Quote from Forum Archives on January 15, 2003, 5:02 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

At one time or another, each of us wonders who we are and what
we're going to do with ourselves. Some of us may struggle in
that area when we're going through hardships, but frankly, that's
a good question for each of us to ask ourselves occasionally.
Not only that, but a good examination of our purpose, and where
we fit in, especially with regard to what God says about our
identity is always a good thing. Such thinking helps us to keep
the proper perspective on whatever may be going on at any given
moment in our lives.

Today's message from Neil Anderson asks a few of the questions
that we may want to consider and Neil points us directly to what
God says. So let's do the same, examine ourselves, then see what
God has to say, then respond to God.

Dear God, I want to see things in the manner in which You see
them. I want to have a healthy attitude and perspective toward
You and toward the things around me. Help me with this by
continually reminding me of what is good, right and true, and
what Your Word means. Remind me to faithfully read Your Word and
also help me to understand what You are saying to me through it.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

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N E I L A N D E R S O N D A I L Y D E V O T I O N A L
from Freedom in Christ Ministries

January 15

OUR ESSENTIAL IDENTITY

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our
likeness" (Genesis 1:26).

Adam was created physically and spiritually alive. He possessed
eternal life from his first breath and enjoyed God's abiding
presence in the Garden of Eden.

Furthermore, unlike the animal kingdom that operated by divine
instinct, Adam was created in the likeness of God with a mind,
emotions and will, giving him the ability to think, feel and
choose. No other created being can make that claim.

After creating Adam, God said, "It is not good for the man to be
alone" (Genesis 2:18). So He created a suitable helper for him:
Eve. They both enjoyed a sense of belonging to God and each
other. Not only that, God gave them a purpose: to "rule over the
fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the
cattle and over all the earth" (Genesis 1:26). Adam and Eve
didn't have to search for significance; they had it in their
relationship with God. And because God was present with them,
they lived in perpetual safety and security.

Eternal life, identity, purpose, significance, security and a
sense of belonging are all attributes of mankind created in the
image of God. Adam and Eve experienced these attributes in full
measure, and we were destined to enjoy them too. But when Adam
sinned, he died spiritually and forfeited everything God had
provided. Being separated from God, Adam's glowing attributes
became glaring needs.

As children of Adam born separated from God, we come into the
world with these same glaring needs. We wander though life
striving to make a name of ourselves, looking for security in
temporal things, and searching for significance apart from God.
Is it a hopeless quest? No! We are able to fulfill these needs
by establishing a personal relationship with God through faith
in Jesus Christ. Everything Adam enjoyed in the garden before he
sinned is now at our disposal.

Loving heavenly Father, thank You for sending Jesus to die for
my sin so I may have eternal life. And thank You that in Christ
my need for identity, significance, security and a sense of
belonging can be met.

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=====
--
Brian Masinick, mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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