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“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end,’ says the Lord God. ‘I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come—the Almighty One.’” - Revelation 1:8 NLT As human beings, we are limited by time and space. We think in terms of what we can see, comprehend and measure. Just trying to comprehend God never being created is a stretch for our minds because of our limits to time and space. Well, understanding our ability to work with time and space, let’s look at something regarding God that we will understand. God is the ‘Alpha and the Omega—the beginning and the end’. As He is the beginning, He is also the first. The enemy is not. He always comes to try and bring division. He will tell you that he is too powerful, that you don’t matter that much, or God can’t respond, or whatever lie he can come up with to make you think God is either not going to, or is not able to do anything on your behalf. But lock into the truth that the enemy has no power, God is your first. You are in covenant relationship with Him; you were made in His image; and you have His authority. You are part of Father’s immediate family and you matter a great deal to Him. Now, say this out loud, “My Father is my beginning and my end.” Everything starts and ends with Him. He is your boundary line. Nothing exists outside of Him because everything is in Him. Today, no matter what you face, know that you will do it with God because He is your boundary, He is your beginning and end. Declaration Starter: “I declare that that God is the beginning and the end of everything. He created all things and He is more powerful than anything we will ever face. My trust is in Him...” 
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"Even Death and Destruction hold no secrets from the Lord. How much more does He know the human heart!" - Proverbs 15:11 NLT How amazing is it that God knows everything? He knows every thought you have, every secret you have, and every struggle you have, no matter what it is, no matter how insignificant or substantial, no matter who it’s about and no matter how happy or painful it may be to you. There is no secret you have that He doesn’t know about. You may wonder why that is so amazing but the truth is, that it means that you can never bring anything before Father that will surprise Him. There is nothing you can say that will cause Him to fall off His throne in shock. Not only that, He can sympathise with our weaknesses because He was tempted in all areas like we are. (Hebrews 4:15). He knows you intimately, and He still loves you unconditionally. That is so freeing, because it means that no matter what secrets we have, we can share them with Him, knowing that He isn’t shocked, surprised, or even disappointed. He wants to us to share everything with Him. Go to Him in faith. The very think you don’t know how to put in words, He already knows. Just go before Him and be open and honest and let Him lead you. You’ll be glad you did. Declaration Starter: “I declare that there is nothing that God doesn’t know. Even death and destruction hold no secrets from Him. He even knows the secrets of my heart and I know can trust Him with them all…”  "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." - Psalms 119:105 NKJV Have you ever considered how much wisdom God’s Word has for us? The Bible isn’t just a book filled with words on paper, it is Father speaking to you and I. If you follow His Word, you read it daily, you meditate on it and store it up in your heart, then it will be an ongoing source of wisdom, teaching, direction and guidance for your life. Having said that, if you never read it, and you leave it sitting on the bookshelf, then it will only ever be a Book with words in it. The power isn’t in the name and it isn’t in the ink. The power is in the living words. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word is “alive and powerful”. God’s Word is supposed to be consumed, not left on the shelf. You can have a meal cooked by the best chef in the world, but if you stare at it, or think about it, you will never get the benefit or enjoyment from it. You need to eat it. The you will get all the nourishment and enjoyment that was intended to go with that meal. I love when I have a need and I’m praying and asking God for His divine direction, and then I open my Bible and read, only to find the very answer that I am looking for. Father is so faithful that way. His Word is alive, and it is Him speaking to you. If you want Him to lead you in every part of your life, then read His Word. Don’t do it once a week at church, read it daily. Consume it for the days that lie ahead. You will be so glad you did. Declaration Starter: “I declare that God’s Word is a reliable source of wisdom. His Word will lead me in decisions I make every day of my life…”  "But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Your Kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions." - Hebrews 1:8-9 NKJV In order to read this properly, let’s first look at a few words we need to understand. Firstly, a ‘sceptre’ is a ruling staff. Next, the first use of the word ‘righteousness’ comes from the word rectitude and literally means ‘right or straight’. Lastly the word ‘kingdom’ doesn’t just refer to the kingdom, but the authority to rule the kingdom. If a king doesn’t have authority, he doesn’t have a kingdom. So, as we look at this part of the verse we see that Father is saying to Jesus, “The ruling staff of authority you carry is because you do things according to My principles.” It goes on to show us an extreme. Jesus loved righteousness (integrity, upright, keeping the commands of God) and hated lawlessness (or a violation of the law). Notice that it doesn’t say that he tolerates lawlessness, it says He hates it. Because of his simple stand on loving what is right and hating what is wrong, He was anointed by His Father more than His companions. In other words, the phrase ‘rules were made to be broken’ didn’t apply to Jesus. Today, if you desire to see an increase in the authority and anointing on your life, then I encourage you to press simply repent, and realign yourself with what you know God is wanting from you. Declaration Starter: “I declare that my life will reflect Jesus in all areas of my life. I choose to live according to His principles because my pursuit is for His anointing and authority in my life…”  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” - Matthew 6:34 NKJV What will your day look like today? Some people are so filled with worry and anxiety that they have preplanned what will happen when it comes to certain events and people they will encounter during their day. Their thoughts tick over and over… “He’s going to do…” or “She is going to say…” Well, what if you are wrong? Too often we plan the whole event out in our mind before it happens, and if we were asked how often our forecast is right, we would probably say, “Rarely”. So let’s begin to think differently and think the way Father tells us to. Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely and of good report. It also says, “If there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.” Allow your thinking to be faith filled instead of being filled with things like worry and fear. We have control over our thoughts, so today choose to think differently. Ask Father to lead you, even in the way you think. He knows what our day will look like and He wants us to let Him be in control instead of us. Ask Him to help you see things coming up the way He wants you to see them. Then speak words of faith and life over them, and see how Father will turn things around for you in a very different way. Declaration Starter: “I declare that anxiety and worry will not be a part of my day! As a child of God, I choose take control of my thoughts and I choose to focus on things that will stir life and hope…”  “You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.” - Deuteronomy 4:2 NKJV Is God’s Word final authority for your life or do you prefer to be in control? It should be, because the Bible was written for our benefit. Hebrews 4:12 says that God’s Word is alive and powerful. I know that no matter how many things I write down, what I say never matches the power and anointing of the living Word of God. The Bible is full of God’s instructions for us. If we really believe that He has our best interests at heart, and that His plans for our lives are good, and that He wants to prosper us and not harm us and that He wants to give us a hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11), then it makes sense that we would follow what He says in His Word because it is only ever intended for our good. Many people don’t really like change and some things we read or hear from the Word we may not like because after all, change isn’t always easy. In fact, we might prefer to do something else rather than obey what we read, but it is imperative that we recognise that when God commands us to change in an area, or stop doing something, or even to start doing something, He is directing us because He has something good planned for us. Today, as you read His Word, ask Him to speak to you and see what direction He leads you. Then, as He does, choose to obey, because His leading will always be for your benefit. Declaration Starter: “I declare that I will take God at His Word. I trust Him for His Word is enough…”  "Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." - James 4:7 NKJV Romans 6:18 says we are free from our slavery to sin, and have become slaves to righteousness. When I read that, I see that I can be a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness, but either way I am a slave, but I tell you what, with the two options before me, it’s really a no-brainer which one I will choose. James 4:7 tells us that we are firstly to submit to God. That’s easy, especially when we realise that God has an amazing plan for our lives. He loves us and wants to bless us, so in submitting to Him, we are lining our will up with His will. We are allowing Him to be in control. Next, we are told to resist the devil. John 10:10 tells us that Satan’s plan is to ‘steal, kill and destroy’, but God has given us authority over Him through Jesus Christ and enemy knows that and that he cannot defeat that. That’s why the verse above says we are to resist him. Don’t surrender to him because Jesus already won the battle for us. The enemy has no authority unless we give it to him, so as we stand our ground on the promises of God’s Word and resist him, he doesn’t have a choice. He has to flee. So, let me encourage you in this, whatever promises in God you are believing for, stand strong today knowing that God is also on your side. Because of Jesus, you are already the winner. Declaration Starter: “I declare that the devil has to flee from me because my trust is in the Lord. I will stay close to Him at all times. I will be by His side, and He will be mine…”  |
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