He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14 NKJV.
Temptation (the power of darkness) is all around in every form. I believe the most dangerous temptation there is, griped our sister Eve in the garden (Genesis 2:17). Anything or anyone who temps us to question God’s goodness, truth, and love (His motives and plans for us), has the potential to subtly steer us away from God. Any system of thought that holds us captive to a lie such as: God our Father is withholding goodness from us, needs to be rejected. Or we will find ourselves at enmity with God, and robbed of our joy.
What we believe directs our lives. If for example, I believe that marriage and or family produce only pain, then the following actions might direct my life:
- I may either live with different partners leaving them when conflict, or any situation that reminds me of past hurts arises or;
- I may live on my own and be intimately involved with different partners, never living with them or being willing to commit to marriage, or;
- I may adopt a life of celibacy, and in most instances keep all forms of relationship at arm’s length.
Truth:
We usually base our beliefs on what we’ve been told, and our personal experience. While we can never escape pain and troubles (regardless of what we’ve been told), the Bible tells us that knowing the truth sets us free (John 8:31-32). We also know that in this world we will have troubles, but Jesus has overcome them all (John 16:33).

I grew up believing that some day I would marry the man of my dreams, and so I did.
- Did we have troubles? Absolutely. We each came into our marriage with hurts, preconceived notions about marriage, family and finances, and we each held unrealistic expectations.
- Did having our daughter bring more for us to work through? Of Course. Adding children always brings us to our knees in surrender. Children represent a huge change in focus away from self.
But if Ken and I had given up because trouble, pain, crisis, and desert experiences camped out with us, we would have missed out on the rewards of sharing our lives together with those God had placed us with. We needed to be willing to work through the messiness of life, and walk with commitment to God, one another, and those with which we did life. Only God could help us to get over ourselves (our errant beliefs and attitudes) so that we could walk in love.
In this new year, I pray we are willing to seek God’s loving truth where our beliefs are concerned. That we will press into wholeness and truth with the 2020 vision only our God can provide:
Father, I ask that whatever hurt, pain, loss, or tragedy is present, that we will press into You and your Word – the truth that sets us free. For while the healing process (working through harmful beliefs, words, and actions) can be painful, even scary at times; it leads us to trust, faith, and love in You. Please help us to endure and not pull away in self-protection, which can lead to loneliness, sadness, depression, and fear. Thank you for being such a loving God, and we look to you for comfort, counsel, and direction, as we pursue wholeness in spirit, soul, and body.
May you be conveyed in love, and captive only to the Truth, and experience the gifts God has in store for you.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (ESV).
Blessings,
Jacquie ♥

Pray to receive Jesus in your heart: God Loves You
If you would like me to pray for you: Prayer Changes Everything
Amen Jacquie!!! What we believe steers our lives in the direction it will go. May we all steer clear of all negativity and lies! 🙌🏼🙏🏼
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes! Walking in love and truth illuminate our path like nothing else. God bless you Renee as you navigate 2020 in the light of our Father! ♥
LikeLiked by 3 people
What a great walk that is-walking in love and truth! 🙂 Blessings to you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Renee, I just read your beautiful post, but there was no option to “like” or “comment,” so I just want to say here how beautiful and exciting your words are! Congratulations on your sister’s decision. What joy! ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jacquie, I’m not sure why this is? I did get some likes but didn’t see an options for comments…I don’t know why….And so t know how to fix this…
Thank you so much for the encouragement! I’m so happy for sure about my sis…I believe more of my family are coming into the fold THIS year! PTL!!! 🙌🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Onward and upward right? When you figure out the fix for this, would you let me know? Also, members of my family have become Kingdom citizens over the past few years, and I’m trusting for the rest, so I stand with you in prayer for our family as well as those who are standing for the same thing. Blessings friend ♥♥
LikeLike
Amen Jacquie! We really do need to know the truth of God’s Word. May we walk in His truth and leave deception behind.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I agree Dawn. I pray this for the Body, that we may advance as a force of love, in the light of His truth, with the joy of the Lord, our strength. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post! Our beliefs do shape our experience in one way or another. Whereas for the Lord, and with the Lord, everything is possible.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love that all things are possible with our loving God! Thank you for stopping by and sharing. Blessings to you ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see an underlying theme in your latest work. Is God trying to teach you something (or is it me wh needs the lesson)?
LikeLiked by 2 people
I believe He is urging me to write more about my experience with Him. As for the Lessons learned, I hope we are all in that category. May we never stop learning. God bless you Barb!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing this post Barb ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post, Jaquie. Believing the lies of the devil will steer us on the wrong path. Only the truth of God’s Word will set us free. Praise the Lord.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’m so thankful that He lights the way for His kids. Blessings to you Beverley ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
God’s loving truth can free us of worldly lies, that can hold us captive. His truth, Word, and love will set us free.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Amen Jeanne. We have so much to look forward to. Blessings!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! Thank you for this encouragement, Jacquie!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s always my joy. Thank yo Joshua ♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amen! God’s love teaches us to be faithful in our trust as He walks ahead of us on life’s road of hope.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Oh, I really like this, “life’s road of hope.” It begs a devotional or poem. ♥♥
LikeLike
Thank you Joshua, you are kind. ♥
LikeLike
Excellent post! When we yield our brokenness to God and walk in obedience to His spirit, we receive the restoration and wholeness that He has for us.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. Where else can we offer up our brokenness and mess, and be given restoration in return? Amazing, for sure!
LikeLiked by 1 person