Tag Archives: new creation in Christ

Throughout Scripture, God reminds us that His will for us is to be filled with joy, peace, and wholeness. Often, we find ourselves weighed down by negative words spoken over us, whether by parents, friends, or others who may not realize the power of their words. These words can be like curses, shaping our minds to believe we are less than who God says we are. But God does not call you to live under the weight of such words. Instead, He calls you to shake off the lies and live in the fullness of His promises.

The Bible speaks clearly about the power of words. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21 AMP). Words can either build us up or tear us down. Sadly, when words of discouragement like “You’re dumb,” “You’re ugly,” or “You’ll never amount to anything” are spoken over us, they can create strongholds in our minds that hinder us from stepping into the life God has for us. However, these words do not define who we are. Only God’s truth does.

Shaking Off the Lies

The enemy wants us to believe that we are bound by the words spoken over us. He wants us to feel inadequate, unloved, and hopeless. Yet, the Word of God declares that we are not victims of our past. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]” (2 Corinthians 5:17 AMP). We must recognize that when we are in Christ, we are no longer subject to the curses others may have spoken over us. We are children of God, free and empowered by the Holy Spirit to live out His truth.

Jesus Himself came to set us free. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He has anointed Me to preach the good news to the poor. He has sent Me to announce release (pardon, forgiveness) to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free those who are oppressed (downtrodden, bruised, crushed by tragedy)” (Luke 4:18 AMP). This freedom is not just from sin, but from every form of oppression, including the emotional and mental chains created by the hurtful words of others.

Breaking Free from Abuse

One of the most devastating lies the enemy whispers into the hearts of many women is that they deserve the abuse they are suffering. Whether it is physical, emotional, or verbal abuse, no one is called to endure such pain. Some women trapped in these situations are told by their abusers—or even believe themselves—that they are unworthy of love or that they are at fault. This is a lie from the enemy, designed to keep them bound in cycles of hurt.

God does not desire for anyone to live in fear or in pain. He speaks clearly about the treatment of His beloved children: “For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 AMP). His heart is for healing, restoration, and wholeness, not for abuse or harm.

Abuse, in all its forms, is a violation of God’s design for relationships. Women who suffer in silence, believing they deserve the pain, need to hear the truth: You are loved beyond measure, and you are precious in His sight. In His eyes, you are worthy of dignity, respect, and love.

The Bible speaks directly to the protection of the oppressed. “The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble” (Psalm 9:9 AMP). If you are in a situation where you are being harmed, God is calling you to safety and healing. You do not deserve to be mistreated, and God longs to deliver you from the hands of those who harm you. You are His child, and He will shelter you under His wings.

The Path to Wholeness

God does not call us to settle for brokenness or unhappiness. He calls us to wholeness in Him. “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]” (John 10:10 AMP). This abundant life includes joy, peace, and love. God’s plan for us is not to live burdened by the words of others or trapped in abusive situations. He wants us to live free in His truth, knowing that we are His treasured possession.

A Call to the Lord

For those who have never experienced the love of God, you may have been living under the weight of others’ expectations, lies, or even abuse. But today, God is calling you into His embrace. He offers you a new life—free from the burdens you’ve been carrying, free from the lies you’ve believed. Jesus came to bring you hope, to restore your heart, and to offer you eternal life through faith in Him.

The Bible says, “For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16 AMP). God’s love for you is immense, and He invites you to receive the gift of His salvation through Jesus Christ. You don’t have to live in despair or carry the weight of brokenness any longer. Jesus is calling you to be made whole.

A Prayer for New Life

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, we come before You today, recognizing that we are in need of Your love and grace. There are those here today who have been weighed down by the lies spoken over them, believing they are unworthy of love or happiness. But we know that You offer us freedom in Christ, freedom from the chains of our past, and freedom from the hurtful words that have bound us.

Lord, I pray for those who are not yet believers, those who have not yet known the joy of walking with You. Touch their hearts today. Open their eyes to see that You have only good things in store for them. You have a future of hope, a life of abundance waiting for them. May they turn to You, Lord, and find peace in Your presence.

We pray for those who have been victims of abuse, Lord. Heal their broken hearts. Help them to see that they are precious in Your sight, that they do not deserve the pain they’ve endured. Let them know that You are their refuge, their strong tower in times of trouble.

Father, we thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and to offer us eternal life. I pray now for anyone who is ready to accept Jesus as their Savior: that they would confess their sins, believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord, and receive the gift of new life.

Lord, we know that You call us to live in the joy of Your salvation, and I pray that each person here today would experience that joy, that peace, and that wholeness in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you have prayed this prayer today and invited Jesus into your life, know that God has begun a new work in you. He promises to never leave you nor forsake you, and His plans for you are good. He calls you to a life of joy and fullness in Him.

The Vision

I see the Lord, descending from the heavens, clothed in radiant light, His eyes burning with an indescribable love for His beloved. As He steps into the midst of your pain and burdens, His presence fills the air like the sweetest fragrance, overwhelming every fear and silencing every lie. His voice, like the sound of rushing waters, calls your name with tenderness, saying, “You are Mine, cherished beyond measure.”

He reaches out, and with a gentle touch, every weight falls away. His robe, the train of which fills the earth with His glory, wraps around you, and you are made whole. No longer bound by the lies of the past, you are lifted into the light of His truth. In this moment, you are held by the One who knows you fully and loves you beyond comprehension. He whispers, “You are precious in My sight. I am making all things new.”

Then, with eyes full of joy, He takes your hand, the One who made the heavens and the earth. Together, you begin to dance—every step drawing you deeper into His heart, every movement healing wounds you thought would never fade. As you spin in His embrace, your eyes are opened to a heavenly sight: the angelic hosts surrounding you, majestic and mighty, standing guard with swords of fire. These are the ones He has placed around you to protect and defend you.

In this sacred dance, you realize you are never alone. The Creator of all rejoices over you, and His angels encamp around you. His love shields you, His presence fills you, and you are safe in His arms, cherished for all eternity.

Identity in Christ

September 10, 2024 warren

Beloved, Christianity is not a task to complete, nor a weekly appointment to attend. It is a deep, transformative calling—one that defines who we are at the core. Yet, many of us struggle with treating our faith as a checklist, marking off church attendance and Bible studies as though they were routine obligations. How can we shift from doing Christianity to being followers of Christ? How do we embrace our identity in Christ without overcommitting and burning out?

Finding Your Identity in Christ

When Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come,” he is inviting us to recognize that our entire identity shifts when we belong to Christ. We are no longer defined by our accomplishments, failures, or earthly roles. Instead, we are children of God, created for His purpose. But how do we live this out daily?

Shift from Doing to Being
Our Christian walk must go beyond actions; it must reach into the depths of our heart and become who we are. This happens when we stop striving to do Christian things and instead allow the Spirit of God to transform our character. When prayer, worship, and service are born out of love for Christ, they cease to be tasks on a list and become expressions of our new identity in Him.
Redefine Yourself Around Christ
Embracing our identity in Christ means letting go of the labels the world places on us. As Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” You are a masterpiece designed by God, and He has prepared a unique path for you. By immersing yourself in His Word and seeking His purpose, you begin to live a life shaped by Christ, not by the expectations of the world or even the church.

Counting the Cost of Discipleship

While the Christian life is full of joy and peace, it is also one of surrender and sacrifice. Jesus said in Luke 14:28, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost?” This is a vital part of our walk with Christ. Serving Him is a privilege, but it requires us to balance our commitments, to ensure that we are following His will, not simply overcommitting out of obligation.

In our eagerness to serve, it is easy to take on too much. Church events, ministry roles, and community outreach all offer opportunities to glorify God. But if we are not careful, we risk burnout. We must count the cost of our commitments, ensuring that our energy and time are aligned with God’s purpose.

Working as Unto the Lord

Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” This verse shifts our perspective. Whether we are serving in the church or working at our jobs, our efforts are an offering to God. When we approach our work with this heart of devotion, we guard ourselves against the exhaustion that comes from trying to do too much. Instead, we focus on doing what God has called us to do, and doing it well.

But working as unto the Lord also means recognizing that we are finite. There are times when saying “no” is an act of obedience, allowing us to prioritize time with Christ and protect the sacred relationship He desires with us. A servant’s heart is not measured by how much we do, but by the faithfulness and love with which we do it.

Balancing Commitment and Rest

Beloved, rest is as much a part of our walk with Christ as service. Jesus Himself withdrew to solitary places to pray (Mark 1:35). He taught us not just the value of work but also the importance of retreating into the presence of God to be refreshed and renewed. When we overcommit, we leave little room for this sacred time with the Lord.

There was a season in my life when I said “yes” to every opportunity that arose in the church—leading Bible studies, organizing events, serving in every ministry I could. While I began with a joyful heart, over time, I became exhausted and disconnected from the very One I was trying to serve. I had taken on more than God had asked of me, and I was paying the price.

It was only when I slowed down and repented that I realized God wasn’t asking me to do more for Him; He was asking me to be with Him. He was calling me to a place of intimacy and surrender, where my service flowed out of a heart filled with His presence, not out of a sense of obligation. In counting the cost, I learned the importance of balancing work and rest, ensuring that my identity in Christ was not overshadowed by my busy schedule.

Calling Each Other Higher in Christ

The journey of redefining yourself around Christ is not one we walk alone. As members of the body of Christ, we are called to encourage one another, spurring each other on to greater love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25). But this call must be done with wisdom, mindful that each of us has a unique path and pace.

In your family or church, you may find that not everyone is on board with this idea of finding their identity in Christ. Don’t be discouraged. Lead by example, living authentically in Christ and encouraging others to seek Him in their own time. Speak truth with love, but also allow the Spirit to work in their hearts. Just as Christ is patient with us, so too must we be patient with others.

When we call others higher, let us do so from a place of humility, remembering that Christ calls us to rest in Him and not burn ourselves out. Encourage your brothers and sisters to count the cost, to serve with purpose, and to prioritize intimacy with God over busyness.

Conclusion: Rest in Christ, Serve with Wisdom

To live out your identity in Christ means to count the cost of your discipleship. It means serving with joy and wisdom, working as unto the Lord while also prioritizing time in His presence. Avoid the trap of overcommitting and burning out, remembering that Christ’s yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:30). As you walk this path, you will discover that your life, far from being a series of tasks, is an ongoing expression of the love and purpose God has placed within you.

Let us call each other higher in Christ, but let us do so with hearts that have found rest in Him. For it is not in our doing that we find our identity, but in our being—being children of God, called according to His purpose, resting in His love, and walking in the fullness of who He has created us to be.

A Prayer for Finding Our Identity in Christ

Heavenly Father,
We come before You, knowing that our true identity is found in You. As Your Word says in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” Help us to live out this truth each day, not merely through what we do but in the fullness of who we are in You. We surrender our striving and ask for Your grace to lead us as we seek to walk as new creations.

Lord, we know that You have prepared good works for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10), but we also recognize that You call us to rest in Your presence. Teach us to count the cost of discipleship, as Jesus warned us in Luke 14:28, so we do not overcommit or serve out of obligation. Give us the wisdom to balance our work with the peace and rest You provide, for we know that Your yoke is easy, and Your burden is light (Matthew 11:30).

Father, strengthen us to work as unto You and not for human approval, as Colossians 3:23 reminds us. Let everything we do flow from a heart that seeks to glorify You. Guide us to encourage and call others higher in their walk with Christ, always speaking truth in love and pointing them to the rest and strength that can only be found in You.

May we lay down our plans and surrender our schedules, trusting in Your leading. Anchor us in Your Word, and let Your Spirit guide our every step. Let our lives be a reflection of Your grace and a testimony of the transforming power of Christ. As we serve, may we always abide in the rest and peace that only You can provide.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Psalm 133