NorthStar Community Daily Devotional

Day 14 - Jesus Knew Who He “Be”

Scripture focus: For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, "Since you are God's Son, jump." The Devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: "He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won't so much as stub your toe on a stone." Jesus countered with another citation from Deuteronomy: "Don't you dare test the Lord your God." Matthew 4:5-7 The Message

When Jesus preached his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, portions highlighted in previous devotionals), he was pointing us toward our true, God-created identity. Have you ever noticed how we define people by what they wear? What do you think when you see young women in old-fashioned dresses, no make-up and lace caps or someone loaded up with piercings, tattoos and all-black outerwear? How about jean style, tall white socks, narrow ties, wide ties, boxers or briefs? We often make statements about who we are by what we choose to wear. In today’s scripture focus, Jesus shows who he is by how he chooses to respond to temptation. Even in the midst of temptation, Jesus keeps his eye on the truth. He doesn’t allow the outside world to dictate his inner state of being. Temptation has a way of testing our core beliefs about who we are and how we live. Some suggest that the real problem is an inaccurate sense of self, masked by denial and maintained by the power of projection (we use things like style to define us rather than who we are on the inside). If it is true, what would happen if we decided to get real about our true, God-created selves?

Here’s who God says we are…

• I am God’s adopted child, friend, his temple, co-worker, his workmanship, member of Christ’s body and can’t be separated from him.
• I am united with Him, belong to him, and one with Him in spirit, and a citizen of heaven.
• I have direct access to God through the Holy Spirit and may approach God with freedom and confidence
• I was bought for a price, redeemed, freed from condemnation, and forgiven.
• I am a saint; I am complete; I am a minister of reconciliation; I am a witness.
• I am assured that all things work together for good and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

See Matthew 5:13, John 1:12, 15:5, 15; Acts 1:8, Romans 5:1, 8; 1 Corinthians 3:16,6:17-20, 12:27; 2 Corinthians 1:21, 5:17-19, 6:1; Ephesians 1:1,5; 2:6, 10, 18; Philippians 1:6, 3:20, 4:13; Hebrews 4:16, 1 John 5:18, Colossians 1:14, 2:10, 3:3; 2 Timothy 1:7 I am not suggesting that knowing these things will morph us into little Jesus, but it helps to know the truth about our promise and potential. Part of the transformation process involves willingness to be transformed. For now, it might be beneficial to ask yourself: do my insides match my outsides?

Recommended reading: Proverbs 1-3

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