The Set Apart Girl Finds Her Identity in Christ

For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10

When we are born, our identity comes from this world. Our parents give us a name, we belong to a family, and we learn how to live from our environment. As we grow, we learn to like and dislike things, foods, and people. We live to have experiences that mold and shape who we will later become. When a person becomes born again, they take on a new identity - a Heavenly identity.

Girls of this world will find their identity in the things they own, or the accomplishments they have achieved. The girl of this world brags about the degree she earned from the prestigious university she attended. The girl of this world bullies and gossips about others because she believes she is better than the "average person". The girl of this world will exalt herself and all that she has done, and can do. Although it is good to have goals, and work hard, Jesus tells us "Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be" (Matthew 6:21). If your desires are in and of this world, your heart will follow the unGodly patterns of this world. 

When she becomes born again, the Set Apart Girl now takes on her new identity through Jesus Christ.  Her desires change from wordly desires to Heavenly desires. She no longer brags about what she can do, but she lives just as Jesus did. Christ died on the cross for our sins so that we can live again in Heaven with our Father God. The bible tells us that those that belong to Him will reign as heirs along with Jesus in Heaven (Romans 8:17). When the Set Apart girl realizes she is already royalty in Heaven, the things of this world become less important. 

 heir (n.) [air]

a person who inherits or has a right of inheritance in the property of another following the latter's death.

The Set Apart girl lives to store up her treasures in Heaven. She commits her time, resources, and talents to God's plan for her life. She lives this life here on earth to live again in Heaven. She behaves as an heir to the promises of God. 

Think about it...

When we get to Heaven, we will rule as joint heirs with Jesus. How does this change your opinion about how you should live your life here on earth?

Focus Scriptures:

And just as my Father has granted me a Kingdom, I now grant you the right, to eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. And you will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Luke 22:29-30

Don't store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

Matthew 6:19-21

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

Ephesians 1:4

But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:13

My Beautiful Life: Day 25

God is Always Moving

To give thanksgiving unto God we must recognize His hand in our lives. The hand of God is not speaking of a literal body part. Just as a father lovingly guides, helps, and patiently disciplines a child with his hand, so are we guided by the hand of God in different circumstances in our lives. What blessings has He given to you? What miracles has He led you to? It is easy to recognize a miracle when someone walks up to you and gives you an envelope full of money. But what about the miracle of life? What about the blessing of having a meal to eat every night? We have to train ourselves to see God moving in our lives in order to truly be grateful for all that He has done. A great idea is to get out a piece of paper and literally number your blessings one by one. As you count your blessings be specific. Name individual family members and friends. Think of your life, health, home, city, and country. Ask yourself what  exactly about your home or country is a blessing? How about your skills, talents, education, and job? Think about those times that seemed like a "coincidence". Did you overlook God's hand moving in your life? Did you think of God's greatest gift to us, His Son, Jesus Christ? You will be amazed at how many blessings you truly have. The more we recognize the hand of God, the better we will be able to follow His lead. Even you are not powerful enough to stop God’s plan for your life. Nothing can snatch you out of God’s hand; no accident or opinion of another can stop God’s plan. God is in complete control of your life. God is working behind the scenes, arranging things in your favor; He’s making a way where you don’t see a way. His hand is always moving in your life, even when you don't see immediate results. All you have to do is keep God first place in your life. Honor Him with your life, and you will come into these destiny moments where you see God supernaturally protecting you, where you’re at the right place at the right time, and experiencing the favor of God moving you towards your divine destiny. It’s not your lucky break, it’s almighty God saying, “I’ve got a destiny for you to fulfill, My plan will come to pass.” Through the study of God’s Word, a strong prayer life, and an having trust in God, we can learn to recognize quickly the hand of God moving in our lives. When you are able to recognize all that He has done, you can easily accept and begin to show thanksgiving towards God for all that he has done.

John 10:27-28

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.

A Prayer for Today

Heavenly Father, please forgive me for trying to run my life my own way. I forget to let go and give you control. When I wonder why things aren't going the way I want them to go, help me to remember you. Help me to stop and ask what you want, Lord. Please help me to give you control, Father. I want to have what You desire for me. Lord, let me accept each day as a gift. Let me follow the path You choose for me. Help me to be thankful for what you give me and not to worry about my needs. I trust you will take care of all my needs. I m confident that You have a plan for my life. Remind me daily that my role is to trust and obey You.

Amen

My Beautiful Life: Day 20

Trusting God's Timing

We all want good things to happen in our lives, but too often we want it now...not later. When it doesn't happen when we expect it to, we are tempted to ask, "When, God, when?" Most of us need to grow in the area of trusting God instead of focusing on the "when" question. If you're missing joy and peace, due to waiting on your miracle, most likely you're not fully trusting God. Trusting Him includes trusting in His timing. Many people want change, but they don't want to go through the waiting process. But the truth is, waiting is a given—we all have to wait on something. The question is, what will be our attitude while we wait? Are we waiting the right way, or the wrong way? If we wait the wrong way, we'll be miserable; but if we decide to wait God's way, we can become stronger because of the wait. It takes practice, but as we let God help us in each situation, we develop patience, which is one of the most important Christian virtues. As we develop patience, the Bible says we finally feel completely satisfied—lacking nothing. God gives us hopes and dreams for certain things to happen in our lives, but He doesn't always allow us to see the exact timing of His plan. Although frustrating, not knowing the exact timing is often what keeps us in the program. There are times when we might give up if we knew how long it was going to take, but when we accept God's timing, we can learn to live in hope and enjoy our lives while God is working on our problems. We know that God's plan for our lives is good, and when we entrust ourselves to Him, we can experience total peace and happiness. 

Ecclesiastes 7:8

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

A Prayer for Today

Lord, I earnestly seek after You. I seek Your kingdom and Your will. I lay my plans before You. I give you the desires of my heart. Help me to rely on You in every area of my life. Thank you for the patience to wait on You and appreciate where I am right now. I trust You when You say that the plans you have for me are good. Sharpen my character and transform my heart this day and every day.

Amen