Who Are You?

How important is it to say what God says? What we speak will determine whether we are victorious or defeated. What we speak is so important that our very lives depend upon it. The Word says that life and death are in the power of the tongue:

“A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” – Proverbs 18:20, 21

That’s why I find it sad that so many Christians have such a low opinion of themselves and are ignorant of their spiritual identity. They could write everything they think and know about themselves on a post-it note, and still have room for their shopping list. It is important to know Jesus and have to have the revelations of who he is and what he has done, but if that is as far as you go, you have missed the greatest revelation of all: Christ in you the hope of glory. The crowning glory of the revelation of Jesus Christ is that what he is, we have become.

“And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” – 1 John 4:16, 17

Our identity with Christ is so intertwined and so inter-connected with him that He calls us his body. He says we are flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone.

“For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.” – Ephesians 5:3

The point I'm trying to make is, you must have a revelation of yourself in Christ. You must have a revelation of not only who Jesus is, but also of who you are in Christ. You must see yourself in Christ.

First, you must see yourself identified with Christ, not only in His crucifixion, death and burial, but also in His resurrection life and power.

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” – Colossians 2:12

“And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:” – Ephesians 2:6

This is what God has done for us in Christ

Second, you must speak what you see. Your voice is your address in the spirit world. The only thing that carries any weight in the spirit world is what you say. It is important what you think, because you eventually speak what you think, but thinking it is not enough. Who are you?

I hate it when Christians describe themselves as, “sinners, saved by grace,” that’s not biblical! I once was a sinner, but all things have been made new, I am a new creation in Christ Jesus! Every since the day Jesus came in and washed away my sin, and every since that day I can boldly lift my voice and say: 'I am saved, redeemed, delivered, set free, baptized in His name, I will never be the same, sealed, baptized with the Holy Ghost and fire, justified, sanctified, born again, eternal life - I'm saved!" (Eddie James

I am a born again child of the living God! I am filled with the Holy Ghost, I am a  tongue talking, devil stomping warrior in the army of God! I am more than a conqueror, no weapon formed against me shall prosper, because greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world! I am no longer what I used to be! I am no longer what others may call me! I am not what the devil wants me to believe or accept! I am who God has said that I am - I am among the redeemed of the Lord Jesus Christ, and I am going to lift my voice and proclaim it boldly!

The devil doesn't recognize you according to what God says about you! Don't believe it, read the book of Job. The enemy doesn't care what others may say about you. He recognizes you according to what you believe and say about yourself.

You can talk about Jesus and magnify and glorify and exalt Jesus and you should, and we do, but that won't carry any weight with the devil, because the devil already knows all those things about Jesus. The only thing that will make you a threat to the devil is when you recognize who you are in Jesus, in the anointing of the Holy Ghost, and you begin to boldly declare it! The devil doesn't back off because you know who Jesus is, he flees when you know who Christ is in you and who you are in Christ, and you resist his lies and speak it with boldness and authority!

The devil has got away with a lot of stuff because he has convinced thousands of God's people that we should never say anything good about ourselves. The enemy has convinced many potential power houses that humility means you never say anything good about yourself. Well let me say, pride is not saying something good about yourself, pride is to boast of yourself falsely, or to think and speak more highly of yourself than you are. But I’m not talking about boasting in ourselves, I am talking about boasting in Christ and what he has done and continues to do in and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit, I am talking about embracing the truth that God has spoken about His children and by faith speaking it and believing it.

Every time you acknowledge what Christ has done and who you are in him, you glorify God and bring honor to Jesus and joy to the Holy Spirit who is manifesting the power of Christ through you.

“the communication of your faith becoming effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus.” – Philemon 1:6

Your faith comes alive and goes to work and becomes effective, when you give voice to who you are in Christ and what you have in Christ.

“for he hath said I will never leave thee nor forsake thee so that we may boldly say: The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” – Hebrews 13:5-6

Notice: ‘he has said…’ ‘so that we may boldly say…’ Anything God has said about you in His Word, you may boldly say. In fact, God expects you to boldly say it. God expects us to take what he has said about us in His Word and put it into fearless, brave, courageous, cheerful, audacious words and give verbal expression to them.

The truth is: It is only what you boldly confess about yourself that you will experience in life. You will never be more than your confession. The only thing that carries any power in the spirit realm is what you boldly say about yourself. The only thing that the devil will acknowledge about you is what you boldly say. If you don't know who you are, nobody else will either. If you don't know what you have nobody else will either.

Jesus expected people to receive from him because he knew the power of the Holy Ghost was in him and upon him. Peter and John expected people to receive from them because they knew the power of the Holy Ghost was in them. If you knew and believed what is in you, if you speak what is in you, you can expect people to receive from you too.

So, say what God says, and watch what God does.

Take Your Seat at The Table

Judges 1:1-7 KJV

Now after the death of Joshua it came to pass, that the children of Israel asked the Lord, saying, who shall go up for us against the Canaanites first, to fight against them?

2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up: behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.

3 And Judah said unto Simeon his brother, come up with me into my lot, that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with thee into thy lot. So, Simeon went with him.

4 And Judah went up; and the Lord delivered the Canaanites and the Perizzites into their hand: and they slew of them in Bezek ten thousand men. 5 And they found Adonibezek in Bezek: and they fought against him, and they slew the Canaanites and the Perizzites. 6 But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.

7 And Adonibezek said, Threescore and ten kings, having their thumbs and their great toes cut off, gathered their meat under my table: as I have done, so God hath requited me. And they brought him to Jerusalem, and there he died.

Adonibezek did this to the 70 other kings to demonstrate his superiority over them. With no thumbs they could not hold a sword, and without their big toes so they were unstable and could not stand and fight. They lived off the scraps they could gather under his table, so they were weakened by malnutrition. He made sure they were no threat to him.

This is exactly what the devil wants to do to all of us. He wants to oppress you and rob you of the benefits of your salvation. Many of God’s people live like beggars, as if they unaware that they are the rightful heirs to the kingdom of God. Just like the 70 kings, they are royalty (1 Peter 2:9), but they live the life of beggars.

Look at these passages of scripture:

1 Sam 20:14,15 – 14And thou shalt not only while yet I live shew me the kindness of the LORD, that I die not: 15But also thou shalt not cut off thy kindness from my house for ever: no, not when the LORD hath cut off the enemies of David everyone from the face of the earth.

2 Sam 9:1 – 1And David said, is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan’s sake?

2 Sam 9:3, 4 – 3And the king said, is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son, which is lame on his feet. 4And the king said unto him, where is he? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo’debar.

Look at the meaning in these names:

Mephibosheth = dispeller of shame

Ammiel = People of God

Lodebar = Pastureless, dry, empty, barren,

Machir = Slavery

Here was a son of Jonathan living like a beggar, Why? He was unfamiliar with the covenant, between his father and David. The devil is holding many of God’s people in bondage to guilt and shame, they are slaves to a past that has been washed away by the blood of Jesus. Yet they are living like beggars because they haven’t taken the time to read the covenant between themselves and God.

The Syrophenician woman begging for help from Jesus said that she was willing to accept the crumbs that fall from the children’s table, ‘even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.’ She was an alien; she didn’t know or have part in the covenant between God and Israel.

But it is sad when covenant sons and daughters, because of ignorance, allow the devil to oppress them and brings them into bondage where they live like beggars.

Friends, you are not beggars, that’s the bottom line! The enemy has no authority to hold you in bondage of guilt or shame to your past, you are the covenant children of God. You have received the ‘Spirit of Adoption’ and you entitled to all the promises of God.

Jesus is calling you to His banqueting table, and at His table no one see’s what you were, only what you are, and what you are becoming in Him. Praise God, Jesus breaks every chain!

When you begin to see this, when you take your rightful place at the table, when you recognize the authority you have in the name of Jesus, and the power that lives in you by the infilling of the Holy Ghost, the devil is defeated. When you have the Holy Ghost, you are filled with the power to defeat the devil. You have spiritually cut off the enemy’s thumbs and toes, he is defeated in your life, and he is no longer poses a threat to you.

Repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and then take your seat at the "Table of God."

Acts 2:38

5 Smooth Stones - 5 Powerful Truths

1 Samuel 17:40-51

40 And he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand: and he drew near to the Philistine. 41 And the Philistine came on and drew near unto David; and the man that bare the shield went before him. 42 And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance. 43 And the Philistine said unto David, Am I a dog, that thou comest to me with staves? And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. 44 And the Philistine said to David, come to me, and I will give thy flesh unto the fowls of the air, and to the beasts of the field.

45 Then said David to the Philistine, thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the Lord deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcasses of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. 47 And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saveth not with sword and spear: for the battle is the Lord's, and he will give you into our hands.

48 And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 49 And David put his hand in his bag, and took thence a stone, and slang it, and smote the Philistine in his forehead, that the stone sunk into his forehead; and he fell upon his face to the earth. 50 So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone, and smote the Philistine, and slew him; but there was no sword in the hand of David. 51 Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword, and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled.

Ephesians 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We don’t fight a giant of flesh and blood. Our struggle is with an enemy far more powerful than a giant. So, what do the five smooth stones of David symbolize for us? How can I use them effectively against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness, and against spiritual wickedness?

Here are what I believe these 5 smooth stones should represent in the life of the child of God. The first stone can represent the fact that you are CALLED.

“God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 1:9

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;” – 1 Peter 1:15

“That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:12

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” – Galatians 5:13

Second, that you are CHOSEN.

“Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.” 1 Samuel 16:10

“11And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, there remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So, Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” – 1 Samuel 16:11-13

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:” – 1 Peter 2:9

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” – John 15:16

Thirdly that we are ANOINTED.

“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward.” 1 Samuel 16:13

“Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;” 2 Corinthians 1:21

“But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.” – 1 John 2:27

Fourth, child of God, you are SENT.

David was on the battle scene by divine direction: he had been sent there by his father, but his steps were ordered by the Lord. And David knew it.

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” – Psalms 37:23

“Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I am sent before him.” – John 3:28

John the Baptist knew it.

“Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.’ – John 20:21

The Apostles knew it. It says he had told them more than once. Jesus made sure they knew it. And we need to know it as well.

The last stone, the last defense against our enemies, the most powerful weapon in the believer’s arsenal – WE ARE NOT ALONE!

“16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” – 1 Timothy 4:16-17

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” – 1 John 4:4

The enemy of your soul is going to come at you, like Peter warned, as a roaring lion seeking to devour you. The devil wants to sift you, to weaken you, to make you feel unworthy of the sacrifice that Jesus made so that you could be free, and to devour you. So often he succeeds because we are unaware that God has called us, he has chosen us, sent us, anointed us, and stands and fights for us. If we could just grasp these five powerful truths, the devil loses any power he has to torment us.

So how do we get a hold of these truths? Let the Holy Ghost get a hold of us! Instead of being obsessed with this world, we need to get possessed by God. We need to stop leaving Jesus at the door of the church on Sundays and Wednesdays, and allow him to take up residence in us.

It is the Holy Ghost that testifies to us daily, you are called! 

It is the Holy Ghost that drives us to be holy, because we are chosen! 

It is the Holy Ghost that drives us to proclaim truth to the sinful world around us, real truth and not a watered down politically correct powerless version, but a life sustaining, soul saving gospel – because we are sent! 

It is the Holy Ghost that reminds us that we are anointed, set apart for the Lord’s use, and these signs follow them that believe. So, by faith we lay hands on the sick and they recover, we cast out demons in the name of Jesus, and we speak with new tongues!

It is the presence of the Holy Ghost living in us that awakens us to Emmanuel, God with us! 

The devil can’t touch me, the devil doesn’t dictate my joy – It is the God in me that has set my feet upon the rock, the name of Jesus, and I know whom I have believed in, I know he is able, and I know victory is mine forever.

The devil can come at me with any weapon he has, just like the old coyote in the road runner cartoons, all his devices will fail. He comes at me with ineffective weaponry, because I am armed with truth and I stand against him in the mighty name of Jesus! I am covered with the full armor of God, filled with the Holy Ghost, I am CALLED, I am CHOSEN, I am SENT, I am ANOINTED, I am NOT ALONE, and I will not fear!