Who do you say that I AM

My mother's life exemplifies her belief that Christ is her Savior and King! What a motivator:)

Who do you say that I am?

This is a daily question I wrestle with: Do you want to live in my heart for a heartbeat? Here goes!

I pasted this question of Jesus on my mirror. It motivates me daily to worship the unseen Son of God, Jesus Christ, with as much fullness as He can bring me.

In Matthew 16:16, we read Peter answering this question: "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

It sets me back whenever I read this portion. Jesus first asks the disciples who the people are saying He is, and they answer, "Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." (Matthew 16:13-14).

Before we go forward, I have to review the scene here. Jesus has already (minimally) healed many people, fed the 5,000, and taught as one who has authority. But people are still missing the fact that He is the Messiah. This apathy and misguidedness exemplify a prominent foundational piece of human nature.

We often struggle to look beyond our expectations/circumstances and

see God working right before our eyes!

If God were good....

If God cared about me...

If God is real....

I am tiring of waiting on you, God...

The question in my spirit is "Who, Barb, do you say I am?". Yes, I teach the Word, but what does my life say about Jesus? My time, my words, my presence, I bring into all situations?

One motivating question I have on repeat is --- if I were arrested for being a Christian -- would there be proof? Would I take a stand similar to the disciples and the persecuted church today?

In Acts 7:51 (emphasis mine), we see Stephen's statements before being stoned to death:

"You stiff-necked people! ... You always resist the Holy Spirit! Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered Him."

The Jewish populace had foundational lies embedded in their heart and minds after hearing on repeat that the prophecies of the Messiah were all about the Messiah coming as a judge and conqueror.

They were misfed info on the Repeat and needed a major REWIRE.

I have heard from many that maybe I am "over the top" about understanding the Word because of my past ... But no, I see a need to rewire in many I know who are in various mainstream denominational leanings. My love for the Word (I could eat it like a hamburger) is not rooted in my past, but it is my calling.

When am I innately/subconsciously succumbing to the definition of God that the world feeds me "on repeat"?

Our definition of Christ suffers when:

1. We have false expectations of God (I almost think the worst false expectation is thinking He has no real power).

2. We are blind to His work in our lives (ungratefulness breeds apathy).

3. When false teaching embeds itself so deeply in our spirit, we find ourselves on autopilot, dead, apathetic, and basically under a spell that even miracles and Jesus' teachings cannot penetrate (when is the last time we sensed God with us?).

4. When denominational lies direct our focus on humans via works, penance, myths, tradition, and a false biblical perspective.

   
   

   If we died today, would someone at our funeral be shocked to hear we worshiped Christ? That is one thing that could raise me out of my casket!

   
   

   There is a false belief that revealing our love for Jesus is divisive, and if we "love people," we don't want to offend or "lose friends and followers". This is an apathetic attitude we must battle against. Jesus gave us our purpose to "Go" and make disciples, teaching and baptizing them (Matthew 28). This is the call of every believer, not simply pastoral staff or missionaries. We do this in love. Love that is built on knowledge, goodness, and brotherly affection (2 Peter).

   
   

   Giving money to missionaries is excellent, but let's not let that give us false peace as if our mission field where we live and breathe is not part of our daily call.

   
   

   When you look at Revelation and the churches mentioned, it is interesting to see that Smyrna—the persecuted church—receives no rebuke from Jesus (Rev. 2).

   
   

   The bottom line is that they were being arrested and martyred at this time. Their income was diminished as they were fired from their jobs for being Christian, and at times, they could not buy or sell. This is all because Smyrna was the capital of emperor worship.

   
   

   Of note: In 23 AD, before Christ's death, Rome built the first temple to an Emperor in Smyrna (under Tiberius Caesar).

   
   

   Being persecuted helps us keep our focus on our heavenly calling. Ultimately, the less we have, the more we lean on Christ. This is the very reason Abraham was called to the Wilderness (Gen 12:1). He would be less subject to apathy in a place where he was most dependent on God the Father.

   
   

   In America, we might need to welcome persecution so that we can shake apathy out of us like dirt on a rug. I know I am wired as an American to be materialistic (the early church called all earthly thinking materialistic), and it gets in the way of my intimacy with God. Engaging with materialism will set the priorities of our day and add to our tendency to be self-focused and people-pleasing. Once born-again, the only way to "fit in" the world is to give God's ways the stiff arm.

   
   

   Materialism causes us to lie to ourselves and believe that being a closet Christian allows us to be a light amongst friends, or is required to promote ourselves at work. We are now citizens of heaven, so we will not fit in on earth, ever. This world is no longer our home.

   
   

   I believe that someone who reads this needed this as much as me.

   
   

   Who do you say that I am?

   
   

   When we are in heaven, this earthly time will seem like a blink - how much of it are we willing to sacrifice? Here are a few easy ways to demonstrate Christ in our lives.

   
   

   a. Tell someone about your prayer life: What are you hoping God will move? (Demonstrate your acceptance no matter His answer.)

   b. Invite someone to a worship night or retreat.

   c. Use your social media as a place to give God the glory! We are so proud of our kiddos, but even for their benefit, give God glory for the significant steps in their lives.

   d. Get into the Word so people can sense your dedication to something more significant—it is impossible to read it and remain the same.

   e. Avoid gossip at all costs! (Your friends will sense you are a safe place in their storms of life, like an open door on Noah's ark).

   f. Consistently offer to pray for others.

   
   

   Thank you for joining me today. It is my prayer that we all get bolder still. People around us are slaves to the world and need to be set free! We have the key to their prison cell!

   
   

   Let's go, faithful friends! Jesus is: the Miracle Worker, Prince of Peace, Provider, Healer, Friend, Savior, King, High Priest, and more...