Low Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem, hah? Why in the world would I ever esteem myself? Most days I barely even like myself. How many times have I started the day with the grandest intentions only to end it with broken confessions?

Don’t misunderstand. I want to feel good about myself. I want to feel strong and confident, secure and loved. But frankly, the better you know me the less you love me. And that’s probably a good decision on your part.

That’s why I was so excited this week to become reacquainted with this beautiful truth from John 3:16.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16

Be Encouraged

"For God so loved…" – God's love is so vast, so deep, so all encompassing that it couldn't be contained and so it overflowed on you and me.

"loved" – God loves! I am so thankful for a God that is Love. What a comfort to be reminded today that His love doesn’t depend on our character, but instead flows from His.

"the world" – God loves sinful, rebellious people. How unexpected is that?

"that He gave His only begotten Son" – He gives His all. He gives His best. He gave His very life. That is a lot of love.

"that whoever believes in Him" – All He requires in return for eternal life is belief: simple, pure, unadulterated belief.

Be Loved

God loves me! God loves Kim Avery. God gave everything He had to rescue me. I am secure, accepted, and wholly loved and that fills me with joy and peace. As a child of the living God, I can now face the future and each day in-between with courage instead of fear.

My heart is singing today to think: "For God so loved Kim, that He gave His only begotten Son, that when she believes in Him she shall not perish, but have eternal life."

"Heavenly Father, thank you for the Your love, for the incredible gift of Your Son, and for eternal life with You. I don't know why you love me thus, but I am forever thankful that You do."

Peaceful Productivity

Getting Away From It All – or Not

A funny thing happened during my recent week-long retreat with my family in beautiful Blue Ridge, GA. The air was crisp, the hills exploded with color, and the hiking was truly sublime. Ah, the joys of getting away from it all, except…

…as we unpacked in our ‘rustic’ log cabin, amidst riotous laughter, we discovered that between four people we had over brought over twenty, yes twenty, electronic wireless devices. From blackberries, to laptops, cell phones, GPS, i-pods and more, our ‘get-away’ wasn’t really very far away.

We live in a busy, busy world. So, I hope you will enjoy my recent full-length article, Peaceful Productivity: How to Love the Busy Life You Live by clicking here. .

In the midst of all this crazy-busy, I pray that you will discover, as I have, that with God first, all else falls into place.

Believe. Receive.

Believing God changes everything. If I begin my day firmly persuaded that no matter what, “… in all things God works for the good of those who love him” (Romans 8:28), I inevitably experience the peace that God has promised.

If however, I wake up and feed my belief that “If it’s going to be, it’s up to me,” anxiety and fear stalk my heart. God’s promise of peace is appropriated through believing.

Consider the May 2008 issue of Scientific American Mind which reveals the results of an interesting study. Two groups of women in Asia were given the same test of mathematical ability. In the first group, just prior to the test, researchers mentioned the stereotype that women tend to do poorly in math. And indeed, the female subjects had low scores.

In the second group, the researches stated the belief that Asians tend to be superior in math. The women scored significantly higher. The test results reflected the test-takers underlying belief system. What you believe effects everything.

In the Bible, God has promised great spiritual blessings to His children: joy, peace, contentment, and more. And each of these blessings is appropriated through faith; faith that God is in charge and that He is good. Blessings flow as I believe that each and every day He will empower me, secure me, embrace me, and transform me.

Transformation is possible and this is the path, “…let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think” (Romans 12:2). As you believe, you will receive.

What do you believe?

Friends Are Important

Loneliness is on the rise and Tiffany knows it. Although she lives in the heart of a busy city, surrounded by people, in a beautiful apartment with her husband of ten years, Tiffany is lonely. Like 10-20 million other people, she shares a common living space with others but has no real connection.

Worse than that, on top of her loneliness, Tiffany feels guilty as well. After all, she is a child of God and has a personal relationship with Him. Surely, that should be all she needs. Why isn’t God enough?

Created for Relationship With God

In the book of Genesis, at the very beginning of time, it’s clear to see that we were created for relationship. God made the world, He formed Adam from the dust, and then God walked with Him. Ideal, isn’t it?

Created for Relationship With Others

In Genesis 2:18, before sin, before the fall, we see a fascinating revelation about our original design. God says, “It is not good for the man to be alone.” Adam had God Himself to walk with in the cool of the day yet still needs one thing more. Even with God as his face to face companion – it was not good to be alone.

The truth is this, we were created for relationship – both with God and with others. Adam’s joy was complete when he shared his life and his love with God and Eve.

Tiffany’s loneliness will also flee as she interacts deeply with God and develops close friendships with others.

You were created for relationship, both with God and with friends.

Reconnect With Your Design

Loneliness is not a weakness but a cry from your heart to reconnect with your original design. God exhorts us in Romans 12:5, “Be devoted to one another.” Adam delighted in Eve. Tiffany is praying and searching for some new friends.

What is God calling you to do?