Affirmations 2023: A New Series
Affirmations 2023 | Your Identity in Jesus Christ | Full Armor of God
Let’s Get Started!
Happy January 15th, dear readers!
Wow, it’s the middle of the first month of the new year. Already! I guess it’s time for me to press the accelerator down and zoom into 2023. When I asked the Lord what to write about, I sensed His leading to focus on one key word:
Encouragement
Do you know who you are in Christ Jesus?
I mean, really know?
I’m excited about this 2023 encouragement journey into God’s word, and I hope you’ll come along. To join me on this spiritual road trip:
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Two Road Maps
In 2022, my Bible study group and I were blessed by two studies our facilitator selected for us. I recommend you spend the year absorbing God’s truth about who we are in Him through these two studies. Why? Our enemy, the adversary, is the father of lies and his goal is to attack us, deceive us, and discourage us so we’re not effective in our work for God (reaching the lost and making disciples).
We may get so busy with everyday life, or depressed by negative circumstances, that we forget to put on the full armor of God first thing in the morning (Ephesians 6:10-20). These two books, in 2022, helped me better arm myself with God’s truth and continue to help me grow.
Armor of God, by Priscilla Shirer
Priscilla is one of Dr. Tony Evans’ four children, and she’s a well-known author and Christian conference speaker. Her book with DVDs is available on her publisher’s site and on Christianbooks.com (not affiliate links).
Don’t Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table, by Louie Giglio
Atlanta, Georgia pastor Louie Giglio’s book study with DVDs is available on his publisher’s site and on Christianbooks.com (not affiliate links).
The Road Trip Begins
Both authors discuss affirmations for believers in Jesus Christ. Louie Giglio’s list is the shortest, and I’ll begin with his. I’ve paraphrased his words to create “I am…” statements if you would like to memorize them. (Select the links to visit the post for that affirmation.)
Over the next 10 weeks, I’ll publish each “affirmation map” early on Sunday morning to give you the new week to meditate on the affirmation, God’s love, and His word.
Waypoints on this Journey
This week, take time to read (or listen to) Psalm 23. Focus on verse 5a:
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
One waypoint on this encouragement journey is the table the Lord sets up for you. Where is it? In the presence of your enemies.
Why there? Because:
you’ll deal with your enemy for the rest of your life
there’s nothing to fear as you are in Christ
Until God takes you home, you’ll deal with your enemy almost every day in this life. You’re in a spiritual war, and when you repented of your sins and received God’s gracious gift of redemption, you joined God’s side in this war. The enemy is pissed off because he lost you. He can no longer destroy your soul.
You can sit at your Good Shepherd’s table, with your enemies around you, without fear. The Lord is with you. He leads you and guides you, always and forever. You are never alone for His Holy Spirit dwells in you. [Read my series on the Holy Spirit.] The Lord will always protect your soul; your enemy is defeated by Jesus’ work on the cross. Jesus put death to death. And, His resurrection gives you eternal life.
Finally, Affirmations 2023 Defined
The affirmations in this series are much more than what you can find from internet searches or read in business or self-help books. This journey’s focus is on who God says you are in Him, and it’s life-giving news. May your soul be refreshed as you meditate on His love for you over the next several weeks. If you feel led, please share this series with others.
Maranatha, come (again), Lord Jesus!
Soli Deo Gloria!
Conversation & Community
What are your thoughts about affirmations? About your journey with this series?
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