Identity Theft

Who are we?  What are we about?  What is our purpose here?  Why were we chosen for that purpose?  I do not have all of the answers to those questions.  Not for myself or anybody else.  God has all those answers and to be honest, I'm glad that He doesn't give me all the answers.
Here is what we do know: We are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9), We are children of the Most High with blessing and purpose.  With that being said, why are we so beaten down and downtrodden?  Have you been in any run of the mill churches lately?  I'm not saying that they are not good people, but why are they so sad looking? You want to wear a suit to church?  That is perfectly fine with me.  If you also want to wear blue jeans and a white t shirt, that's cool too.  God knows what you look like at all times of the day. So when we come to church, why is there no celebration?  One large reason, among many, is that we have lost the view of ourselves that God sees us in.  We've lost our identity.  Don't take me out of context, yes we are sinners, yes we continually mess up in one way or another.  His grace covers that too!  (Romans 6:1-14)
God is a PRO at taking our issues and getting glory out of it.  Satan is going to constantly remind you of who you are in your mess.  He will also remind you of all of your mistakes.  Those things are not who you are.  Divorce is not who you are.  Being fired is not who you are.  Your broken car is not who you are.  DO NOT DEFINE YOUR SELF BY YOUR MESS!
Let's talk about Blind Bartimaeus.  Mark 10:46-52 recounts his story.  Jesus is going out of Jericho and this blind man screams Jesus' name. They tell him to hush, but he yells even more.  Jesus commands him to come to Him. Mark 10:50 "And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus"
I know, "dude, what's your point?"  Back then, you basically had to have a license to beg.  The tattered and torn clothing that you wore was to signify that you were poor, destitute, and needy.  Notice, that this blind man didn't even wait to be helped up.  Also, as a Jewish man, he would have heard about this "Son of David" that was the Messiah and how He would be able to heal all infirmities.  In verse 48, he cries out referring to Jesus as Son of David.  He is not going to waste this chance to get a life of not being a beggar.  He took his chance, gave everything he had for one chance to get a new identity.  An identity that had nothing to do with his old self.
Application time!  What is your license to beg?  What is your identity that doesn't agree with the Word of God?  Throw your excuses aside and move on to bigger and better things.  1 Peter 5:6-7 and Matthew 6:33.   Always remember this: Satan is a liar, the accuser of the brethren, and constantly looking for an opportunity to take you away from your divine purpose.  All the trouble that we get into is not Satan's fault, but he certainly has his share of deceptions and lies under his belt.  Rebuke him, look toward Jesus, and put your faith in Him.  As youth groups used to say: "Just F.R.O.G. it" (Fully Rely On God)  Grace and Peace be with you ALWAYS!