There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.”
Matthew 6:25, 26 MSG
Life with God is about being filled with His love and then pouring it out on all those around you.
It is worshipping Him when we wake, when we walk, when we clean, when we work, when we eat, when we get dressed.
It is knowing you are saved by grace and reconciled to Him because of the sacrifice of Jesus.
It is knowing He loves you because you are His kid and He enjoys spending time with you.
My friend, you are a child of God who is cherished, chosen and provided for.
Live in the freedom of His love.
Live care-less in the care of God.
Live more in this truth and less in the lie that you are valued because of what you look like, eat, wear or do.
This life, this love, this security comes from Jesus and is unshakable.
“For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” ISAIAH 41:9,10 NLT
Jesus came to complete this promise, to reclaim you, to reconcile you to God, has chosen you, pursued you, paid for you, cherishes you, will not abandon you.
Jesus will whisper this truth to you every day, in every way He can until you will believe it, embrace it and live in it.
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Being humble means you can lead others without being bossy.
Being humble means that you can be happy and content when you are not in control.
Being gentle means that you have unclenched your hands from steering the direction of your life and have let Jesus take the lead.
Being patient means bearing with those who don’t deserve your patience and loving people who are not easy to love.
This is about the little things that can undo our composure: the unexpected phone calls, the interruptions that add or postpone your to-do list, the change of plans because some people are unorganized.
These are the moments when being humble matters the most.
These are moments when being gentle makes all the difference.
These are the moments Jesus shines bright through you and you enjoy the journey better than you used to.
May you so confidently know who you are in Christ that you are able to gracefully engage with all that challenges you today.
“There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.”
Philippians 1:6 MSG
My prayer for you is that you will begin to see yourself in the light of God’s passionate love for you:
He has chosen you. Rescued you. Provided for you. Forgiven you. Equipped you. Goes before you. Follows up after you.
Whatever you are struggling with today, I want you to remember that you are surrounded by God’s love – even if you don’t feel it, don’t know what to do with it and have no idea how to receive it.
“For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Zephaniah 3:17 NLT
Did you know that God loves you when you’re mad at Him?
He does.
Did you know that God is with you when your heart is heavy and you are overcome with sadness?
He is.
He doesn’t just delight in you when you are delightful.
He doesn’t just love you when you are loveable.
He loves you every moment of everyday, walks with you through the struggles, the heartaches and the darkness. He holds out His arms to you, invites you to rest on His lap and then gently sings a song over you.
“For I have chosen you and will not throw you away. Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”
Isaiah 41:9,10 NLT
Jesus came to complete this promise, to reclaim you, to reconcile you to God, has chosen you, pursued you, paid for you, cherishes you, will not abandon you.
Jesus will whisper this truth to you every day, in every way He can until you will believe it, embrace it and live in it.