Establishing good boundaries is God’s idea

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Selfcare”

Our Bible verse for today: “God replied to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.” Exodus 3:14 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Establishing good boundaries is God’s idea”

There are thirty-five “I AM” statements in the Bible. God used “I AM” statements to tell us who He is, what He is like, what He approves of and does not approve of, and what conduct from others He will accept or not accept. “I Am” statements are boundaries which God Himself has established and which serve to define Him for us. Those boundaries also help to provide clarity and understanding. Here’s how Henry Cloud and John Townsend explain it in their book, “Boundaries”:

“The concept of boundaries comes from the very nature of God. God defines himself as a distinct, separate being, and he is responsible for himself. He defines and takes responsibility for his personality by telling us what he thinks, feels, plans, allows, will not allow, likes, and dislikes … He tells us who he is, and who he is not … God also limits what he will allow in his yard. He confronts sin and allows consequences for behavior. He guards his house and will not allow evil things to go on there. He invites people in who will love him, and he lets love flow outward to them at the same time.”

They go on, “In the same way as he gave us his “likeness” (Gen. 1:26), he gave us personal responsibility within limits. He wants us to ‘rule and subdue’ the earth and to be responsible stewards over the life he has given us. To do that, we need to develop boundaries like God’s.”

Understanding the boundaries God has created for Himself helps us to see how we must also establish appropriate boundaries, and for the same reason – to provide ourselves and others with clarity. Boundaries are anything that differentiate you from someone else. They also help to define what you are responsible for and what you are not, as well as what conduct you will accept from others and that which you won’t.

We will think more about this in the days to come but for this morning, I encourage you to first prayerfully consider the boundaries that God has established if perhaps you are transcending any of those boundaries. Then consider what boundaries you have established for yourself and for others who you interact with, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you see if perhaps any of those boundaries need to be adjusted.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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