I’m starting a brand new feature on my blog, and I think you’ll like it. I’m combining three things that I love all in one: FREE books, inspirational writers, and you! Each Friday I will share a post by a”Friday Friend,” and then give away a FREE copy of his or her new book. I’ll randomly select the winner from the comments.
I’m kicking off Friday Friends with my longtime friend, Mark Maulding. He’s sharing a powerful message from his new book God’s Best Kept Secret.
Understanding and embracing your identity in Christ, can transform your life. A pastor friend of mine tells his congregation often, “Do you want to know how I grow spiritually? I spend a lot of time thinking about who I am in Christ.” That is my secret to spiritual growth.
For many years, because I had a skewed understand of who God really is and who I am in Christ, I strived very hard to become a godly man.
My erroneous belief was that if I could get better and better at the spiritual disciplines, make more and more wise decisions, and live a holy life, I would one day become that godly man. That was one of the reason I felt so stressed out and anxious about the Christian life. It was a lot of hard work and even after years of hard work on it, I still felt like a failure.
After God began to show me the truth about him and me, I experienced more and more peace in my life, especially from letting my behavior define my identity. But there was still this nagging voice which whispered to me occasionally that I needed to become a godly man. It was like a mosquito that just will not leave you alone.
One day I was alone in my car headed to work and I was thinking again about becoming a godly man for as I had for many years. It was in that moment that the God whispered to me a wonderful truth that set me free from this bondage.
“Mark, you’re already a godly man.”
When he said that, it was as if the car suddenly got brighter because I saw immediately what Jesus was saying to me. He wanted me to know that I had been a godly man since the day I was saved at age 9. I could stop trying to be a godly man because in my identity in Christ I already was one.
To be quite honest, it was a great relief. I felt like I could relax before God. The striving was over.
In my counseling and teaching through the years, I’ve discovered that there is where many Christians are. They don’t know they are already godly, holy, righteous, loving, patient and so much more in Christ. So they strive to become that person when they already are that person.
That’s clear evidence of living with a false identity.
Are you ready to let go of your false identity based on your behavior, feelings, and the opinions of others and embrace your true identity in Christ? Why don’t you start right now? Here is a suggested prayer.
Father, I have spent all of my life searching for my stolen identity. As a result, I have developed a false identity which has controlled my life. I now give up my false identity and choose today to embrace my true identity in Christ by faith. Please make this more and more real in my life as I agree more and more with your opinion of me. In Jesus name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer today, leave a comment and say, “Amen!” We’ll pick a winner of God’s Best Kept Secret from the comments.
For many of us, the attempt to live for God can leave us feeling burdened rather than free. Yet that’s not the kind of life God intends for us to experience. What if he never meant for us to try so hard? What if overcoming sin doesn’t rely on our own self-control? What if loving others isn’t about saying and doing all the right things? What if suffering isn’t designed to teach us lessons? What if we could feel closer to God without doing anything?
In God’s Best-Kept Secret, the founder of Grace Life International explodes our preconceived notions of living the Christian life, freeing us to stop just going through the motions and to experience true fulfillment. Illuminating commonly misunderstood Bible verses, Mark Maulding shows us that following God is not as complicated as we often make it out to be. And, in fact, the answer to our struggles has been hiding in plain sight all along.
Comments 363
Amen!!
Im no ordinary girl..im extraordinary. ..a child of God my Jesus is Lord and Savior !!!
Here I awake at 3:24 wondering why I could sleep, now I know. I wouldhave missed this postin g Sharon and it was something I really need to hear. Iwould love to win the book to add to my reading. Bless all that you do to help us along our way.
LeeAnn, you are not alone. Most Christians need to hear this. MarkMaulding
Yes! This is a concept I’ve been considering for a while, so I believe you’re on the right track. Thank you!
LeeAnn, you are not alone. Most Christians need to hear this. MarkMaulding
Amen!
Amen
Amen!
Amen!
Amen
Amen!
I feel I feel overwhelmed trying to be all I can be. I feel I fail every day. I want to share my testimony and the gospel of Christ how he’s impacted my life and made me new the next thing I know I feel like a failure because I gossip or I curse or I get angry then I hate myself God I am a mess
Alicia, your DAD says you are 100% accceptable to him, See chapter 5.
Sounds like a great book. Knowing who you are in Christ is essential for growth.
Absolutely. Yes, we should always be building our relationship with Jesus through all the disciplines mentioned in God’s Word – pray everyday at all times and in all places about everything, read God’s Word and hide it in your heart, and don’t forsake the meeting together of believers. But always believe that God loves you for who you are, flaws and all, and He made you a new creature the moment you accepted His free gift of salvation and His Lordship. I have to remind myself ALL the TIME, because, as a middle school teacher, I can get dragged down by the complete lack of appreciation on the part of parents, my directors, and students, and the lack of output I get from students, lack of commitment level. Then I go home and someone always has to say ‘yuck’ about my carefully planned and prepared dinner. It’s so easy to jump on the bandwagon and tell myself I’m a bad teacher, a bad mother and a bad Christian, because, because, because… Instead, I have to stand on God’s Word and go to Him in prayer, reminding myself that I am a godly woman; I’m just not finished. He’s still working
Keep reminding yourself, Nancy. I have to do that too!
I felt so bad for you, when I read how you feel so unappreciated, as a teacher, homemaker, and mother! May God bless you in extraordinary ways, and help you to feel more appreciated and valuable! I pray you will feel our Holy Lord’s great love and appreciation of you. You are to be congratulated for hanging in there. Please continue to do so. Just live and do your work as if you are doing everything personally for the Lord, as a love gift to Him, and not for people, who are flawed, and hopefully, you will receive encouragement and joy from God! God bless you. As a former teacher, etc., I could identify with some of your comments.
Amen! What a freeing message. By faith in Jesus Christ, I receive today that I already am a Godly Woman!
Amen. This was a blessing to me.
Amen
Amen- What a great Word- This is EXACTLY what I needed to hear this morning.
Amen!
Amen! Thank you for your obedience to Christ in sharing the things He has revealed to you.
Amen!
Wow! Amen!
Thank you! Tears fill my eyes as I read the description of God’s Best Kept Secret. This is exactly what my older son needs to know to bring freedom to him. Just last night my younger son and I attempted to share these very truths with him.
My father was an alcoholic while I was growing up. Long story SHORT — I looked for love in all the wrong places. I married a man whose father was also an alcoholic. We had a son, my older son.
My older son’s father divorced me and I ha e to say that it was freeing for me. My son; however, still has him as is father. Growing up, my son has tried to please everyone— hearing lies from his father — emotional/ mental abuse.
I was saved / baptized a year before my son was born. I never felt as though anything done ever pleased his father. God brought a godly man into my life; we have been married 16 years. My son’s father tormented my son’s mind with “too much” for child.
I tried to share Christ and take my son to church, VBS, work with his father. — always a struggle. He dad wanted to be number one instead of leading him to Christ – numbber ONE.
My son is still wrestling with his identity— is identity in Christ— last night was a special time with my two sons. We prayed. My son feels responsible for everything- I understand those feelings. My younger son has a peace my older son doesn’t have. Identity brings peace – identity in Christ. It brings a healed mind and freedom from mental and emotional torment.
I have not received a email from you in “forever.” I open my mail — wow-thank you, LORD. And thank you.
God bless you, Denise Rambo
Denise, so sorry to hear this. We offer online long distance couneling in our ministry at Grace Life Interntional. He would also connect with my book. I was a lot like him.
Amen
Amen. Thank you for the offer of the giveaway.
Amen
Amen! I love your blog and have shared with friends & family…sometimes it feels like God is speaking to me through you!
AMEN💜🌅
I can relate also relate to what Mark Maulding said about striving each day to become a Godly woman, when indeed my identity was already in Christ since being saved in 1989. Knowing that earlier could have saved me much anxiety and stress.
Yes Lynn. You are already a godly woman!
Amen! I am crucified in Christ. I am dead and He lives in me. I’m grateful that I don’t have to strive. Learning to let go and let God.
Amen!
Amen!!!
AMEN! God has given me peace by not striving so hard but just by doing what is right and being in His presence daily. such a huge weight off my shoulders.
Thank you for this. I also struggle to remember who I am in Christ.
I must remember Whose I am and remind myself that when God looks at me He sees me in Christ!
Amen
Would love to read this and then share it with others!
Amen! This is an area I struggle with, my self worth. Thank you!
Amen!
“AMEN!”
I agree that we try too hard at times to live up to what we think God wants us to live like. All he wants is for us to believe in his love for us and for us to pass that love on.
Amen!
we are already holy,set apart. We hate sin and live a life of sacrifice in response to God making us godly not for earning godliness. Blessings!
Last night we had a bible study from the book of James. The versus we studied were about works. naturally I’m thinking about my works and found myself questioning who I am in Christ. Then I read this article posted about your book. I am already a Godly person. I’m praying that all I do is from a sincere heart because I love a God and not for my own selfish reasons.
Linda, thanks for sharing. The good news is that because you are a godly person, you are not selfish in the core of who you are!
AMEN!
Amen
Amen! I will walk in my TRUE identity in Christ!
Amen
AMEN….. Very powerful prayer. Thank you
Amen!
Thanks so much for words of truth!!
Amen
Amen!!! Everything I read lately points to the fact that my identity in Christ is the key to my living in victory!
I’m a rules keeper who desires to be spirit filled and walk in obedience, but I struggle with living up to my own expectations. So thankful for His love for me and patience with me . I’m a work in progress. I plan to read your book, but don’t put my name in the drawing as there is another who NEEDS this free copy. Blessings, Lyn
Lyn, Iwas just like you. I understand. There is freedom in Christ! See chapter 2.
AMEN
Wow! This is a great idea Sharon. I look forward to seeing the books and authors you will be sharing with us.
Amen and Amen we are God’s children He molds us each day
I’m already a godly woman. Now to get that from my head to my heart. Thank you for this message.
Amen
Thank you, I always knew I was saved but still felt I had to keep earning it. I understand I am and always will be godly. I will always keep growing and learning to be the godly person God had made. Amen
I prayed the Pray.
I was just sharing this thought with someone. It is compounded when someone in your life tells you what a failure you have been. I have been learning to lean on the truths of who I am in Christ and not who I am in relation to others, or even my success in other’s eyes in relation to my faith.
Nila, yes that hurts whnen someone speaks a judgement over us that is not what God says about us. Pray and break that judgement in Jesus’ name and don’t let it define you. You are perfect in Christ according to Hebrews 10:14.
I have had a false identity but no more. Amen
Amen I want to know God’s best kept secrets he has for me.
Amen!
AMEN & AMEN!
Amen!
Thank you for sharing! We’re studying Ephesians in a ladies Bible study. We had a discussion question about what it means to be in Christ. Today’s blog caused me to have an epiphany: because I’m in Christ, I am godly. I already possess the character of Christ. I only need to claim each attribute daily to more like His image.
Wonderful, Rhonda!
Wow! As a senior who has felt the need to be better, to do more, what a blessing to contemplate who I already am, in Christ.
Thanks you for today’s message it was something I needed to hear. I have often strived to measure up and be that godly person I have never looked at my life through the lense of what I am in Christ I liked that exercise and I will focus my attention on all of the many blessings in Christ. AMEN
I agree with what the Pastor said. I have spent my whole life trying to work my way into good. I went to a retreat where the speaker was basically saying the same thing. We have to get a grasp on who we really are in Christ. She suggested we read a book called A gospel primer to remind ourselves everyday who we are.
I absolutely love that prayer and will pray it everyday. It rings so true for me and my life. Thanks you and many blessings.
Amen! I am in a Bible study of Luke. I am striving to remind myself daily I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I never could, but God always can!! Have a blessed weekend. 😊
God’s Best Kept Secret sounds amazing!!
Lord, help me to see more of your opinion of me and less of my own as I embark upon finding my true identity.
AMEN.
AMEN
Thank you for sharing this nugget from “God’s best kept secret”. It was just the breath of God and sense of freedom that I needed this morning!
Blessings to you, Sharon💗
Amen!
I prayed this prayer. I believe & I receive. Amen
“standing in plain sight”. What a wonderful thought…Lord, make that true in my life! To see you and know you as the “lover of my life” is my prayer.
Thank you for you devotionals. They always speak to my heart.
Amen! That really did bless me.
AMEN!!! My husband is a godly man but struggles with his identitiy in Christ. Will share this messgae with him today! Thank you, Lord, for always giving us what we need!!!
Great post!
Amen! Thank God for His grace and His love for us. We don’t have to work for His love He gives it to us freely
Amen!
Amen
Amen
He sounds like an amazing author. I do believe I’ll have to check into getting the kindle version 😁
Would love to win a book for my husband! He’s a godly man.
My identity has been shattered after a not-so-great outcome of one of many surgeries for Crohn’s disease. This chronic condition has often hindered not only my identity as a professor, but has crept into my identity as a Christian. I question God’s plan for my future.
I recently took early retirement after 23 years of teaching. I was “awarded,” for lack of a better word, social security. I expected a struggle, however, it felt “too easy” for others to know how debilitating my condition has become. I am at a loss to reclaim “me.” More importantly, though, is the question of “What is my identity as a Christian?”
I am humbled in the disappointment that my professsional life, which I worked so hard to obtain, has literally disappeared. Realizing that my priorities, my passions, and my purpose in life revolved around me and NOT my identity in Christ, has forced me to see that I need to seek His wisdom for my life. His plans and purpose for my future are difficult to comprehend right now.
It was easy to become trapped in the identity of success, especially since it allowed me to live easily in the “world.” My struggle to lean into a new identity in Christ is absolutely foreign to me right now.
If identity in Christ is “easy,” I have hope that my faith will strengthen through the pain and mourning of losing a part of myself that I thought represented who I was as a Christian. God definitely has new plans for me. I am certain of this. Although I seek His guidance with a shaky foundation that has been built and lived in for most of my life, I have hope that God’s grace will shape me into a vessel for Him.
Kimberly, I’m so sorry all of this has happened to you. I’d love for you to read my book because I really think God would speak to you in the chapter, Christians Are Designed to Become Stronger through Suffering. He loves you as much as he loves Jesus!
Thanks for sharing the secret
Love this idea and looking forward to Fridays !! God Bless !
God IS the secret to life!
Amen!
I would love to receive this free book!
Amen 🙏
AMEN!!!!
Yes, I want to believe I’m already a Godly person. Amen!
Amen.
Thank you for Blessing us with your Spirit given messages 💖🙏. Have a blessed day Amen
Amen
Amen!
Amen
I too have struggled with who I am in Christ. I have always felt like I was never good enough, why couldn’t I be like others within our congregation, why couldn’t I pray like so and so. Your blog this morning that I am who Christ intended me to be and that I don’t have to strive to be like someone else. In am who I am in Christ and I am uniquely made through Him. Thank you!
Amen
Amen
Amen! Wow what a struggle I’ve had for so many years. I thought I had to be perfect and walk a perfect life to make the Lord happy with me and not lead people astray. Then one day I couldn’t do it anymore. I lost who I was, I lost my joy. I never completely left the church and praise Jesus he never left me, but that has been several years of going down a different road trying to figure out what being a Christian really was. Now I’m working, or better yet I’m letting the Lord work, on getting me back to the place he wants me. Not perfect but saved by grace and loved and accepted just as I am.
Kim, you sound a lot like where I was! Thanks for sharing. You would love the book!
I agree! This is a life changing message for the child of god! I have been a Christian since I was 10, and now in my 50s, it’s still a struggle to truly live in gods opinion of me and living in my true identity. If I would’ve lived in this truth as a revelation in my life in my earlier years, many of the decisions I made would’ve been different and my life would’ve been a little easier! I continue to renew my mind and thinking to line up with Gods view and who truly am in Christ! Amen!
Amen! Mark totally read my mail! There is no one who tries harder than me (or fails more miserably!) I would not only like to read Mark’s book, I would like to present it to my Bible study group as our next shared read. Thank, Sharon, for sharing the content of this book. I suspect there are many others like me who are hooked into a false identity. The word of truth brings freedom!
Kathryn, on my website, there is a free study guide.
Amen!
God is good all the time and I know I am often trying too hard.
Amen!
Amen
Wow! What an awesome reminder. Thank you and amen.
The Father told the Son in You i am well pleased. (Like 3:22) If we are in Jesus then the Father is well pleased with us. Amen!
Amen wish I could believe it!!
Bethany, I understand. I encourage you to read the faith building truth in my book!
Amen, God always sees so much more in us than we see in ourselves. We simply have to believe that we are what God says we are.
Amen!
Amen! So grateful for the real identity God has given me.
Amen!
AMEN!
That is my prayer…Amen and Amen!
Thank you Sharon 🤗
Amen!!!!
What a timely reminder! If we believe that we are who God says we are and share that belief and God’s Love oh how much better this world would be. Instead many believe ‘the enemy’s’ lies.
Lord, in Your Mercy….
Amen!
Oh how I needed this today! Amen!
Amen. God help my doubts turn to faith.
Amen
Amen!
Thank you so much.
I am bone weary of “striving.”
Amen
I was once just like you, Marsha! He wants you to exchange Try Harder Christianity for Trust Him Christianity! See chapter 2
I prayed with you today. Thank you so much for the words I have just read.
I do this a lot. Maybe it stems from the fact that I never felt good enough growing up. I wish there was a way that I didn’t have to always try to be more than I am.
Kimberly, because you are as righteous as Jesus, you can rest in his 100% acceptance of you. Once you accept that, you can accept your self and relax.
Amen. Father, I believe, help my unbelief.
Amen, Linda. Ihear ya!
Amen!
Amen!
AMEN!
If only I could grasp this truth! I am my worst judge. Striving to live for God to bring him glory while working and rubbing elbows with the world can seem overwhelming at times. I feel so worthless at times because I want to live so holy and fail. I WANT TO GLORIFY GOD!
Janet, ask Jesus Christ in you to live through you every day. That is the greatest glory you can give to God!
I hear God telling me to be still before Him all the time lately. Quit hurrying, quit trying to be what you are not, just quit and be still.
Amen! I claim this over both myself and my husband; I see so much of what he struggles with daily in this short little segment from Mark; I know he would grow from this book.
Amen
Amen
AMEN!!!.❤
I believe we all look for our true identity especially when we find ourselves all alone …I am continually reading books and looking for answers of who I am…I know whose I am….just not who I am…I have so many books I have purchased and when I can find the time read them..But I am still working and church takes much of my time..I do enjoy the emails from Girlfriends In God…I look for them first every morning..Thank you for sharing with all of us.
Amen. Amen. Amen.
Amen and amen! I was studying Isaiah 43 this morning and about who I am in Christ. Then I read your email! (I love how God speaks to me in so many different ways.) In verse 1 God reminds me (even though this is directed to the Israelites) that I am redeemed and He calls me by my name; I am His!! That’s who I am!! Woo-Hoo!
It’s such a beautiful sound hearing the chains that have held us captive to the lies, fall to the ground!
Amen
This is so timely! (And probably always will be…) Lately I’ve been trying to help my daughter navigate some really sticky social situations. I was sharing with a godly mentor and friend one morning that I am sometimes torn about how to proceed with my daughter in these struggles. She said something that was a complete 180 for me, “STOP trying to ‘solve’ what’s going on with Savannah, and help her focus on who she is and who she is in Christ.” I’m trying to take on the little things to solve the big… but at the core I am focused on the wrong thing entirely.
And I do that myself, as well. I focus on some part of a situation that feels tangible or reasonable… and I forget that I don’t have to fight these things because He fights for me.
Amen!!
Than you.
Yes yes yes!!! Thank you Jesus! Amen!!!
Amen!
Amen
A beautiful prayer and much needed today! Amen!
Thank you for this inspirational piece.
Amen
AMen. I need to be a better me v
Wow, what an eye opener! I have struggled with my identity in Christ for many years as well, and often feel like I will never measure up. Thanks for sharing. This has given me much to think about.
Amen!
Thank you for really letting me see me through the eyes of God. Deep secrets within that make me wonder who am I really.
In the name of Jesus, Amen
AMEN AND AMEN!
Good article. Made me stop and think…..I am trying to hard to please God or am I relying on Him as I should?
Murrell, it’s time to give up trying hard and aak Christ in you to live through you instead! It’s so much easier that way!
Amen
AMEN
Oh how I wished I had learned this truth earlier! This is a BIG AMEN!!!
Amen
Amen! Today is 27yrs of being married to my best friend and in my journaling I thanked God that He showed my husband the person I was to become when we first met. I was a “hot mess” from 14-20 years of age but thankfully God saw who I would become and showed a Godly man a glimpse of that and so this morning I thanked God for those blessings and many others that He gave me. I was blessed w/ 2 boys, 13yrs as a a Christian Nursery School teacher and now just being a full time stay a home wife that is able to volunteer at a Pro Life pregnancy center. I can say I am the woman God created me to be. Not perfect but always striving
Wonderful testimony, Joy! You are perfect in Christ no matter what you do or don’t do! Hebrews 10:14
Amen! Thank you so much for these words today. I needed them more than I knew, but God always knows what we need!
Amen
I KNOW these words were straight from God’s mouth to my heart. We are going through a Bible study at church in which my husband and I are small group facilitators. It is truly a wonderful study, but the enemy has just been beating me up. My husband has been supportive and encouraging. Evenso, I have just felt Satan whispering, “If you really loved Jesus, you would do more”. Last night’s study was on treating our bodies as the temple of God that they are and taking care of ourselves physically is part of our worship and honors God. As I continually struggle with 10 lbs, lack of time (or priority) for exercise and not always eating the most healthy food, I felt like, “Great! Now I am disappointing my Savior in this area too!” I could have just cried. I have always been a pleaser and I love the Lord desperately. I so needed to hear these words. They are salve to my wounded heart. Thank you for sharing them and God bless you as well as Mark for his transparency and wisdom.
Amen. Sounds like my kind of book because I know in my head that I am a child of the King but sometimes getting that message into my heart is another thing.
Amen!
Just this week at bible study we were discussing that there is FREEDOM in Christ; not the rules and restrictions that we put on ourselves and that others impose on us because of their perceptions and misinterpretations of God’s Word.
I would love to read this book.
Yes lately all my readings and all my prayers have been of having the holy spirit live inside me so I can do the will of God .I pray for truth as well. I’m new at this again as I blamed god for years for taking my dad on my 12th birthday .My life went spiraling downhill.I realize now it is time to stop blame ..start to forgive
These blogs are so very helpful.
Thank you . Donna
Donna, I’m so sorry your dad died when you were 12! how painful! No wonder you’ve been angry at God. Ithink you would love my chapter,, Christians Will Not Feel Free Unless They Forgive where I write about getting free from our ander at God.
Amen!!!
Amen, I think I need this prayer….daily…..
Amen!! After 57 years of feeling like I have not been good enough, God is finally revealiing to my heart that because of Him living in me, I AM enough. A lot of transitions in my life right now (divorce, early retiremment, grandkids…), but God is so good through these trying times.
Ernistine, yes you are!
Amen! Thank you for such great Godly wisdom.
Amen.. Still working on this.
Amen!!!
Amen.
I am beginning to take back my true identity in Christ. For quite some time i have been doing my merry go rounds in that lukewarm space between the Red sea and the promised land. I am grateful to my God who has not given up on me….
And thank you Sharon, your blogs and emails are so very uplifting.
God bless you.
Amen! This is so true and so freeing!
Thank you for sharing this great truth and book. I have been a Christian for over 20 years and I still get stuck in the “trying to be a better Christian” mode. We so easily fall into this trap when Jesus wants us to know that it is He who is changing us, not us changing ourselves.
Amen! I feel like I say that prayer so often and never feel like I live up to what he wants me to be. This is a good prayer for me when I find myself fall back into that routine. Thank you for sharing.
Amen
Amen!
Amen! Knowing my identity in Christ
Yes, Yes, Yes! Love these truths.
Amen!!!! I believe I just had a devine appointment with God reading this this morning!!
Thank you Jesus!!
Thank you I needed this today so much…
What an awesome way to think about being a godly person. I love this description so much. I was smiling while I was reading the prayer. Every time I think of Jesus I smile as I know I belong to him and he will never leave me. I turn over all my concerns daily and sometimes hourly. I love to pray for others that need his healing arms to wrap around them when they feel down.
Amen!
Amen! This was very helpful for me, Thank you!
Amen! God sent His son to die for me, so I must be pretty valuable!!!!
AMEN!! If only I could have experienced that years ago. That is before struggles with bulimia, suicidal thought, telling myself I’m less than. As we grow and Christ and learn more about who he is, we should be embrace who we are in Him. Doesn’t He say we are “fearfully and wonderfully made?”
I pray I can embrace that more and more and not allow Satan to tell me I’m less than.
Thank you for sharing, Sandy.. God not only loves you, he likes you, no matter what you do or don’t do!
Thank you for sharing. I believe I need this as well as my husband. It breaks my heart that he tries do hard to overcome all of his what he struggles with, but we are reminded it is in God’s hands.
God bless you.
Tina, thanks for sharing. We provide long distacnce online counseling to help people live in their freedom in Christ. Check us out at GraceLifeInternational.com
Amen!
AMEN!
What a beautiful prayer. One to say every day, knowing that God holds you in the palm of his hand always. Amen.
I would love to feel like I’m good enough or just enough. That’s a tough one…
Amen, I have always felt worthless and I first attempted suicide when I was just 9 years old. A few years back when I realized through an amazing experience of who I was in Christ..that worthless left and just knowing who I am has helped me so much to continue on a road of being a better person. Even tho God has sooooo much work to do yet with me.
Thank you for sharing, Maria!
AMEN!! I needed to read this today!
What a wonderful knowledge of how God sees us thru the blood of His son. Amen
Amen and Thank you
Amen and Amen. This message can not be heard enough.
Thank you! My false identity needs to be transformed.
Amen, Amen and AMEN!
Amen!
AMEN…I have struggled with this so much. I need to get this book, thanks for sharing your friends with us!
Absolutely loved reading this, so inspiring and freeing. Will definitely be sharing with my loves. I”m so glad that I came across your blog and app. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
As we try to live our daily busy lives it is hard to keep our focus on our creator. Thanks for reminding us that we are already clean through the blood and God already considers us his children
Amen and Amen!
What a glorious truth!! Thank you from someone who has struggled with her identity all her life!
AMEN! This is so where I am right now! At 52, you’d think I’d be further along than where I am, but I’m watching my friends blossom and move along in God and yet I feel so stagnant. My husband is convinced that we are supposed to be in marriage ministry but I’m convinced that we are not the ones to be telling anyone about how to live the married life. We are not perfect and not that couple, but everyone else seems to see differently.
Amen
Thank you for reminding me I am already there.
It has been and every day battle trying to be the person God wants me to be, when I am the person God loves .
I have been listening to the wrong v voice when Jesus’s voice has been there all along. I pray Lord to look to you first, and not listen to the lies I have followed.
In Jesus name,
Amen!
Thank you for this message! Amen and bless your work for God.
Amen!! If we just relax and walk into the attributes that are already instilled in us, then we will not stress to become something that we already are, but instead we can fully activate them in faith!!!
Amen, Sherlita!
Why do we complicate following Christ? I know I do!
So true. Amen!!
Amen! I am so glad that God is patient with me. I am a work in progress and am learning to embrace my weaknesses/insecurities and lean on His strengths.” Though I am weak, in Him, I am made strong”2 Cor. 12:9.
Amen! This is spot on! So many of us feel we don’t measure up. If we would just take God at his word about who we really are and stop listening to satan and his cutting remarks. By doing this, we will be more powerful for God’s kingdom.
Amen!!
AMEN!!!
That’s so me. I’m 61 and I’m asking or telling God I don’t know who I am. I’ve been trying to help people all my life, I don’t know who I am. It’s caused a lot of anger in me lately.
I know I’m a daughter of the King, I just need to start believing that .
God Bless you Brenda. I have been working through the very same situation. Keep fighting the good fight. Starting each day with positive devotionals and Prayer will help you see the You the Father sees you as. Sometimes during the day I have had to hit REPEAT to re-immerse myself in the Truth again. One Truth that is so important to me is that The Father, Our Father will not, will never abandon you, me, us. This understanding has done wonders for the anger I have felt. May you find peace. Love and rich Blessings to you on the journey. Gertrude
Brenda, thanks for sharing. You are also a Saint in Christ. 1 Cor. 1:1-2.
Amen🙏🏻
Amen!!
Amen
Amen!
AMEN!!!! How freeing.
Amen!!
Amen.
AMEN!!! What a blessing and words that spoke peace to my soul. This last year has been a tough one for me spiritually. I have wrestled with God and who I am and feel like I am dangling in the wind. I have felt lost and disconnected. Thank you
Amen!
Amen:)
Amen, God is good, He will reveal Himself in our lives if we look for Him.
Amen!
AMEN!!!
Frances Taplin
Great excerpt from his book. I took have had the same thoughts about being a Godly person, and is it good enough, or should I be doing more. It’s so good to have it affirmed that God doesn’t want us stressed about serving him. He wants our BEST, and how can we give our best, if we are experiencing such unrest at serving him. PEACE is what he is, and gives it freely to us.
Amen!
I am ready to embrace my true identity. What a gift this realization is
Amen!
Amen😊
Wow!! Awesome revelation!
Amen. Amen.
Amen! He sounds Great!
I love the Friday Friend idea. I have recently written an e-book “Designed For More”. We wear designer clothes, carry designer bags, drive designer car and live in designer homes. But why don’t we design our lives, the way God, our designer, designed for us to live? My book lists the 4 top steps I took in creating my life by God’s design. I would love to be given an opportunity to be a Friday Friend. I hope to hear from you soon. Blessings always.
I’m sure that’s a great book. I was saved at eleven, and I was oppressed of the devil, not being good enough and because I didn’t go to church enough or pay tithes or something all the time, but I know I was living a lie. I was trying to be who He wanted me to be and I already was.
Thanks for that inspiring testimony, Rebecca!
Amen!
Amen!
Sharon, thank you for sharing this book! I would love to give this as a gift to my adult daughter, who struggles with mental illness, and has made some regretful decisions in her past life. She loves the Lord, but is wrought with guilt and shame over her past. We can all benefit from being reminded who we are in God’s eyes!
Carla, I hope she is able to read my book. We also provide online long distance counseling at Grace Life International.
Wouldn’t it be a relief to stop trying so hard and actually become.
Amen.
Amen! This spoke to me but it also really describes what my step-dad is going through right now.
Holly, prayer about sending him the book. It’s on Amazon, etc.
This book sounds wonderful and AMEN to not having to try harder! Hope I would get picked to receive the free copy!
Hope I get picked to receive the free copy of this book. Sounds wonderful!
Congratulations Carol! I hope you enjoy it!
I know I’m a child of God and it is by His grace alone not by my works, but I still believe Faith without works is worthless (James 2:12). Amen!
You are right, Delores. Christ living his life through us will always produce his works as we depend on Him! Galatians 2:20
Amen
AMEN!!!
So thankful for God ‘s clarification and ears to hear.
Amen
Amen
Amen! I am a child of the King!
Amen! I need this to remind myself everyday as I strive to be all that God ask of me.
Amen!!
Amen
Amen. Our identity in Christ is so important. We are his heir.
AMEN Sister
Amen.. my dad recently passed away and its been so hard.
I’m so sorry to hear of your dad’s passing, Marie! My prayers are with you.
Amen!! I’ve been in counseling this year and finally learning this after 30 years of walking with the Lord. Amen and Amen!!
AMEN
Love his message. And I am in desperate need for this Truth to capture all of me. I have struggled with my identity in Jesus for years. Intellectually I read, I hear , I believe but the voices I have known for so long wrap around my heart and squeeze — whispering you are not dearly and completely beloved. Again, I have sat at the Cross, seen the sacrifice I can’t fathom for me – and yet still struggle to really KNOW I am His beloved daughter. Holy Spirit work. Please. Thank you for this reading!
Vikki, you are not alone in your struggle. I address this struggle many have in chapters 4 and 5.
Wow! You know, I have worked for years to get rid of the yuck and accept Jesus’ opinion of me. Just when I think I am doing well, something happens and wham! I’m right back where I started.
It is absolutely vital to understand what Jesus sees in us in order to live the abundant life He calls us to!
Keep it up, ladies!
Praise God
Amen!
Amen!!!
Amen! We all need to pray this prayer and then heed these words. Thank you so much!
Amen!
AMEN!!
AMEN
Amen!
Yes! So key to living life here on this earth, knowing who God says we are. I wish churches would teach this monthly, like Church 101, especially for new believers. Thanks for sharing.
what a beautiful book.
Amen!
Amen! Thank you for the reminder that I am free in Christ.
Thank you for sharing about
Mark Maulding God’s Best-Kept Secret: Christianity Is Easier Than You Think.
I’ve been praying about my identity in Christ and this devotional help put it in prospective for me.
I strive everyday to do better and pray I am lead to be lead to more of a Godly life for him and through him! I pray this! What an amazing blog post this evening!
Yes and AMEN
I am 73 years old, and I am a child of God. Still, I struggle to relax and feel that I don’t have to worry about being perfect 🙃
Judith, you re already perfect in Christ! See Hebrews 10:14
I don’t know exactly what you need.
Amen. I sometimes feel I haven’t done all need to do to be that close to God. Very stressful. .. thanks for this message.
Ella, Ihave good news for you! You are as clost to God as your own breath because he is in you. You don’t need to try to get close to him any longer. Just enjoy your union with him!
Amen!
AMEN!! I was journaling last night and had cut out an obscure shaped puzzle piece and taped it in my journal. I expressed to God that I was that odd shaped piece. I was looking for a puzzle to be fit in. That I see pretty puzzles here and there and wish that I could fit there. I believe His answer to me, is I am already fit into a beautiful puzzle of HIS choosing – and where He can use me the most! Very Cool!! Thanks for posting!!
Author
Oh Deb. I just love that!!!!
Amen!
Amen, Thank you for posting this article. As I read My identity in Christ I immediately realized this was Me. Lord thank You for supplying all my needs. 😇😇😇
Amen. I needed to hear this so desperately! Thank you.
I love the fact where God showed Mark. As Mark was driving God said”Mark you already are”. It takes faith to recognize God directing and you listen. You see things differently and feel overjoyed.
I ask God to “Create in me a pure heart…”, then i am thinking wrong when things do not go the way i want, i assume all wrong thoughts. In times like this God speaks, and says, why wete you thinking…see she called to tell you other things interrupted your conversations and plans. She did not do what you were thinking. I pray and say to God please forgive me Father. Where did “Create in me a pure heart and renew a right spirit within me go. He says see, you started thinking wrong things, don’t do it. Thinking the way I was was not exercising God’s blessing. He taught me and i shall try to remember and not assume.
My eyes are opened to who I really am!
Geeta, Jeremiah 13:31-14 enccourages us that when we believed in Jesus, we got a new heart that is pure because it has his law (character) written on it. Jesus can only live in a pure heart not a sinful one. That is what you already have!
Geeta, Jeremiah 31:31-34 is what meant.
Amen!! This is so me! I try so hard to do all the right things, but I know I can be selfish and judgemental, so I figure I’ve got to try harder. But I know its all by the Grace of God….slowly the Holy Spirit is getting through to me….but thank you. This article reinforces what I’m beginning to understand! Blessings to all who commented here and to Sharon and her guest author.
Amen! I rarely think I am acceptable to even take up space and breathe the air on this planet. 😞
Amen! This is very enlightening!
This is a wonderful confirmation. For the last 20 years or more, I kept telling myself that God did make His plan this for difficult. We do not need to become the “perfect Christian” first before He loves us and accepts us as His children.
Amen. I finally understand that God loves me how I am. Thank you!!
Good Morning,
Such a beautiful read for the first thing this morning. I too have always thought about this and the more I read the more I know God loves you the way you are and if anything needs changing he will slowly bring it forth in LOVE.
God is amazing! Amen
Amen…..God is GREAT!! 🙂
great insight into who we are in Christ. Tks. Amen
Amen! How often we forget!
Amen! God is great and been by my side every step of each day.
This perfectly describes my EVERYDAY struggle…
Amen! It is hard to decipher what is really expected of us. It seems like when one pastor says one thing, here comes another to undermine that. I know that God loves me but I also know I could do more on my part.
Amen!!! Thanks, I really needed to hear that today!!
Amen! God is right on tiem!
Thank you for this post! I have been feeling in my heart that God wanted me to start a church library in our church that I believe will benefit everyone that attends our church. I hesitated for so long because of my insecurities and that I wasn’t smart or good enough to do this. I know that is satan putting that in my mind because Scripture tells us all things are possible through Christ. Thank you for this post again! “AMEN”, “AMEN!”
Amen!!😇😇😇
I’ve found myself noticing God more and more every day since 2013! He’s changed my perspective on so many things but mainly on myself! I don’t feel like the servent in me is a slave anymore, for only one thing. I love myself when I used to barely know who I was!! Thank you, Lord!!😇😇😇
There has been so many times in my life I feel I have steped the wrong direction and blown what God had in store for me plus the times I have gotten ahead of God. My prayer is for my eyes to be opened so I can be guided and directed by God
Amen. Daily struggle wondering if I have done the right thing, been the person God wants me to be, sharing Christ when the opportunity comes and at the same time being at rest knowing who I am in Christ. Thanks for sharing this blog and book
AMEN I love it I Love it!
AMEN & AMEN
Yes! AMEN. God bless you 😇
Praise be to God! I would love to win a copy to share with a 20 year old young lady.
Thanks for your blessings!!!!!
Love you
I have been trying so very hard to have a personal relationship with God, but seem only to obtain the “head” knowledge. This book may be the answer. Thank you everyone involved here for your daily devotionals.
awesome. such a freeing peace.
Amen! I had this issue at one time but God showed me that I AM HIS no matter what!
Wow. Feeling a bit convicted. 🙂 I have been hurt and disappointed by some of my husbands decisions lately. We have been talking about it and about making “Godly choices.” He asked me just last night why it is easier for some and so hard for others. we were raised so differently. Things are modeled differently. We learn to cope and respond in different ways. I guess I have been a little hard on him. I should be his cheerleader, encouraging him and instead I have probably been making him feel like he just can’t get it right. 🙁 He is indeed a Godly man!
This book would be great for both of us!
Author
What a precious realization. I applaud your honesty.
Thank you so much for sharing. Agreeing with God about who He says I am and refusing to accept anything that does not line up is a game changer!
thank you for reminder of who we are in Christ. We need to walk in that revelation everyday.
Amen
I think we all feel that way at times. Thanks.