2021 AND IDENTITY COMMUNION - JOIN ME!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

At the turn of each year there is always a desire, a resolve, to attack the year with a kind of grit and determination to be "better." When the clock hit 12:01 nothing was different in our worlds. COVID was still here and those with COVID still had it. The loss we all felt in some way was still loss. Nothing was different and yet, all seemed new. Optimism, determination and a sense of renewal invaded our minds. Nothing was different and yet everything seemed different. That is the psychological beauty of a new year.

With all of the hope of change in the air I would like to offer something that I believe has the power to make this year powerfully and radically transformative for every area of our lives and make it as fruitful a year as any before it. I would like you to embrace the idea and practice of what I call "Identity Communion."

WHAT IS IDENTITY COMMUNION

Identity Communion means that when we spend time with Jesus by reading His Word and in prayer (communion) that we do so focusing on who we are in Jesus. When we read the Word we should do so in a personal way. That means reading with your life in mind. Read the Word with your struggles, your hurts, your frustrations, your desires (the good and the bad) your hopes and ask the Lord to speak to each of them. When we do this, we are bringing our identity before the Lord looking for Him to shape us into what He wants us to be. I know that the Lord WANTS to and WILL speak to us but only when we look to be shaped by the Word.

The nature of our battles against sin is always an identity struggle. Satan and our sinful desires fight against us to identify with sin causing us to question God's love for us and our love for Him. We can counter this but only when we fight, daily, to see ourselves as the Lord sees us as in Christ - as holy, righteous and free from sin. This is identity communion.

HOW DO WE DO THIS?

We can accomplish this in the follow ways:

1. Personal Prayer Focus: When we pray we should begin with praise to the Lord and then shift to a focus for our spiritual needs. Often people say we should pray for ourselves last, but I do not believe this is true or helpful. Praying for anyone or anything else requires that my heart, life and mind be centered on the Lord. This is not selfish. Prayer for others without, first, a prayer for myself through confession of sin and my momentary neediness of the Lord is important if my prayers are to be effective.

2. Personal Word Focus: When you read the Word (or a daily devotional) come to it with your needs and desires and longings in mind. Read the Word looking for yourself in it; read looking for answers to your concerns, needs and challenges. Do not read for others or seek to find ways to help others in your time in the Word. Bring YOU before the Word and let it examine and speak to you.

I encourage you - no, I dare you - to do this for 30 days straight! Your eyes have not seen nor have your ears heard the things the Lord has in store for you.

Spiritual growth and success in 2021 are right in front of you.

If you will take up this challenge in the comment section leave two words: "I'm in!" I will be praying, with and for you for the next 30 days as you seek the Lord in Identity Communion.