Do You Really Know Who You Are? By Jo Scheidt

If you know Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then Christ forgave your sins. You overcame the evil one, and you know the Father. You are strong, and the word lives in you!

I get excited about that - it’s something we take for granted daily. I want to remind you of who you are today because you have much to share with others, whether you write or draw, or neither!

Sometimes you just need to be reminded of who you are for you to remember that you have something to say to the world.

In Christ, you are: • a child of God - John 1:12 • legally justified and no longer a slave to sin - Romans 6:6, Galatians 4:7 • not condemned - Romans 8:1 • set free from the law of sin and death -Romans 8:2, Galatians 5:1 • a fellow heir with Christ - Romans 8:17, Galatians 4:7, Ephesians 3:6 and 5:30 • accepted by Christ - Romans 15:7 • a saint - 1 Corinthians 1:2, Ephesians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:2 • joined to the Lord and one spirit with Him - 1 Corinthians 6:17 • led by God in triumph and knowledge of Him - 2 Corinthians 2:14 • a new creature in Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:24 • blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places - Ephesians 1:3 • chosen, holy, and blameless before God - Ephesians 1:4, Colossians 3:12 • sealed with the Holy Spirit - Ephesians 1:13 • seated in heavenly places with Christ - Ephesians 2:6 • bold and confident to approach God’s throne - Ephesians 3:12 • a citizen of heaven - Philippians 3:20 • complete in Christ - Colossians 2:10 • raised with Christ - Colossians 3:1 • loved - 1 Thessalonians 1:4 a big list of reasons to be of good cheer and to go out and spread some good news!

Can you put some thought into who might need to hear some good news today? Maybe a family member or friend is a little down and could use some encouragement. Remind them of who they are in Christ, that the hardship they are facing is not the end of their story, and that they have much about which to get excited in Christ Jesus.

Sometimes we just need reminding!

I’m a bit OCD, so this is the kind of reminder I need to stay focused on you—whoever and wherever you are. You have daily challenges, headaches, work issues, kids, and the list goes on. We can all use some encouragement.

Here’s what the Apostle Paul did: “When the uproar had ended, Paul sent for the disciples and, after encouraging them, said goodbye and set out for Macedonia. He traveled through that area, speaking many words of encouragement to the people, and finally arrived in Greece, where he stayed three months.” -Acts 20:2 NIV

We want to be encouragers as we travel through different regions. A smile, a hug, a tip of your hat, and a kind word can go a long way. Anyone can sit at our desk with a laptop and encourage the masses. We don’t have to walk hundreds of miles like Jesus and his disciples did. Technology makes this very easy to do today.

This is my message. Life is hard, and we need each other.

Pass it on—and if you’re like me, you’ll need to do this now before you forget! Email or call someone who needs a good word from you. And enjoy the fellowship and the new opportunities God will give you because you’re willing to put yourself out there.