thbull's posterous

my digital ramblings

My Identity in Christ Resets my Priorities

Once again, the theme for the weekend was "Who are you, really?". The three main sessions were:
Confirming our Identity
Maintaining our Identity
Reclaiming our Identity

 Session 1 "Confirming our Identity"

1. My Identity Begins with Jesus Christ see previous post
2. My Identity Resets my Priorities
these are transitory priorities vs. eternal priorities
• Nothing compares to the value of Jesus Christ
Philippians 3:8 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Christ...

 

This seems to be that hardest change to accept, that of an eternal destination lived in light of today. How do I act at work and home when I truly understand that this is a temporary location? How do I respond to a crisis at work when I realize that my identity is NOT determined by my performance, but, that my performance is based on pleasing Christ, and honoring Him in all I do?

I have heard it said that as a Christ-follower, we are like vacationers during our life. How do those on vacation act during their time of recreation? How do they respond to the influence of the local residents? The local shops? Sure, they will take time to enjoy a nice meal, see the sights, and even stay at a nice hotel. But, will they change how they act, how they dress, or what they will purchase based upon the influence of the locals? Will the vacationers spend all their time and effort trying to imitate or become like the locals?

So, we as Christ-followers, need to realize that we are on 'vacation' here, we are travelers.

How will you spend your vacation?

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Who am I really? - notes from the Men's retreat I attended this past weekend

This weekend was our annual men's retreat, and unlike years past, it was held at the church instead of at a local camp. This had it's pluses and minuses, but that is not important now. 

What I would like to do is to write down what we covered in our three (3) main sessions. These exercises in writing are mainly to help me review what the Holy Spirit had impressed upon my heart. As it has been said in a Chinese proverb...

Tell me and I'll forget; 
show me and I may remember; 
involve me and I'll understand.

I'm trying to get myself involved, and by do so, I hope to understand who I really am.

The theme for the weekend was "Who are you, really?". The three main sessions were:

  • Confirming our Identity
  • Maintaining our Identity
  • Reclaiming our Identity
The retreat ended with a very powerful video called 'God's chisel' - Summary
 When God chisels the dead weight out of our lives it can be very painful.http://skitguys.com/store/detail/188/

Over the next several days/weeks my plan is to cover each sessions outline and journal my trip as God get's me involved in my real identity. I will personalize the notes...the speaker used 'we/our', but I will change that to 'I/my'. The Scripture verses come from the American Standard Version. I am using open source MacSwordsoftware, and the Scripture module has been downloaded from the Sword Project.  my notes in red

Session 1 "Confirming our Identity"

  1. My Identity Begins with Jesus Christ
  • I am in Christ -- Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I that live, but Christ living in me: and that life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith which is in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself up for me.
  • I am a new creation -- 2 Corinthians 5:17Wherefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: the old things are passed away; behold, they are become new.
  • I am chosen -- Ephesians 1:11 in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his will; I have been chosen with intentionality and purpose.
  • I belong to God -- Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night an angel of the God whose I am, whom also I serve,  The words "WHOSE I AM" denotes the fact that as a Christian, I belong to God...the creator of heaven and earth. I am His; His possesion.
  • My citizenship is in Heaven -- Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: