurance of truth. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Visit Lysa's blog for a list of powerful verses every woman should memorize
Lysa is speaking in over 40 cities this year and she'd love to meet you! To check for a city near you, click here
Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl by Lysa TerKeurst. This book is the resource you have been looking for to learn to read the Bible and really apply it to your everyday life.
Also, consider doing this study in a group setting by ordering Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl DVD set and leader's guide- Contains 6 sessions lasting 15-20 minutes each on one DVD for only $24.99! Perfect for your Bible study group or as a neighborhood Book Club.
Application Steps:
When you face a hard situation today, determine to speak the name of Jesus and ask Jesus to help calm you and reassure you. Use the verses from my blog today to start filling your mind with essential truths. Click here to get those verses.
Reflections:
What situation are you facing today where you need some fresh insights and truth?
Why is truth so powerful?
Why is just the utterance of Jesus' Name so powerful?
Power Verses:
John 14:6, "Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (NIV)
John 6:47, "'I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life.'" (NIV)
© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road
Matthews, NC 28105