My Declaration of Faith:
I know that in Christ, I was not created for shame, defeat, or lack. I was created to live as a testimony of God’s glory. My life itself is proof that His hand is upon me. Every step I take, every gift I use, and every season I walk through is meant to reveal His power at work in me.
“Whoever can be trusted with small things can also
be trusted with big things.”
Luke 16:10
How you see things determines how you live. We don’t always see life as it truly is—we see it through the lens of our experiences, upbringing, culture, and emotions. Our perspective is shaped by these filters, and they affect the way we interpret everything around us. Two people can be in the same situation, yet one is full of gratitude and joy while the other is frustrated and discouraged. What makes the difference? Their mindset.
“And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times,
having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
2 Corinthians 9:8
The financial bills are staring at you from the table. The refrigerator is empty, and with the lack of food supply, you don’t have enough money to purchase with. You can’t afford the school supplies for your kids who are in desperate need of them. Your car just recently broke down, and you have no means to get to work but to take the bus. Your medical bills demand your attention. You are behind with your mortgage for several months and are afraid that you might lose your home. Your boss decided to lay you off because the company is downsizing.
My Declaration of Faith:
I declare today that I am firmly planted in the house of the Lord. Just like the mighty redwoods in California, trees that tower above the earth and withstand fierce storms because their roots are intertwined with one another, my life is rooted in God’s presence and connected to the family of faith. On my own, the winds of life may try to knock me down, but when I am joined with others in Christ, I cannot be shaken.
“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,
but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit..”
Romans 14:17
Each one of us wants to be happy. You are happy when you happen to meet someone special in your life. You are happy when you receive the news that a prominent company wants to hire you. You are happy when you are on vacation. You are happy when you are enjoying your favorite food and drink. You are happy when you get the promotion you always wanted. You are happy when someone gives you a present. However, the state of your happiness is dependent on a positive circumstance that you are experiencing at the moment.
“If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.”
Psalm 139:8
In the world, people can easily forsake or abandon you. You may have been abandoned by your biological parents when you were a small child. You may have been abandoned by your spouse, who ran off with another person. You may have been abandoned by your family or relatives because of your newfound faith in Christ. You may have been abandoned by your closest friends for unknown reasons.
“The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree:
he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.”
Psalm 92:12
We all have unpleasant experiences—a coworker gets on our nerves, a business partner betrays us, a child is troublesome, or a dream takes longer than expected. It’s easy to be frustrated and question why nothing is changing. But I’ve learned that God utilizes challenges, delays, and inconveniences to perform work in us. If the situation does not change, perhaps God is using it to alter you. Don’t just go through it upset, bitter, or outraged; grow through it.
“Through the tender mercy of our God,
With which the Dayspring from on high has visited us;
To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
To guide our feet into the way of peace.”
Luke 1:78-79
You were never created to live in the dark. When God created Adam, he was brought to life in the light of God’s glory. It was this light that gave him life and a blessed life in the Garden of Eden. Adam was so accustomed to the light of God that the light covered his physical body with the glory of God. But when Adam sinned against God, the light was removed from him, and man has been living in the shadow of darkness from generation to generation.
“I am the rose of Sharon,
And the lily of the valleys.”
Song of Solomon 2:1
Every human on this planet is susceptible to worries and concerns of the past, present, and future. Some can’t overcome their past decisions, heartaches, failures, and regrets. Some people struggle with their present circumstances, such as a job, a boss, and a co-worker they don’t like. A close friend or spouse who betrayed them. An addiction they have been dealing with for years. Current financial woes threaten their way of life by not being able to keep up with their past-due bills, putting food on the table, and keeping ends meet.
“He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Luke 5:4
You may have reached a point in your life where you thought that you had already lived your best life. You may have failed to fulfill many of your life goals and dreams. A black swan event has stopped you from going any further. It could be that your business has shut down because of the pandemic. A physical injury has prevented you from accomplishing regular activities. A sickness has caused you to be bedridden and dependent on somebody else’s support to take care of you.
