Are you settling for second best?

God intends for us to live life fully. He doesn’t want us to settle for second best.

Don't settle for second best when God has the VERY BEST waiting for you.

Sometimes it’s really good to read scripture out of context. It’s then the Ah-Ha moments can come.

That’s what happened when I read this verse….

God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us.
If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else?

Romans 8:32

As we make our approach to Easter, we’re contemplating this amazing love that God has for us and the significance of Jesus giving His life to pay the price of our sin.

When God sent Jesus to earth to be born as a human baby, He opened the door for us to come to Him, to call Him Papa, to sit on His lap, and to know Him like never before. He didn’t hold ANYTHING back to demonstrate His love for us.

And yet…

We doubt.

We worry.

We’re fearful.

Here we are… God’s precious children we lacking nothing.  Not. One. Thing.

If God gave His own Son for us… the ultimate gift…  won’t he freely give us everything else?

Peace of mind…  Check!

Joy….  Check!

Freedom… Check!

The Holy Spirit… Check!

His constant presence… Check!

What else can you add to the list?

Why is it that we settle for second best when God gave His VERY BEST?

Beautiful Orchids - Phipps Conservatory - Devotional Meditation from AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Whatever else gives way, whatever else disappoints, whatever else fails, this all-encompassing promise of future grace can never fail.  –John Piper

What is it that you’ve been worrying over?

God knows what it is…

don’t own it…

don’t chew on it over and over…

Trust God and the SEAL He has given to every promise. Jesus. 

Scripture Quote from Romans 8 - God gave His very best for us... we can trust Him for everything. Brief Devotional from AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Let me encourage you to take some time this week to meditate on Romans 8:32.  Put your situation in the context of this verse and see how it really can reframe your situation and your state of mind and your spirit.

Know you are loved beyond imagination.

If you have any doubt… read this verse again.

The God of the universe, out of His great love for you did not hold back the One who was most dear to Him…

Our only response is to receive His offering and to live in the love and joy and hope that comes only through Jesus.

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God gave His VERY BEST... don't settle for second best. Life-changing devotional.

God doesn't want us to settle... It's JoyDay!

It’s JoyDay!

And time to get our joy meters soaring!

Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful.  This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.

I’ll start…

Thank you, God for…

  1. this wonderful insight on your amazing love for me.
  2. my friend who is now working with me. What an answer to prayer and a huge relief.
  3. that you are taking such good care of another friend who is preparing for a big move.
  4. pussy willows and all the tiny bits of green we’re starting to see burst forth for spring.
  5. rest.
  6. Your healing and helping me feel a bit better each day.
  7. Your amazing love and care and provision each week.  I am so very grateful.

Now…it’s YOUR turn!

List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below.  You’ll be glad you did.

Thank you for stopping by and leaving your sweet thoughts.

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Comments

  1. Debbi Saunders says

    Thank You God …..
    1. For “speaking” to me in so many ways, through scriptures, songs, friends, devotions, magnificent Sunsets! and much more….
    2. For peace in the challenges at work….
    3. For my faithful little Explorer…
    4. For the Joy received from a smile a hug or compliment!
    5. For the Holy Spirit that indwells me that guides,protects,intercedes on my behalf, corrects and comforts me when I feel alone and helpless….
    6. For Your promises and answered prayers that have not been realized yet… but…trusting and believing are coming in your perfect time…
    7. For an Income Tax return that was larger than expected, that will help me through the summer…

    • There isn’t anything any better than “hearing” God speak to us throughout or day in so many ways. I’m so happy for you Debbie. He truly is the lover of your soul.
      Praying today is filled with more extraordinary God moments! xo

  2. Gwen says

    Joy Day!
    1. Time to rest
    2. Time to hear birds chirp
    3. A blessing of insurance
    4. The blessing of two dear friends to help me this week
    5. I got to hold my infant grandson and see him smile at me and held him as he slept!
    6. I got to play games with my five year old grandson!! He and I have fun
    7. Curt put a wooden bench together! It looks nice and we did swing on it for a couple minutes
    8. I have felt the Lord this past week.
    9. I did not have joy Day on Sunday but I got it on Monday. HurrAh!!!

    • Oh Gwen, your week was filled with so many lovely JOY moments. Praise God! Such a wonderful refreshment following all those trials.
      Praying your week has been blessed beyond imagination. {hugs}

  3. Gail TF says

    O Holy God, “yes! ” is my prayer after reading your post

  4. Kim says

    You always share such thoughtful posts, Diane. I enjoy reading them and often hear your wise words pop into my head long after I have left your site. This is one I know I’ll be thinking about for a while…thank you!

    • You are so kind, Kim. I am truly humbled. It’s a privilege to know that God uses this space to touch hearts.
      Hope your week has been extraordinarily blessed.

  5. Debbie says

    Wonderful post today!! I needed to hear this so badly!! How do you know what we need to hear, Diane? God whispers, I’m sure. God bless you sweet child of God…

    • Debbie… I cannot figure out how that is either. But, I pray as I go and trust God to make something from my jumble of words. I love how He does that. Quick prayer for you now, my friend! XO

  6. Rachel says

    I missed God’s will and the many blessings He intended for me two years ago and now I know that I will forever be on second best with Him. I made a choice out of fear and legalism because I thought He would punish me if I didn’t and in turn, I wrecked my faith, life and destroyed His dreams for me. I think constantly about what could be and am always sad and angry over what I’ve done. The two year anniversary of my baptism and the beginning of the wonderful life I had before I did what I did is coming up soon and I’ve considered choosing that as the day when I end my own life. It’s over and been over for two years. I just need to finish the job.

    • I’m sorry Rachel for being so late on seeing your comment. One thing I have learned is that God’s grace is beyond anything we can comprehend. He is always waiting for us to return to him and seek his forgiveness. Yes, you may have missed his best for you at THAT moment… but don’t miss his best for you right NOW… Run to him. Luke 15:11-32 is where you’ll find the story of the prodigal son. The son took his inheritance, blew it in every way imaginable, became destitute, and finally decided that his father’s animals ate better than him, so he decided to humble himself and go back to his father. The part of the story that grabs my heart… the father had been watching and hoping for his son’s return and went running to receive him. He didn’t give his son a bed in the barn… no he threw an amazing party to celebrate. God loves you more than you can imagine and more than anything he wants you to return to him. Run, Rachel, Run! He’ll meet you as you do. He is our redeemer, restorer, rebuilder. Be open to what he will do in your life now. He will redeem those two years if you let him… and I have a hunch there’s nothing you would want more. I will be praying for you… please stay in touch.

Please Share Your Extraordinary Thoughts!

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