They Say, We Say, I Say, You Say

We can say so many defeating and negative things about ourselves – when we need to be saying what God says about us instead. Others may cast shadows of doubt in us by what they say to us and then there’s the times when WE (you know, misery loves company) speak negative and self-deprecating things about ourselves. I love Lauren Daigle’s song “You Say”. It is an anthem to what God says about us and His is the only voice we should be listening to, unless others agree with us about what God says about us. We must silence other voices that tell us otherwise.

Lauren Daigle, two-times grammy award winning artist and songwriter, said the following about her song “You Say”. She was being challenged with the issue of her identity and was trying to figure out how to exist when she felt like so many things were pulling her in so many different directions. She said, “I think a lot of times we build these complexes based on insecurity, based on fear, based on rejection, and lies that we have to constantly overcome. And so, this song for me was just a reminder of identity. It was a reminder that I know when I’m weak, He’s strong—so how do I change that and bring that into my everyday life? When I feel inadequate, how is it that there’s always these moments where I feel like God just steps in and supersedes my inadequacies. This entire song was so every single day I would get up on stage and remind myself—no, this is the truth, this is the truth, this is the truth. Don’t get buried in confusion. Don’t get buried in waywardness. Just remember to steady the course, steady the course." Here is the chorus:

You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing
You say I am strong when I think I am weak
And you say I am held when I am falling short
And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours
And I believe, Oh I believe, What You say of me. I believe.

Lauren’s worth, according to her song's lyrics, is found in God and whatever He says about her strength and ability. I agree with Lauren. It is so easy for me to fall into the trap of allowing what others think of me to determine my identity. There is really only ONE who has the authority to tell me who I am...and that is my Creator. This song, “You Say” encouraged me so much the first time I heard it. And, it inspired me to do a little treasure hunt for scriptures that we can all use to discover who we really are in Him. Let's discover what God's Word has to say about it and stand in faith and belief on what it says.

I am a child of God. (John 1:12)
I am a friend of Jesus. (John 15:15)
I have been justified and redeemed. (Romans 3:24)
I have been set free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
As a child of God, I am a fellow heir with Christ. (Romans 8:17)
I have been accepted by Christ. (Romans 15:7)
I am a new creature in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
I am no longer a slave, but a child and an heir. (Galatians 4:7)
I am chosen, holy, and blameless before God. (Ephesians 1:4)
I am seated in heavenly places with Christ. (Ephesians 2:6)
I am a citizen of heaven. (Philippians 3:20)
The peace of God guards my heart and mind. (Philippians 4:7)
I have been made complete in Christ. (Colossians 2:10)
God loves me and has chosen me. (1 Thessalonians 1:4)

All of those “I am” scriptures prove who we are if we have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and committed to serve Him in word and actions. I've seen way too much evidence that He sees me right where I am today, and I know His love for me is vast. I've experienced way too many of God's blessings, and I know they didn't come to me by coincidence. I've been loved so much that it's the story of my life. And, I want it to be the story of your life as well. I want it to change everything -- including how you look at God, and yourself, and other people. I want you to live in confidence that when God looks at you, He sees beauty. He sees value. He sees hope. He sees a precious treasure beyond compare. And when you're hiding, or when you feel so beaten down, and you can't see anything clearly, He's still hard at work, crafting for you a beautiful future. He sees you. He loves you. We are SO loved by ALMIGHTY God -- doesn't that AMAZE you? It sure amazes me. Listen to this song and let it resonate within your spirit that YOU ARE HIS!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIaT8Jl2zpI

I'm Claiming My Inheritance!

"Inheritance" is the name of my grandchildren's church youth group. I love that! I’ve thought about my own inheritance. I didn’t come from a wealthy family in terms of financial status and means, but how rich I am in the inheritance I received in the loving, serving and living in God’s grace and peace of my parents. In that sense, I have inherited abundance.

An inheritance is what we get for being part of a family that’s rightfully ours. Let’s pretend that our father is multi-billionaire Bill Gates, and he dies. We'd be very foolish to not take the time to read the will. We wouldn’t receive and enjoy the benefits from what belongs to us as a child of Bill Gates. Even more status with riches beyond measure is becoming a follower of Jesus. At that point, we’re not just a believer — we’re a BELONGER. We become a part of God’s family. Family privileges come along with that decision. We have a spiritual inheritance. Galatians 4:7 says "So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are His child, God has made you also an heir."

What a shame it would be if we went through our entire lives and we didn’t know what benefits were available to us as children of God! Our loving Father didn't write a document that He put away in a safety deposit box and someday we’ll find out what the document says about our inheritance. Oh, no! We have already received our inheritance! We can already be enjoying the benefits of peace, joy, hope, love, overcoming faith, and walking in confidence in Whose we are, and best of all -- living eternally with Him!

When we read the Bible, we clearly can see God's LIVING WILL for us. It is all available to us right here – right now! It helps us live out God's purpose for our lives and to know the inheritance He has provided for us. His Word helps us grow and walk in that inheritance. Thank goodness for knowing we have been chosen, not forsaken; He is for us, not against us. We are who He says we are. Our great King welcomes us, sets us free, and is for us! I am a child of God. Yes I am! And so are you!

What are Your Credentials?

I've seen friends posting about the newly graduated medical doctors in their families. They have credentials and titles now. They earned them after years of hard work, intense training, and much effort! Along with those credentials comes respect, plus enormous responsibility to medical ethics. Their new titles and credentials will forever be a part of their life story.

I don't have a suffix that could be added to the end of my name, but I DO have credentials, and if you are a child of God and earnestly follow Jesus....so do you. Here are mine, and yours, too!

Donna Wuerch, COG -- Child of God
“All of you are God’s children because of your faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26

Donna Wuerch, NC – New Creation
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” II Corinthians 5:17

Donna Wuerch, AC -- Ambassador for Christ
"I am an ambassador for Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:20

Donna Wuerch, FD – Forgiven Daughter
“For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28

Donna Wuerch, WDF – Worth Dying For
“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Donna Wuerch, FB -- Fruit Bearer
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

You can obtain those credentials, too. No tests required. Our God-given credentials don’t belong to us because of who we are, but rather because of to Whom we belong. We have a tremendous responsibility as representatives of Jesus Christ to exemplify Him in our attitudes, our character, and in our love for others.

Maybe we should have business cards made with our God-given credentials on them!

What are Your Credentials?

My sweet BFF, Sheila Michie, is shout-from-the-mountain proud of her son AND his new credentials, M.D. (Doctor of Medicine). He earned that title and suffix after his name, following many years of hard work, intense training, preparation, and much effort! Joseph worked hard for the right to place them next to his name. and along with those credentials comes respect, plus enormous responsibility to medical ethics. Joseph's new title and credentials will forever be a part of his life story, but they don't define him. He is also a husband, a daddy, friend, son, nephew, etc.

While I don't have a suffix that could be added to the end of my name, I DO have credentials, and if you are a child of God and earnestly follow Jesus....so do you. Here are mine, and yours, too!

Donna Wuerch, COG -- Child of God
“All of you are God’s children because of your faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26

Donna Wuerch, NC – New Creation
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” II Corinthians 5:17

Donna Wuerch, DW -- Doer of the Word
"I am a doer of the Word and blessed in my actions." James 1:22,25

Donna Wuerch, AC -- Ambassador for Christ
"I am an ambassador for Christ." 2 Corinthians 5:20

Donna Wuerch, LW -- Light of the World
"I am the light of the world." Matthew 5:14

Donna Wuerch, MC -- More than a Conqueror
"I am more than a conqueror through Him Who loves me." Romans 8:37

Donna Wuerch, FD – Forgiven Daughter
“For this is My blood that establishes the covenant; it is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.” Matthew 26:28

Wuerch, FWM -- Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
"I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14

Donna Wuerch, WDF – Worth Dying For
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Donna Wuerch, FB -- Fruit Bearer
"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in Him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing." John 15:5

How can you obtain those credientials, too? We don't have to take a test or do anything special to deserve such distinctions. Our God-given credentials do not belong to us because of who we are, but rather because of to Whom we belong. And, like the responsibility that Dr. Joseph Michie carries with his new title, we have a tremendous responsibility as representatives of Jesus Christ. We exemplify Him in our attitudes, our character, and in our love for others.

Maybe we should have business cards made with our God-given credentials on them!