When You Need to Know You are Forgiven and Loved

I need God’s forgiveness!

No matter how hard I try, I mess up the obedience and love part of my life every single day!

I don’t obey God the way He wants me to. I don’t even obey Him the way I want to.

I tell Him how much I love Him but with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength … I fall short again and again.

Remember Paul’s words…

I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. Romans 7:18

Yeah, that’s me!

Maybe, like me, you ask God for His forgiveness but continue to beat yourself up over your weaknesses and failures … especially those things you keep on doing even though you know better and desperately want to stop.

If so…

Let’s take a look at God’s word of truth…

When You Need to Know You are Forgiven and Loved

The first thing you and I need to remember is God is the perfect Father…

♥ God made you and loves you so very much!

He does not hold your sins against you. He wants to forgive you … so much so, that He sent Jesus to suffer your punishment and mine. He suffered and died to pay the price that set us free!

“I, the Lord, made you, and I will not forget you. I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.” Isaiah 44:21b–22

Forgiveness is the divine miracle of grace. The cost to God was the Cross of Christ.
Oswald Chambers

♥ God wants us to surrender our failures to Him.

Why?

Because when you and I confess and repent…

We agree with God that our failures are sins that go against His will.
We take an honest assessment of our lives and realize our need for Him.
We acknowledge our sorrow for what we’ve done or what we’ve failed to do.
We ask Him to give us the desire and help we need to obey Him in the future.
We admit that we are totally dependent on God … we need Him.

Confession and repentance are the flat-out falling of the sinner before the Savior. It humbly recognizes that He is King of kings and Lord of lords, that He is God and well, we are not.

And the good news is…

If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

And it’s not only a washing away the marks of sin, but it’s also … the power of the Holy Spirit to change stony, stubborn hearts into kind, responsive hearts.

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Ezekiel 36:26–27

How cool is that?!

♥ You and I are more than just forgiven; we are new creations!

Through Jesus death and resurrection and through the power of His Spirit, you and I have a new perspective and a new heart.

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
2 Corinthians 5:17

We are being made new every day. We have a new covenant … a promise, written on our hearts that gives us a personal relationship with the God of the universe.

We belong to God!

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! 1 John 3:1a

If you’re like me, though, you still have past failures/sins that haunt your thoughts and wear you down.

If so, this is the best news of all…

♥ Sins that have been confessed and repented are forgiven and gone for good!

We don’t need to wallow in self-loathing and memorialized guilt.

Even when our faith is weak, our conscience is sensitive, and memories haunt us God’s word affirms that through Jesus every confessed sin is gone for good!

I confessed all my sins to you
and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Psalm 32:5

His love is as high as the heavens and His forgiveness is as far as the east is from the west.

He does not punish us for all our sins;
He does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
For His unfailing love toward those who fear Him
is as great as the height of the heavens above the earth.
He has removed our sins as far from us
as the east is from the west.
Psalm 103:10–12

I love this quote!

“Forgiveness is the giving, and so the receiving, of life.” ~ George MacDonald

That’s it! LIFE! NEW LIFE! REDEEMED LIFE!

♥ You and I can LIVE celebrating God’s forgiveness and love.

Jesus is both willing and able to forgive us. It’s not some reward He holds in front of us trying to get us to do better.

It’s a gift of love.

Love confirmed on a cross two thousand years ago.

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Love so complete it has one desire…

“The desire of His heart is always restoration – not condemnation. When we truly repent, God will forgive us.” Mary Southerland

When you and I struggle with guilt. When it’s hard to let go and move on … stop and remember just how much God loves you.

He is greater than your feelings.

He is your loving, forgiving, heart changing Giver of LIFE!

That my friend is a reason to celebrate with joy!

Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!
Psalm 32:1 and Romans 4:7

And if for just a moment you’re thinking…

You don’t understand. You don’t know what I’ve done. You don’t know how far I’ve fallen away. How I’ve ignored and neglected Him.

Read these words from Charles Stanley…

“When you stray from His presence, He longs for you to come back. He weeps that you are missing out on His love, protection and provision. He throws His arms open, runs toward you, gathers you up, and welcomes you home.” ~ Charles Stanley

One of my favorite parables is the story of the Prodigal Son.

The image of the Father watching and waiting for His son to return home. The picture of Him running to embrace the child who had rejected His love and squandered His blessings.

While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

That’s the Father who loves us!

May you and I keep returning home in humble repentance knowing we are forgiven and loved … the celebration of LIFE is just beginning!

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

I LOVE hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

7 Prayers Inspired by Jesus Words on the Cross

It’s hard to think about the reality of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross.

I’ll never forget the first time I watched The Passion of the Christ. I’d read Scripture and knew the story well but it was always easier to imagine the scene through cleaned up artwork and Sunday School drawings.

I don’t want to let myself settle for images that make me feel better. So I’m taking this week to spend more time at the foot of the cross and humbly pray to the God who suffered pure torture to endure the punishment I deserved.

I would love it if you would join me.

7 Prayers Inspired by Jesus Words on the Cross

Jesus said, “Father, forgive them,
for they don’t know what they are doing.”
Luke 23:34

Dearest Jesus, It’s hard for me to picture myself in the crowd shouting, “Crucify Him!” I want to believe I would have stood with John, your mother, and Mary Magdeleine … but I know the truth. You hung on that cross because of me. My sins condemned you and yet, through pain, You asked Your Father to forgive me. I am humbled and overwhelmed by Your gracious love. Thank you isn’t enough. Today, I give you my all as I prayerfully ponder how You gave Your all for me. Amen.

And Jesus replied, “I assure you,
today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:43

Jesus, Like those being crucified beside You, I deserve to be punished for my sins. I want to believe my sins aren’t that bad but all sin, any sin, my sin deserves to be punished. Yet, You not only suffered my punishment but You promise me a forever future with You in heaven. I can’t earn it. I don’t deserve it. You simply give it. Once again, I fall at the foot of the cross asking for Your forgiveness through tears of gratitude and a heart full of love and look forward to the day when You will come and take me home to paradise. (John 14:3) Thank you, Jesus! Amen.

When Jesus saw His mother standing there
beside the disciple He loved, He said to her,
“Dear woman, here is your son.”And He said to this disciple,
“Here is your mother.”
And from then on this disciple
took her into his home.
John 19:26–27

Jesus, Your tender words to Your mother and John touch my heart and remind me that You care about every detail of our lives. Your ministry included feeding the hungry and healing the sick both physically and spiritually. You gave sight to those who could not see and sound to those who could not hear. Nothing in my life goes beyond Your care and compassion. Lord Jesus, when my days are hard and I feel like no one understands … You do! You’ve been here. You’ve lived it. Thank you, for encouraging me to bring it all my struggles to You and for offering to help and comfort me in times of need. Amen.

Jesus called out with a loud voice,
“Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?”
which means
“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
Matthew 27:46 and Mark 15:34

Oh, dearest Jesus, this must have been the most difficult thing to endure. Was this what caused You to sweat drops of blood as You asked the Father to “remove this cup of suffering?” I can’t imagine how it must have felt to anticipate all You knew You would endure.

David prophesied these words generations earlier and like every prophesy promised … You faithfully accomplished it. Jesus, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God! I give my life to You. By Your grace, may I live each day for Your glory and proclaim Your name to all who will listen. Amen.

Jesus knew that His mission was now finished,
and to fulfill Scripture He said,
“I am thirsty.”
John 19:28

Jesus, You spoke these three simple words so that Your people might know and believe You can identify completely with our humanity. You were tempted, yet You never sinned. You experienced life through Your senses just like I do. You laughed and cried. You felt anger, joy, and love. Oh, how You love. Thank you, Jesus, for allowing me to know that nothing in my life is beyond Your understanding. When I am sad and lonely, rejected and betrayed, uncomfortable and tired … You understand. I can come to You, knowing You will help me carry my burden of the day, big or small. Amen.

He said,
“It is finished!”
Then He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.
John 19:30

Was this Your victory shout! Jesus, You did everything You came to do. You testified to the truth. Proclaimed the Good News. Fulfilled the Law and the words of the Prophets. You showed people how very much God loves them. You gave Yourself as a sacrifice to save people from their sins. And You died to give God’s people eternal life. I can imagine You gathering every bit of strength You had to shout, “It is finished!” Victory! The plan promised in the Garden was accomplished and by Your grace … it is well with my soul. Thank you! Amen.

Then Jesus shouted,
“Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!”
And with those words, He breathed His last.
Luke 23:46

No one took Your life from You. You gave it willingly for sinners … like me. Perfect love! Please Jesus, help me to love like You. My heart’s desire is to “love You, my God, (Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit) with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. I want to love my neighbor as I love myself.” I want to obediently follow where You lead and carry out Your will as You reveal it to me. I believe I can do whatever You ask of me when You give me strength. (Philippians 4:13)

Lord Jesus, I surrender this day to You. Help me. Strengthen me. And by Your grace, give me all I need to live this day for Your glory. Amen.

As I read and reread Jesus words on the cross, I am overwhelmed by His love.

Whatever is going on in your life today … give it to Jesus. He wants you to know that by God’s grace nothing in the world can separate you from God’s love given in and through Jesus.

Paul wrote:

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38–39

It’s so easy for me to let busyness distract me and problems discourage me but today I’m setting everything aside to sit at the foot of the cross. I’m listening to Jesus and resting His miraculous life-giving grace.

How blessed we are to KNOW that as we focus on Jesus suffering and death – Sunday is coming. His resurrection is a reality and so is ours!

Additional Posts for Holy Week and Easter

Jesus and How to Know if You Have Righteous Anger

Important Things You Need to Know about Foot Washing

An Important Good Friday Question – How Do You See Jesus?

15 of the Best Quotes to Celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection

Leave your prayer requests…

and stop to pray one or two of the requests listed.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

I LOVE hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

The Important Truth You Need to Know About Guilt

Guilt.

Everyone has it.

We all have something, maybe multiple somethings, that makes us cringe and want to hide.

I thought about putting a list of examples here but that then I decided it would be a distraction because all that really matters is … what’s on your list.

I know what’s on my list. Some of the items on my list only haunt me occasionally. Others — well, the enemy likes to bring them to mind all the time.

My worst guilt is about something that for years I didn’t even think was a sin. But when the Holy Spirit convicted me with the truth … I was flattened.

And you know what?

The enemy immediately started taunting me with labels working to defeat me with despair.

I hate that, don’t you?

Satan tempts us, entices us to sin and then calls us by the label of the very thing he made seem so appealing earlier.

Liar. Thief. Murderer. Adulterer. Fool. Or something else.

And you and I wear our label like it’s branded on our foreheads. We hate it, but still … we wear it.

Guilt!

It’s nothing new. We’re not the first to experience it.

In fact, let’s go back to where it all started. …

The Garden of Eden. Picture yourself there with me. (Not as an observer but as a participant.)

Visualize the snake hissing and telling you, “God is holding out on you. If He really loved you, He would…”

You know you should walk away, fight him with the truth of God’s Word. You should resist him…

Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Ephesians 6:17

Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

But this time, you don’t. You listen.

He knows exactly what to say . . . every word you want to hear. He nudges you to take charge of your life and do it your way, to go after what you want even though you know God said “no” or at least “not now.”

You look at the fruit. It looks awesome and you go for it.

She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Genesis 3:6

In those first moments, it feels good. You got what you wanted. It’s sweet and it tastes great.

But then, it starts to sour in your mouth and you feel … guilty.

You try to hide as the enemy sneers and snarls shaming you from the background.

But God…

God loves you so much … He immediately comes looking for you. And when He finds you, He shows you the truth.

He’s right. He’s always been right! You should have trusted Him! You should have obeyed Him.

And you know…

You deserve His punishment. You are guilty!

The Important Truth You Need to Know About Guilt

Then in an instant . . . in a heartbeat, God changes the scene for you.

You’re transported to the foot of the cross.

Now you cry out to Jesus, “Lord, forgive me!”

And… it’s done!

All is forgiven.

Your guilt is gone.

God in His grace and mercy removed your guilt and ‘sin’ label and replaced it with words like…

Chosen. Child. Friend. Masterpiece. Treasure. Beloved.

Through Jesus, God calls you His own.

Why? Because you’re good. Because you deserve it. No!

Because He is good!

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8

And because God is good, He wants good things for you.

Things like:

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Hope. Contentment. And Life with Him Forever.

David wrote in Psalm 32:

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes! What joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt. v. 1–2

Because of His amazing grace and perfect love God wants to replace your guilt with His the blessings of His better truth!

That through Jesus, you are…

Blameless.

Yet now He has reconciled you to Himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, He has brought you into His own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before Him without a single fault. Colossians 1:22

Fought for.

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Romans 8:31

Friend.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me. Revelation 3:20

Blessed.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Strengthened.

I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is enough for you. When you are weak, my power is made perfect in you.” 2 Corinthians 12:8–9

His forever.

There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:2–3

Through Jesus, your guilt is gone!

Why should you and I imagine ourselves in the Garden and at the Cross?

Because it’s easy to blame this sinful world for our failures. Or blame Eve and then Adam for messing things up in the first place.

The truth is … you and I don’t sin because we live in a sinful world. We sin because we are sinners who can never be free of the label of guilt and shame on our own.

But God…

God loves so much He wants to take us from the shame of the Garden to the healing of the Cross.

There we stand we are — humble, broken, and in need of forgiveness.

David also wrote in Psalm 32:

I confessed all my sins to You and stopped trying to hide my guilt … And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. v. 5

The truth about guilt is … you don’t have to carry it one minute longer. You can stand with David and countless other forgiven sinners who joyfully shout, “ALL MY GUILT IS GONE!”

And the next time Satan tries to taunt and shame you, remind him of God’s promises…

I’m forgiven. I belong to Jesus.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8:1–2

I’m clean.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

My sin is gone . . . as far as the east is from the west!

He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. Psalm 103:12

My guilt is replaced with joy!

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Psalm 32:1 and Romans 4:7

So, what do you think?

Are you ready to embrace the truth about guilt?

Stand in the Garden. Fall before the cross. Ask Jesus to forgive you.

Then…

Celebrate! You are guilt-free! You are forgiven.

Through the death of Christ on the cross making atonement for sin, we get a perfect standing before God. That is justification, and it puts us, in God’s sight, back in Eden before sin entered. God looks upon us and treats us as if we had never sinned. ~ A.C. Dixon

That is Good News!

Leave your prayer requests…

and pray for others who have left requests.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

You Need to Ask the Most Important Question

I’ve wrestled with this post for a while. It’s so much easier to write those feel-good grace-filled posts that remind us of God’s abundant goodness and mercy.

And we’ll get to that, too … because that’s where we must land after we’ve come face to face with who we are without Him.

But after wrestling with God and asking Him again and again if I’m really the person He wants to write these words … I’m giving in and I’m writing this post to the person who finds it easy to ridicule and mock those who (like me) have surrendered their lives to God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.

I’m writing this to:

The person who has rejected the “crutch” of Christianity.

The person who has decided Jesus is one of countless ways to God.

The person who believes there is no hell.

The person who is self-sufficient and too strong to need God.

The person who is too busy and doesn’t have time for God.

The person who puts their political views ahead of God’s Word.

The person who believes “good people” will go to heaven.

The person who believes this life is all there is.

If you know this person or you are this person, please keep reading … I have an important question for you.

A question God placed on my heart and mind a few weeks ago. One I’ve used to challenge myself and that I hope will challenge you and make you stop and think — and pray.

You Need to Ask the Most Important Question

What if you’re wrong?

What if there is life after death?

What if both heaven and hell are very real places?

What if you will have to stand before a holy and righteous God at the time of your death to give an account of the way you lived your life?

What if your good isn’t good enough?

What if Jesus really is the only way to heaven?

What if?

Before I go to the Bible and show you some of the reasons I believe these questions are more important than where you’ll go to school or who you’ll marry … and believe me those questions are really important, I want to tell you my answer to the question.

My answer to – What if I’m wrong?

If I’m wrong, and I believe there is overwhelming evidence to support my faith. I don’t believe anyone who has surrendered their life to God through faith in Jesus is wrong.

But, just for a moment, let’s go there, let’s assume there is no God. No Creator. No Resurrected Savior. No Comforting Holy Spirit.

If I’m wrong and there is no God … I wouldn’t change a thing.

My life has been full of hope, unexpected joy, impossible to understand peace, indescribable strength when I needed it most, and miraculous healing. I’m blessed. My life is good.

And if I get to the end of my life and I discover there is no life after this one … I can’t imagine having lived my life any other way. The things I chose to sacrifice out of obedience to God protected me from so many problems and potential consequences. I didn’t miss out on a thing.

Which is why I’m inviting you to ask yourself this important question.

When I listen to people who believe followers of Jesus are weak and foolish or border on “mental illness,” I can’t help but think about how miserable and angry many of them seem at the moment.

So, I’m inviting you to ask yourself the question…

What if I’m wrong?

I’d like you to think about what the Bible says about the “what if” questions I asked above.

What if there is life after death?

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23

“I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Jesus to thief on the cross beside Him.) Luke 23:43

What if both heaven and hell are very real places?

“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.” (Jesus – Sermon on the Mount) Matthew 7:13–14

What if you will have to stand before a holy and righteous God at the time of your death to give an account of the way you lived your life?

^“God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him. There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him. But anyone who does not believe in Him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.” (Jesus to Nicodemus) John 3:17–18

What if your good isn’t good enough?

^“And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak. The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you.” (Jesus to religious leaders) Matthew 12:36–37

And…

Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them. (Jesus to His disciples) John 14:21

What if Jesus really is the only way to heaven?

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (to His disciples) John 14:6

One more word from Jesus…

Jesus told a story of The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus. You can read it here.

One of the moving parts of this story is when the rich man pleads with Abraham to allow Lazarus to return from the dead to warn His family…

“Then the rich man said, ‘Please, Father Abraham, at least send him to my father’s home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them so they don’t end up in this place of torment.” Luke 17:27–28

So, I’m inviting you to ask one more important question…

What if my loved ones – children, parents, siblings …. my relatives and friends are being influenced for eternity by my lack of faith?

So, please ask yourself the most important question.

What if I’m wrong?

And if it makes you stop and think for just moment or two, if you’re not sure about your relationship with God through Jesus, if you wonder about the future…

Please seek the truth?

Ask questions? Pray and ask God to reveal the truth to you? Talk to people who have placed their trust in Jesus. Dig for answers.

I’ve never known anyone who sought the truth, who didn’t realize the only truth that matters is that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life and that God is who He says He is in the Bible and that…

This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For, there is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave His life to purchase freedom for everyone. 1 Timothy 2:3–6

God loves you so much, He sent Jesus to pay the price for every wrong you have ever done, every thoughtless or cruel word you have ever spoken, every single foolish mistake you’ve made.

You can trust Him. Nothing you have ever done can make Him love you less. He wants to cover you with His grace and mercy sacrificed in and through Jesus on the cross.

There is no better place to live today than with the promise of eternal life with God through Jesus.

I promise. Because even if I’m wrong and I don’t believe I am.

I wouldn’t change a thing!

Leave your prayer requests…

and pray for others who have left requests.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

You Need to Know This When You are Not Enough

I’m guessing you’re like me and that you share my struggle.

You have the voice in your head that remembers and repeats every hurt-filled accusation.

And a mirror that faithfully points out every little imperfection.

You know the whispers of lost friendships that want you to believe you’re just not worth it.

And you count every share and comment while you wonder if your story matters.

You live too many days with physical or emotional pain that reminds you of your weaknesses.

And somehow you start to listen and believe the message that you’re not enough. You’re “less than.”

So, we try to build each other up through blog posts and articles. We type our fingers raw trying to convince ourselves and each other that the message that haunts and nags just isn’t true.

But if you’re like me, it seems no matter how hard I fight them … my “not enough” thoughts persist.

And I’ve recently come to the conclusion that:

It’s true! I am not enough. I am less than.

This is not meant to discourage you nor is it a true confession about giving in to self-loathing.

The reason for this post is to tell you that although I do have an ongoing struggle with the way I view myself, by God’s grace I am confident there is a greater truth that gives me victory when those two sentences (I am not enough. I am less than.) try to defeat me.

And the greater truth is this…

God is All You Need When You are Not Enough

God is greater than my “not enough” and He’s greater than yours too!

But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4

I love this verse.

Although feelings matter, let’s look past them for a moment … let’s look beyond the the things trying to defeat and discourage us to God, who is greater. He is our enough!

3 Truths from 1 John 4:4 that will Defeat Discouragement

1. You belong to God.

Through faith in Jesus, you are God’s child. You are chosen, adopted, and loved. You belong to Him.

Say it out loud until you really believe it … because of Jesus, I belong to God.

On our own, you and I are not enough but God is always and forever more than enough. He is forever and always greater than any circumstances, all imperfections, every weakness, and each bit of brokenness without exception.

Through His Holy Spirit, God is with you and in you. He has marked you as His own. You are loved and you belong to God!

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26

2. You have victory in Jesus.

However you and I feel, in Christ Jesus, we can have victory. Victory over our accusers, our former friends, discouragement, the mirror, the weaknesses of our bodies, and yes, even the voices in our heads.

Jesus has won the victory over sin, death, and the power of Satan. He defeated them all on the cross. We are not defeated because of the One who won the victory for us and given us all we need to live with victory over anything that tries to discourage us.

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. Romans 8:35,37

3. You have the Spirit within you.

The Holy Spirit to whom you belong, who loves you and gives you victory, lives within you.

And because weare His children, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” Galatians 4:6

And the good news is the Spirit living within us fills us with all we need to defeat every message that works to discourage us. I love that He whispers victory giving truth when we need it most.

And He is more than able to give us everything we need.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22–23a

My goal, going forward, is to turn to the Lord in prayer each time I’m discouraged by the feeling that I’m “not enough.”

Trusting that the Spirit will remind me that:

I am loved. You and I are lovable. God says so! And we have everything we need to love others … even those who don’t love us. We know, dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own people. 1 Thessalonians 1:4
This difficult season will end. Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
I have all I need for today, tomorrow, and forever. Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Ephesians 3:20

We’re going to have our “not enough” thoughts and feelings. They’re a given and a favorite of the “spirit of the world.”

But you and I have all we need to be victorious over them.

We can replace them with the truth … God’s truth!

And the way to know God’s truth is by asking ourselves a couple of questions:

1. Do I feel like I’m not enough because of sin in my life?

If the answer is “yes” — you and I need to quickly go to God in repentance and ask Him to forgive us.

The good news He is always faithful to forgive and cover us with His victorious love once again.

2. Do I feel like I’m not enough because I’m believing the lies of comparison?

If your answer is “yes” — join me in a commitment to stop comparing and trust God’s specific plans and purposes for my life. May you and I faithfully seek God’s will each day and follow wherever He leads.

And replace the lies with God’s truth by…

Memorizing God’s promises, like:

I am with you always Matthew 28:20

I have loved you just as the Father has loved Me; remain in My love [and do not doubt My love for you]. John 15:9 (AMP)

If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:8

And repeat them every time you need to remember … although you are “not enough” on your own, the One who is with you and within you is more than enough.

He always has been and He always will be!

The greater truth — God is able to give you victory over your “not enough.”

What is your go-to promise when you need to remember that God is more than enough to defeat your feelings of discouragement?

Leave your prayer requests…

and pray for others who have left requests.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi’ and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

When You Need to Know You are Forgiven and Loved

♥ God made you and loves you so very much!

♥ God wants us to surrender our failures to Him.

Why?

♥ You and I are more than just forgiven; we are new creations!

♥ Sins that have been confessed and repented are forgiven and gone for good!

♥ You and I can LIVE celebrating God’s forgiveness and love.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Like this:

7 Prayers Inspired by Jesus Words on the Cross

As I read and reread Jesus words on the cross, I am overwhelmed by His love.

Additional Posts for Holy Week and Easter

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Like this:

Guilt.

Guilt!

In fact, let’s go back to where it all started. …

The Important Truth You Need to Know About Guilt

Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Hope. Contentment. And Life with Him Forever.

Blameless.

Fought for.

Friend.

Blessed.

Strengthened.

His forever.

Through Jesus, your guilt is gone!

Leave your prayer requests…

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Like this:

You Need to Ask the Most Important Question

What if you’re wrong?

My answer to – What if I’m wrong?

What if I’m wrong?

One more word from Jesus…

So, please ask yourself the most important question.

What if I’m wrong?

Leave your prayer requests…

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Like this:

God is All You Need When You are Not Enough

Leave your prayer requests…

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Like this: