Ep. 87 || What It Means To “Preach The Gospel To Yourself”

As mommas, we all fall short of the glory of God. What we need when that happens is to preach the gospel to ourselves again and again. But how do we actually do that? In this episode, Emily and Laura share how reminding yourself of the gospel is an important part of the Christian walk – but it requires some practice. To preach the gospel, we have to know the gospel. It’s the only thing that keeps us from being defined by the time we yelled in the car or hid in the pantry stress-eating dark chocolate. Momma, your true identity is secure in Christ – offering peace, hope, and joy in every moment.

Articles, Resources and Related Content:

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There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)
As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:12)
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:18)
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more. (Hebrews 8:12)
A Gospel Primer for Christians: Learning to See the Glories of God's Love - Milton Vincent
Show Them Jesu s - Jack Klumpenhower
CrossTalk: Where Life & Scripture Meet - Michael Emlet
Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God's Good Gifts - Trillia Newbell
Gospel Fluency: Speaking the Truths of Jesus into the Everyday Stuff of Life - Jeff Vanderstelt
“Faith Hacking: Preaching the Gospel to Yourself” - Tim Challies
“Preach the Gospel to Yourself” - David Mathis
“How to Preach the Gospel to Yourself” - An interview with Jerry Bridges

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R|M Apply Questions:

Christians have a lot of hard-to-understand phrases, but “preaching the gospel to yourself” doesn’t have to feel so ambiguous. It’s a skill that can be practiced until it becomes more natural. As we discussed in the show, reminding yourself of the gospel is a vital part of the daily Christian life and we all need to practice it. While we’ll never be perfect, we can learn to turn our eyes towards Christ quickly and joyfully by spending time remembering who we are in him and what he accomplished for us on the cross. Momma, we’re always telling ourselves something – is it a lie or the truth found only in the gospel?

We are always preaching something to ourselves. Think through a normal day. What sorts of phrases do you repeatedly share with yourself or your friends? Are they gospel-oriented? Which phrases need to be exchanged for truth?
When you realize you’ve sinned – lost your temper with a child, spoken harshly to your husband, etc. – what are the next steps in preaching the gospel to yourself? How does the grace of the gospel bring you to a place of joy?
What are some ways you could begin to preach the gospel to yourself? When do you find yourself struggling with patience, gentleness, or self-control? Is there a particularly stressful part of your everyday rhythm that you can prepare yourself for? Think of some short gospel phrases or bible verses to keep at the forefront of your mind for encouragement and hope. Maybe write them down on a notecard to keep nearby as you learn to practice this habit of grace.
It’s just as important to preach the gospel to other women as it is to do it for ourselves. In order to preach to ourselves or others, we need to know the gospel and its application to our lives, which comes through the study of God’s word. How can you incorporate more scripture study into your daily rhythm? How can you join with another mom to study God’s word together (be creative – over email, through Voxer, etc.!)?
As a believer, you will forever be known as a woman given the perfect grade of an A+ – even though you actually deserved a failing grade. This identity of “righteous one” defines who you are before God, no matter what else has happened in your day. Why do we need to be reminded of this daily? How can this reminder redeem a “bad day” and help you move on?

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