As we look towards the beginning of a New Year, it is our prayer that you will “ring in the New Year” with the confidence of knowing who you ARE as God’s Child (if you are a born again Christian), or who you CAN BE (upon accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord). We believe that once you are fully aware of who you are in God’s eyes, you will live your life with a Holy Spirit driven confidence that whatever and whoever you face, you are never alone and you “can do all things in Christ.”

If it is possible, we urge those of you who can, to go through the following concepts together as a married couple. Take turns reading the verses so you can both participate in this exercise. But whether you read them as individuals or as a couple, we pray they will minister to you as you comprehend the following illustration of the “The Bell” (author unknown):

THE BELL
I KNOW WHO I AM:
I am God’s child (John 1:12)
I am Christ’s friend (John 15:15)
I am united with the Lord (1 Cor. 6:17)
I am bought with a price (1 Cor 6:19-20)
I am a saint (set apart for God).  (Eph. 1:1)
I am a personal witness of Christ.   (Acts 1:8)
I am the salt and light of the earth (Matt 5:13-14)
I am a member of the body of Christ. (1 Cor 12:27)
I am free forever from condemnation (Romans 8:1-2)
I am a citizen of heaven. I am significant.  ( Phil. 3:20)
I am free from any charge against me. (Rom. 8:31 – 34)
I am a minister of reconciliation for God. (2 Cor. 5:17-21)
I have access to God through the Holy Spirit.  ( Eph. 2:18)
I am seated with Christ in the heavenly realms.    ( Eph. 2:6)
I cannot be separated from the love of God.  (Rom. 8:35 – 39)
I am established, anointed, sealed by God.  ( 2 Cor. 1:21 – 22 )
I am assured that all things work together for good.  (Rom. 8:28 )
I have been chosen and appointed to bear fruit.       (John 15:16 )
I may approach God with freedom and confidence.      (Eph. 3:12  )
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.    ( Phil. 4:13)
I am the branch of the true vine,  a channel of His life.    (John 15:1-5)
I am God’s temple (1 Cor. 3:16).  I am complete in Christ.    (Col. 2:10 )
I am hidden with Christ in God (Col. 3:3).   I have been justified. (Romans 5:1)
I am God’s co-worker (1 Cor. 3:9;  2 Cor. 6:1) I am God’s workmanship. (Eph. 2:10)
I am confident that the good works God has begun in me will be perfected. (Phil. 1:6)
I have been redeemed and forgiven (Col. 1:14).    I have been adopted as God’s child.  (Eph 1:5)
I belong to God
Do you know
Who you are?

You may wonder, “Why is it important for me/us to read through these declarations?” Because UNTIL we know WHO WE ARE (and what that means) in Jesus, we will remain open to all of Satan’s lies and deceptions that can draw us away from God. And that can wreak havoc in our marriage.

We also know that many of you have suffered great personal pain in your marriages (and life) this past year. That’s another reason to know WHO WE ARE in Christ, as this relationship can help break the pattern of pain and help us to face the future with more confidence.

What would you like to see change in your life or marriage in 2009? Well, you can RING in the New Year standing on God’s promises. Read through each of them again, but this time pray for God to show YOU exactly what He wants you to see and ask Him to reveal the “declarations” that are pertinent to you and your situation.

For example, if God shows you His desire is for you to be a “minister of reconciliation”, then you can also know that you “can do all things through Christ” who strengthens you and you can be “confident that the good works God has begun” in you “will be perfected.”

Each of the above statements/declarations of faith has the power to change you or any situation you find yourself in — because they are from God’s Word and they are His promises to His people. We pray as you RING in 2009 you will find new meaning, strength and confidence in all of your relationships, but especially the one that most closely reflects God’s love for the whole world — your marriage.

May God bless you and may you be a blessing to your spouse and everyone around you!
Steve and Cindy Wright