Given Freely to be Deeply Owned | 40 Gifts of Lent | Gift 28
Today’s Reading: Galatians 1 – end
May what our Master Jesus Christ gives freely be deeply and personally yours, my friends. Oh, yes! Galatians 6:18 (The Message)
I am discouraged today. I feel empty.
And so I run away. Purposefully running to the gospel of grace, owning its truth. I’m talking to myself. I’m telling myself that what Jesus Christ has given freely is reaching deep and deeper still in my soul. His gift of joy overwhelms discouragement.
Why are people usually unhappy? David Martyn Lloyd-Jones said it’s because people are listening to themselves instead of talking to themselves. I can choose to listen to whatever my thoughts are telling me–I can listen to the negative banter and feel horrible.
Or I can talk back. I can remind myself of what is true, and who I am, and who God is and what he has done.
This gift is unwrapped, there is amazing joy and is deeply owned.
I read a sweet devotional book today: Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing by Sally Lloyd-Jones
I am anticipating the arrival of Easter and celebrating the most amazingly good gift I’ve ever received. I want to focus my heart on the fulfilled expectation of Christ’s first coming and the glorious expectation of His second coming. To continue reading, please go here: 40 Gifts of Lent
Donna Harris‑More Grace 
Your photos, as usual, are gorgeous. Real heart-grabbing. Thank you so much!
I’m so happy to be right next to you at Deidra’s this week. I’ve been a bit blue and weary lately and what you wrote is so true. Thank you!
Hi Elizabeth, It seems you were meant to read this one, “deeply owned” because the first link at Sunday Community didn’t direct you to the right page. Thank you for visiting here!
It’s so true that when I listen to my own thoughts, instead of what God says about me or a situation, I become discouraged. Thank you for helping me to lift my eyes today, and thanks for linking up to The Weekend Brew!
It’s a good thing God is listening to me when I repeat happy thoughts about Him to myself.