Tag Archive for: Character

Keep Your Identity in Christ

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But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—who were born, not of blood [natural conception], nor of the will of the flesh [physical impulse], nor of the will of man [that of a natural father], but of God [that is, a divine and supernatural birth—they are born of God—spiritually transformed, renewed, sanctified]. (John 1:12-13, AMP)

I think one of the top two greatest secrets to a joy-filled life is keeping your identity in Christ. If I place my identity in anything but Christ I will be disappointed. Everything else will cause me to lose my joy at some point in time.

  • If I put my identity in what I do, I’ll lose joy when I’m called to do something new.
  • If I put my identity in what I look like, I’ll lose my joy when my looks change.
  • If I put my identity in my children, I’ll lose joy when they do something that I don’t agree with or when they leave home.
  • If I put my identity in my performance, I’ll lose joy when I’m not performing well.
  • If I put my identity in how much money I can make, I’ll lose joy when that money ceases to bring me satisfaction.
  • If I put my identity in my achievements, my joy will flee when I’m not getting recognition for a new achievement.
  • If I put my identity in my marriage, my joy will disappear when my spouse says something hurtful.
  • If I put my identity in my church, I’ll lose my joy when someone in the church hurts me.
  • The only thing that brings a steadfast joy in this life is having a sole identity in Christ.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)

He is the only thing that doesn’t change. My stuff will get old. There will be a day my children move out. There will come a time when my achievements have just collected dust. Nothing on this earth lasts forever.

In fact, I’ve noticed the times when I let the cares of this world occupy my heart. I’ve noticed when I’ve displaced Jesus and given over the throne of my heart to things going on around me. Those things tend to choke out my joy. I must always leave Christ on the throne of my heart, not my concerns, not my worries, not my anxieties, and not my expectations. I must become less so that Christ can become more in me.

Dear Father God, Please help me to identify where I have placed my identity in anything but Christ. Please help me to see where I have let other things occupy the throne of my heart. I surrender. Lord, my joy is only found in Jesus! May I live to serve You alone and become more Christlike with every passing day as I find my identity in the only One who will never change!

Blossoms of Surrender

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For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”(2 Peter 1:5-9)

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Captive for Christ

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 My newest book Victorious Mindset will be coming out this week.  The official release date is April 14th.  To celebrate this new book release, I would like to share a few devotionals from the book.  This book is a 30 day devotional sharing how to have a mind set on Christ and be victorious over the things that we face in life.  The Victorious Living Collection would not be complete without sharing how to have a mind set on Christ.  I continue to enjoy this series of books so much and am so appreciative to God for giving me each book to write.  Thank you God!  I pray that these books will bring You glory and lift the name of Jesus high!

Captive for Christ

[Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away cap- tive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). 2 Corinthians 10:5 (amp)

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Thought Inventory

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But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’  (1 Peter 1:15-1)

What’s God doing in your life?

Take a moment to reflect back on the week.  How was God faithful to you this last week?  Did you see Him come through for you?  Is there something new that you learned this last week?  I would love to hear about it!  Drop me a line!

This last week, one thing that God has really placed on my heart is a need to do a little spring cleaning.  I know it’s early, but when I tell you where the cleaning is going to begin…I think you will understand.  I’m going to do a little spring cleaning in the branches of my mind.  I’m sure that sounds comical in some ways.  But honestly, I really want my thoughts to reflect Christ.  I know I can do a lot better than I have done, so I’m going to take the necessary action to do so.  Your welcome to join me! Read more

Delightful Wisdom ~ Psalm 119 Part 4

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You rebuke the proud and arrogant, the accursed ones, who err and wander from Your commandments.  Take away from me reproach and contempt, for I keep Your testimonies.  Princes also sat and talked against me, but Your servant meditated on Your statutes.  Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors. (Psalm 119:21-24, AMP)

Getting back to the heart of Psalm 119.  The test yesterday was ugly from a human perspective, but as I watched God turn things around all I could do was smile.  God was winning!  He always wins!  He is VICTORIOUS!  Whenever you doubt this and think someone or something is going to get the best of you, go to the Word of God and find the many times that God has been faithful to those who walk righteously before Him.  He does not leave us defenseless.  He always comes through for us!  Even in this part of Psalm 119, I can see that God’s timing is perfect.

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