I Know Who I Am?? (Israel Houghton, 2008)

I can tell you all about who Jesus is and who I am "in" Him. I know and can explain to others that I am God's workmanship (Eph. 2:10), a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), a child of light (1 Thess. 5:5), a joint heir with Christ (Rom. 8:17), chosen, holy, beloved (Col. 3:12)...the list goes on and on. But, recently, instead of living in who Christ has said I am, I've tried to fit a self-created identity and failed miserably.

Demanding excellence, I've always been very critical of what I do, how I look, and the things I accomplish. It is not necessarily for God's glory, but for my desire to be the best, that I care about these things. As such, lately, I've fallen into the trap of living to fit a mold to which I told myself I must conform. It's no wonder I've failed. After all, I am trying to be someone I am not. The Lord never required me to be Mrs. Perfect Super Woman/Mom/Wife/Servant. He simply called me to listen to and obey Him--to be His child...His servant...His friend.

Maybe you can relate. Have you ever found yourself trying to 'be' someone that your pride told you to be? Instead of walking in all the grace, peace, and power that comes with your Christ-identity, you settled--like I did--for a lesser identity you imposed on yourself?

If you've been there, then join me today, in allowing the Lord to completely liberate us from the idol of 'image' and transform us by the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2). Pray with me asking Him to increase as we decrease (John 3:30). For it's by His grace alone that we are who we are (1 Cor. 15:10).

I Need The Every Hour (Selah, 2004)

Since having my second child, I'm faced more and more each day with the reality of how inadequate I am as a parent. Without God's grace and guidance, these poor kids would probably be in a world of trouble. Some days I'm sleep deprived, anxious, irritable, and fatigued. Saying I'm not my best would be an understatement.

When I think about how often I call on the name of the Lord throughout each day, it makes me smile. Part of me is amused at how I must sound to God like my two year old sounds to me sometimes. Another part of me smiles because I know the Lord is using this time to show me how much I need him...and I surely need him!!

Proverbs 3:5-8 reminds me to trust in the LORD with all my heart and do not lean on my own understanding. In all my ways acknowledge Him, and He will make my paths straight. I must not be wise in my own eyes but must fear the LORD and turn away from evil. It will be healing to my body and refreshment to my bones. I used to think of this scripture only in regards to fleeing sin. But, today, it speaks to me of my need to rely on the Lord's guidance in everyday living--even things like parenting and mundane monotonous housework.

I've learned to not think my schedule and plans for the day are written in stone. Been there, done that, and it often ends in my having a meltdown when things don't go my way. But, as I seek the Lord and ask His direction for each day, He makes my path straight and leads me to what He ordained for me. Learning to rely on Him has been so freeing. It's truly been healing to my body and refreshment to my bones!! It takes the pressure off me and puts it in the hands of the ONLY one who can handle it: My Lord. He knows what's best for me and these precious babies entrusted into my care. So, I am trusting His direction instead of my own!

Steady On (Point of Grace, 2002)

Okay, so I've never professed to be the most decisive of people. That's my disclaimer for today since I'm going to deviate from Philippians 4. Instead, I want to look at Philippians 3:13-14.

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; But this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind me, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I've heard many a sermon and spoken with so many that see "those things behind" as all the sinful acts from which we've been redeemed once we repent. I definitely see that in these verses. But, today, the Lord reminded me of some other aspects of "those things which are behind."

Let's admit it, sometimes, sin feels good to our flesh. So, there are times Satan tries to use those past things to not make us feel guilty, but to make us feel good. I can recall instances in life when he's tried to remind me of how good it felt to sin in my anger, act like a glutton, gossip, or engage in immoral behavior. But, when I line that up with God's Word and think about the life I have in Jesus Christ, I know those things that once felt good to my flesh were grief to my spirit. Though they felt good for a moment, the end was death. Death of a relationship, my kindness, integrity...the list goes on and on. So, thank the Lord that He gives me perspective when Satan tries to remind me of those sinfully fun things of my past.

Also, sometimes, there are things in my past that were God glorifying great works. That's good, right? Sure it is...but not if I dwell on them to excuse myself from what God is calling me to complete today. At times, the enemy uses those things to try and increase apathy in me. I find myself thinking: "Well Lord, I spent all day praying and worshipping you yesterday. It's not that crucial if I don't put you first today." Even if I felt the Lord nudging me towards a particular act of worship or service, I'm sad to admit that I've been guilty of thinking: "But, I did _____. Why can't someone else do that?" But, God calls me from glory to glory to glory, not to rest on the good works of yesterday.

So today, the Lord is reminding me to forget those things in my past that would hinder me in anyway: Forget those sinful acts that Satan would use to make me feel defeated; forget those sins that Satan lies and tells me were just for fun; and forget the "great" things that I think I've done for the Lord. Instead, continue on to the works He's calling me to complete today. Everyday of this Christian walk, I'm given new grace, new power, and new blessings! So, I'm going to forget the old and press on toward the prize of my high calling!