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Acceptance, Validation and Affirmation

In a world where there is an almost greedy grappling for external validation and feedback, I find myself sometimes wondering how to center my identity in Christ alone and not in what others think of me.  The acceptance of others can often be dependent upon what they might receive from that relationship while the acceptance of God is unconditional.  The approval of others changes from day to day and cannot be a strong foundation for security in my value and purpose.  The one thing I truly long for is to someday hear from the only true Judge, "well done, good and faithful servant."  This collection of truths from the gospel of John serves to remind me that I find my acceptance, my approval, validation and affirmation from Jesus alone and my identity is firm in the Word of God.  


John 1:12 I am a child of God - Oh to think that He would adopt me into His family.  That He would call me His own dear child, that I would be considered His inheritance, that I would have all the privileges and benefits of being a daughter of the One True King.

John 3:7 I am born again.  I am filled with new life (John 5:24) and though I can't see it, I can sense the Spirit's move in my life just like a gentle breeze or a gust of wind. 

John 3:16, 14:21-23, 15:5-13 I am loved by the Father and He will show Himself to me, come to me and make His home within me. I am His beloved.

John 3:18  and 5:24 I am forgiven and no longer condemned.  

John 4:13 and 7:38  I am a wellspring of life - springs of living water flow from me, water that quenches a soul thirst deep inside.  Water pours out from me to splash the refreshment of true life onto others.

John 8:12  I have the light of life.  I do not walk in darkness because The Light of the World dwells in me.  

John 8:32 I am free; free from the entanglement of sin.  Sin has no hold on me.  

John 10:14 I am known.  He knows me deeply and personally.  

John 10:27 I am HIS.  I am His sheep, His branch, His child, His friend.  I belong to Him, even when I feel I belong nowhere else in this world, I will always have a place where I fully belong and it's in the arms of Jesus.

John 12:26, 15:8  I am His servant, His follower, His disciple.  No other identity in this life is as valuable as this one. 

John 15:15  I am a friend of Jesus. He has called me a friend, what a treasure to be brought near to HIs heart through bosom friendship.  

John 15:16  I am chosen.  

May you find your identity and purpose in the kingdom of God my friends and know His love for you deeper and deeper each day.  


~Heather

Comments

  1. Linda From WisconsinNovember 5, 2023 at 11:21 AM

    This picture by Frances Hook hung in my oldest son's bedroom. Each night we would name each child from his Sunday School class and him. They we would pray for each one. He was three and four years old at the time. Little did I know that he would be at Jesus' side that very year.

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    1. Heather November 5, 2023 at 12:00 PM

      Wow Linda, that's a powerful image - hits me right deep in the heart! This is my favorite painting of Jesus because it reminds me we are all just like little innocent children at His feet. I know your son is still at His feet, enjoying the peace and glory of His presence.

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