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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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"For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires." - Hebrews 4:12 NLT Think about some times people may have said something to you that hurt so much it cut you deeply. The wound wasn’t a physical cut, it was something much more painful — emotional. Emotional wounds are worse because not only do they hurt us so deeply, people don’t see the wounds unless we talk about them. Well, consider the Word of God. Not only is it powerful enough to cut deep into our soul to bring healing, it can cut deeper still and get right down into our Spirit to bring healing where it is needed. The Bible is God’s Word. It is God speaking to you. it isn’t just a book filled with words. It is conversation after conversation between Father and you. It is Him speaking to you Words of healing and wholeness, Words that soothe, Words that bring direction, Words that give advice and so much more. Never underestimate the Word of God. It is alive, it is current, it is relevant and the more you read it, the more it will settle inside you and change your life. God’s Word is Alive and Powerful and it is for you today. Make it a part of your everyday life. Declaration Starter: “I declare that Your Word is sharp enough to cut through any situation I face. It is alive! It is powerful! It can be trusted! It is never failing! Thank you for the strength of Your Word…”  "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…”  "But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." - Isaiah 40:31 NKJV Waiting on God in this verse isn’t referring to ‘serving’ God, it literally means to be waiting, lingering and expecting. So often we run around frantically doing things like completing our to-do-lists, cleaning the house, taking kids to sports, or even just pleasing people. These things aren’t all necessarily wrong, but what if instead of running around frantically, we chose to follow Jesus example by stopping and waiting first on God? Father wants us to just sit a little while with Him, waiting with Him, talking with Him, worshipping Him. As we do, He begins to talk with us. He communicates His plans and desires to us and beautifully begins to recharge our weary spirit. We begin to hear from Him, learn from Him, and relax in Him. Our stresses begin to trail away and we begin to recharge. If your prayers are short because life is frantic, then change your routine. Spend time waiting on your Father and you too will see yourself being restored and soaring like an eagle, seeing things with new perspective and running with new strength. Declaration Starter: “I declare that God is my primary focus above and beyond the demands and expectation of people. He knows what I need to do today, so my first priority is to wait on Him. I choose not to be stressed, but to trust Him. As I follow His leading, He will renew my strength. I will soar like an eagle and I will run with endurance. No matter what I go through, I will never grow tired, because my direction comes from the Lord…”  “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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