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Avoid Settling for Less than God’s
Best
Bayless Conley
I was raised like any normal Southern California kid.
But as a teen, my life began a slow descent. It started with
cigarettes and alcohol until I moved on to pot and LSD, as well as other
harmful drugs.
It may sound crazy, but even in the midst of the drinking and drugs, I
was on an earnest spiritual trek, searching for truth. I was looking for
something — anything — that would satisfy the emptiness I felt inside.
Then one night at a local street mission, God made Himself known to
me. I came to know that Jesus is real, and that He could save even me!
This realization set me free through the power of God in my life that
night.
After I’d lived as an alcoholic and addict for far too long, God
miraculously delivered me. My life is a testimony to the fact that God is a
miracle-working God.
Today I want to tell you: Regardless of where your life is headed,
there is hope for you!
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the thoughts that I
think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you
a future and a hope.”
God is speaking to the captives in Babylon in this passage.
Perhaps you’re experiencing captivity in some area of your life today
— whether it’s spiritual, mental, financial, or physical. You might feel
overwhelmed, isolated, or trapped; and it may seem like things are never going
to change.
Just as God cared for those captives, He is thinking about you. He
wants to give you a future and a hope. He wants you to believe by faith that
things will not always be as they are now.
First and foremost, your hope comes from hearing God’s Word.
The promises in God’s Word are pregnant with power. They can help you
recognize the path God wants you to pursue.
You can be sure the devil will try to keep you from hearing God’s
Word. In fact, he specializes in feeding you lies. He’ll tell you things will
never change and there is no hope for your situation.
Friend, hearing God’s Word overturns the lies that make you feel
hopeless.
If you’re feeling hopeless today, pray this with me:
“Father, I thank You for Your goodness and mercy in my life. You
forgive all my iniquities; You heal all my diseases; You crown me with
lovingkindness. You are the same yesterday, today, and forever; nothing is too
difficult for You. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit is guiding my every step.”
Regardless of where you find yourself today, there is hope. God has a
bright future and an eternal destiny in mind for you. He will never leave you
nor forsake you. Never give up hope!
The personal story of my journey to find hope and peace in Christ is
way too long to tell in this article; so what I would like to do is send you my
booklet, “There Is Always Hope,” along with two CD or DVD
messages to help point you to the hope of Christ as well.
This inspiring collection is my “thank you” for your gift today. May
you be blessed as you support the broadcast of Answers with Bayless Conley as
we’re reaching so many lives around the world.
Bayless Conley
Bayless Conley
My wife Janet and I are pastors of Cottonwood
Church, a thriving church located in Orange County, California. We truly
believe in the concept of local church as the center of Christian community.
There is an old saying that goes, “The light
that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home.” We are able to reach
the world through our broadcast because we have a strong home base. This allows
us to shine the light of the Gospel even farther and in a more powerful way.
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