Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (Matthew 16:18)

We can never rise in life above our own understanding of who we are.
Mark Hankins

Many people have an identity crisis. Numerous voices try to tell us who and what we are from the time we are born. Throughout the Bible, we can see God changing people’s identities. God called Gideon “a mighty man of valor” when he was defeated and hiding from the enemy. Often God calls us something even though there is no physical evidence to support it, but He is God.

Jesus changed people’s identities in the New Testament. Simon was changed to Peter, “a piece of the rock,” which is the revelation of who Jesus is. In Matthew 16:16-19, Peter got a revelation of who Jesus was. Peter said, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus changed Peter’s name, character, and destiny.

We all must have an identity change to fulfill the destiny and dream that God has for us. Do not let anyone else tell you who you are or what you are like. Only God has the right to determine your true identity.

Confession: I am God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works! (Ephesians 2:10)

Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? (Acts 19:15 NKJV)

We carry the Word of God and the anointing of the Holy Spirit as official identification.
Mark Hankins

Have you ever checked in for a flight and been asked for proof of identification? You can say, “Here I am. Can’t you see — this is me; I can prove that I exist. Just look.” The authorities want to see a passport or driver’s license. You cannot prove who you are without official identification.

Acts 19:13-16 tells the story of the seven sons of Sceva who tried to cast out devils in the name of Jesus “whom Paul preaches.” The demons said, “Jesus we know and Paul we know, but who are you?” Jesus had official identification in heaven and hell, and so did Paul. You and I can also know who we are and the authority that is ours in Christ.

Spiritually speaking, all of us must carry some identification to do business in the realm of the Spirit. The Word of God must be engrafted into our inner man so we know who we are in Christ. We must also carry the anointing of the Holy Spirit as the guarantee that we are who God says we are and we have what God says we have.

Confession: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. (Galatians 2:20)

At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in Me, and I in you. (John 14:20)

Anytime Satan tries to take a bite out of you, he hits a “blueberry.” Mark Hankins

When I order blueberry pancakes in a restaurant, I always ask this question: “Are the blueberries on the pancakes, or are the blueberries in the pancakes?” I don’t want just regular pancakes with a spoonful of blueberries on top from a can. I want the blueberries in the mix. I want the blueberries to be cooked in the pancakes, and then I want more blueberries on the pancakes. That means I can’t take a bite without hitting a blueberry!

As a born-again believer, you have the Spirit of God — the Holy Spirit — living on the inside of you. When the devil brings persecution or trouble to you, God says, “Life can’t take a bite out of you without hitting me.”

When the devil hits you, say, “Devil, what does it feel like to hit a blueberry?” The life of God is in you and upon you, so much so that if a mosquito bit you, it would fly off singing, “There’s power in the blood!”

Confession:  I have the life of God inside of me. I’ve got the Spirit of God living in me. Jesus lives in me. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in me! (Romans 8:11)