Overcoming the Identity Crisis......pt 2

Start seeing yourself the way God sees you

In part 1 we saw how Your identity is your individuality or personality and one of the greatest crises in the world today is that of identity.
Who are you really? Are you who the world says or thinks you are? We looked at Jesus knew who He was; He was one man that never suffered identity crisis.

David’s family evaluated him from the natural standpoint while Joseph’s brothers didn’t believe in his dreams.

You might even be assessing yourself by your own opinion of yourself; who do you say or think you are? Your opinion of yourself could be a combination of who the world and others say you are, on one hand and on the other, your background and past experiences. Gideon formed his opinion of himself by his family background. He said to the angel: “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:15) Gideon’s experience had been that of Midianite oppression of his people which had not only left them poor but had also stripped them of every confidence. Your past ugly experiences might have made you into someone with a very poor self esteem, because you’ve allowed them to form your opinion of yourself, you have used them to appraise yourself. Some people have experienced broken relationships or other forms of disappointments or rejection and they have allowed them to define who they are.

….Who am I really? I am definitely not who the world or others say I am; and not who I even think I am. I am who God says I am. No matter who the world says you are or what other people’s or even your own assessment of yourself is, it is time to overcome that crisis by embracing in reality who God says you are, in His word. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2

Overcoming the Identity Crisis......pt 1

Start seeing yourself the way God sees you

Recently I received a C.D, a newsletter and a pamphlet from Fountain of Wisdom Ministries entitled “Overcoming the identity Crisis”. It’s part of the Wisdom teaching tracts. As I read through the pamphlet and listened to the C.D,  thought again of how important it is to know who we are in Christ and to have our identity rooted and established in Him. I’d like to share these insights with you…..


The Bible says: “We have stopped evaluating (appraising, assessing) others by what the world thinks about them. Once I mistakenly thought of Christ that way, as though he were merely a human being………..What this means is that those who become Christians become new people. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:16, 17. NLT)

Your identity is your individuality or personality and one of the greatest crises in the world today is that of identity.
Who are you really? Are you who the world says or thinks you are? The world rates women by their looks and sizes, so a lot of us invest a big chunk of our time and money on those things trying to be acceptable. The trend in female fashion is for clothes to be as “revealing” as possible; it seems like the more sensual they are the better! The Bible says we should not love the world or the things that are in it which are: the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. (1 Jn 2:15,16) The world rates people by how much money they have, the size of their houses, the car they drive, the kind of clothes they wear, etc.

On the other hand, are you who others say you are? The apostle Paul said they used to assess Christ from the natural standpoint. People saw Him as a carpenter’s son and related with Him as a mere human being. They didn’t acknowledge who He was in the spirit. Even when he called himself the Son of God, they wanted to kill Him. The Bible says Jesus could not do mighty miracles in His hometown because of their unbelief: they didn’t believe in Him. Some said He was John the Baptist, some said he was Elijah and others said He was Jeremiah or one of the prophets. (Matthew 16:14) But thank God Jesus knew who He was; He was one man that never suffered identity crisis.

David’s family evaluated him from the natural standpoint. He was the smallest in the family, yet God had chosen him to be the next king of Israel. David was just watching over a few sheep, he had no military training; yet he was the one that would bring down the head of Goliath. He said: “He teaches my hands to make war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.” (Psalm 18:34); he had been in God’s own military school, but his brothers didn’t know it.

Joseph’s brothers didn’t believe in his dreams.

Planting New Testament Churches

I feel so excited about Crossroads Community Church and extending the Kingdom. Throughout the gospels, Jesus spoke mostly about extending the Kingdom. Then, in Acts 1, Jesus met with the disciples and again spoke about the Kingdom. How was it going to advance in an on-going, sustainable, healthy manner? Acts 2, the first local church is born in Jerusalem.

The establishment of vibrant local churches in communities can transform many lives. The kingdom is advanced through local churches that are beacons of light – where people are born again. So exciting!

Brief History of the Church
Extract by Terry Virgo

Terry Virgo

John was amazed. He had never seen anything like it. The sight drained his strength and he collapsed to the ground paralysed with fear and wonder. Then the most tender voice he had ever heard – strangely familiar it was – told him not to fear. He looked again. None other than the glorified Christ stood before him; the one he had seen humiliated and crucified, now in glory that defied description. The King of the universe and the Lord of history had come to speak to John and to tell him a series of amazing secrets about the world and its ultimate destiny. Breathtaking visions were about to be revealed, with implications which stretched down through the centuries. But first, Christ, the Master of all history, wanted to speak to some particular local churches about their present problems and pains, their joys and fears.

We tend to think that although Christ loves the worldwide church, local churches have no special place in his affection. But the book of Revelation shows Jesus not as one vaguely in the midst of the church, but walking amongst the individual lamp stands. He knows each local church intimately. He commends one and warns another. He notes steadfastness here and apathy there. Each is an open book to him. His longing for a bride is seen in His concern and ambition for each congregation. Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. Ephesians 5:25. She is his special delight in all the universe. She is his joy, his preoccupation, his passion, his darling bride. In all creation one thing fills the heart of Christ – his beloved church.

We need to rediscover the incredible value and significance of the local church in God’s plan and perspective. She is not to be ignored and despised; she is to be honoured and cherished.

I just LOVE the local church