Devotion for the day!!! : )

February 28, 2011Always the Same Zoe Elmore

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." Hebrews 10:36 (NIV)               

Devotion:
Turn off the alarm, stumble to the coffee pot, get myself ready, eat breakfast, and drive to the office. My morning routine is always the same. I could probably get through it with my eyes shut and, truth be told, many mornings I do. Except for the part where I'm driving of course.

Upon entering the office I begin another routine. Five phone lines incessantly ring while clients impatiently wait to check in. Appointments are made, changed and cancelled, all the while I smile with a cheery attitude. After all, I am thankful to have work to do.

Anyone paying attention might think my life has been reduced to unending days of "always the same." That may be the case for now, but the reality is this time of sameness is simply one chapter in my life story.

Just as other life chapters have ended, this chapter will also end at some point, and God will turn the page beginning a new chapter with daily challenges of its own.

When I think about my different life chapters, I'm reminded to pray Psalm 31:14-15a over each of them: "But I trust in you, LORD; I say, 'You are my God.' My times are in your hands" (NIV).

It's so important for us to remember that our heavenly Father has ordained our days, even our "always the same" days for our good and His glory. While we might see them as mundane, boring, frustrating or even miserable, the Lord can use the circumstances of these days to transform us into a clear reflection of Him.

In the midst of our circumstances we might long for change, but we can rest in the One who never changes. Hebrews 13:8 tells us "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (NIV). This verse is an encouragement to celebrate each day by persevering and staying the course because Jesus "ever lives, and is ever the same...merciful, powerful, and all-sufficient" (Matthew Henry).

The One who knows us best and loves us most is present to provide everything we need to continue on until He changes our circumstances.
Will you join me today, taking a closer look at our "always the same days" and begin to see them as opportunities to trust the One who never changes. The One who holds our time and our lives in His hands.

Dear Lord, sometimes I get overwhelmed by life's circumstances, but I thank You that You are my faithful Rock on which I can rely. I choose to place my confidence in You and ask You to help me persevere so I can receive what you have promised no matter what my days look like. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:The Uncommon Woman: Making an Ordinary Life Extraordinary by Susie Larson

His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Jesus Calling: Seeking Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young

 

Visit Zoe's Blog

Application Steps:  Ask God to show you His purpose in your "always the same" days.

Reflections:  How would my life be different if I celebrated in the midst of this life chapter?

Power Verses: Titus 3:14, "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessitates and not live unproductive lives." (NIV)

James 1:12, "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." (NIV, 1984)

Why is Jesus called the "Son of Man"?

John Piper

If you do a study of the term Son of Man in the Gospels you'll see that Jesus didn't refer to himself most often as Son of God but as Son of Man. He said things like, in Mark 10:45, "The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many." So he calls himself Son of Man very often.

I think the reason he did so is because, on the face of it,Son of Man is an ordinary phrase for "human being." He was born of a man. And there's no offense there: who isn't a son of man? But those with ears to hear could hear Daniel 7, in which he was claiming a very exalted role in the history of redemption. And he meant to do it.

Jesus was very subtle in that he was always opening his identity to those with eyes to see, but he wasn't opening it so blatantly that everybody would come and make him king. He had to steer a very narrow course in disclosing his identity, not just openly saying, "I'm the Messiah, I'm the King of the World. Come and acknowledge me as King." He didn't talk like that.

He was quiet. He was subtle. And he would make claims that were explicit in certain settings and implicit in others. And only when the time was right—mainly when he was on trial for his life, and they said, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the living God?"—did he say, "I am, and you will see the Son of Man coming with great power and glory." So he confessed his open deity right at the point where he knew he would be crucified for it.

So I hope that helps. "Son of Man" has the double meaning of human being and, according to Daniel 7, exalted heavenly one. And Jesus means to communicate both of those.

Feeling Stagnant? Are You Running the Race?

Jack Graham

In [Hebrews 12:1–2], the author of Hebrews compares living the spiritual live to running a race. Now imagine running a race with barbells on your shoulders or wearing scuba diving equipment. While that sounds ridiculous, it’s essentially what many Christians try to do when they hold onto sin in their lives!

Now the Scripture tells us in Romans 14:23 that “whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” That means that when you’re not accomplishing what God wants you to do by faith, you are living in sin!

So often, people come up and tell me, “Pastor, I just feel stagnant in my walk with Christ and I don’t know why.” But do you know what their problem usually is? They aren’t living by faith. Sure, they’re moral people and live good lives, but they’ve never really stepped out and completely trusted God. Their “walk” is just that, a walk and not a race!

Now in your race, you may be avoiding the sins of commission like drunkenness and lust. But are you unknowingly committing sins of omission like not serving others or failing to step out in faith?

My prayer is that you learn to trust in God with everything: your relationships, your finances, and even your own life. When you begin to do that, your spiritual race will be taken to whole new levels, and you will finish well!

Devotion for the day!!! : )

February 25, 2011Home ShapingKaren Ehman

"But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15 (NLT)

Devotion:They stood piled high on the living room coffee table: pristinely wrapped boxes with curly, coordinating bows and snappy gift bags whose transparent tissue papers peeked out of their tops with anticipation.

Nearly three dozen friends eagerly gathered for an open house for my new found friend Thida. A Cambodian native, Thida met my friend Marcia's eldest son Keith when he was studying abroad in her country. Now married and living in the United States, our circle of friends showered Thida with well-wishes and the heartfelt welcome of an old-fashioned housewarming party.

What domestic treasures she opened that night! New fluffy towels in deep jewel tones; contemporary metal candleholders and spicy-scented candles; kitchen utensils and casserole dishes; picture frames and pots. Ever a soft-spoken and grateful soul, this sweet twenty-something new bride was visually humbled and verbally thankful with each package she unwrapped.

Every so often, she would look at the crowd and utter the same phrase, "Oh.....I want to thank you so much for helping me to shape our home."

We knew what Thida meant. She meant to "furnish" her home; to decorate and outfit it with needed and useful items. However, somehow when trying to get her sentiments across by speaking in English, her second language, the phrase she continually chose was "shape our home."

As I heard sweet Thida utter these words many times that night, it struck a chord within my soul. In essence this group of siblings, aunts, cousins, and grandparents-by-marriage, along with an abundance of new friends, were doing exactly that!

Thida is from a country where, of the 14.5 million inhabitants, only a few thousand claim to follow Christ. Over 95% of Cambodians are practicing Buddhists.

Thida began a relationship with Jesus through the example of an aunt and, although the rest of her family is still Buddhist, this strong woman now loves and serves the God of the Bible. She chose to break from her parents' tradition to begin a new life with Christ. And, aside from her aunt, she had no one who could help her to know just what it meant to live life as a woman and wife according to God's ways.

Thida made a choice. Rather than choosing the false god of her ancestors, she choose the true God of the Bible. And she and her husband desire nothing more than to build their home and grow a family someday according to the ways of the Lord. And now we, as her circle of support in her new country of residence, will try our best to encourage her in her endeavors; to model a Christian home with our actions and decisions. Yes, you could say in essence that we all have made a covenant to help precious Thida to do exactly what she declared—to "shape her home."

Do you know another woman who has made a decision for Christ? One who left her former ways to walk in the ways of the Lord? If so, there are eyes upon you, watching, soaking and learning. What will she see? Will you help her shape her earthly home, and her heart's home, with God's truths while building on the foundations of Christ?

Home shaping is significant business. May we all be mirrors that reflect Christ to those who are watching, soaking and learning. And yes....perhaps even shaping.

Dear Lord, may I be ever mindful there are others looking to me for an example of how to shape our lives according to Your ways. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:For more encouragement and a "Home-Shaping" themed basket giveaway, visit Karen's blog

A Life that Says Welcome by Karen Ehman

Treasured: Knowing God by the Thing He Keeps by Leigh McLeroy

Shaped with Purpose Workbook and accompanying CDis a wonderful gift for women in your life!

Application Steps:  What are some ways you try to weave the Bible's commands into your home life?

List one practical way you could help a new believer to align their family relationships with Christ.

Reflections:  Have I ever known someone who gave up the religion of his or her ancestors to follow Jesus? What adjustments did he or she have to make? What obstacles were faced?

How can I help others who are new in the faith to ground their hearts in God, His Word and His ways?

Power Verses: Luke 4:8 "And Jesus answered him, 'It is written, you shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.'" (ESV)

Should We Include John 7:53 to 8:11?

A.W. Pink

The passage which is to be before us has long been the subject of controversy. Its authenticity has been questioned even by godly men. John 7:53 to 8:11 is not found in a number of the most important of the ancient manuscripts. The R.V. places a question mark against this passage. Personally I have not the slightest doubt but that it forms a part of the inspired Word of God, and that for the following reasons:

First, if the passage was a spurious one, then we should have to pass straight from John 7:52 to 8:12. Let the reader try this, and note the effect; and then let him go back to John 7:52 and read straight through to John 8:14. Which seems the more natural and reads the more smoothly?

Second, if we omit the first eleven verses of John 8 and start the chapter with verse 12, several questions will rise unavoidably and prove very difficult to answer satisfactorily. For example: "Then spoke Jesus" — when? What simple and satisfactory answer can be found in the second part of John 7? But give John 8:1-11 its proper place, and the answer is, Immediately after the interruption recorded in verse 3. "Then spoke Jesus again to them" (verse 12) — unto whom? Go back to the second half of John 7 and see if it furnishes any decisive answer. But give John 8:2 a place, and all is simple and plain. Again in verse 13 we read, "The Pharisees therefore said unto him": this was in the temple (verse 20). But how came the Pharisees there? John 7:45 shows them elsewhere. But bring in John 8:1-11 and this difficulty vanishes, for John 8:2 shows that this was the day following.

In the third place, the contents of John 8:1-11 are in full accord with the evident design of this section of the Gospel. The method followed in these chapters is most significant. In each instance we find the Holy Spirit records some striking incident in our Lord’s life, which serves to introduce and illustrate the teaching which follows it. In John 8:12 Christ declares, "I am the light of the world," and the first eleven verses supply us with a most striking illustration and solemn demonstration of the power of that "light." Thus it may be seen that there is an indissoluble link between the incident recorded in John 8:1-11 and the teaching of our Lord immediately following.

Devotion for the day!!! : )

February 23, 2011Not Just AnyoneRachel Olsen

"He's just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us."

Mark 6:3 (NLT)

Devotion:Ever feel like you are just a wife, just a friend, just a daughter or just a mom?

Or, do you ever feel like you are stuck in some dead-end place that even God isn't much interested in visiting? We all feel marginalized at times. Jesus did.

Early in the gospel of John, the disciple Phillip eagerly tells Nathanael, "We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth."

"Nazareth!" exclaimed Nathanael. "Can anything good come from there?" (John 1:46)

The Jewish people considered Nazareth a God-forsaken place but nothing was farther from the truth. It was the God-chosen spot for the Son of Man to grow up, study the scriptures and prepare for His world-changing ministry.

Apparently, God thought planting Jesus in a small, overlooked spot would not be a hindrance to carrying out His magnificent plan for Him - a plan for the world's eternal redemption. Do you view the spot you are in a hindrance to what God wants to do through you?

Once He'd grown, the people of Jesus' home region had a hard time accepting Jesus as the Messiah. How could this man they'd seen learning to walk, learning to talk, learning to hammer and saw, be God's Son? In fact, they leveled the strongest possible accusation at Him. They claimed, in Mark 3:20-25 after He healed a man on the Sabbath, He was working for the devil.

That's not just marginalizing someone, that's attacking them! Have you felt misunderstood or attacked? Notice that God did little to stop these people from running their mouths incorrectly about Jesus. Instead He kept right on leading Jesus down His destined path.

Jesus eventually left His home region to preach, teach, heal and deliver people throughout the Middle East. His preaching was unrivaled. He performed jaw-dropping miracles. And crowds mobbed Him most everywhere He went.

After stunningly raising a girl from the dead, Jesus returned home to Nazareth with His disciples. Still the people there were "deeply offended and refused to believe in him" (Mark 6:3b). Although He taught them with uncommon wisdom, they replied, "He's just the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us" (Mark 6:3a).

How frustrating. How sad.

Jesus lamented, "A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family" (Mark 6:4). The Scriptures say Jesus was taken aback by their degree of unbelief in Him and, because of it, His ministry there was limited.

Do you come from a "could-anything-good-possibly-come-from-there" kind of town or home? Have you ever felt that your own family or friends couldn't see past your humanness to recognize your God-given potential? Has your parents' or peers' view of you limited you in some way?

After more ministry on-the-go, Jesus returned to Galilee once again in Mark 9:30-32. This time, however, He avoided towns-folk and focused on His disciples. From there, He made His way to Jerusalem where He would be crucified.

He was about to endure His hardest test—I wonder if He just wasn't in the mood to take the skeptical jabs.

After His resurrection, do you know where Jesus went? In addition to His disciples, who do you think He appeared before in the truth of His resurrected glory? The people who knew Him the longest, yet hadn't believed in Him. He headed straight for Galilee, going to His earthly home before ascending to His heavenly one.

Being overlooked or misunderstood is hard to take. Jesus was no doubt disappointed by those in His home region, and by the leaders in the synagogues whose job it was to recognize the Messiah when He came. But ultimately Jesus' identity, worth and power came from His Heavenly Father and not from the validation of any earthly being.

The same is true for you and me.

If you feel overlooked or misjudged today, take those feelings to Jesus and let Him reassure you. If you haven't received love and support from the people important to you, take that disappointment to the Lord who understands completely.

He is more than just a carpenter. More than just the brother of so-and-so. Jesus has the ability to transform anguish into peace, to trade our sorrows for strength, and to replace pity with power. Let's trust our often marginalized Messiah to shape our identity and define our future.

Not just anyone can do that.

Dear Lord, I will believe that I am complete in You. My life is worthwhile in Your service. And I am who You say I am. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:Do you know Jesus?

Join us in our upcoming online study of It's No Secret: Revealing Divine Truths Every Woman Should Know by Rachel Olsen.

Connect with Rachel at her blog and on Twitter. Today she is talking about who you are in Christ.

His Princess, Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Application Steps: If you are raising children, go out of your way to ensure they know they possess precious God-given potential.

Choose to believe it matters not where you came from, or who you are related to, or even what you have done up until now - but WHO you spiritually belong to.

Reflections: Where do I draw my identity and strength from?

Can I articulate who I am in Christ?

Power Verses: Colossians 2:9-10, "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority." (NIV)

How Did Christianity Spread?

The earliest Christians did not have church buildings. They typically met in homes. (The first actual church building so far found is at Dura Europos on the Euphrates, dating about 231.) They did not have public ceremonies that would introduce them to the public, and they had no access to the mass media of their day. So, how can we account for their steady and diverse expansion over the first three centuries?

After the Apostle Paul, we do not run across many "big names" as missionaries in the first few hundred years of Christian history. Instead, the faith spread through a multitude of humble, ordinary believers whose names have been long forgotten.

Early Christianity was primarily an urban faith, establishing itself in the city centers of the Roman Empire. Most of the people lived close together in crowded tenements. There were few secrets in such a setting. The faith spread as neighbors saw the believers' lives close-up on a daily basis.

And what kind of lives did they lead? Justin Martyr, a noted early Christian theologian, wrote to Emperor Antoninus Pius and described the believers: "We formerly rejoiced in uncleanness of life, but now love only chastity; before we used the magic arts, but now dedicate ourselves to the true and unbegotten God; before we loved money and possessions more than anything, but now we share what we have and to everyone who is in need; before we hated one another and killed one another and would not eat with those of another race, but now since the manifestation of Christ, we have come to a common life and pray for our enemies and try to win over those who hate us without just cause."

In another place Justin points out how those opposed to Christianity were sometimes won over as they saw the consistency in the lives of believers, noting their extraordinary forbearance when cheated and their honesty in business dealings.

Devotion for the day!!! : )

February 22, 2011Why I Do What I DoT. Suzanne Eller

"Again he said, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.'"

John 20:21 (NLT)

Devotion:Two sisters stood at the front of the church. Both were marked by a hard life. The younger sister sat down beside me. She had become a believer the year before. Just a few weeks earlier, she and a woman in the church had rescued her older sister from domestic violence and drug addiction.

"Can I pray with you?" I asked.

The older sister knelt on the floor, pressed her forehead between my knees and wrapped her arms around my legs. Her need was so tangible, her hunger so great. As she held tight to my legs, I felt her tears bleeding through the fabric of my pants. I was suddenly overwhelmed as God's presence flooded that moment and that space, and I felt His love for His broken, sweet daughter.

I leaned down and wrapped my arms around her and prayed, but it wasn't the words that mattered. It was God showing me all over again the truth: He transforms lives. He loves. He came to heal the broken-hearted and to place their feet on a new path.

Later that night I thought about that moment again, and I thanked God that I get to do what I do.

Sometimes the details of ministry life can take center stage. Whether you teach Sunday school, or work with youth, or are a pastor's wife, or lead worship, or anything you feel God has called you to do, sometimes people are difficult, or even discouraging. Sometimes you feel like a failure, even though you prepared and prayed for this.

No matter the challenge, it's nothing compared to what the early Christians experienced. I can only imagine the highs and lows these faithful people felt. But they kept their focus on the one thing that they got to do -- carry the Good News to those who were seeking truth. Perhaps they saw the fruit of their labor, but it's more likely that they didn't.

Transformation doesn't happen overnight. So while they were tossing seeds of hope here and there, it's likely that they experienced imperfect people, human nature, and obstacles, just like us.

In John 21, we find Peter, a guy pretty discouraged by ministry. He was enthusiastic in the beginning. But when he hit hard times in ministry, he almost forgot why he was doing what he was doing, and he ran in the other direction. But in verses 15-17 we see Jesus reminding Peter of the beauty of serving others. "Feed my sheep," He said three times. Peter rediscovered his mission. He went on to become a rock in the church.

Are you discouraged by the details, by people, by the mountains that keep popping up when it seems you just prayed them away the week before?

If so, today I pray that He will remind you all over again of why you do what you do. I pray He shifts your attention to those, like the beautiful young woman once abused and broken, whose lives are in the process of change.

You see, there will be many who "do what they do" who will come alongside the hurting woman. Sunday school teachers, pastors, women's ministry leaders, soup kitchen cooks, Christian friends—people just like you—and in the end they all will have written the Gospel on her heart.

Dear Lord, reignite my passion for ministry. Let me glimpse Your burden for those I come in contact with, and let me rediscover all over again why I love serving You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

Visit Suzie's blog for a giveaway of Suzie's book, The Woman I Am Becoming

The Woman I Am Becoming by T. Suzanne Eller

Lead Like Jesus: Lessons for Everyone from the Greatest Leadership Role Model of all Times by Ken Blanchard & Phil Hodges

First Love (DVD) by Karen Ehman 

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps: You need to refuel, to keep the personal fire inside of you lit before giving out to others. Create a time and place where you can connect with God with no other agenda than to know Him.

Reflections: "Peter loved Jesus with the deepest of loves, but his illusions, his presumptions about himself, were stripped away. Three questions--three confessions--three commissions! Peter's heart soared in relief." ~ Liberating Ministry from the Success Syndrome by Kent and Barbara Hughes

Power Verses: John 21:15, "After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' Peter replied, 'you know I love you.' 'Then feed my lambs,' Jesus told him. (NLT)

They Weren't So Different?

Greg Laurie

Everywhere the first-century Christians went, they were ridiculed, opposed, persecuted, and physically assaulted for their beliefs. Some were even put to death. Yet within a period of about 30 years, this original group of 120 Christians and their converts came to be known as those who turned their world upside down (see Acts 17:6).

Their world was not too different from the world in which we are living right now. In fact, in some ways it might even have been worse. They were living under the jurisdiction of the godless Roman Empire. Immorality was rampant. The religious establishment was corrupt. Idolatry, spiritism, and demon worship were openly practiced. In their time, they did not have the liberties and freedoms that we have today in our nation.

When we read through the Book of Acts, these Christians almost seem radical with their fearless preaching, their expectant prayer, and their willingness to obey. But they weren’t radical. What we see in the Book of Acts is normal, New Testament Christianity. It is the standard that God has set. If we feel it is radical, then it only shows that we are living a watered-down version of it.

I am not saying that a miracle should happen every day in the life of the believer. I am not saying that each time we walk out the door, we will preach the gospel and thousands of people will be saved. But I am saying that as Christians today, we should seek to live at the same level of commitment as these first-century believers did. So how are you living? What are you doing? After all, the church is made up of individuals like you and me.

Devotion for the day!!! : )

February 21, 2011Are You a List Maker? Melanie Chitwood

"We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."

1 John 4:16 (NAS)         

Devotion:I'm a list maker. At my house you'll see a magnetic notepad on my refrigerator where I keep a running grocery list. By my bedside is a notepad for jotting down writing ideas. I have a notebook where I keep a daily to-do list and a long-term to-do list. And of course the best part of a list is checking something off when completed!

For years I kept another list. It wasn't written down. Instead it was a mental running list I didn't even realize I was keeping, until I experienced a perspective-shifting situation.

After my second son, Tyler, was born, I went through severe post-partum depression. It wasn't just the baby blues. It was days and days of crying, anxiety and no sleep. I had a newborn baby, a four year-old son, and a pilot husband who would soon go back to work. I was completely overwhelmed with everything. Finally, I called my doctor who prescribed medicine, but it would take a couple of weeks to work. Meanwhile, I had to figure out how to get through each day.

Every morning I woke up early, prayed, and begged God to take the depression away. But the depression didn't go away. In fact it deepened as I listened to the lies depression shouted: You're a failure. What's wrong with you? Why can't you do this? You only have two children and you don't even have to work full-time. Other people go through much harder things and you can't even do this.

One day when I just got sick and tired of being in such a miserable state, I yelled at God, What is this about, God?You're God. You could make this depression go away with the snap of Your fingers if You wanted to. Why won't You?

Finally, I was just still. As I sat there, I realized God wanted me to learn a life-changing truth. I had kept a mental running list of all the reasons God couldn't love me. I wasn't a good enough wife, a good enough Christian, and certainly not a good enough mother. When I was struggling with postpartum depression, I didn't feel like a good anything. So I sure didn't believe God loved me unconditionally. I believed God loved me - but I believed He'd love me more if I could get my act together.

I wonder if you're like me, keeping a running list of the reasons you mistakenly think disqualify you from God's unconditional love. Maybe like me you don't feel good enough at anything or you've struggled with depression. Maybe you have a secret that makes you feel ashamed - you've had an abortion, you've been unfaithful, you drink too much, you scream at your kids or husband. Maybe you've been divorced and that makes you feel unworthy of God's unconditional love.

When I gave God my list of reasons why He couldn't love me, I finally heard God's gentle answer in reply.Well, it's a good thing My love doesn't depend on you, My child. It's a good thing My love doesn't depend on you.

You can scratch all those reasons off the list. In fact you can tear up the list. I did that when I died on the cross for you.

Are you ready for a change today? Are you ready to stop beating yourself up for your flaws, shortcomings, or sins? God is not keeping a list of your mistakes, and you don't need to either. Tear up your list and don't start a new one. Choose to believe today God loves you. There is nothing you can do or not do to change His love for you.

Dear Lord, thank You for not keeping a running list of my mistakes, shortcomings or sins. Help me truly believe, to the core of my being, that You love me through and through, for now and always. I don't have to help You love me by being perfect. Let today be a defining moment where I tear up my running list and receive Your unconditional love. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:Do You Know Him?

Visit Melanie's blog What Matters Most

What a Husband Needs from His Wife and What a Wife Needs from Her Husband by Melanie Chitwood

A Perfect Mess: Why You Don't Have to Worry About Being Good Enough for God by Lisa Harper 

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity because your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:  Write down whatever has been on your mental running list of why you've mistakenly thought you're disqualified from God's unconditional love. Then pray, thanking Jesus for dying for you and nailing it on the cross once and for all. Then tear up or burn the list. This might be an activity you want to share with your husband or a good friend.

Look up verses or check out Melanie's blog for verses about God's love. Read them daily; choose some to memorize. This will help you believe how much God loves you.

Reflections:  Do I believe I can help God love me by being good?

Is God's unconditional love settled deep in my heart?

What keeps me from believing God loves me unconditionally?

Has listening to the enemy's lies about myself, such asYou're not a good enough mom or God could never forgive me for that, kept me from believing God loves me?

Power Verses: Jeremiah 31:3b, "'I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.'" (NIV)

1 John 4:10, "This is real love - not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." (NLT)