We gathered as normal with around sixteen in total. As usual we shared our Testimonies and Tests which is always a beautiful time of honesty and vulnerability. This was followed by a time of worship.

We then handed over to Regina and Caty to wrap up their three-part series on Identity. They then encouraged us to let God define our identity, by exploring 6 scriptures that we can lean on to know who we are. When identity is routed in God and what he says, it will not easily be shaken during trials. Caty chose three scriptures that link nicely together. She unpacked Ephesians 2:10 first. ‘For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago’. She highlighted the word masterpiece and how this is is defined as ‘‘a work of outstanding artistry, skill and workmanship’. This means that God created us with outstanding artistry! That we are his masterpiece. She then discussed another translation to this verse. ‘You see, we are his ‘poem’, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance in order that we should walk in them.’ The word poem connoting intimacy and tenderness. God formed us personally from this place. The symbolism here is that each poem is an individual creation of the poet from a careful intimate place. So, we are individual creations, not mass produced on a production line. Each one of us, each one of our young adults, created from God’s tender, intimate and delicate place. Caty then refreshed us on what it means when Paul says we have been created anew. The link between sin and death and Jesus paying for every single one of our debts. How when our young people met Jesus, the bible says they died with him and were raised to life again anew with him. 

The second verse Caty unpack for us was Romans 8:16-17. ‘For his spirit joins with our spirit to affirm we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.’ Caty shared about how this follows on from the above verse. When we are raised with Jesus, our spirit joins with his spirit. We are then given our new identities and heirships. Her research has shown something interesting about heirship and adoption in biblical times. A true born son could lose their heirship for things such as disobedience, dishonour etc, however, once a son was adopted, that heirship could never be lost. Ever. Regardless of what the child did or didn’t do. That inheritance was guaranteed to be theirs because of adoption, because a Father CHOSE to make that son their very own son. 

Caty’s third and final scripture was John 1:12. ‘But to all who believed in him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God’. Here Caty rounded off her part by talking about choosing to live for God. The word ‘right’ in this verse means that some people spend their lives not actively choosing to live as a child of God. Caty shared part of her own testimony, a vision of when we was not living as a child, but living with an orphan mentality. A mentality of not being enough. It didn’t mean she wasn’t a child of God, God’s view didn’t change, only the way she saw her self. It took a conversation with Jesus to explain her adoption for her to begin choosing to live as a daughter. This verse is saying that he has made everyone who believes in him, his children. Now is the time to live in this reality. We want our young adults to live knowing their Dad is a king, not just a king but the king of the entire universe. They really are his princes and princesses and chosen heirs. Now is the time to walk like we all know who our Dad is. 

Regina then shared 3 verses that were important to her. Genesis 1:26 ‘And God said, let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle and over all the earth, every other creeping things upon the earth’. This is an important verse to Regina and her identity. She shared how the same way a child shares their parents DNA and as a result shares certain traits and characteristics with them, that being made in God’s image means that we too share traits and characteristics with God. For example God has the ability to create and exercised this ability through his words. Now that we have a spirit in us, we have the power to create with our words (Life and death).

The second scripture Regina unpacked for us all was Ephesians 1:7 ‘In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.’ Regina shared how this really highlighted how precious and important we as individuals are to God. He paid a high price so that we could be redeemed. She also highlighted God’s boundless grace and mercy. She reminded us all that Jesus died a sinner’s death so we did not have to, and how God chooses not to keep a record of our wrongs but we have been purchased and made a part of his family. 

Finally, the last scripture spoken about tonight was Ephesians 3:6 ‘The mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus’. Regina elaborated on this, teaching that we are heirs to God, our heavenly father, the king of kings and we are seated with Christ in the heavenly reals. She shared that one of the most significant privileges for her is that we are now sons and daughters. Regina then shared what the impact on her life this has been and how our young adults can all find their identity because of Jesus’ sacrifice. 

She shared some of her own ‘I Am’ statements: 

• I am made in the image of God and, I am a triune being with a body, soul and spirit and I have characteristics and traits of God, one of which being, the power to create.

• I am a precious blood bought member of the family and my sins have been forgiven and removed from me as far as the east is from the west.

• Along with Israel, I am an heir to the king of kings, through Christ I have direct access to and I am able to have a personal, loving and intermate relationship with God the father as his daughter. I, along with Israel, through Christ can share in the promise in Christ Jesus.

To end the series, all of Hope Central were encourage to write down their own ‘I am’ statements, or their own revelation of their identity based on God’s word, and speak them over themselves daily.

Again, we Thank you, Jesus, for another great night, You will build Your church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it…

Thank you Taste & See for your continuing prayer support it is vital

A Scripture from a member of Taste & See – Colossians 3:12-17

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him

Can you hear those dry bones RATLING….