As You Are
“God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. 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.” - 1 John 4:9-10
I want you to know something today: if you are a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ, you have a friend. And you don’t just have any friend. You have the best friend anyone could possibly have. You have a friend who has advocated on your behalf (see yesterday’s devotional) and has ACCEPTED YOU AS YOU ARE.
That’s right, Jesus doesn’t need you to change who you are. He isn’t asking you to “be cooler.” You don’t have to raise your status to be with Him. He isn’t saying “dress nicer.” You don’t have to look more appealing to be friends with Him. He isn’t saying “get smarter.” You don’t have to have a certain level of intelligence to be friends with Jesus.
Nope. None of that. Jesus loves you as you are. Listen, God created you. He designed you to be exactly who you are. And that is enough for Him. He loves you and He accepts you. He accepts you even when you don’t seem to accept yourself.
1 John 4:9-10 tells us that He not only accepts us but loves us. It says, “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. 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.”
Listen, there are a lot of people who don’t give their life to God or have stepped away from their relationship with God because they think they “aren’t good enough.” They think what they have done is too much and that God could never accept them, let alone love them.
I’m here to tell you, that just isn’t true. Before you were born, He knew exactly who you would be. He knows who you are. He accepts who you are. And He loves who you are!
I want you to know something today: if you are a believer and a follower of Jesus Christ, you have a friend. And you don’t just have any friend. You have the best friend anyone could possibly have. You have a friend who has advocated on your behalf (see yesterday’s devotional) and has ACCEPTED YOU AS YOU ARE.
That’s right, Jesus doesn’t need you to change who you are. He isn’t asking you to “be cooler.” You don’t have to raise your status to be with Him. He isn’t saying “dress nicer.” You don’t have to look more appealing to be friends with Him. He isn’t saying “get smarter.” You don’t have to have a certain level of intelligence to be friends with Jesus.
Nope. None of that. Jesus loves you as you are. Listen, God created you. He designed you to be exactly who you are. And that is enough for Him. He loves you and He accepts you. He accepts you even when you don’t seem to accept yourself.
1 John 4:9-10 tells us that He not only accepts us but loves us. It says, “God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. 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.”
Listen, there are a lot of people who don’t give their life to God or have stepped away from their relationship with God because they think they “aren’t good enough.” They think what they have done is too much and that God could never accept them, let alone love them.
I’m here to tell you, that just isn’t true. Before you were born, He knew exactly who you would be. He knows who you are. He accepts who you are. And He loves who you are!
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One Step at a TimeTrusting in the UnseenThe Consequences of SinThe Path of True RepentanceWhen Are You Going to Change?Short-Term Satisfaction vs. Long-Term RewardsWhat Has God Called You to Do?The Danger of Ignoring God's CallingThe Abundance Beyond ObedienceResting in His RhythmLetting God Work While We RestFaith Under ConstructionThe Purpose in WaitingAgainst the GrainNot of This WorldGuidance in ConflictEmbracing Grace in RejectionEternal InvestmentsImpatient Choices, Lasting ConsequencesGod's Timing in RelationshipsDivine Delays in CareersIn Pursuit of God's TimingIn His ImageAnchored in God's VerdictImmersed in His LoveA Heart Full of ThanksPerspective ShiftStrength in UnityWho Needs Your Prayers?Expressing SelflessnessGoing All In on God's Calling
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Exceedingly, Abundantly BeyondUnraveling the Strength Within WeaknessBeyond Human StrengthUnfailing FaithfulnessIgnoring The SignalsChoosing His Will with Free WillBlessings in Obedience to God's WillWhen God's Plans Are Different Than YoursTrusting the Unseen PathDivine ConnectionsPurposeful Impact in Others' LivesAnswering the Call to Show UpFinding All You Need in GodValor in the Face of FearObedience Over ComfortAnswering God's CallTrusting God One Step at a TimeTrusting the Omniscient GuideThe Path of Blessings through ObedienceThe Consequence of DisobedienceEmbracing the Hope of ChangeEmbracing the Call to SelflessnessTuning In to God's WhispersRising Above FearGod's Unshakeable Faith in YouAwakening to God's Plan for Your LifeThe Journey of FaithSurrendering Struggles
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2 Comments
Feeling inadequate not knowing if I’m living in Gods purpose . I don’t believe I’ve e stepped away ,
I think I’ve been moving to my on beat and got off track. I believe I’m working in my purpose but I’ve lost my confidence to complete task ahead that Gods placed . And this is where this message hits home. I need to believe again and self motivate , He loves me no matter what , I just got her back on track to his glories for me. I’ve waited so long and come so far . Amen
Thanks Ed for the reminder! We simply need to show up and look to God for our daily bread! My goal is to bring God into my daily decisions. Especially now as I have a glimmer of an idea that has not quite formed in my head or mind's eye. 2023 I am trying to better my live. Serve my husband and 90 yo parents better and use my new little, tiny, miniscule business I created in 2022 to bless and empower women to be their best so I can be more present for helping them during their health challenges. Daily, moment by moment I am trying to remind myself to seek God's guidance, wisdom and vision to pay blessings forward. Thank you! In God's love, PoDunc