Identity Advantage with Daphne Delay

You have a new identity in Christ. And just like you would correct someone if they called you by your wrong name, you need to do that spiritually too! A verse that will help us is found in Philemon 1:6, which says, "[And I pray] that the participation in and sharing of your faith may produce and promote full recognition and appreciation and understanding and precise knowledge of every good [thing] that is ours in [our identification with] Christ Jesus [and unto His glory]" (AMPC). There is so much goodness in this scripture! Let's break it down and own it.

Identity is a powerful word all by itself. But add the word ADVANTAGE, and it's explosive! We're taking it back to the beginning and looking again at why it's important for you and I to know our identity in Christ. Let's just say, it's a benefit, a step ahead. It's like a key-- but you have to know what the key opens and unlocks before you can "take FULL advantage" of it!

Jesus gave an illustration to the Pharisees one day, and called it an "eternal truth." He was talking about Himself as a good Shepherd and you and I as sheep. Even if you think you understand what Jesus was trying to communicate, this message will be eye-opening. You will want to see the video referenced in the message too. You can find it here.

The best way to learn anything is to follow the example of others. And this is especially true of prayer. In several New Testament examples, we have Paul's prayers for the church. In this message, Daphne walks through Paul's prayer for the Colossians as a template of how we should pray too.

Before salvation, we walked by sight, but as believers, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we walk by faith. And this walk of faith is very similar to flying an airplane. There are two types of piloting: One is only based on sense knowledge (what you can see, feel, even what you think you know). The other is based on avoiding sense knowledge altogether— instead it is based on trust, and then submitting your senses to that trust. Living by faith works the same way. This message will help us all!

The Lord wants to reveal things to us that sometimes will require us to look closer to fully grasp it. The Bible says the kingdom of God isn't eating and drinking (in other words, just living), but it is "righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Romans 14:17). The jest of this portion of scripture is alluding to judging others unrighteously, including withholding our opinion as an act of love. The kingdom of God is not a political party, this rule or that rule-- it is purely righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit! And as we mature, it's important to center ourselves on these things.

The danger with anyone's walk with God is that it can become familiar, even unintentionally. And this is sometimes why people feel like prayer is challenging. The Bible has two powerful stories of individuals that "pressed in" to find help in their time of need. We can learn from them, their posture, and their heart.

We're not exempt from trials, but that's okay. God has filled us with His Spirit and put us in the lineage of Abraham-- the father of faith! Whether you're facing a trial right now or not, it's good to be strengthened in faith. I pray this message is a help and an answer for you in whatever season you're in.

We should never underestimate how important LOVE is to God — even more important than spiritual gifts. But our instruction is to pursue love and spiritual gifts. In this last teaching in the series, go line by line through 1 Corinthians 14 for better understanding of this important life gift. Because God doesn't want you and I ignorant of what He has given us through Christ.

Paul said, "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant" (1 Corinthians 12:1). Let me say it this way: Ignorance isn't bliss; ignorance is actually dangerous. Too many people are ignorant. And the devil is having a hey-day! It's important to learn as much as we can, and operate in, the power of the Holy Spirit.

It's time to acknowledge that in all the names and descriptions of the Holy Spirit (as our Helper, Comforter, etc.) the word dunamis (power) isn't mentioned until the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  Paul began emphasizing this power because not only did he receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit but he expected everyone to accept, receive, and thrive in it too. He wasn't ashamed of the Spirit. Instead, he recognized the need to teach on these things. So let's learn and grow in this God-given power!

Every believer has the Holy Spirit on the inside of them but this is just the BEGINNING of a SPIRIT-FILLED life! The real question is, what happens when people accept or reject the things of the Spirit?  There's a reason why Jesus wanted believers to have this additional baptism, why Paul would be so excited if he found believers baptized in the Spirit, and why Satan has fought so hard to keep this a secret.  

The Bible has so much to say about the Holy Spirit and His activity in our lives. And the devil is flat scared of the Holy Spirit — which is why he fights so hard against believers in their understanding of the Holy Spirit. Dave Roberson once said, "The very measure of God's power in a believer's life is dependent on how much of his life is ordered by the Holy Ghost." This is more true than you realize!

There's a certain scripture in the Christmas story that has always intrigued me: "...and Mary pondered these things in her heart" (Luke 2:19). The word ponder means to cooperate. The opposite would mean to hinder. We can learn from Mary's example. Every one of us has dreams in our heart and the last thing we want to do is hinder the plan of God in our life. Tune in for a quick encouragement as we close out this year-- because how we exit one season is how we'll enter the next!

There is a freedom in Christ that is unlike anything else. Even a person who is physically incarcerated or held captive in the natural can know, experience, and live in freedom! But how? How does a person find this kind of freedom? And better yet, how do you hold on to this kind of freedom no matter what may be going on in your life? Let's find out together...

These are the keys to renewing your mind and learning to wear your new identity in Christ. It sounds simple (and it is) but it's also a step-by-step process. The Bible gives us these keys and on today's podcast, I'll share how I learned them and used them to grow in my walk with God.

The world is full of judgment, standards, and expectations-- and it can be exhausting. So how does that equate into our walk with God? How does that transfer into our desire to be pleasing to God? When I first became a believer, by all appearances, I looked like I had it all together but the truth was, I wore my mask well. I didn't understand the law of righteousness (being made right with God under the Old Covenant) versus the righteousness of faith (our salvation through faith in Jesus). So pleasing God was utterly impossible... until I learned the truth. "The art of pleasing is the art of deception." Luc de Clapiers

It's not unusual to ask yourself: Am I going the right way? This question isn't limited to travel. This is a LIFE question. The truth is, just as much as the Holy Spirit wants to guide us, the enemy wants to detour us. So it's important to have the right navigation system in our heart. "As he thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7).

Someone recently said, "I think a lot of people know about church but I'm not sure they really know Jesus." And I have to agree. Job said, "I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes" (Job 42:5). This is honest. It's also telling of our world and culture today. There's a BIG difference between having a knowledge of religion, religious gatherings, and actually knowing Jesus personally and intimately. The Bible calls it spiritual blindness-- and you don't want that. I pray this episode nudges you to know the difference, and make a difference.

In one of the most beloved psalms, the Bible says God "...leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul…" (Psalm 23:3). Our soul is our mind, will, and emotions. And the only reason it would need to be restored is because something hit it so hard it left a wound. Whether we knew this terminology or not, I know that every person has experienced a soul wound at some point in their life. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to be healed of wounds against the soul. In this message, you'll learn how.

It's only crazy until it happens. That's a quote by Michael Todd, a pastor in Tulsa, Oklahoma. But it perfectly describes how crazy faith can sound and feel at times-- until God shows up! There are key elements to faith and since Christians can't live in this world successfully without faith, isn't it important to know how faith works? I promise this episode will stir you to step out-- even if it looks crazy!

Jesus didn't set us free so we could get all bound up in the ideologies of this natural world. What I mean is, it's important to lived a balanced life, aware of the natural and spiritual all the time. Unfortunately, too many people (myself on occasion) get caught up in the demands of the natural and forget we can live fluid with Christ, no matter where we are or what's going on. In fact, it's not a suggestion-- it's the reality of a life in Christ.

Religion, fueled by the enemy's lies and our own misunderstandings and insecurities, has made us believe God is mad at us-- or prone to be mad at us if we make a mistake. This is NOT the truth. The Bible actually says, "So now the case is closed. There remains no accusing voice of condemnation against those who are joined in life-union with Jesus the Anointed One" (Romans 8:1, TPT). This is a great place for a Hallelujah and an Amen! Tune in to learn more!

You know the feeling... you're hungry but it's showing up in more ways than just your stomach growling. You are hangry and the only thing that will fix it is some food. The same is true spiritually! The number one cause of burn-out is hunger. Jesus said He is the Bread of Life and all who partake of Him will live forever. But you know you can't live naturally on one meal, so why do you think you can spiritually? Tune in to this week's podcast for some encouragement and tools to fix your hunger (burn-out). I don't feel guilty when I don't eat every day. I feel hungry. John Mark Pantana

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO KNOW YOUR ENEMY? Someone once said, "If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained, you will suffer defeat. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles" (author unknown). There are three understandings here: (1) If you understand yourself and your enemy, you will be far more likely to win any battle. (2) If you understand yourself, but not your enemy, you have roughly a 50/50 chance of winning. (3) If you understand neither yourself nor your enemy, you will probably lose every battle.  But I'd like to say it this way: If you understand neither your GOD nor your enemy, you will probably lose every battle. 

The prophets of old had a taste of something that only YOU and I HAVE REAL ACCESS TO. Think about it. We have New Testament salvation — a life in Christ! Every person we could read about in the Old Testament wanted what you have-- and they knew it would be glorious! In fact, the Bible says angels were even curious about it. Life in Christ is glorious. And heaven thinks it's amazing…! You can almost imagine them saying, "Do they know what they have? Do they know what's in them?"

If you've ever wrestled with condemnation and trying to "earn" God's love and favor, you need to listen to this week's podcast. This was my story-- I was on a gerbil wheel for years trying to do good, failing, getting back up, beating myself up, hoping God wouldn't reject me, and starting over in this same vicious cycle. Let me tell you: It's exhausting. And it's a lack of knowledge. The truth is, long before you and I were of any use to God, He decided to bring us into favor and harmony with Himself through Jesus Christ. So if He did that BEFORE we could earn it, He's not going to reject us now.

There's something missing in our culture today-- and that's, compassion. In a world that's prone to throw around judgment, we need to remember the mission of Jesus was not to condemn (especially not first). Jesus showed active pity in every situation He encountered. I'm not suggesting righteous judgment be ignored. I'm simply emphasizing as Jesus did: We've neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith.

Peace is the number one way God leads us. There is peace that passes understanding — and you and I need it. There is so much that we won't understand in this world (people, situations, etc) but if we start meditating on on those things, a trap is set for us. However, if we'll DO what God's Word says, we can be anxious for nothing! 

Most likely, you are familiar with the story of Peter walking on the water. But don't discount the help it provides us in this hour because one word from God can keep you on top of the storms in your life. One of the biggest doors the enemy is trying to pull us all through is the door of fear. The Bible says Peter "saw [perceived and felt] that the wind was boisterous and he was afraid" (Matthew 14:30). The enemy uses the same tactics on you and I today-- but we can learn from Peter's story and instead of sinking, you can keep walking.

No one likes to make themselves vulnerable, but some types of growth can't come until we do. And this is why it's important to pray like David did in the Psalms: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24). The only reason we would shy away from a prayer like this is if we have a wrong view of God. But when you know the heart of God, it's not scary at all.

The word “Kingdom” as we now see it written and spoken in the NT has a whole new meaning! Jesus used this term over and over in scripture. And in one place, He said an understanding of kingdom would make you a master over all things. This is why we need to learn more.

Myles Monroe once said, “We will never understand the Bible until we understand Kingdom." The phrase "kingdom" is mentioned in the New Testament 187 times (54 in Matthew alone) so it would be important to understand its meaning an implication in our lives. But to fully understand the teachings of the New Testament, we have to go back to the Book of Beginnings-- Genesis. God had a plan. Man fell and God made a vow to restore what was lost. His original plan was to establish a kingdom with a nation of kings. Jesus restored it all and our part is more important than you might think.

2020 has had many unusual events but when you add a major election to this year, it's more important than ever to be seeking God. So what would identity and elections have in common? The answer is simply: righteousness. Daniel 11:32 says, "With smooth words [of flattery and praise] the enemy will turn to godlessness those who [are willing to] disregard the covenant, but the people who [are spiritually mature and] know their God will display strength and take action [to resist]." The key is knowing God (who you are) and taking action! Tune in to find out more and be encouraged today!

Have you ever thought about the exchange God made with Adam and Eve in the Garden? They had tried to cover their shame with fig leaves, but God said, "Hand those over. I have something better." And an exchange was made... but I don't think it was an easy exchange. I think in their guilt, Adam and Eve found it hard to receive what God was giving them. And centuries later, you and I are no different. Some days, it's just hard to receive God's love and mercy (or any of the benefits we've been given in Christ). But the Bible is clear. There was an exchange and it's time for all of us to receive it by faith.

SPECIAL GUESTS: REV. JOHN & CAROLINA ROMICK You will love the diverse conversation on this week's episode of Identity Advantage with the founders of I AM HELP, an organization that bridges the gap between people and missionaries. All of us need to be reminded of the difference between religion and the gospel in order to acknowledge the value our Creator has placed on our lives. The truth is, we are "born-again" into a champion lineage, and from God's perspective, our value is defined NOT by what we do but by what He has done. You will glean so much from this episode! Hope you will tune in and SHARE! Click these links to find out more: iamhelp.co ▫️ John on Instagram ▫️ Carolina on Instagram

The Bible is clear: Jesus defeated Satan! Yet, you and I still struggle at times. What's that about? The Bible is also clear that there is a fight of faith-- to clarify, there is a GOOD fight of faith, meaning we have been given all the weapons we need to stand strong against our enemy. However, it's important to know the strategies of the enemy against us as well as what we've been given to use against him in this "fight." In this episode of Identity Advantage, Daphne lays out truths from God's Word too help us fight well!

When we pause and reflect on nature and in comparison, consider the words of Jesus that God "so loved the world..." it's a bit mind-blowing. R.C. Sproul said, “Men are never duly touched and impressed with a conviction of their insignificance, until they have contrasted themselves with the majesty of God.” So true. And probably behind the words of John when he said, "We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:10). In this episode of Identity Advantage, Daphne reminds us of the magnificent love God has for us and how our understanding of it adds strength and endurance to our lives.

It’s been over 30 years since Micheal Jackson famously recorded “Man in the Mirror” hoping to encourage change in a hurting world. Leeonydus Johnson said, “[Many people] believe that society is at fault for an individual’s circumstances and therefore society must be changed. I believe that we, as individuals, are responsible for our own circumstances, and if we want change, we must change ourselves.” I agree. This episode of Identity Advantage looks at the need to know one’s identity in Christ in order to make a positive difference in the world around us. You must have a change of identity in order to reach your divine destiny. —Mark Hankins

If we're honest, we can correctly say people without real life live in sheer ignorance -- meaning they have no idea what they're missing. But what do we mean by "real life"? In this episode of Identity Advantage, Daphne compares the ultra rich to the ultra poor and comes to the same conclusion -- with out God, people are living empty. But Jesus came to give us REAL LIFE and expects us live in such a way that those without it will want what they are missing.

We should never forget the power of a testimony! The Bible says, "We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony..." (Revelation 12:11). Jesus paved the way and now He wants us to help others by testifying about He's done in our life! In this episode, Daphne reads a powerful letter from one of the many inmates who requested a book/workbook set on righteousness and identity. This letter reminds us all to never forget where we came from, how lost we once felt, and the what joy it was to find freedom in Christ!  Testimonies help us remember and stay thankful! [p.s. if you'd like to help support this ministry send books to inmates, click here to find out how!]  

In this SPECIAL podcast episode, Daphne invites JudiJo Adams to be her guest on Facebook Live to talk about the theme of their cancelled conference, We Are The Free. Due to the COVID-19 quarantine, this was the next best way to get together, and it was powerful! Jesus declared that those who receive salvation in His name are free, but just like Jesus isn't "a" truth, but "the" Truth, we aren't just free -- we are THE free in Jesus' Name! But what does that mean? What does that look like? Tune in to this special podcast to find out more.

Do you know the story of Barabbas? Matthew, Mark, and Luke all mention him as the man who was released by Pilate instead of Jesus. We could say, in the mind of Barabbas, Jesus literally died in his place. But of course, we know more of the story now then Barabbas did on that fateful day. The question is, do you realize you are Barabbas in more than one way? He was a notorious prisoner who was forgiven and set free-- just like us. May this reminder recalibrate the gratitude of your heart.

In the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are looking for faith, hope, and truth. The Bible says God has given us a banner to wave high and bright! And in prayer, the Holy Spirit revealed that people would be looking for the banners that would lead them to Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! In this episode, Daphne gives an encouraging word to believers regarding the banner we already possess, and reminds us to help people see our faith and show them the way to the LIGHT of Jesus Christ! Confession: God is on my side For the blood has been applied Every need shall be supplied Nothing shall be denied So I enter into rest I know that I am blessed I have passed the test I will get God's best! Trina Hankins

In light of the current Corona Virus pandemic, fear is a very real thing. But fear, like other things, is also a stronghold in people's lives. In this episode, Daphne talks directly about the spirit of fear, what strongholds are, how they develop, and more specifically, how to recognize and conquer them in your life!

The reason so many people struggle with feeling inferior to others is because how you see yourself determines HOW you see everything. In this episode of Identity Advantage, Daphne looks at the story of the twelve spies to illustrate how important it is to see things through God's perspective (His Word) and not your own emotions or circumstances.

The question we always ask is, "What have you learned about the advantages of knowing your identity in Christ?" This is a good question for us as well. In this episode of Identity Advantage, Daphne and Angie talk about that "sense of self that causes us to succeed."  The bottom line is, no matter how you feel or what you're facing, God desires us to build solid foundations within our core of WHO WE ARE. For each one, this may look differently simply because we all start with different obstacles. But the essence is of Christ... always. What I know: #favor #sealed #solid http://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/4445544

"But if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them,[a] he will be faithful to forgive us every time. God is just to forgive us our sins because of Christ, and he will continue to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, TPT). Two wrongs don’t make a right. Actually two wrongs create an opportunity for the devil to heap on more shame, guilt, and regret. And it’s been proven that all self-defeating behavior is rooted in shame. The remedy? Simple, yet sincere, repentance. God doesn’t ask us to repent to shame us, but to cleanse us (1 John 1:9). Daphne Delay In response to this on social media, a friend commented, "In desperate times, you quickly resort to what you know..." and this is true. But you'll be surprised to find out she was talking about knowing who you are in Christ.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). FAITH is so important to Christianity. But what is it? What does it mean to have faith? And how does a person actually operate (or activate) faith? The Bible answers all of these questions.

"Righteousness will go before Him and make His footsteps our pathway" (Psalm 85:13). One of the hardest instructions in the Bible to follow is probably "...walk by faith, and not by sight." But when you understand the divine guidance God has given us in Christ, then it is possible! This world is full of evil, but it's also full of glory. So what are you focusing on? Choose today to put your trust in Christ and His righteousness (His way of doing things) and I promise you will succeed -- because if you ever see footprints in a mine field, you better walk in them.

"Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.  He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life" (John 12:24-25). If we would view our life as a seed, then the words of Jesus make more sense. A single seed can never produce a harvest if it remains alone. But if it dies (if it's given to God) then it produces a great harvest! And whereas it's hard to understand the instruction to "lose our life," the truth is God only wants you and I to love our life less than we love Him. And the end result is worth it!