Do you know who you are?

Last winter my husband and I embarked on a journey. We weren't aware of it at the time that we signed up for it, but this class has changed our whole life.

Our church offers a series of classes about getting into Spiritual "SHAPE". The first class is about Strengthening your faith and learning your identity in Christ. It is a very structured class. For 3 weeks you attend a class once a week, listen to sermons, read scripture, journal about the things that you are learning, and participate in other 'exercises' that strengthen your relationship with God. You have an accountability coach that is there to help you, pray with you, and help you understand things that you might not understand, (although it is pretty straightforward information.)

Among other things, you learn that:

• Christ went to the cross for YOU/ME.
• You/I are cherished by God.
• We are co-heirs with Christ, adopted into His holy family.
• We are, because of the blood of Christ, made holy and blameless in God's sight.
• Forgiven.
• Have the same power as Christ, because we are given the Holy Spirit to live in us.

For so much of my life I had heard these things, read them, and even said them, but in the context of this class I finally LEARNED them. I finally BELIEVED them. And once I believed them, I have no choice than to live them. The love of God, and what He sent His son to do for ME, compels me to live differently than I did before. I'm no where near the perfection that He desires for us but I hope that by prayer, reading my bible every day, listening to good bible teaching, and the like, that I will draw closer to the ideal life that God has for me.

It changed our life and our home because I understand now that God wants us to be with Him every single day. In our thoughts, our speech, in helping one another in large and minute ways. It has drastically changed my daily pattern of life! Rather than check F*cebok or email, the first thing that I do every morning is grab my cup of coffee and sit down with my Bible and my journal. I read the word of God and use the journal to jot down what I learn while reading, or consciously pray for people in my life or situations that other's face, our country, the entertainment business, or any number of other things that the Holy Spirit puts on my heart. Some days, this time in my Bible and journaling is what brings me, literally, to my knees in my living room, giving it ALL to God in prayer and asking for His guidance. 

I know that I am a beloved child of God. Who are you?

Because of copyright laws, please understand that this is a small overview of what this class entails. If you wish to learn more about this class, or others offered at my church please go to the New Life Pomona website. All Spiritual SHAPE materials are written and compiled by Billy Doray, copyright 2015.