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I mentioned the other day that I went to a conference called Your Secret Name. I know, it sounds questionable.... a secret name? But let me explain. The idea behind this conference originated from a book called Your Secret Name: Discovering Who God Created You to Be by Kary Oberbrunner.
Throughout our lives we can get many labels attached to us. Some we put on ourselves and others are given to us. The purpose of the book/conference is to work through some exercises to help you discover (if you don't already know) what labels have been attached to you. Then, through prayer and more exercises, you pray those labels off of you and allow God to place HIS identity (your new name) on you.
Through one particular exercise, I discovered that some of my behaviors stemmed from my fear of abandonment. So I was walking around with a label of "Abandoned". It became so engrained in me that I didn't even realize it was a part of me. Through prayer, I ripped that label off and put it on the cross (for God to deal with) and took up the new name God gave me = Chosen. Let me tell you, it was SO freeing. To really think about the fact that I have been chosen by God, flaws and all, changed my heart. I no longer felt like the little girl who was wondering if her parents were going to stay or go.
I know that I am (and YOU are):
Accepted:
John 1:12 - I am God's child.
John 15:15 - I am Christ's friend.
Romans 5:1 - I have been justified.
1 Corinthians 6:17 - I am united with the Lord, and I am one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 6:20 - I have been bought with a price. I belong to God.
1 Corinthians 12:27 - I am a member of Christ's body.
Ephesians 1:1 - I am a saint.
Ephesians 1:5 - I have been adopted as God's child.
Ephesians 2:18 - I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit.
Colossians 1:14 - I have been redeemed and forgiven of all my sins.
Colossians 2:10 - I am complete in Christ.
Secure:
Romans 8:1 & 2 - I am free from condemnation.
Romans 8:28 - I am assured that all things work together for good.
Romans 8:31-31 - I am free from any condemning charges against me.
Romans 8:35-39 - I cannot be separated from the love of God.
2 Corinthians 1:21-22 - I have been established, anointed, and sealed by God.
Philippians 1:6 - I am confident that the good work God has begun in me will be perfected.
Philippians 3:20 - I am a citizen of heaven.
Colossians 3:3 - I am hidden with Christ in God.
2 Timothy 1:7 - I have not been given a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
Hebrews 4:16 - I can find grace and mercy in time of need.
1 john 5:18 - I am born of God and the evil one cannot touch me.
Significant:
Matthew 5:13 & 14 - I am the salt and light of the earth.
John 15:1, 5 - I am a branch of the true vine, a channel of His life.
John 15:16 - I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.
Acts 1:8 - I am a personal witness of Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:16 - I am God's temple.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 - I am a minister of reconciliation for God.
Ephesians 2:6 - I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realm.
Ephesians 2:10 - I am God's workmanship.
Ephesians 3:12 - I may approach God with freedom and confidence.
Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength.
Now I know this is a lot of scripture and you probably glazed over it (I would have), but I want to encourage you to take time to read through these in your quiet time. This is our identity in Christ! Imagine if we all walked around in our every day lives in the power of this knowledge. What kind of world would it be?! Amazing.
The truth is that God has a plan for each of us. You may think your life is insignificant or that what you do really isn't important. It is. And if you don't know what your "calling" is yet, ask God. He will show you. He doesn't want us to waste a moment of this precious time He's given us.
Are you walking in all that God has for you? If not, what are you waiting for?
If you would like prayer or have further questions about anything I wrote about today, please email me. I'd be happy to chat and/or prayer for you.
Blessings!
Heather
