Who do you say that I am?

Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, 

Who do  people say that  the Son of Man is?

And they answered, 

Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

He said to them, 

But who do you {yourselves} say that I am?

Simon Peter replied, 

You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Then Jesus answered him,

Blessed {happy, fortunate, and to be envied} are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. For flesh and blood {men} have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter {Greek, Petros --a large piece of rock}, and on this rock {Greek, petra -- a huge rock like Gibraltar} I will build My church, and the gates of Hades {the powers of the infernal region} shall not overpower it {or be strong to its detriments or hold out against it}. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind {declare to be improper and unlawful} on earth must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose  {declare lawful} on earth must be what is already loosed in heaven.

Jesus already knew who He was. He was secure in His identity even when those around Him had no idea who He really was. Peter had a revelation of who Jesus was. Peter recognized Him as "the Christ, the Son of the living God." After Peter declared who Jesus was, Jesus gave Peter a new name, new identity, & new purpose. 

In a similar manner when we confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that He rose from the grave on the third day (Romans 10:9-10) --we also are given a new identity. 

God uses US.

God gives us a NEW name whenever we are saved.

As His children we have purpose.

Our purpose now? 

To advance HIS Kingdom as His sons & daughters by loving Him outrageously and loving others with all that's within us.

But.

There is an enemy that would love to distract you from your new identity and purpose in Christ. He would love to tear you down, make you question who you are and especially make you question the purposes and plans that He has for you. 

Don't let him.

People doubt. People say mean things. People hurt.

But. 

Let's follow Jesus' example --when people questioned who he was and oftentimes mislabeled Him--He continued to walk in all the authority that God, His Father, had given Him to accomplish all that was in front of Him every single day.

People won't always recognize the potential in you, but that's OKAY because God, the one that put those purposes in your heart, is the one that can make them come into fruition.

Be steadfast. Be consistent. Be faithful.

God is for you!

You are hidden in Christ. 

Keep the faith.

"..being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completionuntil the day of Christ Jesus."

Amen!

{Shauna Nicole}

Dear Heavenly Father,

I pray right now in the name of Jesus over every person that comes across this post. Lord, may the desires and purposes that you have placed within them COME TO LIFE. I pray against the enemy and all of his tactics and schemes. I pray their identity would be found in You and that they would hold tight to that identity and NOT the lies that may have been spoken over them. 

Lead and guide them in Your truth Lord. 

I love you. 

In Jesus' Name, AMEN!