Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

Most believers, when asked who they are in Christ, as part of their answer, will say that they are “sinners saved by grace.”  Perhaps, in their minds, this sounds humble.   When Jesus said He was God, it sounded anything but humble to those listening!  But it was Truth.  And He was the most humble Person ever because He was fully submitted to God, never acting out of His own volition. So, we know that when truth is spoken, it may or may not sound “humble,” but it is truth and that's all that matters. So yes, we were sinners but now, since we are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8), who does that make us after the saving?  We are new creatures in Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17) The problem with saying we are still “sinners” is that it leaves a fundamental mark in our souls that says that our identity is still that of a sinner. Don’t let the Catholic definition of a saint (as if we could somehow earn it) mar the truth of the identity that Christ died to give us, that is ours in Him.   Is Chr

Oh Lord. For all who are reading this right now, I pray that whatever or whomever is trying to steal their identity, that they would resist them all and come back to you.  I pray, Lord, that they realize that when they belong to You, that their core and truest identity, source of meaning and life, is found in You and their relationship with You. I pray for the one reading this, Lord, that he or she would feel Your Presence and love right now.  May he or she release all that weighs them down with a false sense of worth so that they may be found securely in You and Your love instead. Keep them in Your love, O Lord, and remind them every minute that their identity as Your child is all that truly matters. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

I've seen this a lot.  Some of the most "successful" people are deeply insecure.  Why is this and how can it be?  After all, they seem to have everything they want, like they have it "all together." It's very simple. We are not created to find our identity - self-worth - outside ourselves.  Why not?  Because outer parameters can change.  In an instant. And somewhere deep down, our soul knows this.   Jobs can be lost. Relationships can fail. Homes can burn down. Reputations can be ruined. Good health can diminish. Possessions can be stolen. The stock market can crash. Everything and everyone that people try to get identity from is essentially as a vapor.  Oh these things may appear  lasting and may offer a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. But God has more for us.  God designed us for more.  God wants us.  And until He becomes our only  Source of security, we will always, on some level, feel insecure. The insecurity recipe goes something like this: 1

Maybe you are familiar with this precious Scripture.  This is true of anyone who has been born again into new life in Christ.  This is our identity in Him.  Hidden in Christ with God. I am praying that He shows me exactly what this is in the days and weeks ahead.  For it seems that things still get to me and have a way of "knocking me off my perch," so to speak.  They bring out not the hidden life of Christ in me, but the old nature. But technically speaking, our old sin nature is dead!  It was crucified with Christ on the cross, alleluia!   So how can it still rear its ugly head now and then? It's a battle because although the sin nature has died, we are still in this flesh.  So our flesh battles against our spirit. Who will win? Good question! I believe it is up to us at any given moment who will win the battle.  We have the power to overcome our flesh, but will we take up that power and use it?   It takes effort.  It is much easier to give in to our petulant, demanding

On what is your identity based?  What makes you you?  Are you listening to our culture's definition of what and who is important? If the devil can get you at the root, the core, your very identity, all else in your life will follow suit - be messed up, confusing, and just not right.  But the sad fact is that these things may "feel" or appear alright when deep down they are most certainly not. Identity is found in so many ways.  The world's ways are superficial and temporary.  They either crumble quickly or may take awhile to disintegrate, but crumble they will.  The hard part is to see them for what they are because in and of themselves, they are not bad things.  But when they become as gods in your heart and lives, they have no real substance or sustaining power because they were not meant to bring you true and lasting security and peace.  Only Christ gives us that. What are these false foundations?  Here are just a few:  looks prestige money job title gender possess