Hello, my name is Teri Secrest and I have a company, Joy Of Living. I would like to welcome you to God Today. Just imagine that you are so secure in knowing who you are that the praises or the criticism of other people never bother you. Wow. Today we are going to talk about your identity.
In my own life, when I was in 8th grade, I was 6 feet tall and the boys were all down here [lowers hand] and I looked pretty ridiculous. If you have ever seen the cartoon character named “Pippi Longstockings”, that was me. Freckles, buck teeth, hair sticking out, I looked ridiculous. Do you know what? I didn’t even realize it because my mom and dad spoke over me every day. They said, “Teri, you are so beautiful. Oh my goodness,” they would say. “Stand tall, put your shoulders back, God made you special and He has great plans for you.”
Somebody may not have done that for you, but what you’re going to learn today is what your identity is and how you can pass it on to the next generation. Beginning with Psalm 149:14, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” Just imagine, you can even say it to yourself. “I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Because you are created in the image of God, if God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
Secondly, I love this, Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.” You know, you can think about this. God is a good God. Knowing that you can expect a good ending. Just wake up in the morning and say, “I expect a good ending.” Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for you, who can be against you?” You can personalize that. If you are a mom or dad, say, “If God is for me as a parent, who can be against me?” If you are married you say, “If God is for my marriage who can be against it?” I like to say, as a businesswoman, “If God be for my business, who can be against it?”
Why is it important that we really become strong in our identity? Because average people always want you to stay average. There are unseen forces and unseen people that do not want to see you arrive at your destiny. So there are times when you are going to have to leave the crowd behind and know this is what God told me to do. These are the talents and skills he has given me. And no matter what, no matter what I am going to do it.
Jesus was a great example. Even at the height of his popularity, he would just get in the boat and leave and go to the other side. When He was at His lowest point ever, He would leave the crowd behind and go be alone with God. There are times you are going to have to do that.
In closing, just imagine this. When you fully understand how much God loves you and you are able to take that and love yourself as much as He loves you, you are unstoppable. And that’s the best part. This is Teri Secrest for God Today.