Good Morning!

Tomorrow is Christmas! Can you believe it? I can tell because the days are getting longer now that winter solstice has passed. Everything is going in the right direction!

Yesterday, our Associate Pastor Rich gave a powerful sermon on our identity in Christ. He gave us all cards to be used as affirmation statements. He asked that we read these, out loud, each morning before we begin our day and each night as we wind it down. I have been writing considerably lately regarding sin. I think it is important to go through all this because sin is deceitful. I truly hate it in my life, and the only way for me to conquer it is to study it for what it is. I have experience practicing sin but too little practical experience exterminating it.

Anyway, here are a few of the positive affirmations. Thought you might like to have them for yourself.

I am God’s child. “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,” (John 1:12)

I am Christ’s friend. “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing but I have call you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.” (John 15:15)

I have been justified. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:1)

I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him. “But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.” (1 Cor. 6:17)

I have been bought with a price. I belong to God. “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Cor. 6:19-20)

I am a member of Christ’s body. “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (1 Cor. 12:27)

I am a saint. “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful to Christ Jesus:” (Eph. 1:1)

I have been adopted as God’s child. “he predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will,” (Eph. 1:5)

I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit. “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.” (Eph. 2:18)

I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins. “in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Col. 1:14)

I am complete in Christ. “and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.” (Col. 2:10)

This group was titled “I Am Accepted.” Two others follow, “I Am Secure” and “I Am Significant.” Perhaps I’ll share those with you this week. For now, ponder these things. They are why Jesus came to earth as a baby, which we celebrate tomorrow.

Father, let us ponder these things today. Amen.

Copyright © 2018 Scott Powers