Dear Daily Message Readers,
READ: Matthew 5:1-12
Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
One of the fastest growing crimes in today's Internet age is that of identity theft. According to recent reports, nearly one in every eight adults was affected by identity theft this year (CNN.com). In a world where so screennames and passwords mean so much, criminals have found that an identity can be worth far more than a simple bag of cash.
As we spread the peace of Christ to the nations, we must claim a very special identity as children of God. Satan may attack us on all sides, attempting to to steal every blessing that God has given us, but the jewel that he covets is our identity as Christ-followers. A Christian who has no identity in Christ can surely not spread the Lord's peace, just as someone with the name of Christ upon his heart cannot help but spread His peace.
The powers of this world are intent upon obscuring the image of God from your life. Many churches have begun to flounder because they have moved away from Christ and have tried to create their own identity. Pluralism and tolerance have tried to burn the name of Jesus off our hearts, and silence our tongues. This is definitely what Paul was talking about when he wrote for the Corinthians to stand firm in the faith(1 Cor. 16:13). If we are truly ambassadors of Christ's peace, then how can we shy away from our identity in him?
Is your identity in God a precious jewel to you? Who do others see in you?
Faith Lesson: If you are faithfully proclaiming Christ's peace, then the world will see you as a child of God.
In Christ,
Bryan Peters
READ: Matthew 5:1-12
Matthew 5:9 (NKJV) "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
One of the fastest growing crimes in today's Internet age is that of identity theft. According to recent reports, nearly one in every eight adults was affected by identity theft this year (CNN.com). In a world where so screennames and passwords mean so much, criminals have found that an identity can be worth far more than a simple bag of cash.
As we spread the peace of Christ to the nations, we must claim a very special identity as children of God. Satan may attack us on all sides, attempting to to steal every blessing that God has given us, but the jewel that he covets is our identity as Christ-followers. A Christian who has no identity in Christ can surely not spread the Lord's peace, just as someone with the name of Christ upon his heart cannot help but spread His peace.
The powers of this world are intent upon obscuring the image of God from your life. Many churches have begun to flounder because they have moved away from Christ and have tried to create their own identity. Pluralism and tolerance have tried to burn the name of Jesus off our hearts, and silence our tongues. This is definitely what Paul was talking about when he wrote for the Corinthians to stand firm in the faith(1 Cor. 16:13). If we are truly ambassadors of Christ's peace, then how can we shy away from our identity in him?
Is your identity in God a precious jewel to you? Who do others see in you?
Faith Lesson: If you are faithfully proclaiming Christ's peace, then the world will see you as a child of God.
In Christ,
Bryan Peters