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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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“‘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...”  "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…”  "I will praise You, O Lord, among the peoples, and I will sing praises to You among the nations. For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth;" - Psalms 108:3-5 NKJV When I come home from, if the first thing I am asked is something like, “Hey Dad, can I have…?” or “…can we do…?” by my kids, my response is a groaning and corrective, “Hi Dad, how was your day…?!” So often we can do the same with God. We are quick to come to Him when we have a need which isn’t wrong, because the Bible tells us we should do that. But in it’s also good to come before God and just say, “Hey God, I want you to know I think You’re just awesome!” He loves to hear us praise Him, and do you know what? We don’t have to have any needs or desires before we are able to come and worship Him, but even if we do, praise and worship should be a regular part of our prayers because we Love God, rather than because we need something If this is something that seems foreign to you, why not try it out. Spend a few minutes before your Father and just tell Him all the ways you think He is awesome. Let praise and worship begin to be a part of your everyday prayer life. Father will be glad you did. Declaration Starter: “I declare that God is amazing, wonderful, glorious and all powerful! His unfailing love is greater than anything. Thank You Lord, for everything You have done. I will sing your praises for you are amazing…”  "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…”  |
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