A national news network recently reported on a man who was released from prison after serving time for a crime he did not commit.  A case of mistaken identity had stolen many of his best years.  And unless you understand who you are before God, Satan will sentence you to a life of worthlessness, fear, and manipulation. Identifying somebody means having the ability to recognize and say exactly who they are; so when you identify with what people say you are versus what God says, you're setting yourself up for problems.  Jesus identified only with God's opinion.  "I know where I came from and where I am going."

People said terrible things about Jesus, yet the Bible says, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone" (Ps 118:22)  Sometimes we're so busy telling people what to do, that we neglect to tell them who they are.  Knowing who you are in Christ gives you the confidence to hold your head high!  Paul says, "In Christ you have been made complete" (Col 2:10)  Complete!  That means you lack nothing!  Once you accept that, you stop feeling like you constantly fall short.  

When you have money in the bank and you need to withdraw it, you don't feel pressured to. That's because you know it's there with your name on it, right? You don't have to struggle to be  right with people when you know you're right with God.  He loves you and has a plan for you; never lose sight of that!  Instead of focusing on people, begin looking to "Jesus the author and finisher of our faith" (Heb 12:2), because you already have His approval!

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