My Declaration of Faith:
Some days, my mind wants to spiral into fear and defeat. “This is too hard. I don’t have what it takes. I’ll never get ahead.” But I’m learning to catch those thoughts and replace them with God’s truth instead. Because I am not powerless. I’m not alone. I belong to a God who strengthens, provides, heals, and restores me whole.
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
2 Corinthians. 4:18
We are living in a very materialistic world. Everybody wants to get what they can these days as quickly as they can. Whether it is a job, fame, money, power, or pleasure, they are willing to go after it no matter what the stakes are. In time, they may obtain it, but they will soon realize that if God hadn’t given it to them, these physical things will be gone right from their very eyes, and all the things that they work hard to get will only turn to vapor.
“Then he got in the boat, his disciples with him. The next thing they knew, they were in a severe storm. Waves were crashing into the boat—and he was sound asleep!”
Matthew 8:23-25 (The Message)
Life can indeed be overwhelming at times, and it can also be unpredictable. You may have started the day singing, but after a few hours at work, you are coming home mad to the bone. You could have gone to the doctor for a basic check-up and come to find out you are diagnosed with a terminal disease. You could be driving to the grocery store, and someone has chosen your car to get into an accident with. As you are going about your day, you receive a phone call that you dread hearing about your children or loved ones. You woke up in the morning expecting good things to happen, then you see on television that the whole world market is tanking, including your portfolio. What do you do when negative things suddenly pop their ugly head into your life when you least expect it? How would you respond to that?
“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me…To preach good tidings to the poor”
Isaiah 61:1-2
In every child of God, there resides a power that no darkness of hell could ever quench. It is a power that has created the very heavens and the earth themselves and given life to everything that lives. The Word of God calls this power the anointing. This anointing contains the power of the Almighty God, and it dwells inside every reborn child of God. It is all you ever need to see a change in your atmosphere and your situation around you. This is exactly what Jesus used to destroy all the works of the devil when He was on earth. “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38 How did God anoint Jesus? With the Holy Ghost and with power. The word power here comes from the Greek word
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”.
Romans 12:2
We live in a world that constantly tries to shape us into its mold. Everywhere we turn, we’re bombarded with the latest trends in technology, fashion, and entertainment. Social media, advertisements, and even business seminars push the idea that success comes from chasing after the next big thing, relying on our own strength and intelligence to get ahead. While these things might bring quick results, they will never bring lasting fulfillment. As followers of Christ, we must recognize that we are playing by a different set of rules than the world. We are called to live by faith, not by sight, and to pursue something far greater than temporary success—we are called to pursue God’s perfect will for our lives.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
John 3:16
I remember when my son, Jacob, was born. It was the most wonderful moment of my life. He is a beautiful gift of life, as I behold him being placed in a glass crib by the nurse. It was a fulfilling miracle to hold him in my arms and see his eyes locked into mine. As time passed, it was a real blessing to see how he slowly learned how to crawl and then walk on his own two feet. Now, he has grown into a very strong young boy at age thirteen, surpassing the height of his dad. I am sure it is the joy of every father to see their children grow and mature and to celebrate the milestones of accomplishments in their school and career. One day, I want to see them find their soulmates and begin their own family.
“And you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.”
Deuteronomy 8:18
The one thing that would make the devil squirm in agony is a Christian who has decided to become a covenant holder with His God. It is because He has put himself in a position to receive the very riches and blessings of God. A covenant is a binding contract agreement between two parties. At the time, God made a covenant with Abraham, making him the father of many nations. Abraham was eighty years old and without children. Sarah, Abraham’s wife, was beyond her childbearing years. Their situation was physically impossible, but Abraham believed beyond his or his wife’s physical limitations, and the Lord kept His covenant with Abraham by blessing them with Isaac, their son. A covenant is a divine agreement or contract between God and man. In this case, it was a promise made by God to Abraham that He would keep His Word even
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12
Our names play a vital role in our identities. They are intertwined with deeply personal, cultural, familial, and historical ties. They also provide us with a sense of who we are, our place in the world, and the communities to which we belong. Some given names even allow the person to have special access to places or connections that others don’t normally have access to. For example, the President of the United States has access to the White House, the Pentagon, or any top-secret military compound. The Pope has access to the Vatican Palace and all its resources. Queen Elizabeth had access to Buckingham Palace and all its resources. If you have any special relationship with any of these people, then you can also have special access to certain resources available to you that you would not normally have.
