Identity Advantage Podcast

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.