This is part of the by design Leadership for Women in Ministry series. I presented it at The Fellowship in Easton, MA 9/25/2010. Email us for the handout if you'd like to see the whole thing. Details on the ministry at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Carlisle-MA/by-design-ministries/279533533764?v=wall&ref=ts or http://www.bydesignministry.org

1. Jean Marrapodi  jmarrapodi@applestar.org @jmarrapodi401-440-61615 Secure in Christ Embracing Your True Identity In Christ

3. Practical Application

5. I must meet certain standards to feel good about myself

6. I must have the approval of certain others to feel good about myself.

7. Those who fail are unworthy of love and deserve to be punished.

8. I am what I am, I cannot change. I am hopeless.

9. How we respond Over-Compensate Isolate Constantly Compare Rely Heavily on Others Wear Relational Masks

10. The Spiritualizer Wants to appear “spiritual” Hides behind pious words Focused on looking good Always ready to give a sermon rather than affection and practical help

11. Acts 5:1-10 Sapphira Nicolas Poussin. The Death of Sapphira. 1652.

13. Is not allowing God to work in her life in the hard places

14. Doesn’t want to make waves

17. Getting things done is more important than loving people

18. Offers advice when it isn’t wanted or needed

21. Tells lots of jokes and stories

22. Changes the topic if it becomes too personal

25. Has trouble accepting love from God and others

26. Lives with constant self-pity and guilt

29. Wants people to notice her sacrifices

30. Neglects her own needs

32. The Imposter

34. Is preoccupied with acceptanceand approval

35. Suppresses or camouflages feelings

36. Has a compulsive desire to present a Perfectimage

37. Is insensitive to the needs and dreams of others

39. Come back for Part 2 Who we are in Christ The Biblical Basis for Our Worth Practical Application Reclaiming the Joy

40. Watch a video set to the music of Casting Crown’s The Voice of Truth Click the link to watch it on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TCggDyarl0

41. The Biblical Basis for Our Worth

43. Reviewing the Truth Satan says You must meet certain standards to feel good about yourself. God says Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. - Romans 5:1-2 Justification

44. Reviewing the Truth Satan says You must have the approval of certain others to feel good about yourself. God says I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. -Jeremiah 31:3 Reconciliation

45. Reviewing the Truth Satan says Those who fail are unworthy of love and deserve to be punished. God says This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. -1 John 4:10 Propitiation

46. Reviewing the Truth Satan says You are what you are. You cannot change. God says Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! -2 Corinthians 5:17 Regeneration

47. Therefore… Because of ________ I am completely forgiven and fully pleasing to God. I no longer have to fear failure. Christ

48. Therefore… Because of _________I am totally accepted by God. I no longer have to fear rejection. Christ

49. Therefore… Because of ________I am deeply loved by God. I no longer have to fear punishment or punish others. Christ

50. Therefore… Because of ________ I have been made brand new, complete in Christ. I no longer need to experience the pain of shame. Christ

51. Watch a video produced by a Canadian Youth Group set to the music of Casting Crown’s “Who Am I?” Click to watch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT7x3VnrqbA

52. Applying the Truth

53. Begin with prayerful self-examination

54. Accept the wounded places and allow God to make you a “wounded-healer”

55. Cooperate with the ultimate Makeover Artist

56. Deepen your relationship with God

57. Remove the masks and become more authentic with others

58. Remove the Mask

59. What does it mean tobe a daughter of the King? It means that I am accepted as God’s belovedchild It means that I have hope and a future It means that I have access to the King of Kings It means that I have an eternalinheritance It means that I have a ready defense against all enemies It means that I have a reason to celebrate!

60. Who am I in Christ? I am a new creation of infinite worth. I am deeply loved, completely forgiven, fully pleasing and totally accepted by God. I am absolutely complete in Christ. When my performance reflects my new identity in Christ, that reflection is dynamically unique. There has never been another person like me in the history of mankind, nor will there ever be. God has made me an original, one of a kind, a special person. -Robert McGee, The Search for Significance

61. Look for reminders from God of your true identity in Him. They are in the everyday details too! He loves you so very much. Listen. Get the tune stuck in your head. Remember. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrDcZA08_Ek