How To Find Yourself In The Bible

Believe it or not, you are written about in The Bible.  In Christ’s death, your old nature died with him; and likewise, in his resurrection, you were given new life.  Paul was infatuated with this new life and referred to it on numerous occasions throughout his letters to first century believers.  Some of the characteristics found throughout his writings, are so radical that one might assume us to be superheroes just by reading what our lives can entail.  And so to highlight many of Paul’s (and Jesus’) words in regards to our identity, here is a short glimpse at what the New Covenant life provides, as written personally to you:

 

You are a child of God.  You have been formed and fashioned in love.  This is the same love that eradicates your fears and grants purpose to your life.  You are loved by an inseparable force that not only believes in your life, but empowers it, daily.  The God that formed your bones and skin and mind, possessed you and has, Himself, become your very heartbeat.  You are the light of the world, and we all know what happens when light encounters darkness: we wouldn’t even label it a fight.  And you have no need to fight; you stand victorious in life, because God is for you and He has overcome the world. 

We empower darkness when we associate it as having any power at all.  But I assure you, hell’s weapons have been stripped away and its life-force is fleeting and coming to nothingness.  Demons hear God’s name and they tremble, and this is the same God that lives within you.  How should they respond, then, when you enter a room? The math is simple.  Your life has become a move of God. 

You are royalty, seated in Heaven, itself.  You are not loved for some promise you make or skill that you bring to the table.  You are loved, because you are you.  And He loves that about you!  Otherwise, grace would mean nothing more than performing adequately to earn an actor’s wages.  But your life is not measured by performance, as if God wanted you to go around trying to convince Him that you are someone else.  He already finds pleasure in you.  Believe what He says about your life and identity; because how you believe, is also how you live.        

I'm God's Favorite

“God is so in love with all of you,” I leaned forward in my chair as children sat Indian-style on the floor before me.  I had been in San Antonio, Texas once before to help at a children’s conference in this very church, in fact.  And so I knew the energy each boy and girl had the potential of displaying, but somehow, they graciously kept their composer.  Their eyes were fixated on me as I shared stories and tried to correlate each testimony to their lives.  But little did I know that the words I was soon to hear would carry more depth than I could ever hope to teach or fully comprehend.  And those words would come from the simple and curious heart of a child.        

I said it again, “God is so in love with each one of you!” A hand rose from the middle of this child-congregation and his fingers wiggled and waved as if he had not already been seen.  I pointed to the boy, “Yes?”

He dropped his hand and looked around at the eyes of the other children as they turned their gazes to him.  “I know that God loves EVERYONE, but when I pray, He makes me feel like I’m His favorite,”

I could not have been more impressed.  “You get it! You have experienced how personal God’s love is towards you!” I shouted proudly.  “It is not only that God loves the world as a whole, but He loves you, and you, and you…” As I spoke, I pointed to random children in the crowd and seized their eyes with my own.  My smile, which had already been beaming from the presence of young company, had now amplified at the pronouncing of this boy’s profound thought.  I had arrived that morning with the intent of teaching these children, but I realized in that moment that their understanding of God’s love could, very well, have put my own beliefs and ideas to shame. 

Never underestimate the mind of a child.  Too often, the concepts and beliefs that come naturally to them put years of our greatest studies, teachings and principles to shame.  Their simplicity ought to shine a light on what truly matters, because their love does not gleam from the traditions, moral values or expectations that society or religion have had any chance to place on them.  There is a love and curiosity in every child’s eyes; and I believe it to be Heaven-born.  

The Power of Words: Something to Talk About

Words are not only words, as so many of us often suppose.  They have the power to define who someone is, because they set a verbal or written standard by which people position or see themselves.  Example: Why do parents tell their children not to call another person ugly? Because when someone hears this word, the most common response of the hearer is to believe and associate one’s self to the identity of “ugly” to some extent or another.  The same can be true by way of assumption.  Have you ever heard phrases like, “Just be yourself,” or seen lists in blogs and magazines about “How to be beautiful/sexy/successful.”? Suddenly, your mind wonders “Why wouldn’t I be myself?” or you associate yourself as none of what the article is promoting because the context and wording immediately positions the reader as being none of those things.  Thus, as people hear, read and associate, so they live out!

This is not a new problem in the world; in fact, the opening book of the Bible shows the world’s first identity crisis only a few chapters in.  Eve’s actions clearly show that one’s understanding of their position with God is crucial to everything else that that person does, says and ultimately lives out in every way.  In seeing this, ‘belief’ or the act of ‘believing in God’ is no longer man’s one work towards his salvation, but rather, a fully convinced mind/heart that trusts that he is who God says that he is.

In multiple places throughout scripture, references to mankind being created in the likeness and image of God gives us an unmistakable position of which to associate Eve.  She was created in God’s image, BUT what does the serpent tempt her with? “The moment you eat from that tree… You’ll be just like God…” (Genesis 3:4,5 MSG).  Just as in the example of disassociation that a magazine entices its’ readers by, Satan used his words to indirectly say, “Eve, you are not like God,” And we all know where the story went from there.      

We are similar to Eve in that our identity is linked to the image and likeness that we have been created in.  The same lie that caused Eve to perform actions that were not within her nature is still tickling the ears of people today and convincing them of their separation from God.  I believe that from this mindset every religion in the world has been created: man tries to bridge the gap between themselves and a distant god; never realizing that the very God they are searching for has already bridged that same gap.    

Realize that God did not come to save a world of worthless people.  An important question to ask one’s self is this, “Who do I believe myself to be?” But an even greater question, and one that you will spend the rest of your life delving deeper and deeper into is, “Who does God say that I am?” You will be amazed by the answers that you find, and God’s response to this second question will completely rewrite the answer you come up with for the first as well.  Do not get caught up in naming yourself by the flimsy titles and associations that the world provides, but allow your identity to be defined by Truth itself.  In other words, believe what God believes to be true about you.        

Letters and Stories

The more I realize our Creator’s closeness to His children, my appreciation for life and its’ beauties expands.  The feeling is comparable to reading a well-thought-out card or letter from a close friend.  As you skim over each memory, hidden joke and emotional reflection, your heart connects to the writer! The letter is remarkable because it is personal and inescapably heartwarming because each word was inscribed with an obvious love-intent.  I have now come to see the world in a very similar way.

Reading John’s reference to God as “love”, I cannot help but look for the romance between humanity and the Divine.  If the creator of the world is, in fact, the very essence of love, there ought to be evidence of this in EVERYTHING.  Even at the very start of it all, this characteristic should be woven through the very purpose of humanity and its' life.  (So let's take a look 'in the beginning'.)  As one reads the first chapter of Genesis, whether it be historical account or poetic cosmology, the final detail to the world’s formation is mankind.  Is it too much to conclude then, that to a great extent, this world was created for us? That would certainly be romantic. 

Have you ever considered that the earth is a platform for which God schemed the ultimate love-story, and Jesus is the protagonist that drew your heart back to your Father? This way of thinking has changed everything for me.  I cannot see a beach or mountain without feeling completely romanced by its’ maker.  I cannot see an individual without considering how infatuated God is with them.  We are children of a God that is masterful in every detail of His romance, because love not only considers the big picture, but shows its true care in the intricacies of the ‘little things’. 

The Bible is the first few chapters of this indefinite love-story; the same one, to which, you have now stepped into the pages and dialogue.  Heaven and its’ angels expectantly watch as you take on life with your loving creator.  They cannot help but wonder what adventures the two of you will take on together.   

Love Focus

You are radically loved, and it is not prideful to dwell on that heartwarming fact.  In actuality, I believe this to be the healthiest focus anyone can maintain.  Constant acknowledgement for the love God has for you allows for a newness of mind and a heavy change in priorities. In a world consumed by their need to find love, you stand out as one who knows how truly important you are, and can walk with confidence, understanding that the creator of everything is head over heels for you.  When you discover God, you also find love; there is no distinction between the two.  Life with God was not intended to be spent in a love-pursuit; but from your realization of his already existing love, your entire way of thinking becomes inspired by the outpouring of your focus.  In other words, when you see how loved you are, you begin to love in a like manner.  You become the love that the world is searching so relentlessly after.   

I could talk about love all day.  In recent years, it seems that whether I am eating, talking, daydreaming or working, God’s love for me is in some way mixed in with my thoughts.  His love has grown to be the most common factor to any decision, not because I dwell on it directly in each moment, but because my trust in his care has become natural, and in turn, this has made a literal difference in the way I look at people, situations and choices that life brings my way.  I see those around me as being just as deeply loved by God as I am, and suddenly respecting, honoring and exhorting others becomes a natural way of life.  Situations no longer determine my mood or behavior like they used to, because my joy is no longer in search of a steady place to land: I am already safe in God’s arms.  Life choices are no longer focused on appearance, as if I have something to prove to the world; but God has already proven my worth through the price he paid to have my heart.  A change in perspective is a transformed life. 

Don’t consume your thoughts with worries and self-pities.  Meditate on God’s love for you and see if that doesn’t change a few things.  It may begin as a routine you have to be purposeful about and remind yourself to focus on, but your mind will eventually catch up to your heart as your thoughts mimic those of your Father and you become a child with a love focus.            

Testimony Tuesday: Chris Collins of Colorado Springs, Colorado

I was on a ministering trip with my bible college that brought us to Louisiana.  After the main speaker gave his message, the rest of the prayer ministers and I went upfront to pray with anyone that had need.  An older gentleman approached me in frustration. His discontentment was not at anyone specifically, but that he had not yet been healed of the cancer that was manifesting itself on his face in giant scabs. He explained that he didn't want to just be prayed for, but that he wanted to be healed. I said, "Alright man, let’s do this!" As I prayed, I knew it was not by my own power that this man could be healed but that it was all by the power and authority that God has given me to heal the sick and to raise the dead. So I commanded the cancer to leave in Jesus’ name.

We got off topic and talked about football for several minutes. It was nice to see this man get his eyes off of his situation and onto something that he loved. The man started smiling and lighting up. It was incredible. I finally stopped the conversation and asked, “Is there anything else I can pray with you for?” And he said, "Yeah my eye! My right eye went completely blind about 6 months ago. The doctor said it was a detached retina." he explained.  "Okay man, let’s go!" I prayed a 10 second prayer for this man’s eye; I didn't use big theological words or try to convince God to heal this man because I understand that Jesus has already paid that price, and realize the power he has given me! I simply released that healing power right into that man’s eye. After praying, the man thanked me and walked away.


About 20 minutes went by and I heard the man calling for me again as I packed. “Chris! Chris! Come here!”

"What’s up man? How are you doing?" I asked.

"My eye! I can see out of it!" He said.

This man had received a complete healing in his eye that night – 20/20 vision. He was so stoked about his eye! It was not because of me, or any wise words that I used in my prayer, but simply the love of God expressed through my life towards this man.  God wants all his children healed. It's not about some hidden formula; but comes in an understanding of the beautiful fact that our God is love.

Testimony Tuesday: Shelly McWilliams of Covington, Georgia

I have recently started working night shifts at Dunkin Donuts selling coffee and donuts, while loving on people in my community just as Christ would.  I have been praying and asking the Lord to show up in the work place so that I might be a light into the darkness that surrounds us daily.

About a month ago I started seeing my prayers come to pass as co-workers and customers were getting healed, set free and saved! One night while I was working me and one of my co-workers struck up a conversation about the Lord and how he still had the power to heal.  He began to share with me that he had survived cancer and went through tons of chemo treatments when he was in his early 20s.  Since then he had suffered with tons of pain all throughout his body and even had one leg shorter than the other.  So me being me, I felt led to share with him some of the awesome miracles that I had seen take place concerning legs growing out and asked him if I could pray for his healing after our shift was finished that night, and to my surprise he said, “Yes!”

So after we had finished cleaning, we walked out to the lobby where I asked him to sit in a chair and hold his legs out so I could see which leg was shorter.  After seeing that the right leg was the shorter of the two, I began to pray and ask the Lord for complete restoration in his legs and that all pain would flee in the name of Jesus.  I asked him on a scale from one to ten how bad his pain level was and he answered with the number 7. That's when I felt to pray for the fire of the Holy Ghost to come and rest upon his legs and then shortly after that, his healing started to manifest.

Right before my eyes I began to feel something pop in his leg and then realized that it was his right leg growing out and becoming in line with the word of God and even with the left.  He told me that he had felt something shift and I explained to him that it was a touch from the Holy Spirit and that Jesus was taking all his pain away because he loved him. It has been almost two months since he has dealt with any pain, which is amazing and he is now even trying to mend the relationship that he once had with Jesus.

The other crazy part of this whole story is that this was the first of about 9 healings that took place with in a 3 week time span!!!

P.S here is just a short list I made up of all the healings that took place last month.

1. Coworkers leg grew out/wrist healed

2. Customer with carpel tunnel healed

3. Restored hope to Haitian customer

4. Restored hope to two college students

5. Coworkers back pain healed

6. Customer healed of dizzy spells (believing MS to be healed)

7. Coworkers wrist healed

8. Coworkers pain in hands healed

9. Customers back pain healed/pain in foot