How to Measure Up {& a Giveaway}

{WELCOME Encouragement for Today Readers & Online Study Friends!!}

 

In my P31 Encouragement for Today devotion, I posed the question… Do you ever feel like you don’t measure up? 

And now I want us to dig a little deeper. Have you ever stopped to ask,  “Who is saying these things? Who is causing me to doubt myself? Is it me? Has something from my past led me to believe this? Or is it the enemy of my soul disguising his voice as my own?”

It is crucial for us to realize we have an enemy. Satan is the father of lies, and there is no truth in him (John 8:44). And he loves when we believe his deception and fall into the distraction of feeling inadequate and insecure. {It’s a huge distraction!}

The meaning of the word lie is “a falsehood with the intent to deceive.” Satan intends to deceive us and he does so by getting us to take our eyes off of who we are in Christ and focus on our flaws. That way we’ll spend our days figuring out how we can hide them. It’s exactly what he did with Eve:

“Then the eyes of both [Adam and Eve] were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. But the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’

He answered, ‘I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.’” (Gen. 3:7–11)

In response, God asked who told them they were naked. In other words, “Who told you that something is wrong with you?” By asking this, God made sure they knew someone was casting shame on them—and it wasn’t Him.

The enemy whispered lies into their hearts, causing them to move away from Him and from each other.

Satan’s intent is the same for you and me as it was for Eve, but we don’t have to go along with him. Instead we can refute his lies and temptations with truth. If we have put our trust in Christ as our Savior, we can stand on the promises of who we are in Him.

When you’re tempted to measure up today, focus “up” instead and remember Whose you are and who you are! Here is a compilation of Scriptures to remind us of who we are in Christ.

I am accepted . . .

• John 1:12 I am God’s child.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 I have been bought with a price and I belong to God.
• Ephesians 1:3–8 I have been chosen by God and adopted as His child.
• Hebrews 4:14–16 I have direct access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.

I am secure . . .

• Romans 8:28 I am assured that God works for my good in all circumstances.
• Romans 8:31–39 I am free from condemnation. I cannot be separated from God’s love.
• 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.
• Colossians 3:1–4 I am hidden with Christ in God.
• Philippians 1:6 I am confident God will complete the good work He started in me.
• 2 Timothy 1:7 I have been given a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind.

I am significant . . .

• John 15:16, I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
• 2 Corinthians 5:17–21, I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
• Ephesians 2:6, I am seated with Jesus Christ in the heavenly realm.
• Ephesians 2:10, I am God’s workmanship.
• Ephesians 3:12, I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
• Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

Which one of these promises encourages your heart most today?

Slip me a note and let me know what’s on your heart as you read this and/or my devotion through Proverbs 31 Ministries today. Simply click on “share your thoughts” below this post and your note will be placed in the drawing for our…

“Contagious Confidence” give-away which includes a copy of  “A Confident Heart”  {Today’s post and my devotion are based on my book.} You will also win a copy of  my full length teaching message, “Don’t Throw Away Your Confidence”  — for 3 of you! Also, I’d love for you to help make this crucial message contagious by sharing today’s post — Just click the “Tell a Friend” button below. It’s super easy!

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Last Friday’s Winners:  Michelle, LaDena, Jan, Pamela {we’ve got your emails so we’ll be in touch this week}