Our Identity In Christ, Part 2

I want to encourage you to die daily to self and to choose each day to live according to God's will, not the flesh.

I read the following somewhere:

A Christian is...
A mind through which Christ thinks.
A voice through which Christ speaks.
A heart through which Christ loves.
A hand through which Christ helps.

I want to share with you 4 ways that will help us to be identified with Christ:

1. A mind through which Christ thinks:
(Oh be careful little mind what you think...)
What are we to think about?
Philippians 4:8 answers that question.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are of good report;
if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.

What we think about can identify us with Christ. If Satan can gain control of our thoughts, we will have a life of crisis full of confusion, discouragement, worry, envy, impurity, and on and on. Some ideas on things to think on...

A. Memorize scripture
(Psalm 119:11) Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee.
B. Read good Christian material
C. Listen or sing good Christian songs.
D. Pray
E. Praise
F. Praise some more!

Psalm 119:14 is my prayer each day.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.



2. A voice through which Christ speaks.

Proverbs 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Ask: What do I talk about?

I Peter 2:1 tells us to lay aside all evil speakings!

A. Speak of the Lord.
B. Speak well of others.
C. Speak out of a heart full of God.
D. Sing praises to God!

(I then told a story about the feather pillow)
One time there was a father and his son. The father gave the son a pillow full of feathers and told the son to open the case, take the pillow throughout the neighborhood and to leave one feather on the front doorstep of each house. The son didn't understand why, but being obedient, he did as his father told him. The son left a feather on each and every front doorstep throughout his neighborhood. He then went to his father and told him that he had done as he instructed. The father said "Well done. Now go and retrieve each and every feather that you put on the doorsteps." Once again, the son did not understand but was obedient to his father. An hour or so later, the son returned to his father and said, "Father, I tried to get back all the feathers, but some of them were already blown away." The father said, "Yes, my son. The feathers are like our words. Once they are said, we cannot get them back."

It doesn't matter how much we apologize, plead insanity, make excuses, etc., once our words are said, the damage is done!

James 3:10, Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

James goes ahead telling us that a fountain cannot bring forth both sweet and bitter water at the same time.

We need to avoid places that promote gossip and people who enjoy gossip.
We should be positive.
If all else fails~ KEEP OUR MOUTHS SHUT!!!

We need to practice using our tongues to
glorify God,
encourage others,
pray for others.

(I then told about my friend Lisa calling me on the cell phone when I was in Barnes and Noble.)
I was browsing one day and my phone rang. It was Lisa. Our family was going through a hard time. Lisa told me that she knew I was in a public place and I might couldn't stop and close my eyes, but that she felt the need to pray for me. So, she did! Right then and there, she prayed for me and my family over the phone. What a blessing! What an encouragement!

(Will continue with Part 3)