July 3, 2025 • 37 mins
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The world constantly tries to rename us, but do we have the courage to hold fast to our true identity?
When Daniel and his companions were taken captive to Babylon, their captors immediately changed their Hebrew names—which honored God—to pagan Babylonian names that mocked their faith. Daniel's name, meaning "God is my judge," became Belteshazzar ("Lady, protect the king"). This wasn't merely administrative; it was a deliberate attempt to erase their God-given identities.
This ancient tactic mirrors what many believers face today. Our culture pressures us to define ourselves by appearance, achievements, possessions, or social validation rather than our relationship with our Creator. Many Christians become intimidated, keeping their faith private while the world boldly proclaims alternative truths.
The enemy's strategy remains unchanged across millennia—distort our understanding of who we are by separating us from God's definition. When we lose this connection, we begin acting according to false labels from culture, our past, or our insecurities.
Scripture offers profound reassurance: "Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. Before you were born, I set you apart." You are a unique, beloved child of the Lord with a purpose no one else has had or will ever have. You were created for this specific moment in history, equipped with precise gifts required to fulfill your calling.
Biblical figures like Moses and Joseph show that regardless of circumstances—whether raised in Pharaoh's palace or sold into slavery—our true identity remains unshaken when anchored in God's definition. Their examples remind us that external labels cannot compare to the name God has given us.
When you fully embrace who God created you to be, you become unstoppable. The false identities others try to impose lose their power, and you're finally free to live authentically as the person you were designed to be.
Join us as we explore how to stand unshaken in a culture that constantly attempts to rename and redefine us. Subscribe now to catch the entire "Unshaken" series about holding fast in a culture of compromise.
The Daniel Dilemma - CH
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Daniel Moore (00:02):
Many Christians feel intimidated by the world
and believe their faith shouldbe kept private, confined to one
day a week at church.
While the world boldlyproclaims its beliefs and truths
, christians are often silencedand made to feel ashamed of
their faith, becoming apologeticin a way that does not involve
sharing the gospel.
This week, on Connecting theGap, we continue our new series
(00:25):
called Unshaken holding fast ina culture of compromise.
This is the second episode ofthat series.
We'll be back with that rightafter this.
Welcome to Connecting the Gap.
(01:08):
This is a podcast about marriage, bible and book studies, and we
interview people that have astory.
I'm Daniel Moore, your host.
Thank you, guys for joining usthis week.
If you're not familiar with ourshow, check out our website,
wwwconnectingthegapnet.
All of our platforms are thereour YouTube and Rumble links.
We're also on the ChristianPodcasting app, edify.
You can also visit us on socialon Facebook, instagram and X at
(01:32):
ctgaponline.
If you're a fan of our show,please subscribe.
Feel free to leave a comment onour platforms.
Of course.
Give us a thumbs up or afive-star review on Apple
Podcast.
We'd be grateful to you fordoing that.
That's what helps thealgorithms put us out there and
helps our podcast to grow.
Well, as I said in the intro,this week we are going to go
(01:59):
through episode two of our newseries called Unshaken, as we
take some scriptural truths fromthe book of Daniel and talk
about standing fast in culturewhere compromise is so rampant.
How can we do that?
By standing firm but loving atthe same time.
We're going to go ahead and getinto episode two of that series
this week.
This one is entitled IdentityTheft the Attempt to Rename Me.
(02:21):
To rename me my name is DanielAugusta Moore.
My parents had a rhyme andreason for choosing my name.
Daniel was another form of mydad's name, which was Danny, and
(02:47):
I shared the name Augusta withmy dad and my grandpa.
As it turns out, the nameDaniel means God is my judge,
which seems fitting.
I like the fact that my nameand God's truth are one and the
same.
Every year, I have theopportunity to share the gospel
of Jesus with hundreds ofthousands of people.
I represent Christ and who heis ultimately in our life.
(03:08):
I am a Christ bearer.
My name defines me accurately.
It validates me.
I like my name, but it's notthe name that I always believed.
Growing up, I was popular inschool.
I had some athletic skills.
I was considered very smart,but due to life circumstances I
(03:31):
became pretty shy.
It was a struggle sometimes tostay valid with myself and my
friends Because of the shyness Ihad.
I decided to win friends bytaking on a new persona Mischief
Maker.
I'd be the one to take the dare, crack the jokes or do the
(03:54):
ridiculous stunt just to makethe crowd laugh and hopefully
accept me.
My strategy seemed to work.
For a while.
I made a few kids laugh and Igot noticed and pretty popular
within my circle.
But, truth be known, it wasn'treally me.
Basically, I was trying to liveout a name that wasn't who I
(04:15):
really was.
It was the name I thought Ineeded so I could find
acceptance and be liked.
But in my teenage years I gavemy life to Jesus and the process
of healing and redeeming myname began.
I discovered the calling on mylife and a passion to share
Christ with the world around me.
(04:35):
Soon I had no doubt in my mindthat I had been named by God,
that I had a God-given identity,that he knew before I was even
created.
But I could only be the man hecreated me to be if I understood
and accepted my true name.
I learned the hard way thatnames are important.
(04:58):
What we believe about ourselvesinfluences every decision we
make and also every action wetake.
Of course, we all have names.
Whether or not we reflect thecharacteristics of our given
names at birth is not really thepoint.
What matters most is the namewe have written on our hearts
(05:20):
and minds.
It's what we believe aboutourselves, and then we live it
out.
Maybe you were labeled stupid orfat as a kid and despite
earning a college degree orrunning 5Ks, you still see
yourself based on thosechildhood labels.
Perhaps you've let sicknessdefine you.
(05:42):
Cancer or diabetes or MS is notonly your disease, but it's
also become your identity.
You might let yourrelationships define you.
You're a husband or wife, an ex, a sister or brother, a boss,
an employee.
Perhaps rejection, divorce andbetrayal have become your
(06:06):
identity.
You may have let circumstancesdetermine your name.
Maybe the death of a loved one,tragedy or bankruptcy have
become your identity.
What's your name right now?
What are the names that yousecretly feel are attached to
you like gum on the bottom ofyour shoe?
(06:26):
It really is very important toidentify these, the names you
allow to label.
You often title the scriptsthat you live by.
What you believe in dictateswhat you live out.
This explains why the numberone goal of your enemy, the
devil, is to attack youridentity.
(06:48):
He wants to give you adifferent name, one that stands
in direct contrast to the nameGod gave you when he created you
.
In our society today,individuals have grown skilled
at determining their own moralstandards, shaping their
identities based onever-changing personal beliefs.
There is a growing acceptanceof individuals ranging from
(07:12):
schoolchildren exploring genderchanges to same-gender couples
planning their weddingsfollowing what they feel is true
for themselves.
Quote-unquote.
Live-your truth has become abumper sticker mantra for
generations conditioned tobelieve that they are entitled
to reinvent themselves and liveany way that they choose.
(07:33):
Reality TV portrays how anyonecan be a star, a model bachelors
, chefs, homebuyers, politiciansand tattoo artists, as long as
they remain quote-unquote trueto themselves.
I understand the appeal of theidea of embracing the desires of
(07:54):
our hearts, as it offers asense of freedom.
If I were to let my emotionsguide me, I might not be in the
role of a podcaster today.
Instead, I could be focused onmaximizing wealth for a more
comfortable and pleasurable life, indulging in mini-golf at top
courses worldwide.
While I may still grapple withthese desires.
(08:17):
Sometimes I recognize that Icannot rely solely on them to
determine what is truly best forme.
God has specifically createdand called me for his purposes,
not my own.
Despite any desire to live alife as a wealthy mini golf pro,
I understand that it is not thepath meant for me.
(08:39):
The reality is that we do nothave the authority to define
ourselves, as there are limitsto how much we can reshape our
identities.
The reason for this isstraightforward we have already
been defined by God, our Creator.
God understands each of us andthe purpose for which we were
(09:00):
made, and, ultimately, his plansurpasses any visions that we
may develop independently.
Daniel grasped this fundamentaltruth, remaining anchored to
his faith in God during hisperiod of captivity.
In a society that prioritizedsensual gratification, idol
(09:20):
worship and ethical decline, theBabylonians concentrated on
pursuits beyond God.
In their efforts to assimilatethe new captives, they attempted
to influence Daniel and hiscompanions by obscuring their
true identities.
Take note of the initialexperiences encountered by
(09:40):
Daniel and his friends upontheir arrival in Babylon.
In Daniel, chapter 1, verses 3and 4, and then verse 7, it says
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz,chief of his court officials,
to bring into the king's service, some of the Israelites from
the royal family and thenobility.
Young men without any physicaldefect, handsome, showing
(10:03):
aptitude for every kind oflearning, well-informed, quick
to understand and qualified toserve in the king's palace.
The chief official gave themnew names To Daniel the name
Belteshazzar, to HananiahShadrach, to Mishael Meshach and
to Azariah Abednego.
(10:26):
During that era, conquerorstypically assimilated, enslaved
captives into their culture bychanging their names as a symbol
of possession.
The Israelites were now underthe ownership of their captors,
no longer identified by thenames from their native land.
However, these Babylonian nameswere not merely substitutions.
(10:48):
Rather, they aimed to erase theIsraelites' true identities.
They were a mockery to theirJewish heritage.
They turned the truth insideout.
They were idolatrous names.
By examining the differencesbetween the original Hebrew
names and the Babylonian namesgiven to these four young men,
(11:11):
we can understand the tacticsemployed by our adversary, which
are still relevant in presenttimes assigning us a new name in
order to deceive us regardingour true identity.
So let's search a little deeperinto how this process unfolded
for Daniel, hananiah, mishaeland Azariah.
(11:32):
First, let's look at Daniel.
Daniel's Hebrew name means Godis my judge.
Name means God is my judge.
It was changed to theBabylonian name Belteshazzar,
which ironically means Lady,protect the king.
The first thing the Babyloniansdid was change the gender of
Daniel's name, an inherent partof each person's identity.
(11:56):
They also shifted the focusfrom God to human.
With this new name, daniel'sidentity, at least on paper,
changed from a man heldaccountable by an all-powerful
God to that of a woman who mustprotect her sovereign.
In their culture, this was aterrible insult.
(12:17):
The meaning of Daniel's newname was the antithesis of his
former Hebrew name.
Second was Hananiah.
Hananiah's Hebrew name meansYahweh has been gracious.
It was changed to theBabylonian name Shadrach, which
means I am fearful of God.
(12:38):
The Babylonians inverted thefocus from God being good to God
being bad.
Instead of viewing him asgracious, kind and loving, which
was all implied by the nameHananiah, this new name echoed
with the kind of fear you'd feelstanding before a tyrant, a
maniac or a monster.
(12:58):
Third was Mishael.
Mishael's Hebrew name means whocan compare to my God no one.
It was changed to theBabylonian name Meshach, which
means I am despised,contemptible and humiliated.
Once again, the Babylonianschose a name that subverted the
(13:18):
goodness of God in ourrelationship to Him.
It shifted the focus from ourconfidence in God to cowardice.
And then fourth was Azariah.
Azariah's Hebrew name meansYahweh has helped.
It was changed to theBabylonian name Abednego, which
means the servant of Nebo.
(13:39):
The Babylonian name Abednego,which means the servant of Nebo,
azariah went from being a sonor heir of Yahweh a term of
endearment for the living God tobeing the slave of another man.
As you can see, in every case,the Hebrew captives' new names
obliterated the true nature ofGod that had been represented by
their names and reorientedtheir identities to become
(14:01):
people who serve theirBabylonian masters.
It is evident even today thatSatan is still trying to distort
our identities by redefiningthem, just as he did with Daniel
and his friends, by giving themnew names that deny their true
identities in God, that denytheir true identities in God.
This same tactic is seen todayin society's redefinition of
(14:23):
gender relationships andmarriage, which mirrors the
attempts to change Daniel'sidentity.
Our culture now claims thatthese fundamental aspects of
ourselves can be altered to fitpersonal desires, disregarding
God's original design.
To fit personal desires,disregarding God's original
design.
However, we must not be misled,as there is purpose in how God
(14:45):
has created us.
We must understand our trueidentities in Christ and stand
firm against the pressures ofour culture to conform to its
standards.
The enemy uses various tacticsto undermine our faithfulness to
God, making it appear foolishto remain devoted to Him.
In Daniel's time, thismanipulation of perceptions
(15:08):
about God involved tribalmethods such as conquest and
assimilation.
Today, the enemy employsdifferent strategies, including
humor, satire, controversy andscandal within the church.
By discrediting the Bible andcreating division, dissension
and immorality within the church, the devil seeks to succeed in
(15:30):
his plan.
Consequently, many Christiansfeel intimidated by the world
and believe their faith shouldbe kept private, confined to one
day a week at church.
While the world boldlyproclaims its beliefs and truths
, christians are often silencedand made to feel ashamed of
their faith, becoming apologeticin a way that does not involve
(15:51):
sharing the gospel.
The enemy aims to achieve ashift in cultural identity that
distracts us from ourrelationship with God and
instead focuses on seeking theapproval of others.
It is tempting to becomeconsumed by the number of likes,
facebook friends, positivecomments and retweets we receive
(16:12):
, as it provides a sense ofvalidation and value.
The constant affirmation can beaddictive, offering a 24-hour
stream of validation.
You know personally, I strugglewith a desire to please others,
just like anyone else, despitehaving a successful service,
(16:33):
with faithful attendance to mychurch and leading lost sinners
to numerous decisions for Christ.
A single negative comment on myministry Facebook page can
overshadow these accomplishmentsand ruin my day.
Instead of recognizing God'swork and giving Him glory, I
find myself fixated on how toplease the one person who
criticized my belief.
(16:54):
I must remind myself that it isnot about my efforts, but about
God working through me, throughothers and through my ministry.
Furthermore, the change in ourfocus, the distraction from God
and the shift in prioritiesachieved by orienting our lives
around others rather than God,parallels the impact of renaming
(17:17):
captives in ancient Babylon.
The impact of renaming captivesin ancient Babylon.
Our identities shift when wevalue those looking at the art
more than the artist.
When culture shifts, we need toknow who we are.
(17:40):
Scripture tells us this truth.
It says Before I formed you inthe womb, I knew you.
Before you were born, I set youapart.
I appointed you as a prophet tothe nations.
That's Jeremiah 1, verse 5.
You are who God made you to be.
You are a unique, beloved childof the Lord of the universe,
(18:01):
your creator, your redeemer andyour savior.
You have a unique purpose foryour life that no one else has
had or will ever have.
You are a co-heir with Jesus,adopted into the family of the
King and granted eternal lifewith him in heaven, after your
mortal life on earth has ended.
(18:22):
That's Romans 8, verse 17.
This is your true identity.
Unless we're grounded in who Godmade us to be, the way that we
see ourselves will easily morphinto an illusion, a cultural
mirage.
The truth of who we are willstill be unshaken, but it will
(18:44):
be covered with a veneer of lies.
How does this happen?
Well, we lose sight of ourGod-given identity and act
according to an off-kiltermental self-portrait, as
Proverbs 23 7 says.
For as he thinks in his heart,so is he.
Our enemy has become adept atconvincing us to accept false
(19:07):
labels.
First, he gets us to acceptcultural definitions of who we
are.
When we do others around us getto create the standards for how
we measure up or, more often,how we don't.
Satan skillfully manipulates usinto adopting false identities
by first convincing us to adhereto cultural labels.
(19:28):
By conforming to societalexpectations, we allow others to
dictate the standards by whichwe are judged, often focusing on
external attributes such asappearance, beauty and success.
Stereotypes which categorizeindividuals based on superficial
traits, employ a similar tacticof reducing individuals to
(19:51):
superficial characteristics likeredneck or blonde, or
plus-sized or disabled.
While these physical attributesmay shape our perspectives,
they do not encompass the trueessence of who we are, despite
many of us acknowledging thisfact.
Repeated negative messagingabout a specific trait can
(20:12):
gradually erode our self-worthand cause us to internalize
these false labels.
Many of us would say we knowthat, but if we hear people tell
us often enough that we're nogood because of some trait, then
we may start to believe it.
However, subconsciously, theenemy employs false labels by
(20:32):
persuading us to let our pastdictate our identities, labeling
us as liar, hypocrite, failureor unclean.
This struggle is pervasive andcan significantly impact our
faith as we tend to dwell onthese negative perceptions of
ourselves.
Despite God's unconditionallove and willingness to redeem
our past, we often hinder thisprocess by holding on to those
(20:56):
outdated labels.
The amazing truth is thatsurrendering control to God
results in a new identity for us.
This transformative gift isexemplified throughout the Bible
, where individuals whoexperienced God's love and
forgiveness had their nameschanged in a profound way.
For instance, jacobtransitioned from a deceitful
(21:19):
coward to Israel, representingGod's chosen people.
Abram, initially atruth-challenged nomad, became
Abraham, a blessed father in hisold age.
Similarly, peter or Simeon andPaul or Saul in the New
Testament received newidentities through their new
(21:39):
names.
Paul in the New Testamentreceived new identities through
their new names.
In reality, these identitieswere not truly new.
They were the ones that Israel,abraham, peter and Paul were
always meant to embody.
However, they had not fullyembraced their true selves, as
designed by God, until herenamed and called them by new
names.
It was only when theyrelinquished control over their
(22:01):
lives that they discovered thefulfillment of their true
purpose and identity.
This resonates with my personaljourney as well.
While growing up, I struggledwith feelings of insecurity and
unease in social settings,leading me to overcompensate by
constantly seeking attentionthrough humor.
It was only when I confrontedmy fears and placed my trust in
(22:24):
God, seeking His approval aboveall others, that I experienced
the liberation to fulfill mycalling as a teacher and leader,
as God had intended.
In nearly every account of namechanges in the Bible, following
an encounter with God, anindividual's true identity is
ultimately unveiled.
They are empowered to breakfree from societal norms and
(22:48):
embrace spiritual liberation.
This same transformativeprocess can apply to us as well.
God does not define you basedon your current circumstances.
He envisions the potential forwho you can become, based on His
plan for your life.
He envisions the potential forwho you can become, based on his
plan for your life.
While he acknowledges reality,god also sees the endless
(23:09):
possibilities within you.
He recognizes your capabilitiesand ignites the dormant
greatness within you that youmay not yet recognize.
When you surrender control tohim, he will restore your true
identity.
I recently knocked my lower backout of place when laying
(23:30):
sideways on my couch, and ittook me some time and a few
trips to the chiropractor torecover.
During this time, I couldn't doa whole lot without pain, like
drying the dog's feet after abathroom run or even trying to
tie my shoes.
The time it took to get fixedfrom that forced me to confront
my age and realize that my bodyis not the same as it used to be
(23:52):
.
As I randomly think about aging, I occasionally see a new gray
hair pop up in the mornings.
When I look in the mirror, Ialso notice a few wrinkles that
I don't remember seeing before.
My back pain made me slow down,and when I did, my eyes were
opened While I still thought ofmyself as a relatively young man
(24:14):
.
My body has started sending mesome other signals.
Suddenly, I understand why somepeople experience this reality
called a midlife crisis and doeverything in their power to
fight the onset of age.
You know, maybe they haveplastic surgery or begin
coloring their hair, some tradein their family sedan for a
(24:35):
sleek new sports car, or getbraces on their teeth.
Others even go so far as todivorce their spouses and find
much younger partners, and it'sall in an attempt to avoid
something natural and inevitable.
Indeed, it does make sense.
When we are disconnected fromour inherent identities given by
(24:55):
God, we seek alternativesources to establish our
identities.
For some, it may revolve aroundphysical appearance, in the
pursuit of beauty andyouthfulness.
However, the reality is thataging is inevitable and life
inevitably leaves its mark on us.
The Bible teaches us thatgenuine beauty originates from
(25:15):
within.
In 1 Samuel 16, 7, it says theLord does not look at the things
people look at.
People look at the outwardappearance, but the Lord looks
at the heart.
Some of us derive our sense ofidentity from our performance.
Our self-worth is tied toexternal validation from others
regarding our actions andaccomplishments.
(25:36):
We strive to impress otherswith our latest achievements,
accolades or successes.
However, this quest forvalidation is insatiable.
Despite our accomplishments orfame, an internal void persists.
In Ecclesiastes 2.11, it sumsit up.
Yet when I surveyed all that myhands had done and what I had
(25:59):
toiled to achieve, everythingwas meaningless, a chasing after
the wind, nothing was gainedunder the sun.
Once we fully accept our genuineidentities, our work takes on a
sense of purpose andsignificance.
This transformation occursbecause we understand that our
(26:22):
value is not solely determinedby our performance.
We strive to excel and findfulfillment in giving our best
effort, irrespective of theresults.
We do not need to achieve,grant accolades, amass wealth or
establish charitableorganizations to grasp our
inherent worth.
We are unconditionallycherished as God's children,
without any requirements orconditions.
(26:44):
God freely bestows his love,forgiveness and grace upon us.
In Ephesians 2, verses 8 and 9,it says For it is by grace you
have been saved, through faith,and this is not from yourselves.
It is the gift of God, not byworks, so that no one can boast.
Despite having all the materialpossessions that wealth can
(27:07):
afford, we may find ourselvesdisillusioned with our lives.
We come to understand throughchallenging experience that life
does not consist in abundanceof possessions.
Allow me to pause here andacknowledge that if you have
ever placed your identity inyour physical appearance,
achievements, belongings or anyother external factor, you are
(27:31):
not alone.
We have all at some pointsought to fill the void within
our hearts with things otherthan God, who is the only one
meant to occupy those deepestplaces.
By acknowledging this tendency,we can strive to cultivate a
strong connection with the Godwho created us, understands us
and adores us, to establish afirm foundation rooted in the
(27:55):
understanding of our true selvesas designed by God.
It is essential to perceiveourselves through His loving
gaze.
So how do we do this?
Well, perhaps the first step inthis process is recognizing the
biblical truth that everyperson is born for a specific
season.
In Acts 17, verse 26, it says.
(28:18):
It says should inhabit thewhole earth and he marked out
their appointed times in historyand the boundaries of their
lands.
God chose us and has alwaysloved us.
He determined when we will beborn and when we will die.
In Ephesians 1, 4, it says Forhe chose us in him before the
(28:40):
creation of the world, to beholy and blameless in his sight.
We can take comfort in knowingthat our Father specifically
chose this place in all of timeand history, for our lives to
exist.
You can find reassurance in theunderstanding that within your
unique identity there lies adistinct purpose.
God not only created you forthis specific season of life,
(29:04):
but also equipped you withprecise personality, abilities,
talents and gifts required tofulfill your calling.
Your existence is not a randomoccurrence.
You are here intentionally,with a designated purpose.
Discovering and embracing yourlife's purpose will lead to a
deeper comprehension of yourtrue identity.
(29:26):
Armed with this knowledge, youbecome unstoppable.
While others may attempt tolabel you, living authentically
from your God-given identityrenders these false perceptions
powerless.
Aligning with the person Godintended you to be influences
every aspect of your life, fromyour choices to the risks that
(29:46):
you undertake.
This pattern is evident in thestories of various figures in
the Bible.
Consider Moses, who was rescuedas a baby from certain death by
his resourceful mother andPharaoh's daughter.
(30:07):
From an early age, moses wasaware that God had destined him
for a significant role.
Despite his initial reluctanceto assume a leadership position
due to fears and insecurities,moses could not ignore the
presence of God in his life andthe divine guidance that he
received.
While Pharaoh believed he couldcontrol the Hebrew people
(30:29):
through Moses' leadership, godhad different plans.
Despite the challenges posed bycultural norms.
God ultimately called Moses toserve as a liberator, showcasing
how divine purpose can prevailover external obstacles.
Despite being raised as anEgyptian prince a designation
that may be perceived asfavorable Moses could not detach
(30:52):
himself from his Hebrew lineage.
Subsequently, as a fugitive andan outlaw roles typically
deemed negative Moses remainedunable to escape the calling of
God, who directly communicatedhis purpose through a burning
bush.
Despite Moses' reservations,including concerns about his
speech impediment and publicspeaking abilities, he could not
(31:14):
ignore his inherent identity,crafted by God.
Eventually, he was driven toheed God's directive and fulfill
his destined role as adeliverer.
Joseph's life exemplified asimilar unwavering commitment to
purpose and identity.
Despite enduring significanthardships, sold into slavery by
(31:34):
his own brothers and unjustlyimprisoned, joseph refused to
succumb to the false identitiesimposed upon him by his captors.
Instead, he remained steadfastin his faith and allowed God to
utilize his talents and skills.
Although faced with adversitythat could have defined his
existence and purpose, josephchose to trust in God and
(31:57):
remained obedient to fulfill thepurpose for which he was
created.
In the end, joseph's loyaltywas richly rewarded, as he
played a pivotal role in savingthe people of Egypt and Israel
from a looming famine that Godhad forewarned him about.
So how about you?
Have you discovered yourpurpose and your identity?
(32:18):
If you have identified yourdivine calling, I rejoice with
you and I urge you to persevere,find peace in difficult
circumstances and have faiththat God will guide you through
them, acknowledging that you areprecisely where he intends you
to be engaged in the task forwhich you were created.
Now, for those of you that arestill in pursuit of their divine
(32:41):
purpose, continue to seek God'splan for you.
Do not falter until he unveilsyour unique assignment in this
life.
Remember what's true InEphesians 2.10,.
It says, for we are hisworkmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works which Godprepared beforehand, that we
should walk in them To fullyembrace your identity in Christ.
(33:06):
Consider how you can supportthose around you in recognizing
and honoring their God-givenidentities.
This entails not dictating whoyou believe they should be, but
instead seizing opportunities toassist individuals whose
struggles stem from a lack ofunderstanding their intrinsic
purpose.
Jesus grants us freedom to aidin liberating others, often
(33:28):
necessitating a more nuancedapproach rather than a forceful
intervention.
This could involve guiding yourchildren through peer pressure
by sharing your own pastexperiences at their age,
alongside biblical truths, onpleasing God over people.
It might entail engaging in aheartfelt conversation over
coffee with a friend, exploringdifferent lifestyles, offering a
(33:52):
listening ear to comprehendtheir inner turmoil.
Additionally, meeting a fellowsmall group member for lunch to
address their challenges inmaintaining fidelity to their
spouse could serve as anotheropportunity for support and
guidance.
It's important to keep in mindthat we all grapple with
recognizing our authenticidentities.
(34:12):
Every individual that weencounter carries hidden
struggles, burdens or emotionalweight.
Rather than imposing ourselveson others or being intrusive, we
can offer our presence tolisten and show care.
Listening and displayingcompassion are crucial
components in forming a strong,respectful relationship
(34:34):
conducive to sharing God's truth.
The currents of societal normswill always attempt to divert us
away from our true selves asordained by God and sweep us
downstream.
The adversary of our souls willcontinuously seek openings to
distort our genuine identitiesas children designed by God.
(34:54):
This underscores the need toreflect on the assurance of who
God declares us to be and to bedriven by fulfilling the purpose
for which he crafted us.
Holding on to this lifeline oftruth will enable us to navigate
turbulent cultural waters,ensuring that we remain
steadfast regardless of thechallenges that we face.
(35:17):
No one can name you.
No one can rename you, nomatter what.
God knows who you are, but youneed to know too, and now you
can help remind others who theyreally are as well.
That's going to do it for thisweek's episode.
(35:39):
Please subscribe to be surethat you don't miss any other
episodes in this series calledUnshaken.
As we release these over thenext couple of months, we'll be
mixing in some marriage episodesas well, so you don't want to
miss those either.
I'm Daniel Moore.
Thank you for listening.
This week.
This show really would bepossible without you, and if
you're a fan of the show, pleaseleave a review on Apple
Podcasts, or, if you'd like tohelp us out, just take a few
(36:01):
seconds, give us a five-starclick and please subscribe to us
on your favorite platform, andthe links to those are in the
show notes.
Well, that's all for this week,and we believe that God's Word
never fails us.
God's Word has stood the testof time and, through Jesus'
death on the cross, he hasconnected the gap.
Aria (36:20):
You've been listening to Connecting the Gap podcast.
In this world, there are manydisconnects that cause chaos in
our lives.
This podcast is birthed fromthe desire to share hope and
restoration of the power of thegospel by being transparent and
open in our biblical walk withGod.
Each week, we take a fewmoments as we navigate God's
word and peer into otherpeople's testimonies and
encourage each other to connectthe gap.
(36:41):
We upload a new audio podcastevery Thursday and a video
version of it on YouTube andRumble.
We are also on the Christianpodcasting app Edify.
You can subscribe to ourpodcast on many of the available
podcasting platforms, includingApple Podcast, spotify, amazon
Music, iheart Radio, tuneinRadio and more.
We are also available on yourAlexa-enabled devices.
(37:02):
If you would like to contactour ministry for any reason,
visit our contact page and sendus a message.
We hope you are blessed by thisministry.
This is a production ofConnecting the Gap Ministries.
Many Christians feel intimidated by the world
and believe their faith shouldbe kept private, confined to one
day a week at church.
While the world boldlyproclaims its beliefs and truths
, christians are often silencedand made to feel ashamed of
their faith, becoming apologeticin a way that does not involve
sharing the gospel.
This week, on Connecting theGap, we continue our new series
(00:25):
called Unshaken holding fast ina culture of compromise.
This is the second episode ofthat series.
We'll be back with that rightafter this.
Welcome to Connecting the Gap.
(01:08):
This is a podcast about marriage, bible and book studies, and we
interview people that have astory.
I'm Daniel Moore, your host.
Thank you, guys for joining usthis week.
If you're not familiar with ourshow, check out our website,
wwwconnectingthegapnet.
All of our platforms are thereour YouTube and Rumble links.
We're also on the ChristianPodcasting app, edify.
You can also visit us on socialon Facebook, instagram and X at
(01:32):
ctgaponline.
If you're a fan of our show,please subscribe.
Feel free to leave a comment onour platforms.
Of course.
Give us a thumbs up or afive-star review on Apple
Podcast.
We'd be grateful to you fordoing that.
That's what helps thealgorithms put us out there and
helps our podcast to grow.
Well, as I said in the intro,this week we are going to go
(01:59):
through episode two of our newseries called Unshaken, as we
take some scriptural truths fromthe book of Daniel and talk
about standing fast in culturewhere compromise is so rampant.
How can we do that?
By standing firm but loving atthe same time.
We're going to go ahead and getinto episode two of that series
this week.
This one is entitled IdentityTheft the Attempt to Rename Me.
(02:21):
To rename me my name is DanielAugusta Moore.
My parents had a rhyme andreason for choosing my name.
Daniel was another form of mydad's name, which was Danny, and
(02:47):
I shared the name Augusta withmy dad and my grandpa.
As it turns out, the nameDaniel means God is my judge,
which seems fitting.
I like the fact that my nameand God's truth are one and the
same.
Every year, I have theopportunity to share the gospel
of Jesus with hundreds ofthousands of people.
I represent Christ and who heis ultimately in our life.
(03:08):
I am a Christ bearer.
My name defines me accurately.
It validates me.
I like my name, but it's notthe name that I always believed.
Growing up, I was popular inschool.
I had some athletic skills.
I was considered very smart,but due to life circumstances I
(03:31):
became pretty shy.
It was a struggle sometimes tostay valid with myself and my
friends Because of the shyness Ihad.
I decided to win friends bytaking on a new persona Mischief
Maker.
I'd be the one to take the dare, crack the jokes or do the
(03:54):
ridiculous stunt just to makethe crowd laugh and hopefully
accept me.
My strategy seemed to work.
For a while.
I made a few kids laugh and Igot noticed and pretty popular
within my circle.
But, truth be known, it wasn'treally me.
Basically, I was trying to liveout a name that wasn't who I
(04:15):
really was.
It was the name I thought Ineeded so I could find
acceptance and be liked.
But in my teenage years I gavemy life to Jesus and the process
of healing and redeeming myname began.
I discovered the calling on mylife and a passion to share
Christ with the world around me.
(04:35):
Soon I had no doubt in my mindthat I had been named by God,
that I had a God-given identity,that he knew before I was even
created.
But I could only be the man hecreated me to be if I understood
and accepted my true name.
I learned the hard way thatnames are important.
(04:58):
What we believe about ourselvesinfluences every decision we
make and also every action wetake.
Of course, we all have names.
Whether or not we reflect thecharacteristics of our given
names at birth is not really thepoint.
What matters most is the namewe have written on our hearts
(05:20):
and minds.
It's what we believe aboutourselves, and then we live it
out.
Maybe you were labeled stupid orfat as a kid and despite
earning a college degree orrunning 5Ks, you still see
yourself based on thosechildhood labels.
Perhaps you've let sicknessdefine you.
(05:42):
Cancer or diabetes or MS is notonly your disease, but it's
also become your identity.
You might let yourrelationships define you.
You're a husband or wife, an ex, a sister or brother, a boss,
an employee.
Perhaps rejection, divorce andbetrayal have become your
(06:06):
identity.
You may have let circumstancesdetermine your name.
Maybe the death of a loved one,tragedy or bankruptcy have
become your identity.
What's your name right now?
What are the names that yousecretly feel are attached to
you like gum on the bottom ofyour shoe?
(06:26):
It really is very important toidentify these, the names you
allow to label.
You often title the scriptsthat you live by.
What you believe in dictateswhat you live out.
This explains why the numberone goal of your enemy, the
devil, is to attack youridentity.
(06:48):
He wants to give you adifferent name, one that stands
in direct contrast to the nameGod gave you when he created you
.
In our society today,individuals have grown skilled
at determining their own moralstandards, shaping their
identities based onever-changing personal beliefs.
There is a growing acceptanceof individuals ranging from
(07:12):
schoolchildren exploring genderchanges to same-gender couples
planning their weddingsfollowing what they feel is true
for themselves.
Quote-unquote.
Live-your truth has become abumper sticker mantra for
generations conditioned tobelieve that they are entitled
to reinvent themselves and liveany way that they choose.
(07:33):
Reality TV portrays how anyonecan be a star, a model bachelors
, chefs, homebuyers, politiciansand tattoo artists, as long as
they remain quote-unquote trueto themselves.
I understand the appeal of theidea of embracing the desires of
(07:54):
our hearts, as it offers asense of freedom.
If I were to let my emotionsguide me, I might not be in the
role of a podcaster today.
Instead, I could be focused onmaximizing wealth for a more
comfortable and pleasurable life, indulging in mini-golf at top
courses worldwide.
While I may still grapple withthese desires.
(08:17):
Sometimes I recognize that Icannot rely solely on them to
determine what is truly best forme.
God has specifically createdand called me for his purposes,
not my own.
Despite any desire to live alife as a wealthy mini golf pro,
I understand that it is not thepath meant for me.
(08:39):
The reality is that we do nothave the authority to define
ourselves, as there are limitsto how much we can reshape our
identities.
The reason for this isstraightforward we have already
been defined by God, our Creator.
God understands each of us andthe purpose for which we were
(09:00):
made, and, ultimately, his plansurpasses any visions that we
may develop independently.
Daniel grasped this fundamentaltruth, remaining anchored to
his faith in God during hisperiod of captivity.
In a society that prioritizedsensual gratification, idol
(09:20):
worship and ethical decline, theBabylonians concentrated on
pursuits beyond God.
In their efforts to assimilatethe new captives, they attempted
to influence Daniel and hiscompanions by obscuring their
true identities.
Take note of the initialexperiences encountered by
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Daniel and his friends upontheir arrival in Babylon.
In Daniel, chapter 1, verses 3and 4, and then verse 7, it says
Then the king ordered Ashpenaz,chief of his court officials,
to bring into the king's service, some of the Israelites from
the royal family and thenobility.
Young men without any physicaldefect, handsome, showing
(10:03):
aptitude for every kind oflearning, well-informed, quick
to understand and qualified toserve in the king's palace.
The chief official gave themnew names To Daniel the name
Belteshazzar, to HananiahShadrach, to Mishael Meshach and
to Azariah Abednego.
(10:26):
During that era, conquerorstypically assimilated, enslaved
captives into their culture bychanging their names as a symbol
of possession.
The Israelites were now underthe ownership of their captors,
no longer identified by thenames from their native land.
However, these Babylonian nameswere not merely substitutions.
(10:48):
Rather, they aimed to erase theIsraelites' true identities.
They were a mockery to theirJewish heritage.
They turned the truth insideout.
They were idolatrous names.
By examining the differencesbetween the original Hebrew
names and the Babylonian namesgiven to these four young men,
(11:11):
we can understand the tacticsemployed by our adversary, which
are still relevant in presenttimes assigning us a new name in
order to deceive us regardingour true identity.
So let's search a little deeperinto how this process unfolded
for Daniel, hananiah, mishaeland Azariah.
(11:32):
First, let's look at Daniel.
Daniel's Hebrew name means Godis my judge.
Name means God is my judge.
It was changed to theBabylonian name Belteshazzar,
which ironically means Lady,protect the king.
The first thing the Babyloniansdid was change the gender of
Daniel's name, an inherent partof each person's identity.
(11:56):
They also shifted the focusfrom God to human.
With this new name, daniel'sidentity, at least on paper,
changed from a man heldaccountable by an all-powerful
God to that of a woman who mustprotect her sovereign.
In their culture, this was aterrible insult.
(12:17):
The meaning of Daniel's newname was the antithesis of his
former Hebrew name.
Second was Hananiah.
Hananiah's Hebrew name meansYahweh has been gracious.
It was changed to theBabylonian name Shadrach, which
means I am fearful of God.
(12:38):
The Babylonians inverted thefocus from God being good to God
being bad.
Instead of viewing him asgracious, kind and loving, which
was all implied by the nameHananiah, this new name echoed
with the kind of fear you'd feelstanding before a tyrant, a
maniac or a monster.
(12:58):
Third was Mishael.
Mishael's Hebrew name means whocan compare to my God no one.
It was changed to theBabylonian name Meshach, which
means I am despised,contemptible and humiliated.
Once again, the Babylonianschose a name that subverted the
(13:18):
goodness of God in ourrelationship to Him.
It shifted the focus from ourconfidence in God to cowardice.
And then fourth was Azariah.
Azariah's Hebrew name meansYahweh has helped.
It was changed to theBabylonian name Abednego, which
means the servant of Nebo.
(13:39):
The Babylonian name Abednego,which means the servant of Nebo,
azariah went from being a sonor heir of Yahweh a term of
endearment for the living God tobeing the slave of another man.
As you can see, in every case,the Hebrew captives' new names
obliterated the true nature ofGod that had been represented by
their names and reorientedtheir identities to become
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people who serve theirBabylonian masters.
It is evident even today thatSatan is still trying to distort
our identities by redefiningthem, just as he did with Daniel
and his friends, by giving themnew names that deny their true
identities in God, that denytheir true identities in God.
This same tactic is seen todayin society's redefinition of
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gender relationships andmarriage, which mirrors the
attempts to change Daniel'sidentity.
Our culture now claims thatthese fundamental aspects of
ourselves can be altered to fitpersonal desires, disregarding
God's original design.
To fit personal desires,disregarding God's original
design.
However, we must not be misled,as there is purpose in how God
(14:45):
has created us.
We must understand our trueidentities in Christ and stand
firm against the pressures ofour culture to conform to its
standards.
The enemy uses various tacticsto undermine our faithfulness to
God, making it appear foolishto remain devoted to Him.
In Daniel's time, thismanipulation of perceptions
(15:08):
about God involved tribalmethods such as conquest and
assimilation.
Today, the enemy employsdifferent strategies, including
humor, satire, controversy andscandal within the church.
By discrediting the Bible andcreating division, dissension
and immorality within the church, the devil seeks to succeed in
(15:30):
his plan.
Consequently, many Christiansfeel intimidated by the world
and believe their faith shouldbe kept private, confined to one
day a week at church.
While the world boldlyproclaims its beliefs and truths
, christians are often silencedand made to feel ashamed of
their faith, becoming apologeticin a way that does not involve
(15:51):
sharing the gospel.
The enemy aims to achieve ashift in cultural identity that
distracts us from ourrelationship with God and
instead focuses on seeking theapproval of others.
It is tempting to becomeconsumed by the number of likes,
facebook friends, positivecomments and retweets we receive
(16:12):
, as it provides a sense ofvalidation and value.
The constant affirmation can beaddictive, offering a 24-hour
stream of validation.
You know personally, I strugglewith a desire to please others,
just like anyone else, despitehaving a successful service,
(16:33):
with faithful attendance to mychurch and leading lost sinners
to numerous decisions for Christ.
A single negative comment on myministry Facebook page can
overshadow these accomplishmentsand ruin my day.
Instead of recognizing God'swork and giving Him glory, I
find myself fixated on how toplease the one person who
criticized my belief.
(16:54):
I must remind myself that it isnot about my efforts, but about
God working through me, throughothers and through my ministry.
Furthermore, the change in ourfocus, the distraction from God
and the shift in prioritiesachieved by orienting our lives
around others rather than God,parallels the impact of renaming
(17:17):
captives in ancient Babylon.
The impact of renaming captivesin ancient Babylon.
Our identities shift when wevalue those looking at the art
more than the artist.
When culture shifts, we need toknow who we are.
(17:40):
Scripture tells us this truth.
It says Before I formed you inthe womb, I knew you.
Before you were born, I set youapart.
I appointed you as a prophet tothe nations.
That's Jeremiah 1, verse 5.
You are who God made you to be.
You are a unique, beloved childof the Lord of the universe,
(18:01):
your creator, your redeemer andyour savior.
You have a unique purpose foryour life that no one else has
had or will ever have.
You are a co-heir with Jesus,adopted into the family of the
King and granted eternal lifewith him in heaven, after your
mortal life on earth has ended.
(18:22):
That's Romans 8, verse 17.
This is your true identity.
Unless we're grounded in who Godmade us to be, the way that we
see ourselves will easily morphinto an illusion, a cultural
mirage.
The truth of who we are willstill be unshaken, but it will
(18:44):
be covered with a veneer of lies.
How does this happen?
Well, we lose sight of ourGod-given identity and act
according to an off-kiltermental self-portrait, as
Proverbs 23 7 says.
For as he thinks in his heart,so is he.
Our enemy has become adept atconvincing us to accept false
(19:07):
labels.
First, he gets us to acceptcultural definitions of who we
are.
When we do others around us getto create the standards for how
we measure up or, more often,how we don't.
Satan skillfully manipulates usinto adopting false identities
by first convincing us to adhereto cultural labels.
(19:28):
By conforming to societalexpectations, we allow others to
dictate the standards by whichwe are judged, often focusing on
external attributes such asappearance, beauty and success.
Stereotypes which categorizeindividuals based on superficial
traits, employ a similar tacticof reducing individuals to
(19:51):
superficial characteristics likeredneck or blonde, or
plus-sized or disabled.
While these physical attributesmay shape our perspectives,
they do not encompass the trueessence of who we are, despite
many of us acknowledging thisfact.
Repeated negative messagingabout a specific trait can
(20:12):
gradually erode our self-worthand cause us to internalize
these false labels.
Many of us would say we knowthat, but if we hear people tell
us often enough that we're nogood because of some trait, then
we may start to believe it.
However, subconsciously, theenemy employs false labels by
(20:32):
persuading us to let our pastdictate our identities, labeling
us as liar, hypocrite, failureor unclean.
This struggle is pervasive andcan significantly impact our
faith as we tend to dwell onthese negative perceptions of
ourselves.
Despite God's unconditionallove and willingness to redeem
our past, we often hinder thisprocess by holding on to those
(20:56):
outdated labels.
The amazing truth is thatsurrendering control to God
results in a new identity for us.
This transformative gift isexemplified throughout the Bible
, where individuals whoexperienced God's love and
forgiveness had their nameschanged in a profound way.
For instance, jacobtransitioned from a deceitful
(21:19):
coward to Israel, representingGod's chosen people.
Abram, initially atruth-challenged nomad, became
Abraham, a blessed father in hisold age.
Similarly, peter or Simeon andPaul or Saul in the New
Testament received newidentities through their new
(21:39):
names.
Paul in the New Testamentreceived new identities through
their new names.
In reality, these identitieswere not truly new.
They were the ones that Israel,abraham, peter and Paul were
always meant to embody.
However, they had not fullyembraced their true selves, as
designed by God, until herenamed and called them by new
names.
It was only when theyrelinquished control over their
(22:01):
lives that they discovered thefulfillment of their true
purpose and identity.
This resonates with my personaljourney as well.
While growing up, I struggledwith feelings of insecurity and
unease in social settings,leading me to overcompensate by
constantly seeking attentionthrough humor.
It was only when I confrontedmy fears and placed my trust in
(22:24):
God, seeking His approval aboveall others, that I experienced
the liberation to fulfill mycalling as a teacher and leader,
as God had intended.
In nearly every account of namechanges in the Bible, following
an encounter with God, anindividual's true identity is
ultimately unveiled.
They are empowered to breakfree from societal norms and
(22:48):
embrace spiritual liberation.
This same transformativeprocess can apply to us as well.
God does not define you basedon your current circumstances.
He envisions the potential forwho you can become, based on His
plan for your life.
He envisions the potential forwho you can become, based on his
plan for your life.
While he acknowledges reality,god also sees the endless
(23:09):
possibilities within you.
He recognizes your capabilitiesand ignites the dormant
greatness within you that youmay not yet recognize.
When you surrender control tohim, he will restore your true
identity.
I recently knocked my lower backout of place when laying
(23:30):
sideways on my couch, and ittook me some time and a few
trips to the chiropractor torecover.
During this time, I couldn't doa whole lot without pain, like
drying the dog's feet after abathroom run or even trying to
tie my shoes.
The time it took to get fixedfrom that forced me to confront
my age and realize that my bodyis not the same as it used to be
(23:52):
.
As I randomly think about aging, I occasionally see a new gray
hair pop up in the mornings.
When I look in the mirror, Ialso notice a few wrinkles that
I don't remember seeing before.
My back pain made me slow down,and when I did, my eyes were
opened While I still thought ofmyself as a relatively young man
(24:14):
.
My body has started sending mesome other signals.
Suddenly, I understand why somepeople experience this reality
called a midlife crisis and doeverything in their power to
fight the onset of age.
You know, maybe they haveplastic surgery or begin
coloring their hair, some tradein their family sedan for a
(24:35):
sleek new sports car, or getbraces on their teeth.
Others even go so far as todivorce their spouses and find
much younger partners, and it'sall in an attempt to avoid
something natural and inevitable.
Indeed, it does make sense.
When we are disconnected fromour inherent identities given by
(24:55):
God, we seek alternativesources to establish our
identities.
For some, it may revolve aroundphysical appearance, in the
pursuit of beauty andyouthfulness.
However, the reality is thataging is inevitable and life
inevitably leaves its mark on us.
The Bible teaches us thatgenuine beauty originates from
(25:15):
within.
In 1 Samuel 16, 7, it says theLord does not look at the things
people look at.
People look at the outwardappearance, but the Lord looks
at the heart.
Some of us derive our sense ofidentity from our performance.
Our self-worth is tied toexternal validation from others
regarding our actions andaccomplishments.
(25:36):
We strive to impress otherswith our latest achievements,
accolades or successes.
However, this quest forvalidation is insatiable.
Despite our accomplishments orfame, an internal void persists.
In Ecclesiastes 2.11, it sumsit up.
Yet when I surveyed all that myhands had done and what I had
(25:59):
toiled to achieve, everythingwas meaningless, a chasing after
the wind, nothing was gainedunder the sun.
Once we fully accept our genuineidentities, our work takes on a
sense of purpose andsignificance.
This transformation occursbecause we understand that our
(26:22):
value is not solely determinedby our performance.
We strive to excel and findfulfillment in giving our best
effort, irrespective of theresults.
We do not need to achieve,grant accolades, amass wealth or
establish charitableorganizations to grasp our
inherent worth.
We are unconditionallycherished as God's children,
without any requirements orconditions.
(26:44):
God freely bestows his love,forgiveness and grace upon us.
In Ephesians 2, verses 8 and 9,it says For it is by grace you
have been saved, through faith,and this is not from yourselves.
It is the gift of God, not byworks, so that no one can boast.
Despite having all the materialpossessions that wealth can
(27:07):
afford, we may find ourselvesdisillusioned with our lives.
We come to understand throughchallenging experience that life
does not consist in abundanceof possessions.
Allow me to pause here andacknowledge that if you have
ever placed your identity inyour physical appearance,
achievements, belongings or anyother external factor, you are
(27:31):
not alone.
We have all at some pointsought to fill the void within
our hearts with things otherthan God, who is the only one
meant to occupy those deepestplaces.
By acknowledging this tendency,we can strive to cultivate a
strong connection with the Godwho created us, understands us
and adores us, to establish afirm foundation rooted in the
(27:55):
understanding of our true selvesas designed by God.
It is essential to perceiveourselves through His loving
gaze.
So how do we do this?
Well, perhaps the first step inthis process is recognizing the
biblical truth that everyperson is born for a specific
season.
In Acts 17, verse 26, it says.
(28:18):
It says should inhabit thewhole earth and he marked out
their appointed times in historyand the boundaries of their
lands.
God chose us and has alwaysloved us.
He determined when we will beborn and when we will die.
In Ephesians 1, 4, it says Forhe chose us in him before the
(28:40):
creation of the world, to beholy and blameless in his sight.
We can take comfort in knowingthat our Father specifically
chose this place in all of timeand history, for our lives to
exist.
You can find reassurance in theunderstanding that within your
unique identity there lies adistinct purpose.
God not only created you forthis specific season of life,
(29:04):
but also equipped you withprecise personality, abilities,
talents and gifts required tofulfill your calling.
Your existence is not a randomoccurrence.
You are here intentionally,with a designated purpose.
Discovering and embracing yourlife's purpose will lead to a
deeper comprehension of yourtrue identity.
(29:26):
Armed with this knowledge, youbecome unstoppable.
While others may attempt tolabel you, living authentically
from your God-given identityrenders these false perceptions
powerless.
Aligning with the person Godintended you to be influences
every aspect of your life, fromyour choices to the risks that
(29:46):
you undertake.
This pattern is evident in thestories of various figures in
the Bible.
Consider Moses, who was rescuedas a baby from certain death by
his resourceful mother andPharaoh's daughter.
(30:07):
From an early age, moses wasaware that God had destined him
for a significant role.
Despite his initial reluctanceto assume a leadership position
due to fears and insecurities,moses could not ignore the
presence of God in his life andthe divine guidance that he
received.
While Pharaoh believed he couldcontrol the Hebrew people
(30:29):
through Moses' leadership, godhad different plans.
Despite the challenges posed bycultural norms.
God ultimately called Moses toserve as a liberator, showcasing
how divine purpose can prevailover external obstacles.
Despite being raised as anEgyptian prince a designation
that may be perceived asfavorable Moses could not detach
(30:52):
himself from his Hebrew lineage.
Subsequently, as a fugitive andan outlaw roles typically
deemed negative Moses remainedunable to escape the calling of
God, who directly communicatedhis purpose through a burning
bush.
Despite Moses' reservations,including concerns about his
speech impediment and publicspeaking abilities, he could not
(31:14):
ignore his inherent identity,crafted by God.
Eventually, he was driven toheed God's directive and fulfill
his destined role as adeliverer.
Joseph's life exemplified asimilar unwavering commitment to
purpose and identity.
Despite enduring significanthardships, sold into slavery by
(31:34):
his own brothers and unjustlyimprisoned, joseph refused to
succumb to the false identitiesimposed upon him by his captors.
Instead, he remained steadfastin his faith and allowed God to
utilize his talents and skills.
Although faced with adversitythat could have defined his
existence and purpose, josephchose to trust in God and
(31:57):
remained obedient to fulfill thepurpose for which he was
created.
In the end, joseph's loyaltywas richly rewarded, as he
played a pivotal role in savingthe people of Egypt and Israel
from a looming famine that Godhad forewarned him about.
So how about you?
Have you discovered yourpurpose and your identity?
(32:18):
If you have identified yourdivine calling, I rejoice with
you and I urge you to persevere,find peace in difficult
circumstances and have faiththat God will guide you through
them, acknowledging that you areprecisely where he intends you
to be engaged in the task forwhich you were created.
Now, for those of you that arestill in pursuit of their divine
(32:41):
purpose, continue to seek God'splan for you.
Do not falter until he unveilsyour unique assignment in this
life.
Remember what's true InEphesians 2.10,.
It says, for we are hisworkmanship, created in Christ
Jesus for good works which Godprepared beforehand, that we
should walk in them To fullyembrace your identity in Christ.
(33:06):
Consider how you can supportthose around you in recognizing
and honoring their God-givenidentities.
This entails not dictating whoyou believe they should be, but
instead seizing opportunities toassist individuals whose
struggles stem from a lack ofunderstanding their intrinsic
purpose.
Jesus grants us freedom to aidin liberating others, often
(33:28):
necessitating a more nuancedapproach rather than a forceful
intervention.
This could involve guiding yourchildren through peer pressure
by sharing your own pastexperiences at their age,
alongside biblical truths, onpleasing God over people.
It might entail engaging in aheartfelt conversation over
coffee with a friend, exploringdifferent lifestyles, offering a
(33:52):
listening ear to comprehendtheir inner turmoil.
Additionally, meeting a fellowsmall group member for lunch to
address their challenges inmaintaining fidelity to their
spouse could serve as anotheropportunity for support and
guidance.
It's important to keep in mindthat we all grapple with
recognizing our authenticidentities.
(34:12):
Every individual that weencounter carries hidden
struggles, burdens or emotionalweight.
Rather than imposing ourselveson others or being intrusive, we
can offer our presence tolisten and show care.
Listening and displayingcompassion are crucial
components in forming a strong,respectful relationship
(34:34):
conducive to sharing God's truth.
The currents of societal normswill always attempt to divert us
away from our true selves asordained by God and sweep us
downstream.
The adversary of our souls willcontinuously seek openings to
distort our genuine identitiesas children designed by God.
(34:54):
This underscores the need toreflect on the assurance of who
God declares us to be and to bedriven by fulfilling the purpose
for which he crafted us.
Holding on to this lifeline oftruth will enable us to navigate
turbulent cultural waters,ensuring that we remain
steadfast regardless of thechallenges that we face.
(35:17):
No one can name you.
No one can rename you, nomatter what.
God knows who you are, but youneed to know too, and now you
can help remind others who theyreally are as well.
That's going to do it for thisweek's episode.
(35:39):
Please subscribe to be surethat you don't miss any other
episodes in this series calledUnshaken.
As we release these over thenext couple of months, we'll be
mixing in some marriage episodesas well, so you don't want to
miss those either.
I'm Daniel Moore.
Thank you for listening.
This week.
This show really would bepossible without you, and if
you're a fan of the show, pleaseleave a review on Apple
Podcasts, or, if you'd like tohelp us out, just take a few
(36:01):
seconds, give us a five-starclick and please subscribe to us
on your favorite platform, andthe links to those are in the
show notes.
Well, that's all for this week,and we believe that God's Word
never fails us.
God's Word has stood the testof time and, through Jesus'
death on the cross, he hasconnected the gap.
Aria (36:20):
You've been listening to Connecting the Gap podcast.
In this world, there are manydisconnects that cause chaos in
our lives.
This podcast is birthed fromthe desire to share hope and
restoration of the power of thegospel by being transparent and
open in our biblical walk withGod.
Each week, we take a fewmoments as we navigate God's
word and peer into otherpeople's testimonies and
encourage each other to connectthe gap.
(36:41):
We upload a new audio podcastevery Thursday and a video
version of it on YouTube andRumble.
We are also on the Christianpodcasting app Edify.
You can subscribe to ourpodcast on many of the available
podcasting platforms, includingApple Podcast, spotify, amazon
Music, iheart Radio, tuneinRadio and more.
We are also available on yourAlexa-enabled devices.
(37:02):
If you would like to contactour ministry for any reason,
visit our contact page and sendus a message.
We hope you are blessed by thisministry.
This is a production ofConnecting the Gap Ministries.
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