Identity in Christ #2

I got some good stuff out of chapter 2. We'll do today's blog like a little Bible Study.

Grab your Bible and turn to Ephesians chapter 1, verses 1-14. As you read this passage, look for any word phrases like "in Christ" or "in Him" or "in Himself" or "in the Beloved" or "in whom" when it refers to Christ.

Now list all the things it says about you and who you are in Christ. If that doesn't build you up, I don't know what will!

Take a look at these verses: 1 Cor. 1:1-2, Phil 1:1, Col 1:1-2. This is what the Word says. Now ask yourself and write down what the Word says to you.

The next thing the chapter talked about was being "in Adam" as opposed to "in Christ". Being "in Adam" refers to where we were before we were Christians. We were in the world, in a dark place of transgressions, outside of God's grace. When we made the decision to be "in Christ" all that was erased and we were given eternal life, and eternal grace.

Here's a quote from the book by Charles Stanley. "Once we are in Christ, no longer are we to draw from a deposit of previous good works; no longer are we to rely on our old associations and allilances; no longer are we to believe the "old lies" that have been playing in our heads since early childhood that we are worthless, unwanted, or undesirable. We are new creatures with a new life ahead - a life that is totally reconciled to God and is set on a pth toward fulfillment and satisfaction in Christ Jesus."

I'm liking the content and format of this little book. It's only 110 pages.

Have a great Sunday!

It's Here!

Yeah! My Identity in Christ book and my Spiritual Warfare books arrived yesterday!

I had a chance to read a little last night and here's what 'struck' me.

Charles Stanley writes "If we have a faulty self-image - which is having any self-image other than what God says about us - we behave in a way that is contrary to God's highest purposes and plan for our lives."

Stanley continues to explain about both low self-esteem and high self-esteem. Both are wrong and dangerous. Whether our view of ourselves is too high or too low, we risk the Error of Comparison. We are comparing ourselves to others. God never asks us to do that. We are unique, and created just the way God wants us to be. He has a perfect will for our lives and it is by being who we are that we are able to fulfill the purposes he has for us. The other risk in comparing ourselves to others is that we can put ourselves down or put others down in our minds. God never intended for that either.

Romans 12:3 tells us "For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you."

What this means is that we are to have an accurate estimation of ourselves. It means that if we do something well, we do it well. We know our gifts and abilities come from God and should be thankful for all that he put into us. We also know what weaknesses we have and acknowledge them, not hide them. Too much humility can be trite or even self-seeking of sympathy. We are called to have an accurate view of ourselves.

What's been important to me in the beginning stages of this journey, is that if someone asks you to be someone you're not, don't do it. It's good to get feedback on how others view you, but how they view you is their choice. You have no obligation to be anyone other than who God created you to be. Some people will like you and be drawn to spend time with you, others will loathe you. AND THAT'S OKAY. You can't be all things to all people and should never try to be. You are responsible and called to love everyone. If some people won't receive that love, again, that's their choice. Maybe they're dealing with identity issues themselves.

Can't wait to see what tomorrow reveals!

Remedial Christianity

I had a thought yesterday as I was getting in my car. The thought was about how I need to re-visit my identity in Christ when I thought I had this down. I've been a Christian for over 20 years and I thought who I was in Christ was a fundamental thing that I should have learned 20 years ago. Maybe I did. Maybe I forgot. Maybe I didn't have this down as well as I thought once I was tested in it.

I had this happen to me about three years ago with selfishness. At that time I remember saying, "you'd think I would have licked this 15 years ago." As a single mom for 13 years, I gave everything I had to everyone I knew. My kids got the most, then my church, then my employer, then the rest of my family. Never did I do anything just for me except maybe read my Bible, go to church and take classes, but even those things were eventually for the benefit of others. I thought I was very unselfish. Then I got married. Sharing my home was easy. Sharing my time was easy. The thing that got me was sharing my food. Not meals or anything, but when I was eating something small, like a cupcake, Greg would look at me like, "Aren't you going to share that with me?" My reaction was "Get your own, this is MINE!" I never had to share like that. My kids didn't ask for what I was eating. God had to deal with me on that and it took awhile.

I think it is wise of God to have us re-visit our fundamental basics in Christianity from time to time so we don't forget them. It's good to be tested. It's humbling to fail.

May God always correct me. 2Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Alice in Wonderland

I'm late, I'm late, for a very important date!

Sorry I'm late blogging today. I'm our church's Business Administrator, and am first on the list with our alarm company. We've been having a few days of calls due to rain soaking our underground wires and setting off the alarm system. Last night we got calls at 9pm, 10pm, 11pm, 2am, 5am, 8am, 8:30am and 9:30am. Greg went out at 9 and 2. All false alarms, but he did have an interesting sighting. An oppossum. He said it was 4 times the size of our cat, which would make it 40lbs. We think it was trying to get into the Children's building. Anyway, we slept in.

Speaking of Alice in Wonderland, I had an epiphany yesterday. (My spell check doesn't seem to be working so please forgive my misspellings). It seems for the last 2-3 months I've been allowing someone else to dictate who I am. I've felt oppressed and cut off at the knees. I prayed Wednesday night that I would find a way out of this dark hole, see things from 40,000 feet again (seeing the big picture), and keep my eyes focused on God and not on man. I'm usually pretty good at that, but I think I just lost my way recently. God has shown me the big picture, but it seems I've been looking more at the here and now instead of the soon to be.

I have a subscription to Jon Walker's Purpose Driven Life Devotion, which comes in my email. I usually just delete it as I don't think I have time to read it. I read it a few weeks ago and it spoke to me and a friend. Yesterday I read it and it shot me right between the eyes. (You can see it for 1/31/08 as well as the archives here). So, apparently, I have an issue with my identity in Christ at this time. I'll be studying this topic as soon as my book arrives. It's Discoverying Your Identity in Christ by Charles Stanley. I ordered another book on Spiritual Warfare by Charles Stanley as well called Landmines in the Path of the Believer: Avoiding the Hidden Dangers. I've read through a couple of the excerpts from his books and it looks like he's a great writer. I've never read his books, but I've read his son Andy's and he's great as well. I would recommend Next Generation Leader.

Okay, enough plugs for books. Until tomorrow, keep reading, keep growing, keep focused on God.