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Key Points:

  • Relying solely on your own efforts to get ahead is a “burdensome self-rescue project” that is guaranteed to fail.

  • Some years ago, Madonna admitted her intense drive comes from a “horrible fear of being mediocre” and a constant need to prove her worth.

  • Many of the highest achievers are the most enslaved to a spirit of competition, often competing with themselves to overcome feelings of inadequacy.

  • The movie Chariots of Fire illustrates an example of this, with the story of 1924 Olympian Harold Abrahams, who said, “I used to be afraid to lose, but now I’m afraid to win. In an hour from now, I will be out there again. I will raise my eyes and look down that lane four feet wide with 10 lonely seconds to justify my whole existence.”

  • One of the emptiest moments in life is when you finally achieve what you thought would bring ultimate fulfillment, only to find that it has let you down.

  • The need to justify ourselves by “winning” is a heavy burden that humans were not meant to carry, and it drives people to lie, cheat, and steal to avoid rejection.

  • While the surface-level reason for this competitive drive is a desire for approval, love, and respect, the ultimate root cause is a single word: unbelief.

  • We engage in self-justification because we don’t truly believe that we are already justified, loved, and approved by God.

  • This unbelief leads to identity crises, as we try to forge our own identities through our accomplishments rather than resting in the identity God has already given us.

  • The cycle of striving and disappointment only ends when we stop trying to secure our own validation and accept that our worth is already firmly established by God’s love for us.

May this be a reminder to Be Bold and Speak Up

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About Tullian Tchividjian

Tullian is the pastor at The Sanctuary church in Jupiter, Florida. He is the grandson of the late evangelist Billy Graham and his wife Ruth Graham. Tullian pastored two churches in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, before planting The Sanctuary in Jupiter.  The Sanctuary is a non-denominational church proclaiming the boundless love of Jesus to a broken world.  Because of what Jesus has accomplished for us, The Sanctuary is a place to find love and laughter, hope and healing, acceptance and forgiveness, and mercy and help. Watch more of Pastor Tullian's messages on The Sanctuary's YouTube.channel.  Connect with the church on Facebook or online. Find Tulllian's books on Amazon.

***A Hidden Message in Psalm 23?***  

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Do You Know Jesus?

The Bible clearly states that everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). It also emphasizes that while the wages of sin is death, God offers us the incredible gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23). Don’t wait—find hope and redemption!

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In Case You Missed It:
Top Ten "Got Questions" in 2024

  1. The Meaning of NUMBERS in the Bible?
  2. Was Jesus CRUCIFIED on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday?
  3. How are the Shepherd’s ROD and STAFF Different?
  4. The Meaning of COLORS in the Bible?
  5. How long did JOB SUFFER?
  6. How was Jesus Like a Worm? What’s the CRIMSON (OR SCARLET) WORM in Psalm 22?
  7. Jesus’ Last Days TIMELINE: the Cross and the Resurrection
  8. What are the FOUR Different PRESENTATIONS of Jesus in the Gospels?
  9. Did The Wise Men Arrive 12 DAYS AFTER JESUS’ BIRTH? Or Was It Much Later?
  10. What is the Significance of the Wise Men's THREE GIFTS? And were they kings?

2024's Top Ten "Words of Wisdom from the Cloud of Witnesses"

There is much to be learned from those who have gone before us in the faith.  Check out our Cloud of Witnesses category that features the words of departed saints who are now with the Lord in glory.  Their words equip and encourage us even to this day.  Take a few minutes to hear...

  1. ONLY ONE LIFE, Twill Soon Be Past – by C.T. Studd (1860 – 1931)
  2. THE COMING PRINCE, by Sir Robert Anderson, 1894
  3. What's the Story Behind "There is a Fountain Filled with Blood by William Cowper
  4. "Immanuel" -- A Poem by Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892)
  5. Prayers from Billy Graham
  6. “The Love of God is Greater Far” by Frederick M. Lehman (1917)
  7. Who Was Robert Robinson? What’s the Story Behind “Come Thou Fount”
  8. 24 Reasons Why I Love America, by John Wayne (1907-1979)
  9. The Hound of Heaven, a poem by Francis Thompson (1859–1907)
  10. 40 Quotes from Frederick Buechner (1926-2022)

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2024's TOP TEN Videos from Reasons for Hope* Jesus

  1. Memorial Day BAGPIPES TRIBUTE: Amazing Grace 
  2. RISE AND SHINE and Give God the Glory, Glory!
  3. WERE YOU THERE When They Crucified My Lord?
  4. PAUL HARVEY: THE BIRDCAGE
  5. Hark! the Herald Angels Sing -- CHARLIE BROWN Christmas
  6. JOHN WAYNE ~ WHY I LOVE AMERICA
  7. Not by Might, Not by Power, But BY MY SPIRIT says the Lord (Zechariah 4:6)
  8. PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN: A SOLDIER'S PLEDGE
  9. Jimmy Stewart - Nativity Scene Prayer: Mr. Krueger's Christmas
  10. I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day, by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, performed by Casting Crowns

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