May 06 Devotion Knowing who you are in Christ Hello Beloved! Well, last month we explored four “throne” names of God. He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Those names help us to understand the many ways the Lord wants to relate to us. This month we are going to explore who the Great I AM says we are in Him. Like last month, we will be exploring four aspects of our identity in Christ. We will look at two this month and two next month. As we learn more about our identity in Christ, we are able to shed the false beliefs we have about our worth and our value. Beloved I want you to know that for me, this is so fresh. Why? Because I woke this morning expecting one thing for my life, and for my direction in ministry but what I expected and hoped would happen did not. After a meeting, I realized that God was calling me away from something. He was asking me to give up something that I love…why, because maybe I was holding on to it too tight...maybe because I got caught up in what I was doing, instead of resting in who I am in Him. Right now, I’m feeling a little hurt, and a little lost. But I can hear Him whispering softly…“will you trust me, even when want you wanted for your life isn’t what I want for you?” “Instead of putting your value in what you do, will you find it in me and in me alone?” Tough questions…that is why we must know, trust in, lean on, and walk in the truth of who we are in Christ. That truth and that alone is where our confidence, our worth, our value, and our identity must come from, otherwise we are lost. So before we get started on learning who we are in Him…let me ask you a few questions… How would you describe yourself? Tell me all about you…who are you? What do you like about yourself? What do you think others like about you? Do you feel loved? Do you feel accepted? Are you confident in your identity? As you answered those questions, were you looking at yourself with a heavenly perspective or with a worldly perspective? A worldly perspective is to define yourself by the qualities that our culture would consider valuable such as appearance, material items, or success. A heavenly perspective is to define yourself by the qualities and characteristics you have as a child of God. Let’s look at four characteristics that come from being a child of God… First, you are His beloved. I know I call you that all the time, but have you ever let that truth penetrate your heart? Have you ever stopped for moment and realized the God of the Universe loves you so much that He allowed His only son to sacrifice His life for yours? Why, because He loves you as much as He loves Jesus (John 17:23). Why would Jesus do such a thing… because He also loves you…so much more than we can begin to comprehend. I often wonder about the night He allowed Judas to betray Him, and the guards to take Him away to certain death. When I think about that night, my mind envisions this scene. It’s not biblical…just my thoughts…Try to picture this in your mind. It is dark, and Jesus looks up from His earnest prayer just long enough to notice that Peter, James, and John are sleeping…again. He shakes His head and allows them to continue dreaming, knowing they will need all the strength they can muster in the next few hours. He knows time is growing short. That thought quickens His heart, and it begin pound loudly in His chest. Just then, when He was feeling overcome with grief, He sees your face. Knowing that this is the only way He will be able to be with you forever, He smiles…resolving to do what must be done. He must face the cross. He knows He will soon face the worst that man could do…He also knows it will all be worth it when He finally welcomes you home. He would face anything for you. He would do anything for you. That my dear friend is love. That is how much you are worth to Him. That is how much He values you. He gave up everything in order to gain your love. The price was high, but you, beloved, are priceless. Remember that the next time you begin to feel the pressure of the world’s expectations and the sting of rejection. The God of all creation loves you passionately. You are His Beloved! The result of this precious sacrifice is you are forgiven. If you have said thank you Jesus for dying for me on the cross, if you have asked Him to come and live in your heart…then you have been forgiven for every mistake you have made, and for every mistake you will make. No matter what your past looks like, no matter how messy your present, no matter what comes in the future, God sees you as spotless, and perfect because of Jesus. Now I don’t know about you but this is huge for me. Friend, I am not perfect. I mess up everyday. I struggle with pride, stubbornness, with negative thoughts, with outbursts of temper and a lack of patience…and that all happens before breakfast! All of those things are sin. Sin separates us from God. But because of Jesus, because I trusted Him for my salvation, my sins are forgiven and that allows me to appear holy and perfect before God…it allows me to have a relationship with my heavenly Father. We don’t have to be perfect to come to God, we just need to trust Jesus. You know what else…it helps me realize how amazing God is. He allowed Jesus to take my place, because He knew that I, being human, would never be able to live up to His standard of perfection. So, He made a way for us to be together. He made the first move. He so full of love, and not wanting to ever be without me said, “I will pay the price for you”. Sweet friend, when you are feeling down and lost, when you are feeling overwhelmed and unloved remember that God loves you. He reaches out to you with the same love and compassion that compelled Him to face the cross. He wants so much for us to rest in Him knowing that we are His Beloved, and that we are forgiven. He wants us to understand that because of that love, we can walk boldly and confidently to throne…climb up in His lap…and rest gently in His arms. You are the child He loves dearly, His precious baby girl. This month, concentrate on those two truths. You are His beloved and you are forgiven. Think about when you are happy and think about when you are struggling. See if that truth doesn’t do something to your heart. It certainly does mine. Precious Lord, You are amazing. Thank you for your word that teaches us the truth. Thank you for loving us so much that you stepped out of heaven to offer your life as a sacrifice for ours. Thank you for your forgiveness. Father, help me to remember I’m forgiven and not beat my self up over my mistakes, but take them to you so you can help me over them. I trust you with my life. I ask you to fill my heart with your love and your joy. In Jesus name, Amen… Love you guys…CJ |
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For further study…
Read Matthew 26:36-67
As you read, think about that night. Knowing He went through this for you…how
does it make you feel?
Read John 17
This beautiful prayer was prayed prior to Jesus being seized. Pay special attention to
John 17:23-24.
Did you know that God loves you as much as He loves the son?
Verse 24 speaks of His heart for you. Where does He want you? What is your
response to that truth?
Read Matthew 26:36-67
As you read, think about that night. Knowing He went through this for you…how
does it make you feel?
Read John 17
This beautiful prayer was prayed prior to Jesus being seized. Pay special attention to
John 17:23-24.
Did you know that God loves you as much as He loves the son?
Verse 24 speaks of His heart for you. Where does He want you? What is your
response to that truth?
