by: Creflo Dollar
Have you ever read the Bible and wondered how the stories within its pages were relevant to your life and circumstances? I’ve heard people refer to the Bible as a history book full of stories, but in fact, the Bible is much more than that. It is the manual for successful living.
The Bible is your guide book through everything you could possibly experience in life. It is more than just words in black and white. In its contents you will discover the answers to every one of life’s problems and challenges. Even more, when you look into the Word, it will shape your self–image. God wants you to walk, talk, live and function on Earth as He does in Heaven. The Bible gives you the image of God. When you meditate on God’s Word, it will influence how you view yourself and ultimately your outcome in life.
Romans 8:29 says, “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” You were predestined to become like Jesus Christ! As you find yourself in the Word of God, and discover what God has to say about you, you will begin to renew your mind and walk in the authority that God has given you. You don’t have to look to the world for affirmation, or to find out how to make it through this life. God has provided you with His Word which will completely reshape your identity.
Knowing who you are from the Word of God and acting on what you learn is a key to conforming to the image of God. James 1:23, 24 describes the man who looks into the Word but doesn’t allow it to move him to action. It says, “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” When you look into the Word of God, you will discover your true identity. For this reason, God expects you to reflect it in your behavior.
When you experience challenging circumstances and situations, don’t submit to them and accept that things have to stay that way. During troubling times, pick up your Bible and find out how God wants you to respond. The Holy Spirit will guide you into an understanding of the Word so that you will know how to apply it to your situation. The Scriptures are the guiding light to peace, understanding and so much more.
Growing into your identity as defined by the Bible is a process that takes time, so don’t beat yourself up when you miss it. Even though Jesus was the Son of God, He still had to grow up in the things of God. The first step was to see Himself as God saw Him. Jesus located Himself in the Scriptures and aligned His life with what was written about Him. We must do the same in our own lives.
There were people referenced in the Bible who experienced emotions and mindsets that are similar to what people face today. David declared in Psalm 119:105 that, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” The Word can provide the clarity you seek. It will show you who you really are and give you the strength to make the right decisions in life. Even though David had a great destiny ahead of him, he dealt with circumstances that could have stopped him if he allowed them to; but David knew who he was and he knew his God. As a result, he was able to always come out on top.
I encourage you to allow the Word to shape your identity. Begin to take time every day to meditate on what God has said about you. Trust in His Word and use it to find out who you really are.
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