Find Your Identity in Christ

Have you ever been called names? I know I have. Maybe no one's been criticizing you lately. Maybe YOU have been the one putting your own self down.

In Daniel 1, when the Jews are deported to Babylon, one of the first things they do is change the names of Daniel and his friends. Identity theft is a common scam today, but in Daniel's case, they desired to steal their identity and faith in God. They were determined to force them to serve pagan gods.

In a She Reads Truth devotion, I saw this chart that depicts the original name and meaning of their names, as well as what their names were changed to. Below is an excerpt from Raechel Myers on it.

Each of the four Jewish exiles were given names by their fathers which relate with the one, true God. But, as a part of their acculturation—in order to make them forget the God of their fathers—the chief official gave them new names that reject their upbringing and instead savor the idolatry of false gods.

Of course translations of the names will vary slightly from commentary to commentary, but look at the wildly intentional similarities! Matthew Henry says the name changes were intended to “wean them from the [religion of their fathers] and instill [that of their conquerors] into them.”

- Raechel Myers in Daniel via She Reads Truth

Your identity is not based on financial status, your career, your education, your race, your height, your weight, or anything else. Just like we see vividly in Daniel, it is not about what people call you. It's not even about who you call yourself. It is about who you are in Christ.

In Christ, you are forgiven, loved, treasured. You are a child of the King. You are whiter than snow (Is. 1:18, Ps. 51:7). You are healed and made whole (1 Pt. 2:24, Is. 53:5). You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14). You are more than a conqueror in Christ (Rom. 8:37).

In Daniel, it is clear that their name changes did not affect their character or their devotion to God. Their minds are made up that they are going to serve God no matter what the cost. Have you?

Thought for the Day: Decide today to focus on who the King of kings says you are, not the opinions of mere human beings made of dust. 

More than a Conquer in Christ,
Rachel Marie

JESUS IS COMING BACK: Are you ready or will you get left behind?

by Rachel Marie

"But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father."

- Jesus in Mark 13:32 (NIV)

This verse clearly tells us that NO ONE knows the DAY or the HOUR that JESUS is COMING BACK, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but ONLY GOD THE FATHER. What we do know for sure is this: Jesus is definitely coming back. No doubt, whatsoever. It is what the Bible tells us. The day of the LORD will come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:16, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 16:15).

However, we do not know when the LORD's coming will be. So what can we do? We find the answer in verse 33 of Mark chapter 13.

"Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come"

- Jesus in Mark 13:33

We are supposed to "be on guard"! We are supposed to "be alert". We are to be prepared for HIS COMING! Are you ready? Are you living for Jesus? Are you living in a way that is pleasing to Him? Or will you get left behind when Jesus comes to get His people?

We are to seek God daily. Stay in the Word of God (the Bible). Read the Scriptures every day. It is vital to your walk as a Christian. Regardless of how much you know of the Bible or how much you have read, we have to "feed" on the Word. I love the way Kenneth and Gloria Copeland put it once, "Just as the physical body cannot go for days on memory of it's last meal (physical food), your spirit cannot go for days on memory of your spiritual food (last Bible reading, memorized verses, etc.). That's not verbatim, but that is something I read from them once.

If you just don't have that desire yet to feed on the Word daily, ask God to give you "spiritual tastebuds" for His Word (I learned this in a devotional once). Begin reading the Bible daily. First, it will be something you do daily in obedience to God, but as you persevere to keep this time with God, you will begin to crave it and enjoy it thoroughly. You will look forward to it. You will be refreshed by His Word. It will a relaxing learning experience for you. God will meet you there. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

If you have never received Christ, you can do so now. Regardless of you past, you can start over right now. You can give your life to Jesus. "For everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved" (Romans 10:13). This means you make a commitment to serving God through His Son, Jesus Christ.  This means you begin to read His Word. You begin to get to know just who He is (through His Word and as He reveals Himself to you). You strive to live in ways that please Him. The first step though, is just coming to Him. Afterwards, He will help you, show you, and guide you in the way He wants you to live, which is ALWAYS according to what THE BIBLE SAYS! If you are just learning about God, you can begin in the Gospel of John (after Mark, in the New Testament).

Salvation: In the Bible

Here are a couple of things the Bible says about salvation:

That if you CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH, "Jesus is Lord," and BELIEVE IN YOUR HEART that GOD RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, YOU WILL BE SAVED.

- Romans 10:9 (NIV, emphasis, mine)

For it is with your HEART that you BELIEVE and are JUSTIFIED, and it is with YOUR MOUTH that you CONFESS and are saved.

- Romans 10:10 (NIV, emphasis, mine)

Also, as mentioned above EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED (Romans 10:13). Not one, not a few, not some, but EVERYONE who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

"For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people."

- Titus 2:11 (NIV)

The grace of GOD offers salvation to ALL PEOPLE! Jesus is the way the truth, and the life (John 14:6). No one comes to the Father, except through Him (John 14:6, continued). If you would like to give your life to Christ, you can do this:

1) Confess that you are a sinner. Ask for forgiveness of your sins

2) Acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God and came to die on the cross to offer us salvation through Him, as well as healing (John 3:16-17, 1 Peter 2:24)

3) Ask Jesus to come into your heart. Surrender your life to Him.

**Now, begin reading the Bible daily and living according to what the Bible says, as you learn to do so :)

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Back to the return of Jesus Christ, my LORD and Savior! I hope He is yours, too. If He is not yet, He is willing to be, if you just call on His name and surrender your life to Him. No one knows when the LORD is coming back for His people, as pointed out in the verse above. Here is more of the Scripture:

v. 34) "It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with their assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch.

35) Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back---whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. 36) If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. 37) What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' "

- Jesus in Mark 13:34-37 (NIV)

The Day of the LORD

(See 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

According to 1 Thessalonians,

verse 2: "for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night."

verse 3: "While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape."

For those of you who are following Jesus:

verse 4):  "But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5) You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6) So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and SOBER.  9) For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

- 1 Thessalonians 5: 2-6, 9

Those of us who follow Jesus have nothing to fear. The coming of the LORD is soon. Those of us who are followers of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ will go to Heaven with Jesus when He comes to get us :)

Are you ready?

God's Love is All-Consuming, Passionate, and Fulfilling,

Rachel Marie