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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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"Everything He does reveals His glory and majesty. His righteousness never fails. He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord!" - Psalms 111:3-4 NLT The place I grew up in was known for the large trees that grew in and around the rainforest which was only a short drive away from our home. I remember one day being on the bus on my way to school, and we passed one particularly tall tree and the trunk was absolutely massive. As I stared at that spectacular piece of Father’s creation, I remember thinking, “God, you're awesome!” What I wasn’t expecting was what came next. I clearly heard Him say, “I don’t care about the trees as much as I care about you.” I was amazed to think how much more valuable I was to God than a massive tree that had obviously existed for many, many years. I am still regularly amazed at God’s incredible creation. Every time I look up and see the stars in the Milky Way, I can’t help but think about how amazing, how creative, and how incredible our Father is. The same happens when I look at the detail in a blade of grass. No matter how large or small the creation, God made it all. As you go through today, be challenged to look at the detail in different parts of God’s creation. Think about what God created, and how much joy He took creating everything. Then, considering how much detail He put into everything, remember this one thing — He doesn’t care about any of that as much as I cares about you. Declaration Starter: “I declare that God’s glory and majesty is revealed in everything He does. His righteousness never fails. He shows us to his wonderful works daily. How gracious and merciful is our Lord…”  "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…”  "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…”  "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." - Psalms 119:11 NKJV When you hide something, your purpose is to stop someone from coming along and stealing it. Think about that for a moment. We all know the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy, so the purpose of hiding God’s Word in our heart is so that he can’t come along and steal it from us, because he will come along and try to tell us God will let us down, that He won’t heal us, that He won’t provide for us, and that He won’t care for us. He wants to discredit God so that our trust isn’t in Him. Another meaning of the word ‘hidden’, is to treasure, or to store up. The purpose of this is to have an ample supply so that in the time of need, you have exactly what you need. When you have unexpected bills, or when your child makes some bad decisions, or when you have been diagnosed with a life threatening disease or sickness, it’s the wrong time to Google verses that speak about God’s provision, parenting, or healing. You need those verses stored up in your spirit so that in times of crisis you have something already bedded down so tightly that it’s a solid foundation to build on. Start hiding away God’s word in your heart so that when troubles raise their head, you can stand on God’s promises and say with confidence and boldness, “In Jesus name, I declare…!” Declaration Starter: “I declare your word to be a source of both wisdom and counsel. I will choose to hide Your Word deep in my heart and mind so that I will not sin against You…”  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” - 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV The word heritage is a really powerful word, but when used in this verse, it is referring to ‘property, possession and inheritance’. It is referring to something we have now, not because of who we are, but because of the One Whom we are related to. The moment we accepted Jesus Christ as our Saviour, He forgave us and wiped our slate clean. Not only that, He gave us a new heritage. Read this verse again - “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”. When Father looks at you, He sees the new creation that you are through Jesus Christ and if He sees you that way, then it would do you good to see yourself that way. You have both His heritage and His righteousness (Isaiah 54:17). It all comes from Him, and because it is His gift to you, the enemy can’t walk in and steal it. No weapon formed against you will prosper because you are a new creation - a child of the Living God. As you declare whom you are, let the truth of that soak deep into your spirit and become part of your identity. Declaration Starter: “I declare that I have a an amazing, God-given heritage. No weapon formed to harm me shall ever prosper and every tongue that speaks against who I am in Christ is wrong and void of any power. I am who God created me to be. My heritage and my righteousness are gifts given to me through Christ. I am His child, and He is my Father…”  "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…”  |
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