Hidden

 How many of us are currently living up to God's divine standard for our lives?

We cannot consistently behave in ways that are different from what we believe about ourselves.

-Kenneth Boa

Proverbs 23:7, “For as a man thinks in his heart, so is he.“

2 Samuel 5:12 [KJV], "And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel's sake."

Our internal perspective might need an adjustment.

Colossians 3:1-3 [NLT], “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven [where?], where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”  

Matthew 16:13-18 [NLT], “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" 14 "Well," they replied, "some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets." 15 Then he asked them, "But who do you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.  You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means 'rock'), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it." 

God can shift our lives in a day, but it will take a journey to arrive at that day.

What pieces of our identity are hidden with Christ? 

1. We are His child - John 1:12

2. We are priests -1 Peter 2:9-11

3. We are kings - Revelation 1:6

4. We are His bride - Revelation 19:7-8

5. We are His servant - 1 Corinthians 4:1

6. We are His friend - John 15:14

7. We are aliens - Ephesians 2:19

8. We are His ambassador - 2 Corinthians 5:20

If I see myself different, I will be different.

Here are a few things he had to conquer along the way...

1. The lion - a symbol of fear 

2. The bear - a symbol of revenge 

3. Eliab - a symbol of comparison 

4. Jesse - a doubting parent

5. Goliath - threats and lies

6. Saul - the test of authority

7. The past - leave the sheep 

Final Thought:  2 Samuel 5:12 [KJV], "And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel's sake." 

John 1:19-22 [NIV], “Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priest and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." 21 They asked him, "Then who are you?  Are you Elijah?"  He said, "I am not."  "Are you the Prophet?"  He answered, "No." 22 Finally they said, "Who are you?  Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?"