Who Does He Say I Am?

The affirmation of a father is unlike any other. So many of us have a difficulty relating to this concept because of sub par experiences with natural fathers. Whether you've had a positive or a negative experience with your natural father, our Father in Heaven is always one who loves us, affirms us, speaks encouraging words over us, and has given it all so that we could be with Him. No matter what you have believed about yourself, remember that His thoughts toward you are good. His love is unconditional and He always has your best in mind, no matter what things look like in the natural. Let's take a look at what He says about YOU:

He has given you the right to become a child of God - John 1:12.

You were brought near by the blood of Christ - Ephesians 2:13.

You are a new creation in Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:17.

He directs your steps - Psalm 37:23.

You can do all things through Christ who gives you strength - Philippians 4:13.

All things are added to your life when you seek His Kingdom first - Matthew 6:33.

He leads you to victory - 2 Corinthians 2:14.

He has good thoughts toward you - Jeremiah 29:11.

He has created you for good works - Ephesians 2:10.

He works out all things for your good - Romans 8:28.

You have peace, given to you by Jesus - John 14:28.

You have been given power, love and a sound mind - 2 Timothy 1:7.

God's goodness and mercy will follow you all the days of your life - Psalm 23:6.

Obviously, I could go all day with statements of encouragement from God's word, but I won't. Instead, my proposition for you is to spend everyday tuning your ears in to what He says about you and those around you. The words you receive will be the door to fulfilling the two great commandments that Jesus declared - loving the Lord and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40). We serve a great Father and YOU have been created in His likeness. Receive every word of life He has for you and remember that no matter what you or others say about you, you can always go back to this question: Who does He say I am? The answer will undoubtedly be one full of Father God's affirmation, life and purpose.

Fighting Words

My writing today is inspired by an excerpt from 'The Power of Praise and Worship' by Terry Law and Jim Gilbert. In the early chapters of this book, Terry does a masterful job of describing the nature of strongholds that have plagued mankind for generations. Most of the negative issues we face - greed, lust, fear, anger, timidity, murder, etc. - have their roots in the spiritual realm; being established in the minds of people to eventually be acted out in our material world. It's when we realize how these things are coming against us, and in turn arm ourselves accordingly, that we can experience real change and victory in our lives. The biggest key to accessing this victory is to realize that the word of God - planted in our hearts and minds and released by our own declaration - is our most potent weapon.

Here's how Terry explains it:

Jesus has granted us "power of attorney" to use the Word of God in His name. It is His voice satan hears when we invoke this power against the strongholds that bind us. We counterattack the devil's thoughts - they were his before we bought into them - and they lose their grip on our minds.
(The Power of Praise and Worship, pg. 97)

What an incredible reality! Jesus has given us full "power of attorney" with respect to the Word of God. We don't have to conjure up some solution on our own or buy into the latest greatest teaching from some "spiritual guru", but we get to find our solutions, strength and the keys to victory in God's word. Let's be mindful of this in all situations whether we're at church singing songs of worship, transacting business, doing homework, raising our kids, playing sports or enjoying times of rest and leisure. In all places and at all times, the power of God's word is well able to work on our behalf to defeat the enemy. As we resist the lies of satan and his demonic forces and declare the word of God there is certain victory, not in our strength, but in His.

Just as it says in Psalm 138:2, God really has exalted above all things His name and His word. That same word is powerful, true and unchanging (Psalm 119:160; Heb. 1:1-3). It is able to bring light into the darkest of places (Psalm 119:130) and lead us in the right direction (Psalm 119:105). It really is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Take heart today in knowing that for every battle you face, God's words truly are fighting words, a.k.a. your best weapon.