Today’s Truth

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God … (Ephesians 2:8 NIV).

Friend to Friend

I often settle for so much less than God’s very best for my life. I tend to invest time in good things and miss the highest things God has planned for me because I do not pray in faith.

A small country town was in desperate need of rain. One Sunday morning, the pastor of the local church called for a special prayer meeting to be held that night. “It’s time to pray for rain,” he said.

The people gathered with a sense of purpose and excitement, but when the pastor stood to lead the prayer time, his words stunned the waiting crowd. “Only one of you came in faith,” he announced.

Looking down at the first row, the pastor pointed at a little girl who sat quietly, a smile on her face and an umbrella in her hand. We can pray for rain, but faith brings an umbrella.

God is our good and generous Father. He longs to pour out His blessings on His children. We have somehow bought into the lie that we will receive good things from God by working harder or trying to be better. That’s a lie from the pit and smells like smoke.

We are saved by God’s grace and nothing we do or don’t do will ever be good enough to earn the favor of God. In Ephesians the apostle Paul tells us that salvation is a gift that will produce faith in our lives.

Ephesians 2:8 (NIV) “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God … “

If we could earn salvation, it would be our salary. Salvation and the blessings of God are His gifts to us. We just receive them. Sounds too simple, doesn’t it? God is waiting for us to seek Him … to listen for His voice … and then follow Him.

I have received the gift of salvation as have many of you. We have surrendered our lives to Him and are seeking to follow Him. But I want every good gift He has for me – don’t you? The good news is that God wants us to come to Him with “shameless audacity” and ask for His blessings.

Luke 11:5-10 says “Then Jesus said to them, ‘Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’ And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me …’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.”

Did you catch the mind-blowing truth in these verses? The words “shameless audacity” recently jumped out at me for the first time. God wants us to pray, live, and breathe with the mindset that we want everything He has planned for us now and eternally! We can come to Him with that shameless audacity – not because of anything we have done – but in faith, because of who He is and what He has done.

He is our Father who is waiting to pour out His amazing blessings on His daughters. Why? Because He loves us! We were created by God for God.

Today, grab hold of the truth that in the eyes of God you are somebody special. You are planned and wanted. You belong. You are chosen. Come before Him and tell Him you want it all! Yes, you want everything He has planned for you! Now hold out your hands. God’s highest and richest blessings for your life are on their way!

Let’s Pray

Father, I am tired of settling for the leftovers this world has to offer. Forgive me for not being willing to step out in faith to seek You and Your plan for my life. I come to You in shameless audacity and ask that You pour those blessings into my life.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

How would you define “grace” and “faith” as they apply to your life? Have you discovered God’s purpose for your life? I’d love to hear about the “next chapter” in your life. Email me!

More from the Girlfriends

Check out the E-Bible Studies available in Mary’s online store. Titles include, Anger Management, How to Bible Study - Mary SoutherlandFind Your Missing Peace and Laugh More … Live Better. They are perfect for small group study as well as your own personal study.

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Need prayer? Email our Prayer Team Director, Ginger Meador. We would love to pray for you!

© 2022 by Mary Southerland. All rights reserved.

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10 Responses to “Don’t Settle!”

  1. Trish says:

    Shameless Audicity!! Thank you, Mary, for your words this morning!

  2. Angeka says:

    Father i come to you with shameless audacity and ask that you provide a house for my daughter and her family! I know you already have the house picked out! As we wait for your ama,amazing, timing please put peace upon my house Lord!

  3. Carol says:

    Thank you, thank you, Mary!
    Your words, ” He longs to pour out His blessings….we somehow bought into the lie that we will receive good things from God by working harder…” Wow…how many of us have thought that very thought, from the time we wake up until we lay down at night? It does remind me, that Satan just thinks about throwing God’s words back at us to hinder our journey every day; and to twist our thoughts into spiritual stumbling blocks!
    “Shameless Audacity” is a very powerful statement. By His grace, we’ve got to believe His promises!!
    “Father God, let us know you have our best interest for us everyday, everywhere we go. Remind us, that your wings of guidance and protection are surrounding us, always. Thank you, Father for your everlasting kindness and for the gift of Jesus…Amen.”

  4. Carola says:

    Llego en el momento preciso.

    Gracias.Mary.

  5. Trish! Right? When Dan said that phrase it was kind of like my world stopped! I had never heard it but so wanted to know about it!

    Blessings!

  6. Angeka, we are praying with you and standing with you!!
    Thank You, Lord! AMen!

  7. I lived as a prisoner of this lie for many years. It took two years at the bottom of the pit of depression to be set free. I would do it all again for the freedom it brought me. God loves me – not for what I do – but because He created me for a relationship with Him. From God for God!!!!!

    Be blessed, my friend!

  8. Dios siempre llega a tiempo!!!!! Se`bendecido, amigo mio.

  9. Diane says:

    Hi Mary,

    “Shameless audacity.” Father God, I receive Your love and goodness for my life because I’m Your daughter.

    In Jesus Name, Amen!

  10. Jedidiah says:

    Lord, this morning, i come again with shameless audacity and ask that you bless me with the help and the money to meet my needs this week according to your perfect will. Knowing that you have already done it, i’m thankful. All glory to you. ^.^

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"We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well…" 1 Thessalonians 2:8