Thursday, December 12

Tag: identity

Staying authentic in a conflicted world
Leadership, Personal Life, Uncategorized

Staying authentic in a conflicted world

Recent years have reshaped how we need to approach the world, our lives and ministry. I'm not just talking about the effects of the pandemic, but also shifts in sociological norms, the savage pressures of media on Churches and the shifting expectations from within ourselves. We need to navigate this well as our future success and well being will hinge on it. It has been my observation that there are some fundamentals we need to keep in shape in order for us to stay strong in the midst of these onslaughts. These observations, I trust, will help us live free of internal conflict or division, hence why I use the word 'authentic' to describe them. Authenticity in its purist sense is being the real deal. It is a behaviour that is integrated within oneself. A person who is w...
Uncategorized

2 ways to define who you are

Jesus asks his disciples at Caesarea Philippi “Who do you say I am?”  Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” Matthew 16:16-19 Who do you say that I am? Messiah, or Christ - meaning 'Saviour', one who saves - this is what He does Son of the Living God - this is who he is related
Personal Life

Transformation

In order to achieve all that God intended we must be transformed into His likeness. An old identity is buried and we take on a new identity in Christ. We are transformed into a new creation the moment we ask Christ into our lives. However, there are many aspects of our lives that take time to transform. I have found that there are 3 effective ways to be transformed: 1. Transformation by renovation Paul tells the Roman believers that they are “transformed by the renewing of your minds” John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love...” His Word & obedience to it renovates who we are and what we do. As we read His Word, let it read us and be changed by it – as it lives in us, challenges our thinking, moulds our behaviour so our identity in Christ emerges. 2.