BBD 01.22.18 Your Identity (Classic)
Posted by: wrathered <wrathered@...>
Classic from 2010
Burning Bush Devotional
22 January 2018
Your Identity
Nevertheless
the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who
are His.” - 2 Timothy 2:19a NKJV.
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit
of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the
purchased possession…. - Ephesians 1:13-14 NKJV.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day
of redemption. - Ephesians 4:30 NKJV.
And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of
fire. - Revelation 20:15 NKJV.
And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no
one knows except him who receives it. - Revelation 2:17 NKJV.
Paola Londono took a cruise with her nine-month-old son to the Caribbean
enjoying her trip until she returned to the U.S. at Fort Lauderdale. Paola was
arrested after going through customs for failing to appear in court on charges
for prostitution and drug possession. However, law enforcement officers had the
wrong woman! Can you imagine being arrested while holding your baby and sent to
jail? Because it was a holiday weekend it took some time before Paola's
attorney was able to convince a judge to order her release. Back in March,
another woman with the same name was arrested and released with a court date
set for her appearance in court. When she failed to appear as ordered a warrant
for her arrest was issued. Sadly, the innocent Paola must still appear in court
providing proof as to her identity. (Sun Sentinel 09.07.10)
Stolen identities and mistaken identities have reached an epidemic level in the
United States. Kimberly Shields was arrested, strip searched, and held in jail
for 24-hours because someone stole her identity (Palm Beach Post 09.07.10). In
addition, the stolen and mistaken identity problem can cause all kinds of
problems financially, and even for their relationships.
Spiritually, we do not have to worry about being mistaken for someone else by
God, or someone stealing our spiritual identity. Because at the moment that we
believe upon Jesus as our Savior, we are birthed into the Kingdom of God by the
Holy Spirit (John 3). Our bodies become the temple of the Holy
Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16) and the Holy Spirit seals us (Ephesians
4:30) “for the day of redemption.” In addition, our names are written
in the Lamb's Book of Life (The book is mentioned in Revelation
13:8; 21:27).
Boyce Evans was a powerful evangelist whom I heard preach a couple of times and
still have a little book of a few of his sermons. One of those sermons I heard
him preach and that is also in his sermon book is "God's
White Stone." Evans tells of how it is only the
High Priest with the white stone in his breastplate that was allowed to enter
the Holy of Holies. We who know Jesus are now able to go boldly to the “throne of
grace (Hebrews 4:16)” through prayer. Evans recites instances in
Roman life when a white stone would be given to people. A white stone would be
given when a man was accused of a crime but found innocent. A white stone would
be given to a slave who was set free. Winners of Olympic games would be given a
white stone, which entitled the one possessing it to certain benefits. A white
stone would be given as an invitation to a feast. A white stone would sometimes
be given as badge of friendship, and a white stone would be given to a son by a
father as a symbol of authority.
If you know Jesus as your Savior you have overcome and have been given a white
stone; and on that stone, is a new name written that only God knows. Your
spiritual identity is eternally secure because Jesus says of all who know Him
as their Savior, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither
shall anyone snatch them out of My hand (John 10:28).”
Copyright © 2010 - 2018. Ed
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(Wesley Lewis that I have asked for prayer for died in a traffic accident
December 23rd and his wife and sister-in-law were severely injured –
another sister-in-law and her husband were also killed in the accident.),
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