Discovering God’s Truth – Part 4

In Christ my identity is certain. In Part 3 I mentioned how knowing my identity in Christ helps me live without self-imposed condemnation. This was made clear over the summer as I studied Limitless Life by Derwin L. Gray via an online bible study offered by Proverbs 31 Ministries. During the study we were challenged to replace our self-imposed labels with the truth of who we are in Christ. I cannot express the FREEDOM I gained as I went through this process! Here’s my list…

Created for God’s glory with a specific purpose! (Jeremiah 29:11)

Loved by God and bought by His blood to live FREE! (1 Corinthians 6:20, Ephesians 1:7)

A winner because Jesus lives in me and He “defeated sin, death, and Satan”!                (1 Samuel 17:47, Romans 4:25, Revelation 20:10)

More than a conqueror! (Romans 8:37)

Chosen before creation! (Ephesians 1:4)

His Masterpiece! (Ephesians 2:10)

Alive! (Romans 6:11)

Beloved! (Ephesians 5:1)

Temple of God! (Galatians 2:20)

Do you know your identity as a child of God? The Bible is clear and you can trust what it says to be truth. (John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:16) It’s up to us to take the time to read, discover, and develop a relationship with Christ. I challenge you to define your identity as a child of Christ using God’s Word. Ask God to show you who you are in Him. Make a list and keep it handy. This process is life changing!

Here are a few additional resources I have found helpful in discovering my identity in Christ:

Online Resources

Finding My Identity in Christ by Joyce Meyer
Discovering Your Identity in Christ by Dr. Charles Stanley
What’s Really True About You? Part 1 of 2 by Focus on the Family Daily – International
What’s Really True About You? Part 2 of 2 by Focus on the Family Daily – International
Proverbs 31 Ministries

Books





Discovering God’s Truth – Part 3

“Saved by grace…gift from God…Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done…” Wow! As I read these words my heart is filled to bursting with JOY. What a wonderful truth to lean on!
I became a Christian as a young teen, but truly started following and pursuing Christ over a year ago. Let’s just say I’m just shy of “that” hill so it’s taken me a good while! I think one reason it took me so long to build a close relationship with Jesus is because I never really understood what all this “relationship with Christ” stuff meant. I mean I did to the extent I asked Jesus to come into my heart and change me, but to say I truly knew my identity in Christ…well…this simply was not the case. Without knowing my identity I was stuck in thought patterns that were “man” created and not based on biblical truth. “Why would God extend grace to me especially after all the mistakes I’ve made? Why would God save me—what’s so special about me? Don’t I have to do all kinds of stuff to truly be saved?” This is the type of erroneous thinking that would snare my thoughts. These thoughts kept me in a perpetual state of self-condemnation. Thankfully, with God’s help and time in the Bible, the truth of Ephesians 2:8-9 (and many other verses) finally sunk in my human brain, smacked my thoughts around a bit, and released me from my self-imposed ideas about God’s grace and my salvation. Today, I can say without a doubt YES! God loves me and I don’t have to live in a prison of self-condemnation! (Romans 8:1, 35-39) YES! I am saved by grace that is not dependent on works to gain salvation. (Ephesians 1:7, Romans 3:27-28) YES! I believe in Jesus and my salvation is secure! (John 3:16, Romans 3:22-26) What are your thoughts about salvation?

Are you a follower of Christ? It’s a FREE gift. Don’t pass it up another day. To read more about becoming a Christian, please Click Here to be directed to an article from Focus on the Family detailing how to join God’s family.

Discovering God’s Truth – Part 2

As the end of the year approaches it’s easy to get sidetracked by the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season. Thoughts and feelings derailed by despair when we dwell on the goals and dreams we desperately want to accomplish. Our true source of joy easily forgotten. I’ll admit, it can be easy to forget just how blessed I truly am when the daily demands of life weigh me down. I imagine you can relate. What should we do when feelings of isolation and pain start to crowd our thoughts and smother our joy? Can I propose something simple? Talk to God. Read His Word. Go to Him with your feelings, dreams, and desires. Trust Him to fulfill all that is lacking in your life. Taste His goodness like the psalmist suggests in Psalm 34:8. Don’t gulp. Actually, slow down for a taste. Savor the richness of God’s goodness in your life – protection, blessings, family – the list is endless. His goodness is not limited! What will it take for you to stop and taste God’s goodness?

Discovering God’s Truth – Part 1

It was a grey day when I woke up. Four hours of sleep. It was going to be a long day… I was feeling the grey from outside as I sat down on the couch. My intention was to lean over and fall asleep, but I picked up my Bible instead. Psalm 42:11 were the first words I read this morning. “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?” These two questions weighed heavy on my heart. Not because I was feeling discouraged or because my heart was sad, although, I’ve been there all to often. As I sat in the glow of the Christmas tree, my thoughts drifted to others—those missing a loved one, those struggling with unspoken pain, those who feel discouraged—where are they putting their hope?

Will you add a few moments to your day to discover God’s Word with me? Precious moments to discover the truth Christ offers in His Word for renewal of our lives? “…your Word is truth” (John 17:17 ESV)  Let’s discover together.