Category: Identity in Christ

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Did Jesus really mean Matthew 5:43? (Practical ways to love your neighbor!)

I’m practically convinced that the Great Commission could have already been fulfilled IF the church had obeyed the second greatest commandment. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 5:43) What can this look like in our lives?

Loving your neighbor as yourself means you share your faith.
Loving your neighbor as yourself means build others up with your words.
Loving others as yourself means you choose people over wealth.
Loving your neighbor as yourself means you pray for people.
Loving your neighbor as yourself means you forgive others.
Loving your neighbor as yourself means you sacrifice your rights.
Loving your neighbor as yourself means you take the lowest chair.

This list can be endless as we seek to integrate and “incarnate” the person of Christ into the world. We integrate the person of Christ into our everyday life by seeing every person as God sees them. Each person is made in the image of God. Jesus reminds me constantly to view each person important and worthy of Spirit-fillled kindness. We “incarnate” by walking in our identity as ambassadors for Christ and reminding ourselves that we represent Jesus to a broken world. If people won’t read the Bible or go to church, you may very well be the ONLY reflection of Jesus they ever see.
Jesus knew what He called us to was (and is!) impossible. “Nice” is not necessarily Christian. Anyone can be “nice”. But, only God’s people can love supernaturally. God desires each person to love people like He does. He initiates, He blesses, and He forgives over and over. He’s the catch-you can’t just decide to love people. You have to get on your knees (metaphorically and maybe literally) to ask God to put His love into you. Then and only then, can a God-empowered love for the world be activated. You need Him to reflect Him. God never gives commands without the promise of His Spirit. I’m praying this is the generation of Christians who not satisfied with nice. I’m praying this generation will allow God to have full access to our hearts so He can love His world through us.

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Room for a New View

An issue ALL women can agree on is our corporate struggle with  identity! How do we stay secure in WHO we are and not live in the constantly-changing world view of beauty? As always,  we have to recognize first IT’S A SPIRITUAL ISSUE.   

1. Our View of God- The challenge is always “Do I believe what the Bible says about God’s Identity or what the world says? Do I believe my ever-changing feelings or what the strong wall of His Word says? These are the questions we women ask ourselves when we struggle. All of us want ideas that work. One of my favorite ideas (that  help!) is called “replacement thinking”. We write out 2-3 verses about WHO God is . (Isaiah 40, Ephesians 1, and Colossians 1 are POWER-packed!) I love to tape verses to your mirror, print out Bible verses on a card to put in my car. We can put the Word in places where we have to see it! I promise, you’ll gradually read it, speak it, and believe it. When the enemy of our souls (who often works through the lies of the world) whispers, “You are not enough! You are not lovable! You’ll never have victory!”, we push back with the unchanging WORD.

2. Our View of ourselves  I love hanging out with younger gals and listen to them chat about fashion! Sure enough, if I go back 15..er…20 years, we all wore the same things! (Remind me to just keep all of my Old Navy clothes!) I’ve lived denim overalls, black chunky shoes, smoky eyeshadow, high-waist jeans (formerly know as “mom jeans”) BIG hair, flat hair..and (I admit it!) crimped hair! You too? In a world where fashion changes in a New York minute, how will I choose to to stay secure in me? What is a healthy “taking care of ourselves” and when does it turn to obsession or vanity? I have to  step outside my emotions and check my thinking with honest questions.

“Why do I feel I need to look like that?”

“Why do I feel I need to buy that to be happy?”

“What am I watching or listening to that feeds my insecurity?”

Half of our battle will always be recognizing our thoughts for what they are (truth or lie) and placing the Word of God right alongside it! Let’s read truth (The book of John), receive truth by faith (The book of Colossians), and perceive truth (The book of Ephesians).

Isn’t it amazing that Jesus cares about defeating evil in the world  AND our personal insecurities? We have no idea how very deep His heart is for daughters. He loves us so very fully and we are chosen to reflect His beauty!

Tristie Fisher

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How to accept yourself

There are two creatures that amaze me-the caterpillar and the butterfly. In a sense, they are both butterflies.  I once read a quote said, “Nobody looks at a butterfly and says ,”Hey, look at that converted worm!” Reality says the butterfly has been utterly transformed.  From dull gray to delicate yellow. Is there any creature that reflects our identity as believers in Christ? Death to life. Peasant to princess.
Adjust our vision, Lord.
If we have are believers in Jesus, we know (but struggle to believe) that God HAS a life planned for us. The life He longs to gives is new beauty, not former shame.

It’s not even a makeover! It’s a MAKE NEW!
Proud? He can give us His humility and security.
Vain? He can give us His beauty and peace.
Weak? He can give us resurrection strength.

Every day, I have to have to answer the question “Will I accept myself?”  If you are a human, you will instinctively see the slimy caterpillar as your “mini-me”. You will think of yourself as only suited for the ground. You feel like you are a creature meant for lowly living-primarily in the dark.
Ask Jesus to help you see the truth of your new identity. He does not see you as a worm!
Picture the old chrysallis husk cracking open and falling off. This is your past. Maybe yesterday?
Now, imagine our wings. Our wings are light and free, yet strangely out of proportion! Our remake reflects God’s design for us.
I have always loved butterflies and never knew why. I think it’s because they are transformed beyond imagination. They seem secure and quietly content in their new form. I want to live like that-my function being reflected by my form!
Believe truth and look up to your heavenly stylist. The strength of His smile shines on you. Open your wings!
Now fly because you can.