I have to be honest in this post and tell you that even though I wrote about the first seven declarations of my God-Given Identity last week, it was a rough week! This is what Satan does when you are obedient, he comes in to steal your identity and tries to get you to forget who you really are. I was unmotivated all last week, and though I only missed one of my work out days, I had to really push myself to do the work outs. And, not only was my motivation off, I was eating all kinds of bad things, things that I knew were not serving my body nor fueling it! And, I felt awful! Tummy aches, headaches, and feeling completely drained were the consequences of those choices.

I am so grateful for God’s grace! I’m thankful for friends that sense something is wrong, and connect with you. I had a dear friend do just that at the end of last week. She reached out and listened to my struggles, but she did not let me stay there. She asked me what the deeper issues were, and then she had me recall truth. And, it was HARD to think of any! Satan had drowned out all of the truth that I so desperately needed with his lies. Lies that made me feel it wasn’t worth the struggle, maybe I should give up (like I have so many times before). Lies that I am not really called to share my story. Lies that I’ll never reach my goals, so what’s the point in continuing to try. But, because this dear friend wouldn’t let me stay there, I was able to recall the Lord’s truth, and know that though this journey is going to be hard some days, I will make it through, I will continue to get back up when I’ve made some wrong choices, I will not give up, and I will reach my goals. And, most importantly, I will tell my story of the freedom that Jesus gives! I will tell how He’s redeeming my days. He’s helping me renew my mind to the truth, and helping me walk in that truth.

So, here are the next seven truths of our God-Given Identities:

I AM UNOFFENDABLE BECAUSE OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS.

(1 Peter 1:3-7, Ezekiel 36:26, Ephesians 4:26 & 32)

He is my living hope! He will bless me with an inheritance that will never expire. He gives me a shield to protect me through faith. And, through trials I can rejoice because I know through them He is refining me so that I may prove the genuineness of my faith. He is making me new with a new heart. I will not become bitter when angry, I will be kind and compassionate. I will forgive because He has forgiven me.

I’M EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.

(Ephesians 2:10, 2 Timothy 3:10-17, Hebrews 13:20-21)

I am the handiwork of God and He planned good works for me to complete before I even knew them. I must have godly character; which is my purpose. I must keep learning and living the truth of the Scriptures. He is equipping me and training me for every good work. I must do His will and in the process I will bring Him glory.

I AM FORGIVEN AND FREE.

(Matthew 6:9-15, John 10:1-10, Isaiah 6:1-7)

Jesus is personal. He is all about relationship, truly knowing Him as He knows me. He desires to give me freedom and peace. Satan is only working to steal, kill and destroy. Jesus gives life abundantly. Through God’s holiness we are humbled, but because of His grace and purification by fire, our sins are forgiven and guilt taken away! What a gift! I am free!

I AM AN AGENT OF CHANGE.

(Jeremiah 29:4-7, 1 Samuel 17, 2 Timothy 2:19-26)

It gives me hope that I will be an agent of change! That we will build, plant and eat, grow in our family, and prosper. And, that I will be able to face the giants in my life because the battle is the Lord’s! He also has given me a noble purpose, that when I leave the ignoble behind, He will help me be useful for the Master – doing His work. Pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace with a pure heart.

I AM AN INFLUENCER, NOT THE INFLUENCED.

(Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Peter 2:11-17, John 8:2-11)

My mind must remain on things above, not my current circumstances or things of the world. My life is hidden in Christ! Sinful desires war against my soul. The way I live, people see, and I want my life to point others to Jesus so He gets the glory. By doing good, I will silence the talk of evil men. Live free, but don’t use freedom to cover sin. Live as servants of God. Yet, remain humble and do not judge, show grace and forgiveness as Jesus does.

I HAVE A SOUND AND CLEAR MIND.

(2 Timothy 1:7, Romans 12:1-2, Philippians 4:8)

I have no reason for fear. Because of Christ in me, I have power, love, and self-discipline. My body is a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. I am worshipping God with my body. I am no longer bound by the things of the world because my mind is being transformed and renewed! I am living out His perfect will. My mind is set on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy.

I’M A LOVER OF GOD AND A LOVER OF PEOPLE.

(Mark 12:28-34, Leviticus 9:9-18, Deuteronomy 6:4-9)

I am to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength with all that I am. I am also to love my neighbor as my self. These are more important than checklists and sacrifice. I am to allow God’s spirit to continually indwell me and to change me. My heart and thoughts and actions must match. And, I must impress what He is doing in me to my family and world. They should all see living proof of my loving God.

We must not forget truth, even in the midst of a storm, and that is sometimes not an easy task, as I discovered this past week! Be alert, because the devil is prowling around looking for someone to devour. Don’t let it be you!

Love you all!

Dena