Dear Friends,
In the reward, prize oriented society we live in, it’s easy to let this earthly mentality permeate our spirituality and faith. In fact, there is nothing we can do to merit the life we’ve been given in Christ Jesus. Our life in Christ and his sacrifice for us can not be earned by anything we do. We simply say “yes, I believe” and “thank you”. The unconditional love we receive is without any strings attached. Our efforts to live a virtuous life will not earn the gift of eternal life and love, but is a beautiful way to honor the gift given to us in Christ Jesus. Your heart-felt desire to be and live in righteousness is pleasing to God. No, we won’t necessarily become “virtuous” and “righteous”, but because I love Him, I will try with all my might and know that despite my short-comings, He loves me anyway. Peace and Love Friends, Scott
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I Am Pleased With You, My Child. Allow yourself to become fully aware of My pleasure shining upon you. You don’t have to perform well in order to receive My Love. In fact, a performance focus will pull you away from Me, toward some sort of Pharisaism. This can be a subtle form of idolatry: worshiping your own good works. It can also be a source of deep discouragement when your works don’t measure up to your expectations.
Shift your focus from your performance to My radiant Presence. The Light of My Love shines on you continually, regardless of your feelings or behavior. Your responsibility is to be receptive to this unconditional Love. Thankfulness and trust are your primary receptors. Thank Me for everything;
trust in Me at all times. These simple disciplines will keep you open to My loving Presence.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 3:16-19 16I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Psalm 62:8 8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.
Daily Devotional from “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young
