Confidence in Christ

Confession: I am not much of a dog person (I can hear your gasp now!). With that being said, the other day, I was talking to a cute guy with a dog and decided to pretend for a sec that I do indeed love dogs.

The result: maimed hand.

The dog clawed my hand! I walked away thinking, "really, Sarah?"

Why did I try to change myself to win this guy's approval? This question applies to more than boys. Why do we change our behavior, language, likes & interests, or opinions for friends, parents, co-workers, or even strangers?

King's daughter, be confident in who the Lord made you!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God preordained that we should walk in them!” Ephesians 2:10

You are His workmanship! Everything about you from your hair color, eye color, and body type to your sense of humor, personality, gifts & talents has been perfectly ordained by your Creator! He intricately knit you in your mother's womb, you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139).

Do not let fear of man, need for approval or attention, or insecurities keep you from living in the fullness of who God made you. No need to pretend to be someone you are not to fulfill other's expectations or win their acceptance. No need to drink, gossip or cuss because you want to be a part of a certain crowd.

Christ in you will be your confidence. Christ in you will erase any people-pleasing so your words and actions reflect who He made you to be.

"For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught," Proverbs 3:26

(Or in my case, "will keep your hand from being scratched...")

First Loved by Him

                                                                                                           ©Sarah Johnson

"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19

Today is all about love! You might be thinking, "Who will I love today?" or "Who will love me?" Before you ask any of those questions, have you gone to the throne today to be loved by The King? The Word says the only way to truly love is by receiving God's love first. As you are lavished in God's perfect, fulfilling love, you are filled up so much that you overflow on others (and BONUS! you will not be seeking love from others either!). 

King’s daughter, your King loves you perfectly. “I have called you by your name. You are Mine,” He says, lovingly drawing you near (Isaiah 43:1). He knows how many hairs are on your head (Luke 12:17). When you sleep, He sings love songs over you (Zeph. 3:17). When you’re awake, He is thinking precious thoughts about you (Ps. 139:17). The King’s love never changes. No matter what you have done, no matter where you have been, His perfect love knows no limits and has no conditions. Our King never sleeps nor slumbers and is lavishing you with His affection 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The Lord desires you, yes you, His beloved daughter, to enjoy His perfect love in a regal relationship with Him      -excerpt from Top Ten Gifts for a King's Daughter

Go to HIM for all the love you need today! Then as you go about your day, you will love because He has FIRST loved you.

Find Sarah's study on love here!

Single gals? Click here for a fun surprise!

Jesus said, there is ONE THING

In Scripture, we find Jesus speaking to Mary and Martha about the importance of spending time with the King. “Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her” (Luke 10:38-42).

Jesus says ONE thing is needed, sitting at His feet and hearing His Word. The words He said to Martha apply to you today. There is only ONE thing you need to believe and receive. Come sit at Jesus’ feet every morning. In His presence, hear His Word, worship Him, and enjoy a regal relationship. So set your alarm clock early, choose a comfy chair in your home, grab your Bible and celebrate a relationship with the King every morning. Watch how the Lord transforms you head to toe with His love!

Forget working for the King like Martha 

and celebrate being with the King like Mary.

What better example than Jesus to show us the importance of spending time alone with the King. “And early in the morning, while it was still dark, He arose and went out and departed to a lonely place, and was praying there.” (Mark 1:35) Scripture also tells us, “But [Jesus] Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray” (Luke 5:16). Jesus’ time with the King was His first priority. He wants it to be your first priority too!

Close your eyes and think of a chair where you can go every morning to spend time with The King!

This is an actual picture of me in my chair! 

This inspired our girl on the cover of A Regal Relationship with The King.

This is an excerpt of our Creative Bible Study, A Regal Relationship with The King - 

a perfect tool for your time with the King!

Living in the Spirit

"Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish." Galatians 5:16-17
       How do you know if you are living in the Spirit, walking in the fullness of Christ in you? The Lord gives us a simple, clear "gauge" in Galatians 5. If you are feeling or experiencing anything BUT the fruit of the Spirit, you are not living in the fullness of Christ. King's daughter, Jesus gave up His life on the cross so you could live in the abundance of the Spirit every day! The fruits of the Spirit are paid for in full and yours for the taking. Look at this grid below... if you are feeling anything on the left side, HALT EVERYTHING. Take some time (even if it's 30 seconds in the bathroom at work or school) and pray. Confess anything on the black side and ask the Spirit to take over your mind, soul, body, and heart! Claim the power of cross to walk in the fruits of the Spirit.

© King's Daughters

I shall not want...

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

People are in a constant state of wanting. I want more money. I want more clothes. I want a boyfriend. I want my boyfriend to hurry up and pop the question. I want to be thinner. I want to be more popular. I want a raise. Even if we get what we want, we go ahead and think of another thing to want.

King's daughter, this is not a biblical state. You have a King who knows your needs, when to meet them, and how to provide them. Psalm 23 says, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." The key word is "I". I shall not want. I, Sarah Johnson, shall not want what the Lord has not given me and what isn't in His plan right now. When you want things you don't have, you are telling the Lord, "God, I don't trust in your provision and I do not believe You know what's best for me. I want                     and I want it now." You are pretty much acting like the spoiled girl in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Mel Stuwart. Warner Brothers, 1971. Film. 

Take the "I" out of your wants. Ask the King, what do you want for me? What is best for my life right now, according to your purpose? The King says, "Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 31:4) If you are truly delighting yourself in the Lord, His desires will become your desires (and of course He will give them to you!).

King's daughter, allow Christ in His lovingkindness to overtake your wants and transform them into desires that will further the kingdom, bring Him glory, and fill you with joy! Let Him replace the "I want this" to "The Lord wants this." Then sit back and watch His hand open and satisfy the desires He has placed in your heart.

"The eyes of all look expectantly to You, and You give them their food in due season. You open Your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing." Psalm 145:15-16

Like a sheep, rest in the field where He, the shepherd, has led you. Say the words out loud, 

"The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want." Psalm 23:1

© Ginnie Johnson, 2002