April 29: GOD WON'T TRADE HIS LOVE FOR OUR GOOD CONDUCT.

Affirmation: My self-compassion is growing day by day.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31~~~~~~

Ponder, Personalize: These 3 verses, 1Thessalonians 5:16-18, are actually one full sentence. Let’s ponder and personalize it one verse at a time. Today: “pray continually.”  Ponder these two words and think about how they will impact you each day. Today, rejoice always & pray continually. Then take note of how it impacts you. Use your journal each day to record your thoughts.

16 ”Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.“                ‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬-‭18‬ ‭NIV‬‬https://bible.com/bible/111/1th.5.16-18.NIV

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Wholehearted Guidepost from Brené Brown 

Cultivate Meaningful Work.

Let go of self-doubt & “supposed-to.”

You have a purpose and have meaningful things to do…it may not be your career, but your passion. I have learned that when I love people around me I am doing something very meaningful.

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Mastering the 7 Decisions from Andy Andrews 

The Compassionate Decision 

6. I WILL GREET THIS DAY WITH A FORGIVING SPIRIT.

By the act of forgiving, I am no longer consumed by unproductive thoughts. I will forgive those who have criticized me unjustly.

I now understand that forgiveness has value only when it is given away. I forgive them and I forge ahead.

I now know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity. I will forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness. From this day forward, my history will cease to control my destiny. I have forgiven myself. My life has just begun.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:32‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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Reading for Today

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. by Bob Goff

April 29

GOD WON'T TRADE HIS LOVE FOR OUR GOOD CONDUCT. WE'RE THE ONLY ONES WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT A NEGOTIATION. 

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. 

PSALM 62:6 

It's hard to believe the religious leaders were the ones lobbying to crucify Jesus. Of all the scandalous people Jesus hung out with-the prostitutes, tax collec­tors, and drunks-the self-proclaimed "righteous" people were the ones who took Him down. Stop and sit with that for a moment. It's worth wondering why Jesus was so offensive to them. Why did they think He posed such a threat? 

 

I think it was because Jesus didn't come to impress them. He didn't come to cower before them either. He passed right by the people who thought they were already good enough for God's favor. They were looking for a pat on the back, but He wasn't impressed by well-behaved people. He saw through their deeds to their hearts. He didn't applaud their accomplishments or sort the world into columns, putting the capable on one side and the rest of us on the other. He knew there were no good or bad people but a bunch of well-intentioned, confused people who easily lost their way, some more noticeably than others. 

Here's the thing: Jesus is offensive to people who don't like dependence on someone else or who find their worth in feeling morally superior to everybody else. Just when we think we might have earned our way into God's good graces, we find out God won't trade His love for good conduct. We're the ones trying to make it a negotiation. He's not. 

The simple message of the gospel is that our best isn't good enough and our worst doesn't disqualify us. Jesus gave His life so we wouldn't have to prove ourselves anymore. Yesterday's successes aren't enough to get us in, and today's failures aren't enough to keep us out. We're in because Jesus says we are. 

What parts of your life do you need to trust God in more fully today?