My selfish flesh likes to think of myself as something other than weak, ungodly, and a sinner. I prefer to think of myself as godly, having it all together, and righteous. Perfect, in and of myself {with great hair, I might add}. When I keep it together, my little happy dreamland is full of daises and adorable Disney characters flying and hopping around me {with my great hair flowing in the light breeze}.
And then I fail.
I let ugly, unkind words slip from my tongue towards my husband, I get upset with my kids for extremely important things like leaving the milk out and letting the dog on the veranda {ahem}, I gossip about the person I feel wronged me, I stress and worry about the future of our foster son.
And I allow the failure to wash over me like a tidal wave. I let it overtake me, telling me not only have I failed, but that I am a failure. And what have I done? I have fallen into self-righteousness, thinking something I do will make me worthy or approvable {yes, I like making up words}. I have forgotten Romans 5:6-8.
6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— 8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I am a sinner. Christ died for me, a sinner, not because I was or am worthy, but because of His great love for me. And my keeping it together OR my failing has nothing to do with my acceptance by Him.
“If you obey for a thousand years, you’re no more accepted than when you first believed; your acceptance is based on Christ’s righteousness and not yours.” -Paul Tripp, New Morning Mercies
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING makes me more thankful than this truth, when I let it sink down to my tippy toes and bask in the love He has for me.
And if you are having a difficult time making this truth reality in your life, think about these words from Elyse Fitzpatrick in her book, Because He Loves Me:
“Jesus’ perfect record has become ours. Because God has accredited or imputed Jesus’ perfect obedience to you, when God looks upon you, he sees you as a person who
- always does the things that are pleasing to Him;
- is so focused on accomplishing His will and work that doing so is your daily food;
- doesn’t seek your own will but seeks His will instead;
- doesn’t seek to receive glory (praise, respect, worship) from others;
- has always kept all his commandments;
- lives in such a way that your life brings holiness to others;
- loves others and lays down your life on a consistent basis;
- lives in such a way that the people around you know that you love your heavenly Father more than anything else;
- seeks to obey every command so that righteousness will be fulfilled.
In God’s opinion (the only one that matters!) that’s your record today. These truths out to astound us.”
I can barely see through my tears as I finish writing this. Ladies, this is OUR GOD. It makes this week’s memory verse that much more sweet to our souls:
Oh, I am so thankful to You, my God, my Lord, my Savior, my Righteousness. Thank You for loving and accepting me as I am. Thank You for demonstrating Your love for me, even and especially when I don’t deserve it.
*Friends, I want to invite you to express your thankfulness to the Lord in the comments. Let’s fill up the comments with words of praise and gratitude to OUR GOD!*
All for Jesus,
Father – you know my continuous prayer is…thank you for the blessings you pour into my life. If I say it once a day, I say it a hundred. The blessings you continue to pour over me again and again are amazing. From early morning wake-up calls to end-of-the-day conversations with my husband, you alone continue to give me these things. Thank you for that.
Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this study. There are women across the globe who wouldn’t be allowed to do such a thing and I’m so thankful that I can. Thank you for the sweet, open-hearted ladies leading us on this journey as well. They have all taught me something new this week.
Finally, thank you for being you. For loving us when we feel less than lovable. For when our actions and words don’t meet the standard of the way we truly want to live. For the sacrifice you made, to show us your great love. Thank you, Father. Thank you.
Amen.
Cassie, Thank you for your beautiful prayer.
Amy A (LGG Encourager)
Amen.
Cassie, thank you.
I love you LORD all mighty, my ultimate shield and buckler who is worthy of all praise. I exalt YOU O LORD my King and my beloved and only Redeemer ☺️
I love the phrase “But God,” because it turns me from human understanding and declares that God alone is worthy of praise.
Yes! Love that too!
Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Yes. Thankful for those words pointing us back to Him.
Thank you Lord, for being our ROCK. A rock that provides security, strength, and substance to cling to. A rock that is immovable. I thank you for loving me, for loving all of us,….so much so that you died for us. Thank you Lord for giving us the opportunity to share your love and salvation with others and I ask that we “see” those opportunities in front of us today and have faith to take a leap of witnessing. Thank you Lord for the quiet of the morning, before I go to work, that I can just sit and think about Your goodness. Thank you Lord.
Amen, Jackie! Beautifully said! ~ Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Yes, Lord. Thank you.
Father God, thank you for seeing me as you see your Son Jesus, knowing that I fail every standard that He set. Thank you for receiving me into your presence, in spite of my many failures. Thank you for loving me inside and out while also knowing me inside and out. I wish I had the words to truly express the way my heart is overflowing with praise and gratitude right now. I feel truly overwhelmed with your love. So I will just right Hallelujah and hope that is enough. I love you Lord and I want to serve you better.
His grace is matchless. Thank you for sharing your words with us, Monica.
~ Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Three of us have been doing this study together – each at our own time and pace and also of course together with your blog. It is just amazing how each of our testimonies have come to glorify the Lord our Rock this week. We are in absolute wonder that God is so passionately and personally interested in our daily lives, from providing peace and energizing tired mothers, to prompting us to wake up early even if we feel like rebelling against it and showing us small (amazing) signs like beautiful rainbows on difficult days.
All the glory to our wonderful Heavenly Father! Thank you Lord, our Rock, for your grace in abundance, even though we do not deserve it. Amen
I love seeing His awesomeness even in the little things. As you said “showing us small (amazing) signs like beautiful rainbows on difficult days.” It’s those things that we miss when we’re caught in the busyness of life. I’m so thankful He’s touching your heart, and those of the women doing this study with you. Blessings,
~ Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
I traveled for such a long time not wanting God to be a part of my life. My family & I joined the Catholic Church at Easter Vigil in 2013. I was more nervous that God would not accept me, and that I would have so much “making up” to do in His eyes that I might as well give up happiness to a life of punishment by Him. I have found my new friendship with God to be wholesome & compassionate. I feel His grace with me, and I know He is as ever faithful to me as I am to Him. Blessings to you…
Thank you for visiting today, Kat!
~ Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Beautiful Kat! May I wish you a belated “Welcome as our Sister in Christ”!
This is the first time I have commented, although I have in my heart many times. I was moved especially by this, because this morning I have been thinking/singing the hymn “Lead me to the Rock”. And this was BEFORE reading this post. What a wonderful, unfailing God we have!
Thank you for comment, Lois! I love how God works like that. Amen!
As I sit here drinking my coffee, weary eyed I am so thankful that God never changes. Although many things in our lives are ever changing, His love is constant and everlasting. He sees our frame and our weaknesses and knows that we will slip, but He is always there to catch our fall. I’m so thankful for the joy I have in Him, even when circumstances try to overtake me, He is faithful and good all the time!!
He IS faithful and good all the time, indeed. Blessings, Kim.
~ Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Thank you, Lord, for your unending sacrificial love. You’ve set us free and given us a firm place to stand. Hallelujah!
Amen sister Lyli!
I follow this page on Facebook and, today, decided to start reading the blog and other things on the website for a daily devotional before I start the rat race that is my job. I’m so thankful I did. So often I feel like I’m doing pretty good and then I snap at the kids or get angry at my husband (just like is on this blog post). Then I DO feel like a failure as a mom and wife. My weakness is that I don’t come to God EVERY DAY and take time to talk to HIM about my worries. I throw in a prayer here and there, but honest earnest prayer is something I haven’t done in a very long time. So thankful that God welcomes us with open arms whether we pray and study every day or if it’s been years away. HE’S the same yesterday, today and forever! Praise God!
I share the same weakness, Amanda – I struggle at time to come to Him daily. But He is the one constant in our lives, continually welcoming us, continually loving us, unconditionally . Thank you for stopping by to read the blog!
~ Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
I am so blessed by your studies. I am grateful that through any differences you have had, you continue to glorify God and bless others.
WE are so thankful that you are blessed through LGG studies! We have some amazing women sharing their hearts here on the blog. They are all so encouraging.
~ Blessings, Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Hi! I am not receiving the emails, yet, it says I am already registered. Can you check for me please? Thanks!
Hi Meg, can you please send an email to [email protected] and explain what’s happening? Thank you!
I’m so grateful to God for my salvation in Him. I can’t go a day without God’s love for me. I love to read and meditate on his Word each day. I used to tell my students(when I taught school) that reading God’s Word is God talking to us so we need to read His Word everyday. He wants us to talk to him by praying to Him everyday. We can’t do one without the other. Thank you ,Father, for the best gift of all in Jesus and the greatest sacrifice ever. I love you Lord!
Amen, Tammy. Thanks for stopping by! ~ Blessings, Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Praise you Lord Jesus for loving me even when I’m most unloveable. Thank you for gently chastising me when I sin, covering me with love and forgiveness, and then leading me back to my rightful place, worshipping at your feet.
Our God is so awesome, isn’t He? Blessings.
Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Thank you, God, for loving me and always being right here with me. You know my aches and pains and my anxieties. I praise You, for choosing me to be Your child.
Amen. Thank you for sharing your heart with us Melissa!
~ Blessings, Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
I am so grateful for the glorious words in scripture! I am thankful for the reminder that ‘while we were sinners, Christ died for us’. No matter what I have done since excepting Jesus, he loves me anyway. His blood covers it all; my past, my present, my future…now that is some good stuff right there!
Hehe you made me smile. That is some good stuff indeed! Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your words with us Kim!
~ Blessings, Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Who is God? He is so many wonderful things we cannot list them all here. I have learned this past week He is my rock, full of compassion, full of wisdom and strength. He is merciful which encompasses His love, grace, mercy, goodness, forgiveness, truth, compassion, and faithfulness. Who is God? He is my everything!
Your words are such a blessing to read. HE is my everything too! Thanks for stopping by Karen!
~ Blessings, Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Yes and Amen!
Thank you Lord for loving this sinner❤️❤️❤️❤️Saved by your grace.
<3 Thanks for stopping by Veronica.
~ Blessings, Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
I would like to point out “were”
Praise God we can Now live a sin free life! No more a sinner!
How can we still call ourselves sinners if Jesus died on the cross to forgave our sins and now calls us son of man or children of God? If we are now living a life filled with the Holy Spirit why do we deny His power to help us not to sin? Yes even though we are tempted every day. With Gods grace we can and will want to stay away from sinful lusts and desires. However, we are still human. We will mess up, fail and make mistakes. That does not mean we are now sinners. Sin means to willfully and deliberately commit a sinful act.
We now live according to the spirit, not our flesh.
Thank you, Rolls for stopping by and sharing your thoughts with us today.
Blessings, Martha
God, you are so good!
Heather! You got that right! AMEN
Just when I’m feeling like an egg suckingdog and uunworthy you post such a beautiful reminder of Christ unfailing love! Grateful and blessed beyond measure just doesn’t seem like enough praise! Thank you for loving me my Lord and thank you for this wonderful sister in Christ who shares her love for you with us!
We are so thankful you were encouraged by Joy’s words today!
~ Blessings, Marlene {LGG Leadership Encourager}
Thank you Jesus, for speaking words of love and life over each of us today, including our sister, Pamala.
I am thankful for the family of God around the world. I live alone and in New Zealand, yet God has connected me with so many godly women around the world that I never feel lonely. As soon as I am online, there are good friends to talk with, pray with, encourage, build up, listen to and love.
Isn’t God amazing ? No wonder we love Him so.
Mary,
I’m with you – I don’t live along but I have so many amazing friends and now brothers and sisters in Christ from all over the world to connect with daily through my little monitor. God is amazing indeed. I love being able to participate with women all around the world through Bible study as well.
Blessings,
Martha
Thank you God for blessing me with more than I could ever imagine! My husband and children, my home, my career, my friends and especially my sisters in Christ that You hand picked for me! I could never have imagined my life being THIS good! Even in the tough times, and there has been plenty, You lift my eyes up. You dry my tears, you make me smile again.
You change my heart, and I pull back, and You change it again. Each time, allowing me to let go of me and accept more of You. You are patient with me, You are the loving Father that I have always longed for. You are my incredible HOPE in this life on earth. And to top it all off, I get to live with you for ETERNITY after you have blessed me mightily here on earth. WOW.
Thank you Joy, for the encouragement and the challenge to meditate on what God has done for us!
Netty,
Beautifully said! I love ‘Each time, allowing me to let go of me and accept more of You’ and ‘incredible HOPE and live in ETERNITY’!!! Such a blessing indeed! Thank you for sharing with us today.
Martha
Thank you Lord for loving me when I can’t love myself- when I am drowning in self-doubt, and feelings of failure. I am so thankful for your grace and your mercy. I am also thankful for this network of wonderful women.
Angie,
Thank you for sharing your heart with us! I recently went through a difficult time trying to find joy every day. I am so thankful God’s patience, grace and mercy. He pulled me through my ‘down days’! Lifting you up in prayer to see yourself as God sees you – with great love. Blessings, Martha
Thank you my loving Father God for saving me – for loving me – and for your continuous work in my life! I praise you in the good times and bad! My heart explodes with love for you – may it reflect your love and goodness to everyone around me! Love your daughter!
Beautiful Heather! AMEN!
Thank you Lord for true and unfailing love.
I am so thankful for healing tears that allow me to see clearer how God sees me, and for words written by obedient, courageous women of God who seem to know just what this soul needs to hear. Thank you for pointing out truths that speak to my heart. Praise the Lord for pointing each of us to Him! When my shortcomings start to shadow my life, God always shines His grace-filled light right into my weary soul. Last, I am thankful for my sister, who is my actual sister, but also a dear friend, confidante, and sister in Christ. She pointed me in your direction for the Esther study, and I would probably still not know the gem that lies within your words if not for her. Plus, she’s just really awesome. 🙂
Kendra, I’m so happy that you were encouraged by this! So happy you found us! Thanks for being a part of our community!
~ Blessings, Marlene {Leadership Encourager}
I know this is late and I am sure many have already made comments. But I am just so thankful about how much God has been “my rock” through my times of struggle. I have recently separated from my husband because of addiction and infidelity. I have to say that times have been hard and I have been so weak many times that I often don’t feel like getting out of bed and I have often forgot to say thank you to God for still being present in my life through all of this. I could have lost so much more, I could be struggling a lot and have no one to support and keep me through these times. But I am reminded through this Bible study that God has never left me and it is a comfort to know that even when others are not around I have a constant and I serve a good and gracious God. Learning to love him is what is getting me through this time. So thanks for this message.
LGG bible study-the source of gratitude,week one, friday:love demonstrated is also applicable for a good friday study. Yes be grateful both in November and April-always too-of the love the was not only demonstrated,knows all languages, but is unconditional..AMEN!!
So thankful for his healing powers . I had so much fear goi g into my husbands illness , you gave us both the fight we needed. Thank you for showing me my place is at home to take care of us ,my blessings from you are more than I deserve , thank you for loving me e be when I fail you . I pray as my Faith grows stronger you by my side I continue in your journey you have made for me . Amen