21 Days

Day 17- Identity

Author: Abbie Davis

“Who are you?” 

Our identity– such a simple word filled with endless years of discovery about a Man, and His name is Jesus and He is the One we, as believers, identify with. 

I remember my life when I had no clue who I was and no context of what identity even meant. That was until the moment I gave my life to a Man who knew exactly who I was. He never had doubt nor insecurity like I did. It was a beautiful moment; His perspective transformed me and I began choosing to believe that I was who He said I was. I grabbed hold of Truth that I was made in His likeness and I was created to mirror an uncreated God. (Genesis 1:26, 2 Corinthians 3:18) What a joy, honor and gift to reflect Perfection Himself!

Nevertheless, over the years I continuously reach for this Truth. The core root of everything that I do is found in who I am identifying myself with in every passing moment. I realized that there is a serious war waging and a choice to be made– Will we choose our flesh [our sinful nature] which leads to death or the Spirit of God inside us who leads us to life and peace (Read Romans 8:6 and Galatians 5:17)? So, who are you identifying with? What are you choosing to believe? I have asked myself these questions, and now I am challenging you to ask yourselves. To know the Truth of these questions is to accept an invitation into deep fellowship and friendship with Jesus. To identify with Jesus we must submit ourselves to Him daily and receive grace as we become more like Him. It’s a process, but the reward of being like Him far outweighs the pain and pruning we will endure. Take a moment and read Romans 6. It's a gift of truth and instruction. 

Identifying with Jesus means we live a life that is crucified with Him, buried with Him, resurrected with Him, seated with Him and reigning with Him. Jesus went through the process of submitting Himself and it’s the most beautiful imagery of what the costly joy of being friends with us looks like. Jesus didn’t stay on the cross, nor should we. Jesus didn’t stay dead, nor should we. Jesus not only resurrected, but He is right now seated and reigning in Heavenly places. We are invited into this way of living (Read Ephesians 2:6 and Revelations 5:10).

He wants us to receive what is rightfully ours as sons and daughters. May this encourage you this year to fight for your birthright— to be like Christ. I believe once we see Him for who He is, we will be able to see who we truly are. Take heed and don’t miss everything that has freely been made available to us through the redemptive blood of Jesus. Remember this: true identity is found through friendship with Jesus, fully man and fully God. This is our everlasting identity and He is an everlasting friend. 

Prayer

Holy Spirit, would you show me what it looks like to identify with Jesus and would you help me to endure the process of being sanctified in Truth,  for Your Word is Truth (John 17:17). May I no longer tolerate lies from the enemy of who I used to be. I am a new creation in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). I want to receive my birthright as Your daughter/son, so give me a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Ephesians 1:17). In Jesus’ precious and beautiful name, AMEN! 

Day 16- Faithfulness

Author: Christine Massey

Have you become a witness of God lifting you out of the pit of despair and the mud and the mire to set your feet on solid ground?  Or has He given you a new song to sing, a hymn of praise that many will see what He has done and will be amazed?

These words are taken out of Psalm 40 cited by King David who waited patiently for the Lord to help him and the Lord turned to him and heard his cry.

Our God is a great God of Mercy. He sees what we do in the little and the big things. When we faithfully lay our lives in the hands of the Father and trust Him to use us for His glorious plans, beyond what we can see every day, that is when He reveals His unfailing love and faithfulness!

When we face discouragement, trials or pain, He rescues us with hope. I encourage you to take joy in doing the will of God. Declare His faithfulness and saving power. Continue to pursue the things that He plants in your heart by praying that you can walk in faithfulness. 

PRAYER 

Declare Psalm 40 over yourself:

"I waited patiently for the Lord ; he inclined to me and heard my cry. He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord . Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust, who does not turn to the proud, to those who go astray after a lie! You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told. In sacrifice and offering you have not delighted, but you have given me an open ear. Burnt offering and sin offering you have not required. Then I said, "Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart." I have told the glad news of deliverance in the great congregation; behold, I have not restrained my lips, as you know, O Lord . I have not hidden your deliverance within my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation. As for you, O Lord , you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me. Be pleased, O Lord , to deliver me! O Lord , make haste to help me! Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether who seek to snatch away my life; let those be turned back and brought to dishonor who delight in my hurt! Let those be appalled because of their shame who say to me, "Aha, Aha!" But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, "Great is the Lord !" As for me, I am poor and needy, but the Lord takes thought for me. You are my help and my deliverer; do not delay, O my God!" (Psalm 40 ESV)