Brandie J. Muncaster: Embracing Your New Identity
[Peter and John] noticed the linen cloths lying there, but the burial cloth that had been on Jesus’ head had been rolled up and placed separate from the other cloths.
~John 20:6-7 TPT
Is there anything that comes to mind as you think about your identity that needs to be rolled up, laid aside, and left in the tomb today?
Perhaps it’s an old mindset or belief you still struggle with. Maybe you feel unlovable, unacceptable, unworthy, inadequate, or not fit for the job. Perhaps you feel like a failure, fearful, anxious, weak, not smart enough, not good enough, or caught in bondage that you feel like you can’t get out of. Maybe you’re in a situation where you feel unwanted, depressed, hopeless, condemned, or alone.
Friend, there is hope in Jesus Christ.
In Him, we can leave those burial clothes behind like He did. The linen burial cloths that wrapped around Jesus’ body after his death on the cross were rolled up, laid aside, and left in the tomb on the day of his resurrection. This serves as a beautiful symbol of Jesus’s new life, and ours.
Jesus left everything in the tomb He was resurrected from. He didn’t leave the tomb in the same state He entered it in--everything old, He discarded. #VineWords #BrandiJMuncaster #EmbacingyourNewIdentity Click To TweetJesus left everything in the tomb He was resurrected from. He didn’t leave the tomb in the same state He entered it in–everything old, He discarded. When Jesus entered the grave, His body was pierced, torn, crushed, bruised, and beaten. When He emerged, He was completely transformed. His body no longer bore the open wounds He incurred on the cross. In place of Jesus’s injuries, healed scars told a story of pain to healing.
In place of Jesus’s injuries, healed scars told a story of pain to healing.
~Brandie J. Muncaster, Author of Garden Tales: A Seed’s Story
The Bible says when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, we belong to Him and we become a new person. Our old life passes away, and our new life begins. In other words, our old life of sin, the power of satan, the religious works of trying to please God, our old relationship with the world, and our old mindsets–these all pass away. We are made entirely new by our union with Jesus Christ and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, all things have become new.
~2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
Perhaps you feel like you can’t reach God, or you’re afraid of what the enemy can do. Maybe you feel unconfident. Whatever the insecurity is, I challenge you today to identify the issue that comes to your mind, and then ask Jesus to give you His perspective about it. Ask Him to help you to roll it up, lay it aside, and leave it in the tomb where it belongs. You have a new identity in Christ, so take off the graveclothes.
Do you see yourself as still wearing burial clothes, or as new in Jesus Christ? Let’s talk about it…
Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me a new identity. Thank You for working in my life. Please help me to identify something I’m struggling with today that does not align with the truth of how You see me. As I sit here with You, please bring to my mind your perspective about this issue, and then help me to roll this problem up, lay it aside, and leave it in the tomb where it belongs. Help me to instead cling to Your grace, and to know I am renewed through You.
Amen.
Genre: Non-fiction
Copyright 2021: Embracing Your New Identity: Brandie J. Muncaster: All Rights Reserved
Meet Our Contributor
BRANDIE J. MUNCASTER
Brandie J. Muncaster’s passion for writing is fueled from her desire to help people discover what it means to live and walk in their true identity in the Lord Jesus Christ. As someone who has known the powerful transforming work of God in her own life, she is passionate about seeing others experience the same. Through prayer, and applying the Word, she ministers the love of God.
Brandie is a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More and Kingdom Winds.
She is the author of the children’s book Garden Tales: A Seed’s Story. Her work-in-progress is a memoir entitled A Story of Redemption, where she shares how God has brought inner healing through His Word.
Brandie is a conference speaker. She has ministered at Life Potential for Women Conference hosted by Jozel Kale and Luke Laffin; Forest Hill Church Women of Valor Conference hosted by Marilyn Chadwick and Stacey Martin; Southbrook Church Rooted Conference, and Southbrook Church Live Out Loud Event, both conferences hosted by Kathy Johnston; and other venues.
She is a member of Word Weavers of Charlotte; Hope Writer’s Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Kingdom Winds Collective.
She and her husband have three children. She enjoys spending time her children playing sports, or visiting the coast or the mountains. Brandie enjoys reading, painting, running, and homesteading. She resides in Charlotte, NC.
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Brandie this devotion is inspiring. Thank you so much! Loved it. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Thank you!
Love this devotion, Brandie! Thank you for the encouragement. I’ve been struggling with the political situation in our country, all the deceit, and all the hate. He reminded me that He is in control and is not surprised. With a smile on my face and joy in my heart, I can know that OUR GOD REIGNS!
Thank you, Evelyn! Gosh, I have been struggling too. I’m glad God isn’t surprised with everything that’s going on. I love the peace and joy He gives us, even in the midst of trials and tribulations. He’s so GOOD!
This is lovely! Great devotional!
Thank you!
Wonderful and inspiring post Ms. Brandie. I can’t remember where I heard or read this, but several years ago I remember that the folded face-covering that was set aside was a symbol (much like folding a dinner napkin instead of wading it up) that He was expected to return. I loved that symbolism, but love more your encouragement to leave the old behind and embrace what God is remaking us to become; more like His Son. 🙂
Thank you J.D. I love that perspective–folding a dinner napkin, expected to return. This morning I’m asking the Lord what old to leave behind and what new to embrace in order to become more like His Son.