Who I Really Am

Who I Really Am

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

You may not always feel like royalty, or look like it, but you are. We may go through trials and tribulations but, “Yet in all these things we are more than Conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37.  This is what God sees when He looks at us. You may see yourself as a wounded, pathetic, defeated person, but God sees you as a warrior dressed in armor with sword in hand.

If you are a son or daughter of the King, he has equipped you to be in the battle for your soul and the power to win.  Ephesians 6:11 tells us to “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”  God has given you the power to be an overcomer. Don’t be afraid to stand up to what you are fighting against.

It would take too long to write all the passages in the Bible about all the gifts God has given you to be an overcomer; to be a conqueror.  It’s a lie of the devil to tell you you’re already defeated and have no strength. The truth is that “You can do all things in Christ Jesus.”  The Bible also says in Psalm 118:39, “For You have armed me with strength for the battle.”

In Psalm 46:1 we find all we need in the Almighty, “God is our refuge and strength.”  It seems that not only is God a refuge in times of trouble, but as the Apostle Paul said, “When I am weak, He is strong.”   I don’t see that we have a lot of strength in ourselves, but with God who gives us strength, we can do anything.

Last week I was talking about the Spirit of fear we sometimes carry and that makes us weak.  The rest of that scripture is so important because it says that God gives us Power and Love and a Sound mind.  We must grab hold of the truth about power and strength.  If we trust in God, the Father, he gives us the power and strength to come against all evil and to conquer the enemy.

We are not helpless.  We don’t have to believe the lies of the enemy.  The Devil uses many different ways, including people, to make us feel helpless and defeated.  Don’t fall for it.  If you are a child of God, you have the power and strength of the Living God on your side. In your spirit, raise high this banner with these word on it.  “The Lord is my strength and song and has become my salvation” (Psalm 118:14).

Over the years, as a Christian, I have realized more and more the presence of the Lord is constantly with me.  I discovered this one day while reading Isaiah 52:12, “For the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.”  You cannot be watched over any more than that. I used to have a lot of fears, but they have disappeared as the years have passed because I have learned to trust more and more in the Lord.  Some have accused me of being too legalistic, but if the Word of God is true, how dare I question it?

Here is how I look at the Bible; every word is true because God can’t lie, neither does he retract his word because we live in a different time than when it was written. The Old Testament was the old Covenant which was preparing people for a later time, such as now.  We live in the New Covenant time, but the entire book is a manual for how to live and why we should live this way. It is filled with helps and also warnings of things yet to come.  If you are not prepared to face the future, you only have yourself to blame. Read the Bible!

When God warns us of the future, it is only because of His love.  He doesn’t want any of us to perish, but when we choose to not serve him or live as he wants us to, we are on our own.  There is no protection; no power of strength and no covering of safety. 

It is never too late to call on the name of the Lord.  Because of His mercy and grace, he is waiting for you to call out to him.  Whoever is playing mind games with you and discouraging you to not believe in God is and enemy of God.  You can always depend on God for the strength and power to stand against the enemy.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, so you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:10-18