OUR IDENTITY IS IN JESUS
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. “Once you had no identity as a people; now you are God’s people. Once you received no mercy; now you have received God’s mercy.”
1 Peter 2:9-10 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
One man said that trying to get you self-identity from any external source is like trying to fill up a lake with a Dixie cup—it is just never enough. Yet, most people lean on external things to determine their self-identity. We live in a world of social media where comparisons are made daily about our self-worth. Sometimes we base our value on the number of friends, likes, or comments. This can lead to a roller coaster of emotions based on someone else’s comments. As followers of Jesus Christ we are called to a different level of living. Our identity is in Jesus. We are children of God. We have been chosen to be part of God’s family. The Creator of the universe has created us. He uniquely formed us with a purpose. God lives in us through the person of the Holy Spirit. We are Spirit-filled children of God. Created by God to do good works. He has declared that we are more than conquerors. We are over-comers. We have great value because we are His masterpiece. It is so easy to slip into the cultural value system. We must be intentional at fighting social pressure while pursuing the person God has created us to be. When we have the proper source for our self-worth it will increase our ability to be patient when life is not going the way we would like. If our self-image is properly formed, then the ups and downs of life don’t shake our faith. We can ride through the storms of life knowing that God is in control, and He will bring us out on the other side.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit please help me to be the person You created me to be. Help me to draw my identity and value from You. Forgive me for trying to please others at the expense of displeasing You. Help me to be willing to wait patiently during the tough times.
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