Being Real, Part Two
Losing your hair takes time, and it’s pretty painful to have your eyes drop out and your joints get loose. But in the long run, that’s the only way to be. REAL.
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Insight for Today
Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
Being Real, Part One
To “find yourself” requires that you take time to look. It’s essential if you want to be a whole person, real to the core.
Hope for Survival
Chase the phrase “one another” through the last half of your New Testament and you’ll see what I mean. We really do need each other. More profoundly, more desperately than we even begin to realize.
Living Free
Read Romans 6:5–7
Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.Romans 6:5–7
Many Christians still live as though they are enslaved.
Grace-Oriented Giving
Read 2 Corinthians 8:1–5
Growing Through Doubt
Read John 20:26–28
Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.John 20:26–28
Freedom from Shame
Read Matthew 11:28–30
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”Matthew 11:28–30
Here are two simple statements that I’m hoping will help you in your struggle to put your painful memories and shameful thoughts behind you.
Living in Reverent Fear
Read 1 Peter 1:17
And remember that the heavenly Fatherto whom you pray has no favorites.He will judge or reward you according to what you do.So you must live in reverent fear of himduring your time here as “temporary residents.”1 Peter 1:17
The Purpose of Trials
Read 1 Peter 1:6–7 NASB 1995
In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.1 Peter 1:6–7 NASB 1995
Doing What’s Right
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way,and may your whole spirit and soul and bodybe kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.1 Thessalonians 5:23
Obviously, we cannot do what is right if we don’t know what is right. Unfortunately, our culture is awash with information and opinions and philosophies and ideologies—all in the context of a postmodern worldview that doubts the very existence of definable truth.
