Hi Everyone,

It is nearly Christmas.  I hope you are all well, and that you are experiencing the joy of the season and the joy of the Lord!  “The joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10)

Today I have a vision to share with you which concerns our identity in Christ.  How do we see ourselves? How do others see us?  And more importantly how does God see us?  This vision is about change and about becoming spiritually free.

We know that we are all individuals, and that we each see things differently.  For instance, to a child, Christmas is an exciting season full of joy and wonder.  For some it is a time to party and eat rich food, and share gifts. To others, it is a holy time, meant to be spent with God.  And to others it is a time of sadness.  Those who have lost loved ones are reminded that they will not be together for the holidays.  Some people are alone, and feel even more alone when others speak of parties, family get-togethers, gift-giving, and winter vacations.  Some are anxious about how to pay for presents that they cannot afford. 

God knows all things.  His love for us is deep and has no limits.  When he heals, he heals completely.  When he delivers, he puts things in order.  When he provides, we are overwhelmingly blessed.  He is good and he is faithful.  There is no one like our Lord!

The Vision - The Jar

As I was praying one morning, I saw the hands of someone removing a label off a glass jar.  Immediately, I knew what this vision meant.  The Lord wants to remove the labels that we have acquired in our lives that bind us and keep us from being all that He wants us to be.   He is preparing to do something different with the jar than how it was used before.  He plans to fill it with something new!  

It is God’s purpose and design to conform us into his image, making us a vessel fit for his use.  He wants us to walk with him in intimacy, as a close friend.  It is his desire for us to be entirely his, and entirely free to worship him and enjoy his presence.

The jar is a vessel; it holds something, keeping it safe.  The lid on a jar keeps the contents from escaping the jar, but it also allows full access. The label on the jar describes what is inside.  Often substances like salt and sugar cannot be distinguished from each other visually.  They could be confused with other similar substances like baking soda.  Hence the need for a label.  You would not want to mistakenly put sugar into your foot bath, rather than Epsom salts.

A label is highly useful when looking for a spice in the cabinet.  How can you season something properly if you grab dried cilantro instead of oregano, or chili powder instead of cinnamon?  The label is also necessary to mark files, to categorize and sort email, and to buy the right size jeans.

People can be honored by labels such as “Doctor, Senator, Congressman, Vice President, Judge, General, Mayor, Pastor, Rabbi, etc.  These are titles that precede the person’s name.  They are positions of authority, and most people feel honored when someone uses their title.  These titles distinguish them from everyone else in the room.  These titles are labels that are  earned through hard work and perseverance.  Although they can also be attained by knowing the right person with power and influence.

Jesus spoke of the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law, who enjoyed being honored.

“Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

“But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers.  And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven.  Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah.  The greatest among you will be your servant.  For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”  Matthew 23:5-12

Jesus demonstrated his humility, when he, as God, chose to leave his heavenly throne and become a servant to mankind, humble in all respects. 

“ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”  Philippians 2:7-8

The writer of Hebrews, quoted a prophetic passage which speaks of the Messiah:

“You made him for a little while lower than the angels; you have crowned him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under his feet.”  Hebrews 2:7

As a humble servant and leader, Jesus values both humility and obedience. As he followed the Father’s will, he also expects us to be humble and obedient to him, following his commands.  

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”  Matthew 11:29

Paul, the apostle, aligned himself with the Lord and also spoke of humility..

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.” Philippians 2:3

James wrote: 

“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  James 4:6

“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”  James 4:10  

So we should not  seek to be called by a title that puffs us up.  Several pastors I know have taken this to heart.  They asked to be addressed by their first names without any titles.  This pleases God.  Two of them are “Davids.”  And of course we are told that David was “a man after God’s own heart.”

“But God removed Saul and replaced him with David, a man about whom God said, ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart.  He will do everything I want him to do.’”  Acts 13:22

Returning to the Vision

In the vision, there were two hands taking the label off the jar.  I believe that the two hands are the Lord’s.  He wants us to agree with him, to remove any titles, whether good or bad, that hinder our walk with him.  

Labels can have very powerful effects on our lives. They have the power to shape and mold our personality and character and affect our interactions with others.  

Very often labels conceal our true identity.  Our attitudes and behaviors reflect how others see us, and how we see ourselves.  If we are treated as important by others, we believe that we deserve honor.  We may think of ourselves as the center of our sphere of influence, with everyone bowing down to us.  However, if we are treated with contempt, and labelled with demeaning names like “stupid” or “fat,” we tend to be apologetic, degrading ourselves and expecting others  to treat us poorly.

These labels need to come off.  Whether they are honorable titles or whether they are demeaning or even cruel, they become bondages to people.  We do not always recognize the harm that titles, and labels cause.  Some titles become drivers, acting as a force to move one to “live up to his name.”  These titles cause some to excel in their field, seeking success and the approval of others.  Some people are devastated when they do not live up to the standard imposed by their title.  Some become enslaved trying to protect their title from tarnish.  These people become people pleasers, or entirely selfish, not willing to place their trust in people or God.  Often their relationships are shallow and abusive.

In the vision, it is the Lord who removes the label.  He is the only one who takes away sin and the  titles that have enslaved us.  As he redeems our lives, he puts his Holy Spirit in us.  We are given  new life in him, and we see life from a new perspective.  He redeems our memories, and lifts us up from the muck and the mire.  Through him we have life, salvation and truth.

Years ago, the Lord spoke to me.  “I don’t want you to do, I want you to be.”  What a profound statement.  But it was his desire for me to live for him, not to live for myself.  At the time, I had a label problem.  I thought I was the plaques on the wall.  I thought that I had value because of my accomplishments and my certifications.  But the Lord wanted me to see that I had value in his eyes, because he had made me.  I was his workmanship, his creation.  Somehow, I thought my life was mine, that I made the decisions.  But the Lord wanted me to put an end to anything that took me away from him.  He wanted to take away everything that I thought was my identity.

Within a few months of my deliverance, the Lord asked me to give up my interior design business.  Six months later, he asked me for my masters degree.  Then not long after that he asked me to give up my exercise ministry.  (I did, and then when we moved to New Jersey, he gave it back to me–quite to my surprise!)  The Lord wanted me to devote myself to teaching my children and spending time with him, and so I did. And so I spent hours everyday in prayer. He would speak to me and give me visions.  I felt very close to God; his peace surrounded me, and still does.

And God continues his plan to conform us to his image. So rather than fighting the hands that change us, we should surrender to him and accept his will.  He will take us where he wants us to be.  He will plant us in the church that he chooses.  And he will orchestrate the circumstances and trials that we face to shape us into a vessel that he can use.

So we are the jar in the vision.  He will see to it that the labels come off, so that he can use us in a way that we have not been used before.  And it is our job to not let the “good titles” hold us back.  If we desire to be honored by man, more than we desire to be used by God, then we will be dishonored before our Father in heaven.  And, if we choose to follow the Lord, there will be times and seasons of testing.  The Lord wants us to be “a vessel fit for the master’s use.”  Therefore we need to be willing to change.  Part of that change comes through God’s orchestration of circumstances and events, and part of the change is up to us.

How do we change our minds?  How do we align ourselves with God’s perspective?  I believe that it is done as we surrender to his will, and as we are obedient to his word.  

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”  Romans 12:2

If we purposefully choose to read and study the word of God, we will be blessed by every word on its pages.  

“It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”  Matthew 4:4

 If we allow the word to take root in our hearts, we will be changed by it.  We will be able to draw upon that word when we face difficult decisions, or when we need to teach, practice or demonstrate that word to others.  

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12

The word of God is instrumental in the removal of labels.  The word of God refutes and cancels every label  that creates chains of bondage.  The word of God exposes the lies, and the curses that have come with a label.  With the word of God, with faith and with the power of the Holy Spirit these labels are replaced by truth. We must know that our identity is not the label on our foreheads.  It is God’s truth and what his word says about us that is our identity–who we are in Christ.

However, if we do not know the Word of God, we will not know the power that is available to us.  The Word of God is actually one of the many names of Jesus, for he was the Word of God manifested in the flesh. 

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life, and the life was the light of men.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John 1:1-5

Yes, Jesus is the Word of God.  And of course, the words of God are on every page of the Bible.  The Bible is essential to understand and know his heart.  We need to know Him and to know His word in order to please him and to serve him, for that is our very purpose.  We were created for his pleasure.  We are his bride; we are the ones he loves.  We have been called to devote ourselves to him and to his purposes.  

But why is it that so many people get waylaid, stymied, and stuck in the things of the world and never grow spiritually?  Why do they believe the lies of the enemy and never mature, and never bear the fruit of the spirit?  Why?  Because the spirit within a man is dead until God breathes on him to receive the Holy Spirit.  It is when we give ourselves to the Lord, that we become born again, and life is never the same!  

In the vision, the jar’s label is removed, because the contents are to be changed.  When we become born again, the Lord fills us with his Holy Spirit.  This is the very thing that the Lord wants to give us.  As we walk with him, the desire to know him increases and for some, the Lord will choose to fill to a greater extent with his Holy Spirit.  We call this the Baptism in the Holy Spirit. 

John the Baptist baptized people in water for the repentance of sins.  But he differentiated it from the work that Jesus, as the Messiah would do.

“I baptize you with water for repentance.  But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry.  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.  His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”  Matthew 3:11-12 

Jesus’ disciples received the Holy Spirit on one occasion before he ascended into heaven.  It was at this moment that the disciples became born again.

Again Jesus said to them, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, so also I am sending you.”  And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”  John 20:21-22

During the 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection and before he ascended into heaven he met with his disciples.

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”  Acts 1:4-5

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”  Luke 24:49

The disciples at this point were already born again and filled with the Holy Spirit as they waited in the upper room.  There were 120 of them waiting with the door locked.  But, on the day of Pentecost, the fire of the Holy Spirit fell upon them and filled them with a greater anointing of fire. The Holy Spirit’s power was poured out upon the disciples and they received a holy boldness to heal, deliver, raise the dead and to preach the gospel.  They were no longer fearful of anyone.  They proclaimed the gospel with power and with supernatural signs following.   The Holy Spirit gave them new tongues so that they spoke “the wonders of God” in the various languages of the Jewish visitors who had come to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost.  Three thousand people came to know the Lord in that first day. 

The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is for us today.  The Lord is empowering his church to heal, to deliver, to perform signs and wonders, to prophesy, and to proclaim the gospel with boldness. With the Baptism in the Holy Spirit comes the initial evidence of speaking in tongues, which is our prayer language.  

“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”  Mark 16:17-18

 The Lord wants his church to move in supernatural power, so the labels must come off.  Anything that hinders the plans of God will be removed.  The Lord wants to set his people free of the bondages that have been created by labels, so that we have the power to serve him faithfully. 

“Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.”  2 Timothy 2:20-21

I am sharing the scriptures below, for they declare to us our true identity in Christ.  If you are born again and have received the Holy Spirit, you may still need deliverance.  Titles, and labels can impede our walk with God, so we must come out of agreement with these words spoken over us.   We must declare them to be lies.  We speak over ourselves the truth of God’s word and agree with him regarding our true identity.  

Speak and Believe these Words.

Declare OUT LOUD and believe in the Lord’s power to save, to heal the heart, the mind, and the body.  Believe God, for will set us free, delivering us from all our fears and demonic oppression.  He is faithful and the word of God has power.  It will not return void, but accomplish the task for which it is sent!

Jesus said:

“I am the vine; you are the branches.  If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

I choose this day to walk with the Lord and remain in his love.  I choose to do what he has called me to do.  I am a child of God, and an heir.

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”   Romans 8:17 

I am the Lord’s ambassador, for I carry his Spirit within me.

 “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”  2 Corinthians 5:20

I belong to the family of God, and I have been chosen by him to be his special possession.  He calls me his friend.

 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” 1 Peter 2:9-10

“I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”  John 15:15 

The power of God works in me to do his will.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”  Philippians 4:13 

“That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:10

I choose this day to give myself to God, to honor him with my life, and to fill me with his Holy Spirit.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

“and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”  Ephesians 4:24

 I break the curse of______(label) over my life, in the name of Jesus.  I bind every lying and deceiving Spirit that operates through these curses that were spoken over me.  I declare that these curses and labels over me, be removed and fall to the ground.  They are rendered null and void and will no longer affect me in the name of Jesus.  Thank you Jesus for redeeming me from any and every curse.

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”  Galatians 3:13 

I thank you Jesus for saving me and setting me free as I have and now confirm by  my declaration, that I believe and trust in you as God, as Lord and as my Savior.

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

“We have been set free because of what Christ has done. Through his blood our sins have been forgiven.”   Ephesians 1:7 

Because of the Lord’s death on the cross, I have been made righteous in his sight.

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”  2 Corinthians 5:21 

Thank you Jesus for you are the way the truth and the life.  I know that it is your death on the cross that purchased my salvation.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, I can overcome all things.

“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”  Romans 8:37 

Thank you for giving me insight and knowledge through your word which transforms my mind.

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.”  1 Corinthians 2:16 

Thank you Lord, for giving me the desire to please you rather than to please myself. Because the Lord has purchased me with his blood, I will live for him.

“For it is God which works in you both to will and to do his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13 

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” 1 Corinthians 6:19 

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  Galatians 2:20 

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10 

Every word of scripture is powerful.  So, anything real or imagined that exalts itself above the word of God, we take captive and send it back to hell from which it came.  Every lie and curse is broken by the precious blood of Jesus.   We command these labels, lies and curses to be removed and destroyed in the name of Jesus.

We speak life over ourselves and over our families.  We pull down and destroy the strongholds set up in our minds.  These we render null and void through our declarations of the word of truth.  We speak life and not death over ourselves and our loved ones, because our words have power.  

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.”  Proverbs 18:21

“So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. “ Isaiah 55:11

Please use these scriptures like medicine.  They have the power to deliver and to set you free.  Seek the Lord with all your heart.  Read his word, the Bible, every day.  And find a fellowship of believers who understand and embrace the full gospel with no man made limitations. 
Remember:

“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”  2 Corinthians 3:17 

God bless you all.  And please share this post.  No one needs to live in fear and bondage.

“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13