Do You Know Who You Are?
If asked who you are what would your answer be? Would it be relative to your career, family, religious denomination, or community affiliations? So often your self-image is quite wrapped up in what you do for a living, who you are in your household or what your various community affiliations are outside your home. It is not uncommon to have your self-image so tied to some position in your life that if you were to lose that position you would no longer know who you are.
Derailed Yet Restored in Christ
Earlier in my life I worked full time and went to school full time as I grew in my profession. I was active in my church teaching the children and growing right along with them. I was active gardening and going to the gym. Life was good and life was full. Can you relate?
Without warning and certainly without being on my agenda I encountered a health issue that was insurmountable to me. There was no quick fix and no ability to simply delete this apparent setback from my full calendar. Almost overnight all I had studied for and worked for was gone. Who was I? It was during this long season that I realized that the professional identity that I unknowingly esteemed was blown away like dandelion fluff in the wind. Who was I?
Where Is Your Identity?
Ask yourself right now, who am I? If your identity is only tied to worldly positions (or even church position), certificates, degrees and family role take a step back. All of these things are a part of the tapestry that is you but they are not you. At your core you are a spiritual being. If you are a Christ follower you are a blood bought child of the King of kings and Lord of lords. That is the essence of who you are. You were chosen to be right where you are ‘for such a time as this!’ Until, and only until, you know who you are in Christ will you be whole and at peace in this life journey you are taking.
There are no shortcuts to knowing who you are in Christ. It takes commitment. It takes time. It takes a sincere willingness in your heart (it is always a heart issue). I often hear that folks just do not have time to get into the Bible, commit to pray regularly or spend time in worship. Yet, these same people will go on to tell me all the activities they pursue. They readily make time for a multitude of daily undertakings that simply serve to keep them busy.
Now, I am not saying to become a social recluse and stay home hoping to have some quality time with God. He created you for fellowship with others. However, first and foremost He created you for fellowship with Himself. Only as you deepen your relationship with Him will you become equipped to know who you are in Him.
You will then be able to develop quality relationships that will grow you and those with whom you fellowship.
Make A Daily Appointment and Keep It!
To know Him you have to spend time in the Bible. Yes, this is a requirement to know Him and the fullness of what He may have for you. As a child of the King, you have a unique Kingdom assignment prepared just for you. If you learn who He is, He will reveal who you are in Him.
No shortcuts here. Prayer and worship are also non-negotiable if you truly seek Him.
Don’t have time? Look over your calendar. If you are like many in today’s world it is jam packed. Find a time that works best for you and give that time to God. Go ahead, write it down. Meet with Him for the next 21 days at your appointed time. There is nothing in stone with the time itself. If the time you set initially does not work, pick one that does. The key is to spend time, quality time, and uninterrupted time with Him daily. You will form a habit that keeps God first in your life. You will learn to discern His voice over the clamor of the world. If you struggle for quiet in your home find a parking lot on the way to or from work. Bring your Bible (this is His word to you), a worship CD (anointed music is powerful) and your commitment to pray.
Listen for the still small voice to lead and direct you. God will meet you when you show up. He will change you. He will renew your mind. He will transform your life. No shortcuts. Show up.
Learn who you are in Christ. That identity is sealed for eternity. That identity will not blow away like dandelion fluff. That identity is built on a solid foundation. Do not look to the world for who you are. Look to the One who died to set you free!
It Is Never Too Late!
If you have not yet made the decision to accept Jesus into your heart, do it now. Do not wait another minute. Speak to Him from your heart (for it is always a heart issue). Tell Him you have fallen short in your life. Sincerely apologize for your sins, ask Him to cleanse you and come into your heart and into your life. From this moment forward let His Spirit guide you along the narrow road that leads to everlasting life.
Quotes to Ponder This Week
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.” ~Jesus, Matthew 15:8
“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.” ~Jesus, John 15:16
“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of god, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.” ~1Peter 2:9-10
“But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”~ 1 Samuel 16:7
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” ~Proverbs 3:6
A Prayer Request
Thank you for your continued faithfulness to pray. Please keep all who serve our country, our servicemen and women and their families in prayer for salvation and safety. They are our front-line on the battlefield, let us be their front-line in the spirit. Also, let us cover all who have come home wounded that they and their families will receive the kindness, help and support they need to go forward in their lives. God bless all our diplomatic and military personnel and their families. May the Lord keep them safe.
Pray for all throughout the world for hedges of protection against radical Islamic extremists and all forms of terrorism. Pray for Christians who face violence and death for their faith. We have long prayed for spiritual victory over radical Islam in Esther’s Warriors Ministry. We now see the reality of this threat come to the forefront in this time in world history. As Iranians and Islamic extremists are shouting ‘Death to America,’ let us speak life, hope and a return to God in America!
Please pray for all in authority over us, for the full truth to come forth concerning Benghazi. May God richly bless the United States of America, bring to light every single crooked place and keep her safe. The lives lost in Benghazi, the continuing targeting of conservative groups by the Internal Revenue Service, Operation Fast and Furious, the Department of Justice targeting journalists phone records, the National Security Agency overstepping its legal authority are hardly “phony scandals.” We continue to pray for truth to prevail in each of these situations. Pray for the families who have lost loved ones, for those relentlessly targeted and for all of us who are proud to call ourselves American.
May we may arise united once again as One Nation Under God in this auspicious season in our country’s history. These are treacherous times and now more than ever we must maintain our walk with the Lord, saturate this country in prayer and stand for all that is right in America. Fail not in this hour.
Pray for peace in Israel. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem.
Please Join Me In Prayer
Father God, we thank You for the ultimate price that Jesus paid to set us free. Thank you, Lord, for choosing me. Equip me to diligently seek You. As I seek a deeper relationship with You, grace me to hear Your guidance for my life. Keep me from the draw of empty worldly activity and bring me ever closer to You.
Place deep in our hearts the love of God and love of country that has guided this Nation from its inception. Place deep in our hearts Your compassion for our fellow men and women. Lead us to pray without ceasing for our brothers and sisters who suffer at the hands of Islamic terrorists. Open the eyes of our leaders to arise in this season to defend the very belief in You upon which our Nation is founded. Thank You for keeping Your hand on America. We humbly pray this in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen and Amen.