Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

 

Happy New Year!!!

Praise God for another year with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!

It’s a new year! It’s a new day! And it’s about time we get real about authentically embracing all God has called us to be! Let me be clear. God can do a whole lot! However, He won’t do as much without us making an effort to seek Him. Aren’t you interested in learning who He has called you to be?

A lot of people start off the year with New Year’s resolutions. These resolutions can range anywhere from trying to save money to losing a few pounds. However, I found that we often make the mistake of trying to plan out our year and set goals without consulting our Creator. As Christians, we have the advantage of being in relationship with the One who knows the beginning from the end. Therefore, it would make a lot of sense to get a game plan from the One who wrote the plays for game day.

I frequently wonder why we don’t go to God for wisdom and strategy as often as we should. Then it dawned on me, by revelation of the Holy Spirit, we don’t know who we are. We don’t understand the favor that we have and how blessed we are to be able to have a relationship with the lover of our souls.

I felt like God told me to encourage you. He said that you may be in an identity crisis. Everything you went through last year made you feel anything but victorious. However, God sent me here to let you know that you are more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ (Romans 8:31-39).

Last November, I dealt with an identity crisis of my own. I had this grand idea that I was about to give up my pursuit of a Godly life and revert back to my sinful ways. During that time, I had many difficult conversations with God. I truly felt like this walk was too hard and I was tired of trying to live right but the wrong things kept happening.

I was lost for a good week in an identity crisis. I was facing old insecurities that I thought I had overcome. I was deceived because those things came back around and fiercely tested me. My mind had become flooded with so many negative things. They were lies. All lies from the pit of hell! I started to believe the lies that others told me about me. “You’ll never get married trying to do it God’s way!” Then I began believing the lies I told myself. “This is never going to get any better.” But by the grace and spirit of the living God… I was yanked out of my feelings and brought back to reality rather quickly.

However, that isn’t always the case for everyone. Sometimes we get in our feelings and stay there. And other times we find ourselves replaying the negative rhetoric over and over in our minds until it becomes a part of us. It’s time for you to drop that dead weight. Don’t go into another year carrying the baggage of your past. I’m not. I refuse to. I’ve decided to believe that I am who God says I am.

Are you in an Identity Crisis?

Are you facing old insecurities that have resurfaced?

Have you started to believe the lies that others told you? Or even the lies you’ve told yourself?

Would you like to be set free? Let’s pray that you are able to take hold of your true identity in Christ by becoming all God has called you to be.

Here is a short prayer from the Holy Spirit living on the inside of me for anyone reading that wants to choose the life that Jesus died to give them. Heavenly Father, I repent of my sins. I wish to turn away from my sinful ways and pursue a genuine relationship with you. I receive this Word sent by your daughter. I forgive the people in my past who have spoken negatively about me. I forgive myself for speaking negatively about me. Jesus Christ please show me myself the way that you see me. Then give me the tools to pursue my true identity in you like never before. Not what I want, but truly your Will for my life. Cleanse my heart and clear my mind. Remove everything in me that is not like you as I pursue who you’ve called me to be for the year of 2019 and beyond. In the matchless name of Jesus. I pray, Amen 🙏🏽

In Genesis 12, God called Abram. The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” Genesis 12:1-3 (NLT)

First God chose Abram and set him apart. Then He led Abram to a new land. In Genesis 17, Abram is named Abraham, which means father of many nations. God changed Abrams name. Wouldn’t you like for God to change your name? Wouldn’t you like for God to reveal EXACTLY who He created you to be? Well…You need to get with God and ask Him! Lord what is my name?

Then work with the Holy Spirit to create a strategic plan that will help you identify who God has called you to be in 2019 and beyond.

When I was in an identity crisis, I worked with the Holy Spirit to understand who I am. I started by creating a list of affirmations based on what the Word says about me. I wrote out the list then posted it on my bathroom mirror. Every day, I looked in the mirror and told myself who I am based on the Word of God. You should do this exercise as well. Create a list of 10 or more affirmations (as led by the Holy Spirit) claiming your identity in Christ. I’ll kick it off by providing you with your first 3:

1) I am chosen by God as His own special treasure (Deuteronomy 14:2).

2) I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).

3) I am the head and not the tail above only and not beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13).

Don’t stop at the 3 I provided, continue until you have at least 10. Then post it somewhere in your home where you will see it often and make sure recite the affirmations daily.

With the help of the Holy Spirit you can overcome your identity crisis.

Don’t keep saying new year new me. Try saying New Year, Real Me! Let’s make sure we don’t spend another year in limbo. When you don’t know who you are the world will try to define you and the devil will play mind games with you.

I pray that you get to the feet of the Father and receive your true identity today! God calls you a masterpiece and He is waiting for you.

 

The Word: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT)

The Story/The Lesson: Its 2019 and we need to believe and receive all that it means to be a child of the Most High God. Can you imagine how far along you would be if you were in alignment with the will of God for your life? We know that God has our best interest at heart. However, we don’t always seek Him like we should. Going forward let’s plan stop believing the lies we’ve been told and start embracing our true identities in Christ. Do you know who you are? If not, get to the feet of the Heavenly Father and find out.

Bonus: You know I have to leave you with some good worship! Check out – Identity by James Fortune & FIYA

 

© 2018 The Love JC Ministry, all rights reserved.