Identity Advantage with Daphne Delay

It's only crazy until it happens.

That's a quote by Michael Todd, a pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But it perfectly describes how crazy faith can sound and feel at times-- until God shows up!

There are key elements to faith and since Christians can't live in this world successfully without faith, isn't it important to know how faith works? I promise this episode will stir you to step out-- even if it looks crazy!

Jesus didn't set us free so we could get all bound up in the ideologies of this natural world. What I mean is, it's important to lived a balanced life, aware of the natural and spiritual all the time.

Unfortunately, too many people (myself on occasion) get caught up in the demands of the natural and forget we can live fluid with Christ, no matter where we are or what's going on. In fact, it's not a suggestion-- it's the reality of a life in Christ.

Religion, fueled by the enemy's lies and our own misunderstandings and insecurities, has made us believe God is mad at us-- or prone to be mad at us if we make a mistake. This is NOT the truth.

The Bible actually says, "So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus the Anointed One" (Romans 8:1, TPT). This is a great place for a Hallelujah and an Amen!

Tune in to learn more!

You know the feeling... you're hungry but it's showing up in more ways than just your stomach growling. You are hangry and the only thing that will fix it is some food.

The same is true spiritually! The number one cause of burn-out is hunger. Jesus said He is the Bread of Life and all who partake of Him will live forever. But you know you can't live naturally on one meal, so why do you think you can spiritually? Tune in to this week's podcast for some encouragement and tools to fix your hunger (burn-out).

I don't feel guilty when I don't eat every day. I feel hungry.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO KNOW YOUR ENEMY?

Someone once said, "If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will suffer defeat. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles" (author unknown).

There are three understandings here: (1) If you understand yourself and your enemy, you will be far more likely to win any battle. (2) If you understand yourself, but not your enemy, you have roughly a 50/50 chance of winning. (3) If you understand neither yourself nor your enemy, you will probably lose every battle. 

But I'd like to say it this way: If you understand neither your GOD nor your enemy, you will probably lose every battle. 

The prophets of old had a taste of something that only YOU and I HAVE REAL ACCESS TO. Think about it. We have New Testament salvation — a life in Christ! Every person we could read about in the Old Testament wanted what you have-- and they knew it would be glorious!

In fact, the Bible says angels were even curious about it. Life in Christ is glorious. And heaven thinks it's amazing…! You can almost imagine them saying, "Do they know what they have? Do they know what’s in them?"

If you've ever wrestled with condemnation and trying to "earn" God's love and favor, you need to listen to this week's podcast. This was my story-- I was on a gerbil wheel for years trying to do good, failing, getting back up, beating myself up, hoping God wouldn't reject me, and starting over in this same vicious cycle.

Let me tell you: It's exhausting. And it's a lack of knowledge.

The truth is, long before you and I were of any use to God, He decided to bring us into favor and harmony with Himself through Jesus Christ. So if He did that BEFORE we could earn it, He's not going to reject us now.

There's something missing in our culture today-- and that's, compassion. In a world that's prone to throw around judgment, we need to remember the mission of Jesus was not to condemn (especially not first). Jesus showed active pity in every situation He encountered.

I'm not suggesting righteous judgment be ignored. I'm simply emphasizing as Jesus did: We've neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith.

Peace is the number one way God leads us.

There is peace that passes understanding — and you and I need it. There is so much that we won’t understand in this world (people, situations, etc) but if we start meditating on on those things, a trap is set for us.

However, if we’ll DO what God’s Word says, we can be anxious for nothing! 

Most likely, you are familiar with the story of Peter walking on the water. But don't discount the help it provides us in this hour because one word from God can keep you on top of the storms in your life.

One of the biggest doors the enemy is trying to pull us all through is the door of fear. The Bible says Peter "saw [perceived and felt] that the wind was boisterous and he was afraid" (Matthew 14:30). The enemy uses the same tactics on you and I today-- but we can learn from Peter's story and instead of sinking, you can keep walking.