Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 28, 2016
So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. Galatians 4:7-9
I love refreshing seasons with the Lord when He transforms and changes us in surprising ways with His truth. I am in one of those seasons now. The Lord has been reminding me of the beginning of my relationship with Him when I knew I was saved by grace and that His love for me was not based on anything I had to do or had done, but based entirely on His sacrifice on the cross. He is reminding me that the grace I was saved by is the grace in which I now stand. And, oh how my heart has needed these blessed truths!
You see, there was a time in the past when I embraced the idea—without realizing it—that I had to do more for God or He would be displeased with me. Honestly, deep down I feared He would love me less. I also believed my significance with Him was tied to my behavior. These false beliefs were heavy burdens to bear; I have only begun to realize just how heavy during this refreshing season with Him. I forgot that God’s love is unchanging and consistent, not based on anything I can do or have done for Him, but because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Maybe you can relate to my sentiment. Perhaps you believe God’s love for you is tied to what you do, rather than who you are in Him (1 John 3:1-2), and this has led to all kinds of emotional and spiritual problems. Please accept these words as encouragement for your heart as if from Him.
Dear Child,
Much of your discouragement, fear, anxiety, striving, desire for perfection, and lack of grace for others has come because you aren’t convinced you fully belong to Me- you belong to Me, and there’s nothing you can do to un-belong to Me (John 10:29). As you understand that I have you in an eternal embrace, and that I will never let you go, you’ll be able to live in the abundant internal freedom I created you for (John 10:10), rather than living like an orphan. . . striving, driving, being filled with fear that you aren’t enough and that you can lose My love (John 14:18).
You can’t understand who you are apart from Me and you’ll never understand your worth apart from Me. Without receiving My love and living in authentic relationship with Me, you’ll always be trying to establish your identity and validate your worth on your own when I have already given both to you. In Me, you are truly found. In Me, you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). There isn’t any true life apart from Me (John 15:5; John 14:6). Until you are convinced of this and live in this truth, you’ll always be trying to find life apart from Me, and you’ll always come up empty. You are my child. You are not an orphan. You belong to Me.
“For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, ‘Abba! Father’” (Romans 8:15)!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, how magnificent is your love! I praise you that you love me only because you are so good. There is nothing I can do to earn your love. How liberating! I praise you, Lord. Thank you. Amen.Application
Go to a quiet place and sit quietly with the Lord. Ask Him to remind you of His love and to reveal what He wants you to know about your adoption in Him. If you do not know Christ and have a personal relationship with Him, you can learn more about becoming His son or daughter here.Related Reading
Ephesians 1:5; Luke 12:32; Romans 8:30; Galatians 3:26Post/Tweet today
The grace you were saved by is the grace in which you now stand. #YouBelongToMe Check out Boyd’s newest devotional book Two Minutes in the Bible for Men. Order now! If you are blessed by these daily devotionals please prayerfully consider a donation to support Wisdom Hunters Resources. We are trusting the Lord for His provision. Learn how to help. Our free Apple app Our free Android appComments are closed.
Thank-you Shanna, your messages are always very timely and uplifting for me. I feel more relax d about trying to please God now.
Thank you Shana!!! I’m speechless. My soul cries out with joy! You always seem to make it personal……letting us know you understand just what others experience. Thank you for being obedient and letting God use you for His kingdom! Love you
I needed this today!! I have been questioning who I am and where I belong in Christ and your words helped! Thank you and may God continue to bless you and the work you are doing for His Kingdom!!
Dear Marissa,
Thank you for taking the time to let Shana know how you were blessed by her words in “You Belong to Me”. Please know that I have shared your kind words with Shana.
Marissa, I think you are speaking for many in the Wisdom Hunter’s family when you said “I needed this today!”
“You Belong to Me” was filled with great reminders of the gifts of our Father’s Grace. Shana stated, “I forgot that God’s love is unchanging and consistent, not based on anything I can do or have done for Him, but because of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross”. WOW!!! That is so easy to forget sometimes, isn’t it?
So grateful for these reminders that we truly DO belong to Him!
Holding on tight to His “eternal embrace”.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.”
Psalm 31:14
Gwynne
Dear Teisa,
Thank you so much for your enthusiasm and your encouraging words to Shana after reading “You Belong to Me”. Please know I shared your comments with her and I am just sure she was blessed by them. We can “feel” the happiness in your words: “My soul cries with joy!”.
We are thankful to have Shana as a part of the Wisdom Hunter’s team. Her devotional, “You Belong to Me” really touched our hearts and reminded us of the amazing gift that God’s Grace really is. In the letter (“Dear Child”)that was part of the devotional, Shana writes as if God is speaking, “In Me, you are truly found. In Me, you live and move and have your being (Acts 17:28). There isn’t any true life apart from Me (John 15:5; John 14:6).”
Gracious, so simply stated, yet so incredibly profound!
Teisa, thank you again for your response. You spoke for many of us who read these words and were touched by them.
We are grateful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and look forward to hearing from you again.
Holding tight to His “eternal embrace”,
Gwynne
“Your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.”
Psalm 26:3
Shanna…I recall when I struggled to make the step to retire. Not only was my job demanding for 35 years but I had been through 5 years of losing 3 sisters, my husbands parents and a brother in law and my dearest christian friend. I was running on empty!! one morning during my quiet time with God, His word made it clear that He was going to do a new thing in and through me and I needed to let go and let him do it. I contacted my boss and gave notice! It was done. What now Lord? Little was I aware how much I needed to rest…my body, mind and soul! A few months later I was asked to join a class for the Stephen Ministry…reluctantly I did….I am now in my 6th year as a Stephen Minister and it has been the most rewarding step of my life. Walking along beside others during difficult times in their lives has not only helped them to heal but has brought healing to me as I draw on my own life experiences to minister to others. God blessed me with a “new job” …sharing His love! Giving hope to others through His word!
Dear Patsy,
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! for not only sharing your story with all of us, but also, for being an example of obedience and trusting in God. The life you are living, especially with your “new job” is shining His Light for so many others to see. Wow! What a blessing you are to those you serve as a Stephen’s Minister.
Shana’s devotional “You Belong to Me” addresses the “power” and the gift that we have because we DO belong to Him. Both of you (and the many others that choose to follow His “assignments”) are clear role models for courageously stepping out in faith, with the confidence that comes with His “eternal embrace”.
“Trust in the Lord with all of your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight”. Proverbs 3:5-6
Didn’t you love Shana’s statement: (God speaking) “You can’t understand who you are apart from Me and you’ll never understand your worth apart from Me”? She goes on to say: (God speaking) “In Me, you are truly found. In Me, you live and move and have your being.” Amen and Amen!!
Patsy, please know that your comments will be shared with Shana and I just know she will be blessed by them.
May God bless you as you continue to serve Him by serving others. We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter and look forward to hearing from you again.
Believing and trusting~
Gwynne
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident by all. The Lord is near.” Philippians 4:4-5
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a flagrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
Good morning very Helpful Father God and Jesus are Great and helpful