Who Am I - I Am a Light

 

[Jesus said] “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:14–16 ESV).

 

The picture I’ve attached (created by ChatGPT) is a very accurate view of the Parker County Courthouse in the center of Weatherford, Texas. While it is not “on a hill,” it can clearly be seen from our house which is about ten miles south of it. Of course, to see the details binoculars are a necessary tool; however, the lights of the courthouse and surrounding buildings are unmistakable from our vantage point. We are located on a bit of a hill that overlooks the city. It is especially beautiful on a clear night.

 

When we are born again in Jesus, by his Spirit, we undergo a transformation. Our spiritual life is changed as we become new creatures in Christ. As new creations, we transition from being self-serving to being self-giving. We radiate the light and life of Jesus wherever we go. In our reading today, Jesus uses a simple yet profound metaphor in “light.” He is illustrating this personal transformation and the new role we take on in our daily living. Light is life-giving. It brings warmth, energy, and clarity to any situation. When Jesus’ power flows through us, we become a catalyst for positive change in our surroundings.

 

This doesn’t mean we are like the sun—generating light on our own. We are more like the moon, reflecting the light of Jesus so that others don’t have to stumble in the darkness of this world.

 

However, if we hide our light under a bowl, if we try to keep Jesus to ourselves, we make ourselves ineffective. And, worse, people will remain stuck in darkness, blinded by sin. For the sake of the world that Jesus came to save, we need to break out of our holy huddles and shine brightly for Jesus.

 

Who Am I - I Am a Branch

 

[Jesus said] “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me, he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” (John 15:1–8 ESV).

 

Have you ever seen the damage to trees after a heavy windstorm? Limbs and branches are often strewn about the landscape, and some land on houses and cars, causing even more damage. Often those branches still have healthy-looking leaves and fruit, but we know they will soon die. When a branch is severed from the main trunk, its vitality is lost. Its lifeline is gone. Its leaves will wither and die, and its fruit will decay.

 

Jesus conveys a similar message in our reading today, saying, “I am the vine; you are the branches.” He helps us to see that if we break away from him—the true vine—we will not have his spiritual life in us. Though we may appear vibrant for a while, we will lack the capacity to produce spiritual life, health, or fruit on our own. Only if we stay connected to Jesus can we bear spiritual fruit that endures.

 

The main function of a vine such as a grapevine is to bear fruit. And fruit-bearing sums up our purpose as followers of Jesus. In fact, Jesus explains that every branch that bears no fruit will be cut off. But with his Spirit living in us, we will yield fruit such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (cf.  Galatians 5:22-23). This is our calling; this is a vital part of who we are.

 

Who Am I - I Am a Witness

 

So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. (Acts 1:6–9 ESV).

 

Before going back to heaven, Jesus called each of his followers to be a witness for him. A witness is someone who can attest to what they have seen or experienced personally. This calling applies to all of us who follow Jesus today as well. We are called to be reliable witnesses, sharing with others the grace of God that we have personally witnessed and experienced in our lives. This lies at the heart of our identity as followers of Christ.

 

The task that Jesus has entrusted to us is to carry his life-saving message wherever we go. This magnificent, global mission began with Jesus’ first-century followers, and it continues with his 21st-century followers today.

 

Empowered by his Spirit, we have a story to tell and a life-altering encounter to share. While others may have doubts about the Bible’s teaching or quibble about theology, they cannot refute our personal experience. They cannot change what we know to be true about God’s work in our hearts and lives.

 

Jesus recognized that a transformed life becomes an unstoppable force for good and for God in this world. To the people around you, there is no one better positioned to testify to the life-changing power of God than you.

 

Think of a story you can share with someone about the Lord’s work in your life. Whom will you tell today? This is a part of who we are!

 

Who Am I - I Am a Steward

 

[Jesus said] “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.” (Matthew 25:14–19 ESV).

 

A steward is someone who takes care of and manages someone else’s property or belongings. The steward is not the owner but is responsible to the owner for all that the owner has entrusted to them. Stewardship deals with our responsibility over much more than mere money. The Bible includes many examples of stewardship. When God placed Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, he charged them with its care (cf. Genesis 2:15). Since the beginning, humans have been entrusted by God to steward his creation, his blessings, and the very lives he gives them.

 

In Jesus’ parable in our Bible reading today, three servants received bags of gold from their master before he left on a journey. They were expected to be productive, innovative, and enterprising with what they had been given. Specifically, they were to invest their master’s resources in worthwhile ventures, aiming for growth and multiplication. While two servants faithfully embraced this responsibility, one did not. The master’s approval clearly fell upon the two who were faithful.

 

As the Lord’s stewards, we don’t possess anything on our own. All we have is entrusted to us by our gracious heavenly Father. Yet while we live and breathe, we are called to nurture and care for what God has given us, using it for his glory. Then one day we too will hear the Master’s words: “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

 

What a commendation! Is that what you long to hear when you see Him? If your answer is affirmation, then be a good steward of that which He has entrusted to your care!

 

Who Am I - I Am an Intercessor

 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. (1 Timothy 2:1–7 ESV).

 

Many years ago in my first full-time pastorate I had a wonderful and instructive visit with one of the older members of the church. She was 92 years old at the time and somewhat frail, though she was able to live in her home. Her children were very attentive to her and cared for her each day making sure she had her medications and meals. Her body was deteriorating, though her mind was as sharp as any. During my visit she apologized profusely for not being able to attend church. She went on to say that she had heard many good things about the “young” pastor’s sermons. Wistfully she said she would love to be there to show her support. I told her that the greatest thing she could do for our church and for me personally was to pray daily that we would be the church God desired us to be. She agreed to pray daily.

 

Each time I went back to visit I was so encouraged by her faithfulness to keep her promise to pray. She kept a list of the specific things I would ask her to pray about. She loved to cross them off as I reported the success of her prayers. Indeed, God has shown in the Bible that he uses the prayers of his people in his kingdom-building work in this world. Many examples show that God often provides what his people ask for in prayer. It certainly made a difference to me!

 

Of course, I am not saying that God is something like a good-luck charm or a magic genie that grants our wishes. Our prayers need to be in line with God’s will for our lives and for his kingdom work in this world (cf. Matthew 6:9-13; 1 John 5:14-15). And while God will often answer our prayers aligning with his will, there are times when the answer may be different from what we ask. At times we don’t understand God’s will or his plans or even his ways (cf. Isaiah 55).

 

In 1 Timothy 2 Paul urges believers to intercede (pray) for everyone—including “kings and all those in authority”—because “this is good, and pleases God our Savior.” When we intercede faithfully for others, we become personally involved in God’s redemptive work. Each spiritual victory, I believe, is a testament to the fact that someone has been praying. Each of us are to be such intercessors!

 

Who Am I - I Am a Student

 

Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. (2 Timothy 2:14–18 ESV).

 

Usually we begin our “formal education” at the age of five. It continues for at least another twelve or thirteen years. For many that time is extended with college or university education. Even those who opt for technical training require more time to secure the education and training necessary to pursue their chosen career. The instruction we receive during that time provides us with the building blocks we need for a productive life.

 

As believers in Christ, we are also students of Him. We need to learn God’s Word and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Savior. We need to absorb God’s Word continuously as the Holy Spirit transforms us His power. He is the One who works in us and teaches us the truth and wisdom of God. Daily we need to walk in step with the Lord and his Spirit, growing to know God and to share his love with others everywhere.

 

I love the little fable of a man on a stroll who hears a voice say to him: “Gather some pebbles.” Though he sees no one, the voice persists: “Gather some pebbles and put them in your pocket, and tomorrow you will be both glad and sorry.” Intrigued, the man thinks, “Why not?” So, he picks up a few pebbles and puts them in his pocket. The next day he discovers they have been transformed into diamonds. Then he feels gladness for taking some, and he is sorry for not taking more.

 

Similarly, our study of God’s Word may not reveal its benefits right away. Yet over time, nuggets of truth and wisdom will prove to be valuable treasures—blessing our lives in countless ways. Be a diligent and constant student of the truth of God!

 

Who Am I - I Am an Abassador

 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Corinthians 5:17–21 ESV).

 

An ambassador is a government official who represents their country to another nation. This is often a pivotal role in bridging gaps between nations. An ambassador aims to promote goodwill and cooperation while minimizing outbreaks that could lead to hostility. The aim is to build understanding and tolerance between nations and cultures.

 

This means ambassadors need to listen and communicate effectively. They should express themselves with tact and diplomacy, demonstrating unwavering loyalty to their own nation while also caring for the people of their host nation. Rather than viewing the host nation as an adversary, competent ambassadors seek to build bridges, not walls. As a result, they are deeply invested in the outcomes of diplomatic negotiations.

 

What does it mean, then, for believers in Christ to be his ambassadors? As believers, we have been called to be official representatives of God and his kingdom in this world. We serve as emissaries for our Lord and King, speaking and acting on his behalf. This appointment carries honor as well as responsibility. We are entrusted with a message, becoming the voice of the Lord to a broken, hurting world. Under his authority, our aim is to build bridges instead of barriers, seeking to share the good news of Jesus so that people can come to know him as their Savior and King.

 

Who Am I - I Am a Soldier

 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6:10–20 ESV).

 

The Bible is clear that we are engaged in a spiritual battle taking place between good and evil, between God’s kingdom of light and Satan’s kingdom of darkness. So, when we place our faith in Jesus, we not only become part of a family; we also enter a battlefield. We enlist in a mission to serve faithfully in God’s kingdom. So, what does it mean to be faithful spiritual soldiers? There are three principles that we ought to be aware of in understanding this characteristic of our new life in Christ:

 

§  First, our commitment is a pledge of unwavering allegiance to Jesus as our King. We wholeheartedly acknowledge his sovereignty and yield to his authority. We recognize that chaos would result within and around us without submitting to Jesus’ authority. He is our leader and commanding officer in this battle.

 

§  Second, to be good soldiers we ought to know our enemy. We understand that our battle is “not against flesh and blood,” as Paul puts it, but against spiritual powers. We also understand that neither conventional weapons, brute force, nor human strategies are going to defeat our spiritual enemy. We should study the enemy, know his game plan, and understand how to defeat him—with fervent prayer, godly praise, and self-sacrificial love.

 

§  Third, as good soldiers we are also equipped for battle. We practice spiritual disciplines and put on the armor of God so that we can “stand against the devil’s schemes” and faithfully execute their mission.

 

 

Who Am I - 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 in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Ephesians 1:1–6 ESV).

 

A doghouse next to a skyscraper seems to be completely out of place. Yet, that seems to be how many believers think of themselves compared to the “saints” of the Bible. Most of us think of some revered religious person when the word “saint” is used to describe someone. According to the Roman Catholic Church a saint is someone who is in heaven, including those never officially recognized on earth. They must be “canonized” by the church before officially recognizing these people with the title. Canonization takes place when deceased individuals are authoritatively declared to be in heaven and "worthy of universal veneration". That leaves most of us out of this designation. Although the Apostle Paul has a different understanding in our reading today. He declares all the believers in this letter to be “saints”. That is due to the truth that Jesus’ work of grace in our lives make us saints. It is not a designation based on our worth; it is based on the work of Jesus on our behalf.

 

Though most of us don’t see ourselves as saints, that is what we are when we believe in Jesus. Because of his work, we are being sanctified, made holy, as we live out our lives serving the Lord—and that means we are saints. Because of Jesus, I am not what I or others will often perceive me to be. Instead, I am who God declares me to be. Through Jesus’ sacrifice for my sake, I am now declared righteous and holy.

 

Paul understood that we are profoundly transformed in God’s sight when we come to faith in Jesus. That’s why Paul begins his letter to the Ephesian believers by addressing them as “God’s holy people.” Literally, he refers to them as “the saints in Ephesus.” Despite being new to the faith and still having a long way to go in their spiritual development, Paul recognizes them as saints.

 

A saint is someone consecrated to God and set apart for God’s service. Through baptism, believers are marked as God’s treasured possession, set apart for his divine purposes. Just as it would be foolish to build only a doghouse on the foundation of a skyscraper, it would be foolish to build anything less than a sanctified life on the foundation Jesus established for us.

 

Who Am I - I Am a Servant

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:20–28 ESV).

 

What is the pinnacle of achievement, the ultimate honor in life? The Nobel Prize is widely considered the most prestigious award globally, recognized for its impact across various fields, while other awards like the EGOT in entertainment and top film festival honors also hold significant prestige. There are military honors like the Medal of Honor or Purple Heart, given for sacrifice and bravery.  And there are "The Big Four": The Academy Awards (Oscars), Golden Globes, BAFTA Awards, and SAG Awards which are generally considered the most significant film awards. And there are Academic and Scientific Distinctions; as well as the International Olympiad Medals. Jesus explained that the highest honor and the greatest achievement in life is to be recognized as a servant of God. In God’s kingdom, this calling is second to none.

 

From our Scripture today we learn that Jesus measures success differently than we do. He doesn’t rate us by material wealth, academic accolades, corporate status, or athletic prowess. Rather, he calls us to humble service, teaching us to use our talents and resources for selfless service to others.

 

Jesus’ disciples had quarreled about who should have the high ranks in his kingdom. They were ready to vie for a throne but not for a servant’s towel. But true greatness, joy, and fulfillment are not found in gratifying oneself. In God’s economy, these things emerge organically as a result of serving God and others.

 

Jesus not only preached this principle; he exemplified it by laying down his own life for us. When our everyday lifestyle consists of serving others, we honor God—and in turn we are blessed.

  

Who Am I - I Am a Pilgrim

 

By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:8–16 ESV).

 

The great question for believers is whether we will live the life of a pilgrim or a tourist? A pilgrim is someone who travels to a place where they long to be. Following a kind of calling, they might journey to a sacred place where they can worship. Or they might move around, ever seeking a place to call home. Followers of Jesus are pilgrims who are called to live for God as they travel through life on their way to their eternal home. A tourist simply wanders from one experience to another. There is no real involvement in where they are except to gain pleasure from it.

 

Our reading today tells about a pilgrim named Abraham, who followed God’s call to go and live in a land that God would show him. God led Abraham to the land of Canaan, where he pitched his tent and worshiped the Lord (Genesis 12:1-8). Yet Abraham lived as a stranger and foreigner in that land. His security was not in a plot of land but in the plan of God. He envisioned an eternal city, to which he spent a lifetime traveling. Abraham lived as a pilgrim rather than as a permanent settler. Walking by faith rather than by sight, he modeled what it means to follow the Lord.

 

A pilgrim is also different from a settler. Pilgrims never feel totally comfortable with the values and lifestyles of their surrounding cultures. They are careful not to drive their stakes too deeply into the ground. They live with a holy detachment, careful not to hold on to places or things so tightly that they can’t go on without them. Pilgrims also regularly long for home. In other words, they live with eternal aspirations, not simply earthly ones.

 

Which are you… God’s intent is that you live as He has called you. Be a pilgrim!

 

Who Am I - I Am a Masterpiece in Process

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4–10 ESV).

 

The Mona Lisa is a half-length portrait by Italian Renaissance artist Leonardo da Vinci. Painted on a poplar wood panel between 1503 and 1506, it is widely celebrated for the subject's enigmatic smile, her direct gaze at the viewer, and the revolutionary use of sfumato—a smoky blending technique. It is relatively small, measuring just 21 inches wide and 30 inches long. It is actually smaller than a common poster. Its current location is in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France, where it has resided since 1797. It holds the Guinness World Record for the highest known painting insurance valuation, set in 1962 at $100 million, which is the equivalent to roughly $1 billion today. Of course, the truth is that its value is inestimable as it is unique and irreplaceable.

 

Imagine da Vinci carefully crafting this masterpiece. Each detail was carefully chosen to inspire appreciation, imagination, and more. In our Scripture passage today, we are reminded that we are God’s “handiwork” (His masterpiece). The original Greek text for “handiwork” in this passage was closely associated with “poetry.” In other words, we are considered as poetic works of art. We are molded and fashioned by the Lord of all into priceless treasures.

 

But our purpose is not simply to be put on display and admired by passersby. Instead, we are molded and shaped “to do good works.” God has purposes and plans for us to fulfill, assignments to complete. What’s more, God is still working in us. We are a good work in progress. We are called and led to keep learning, growing, trying, and trusting as we live by faith for the God who loves us and makes us part of his family. Whether we are bailing hay, studying for a test, teaching a child, washing dishes, creating a website, or doing any of a million other things—we are to work wholeheartedly for the Lord. By the work of our hands we are called to point others to the divine Master of all masterpieces.

  

Who Am I - I Am God's Beloved

 

But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you. Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you. (Isaiah 43:1–5 ESV).

 

God created you in order to love you and to share a loving relationship with you. That is why you exist—to be cherished by your Creator and to reciprocate that love to him and radiate that love to others. For each one of us, this is the greatest foundational truth we can learn about our existence, and it helps immensely to shape our identity and sense of purpose. Being the beloved of God means your core identity is securely anchored in being dearly loved and cherished by Him. It replaces the need to earn worth through performance with the peace of knowing you are already accepted, chosen, and held by a love that never changes.

 

There are many, though, who may not always feel loved. Moments of feeling misunderstood, ignored, judged, or even rejected may overshadow your sense of worth. But the Bible reassures us of God’s deep and passionate love for each one of us. This love is unconditional. You are God’s beloved child—precious, esteemed, and honored in his sight. Go ahead and remind yourself of this truth as often as necessary.

 

God’s love isn’t based on our actions or achievements. It transcends our successes, failures, possessions, status, lineage, position, education, and everything else about us. There’s nothing we can do to earn more of God’s love or to diminish it. God’s love is consistent, steadfast, and true.

 

Understanding that we are cherished, valued, and treasured by the Creator of the universe should shift our entire perspective. As we embrace this truth, fears and anxieties should diminish. We can live with a new sense of peace and contentment, knowing we are beloved by him.

Who Am I - I Am Valued Beyond Measure

Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:9–12 ESV).

 

So many people today are struggling for the right to define themselves. It’s as if they are saying, “I will invent or reinvent myself, and you must accept me for who I choose to be.” But this places immense pressure on people. It also brings on volatility and exhaustion as people try to navigate life together. It is amazing how subtle this deception is. We have come to believe our identity is somehow based on career or position. Some have even come to believe that wealth is the measure of their value. This deception always brings a sense of instability in our lives. It makes us think we are never enough.

 

God recognizes our need for a stable, reliable identity—one that can sustain us amid the ups and downs of life. He also knows we cannot invent the identity we need. So, God made a new life possible for us through Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly gave up his glory, power, and privilege. He came to sacrifice himself on the cross to atone for our sins against God and each other. Through faith in him, we receive his love and righteousness. Our identity is anchored in him rather than in our achievements or others’ opinions of us.

 

James in our reading today urges believers who have prospered and become wealthy to recognize their humble position as sinners saved by grace. And he encourages believers who are struggling financially to embrace their exalted position in Christ—loved, accepted, and cherished by God. By doing these things, we can avoid a false sense of value. We can be secure in Him!

  

Who Am I - I Am a New Creation

From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:16–19 ESV).

 

I am sure you have heard some of the profound “I am” statements of Jesus: “I am the bread of life”; “I am the light of the world”; “I am the good shepherd” (John 6:35; 8:12; 10:11, 14). Jesus lived an effective, purposeful life because he knew his identity. With unwavering clarity, he knew he was the Son of God sent to redeem the world. This is the anticipated goal of our study in the coming weeks. As we explore the meaning of our identity, we’ll find a number of ways to describe ourselves in light of the ways God has created us.

 

So often we cling to false notions about identity. We focus on things like athletic prowess, academic achievements, or career success. Or we highlight how funny, famous, or fit we are. Or even how good a parent we are. But what happens when the applause fades? Do we maintain a firm grasp of who we are?

 

The apostle Paul explains that when a person comes to faith in Jesus, they undergo a profound transformation. In some ways like a caterpillar emerging as a butterfly, believers transform to become a new creation in Christ. This ought to fundamentally alter the way we think and act. Our identity is no longer defined by fleeting ideas but, rather, by our relationship with Christ.

 

Two things come to mind for me. First, we do gain a new identity. We are not just a repaired version of our old self; we are fundamentally recreated by God. Second, we now possess the forgiveness of our past. "Old things have passed away" implies that our past sins, guilt, and old way of life are forgiven and gone. Even more incredible this same forgiveness extends to our future life of grace in Christ. We are truly NEW! Walk like it… think like it… be like it!

  

Who Am I - I Am the Image of God

 

Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” And God said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food. And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. (Genesis 1:26–31 ESV).

 

Today we begin a new series of devotionals. They each will describe a characteristic of who we are as believers. For our first look at these descriptions in Scripture, I’ve chosen the beginning of our story. After God had created all things, He turns to the apex of creation: Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image’” (v. 1). There have been countless debates as to the meaning of this phrasing in the description of “man.” John Calvin wrote:

 

Interpreters do not agree concerning the meaning of these words. The greater part, and nearly all, conceive that the word image is to be distinguished from likeness. And the common distinction is, that image exists in the substance, likeness in the accidents of anything. They who would define the subject briefly, say that in the image are contained those endowments which God has conferred on human nature at large, while they expound likeness to mean gratuitous gifts. But Augustine, beyond all others, speculates with excessive refinement, for the purpose of fabricating a Trinity in man.

 

It is this “Trinity in man” that I want to focus on today. First, let me be quick to write this does not indicate deity. We are not made “Father/Son/Holy Spirit.” We are not God. However, the image that Augustine, and later Calvin along with other reformed theologians refer deal with the triune nature of man. We are flesh (body), mind (emotions and intellect), and spirit (soul). Jesus references this when He was asked what the greatest commandment was. He said, “And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” (Matthew 22:37 ESV).

 

This has more significance than space allows here for an adequate explanation. However, let me simply say that when we fail to recognize that we are created in this trinitarian fashion, we dare not neglect any of them. Most often we see the spiritual part of our humanity neglected. We make a great effort to take care to educate and fill our minds, as well as go to incredible lengths to preserve as much of a healthy body as possible. These things are indeed essential, but no to the neglect of the spiritual.

 

What are you really doing to care for and protect your spiritual part? How do you really spend your time in caring for the whole man of which you were created? Take care. Each is essential! That is, after all the beginning of understanding who we are.

 

God, Our Mighty Fortress

 

To the choirmaster. Of the Sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. A Song. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice, the earth melts. The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah (Psalm 46:1–7 ESV).

 

It has been said that confession is good for the soul. Perhaps today’s devotional will do so for me. There are many memories that have long been forgotten from my childhood; however, one continues to stick. We were living above our family meat market/grocery store in Galveston, Texas. I was always a fan of western themed television shows. It seemed like an exciting life as they rode and camped in the old west righting wrongs and protecting the weak and helpless. So, one day I decided to play “cowboy.” I was merely eight years old at the time, though that’s certainly old enough to know better than to do what I did. I pushed the couch and some chairs around enough to make a tent by throwing a blanket over the tops an leaving room underneath the blanket in a makeshift tent. I had my trusty Daisy BB gun for protection for the wiles of the outdoors and the only thing missing was a warm campfire. That’s where I went off the rails. I found a metal trash can, it was small enough, yet safe enough in my mind to build the fire in. Not having any wood to burn I though the daily newspaper would do. Crumpling the paper up in the trash can and lighting it afire it began to smoke… a lot! It wasn’t long before my dad came running in the room having smelled the smoke from beneath in the store. That turned out to be a painful learning experience on the pros and cons of building a campfire inside the house!

 

When I was asked “why?” I would do such a dangerous thing, I simply said that I was trying to camp out like the Lone Ranger and Tonto did. Well, that didn’t help. It is a bit funny how we try to build forts today. We use financial security, homes, relationships with loved ones, and many other things to produce a sense of security. However, God offers us even more effective security and safety from the storms of life when pain flashes through our hearts and crises rattle us to the bone. Like a great comforter and yet stronger than a mighty fortress, our God invites us to take shelter in him and to be protected by his love, which is gentle and yet stronger than any force or calamity that may threaten.

 

Build your relationship with Him and He will never fail you!

 

 

God, the Greatest Fisherman

 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5–6 ESV).

 

While I am not an expert fly-fisherman, I am an enthusiast in the sport. The picture I’ve included today is from an excursion I took with some friends and my son, Kyle. It was a guided excursion in Tennessee for Rainbow Trout. My expectation was certainly exceeded greatly. On this cast I was able to hook and eventually land an 8-pound rainbow! It was quite exciting for a bit. For those of you who fish you know the excitement that can unfold when you hook a fish much bigger than one you planned for. An angler—that is, a person who fishes with a rod and line—typically uses the equipment they need for catching a particular kind of fish. To catch a medium-size fish (like a trout), for example, you need tackle for that size of fish. But sometimes with that gear you can hook a much larger fish than you planned for. And when that happens, chaos can break loose.

 

The reel of a fly rod is not designed to use “drag” like others. As the fish swims powerfully away, you must take care not to pressure the thin leader or it will snap. Usually, with such a large fish, you’ll have just two options: to let the fish run, and hopefully tire it out so that you can catch it; or simply to cut the line and let the fish go. A determined angler may decide to hold on, skillfully using the rod and line through a long tug of war and gradually reeling the fish in. I chose the latter.

 

In some ways our relationship with God can be like that. We might be thinking we are free to do as we please, but God can “hook us,” and even though we might try to outrun and overpower him, he will never cut the grace-line or count us as a lost cause. He’ll fight for us and battle with us—and when all is said and done, he gives us the freedom to live a new and full life that is far beyond our imagining!

 

That is why the writer of our reading today calls Him “our Helper… therefore we have nothing to fear!

 

God, Our Closest Friend Forever

 

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. (John 15:11–17 ESV).

 

One of God’s greatest gifts to humanity is relationships. We are created for relationships; we are designed by God to be in community with others. I have been blessed to have been around many people all my life. Some have become close friends over the years. While others have occupied brief interactions in passing by. And still others have been friendly acquaintances. With some friends our relationships can feel as close as family, like a brother or sister, and we may love them just like family members. These are friends who will be there in both good times and bad, triumphs and tragedies, times of joy and times of sorrow.

 

There are often times I forget that my closest friend is Jesus. He isn’t a passerby who merely sizes us up, or an acquaintance who enters our life from time to time. Jesus is our brother, our closest friend, who gave up his own life so that we can become the adopted children of God, members of God’s everlasting family, and coheirs in his eternal inheritance. I like the way the Apostle Paul writes this truth:  

 

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:14-17 ESV).

 

Pooh Bear was right… we will be friends with God forever!

God, the Healer of the Brokenhearted

 

When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:17–18 ESV).

 

"You Never Even Called Me by My Name" is a song written by Steve Goodman and John Prine. Prine requested to be uncredited on the song, as he thought it was a "goofy, novelty song" and did not want to "offend the country music community". Goodman released the song on his 1971 debut album Steve Goodman to little acclaim. It was more famously recorded by country music singer David Allan Coe on his 1975 album Once Upon a Rhyme. It was the third single release of Coe's career and his first Top Ten hit, reaching a peak of number eight on the Billboard country singles charts. The song, over five minutes long, is known for its humorous self-description as "the perfect country and western song."

 

In a spoken epilogue preceding the song's iconic closing verse, Coe related a correspondence he had with Goodman, who stated the song he had written was the "perfect country and western song." Coe wrote back stating that no song could fit that description without mentioning a laundry list of clichés from the genre: "Mama, or trains, or trucks, or prison, or getting drunk". Goodman's equally facetious response was an additional verse that incorporated all five of Coe's requirements, and upon receiving it, Coe acknowledged that the finished product was indeed the "perfect country and western song" and included the last verse on the record:

 

I was drunk the day my mom got out of prison

And I went to pick her up in the rain

But before I could get to the station in my pickup truck

She got runned over by a damned old train

 

Whether or not it’s the perfect country song, I’ve listened to it many times. It feels true to life, and that may be why people never seem to tire of songs like it: almost everyone can relate. Most of us have felt empty after a breakup or asked, “What went wrong?” after losing someone we love.

 

Thankfully God’s Word provides some guidelines to help us answer our questions and give us peace of mind when heartache and heartbreak happen. When we hurt, Scripture can provide comfort. It also gives us a way to express how we feel, especially when we don’t know what to say or how to say it. Much of that language can be found in the Psalms, and many psalms were written by people who shared their feelings candidly and honestly.

 

David, the writer of our reading today (Psalm 34), didn’t have to search long for peace, and neither do we. God is near to those who hurt, and we can trust today that the One who gave the sun its ability to shine, who told the waters how far they could go, and who constantly watches over the universe is also near to you—and he’s saying, “I’ve got this, and I’ve got you.”