Know who you are in Christ!!

I recently had a conversation with someone where, going into it, I thought that we were on the “same ground,” so to speak.  I soon found out that this wasn’t the case.

 

I’m writing about this, not to condemn or put down anyone, but rather to share what I have experienced so that others don’t get caught in a snare of the enemy, which is something that could have easily happened to me in this situation.

 

All in all, I have to say that this is not a situation that I will knowingly repeat.  Although there was some good that came from it, overall, I believe it was an attempted snare of the enemy to bring me down mentally and emotionally to attempt to keep me from moving forward with the Lord.  As #JoyceMeyer says: “New level, new devil!”  #Truth

 

In a nut shell, while sharing what the Lord has done in my life.  In one sentence that took merely seconds to speak, this person, had I believed what they said and allowed it, could have wiped out the true meaning of the past 8-10 years of my life. What I mean by that, is that had I not known who I am in Christ, I could have received the words that this person spoke over me and made the decision that I was no good and the past decade of my life I was a complete failure. Now, that being said, yes, the past decade has been extremely challenging.  However, I can see God’s purpose and training in every trial that has come my way.  I was told that I wasn’t praying effectively and that I brought all of the trouble on myself because I allowed it to happen.  Nope!!  Not sorry and not gonna receive that.  Am I perfect? Absolutely not.  Did I bring all of this on myself?  No, not in the least.  Could I have handled some situations better?  Possibly, in some situations.  But, I know now that I could have. Where, in the midst of the situation, I did the best that I knew.  It’s called training.  God is training me to fully and completely be who He created me to be. And, quite honestly, I’m not going to beat myself up for mistakes that I have made in training.  God doesn’t beat me up over it, so why should I beat myself up?  Does God correct me?  Yes, but He never beats us up.

 

There are certain spirits that I’ve sensed about the geographic area that I live in for a long time now.  I have wondered what it was / they were and about a year ago, the Lord revealed it, or at least part of it, to me in a dream.  Not only did He show me what it was, He showed me that He has used it for my good. Romans 8:28  He has used it to train me…my “college” …Holy Spirit U. My years haven’t been wasted years.  They have been training years and He has used incredible opposition to shape me, mold me, train me, strengthen me, stretch my faith and trust in Him.  He has used this situation, as well, to allow me to see just how far He’s brought me from only having an idea of who I am in Christ to knowing who I am in Him.

 

Do you know who you are in Christ?  The definition of know: have developed a relationship with (someone) through meeting and spending time with them; be familiar or friendly with. You see because I spend time with the Lord, not on a regular basis, but as a lifestyle, I have come to know Him.  I know that He is with me always, whether I feel or sense Him or not.  When I sin, I repent immediately and ask Him to help me.  Because I abide in Him, I have come to know who I am in Him, therefore, allowing me to see or know when something or someone is speaking something that doesn’t line up with the Word of God.  Now, am I saying that I have “arrived” and have nothing more to learn in this area?  No, not at all.  What I’m saying is that I know who I am in Christ at this moment of my life and I believe that as long as I continue the lifestyle of walking daily, actually, every moment of my life being led by the Holy Spirit, He will continue to grow me in all areas of life. Romans 3:12-14

 

So, as a Follower of Christ, I encourage you to strive to know who you are in Christ if you don’t already.  Ask Him to show you who you are in Him.  He is faithful and will show you in His own way and His own timing. 1 Corinthians 1:9  Be diligent, patient and alert. Proverbs 13:4

 

As for myself in this situation; I have been praying for this person…praying peace, love, joy and prosperity.  Matthew 5:44   Remember, it’s not flesh and blood that we contend with, but principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness of this age.  Ephesians 6:12  I have examined myself in the situation, allowed God to show me anything that I do need to change about myself, because there is always room for improvement,  and am acting accordingly.

 

Know who you are in Christ!! 

Don't let others fit you into their...

No one but you knows what you are called to do.  Don’t let others fit you into their mold of what they think you should do.  Be the you that God created you to be.

Several years ago, I was a pretty insecure person.  I worried about what others said and thought about me…I was a people pleaser.  That behavior is all that I knew…from childhood well into my adult life as well!   

Anyway, years ago when I was a kid, I remember that I loved to sing and even tryed to write songs…music has always done it for me!  One day I heard a couple of girls singing and I said to a close relative that I could sing as well as them.  This person laughed and said, “Oh no you can’t.”  I cannot begin to tell you how many years those words affected me…because I believed them!  After that, I never even considered singing aloud for others until I was well into my twenties.  It’s true!

One day, I remembered that situation.  I realized then, just how much I had let those four little words affect my life.  I made a decision that I would no longer let someone fit me into their mold of what they thought I was capable of doing.  NO MORE!  No one but God and myself know what He has called me to do.  (Of course I only know the details on a “need to know” basis.)  I will not let the opinions of others rule my life.  That was one of the best decisions that I could have ever made.

If we aren’t secure in who God has created us to be, how can we ever be fully effective within the Body o f Christ?  When you’re on a mission, so to speak, and you know that God has called you to do it, don’t let anyone stop you.  Keep your eyes on the Lord.  Don’t look to the right or the left.  God will see you through to the end!  

 

There's No Need To Feel...

There’s no need to feel insecure or intimidated by someone else’s God given gift.  You have your place within the Body of Christ and they have theirs.  Be secure in who God has created you to be.

Really…it’s a matter of being secure in who you are in Christ.  If you aren’t secure in who you are, you will, no doubt, be insecure, causing you to be intimidated of others…which is totally not needed.

God created each of us with a specific gift in mind.  It’s up to us to get with God, search our hearts and be led by the Spirit to determine what that gifting is and then live it out.  It’s a matter of drawing near to God, knowing who he is and allowing Him to work in us and through us to bring our purpose to fruition.  

The beauty of this is that we will naturally be totally satisfied with what it is that He’s called us to do, simply because that’s how He created us.  It really is that simple.

So, there’s no need to look at “so-and-so” and be jealous because they’re doing something that you wish you could do.  Or…when you’re doing something and someone else comes along who can do your job better and faster than you, there’s no need to be intimidated.  The question is:  Are you doing what God has asked you to do?  If the answer is “yes”…then don’t worry about it…keep doing what you’re doing.  But, if the answer is “no”…then take steps to find your gifting.  The Lord will show you.  All you have to do is ask, trust and believe.

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

There’s absolutely no room in the Kingdom of God for jealously, intimidation or insecurity…that’s not His way.  He’s made a way for each and every one of us.  It’s up to us to tap into what He has already provided.  Remember…if He did it for ________, He’ll do it for you.  And if that’s not His will for you, then He definitely has something better planned.  He’s just that amazing!!