#indentityinchrist

 Friday: In Jesus I am a Conqueror Read: 1 John 4:4 SOAP: 1 John 4:4 “You are from God, little children, and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” Through our time together in this study on identity, we have learned that who we are is not about anything we have done, but who God is and what He has done for us. When our identity is wrapped up in our location, vocation, or circumstances, we will be disappointed and discouraged when those things change. When we lean into an identity that is rooted firmly in who God says we are and what Jesus has done for us, what happens around us will not change or challenge our joy and peace. The apostle John’s letter to the early church was intended to remind believers of Jesus’ true nature: fully God and fully human. False teachers had started to pop up, denying Jesus was the Messiah. First John encouraged us that we have already overcome these false teachers because the Holy Spirit is within us, helping us discern and conquer false teaching. First John 4:4 reminds us of our identity as children of God. As God’s children, we have been equipped with the Holy Spirit and unified with Christ. In Jesus we are: a new creation, forgiven, righteous, delivered, sealed, redeemed, saved, free, loved, received, adopted, chosen, known, intentionally made, blessed, equipped, and empowered. Our citizenship is in heaven with all of God’s children and our identity offers unity with a community of believers—a gift far greater than the individualism and competition of the world. You are who God says you are. You are His. Prayer: God, there are so many loud voices that try to pull me away from the truth of Your Word and who You say I am. Thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit who helps me identify and conquer the lies so I can lean fully into my identity as a child of God. Amen. #morningdevotional #youversion #indentityinChrist https://www.instagram.com/p/CcXn7T_u6LJ/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Wednesday: In Jesus I am Equipped Read: Ephesians 2:10, 2 Timothy 3:16–17 SOAP: Ephesians 2:10 “For we are his creative work, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we can do them.” Children are wonderfully creative. They can see a pile of cardboard tubes and create telescopes, or turn a stack of blankets into a fort. Paint is meant to be messy, and coloring is best when it goes outside the lines. They look at clouds and see animal shapes and can create entire worlds and endless stories while playing with building blocks. Beauty isn’t found in perfection, but in the experience. As adults, it can be difficult to embrace our creativity. Our past experiences, doubts, and failures keep us from creating something simply for the sake of creating. If we are not able to do it perfectly, we wonder if we should even bother to do it at all. Beauty is found in the celebration and acceptance of what we produce, not in our enjoyment of the experience. In Jesus we are equipped to do good works that God has prepared for us. We have been creatively designed to fulfill the plans and purpose He created specifically for us. What God created is beautiful. We can bring God glory and honor when we embrace who He made us to be and the work He designed for us to do. God will equip us for the work, not because He knows we can do it perfectly, but because we are His creation, masterfully, intentionally, and creatively designed. Prayer: God, thank You for not only creating me, but giving me a purpose and equipping me to do the work You have designed for my life. You are endlessly creative, and I pray this week that I would find a way to create something beautiful, just for You, to honor who You say I am. Amen. #morningdevotional #youversion #indentityinChrist https://www.instagram.com/p/CcSeujyu9ei/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Tuesday: In Jesus I am Blessed Read: Numbers 6:24–26; 2 Corinthians 9:8–10; Ephesians 1:3 SOAP: Ephesians 1:3 “Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.” For many of us, to say we are “blessed” is often used to describe feeling lucky or to be glad we have obtained something we’ve been working toward. We’ll say we’re blessed to be given an opportunity, or we feel blessed a certain situation worked out in our favor. But in Paul’s letter to the early church in Ephesus, the blessing he wrote about had nothing to do with luck and everything to do with the gifts we receive as believers.  God is blessed because He is holy, and it is only through the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit that we are able to be sealed, adopted, redeemed, and chosen. Those are the spiritual blessings we receive. We are also blessed with spiritual gifts and abilities to serve God’s kingdom that flow out of the blessing we receive when we accept Christ as our Savior. As citizens of heaven, created intentionally and fully known by God, our identity is rooted in Whose we are, not who we are. The gifts we receive from God are not by luck or fate or accident, but beautifully and purposefully planned out for our good and His glory. This opening portion of Paul’s letter is considered a doxology, as Paul begins his message by first praising God for what He has done in a format that conveys worship and honor.  In Jesus we are blessed, not because of who we are or what we have done, but because our holy, amazing, wonderful God has chosen to bless us with gifts beyond anything we could ever ask or imagine. Prayer: God, You lavish gifts on Your children that are beyond anything I could ever imagine. May the words I speak, the thoughts I have, and the ways I use my gifts, all bring honor and glory to You as I remember and tell about the amazing things You have done. Amen. #morningdevotional #youversion #indentityinChrist https://www.instagram.com/p/CcP54azOSLR/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Monday: In Jesus I am Intentionally Made Read: Psalm 139:13–18 Psalm 139:13–14 “Certainly you made my mind and heart; you wove me together in my mother’s womb. I will give you thanks because your deeds are awesome and amazing. You knew me thoroughly;” Today’s reading is a continuation of David’s psalm that we read last week when we learned we are known by God. When we are known by Him, we can be certain our lives are not mere coincidence or fate–driven, but that we were created on purpose and for a purpose. Certainly. It’s a word that means without doubt, surely, and carries a feeling of agreement. We can confidently claim that in Jesus we are intentionally made because the Creator of the universe has formed us, knows us, and invites us into a relationship with Him. God made every part of you, not just the visible parts of your body but your feelings, personality, and talents. He carefully and purposefully fit it all together before you were even born, knowing exactly what kind of person you would become.  You are thoroughly and completely known by God. Your identity is secure in Him and your purpose is found in Him. David’s psalm encourages us to respond to this knowledge of our identity with thanksgiving, not because of what we can do but because of what God has done. Who you are, where you are, and what you can do for God’s kingdom is not random or a mistake. You were created with love and intention.  How can your life be a grateful reflection of this truth as you interact with others this week? Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is amazing to me that You carefully and intentionally formed every part of who I am, carefully weaving it all together before I was born. May my life reflect the gratitude I have for all You have done as I work, live, and love with purpose. Amen. #morningdevotional #youversion #indentityinChrist https://www.instagram.com/p/CcNVvzFuUM7/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

Thursday: In Jesus I am a Citizen of Heaven Read: Ephesians 2:19, Philippians 3:20 SOAP: Philippians 3:20 “But our citizenship is in heaven—and we also eagerly await a savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ”  When it comes to our identity, who we are is so much more than our name. We often describe someone by including their age, hair color, the work they do, the language they speak, and the country they’re from. These details help us form a picture in our minds so we can have a shared understanding of who we’re talking about, or to help us more easily identify someone if we’re meeting them for the first time.  Throughout this study we’ve been learning that the identity God gives us is very different from the way the world describes us—and that is good news! God tells us we are His children, chosen, beloved, and forgiven. And when we believe in Jesus as our Savior we are also given a new citizenship in heaven!  The world’s way of defining who we are creates separation and division from one another. It causes us to compare, compete, and think of ourselves more highly than someone else. The identity God gives us is always an invitation to inclusion and unity. When we are part of God’s family, we all get to call heaven our home. His love extends to all of His children, and we are identified not by our accomplishments or success stories, but by the way we love one another.  In Jesus, we are citizens of heaven. We can rely on the hope we have in Him, that He is our Savior and He will come again one day. Until that day comes, when we can be with God for eternity, Paul’s letter to the Philippians encourages us to stand firm in our faith. Hold tightly to who God says you are, live a life that bears good fruit and brings glory to the kingdom of God, and love others well.  Prayer: God, thank You for giving me a fresh start when You forgave my sins, and for giving me a new identity, a new home, and a new hope. I pray my life would be a reflection of the love You have shown me so others might one day be able to claim their forever home in heaven with You. Amen. #morningdevotional #youversion #indentityinChrist https://www.instagram.com/p/CcDWmEXutKg/?utm_medium=tumblr

Tuesday: In Jesus I am a Child of God Read: John 1:12, 1 John 3:1–2 SOAP: John 1:12 “But to all who have received him—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children.”  When was the last time you played pretend or built a fort? Have you had a moment recently to let your imagination run wild, to laugh with your whole body, or make a mess in the name of creativity? Children see the world in an amazing way, as though everything in it is their playground. Items we see as trash become precious art supplies and silly games with no rules bring the loudest giggles.  Children live with open hearts and minds, ready to learn and willing to change. They rely on the adults in their lives to love them, keep them safe, and answer all the questions that come to mind when they should be getting ready for bed.  That’s the relationship we’re invited into when we become part of God’s family. We are His children, and we receive not only the rights and privileges that come with our adoption, but a perfect Father who loves us, protects us, and listens to all of the questions that keep us awake at night. He is big enough to carry the weight of our worries so we can find freedom.  In Jesus, we are called children of God. If your experience with an earthly father makes it hard for you to lean into God the Father, bring all of that hurt and disappointment to Him. Spend time in God’s Word and learn more about who He is and how much He loves you. Look for the small gifts He offers throughout your day and write down the little, ordinary ways He shows up in your life. Our God is unchanging and perfect. He made a place for you in His family—and that was not a mistake. Prayer: God, thank You for calling me Your child and for giving me a safe, perfect, loving place to come with all of my questions and worries. Help me find time to simply be child–like with You, laughing and creating and using my imagination freely and with joy. Amen. #morningdevotional #youversion #indentityinChrist https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb-FLvjuPF3/?utm_medium=tumblr

Monday: In Jesus I am Adopted Read: Ephesians 1:5–6, Colossians 1:12–13 SOAP: Ephesians 1:5 "He did this by predestining us to adoption as his legal heirs through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will.”  Have you ever watched a video of a child learning they’re going to be adopted, or witnessed the celebration of a family when a judge declares their adoption complete? It’s one of the most beautiful, heartwarming moments. Despite the trauma and brokenness the child and their first family experienced, God provided a new way for family, for togetherness to exist. Suddenly a child’s life is changed as they become a permanent, legal, complete member of a family. Adoption tells a child they are wanted, loved, and secure. If you say your identity is “abandoned,” “unwanted,” “ignored,” “overlooked,” or “forgotten,” there is good news—great news, in fact! When we accept Jesus as our Savior we get a new identity as adopted sons and daughters of God. You are chosen. You are wanted. You are known. You are loved. You are secure. No one has the power to undo what God has done. When we are adopted into the family of God we are His, forever. The even better news is, God didn’t wait for us to get our lives together or become perfect people before He decided to offer us the full rights, privileges, and responsibilities of believers. It was decided, in love and in accordance with God’s will, that we would be adopted into His family through Jesus Christ. When was the last time you embraced that identity? Have you come before God in amazement that He would choose you? Have you celebrated the amazing gift you’ve received through Jesus? God loves you so much, there isn’t a “Welcome Home” sign big enough or confetti-filled enough to celebrate when you become part of His family. In Jesus, we are adopted! Prayer: God, it’s overwhelming to know that You were thinking of me and planning a place for me in Your family before I ever knew Jesus. Thank You for the beautiful gift of adoption that You offer so freely. Help me live in a way that honors who You say I am. Amen. #morningdevotional #youversion #indentityinChrist https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb7p7z-OpRl/?utm_medium=tumblr

Friday: In Jesus I am Received Read: Romans 15:7–9 SOAP: Romans 15:7 “Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to God’s glory.” As much as we all crave connection, a big part of our hearts also crave acceptance. An open door is nice, but a personal invitation and a seat saved for us at the table is better. When we feel accepted, we can come as we are, without the masks and without faking “fine.”  In Paul’s letter to the Romans, he encouraged the believers to receive—or accept—one another, the way they had been accepted by Jesus. Jesus receives us into His family already knowing the worst things we’ve ever done, said, or thought. He knows our past, present, and future, and He still makes a place for us with Him in eternity.  The early Roman Christians were struggling to accept other believers who did things a little differently, like the food they ate or the special days they observed. It was in these gray areas that some believers were starting to consider themselves better than others, judging their choices and practices. Paul was very clear in his letter that the only thing that would come out of this type of behavior was division. In Jesus, we are received fully and completely into the family of God. Our differences make up a beautiful tapestry that brings life to the gospel. We are uniquely created in the image and likeness of God to use our gifts and talents to bring glory to God and grow His kingdom. If we are accepted with open arms by God, who are we to pass judgement on one another? We need one another, and our witness to the gospel is hindered when we compete with and judge other believers. In Jesus we are not only received, but called to receive, accept, and support one another with open hearts. Prayer: Heavenly Father, even though I am a sinner who does not deserve Your love, You have chosen me and accepted me into Your family. Give me eyes to see those around me who do not know this acceptance so I can introduce them to You. Give me a heart to extend Your love without judgement. Amen. #morningdevotional #youversion #indentityinChrist https://www.instagram.com/p/Cbz2f9jOpt3/?utm_medium=tumblr