You cannot consistently perform in a manner that is inconsistent with the way you see yourself.

When Victor Seribriakoff was 15 years old, his teacher told him he would never finish school and he should drop out & learn a trade. Victor took that advice and for the next 17 years he was an itinerant doing a variety of odd jobs. He had been told he was a “dunce” and for 17 years he acted like one. But when he was 32 years old, an amazing transformation took place. An evaluation revealed that he was a genius with an I.Q. of 161. Guess what? That’s right. He started acting like a genius. Since that time, he has written books, secured a number of patents and has become a successful businessman. Perhaps the most significant event for the former dropout was his election as chairman of the International Mensa Society. The Mensa Society has only one membership qualification — an I.Q. of 140 plus.
What made the difference in Victor’s life? Did he all of a sudden get smart at age 32? No. What changed was the way he saw himself. I have to wonder how many of us, as Christians, are like Victor. We’ve lived far beneath our privileges because we believe what others are saying, rather than what God has said about who we are.

In 2 Corinthians 5:16-18, we are encouraged to make a paradigm shift in the way we look at Jesus, others, and ourselves. Paul tells us that if we’ve chosen to invite Christ to be Lord of our lives, we are new creatures; a new species or breed of persons that has never been seen before. Old things are gone. New things have come and we now live from new power and for new reasons. This is our “position” — in Christ. But most of us continue to live by our old experience rather than our new position. Our days are governed by what’s happening on the outside rather than what’s happened in the inside.

Truths about our identity in Christ:
We have a new position — in Christ, mentioned over 150 times in the New Testament (vs. 17).
We have new possessions — new things, spiritual resources inside (vs. 17-18).
We have new potential — a ministry of reconciliation to the world
(Vs. 18).

My Time With God

1.) Preparation Time
“For neither is circumcision anything nor un-circumcision, but the fact that we are a new creation.” (Galatians 6:15)

How have you allowed your identity as a “new creature” to affect your…

Personal Life…
Family Life…
Church Life…
Business Life…
Other…

2.) Waiting Time
During your waiting time, let God…

Love You.
“God, I affirm your work in me, as a new creature, today, and can see it especially in the area of. . .”

Search You.
“God, you have permission to reveal any area where I still live from my old identity:”

Show You.
‘God, is there any area of my self-image that I need to focus on as I enter this day?”

3.) Confession Time

Read Colossians 3:1-3.
This scripture calls you to 3 applications:

Renew your perspective.
Release your past.
Remember your purpose.

Confess areas in which you struggle with these applications:

4.) Bible Time
We can never pray out of God’s will when we pray God’s Word.

. . . Read Ephesians 1:18-23; 2:5-6, slowly a couple of times.
. . . Close your eyes & allow a main truth to surface in your heart.
. . . Pray the Scripture and allow God to minister to you.

Even when we were dead in our transgressions, (God) made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.

5.) Meditation Time
After praying the Scriptures, write down the thoughts that God has impressed upon your mind.

6.) Intercession Time – Praying for Others
Begin this time with a prayer of blessing for the people of whom you will now intercede. Pray Paul’s prayer from Ephesians 1:18-21 for these people.

Name Request

7.) Petition Time – Praying for Yourself

How to Petition God Properly:
. . . Talk to Him about who you are and who you see yourself to be.
. . . Be honest with God. Tell Him about those areas of your self- esteem that still need the impact of the Holy Spirit & truth.
. . . Pray “thy will be done.”
Prayer Requests:

8.) Application Time
The smallest obedient act is better than the greatest intention.

Q: What is the main thing that God has impressed upon me today?

Q: What am I going to do about it?

Steps to take in my obedience to God this week:

My Goal: To implement the above steps in the next 7 days.

9.) Faith Time
Faith is our positive response to what God has said. Spend a few moments praying through the eyes of faith. Tell God the positive things you see happening because He has placed you in Christ and has changed your identity!

10.) Praise & Thanksgiving Time

Praise God by recognizing WHO HE IS!
Thank god by recognizing WHAT HE HAS DONE!

THIS WEEK’S MEMORY VERSE – (2 Corinthians 5:16-18)

This Week’s Time Alone With God:

Monday – This Lesson.

Tuesday – It’s amazing to think that over 150 times in the New Testament, God refers to us in our new identity: “in Christ.” The words, “in Him”, “with Him,” or “in Christ” are everywhere in Paul’s letters. Today, why not meditate and apply some of those descriptive references? As you look them up, you’ll notice you have wisdom in Christ, you are righteous in Christ, you have the same grace & power that Jesus experienced, now that you’re in Christ. The list goes on and on.
Below is a list of references that will get you started. Jot down what the passage says about you, in Christ. Then, meditate on that truth:
2 Corinthians 5:21
Romans 8:1-2
1 Corinthians 1:30
Ephesians 4:7
Romans 12:3
Ephesians 1:19-20

Wednesday – In those areas of your life that you struggle with seeing yourself in Christ, (see Confession Time from the beginning of this week), jot down your thoughts as to why you struggle. Here are some “trigger” questions to help you get started:

Q: What are the top 3 areas of your life where you struggle with a healthy, biblical self-esteem?

Q: What “voice” or “lie” have you chosen to believe instead of God’s Word?

Q: Has something happened in your past (i.e. a family relationship or work situation) that has made this area a struggle for you?

Q: What is the specific truth God has declared about you, regarding those areas of your life?

Thursday – From the passage in Colossians 3:1-3, we discussed 3 applications earlier:

We must renew our perspective.
We must release our past.
We must remember our purpose.

Q: Why have you not allowed the principle of position (our position in Christ) to affect your self-image?

Q: What is it that keeps you from letting go of your past?

Q: What steps can you take to enable you to cling to your God-given purpose as a Christian in ministry?

Friday – Like our salvation, our spiritual growth doesn’t come by working for it, but by faith. Every step forward in God’s kingdom is a step of faith: seeing something in the spirit realm before it is realized and can be seen in the physical realm.
Experiencing our new identity in Christ requires us to take God at His Word concerning what He’s said about us. Based upon this week’s prayer and study, begin praying for these truths to be realized in your life.
Then, intercede for your loved ones, particularly those who struggle with their security and identity in. Christ, and pray for these truths to be realized in their life as well.