Identity

Your past does not define you. But God uses your experiences to equip you with insight and understanding.

Hebrews. 2:18 Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

Who are you?

• But to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right / authority / power / privilege to become a "Child of God". John 1:12
• For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.  Romans 8:14
• The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Romans 8:16

These verses from John and Romans are powerful affirmations of the Christian identity as children of God. They offer the Biblical basis for understanding how believers are integrated into God's family.

1. John 1:12 - highlights the transformative power of receiving Christ. The original Greek word used here, "ἐξουσίαν" (exousian), can be translated as "right," "authority," "power," or "privilege." This emphasizes the profound change in status for those who accept Jesus: from being separated to being granted the divine right to be called children of God. This status is not just a title; it confers the authority and liberty inherent in being part of God’s family.

2. Romans 8:14 - identifies a key characteristic of those who are children of God: they are led by the Spirit of God. This is not just about passive belief but active guidance by the Holy Spirit in daily decisions and actions. Being led by the Spirit indicates a life that is responsive to God’s direction and presence, marking the believer as part of God's family.

3. Romans 8:16 - Here, Paul speaks of the intimate reassurance that the Holy Spirit provides to believers. The Spirit Himself affirms the believer's identity as God's child, which is a deep spiritual experience of assurance that transcends external proof. This internal testimony is crucial for personal faith and identity, confirming the believer’s status in a way that is both personal and profound.

Together, these verses affirm the standing of believers as children of God and outline the dynamics of this relationship: it’s received through faith in Christ, evidenced by following the Holy Spirit’s leading, and confirmed by the Spirit’s testimony within us. This understanding can be a central theme in understanding your relationship with God, as it encapsulates the transition from knowing about God to experiencing His reality and guidance in your life.

The New Testament provides several passages reinforcing the concept of being a Child of God. The idea of being "Born Again" and evidencing believers as children of God. Here are some significant scriptures that further explore these themes:

1. John 3:3-7  Jesus Himself introduces the concept of being "born again" in His conversation with Nicodemus. He explains that no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again, emphasizing the necessity of being born of water and the Spirit. This spiritual rebirth is distinct from physical birth and is essential for entering God’s Kingdom.

2. 1 Peter 1:23  Peter talks about being born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. This passage highlights the role of God’s word as a living force that brings about spiritual rebirth, transforming believers into new creations.

3. Galatians 3:26-27  Paul explains that through faith in Christ Jesus, all believers are children of God. He elaborates that those who have been baptized into Christ have clothed themselves with Christ, signifying their new identity and status as God’s children.

4. 1 John 3:1-2  John marvels at the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God—and that is what we are. This passage not only affirms the identity of believers as children of God but also reflects on the profound nature of divine love that makes this relationship possible.

5. 1 John 5:1  John states that everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. This highlights belief in Jesus as the Christ as the essential criterion for being considered born of God, linking doctrinal affirmation with spiritual rebirth.

6. Ephesians 1:13-14  In this passage, Paul speaks about believers being marked with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession. The presence of the Spirit is a marker of divine ownership and a child’s status in God’s family.

These scriptures collectively illustrate the multifaceted biblical understanding of being born again and the assurance of being a child of God, which involves spiritual rebirth, faith in Christ, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and transformation through God’s word. These foundational truths can be powerful points of reference in understanding your journey as a "Child of the King."

Repentance?

What do change, growth and overcoming have to do with repentance?

• Add to your faith 
• 2 Peter 1:5-8 (NIV) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.
• Fruit of the Spirit 
• Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

God's Strategic Will?

You "Are", so "Be" and you'll "Do"!

Who are you in Christ?

How does "Authority" and how does "Discernment" fit in with God's Strategic Will for you?

Repentance for the Born again believer?

Re-engaging with God's perspective by aligning with His Heart and Mind.

In Prayer! In His Presence! I go to Him for the big things I think are important. They are! BUT, He speaks to me about the small steps. The little things that are weighty. Steps of obedience; essential to the transformation of my mind. And therefore, my actions.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; lean not on your own understanding. Recognize His guiding Voice in everything you are doing. And He will lead you in the way He created you to be!.

where do you put your hope?

Where you put your hope really reveals where you put your trust.

Hope reveals your thoughts for the future. What you trust in is the foundation of your hope. Are your thoughts based in the reality of your situation. I mean a clear understanding. Or are they based in wishful thinking?

If the foundation of your hope is sinking sand and not the "Solid Rock", then your hope is based on lies and delusions of who you "think" you are.

Jesus says I see you!

We all want to be noticed, recognized, and known. 

 There is overwhelming joy in knowing that Jesus sees me and knows me. Because I know He loves me despite my failings. A sovereign joy because I believe His promises to me. They are a sure foundation for my future. This is why I delight in His corrective chastisement as He guides me in the call and plan He created me to fulfill. 

John 10:27 "My sheep hear My voice, I know them, and they follow Me.

There is no Joy outside of God's sovereign Will.

https://www.randolphbrown.com/2014/11/known.html

STRENGTH & POWER = Blameless?

The Strength of Being Blameless. 

BLAMELESS:  /ˈblāmlis/

adjective:    innocent of wrongdoing.

Knowing no accusation is true. Being free of guilt. Allows the possibility of being regret-free.

Caution

Guilt is a function of the spirit. You can "reason" away your sin (the mind), but guilt remains.

2 Chronicles 16:9 (RSV)   For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show his might on behalf of those whose heart is blameless toward him.

2 Samuel:23-25 (RSV)      For all his ordinances were before me, and from his statutes, I did not turn aside. 24 I was blameless before him, and I kept myself from guilt. 25 Therefore the Lord has recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight.

Psalm 119:2–3.  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, 3. who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! 

WE CAN ONLY BE BLAMELESS IF AND WHEN WE ARE 

WALKING BY FAITH AND BEING SPIRIT-LED

The Power of Repentance.

metanoia (repentance)

Original Word: μετάνοια, ας, ἡ

Part of Speech: Noun,

Transliteration: metanoia

Phonetic Spelling: (met-an’-oy-ah)

Short Definition: repentance, a change of mind

Definition: repentance, a change of mind, change in the inner man.

Here is the verb form:

metanoeó: to change one’s mind or purpose

Original Word: μετανοέω

Part of Speech: Verb

Transliteration: metanoeó

Phonetic Spelling: (met-an-o-eh’-o)

• Short Definition: I repent, change my mind, change my ways
• Definition: I repent, change my mind, change the inner man (particularly with reference to acceptance of the will of God), repent.

REPENTANCE: Acknowledging the accusation and accepting responsibility, with (Godly) sorrow that leads to a desire for forgiveness and reconciliation/restoration of relationship.

accusation. [ak-yoo-zey-shuh n] noun.  1. a charge of wrongdoing; imputation of guilt or blame.

2 Corinthians 7:9 (ASV)   I now rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye were made sorry unto repentance; for ye were made sorry after a godly sort, that ye might suffer loss by us in nothing. 10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

Adam and Eve in the garden

1 John 1: 5-6 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in Him, there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.  8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

potential

1. The inherent ability or capacity for growth, development, or coming into being.
2. Something possessing the capacity for growth or development.

WHEN WE THINK ABOUT OUR IDENTITY, it is important to understand that God sees us from a perspective of our potential. He knows who He created us to be.

It is this potential that is the foundation of His love, commitment, long-suffering, and hope for us.

With insight and understanding of our God-given potential, He rebukes, chastises, encourages, and disciplines us with exhortations of humility, honesty, and demonstrations of unconditional love.

He calls us to be over-comers, blameless, willing to admit our mistakes, and dependent on His guidance. Willing to serve His purposes. In this light, we should make our decisions! When seeking God’s Will, we shouldn’t be asking what God wants us to do. We should be asking who God wants me to be. It is then He will show us who we are.

Patterns of behavior.

Identity, Self-conception, interpretation, and a unique perspective.

Patterns of behavior are a result of who we perceive ourselves to be, our sense of identity. Our conception of self is derived from how we interpret our unique perspective that exists in the now but choice gives us the ability to break patterns of behavior.

Stop relying on your memory and reason alone. Embrace the Lover of your Soul's guidance. Discover who He created you to be, and overcome the lies that have led to destructive habits.

John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. 

John 8:31 Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Your Full Potential?

Who am I? Why am I here? What's the point? Does anything matter?

The simple answer is... Yes you matter, you can make a difference, and you are here to be who God created you to be..

Your full potential is "only" found/discovered/obtained when you understand Proverbs Chapter 3 verses 5 and 6...

5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

6. In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will direct your paths.

Discerning my thoughts? Competing Voices!

Take every thought captive to the Lordship of Christ. WHY?

Because discerning my thoughts requires I understand that my mind is not a vault (Safe and secure from anyone else) where I bang around my thoughts and try to make sense of my life. But it is a "doorway" to the spiritual realm.

It's important to understand that I can be confused by "spiritual voices" because I think they are "my thoughts". But these voices originate in the spiritual realm from two sources. One voice, that "condemns" or "exalts",  and wants to lead me to destruction. And another voice that is the "Lover of my soul", that knows me intimately and wants to lead me in the way to "become" all that He created me to be.

OVERCOMER comes to mind. That is certainly God's "Will" for you! For all of us.

Prayer?

I don't understand intercessory prayer. Isn't God already doing all that He can do?

Then it hit me. Jesus said "I have come to destroy the works of the devil". Intercessory prayer should not be to ask God to do something. It should be to come against the enemy that tries to thwart God's will.

He has given "us" authority to do something. Intercessory prayer is needed to get our marching orders.

What does God want "us" to do?

Practicing the "Present-tense" of God

This is a play on the saying "Practice the Presence of God".

God is in the "present". "Now" is when we hear his voice. Now is when we should pay attention. Now is when He guides us. "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17) makes more sense when we understand we should not trust in what we understood in the past concerning His guidance today.

Prov. 3:5-6 also makes more sense.  "5. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Games in the digital age.

A few years ago, my two sons, Hudson and Harrison invited a few of their friends over to play "video games."

Later in the evening, I went into the front room to see how things were going.

I was surprised to see only one of Harrison's friends in the room, Jacob.

Hudson was on the desktop computer with a headset and microphone. Talking to a number of online players that he was teamed up with as they battled another team on a multiplayer internet game.

Harrison had a PlayStation handset and was conversing with his teammates via his iPad as they battled on the big screen tv connected to the PS1 network.

I asked Jacob why he enjoyed playing these online games. He said "because I like overcoming obstacles, winning the battle, and discovering more of what the game has in store. I can be more than just me." 

Don't we all like feeling victorious? Feeling and "being" are two different things

Today I came across this...

http://www.psychologicalscience.org/index.php/news/releases/getting-to-the-heart-of-the-appeal-of-videogames.html

It is interesting what the Lord said to me 8 months ago...

  http://www.randolphbrown.com/2015/12/vicarious-generation-that-been-occupied.html

Is Wisdom "Acquired"?

Experience provides the opportunity for Knowledge to be gathered. Wisdom is the "state of mind" that gives one the potential for insight, discernment, good judgement and Understanding. This state of mind has its beginning in humility and is cultivated by a teachable heart.

Prov. 9:9 "if you correct a wise man, he will become all the wiser."

James 3:13-18 "Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

John 14: 26 “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Vicarious!

A generation that is being occupied and distracted from their own need to be overcomers.

http://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/vicariously

"Vicariously is the adverb form of the word vicarious, which also involves experiencing something through another person. The Latin influence is the word vicarius, which means “substitute.” If you experience something vicariously, in a sense you’re a substitute who’s getting something secondhand.

If you’re living vicariously, stop it. Get out and live life for yourself. Vicariously means that you’re experiencing something indirectly, like when your friend's adventure feels like your own."

The "Good News" to this generation...

You are "Significant"! Turn (repent) from the path of self-actualization/reliance.

Quit trusting in what you think you know and turn to the one who knows you. He will guide you in the way that you should proceed.   Prov. 3: 5-6

And don't forget to do good.

Being. Continue to be. AKA: True Identity

The more you get to know God, the more you learn about yourself. And the more you are able to dependently (relationship) walk in your true identity. Doing those things that He has before ordained that you should do.

You are, so "be". And you will do. This is the place of true Joy!

“Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel have I found such faith.

Matthew 8:8–10
8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof, but only say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my servant, 3 ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this, he marveled and said to those who followed him, “Truly, I tell you, with no one in Israel 4 have I found such faith.

Battle of the minds.

Have you ever considered your thoughts? Do you ever think about your thoughts? Why are your thoughts like having a conversation?  Have you ever argued with yourself?

Your thoughts are an integral part of your life. They reside in the realm of your mind. Every choice and every decision you make is a result of the "thought processes" that go on within your mind. The Bible says "as a man thinks in his heart so is he."

What you believe has everything to do with what you think. What you think will be revealed in what you say and what you do. These choices and decisions have their consequence, good or bad! They become unalterable facts in the gist of your life. Will they be lessons for you today?

So what you believe affects what you think, what you think affects your decisions and choices, which creates unalterable facts about you.

This all takes place in your mind. A battleground of competing thoughts, where a conversation is carried on and sometimes even arguments happen.

How do you explain it all? VOICES?