Glenda Shouse: My Identity
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you
to go and bear fruit–fruit that will last.
~ John 15:16 NKJV
Many people have experienced identity theft. Their private information has been stolen and used for someone else’s benefit. This results in personal loss, usually financial. None of us want another person to use who we are. We are each unique with our own identity and this uniqueness is a gift from the Lord who created us.
In like manner, there are times when we let other people define who we are by their opinion or by their words. We may think we are defined by our jobs. Saying, I am a teacher, or doctor, or a babysitter, or a store clerk. Or we define who we are by our position in the family,: Mother, Wife, Sister, or Daughter. These are all very important roles, but they only describe what we do, and not who we are.
May our deepest desire be to know who God says we are!
As you dig into Ephesians, the first three chapters, you will find God’s description of who we are. We are saved, redeemed, forgiven, loved, blessed, accepted in the Beloved, justified, sanctified, holy, set free, brought near, made alive in Christ, and so much more. We have been created by God, and this for His pleasure. In John 15, Jesus says we are chosen, appointed, and that spiritually we are fruit-bearers.
We find our real identity as we read the word of God and recognize that He created us for the praise of His glory.(see Ephesians 1:12,14.)
Friend, if you have received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, then you recognize that you are not your own person. You are who He says you are, and you belong to the Heavenly Father who loves you with an everlasting love. He has a good plan for your life. Trust Him to reveal this to you as you delight in Him.
Who are you permitting to define who you are?
Heavenly Father, what a blessing it is to know that I am defined by You. May I look to You alone for approval and acceptance.
In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Copyright 2020: My Identity: Author Glenda Shouse: All Rights Reserved
Meet Our Contributor
GLENDA SHOUSE
Glenda Shouse is a devotion writer who is published at Answers2Prayer, Christian Devotions Ministries, PresbyCan, The Upper Room, and other ministries.
She is Editor and a devotion writer for VineWords: Devotions and More. She is a Contributing Author to Love-Knots: Stories of Faith, Family, and Friendships (VineWords Publishing).
Glenda’s prayer shawl ministry, Three-Strand Cord, focuses on imparting hope to ladies going through difficult times. Each recipient is gifted with a hand-crocheted or knitted prayer shawl. When possible, Glenda delivers these shawls personally and prays for each individual.
Those who know Glenda well are aware of her gifting as a prayer warrior. She is a powerhouse of prayer because she has a close relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Glenda is passionate about praying.
In her spare time, Glenda enjoys her role as “Grammy” to her two grandsons. She also enjoys reading, crocheting, and knitting.
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Glenda, thank you for this amazing devotion. The first time I was asked to speak at my church, I felt so unworthy. I prayed, “Lord, they know me; They know the person I used to be; they know my sins. What in the world will they think?” I clearly heard God speak to my spirit, as He said to me, “They don’t define who you are in Me. I define you!” This was such a wonderful message to me. I don’t have to worry about what others think. Only my God defines me! This is such a well-written devotion, and I love it!
Thank you Evelyn for the encouraging comment. I am thankful also that God is the one who defines me. His love is unfathomable.
Great post Glenda.
Thank you.
We can only serve one master. Whether God, self, or somebody else, the one we choose decides our identity. We will conform to their wisdom or lack thereof. It is the most powerful of all decisions.
Lovely post, Glenda. I agree, we must listen to who God says we are in Christ–that’s the true source of our identity. xoxo
Thank you Karen.
As the song goes, “I am who You say I am…” Amen Ms. Glenda. Great post ma’am.
Thank you, Mr. J.D..