Scripture Reading
Luke 9:18-20 AMP
Now it happened that as Jesus was praying privately, the disciples were with Him, and He asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist, and some say, Elijah; but others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life.” And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “The Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) of God!”
Introductory Remarks:
Every Champion has to develop a systematic way of being to be named the champion in any area. He/She must not only overcome the obstacles in life, but must also surpass all his/her rivals. Jesus demonstrated this by remembering who he was and mastering his adverse thoughts and feelings (the devil). Our founder, Rev. Dr. Johnnie Colemon and many forefathers and foremothers also demonstrated their champion spirit by facing and rising above various adversities. We have many living examples of fathers, friends, colleagues, and even in our own lives of instances when we operated as champions. Today, we are being called to identify and live from a systematic way of being that meets life’s circumstances as champions.
Major Points of the Lesson:
- I – Individuality vs Personality – Live from the ‘Real’ of you. That which is unchanging – the ‘Image Likeness’ – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” — Jeremiah 1:5 AMP
- I AM – Our naming power. Anything we associate with The I AM engages our naming power and goes forth to accomplish itself. — “I am the Lord your God…. You shall have no other gods before me.” — Exodus 20:2-3
- I AM THAT – Our claiming power. We each have an ability to claim what is ours by Divine Right. — Name only the good you desire. — “Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.” — Job 22:28 KJV
- I AM THAT I – Our ability or power to name and claim things should be directly linked to our individuality and not our personality. Our identification with others as one is about identifying with the divinity in them, their individuality. — “It is necessary for him to increase and for me to decrease.” — John 3:30 TPT
- I AM THAT I AM – The complete sense of trust in God in ALL things. — “God said to Moses, “And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.”” — Exodus 3:14 KJV
- I AM, THAT I AM – A bold declaration of Oneness with God
- I AM THAT, I AM – A bold declaration of Oneness with all people and all things pressed out of God-Substance.
Daily Affirmation:
“I choose to live as the highest version of myself. In this new reality, I am fully self-actualized and prosperous, and I feel a deep sense of belonging. I am living my champion life now.” M.W. Holgate
ASSIGNMENT:
Identify and start practicing other ways that you can express your feelings in the moment without associating anything negative with the I AM. One example could be: Instead of saying ‘I am depressed or sad’ try “There is sadness here”. This acknowledges what you may feel in the moment but also reminds you that you have naming and claiming power, and you are not your feelings. You are not the sadness.