Recently, our pastor mentioned the scene in Luke 3 where Jesus was baptized. He was using the story as an example in his sermon but my mind was hijacked. I was struck by the thought that God was pleased with Jesus before he began his official ministry. The thought has been swirling in my mind for days now.
Before Jesus did anything in his formal ministry God said He was pleased with Jesus. Before…before any performance or ministry wins. Before success or growth. Before the crowds were following Him and His miraculous power was healing people. Before He accomplished anything God was pleased with Jesus.
The thought has been so encouraging to me. Pleasing God has always been a struggle for me. I’ve struggled with striving and earning favor with God for as long as I can remember. I can think back to two specific times where I have met Jesus and realized that my service to God was striving, not serving. I was trying to earn and strive for God’s favor and love, completely forgetting that God loves me because He created me. I have doubted my worth and value before God, forgetting that simply because I’m a child of God I am safe and loved.
Just a couple of years ago I read Romans 8:1 and it really sunk in. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” There is freedom and confidence for those who are in Christ. Not condemnation or doubt or defeat. Paul prays in Ephesians 3 that we would be grounded in love and have supernatural power to understand how much God loves us. How wide and long and high and deep the love of Jesus is.
Friends, I have been resting peacefully in this truth. God’s love is so wide and long and high and deep. Nothing anybody says about me changes that. Nothing I do, good or bad, changes that. Nothing used against me changes that. Join me in resting confidently in that truth today. And if you can’t join me, let’s work together! I know you can join me. I know you can find peace and security in the love of Jesus. I know you can find purpose and calling in your life right now.
In Jesus Name
My friend Brittany launched her book, Flip the Script today! I was a part of the launch team and therefore I got early access to the book. Friends, I’m a huge fan of this book! I’m working through reading it for the second time and I’m already meeting with a friend to work through it with her. One of the tips she has in the book to help identify truth from a lie is to tack “in Jesus name” onto the end of your thoughts and see how it feels. This week I’ve thought “I am not going to make it to bedtime today…in Jesus name” or “Nobody is going to show up and it’s going to be so embarrassing…in Jesus name”. This simple phrase has been so helpful to identity lies that I’m speaking to myself and help me flip them into truth. God is glorified when I rely on his strength not mine to mother my kids. In Jesus name I can make it to bedtime, thriving even when I’m tired. In Jesus name God will bring the women He wants me to serve. Try it out and let me know how it lands for you. I think it’s gonna be good!
Also, check out my friends book…it might change your life!
This week on Instagram I shared a reel explaining what I do as a coach. The further I lean into this whole coaching thing, the more excited I get about it! I’ve literally watched women move from defeat and pain into freedom and service. I want to see you do that too! Let’s work together. You can schedule a meeting right on my website. Check it out!
In Jesus Name let’s walk in freedom and peace!
Abigail Denton 