Go After God’s Best!
You are worthy.
I met a woman I’ll call Regina at an event where I was teaching women about their worthiness of great love and why they should never settle for less than God’s very best for them.
Regina told me she’d come out of a life of drugs, alcohol and abuse. For a long time she didn’t love herself – couldn’t love herself.
You know the voices … Too late, too much baggage, too much damage.
As a result, she tried to find love from men who took advantage of her. When that didn’t work, she covered the pain of rejection and abuse with drugs and alcohol. Substance abuse made her more vulnerable to being used by men which made her feel worse, so she used more drugs and the cycle perpetuated itself.
Finally, Jesus got a hold of her, she got sober and cleaned up her life. But without anyone to teach her or disciple her, she settled into the compliant obedience of legalism – following rules and fulfilling rituals – instead of fervently following Jesus.
She wasn’t using harmful substances anymore, but she still didn’t experience a deep connection with Jesus.
Complacency disguised as contentment
Regina was so grateful to be “saved” that she stopped short of all that Jesus died to give her. It happens to a lot of us. We slip into complacency and call it contentment, stopping short of the really good life Jesus has for us because we don’t believe it’s really for us. Or we say “Ehhh, this is good enough, or “Better than I thought I’d get,” or “I’m should just be grateful for what I have.”
Enter in!
At the conference, Regina learned about God’s best for her. That she is formed in the image of God, that she is blessed, loved, accepted and worthy of God’s love and favor. She discovered that God’s opinion of her is the only one that matters and he says she is all that and a bag of chips plus a brownie. (That’s my translation of Ps. 139:14.) The Bible is full of reminders that you are you are the apple of God’s eye. (Ps. 17:8) You are a masterpiece, (Eph. 2:10) and a pearl of great price. (Matt. 13)
Don’t settle.
Like Regina, we all need to be established in God’s love for us so we don’t settle for less than God has for us so we don’t accept counterfeit love. And so we can trust and follow Jesus and not settle for anything less than his best for us.
How do you stay in the center of God’s love and truth? Leave me a comment to tell me about your go-to verse about God’s love for you.
Verse for today: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Prayer: Father, show me who I am to you. Remind me that you made me and don’t make junk. Surround me with healthy friends and give me the courage to release toxic people and habits that slow me down. In Jesus Name amen.
My life verse is Proverbs 3: 5-6….Trust in the lord with all your heart amd lean not in your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. These promises gives me peace and keeps me in God’s will.
Prov. 3:5-6 is one of my favorite passages, too. Thanks for sharing it, Jackie
Psalms 23
Jeremiah 29:11
John 3:17
Luke 19:10
Hi Faith,
Those are all really good ones. Thanks for posting.
Begin each day in the Word of God. Share what I have learned with others.
What excellent advice. We should all do that.
Thanks, Marie.
I worked in the insurance industry where policies are actually legal contracts. Based on this, I found that John 3;16 is my ‘assurance contract’. God’s promise and my go to when I’m afraid or doubt my faith.
Hi Bonnie,
I love this. Thanks so much for posting it.
I have so many favorite verses in The Bible, but there are 2 that I really go to, the first one is Isaiah 40:31.
But those who trust in The Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles.
They will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.
The second scripture is: Isaiah 41:10 which says.
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.
Hi Patty,
Those are both such great verses. Thank you for sharing them. Not everyone mines the Old Testament for treasure. I appreciate that you did it for us.
Galatians 2:20 is my life verse. Reminds me that Christ did what he did because He “gave himself up for me.” He wouldn’t do that if I weren’t the Apple of His eye!
Hey Nina,
That is so powerful, thank you for posting. Appreciate you!
My go to verse is 1 John 4 v 19 We Love because He first Loved us, once I embraced that truth, that truth set me free to receive and know that God truly does Love Me!!!
Jesus Loves Me this I Love, another favorite quote of mine!!!
Such a good word. Thanks Sandy!
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Phil. 4;13
There is no better way to start the day than getting into God’s word. I’m always amazed how each
book in the Bible supports each other. I lead a Bible study on Sunday nights. It’s definitely not my
wisdom but the Holy Spirit guiding and working through me.
God Bless,
Becky
That is terrific, Becky. Love your Bible verse and appreciate your leadership.