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"If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:31-32 NKJV Did you notice that these verse come with a condition attached? People want freedom, and this verse shows us that freedom comes from knowing the truth, but the condition is that we need to be people who abide in God’s Word in order to know the truth. Instead of ‘abide’, another translation uses the word ‘continue’ which means, ‘to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy)’. As I read this, I think of Peter walking on the water and Jesus asking, “in what did you doubt” (see April 21). When we are believing God for something, fear will always raise it head and try to make us doubt God and sway its way, but when we doubt something it loses its ability to remain an option. If we are trying to grow our faith, then staying in the Word of God will continue to reinforce the truth of Who God is. We grow more in our knowledge and understanding of Him, and we then become more ‘disciplined’ (discipled). The more we know of God and His plans and purpose, the stronger we become. Then fear loses its grip and we grow in the truth of Who God is. Then, as we live out that truth, and walk in the authority and dominion He gave us, we then become people who know real freedom in Christ. Choose today to become a person who spends more time in the Word, and you will learn freedom like you’ve always wanted. Declaration Starter: “I declare that I am free because I know the Truth and He is alive in me…” 
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"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…”  "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 NLT Anxiety is something so many people suffer from, but it isn’t part of God’s plan for us. Poor thinking habits and the stories we tell ourselves play a major role in the way we feel, however, the truth is that if we change the story, we change the outcome. When we worry about things, we allow fear to rule us. We are trusting in that situation or circumstance to harm us more than we are trusting God, but you need to know that we aren’t created to be ruled by fear. The Holy Spirit is always with you and He wants to be involved in every part of your life no matter what you face. This verse tells us to not only talk to Him about our needs, but also to thank Him which also indicates expectation that He will be involved. That expectation is our faith in action. When we know that Father is actively involved in every part of our lives, we can relax and be at peace. Know that you are never alone. The Holy Spirit is always with you so remember to talk to Him. Get Him involved and then thank Him. He is more than able. Declaration Starter: “I declare that the peace of God will guard my heart and my mind. I will not allow anxiety to rule my life. I will give Him thanks in all things because I trust Him completely…”  “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…”  |
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