We Declare Pt. 6 Conclusion

As we conclude this series on declarations (see my blogs titled We Declare) I wanted to share some good news with you which is 1); the positive desires you have to “get it together”; to do the work of the Lord, etc. didn’t just pop in your head, they come from God to carry out his perfect plan because he is not going to start something that he doesn’t complete (neither should we).  Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.  Philippians 1:6 (NKJV).  2): the battle is not yours alone, God will be there with you every step of the way of the process.  I know, there’s the “G” word.  Well guess what?  You’ve been trying to fix your life all your life and look where it’s gotten you?  Yes, you may have achieved some things but without a bona fide relationship with God there is still something missing.  That’s why you are never satisfied.  Granted you can buy all the stuff you want, obtain as many degrees possible to man, have the best job in the world (if there is such a thing); be a great person and/or even an active church member on all the main boards, with a title and special parking place, but there is something gnawing at you.  The problem is that you can’t identify it, you just know there is some level of discomfort, dissatisfaction that you cannot target so you:

·       Try to medicate it with substances (e.g. drugs, alcohol and/or food) and yes, even you well-meaning church going Christians are guilty so stop playing! or

·       You silence it by sleeping every opportunity you get or taking on multiple projects, some of which you may not complete because you’re all over the map; or

·       You feed it by working all the time while simultaneously irritating the people around you because you’re obsessed with a perfection that does not exist, hello!!!!; or

·       You drown it by taking more courses, classes or pursuing yet another degree.  I have nothing against obtaining a degree and the college experience, I think it’s an incredible disciplinary tool for our youth and it’s great for those who want to pursue them, but how many degrees does one need?

The problem with the above is that it’s all temporary.  It comes back every day, sometimes multiple times per day but if you keep doing the same old thing while simultaneously saying: I need to make a change, God take this from me or wishing it away, that’s a problem.  Can I be your best friend right now, I mean the kind of friend that will tell you the truth even when it’s uncomfortable?  May I, please tell you the truth?  Doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result is insane, like you may be able to qualify for a check, it’s absolutely retarded.  If it hasn’t changed in all this time on its own, guess what?  It’s not going to.  You need to be the change that you want; the change you’re looking for and you need to take action. 

Declarative Rules of Engagement:

1.     Be Specific:  What do you want?  Some people are without because they don’t know what they want.  Do you want to be healed or not?  Do you want to married or not, you cannot be both?  Do you want to be an employee for the rest of your life or do you really want to be an entrepreneur?  Do you want restoration in your relationship(s) or do you want to remain in un-forgiveness?  Do you want to remain depressed, oppressed, anxious, worried or do you want peace and liberty?   There is no requirement for you to figure anything out, just decide what you want.

2.     A Point of Reference:   We know too well that when things are out of site they are out of mind, easily forgotten.  Get them out of your head and put them on paper and/or record them; review them frequently to keep them fresh in your mind and use the written/recorded declaration as a source of identification when they are manifested.  Habakkuk 2:2-3

3.     Open Your Mouth:  You cannot declare anything in silence.  Remember, declare means to announce officially; proclaim; to state emphatically; to make known or state clearly.  Open Up Your Mouth and state without wavering what you will not tolerate (from the enemy) and what you believe and expect to happen.  Why?  Bible based declarations are a sure win all the time because God responds to His word, He will not deny himself -- So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 (NKJV)  

·       Your brain needs to hear you give the command that we (you and your thoughts) are changing directions, rebooting, refreshing, reprograming your memory; and

·       You destroy the enemy’s reign over you when speak out loud.  Ephesian 2:2 confirm he rules the air (with God’s permission and scrutiny).  Every positive declaration we make over our lives releases us from his strongholds. 

Nuts and Bolts:  find scriptures that are relative to what you want to declare.  Search your bible index or app for key words related to your declaration.  For example: Health:  For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh.  Proverbs 4:22; But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings Malachi 4:2a; And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.  Matthew 4:23; 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.  Here is an example of a health declaration:

Father, I declare that: your words are life and health to my flesh; I arise with healing; you heal me of sickness and disease as you did when you walked the earth; I am healed of oppression and that I shall not die but live and declare your works.

Basically I have paraphrased the word and made it a simplified bible verse that I am stating out loud, emphatically and would repeat it over and over and over, multiple times per day until it is engrained in my very core and I make myself believe it.  I therefore change my circumstances which mean I change my world.

In His Excellent Service

Tania

We Declare Pt. 5

The past three blogs have been centered around a father (Nick), his son (Mikey), paternal grandmother (Neshell) and her husband whom they affectionately call PopCee with the primary conversation centered around declarations which we now understand means to announce officially; proclaim; to state emphatically; to make known or state clearly.  The adult members of this family are intent on teaching Mikey, a 17 year old high school senior, the importance of creating his world through the power of his words, something for which many of us could probably use a lesson or refresher course.  They successfully communicated:

·       Why it is important to make declarations: failing to do so will most likely result in a “settler’s mentality which causes the individual to settle for whatever life throws their way;

·       The basic ingredients of determining one’s declarations: 1) Decide what you want; 2) Don’t let anyone steal your dreams, not even you; 3) Trust in God; 4) Be strong and courageous; 5) Don’t quit on yourself; 6) Renew your mind every day by feeding it positive information, images; 7) Create your world with your words. 

·        Implementing the declaration plan: putting in the work.  Oh you though this was one of those deals were you think it and it magically appears?  No ma’am, no sir, you’re gonna have to work and sometimes fight to make things happen.

Today we will dig a little deeper to understand the theory behind making declarations.  Don’t worry, I won’t get super deep on you, I’ll go just under the skin and allow you the privilege, space and time to dig deeper on your own as God leads you.

The Law of Confession:

But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:8-10 NKJV)

We use this same law of confession to make declarations in our lives.  If I am sick, I confess out loud  If I am under a doctor’s care, I will follow his/her advice but I will be very careful of my language.  I will no longer declare that I have XYZ.  I don’t own it, I didn’t buy it, wish for it or find it, therefore it is not mines and so I will use my words carefully in those times that I need to speak about it.  Instead of saying I have XYZ I may say I was diagnosed with XYZ but I am healed in Jesus name.  When the haters come along to talk you out of your healing you must be prepared.  For example:

that I am healed in Jesus name AND I make a decision to believe it.

Hater:  If you are healed, why are you still taking medication? 

Believer:  Some were healed instantly and some were healed as they went.  I am an as you went product, healed all the same.

Hater:  blank stare

Beware of the creepers, they are very slick and sly.  They will pop up out of know where with their crew: ShaCudWa (shudda, cudda, wudda) to have a pity and party about your poor old miserable life, the Saints don’t love me because they don’t call or visit, blah blah blah.  Honey, get over yourself, put your big kid britches on and dig your heals in.  You are what you think:

For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:  (Proverbs 23:7a KJV).

But how do I know God will come through for me? But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! (John 15:7 NLT) This is a conditional promise.  1) you must remain in relationship with God, you can’t just show up when you want something from him, that’s not gonna fly because he’s not a “shuga daddy”; and 2) remain in his word, in other words study God’s word in order to learn the godly principles of life to avoid the pitfalls that the enemy creates for you, to learn what you can pray for, etc.

The basics are covered it’s not really necessary to ask God for those things:  So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:31-34 NLT).  When supplies are low you can, however, thank him in advance for provision.

Clearly all of this takes faith.  What is faith?  According to Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV): Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.  It is the firm relying trust in God and his word NOT what you see, don’t see or how you feel.  Take the emotion out of faith, they do not mix PERIOD.

In closing, it takes the same amount of belief to doubt as it does to believe, there is no difference.  For example:  I wake up, head to the restroom and hit my toe and say it’s gonna be a bad day and if I declare that every other incident that happens from that point on is proof of a crappy day, that’s exactly what I’m gonna have.  However, if I wake up, hit my toe, examine it and see that I’m not bleeding and that I can wiggle it so it’s not broken and say, “whew, Lord I thank you for protecting me” and keep it pushin there is no issue.  Do you see what I’m saying?  We are what we say, so be careful what you create.

In His Humble Excellence.

Tan

We Declare Pt. 4

Neshell, Nicks mother, Mikey’s grandmother, was about to clear the table when her husband, whom the kids affectionately called PopCee walked in the kitchen.  He had just returned from an out of town business trip and was famished.  There was just enough for him to have a plate so Neshell prepared his plate and cleared the table simultaneously.  PopCee spoke but he could tell something was going on so he didn’t engage in his normal “Wassup wit it” chatter with the guys.  Mikey and Nick sat silently for what seemed like an eternity and then finally Nick broke the silence with soft quiet tears disguised as manly emotion.  However, they quickly erupted into uncontrollable tears in a matter of milliseconds.  He wasn’t sobbing uncontrollably, he was crying like a full “growd up” man with no shame of doing so in front of his first lady, his mother or his first born, his son.  The tears that spilled out of his eyes, ran down his cheeks, into his goatee forming a pool on his mom’s table, but he didn’t care.  These tears didn’t sting his deep chocolate cheeks like those of bitterness or sorrow they simply glided to their appointed destination as if they were led by a well-worn road.  PopCee prayed silently.

None of them had ever seen Nick display this level of vulnerability and it was starting to weird Mikey out, so he broke the silence and said, “Pops, come on man, Imma be alright.”  Nick shook his head no because he was too full to speak.  Neshell broke her silence and said, “Mikey, he’s not saying he doesn’t want you to go, he’s just too full to speak right now, so let’s allow him to release.”  She placed PopCee’s heated food in front of him and then took Nick by the hand and said, “Man of God, it’s ok, we don’t have anywhere to go, you can release as long as is necessary, we will wait.”  They all joined the process of releasing, including PopCee, and a box of Kleenex later, Nick was able to compose himself and speak.  First he addressed his son:

“Mikey, the last time I cried like that was at 850 (San Francisco County Jail) when I got off a three way with your momma and Nana, who told us both how raggedy our lives were and that you and your brothers deserved more than the lifestyle we were creating for you guys and that if I was serious “this time” I needed to come before God broken from my pride and release my drama to him.  Later that night I went to the gym by myself and I poured my whole heart out to God, I was snotting and crying like somebody had beat me man, because I was tired of “the life”.   I didn’t care that people heard me hollering to God and came to see what was happening, I just wanted God desperately.  I messed up not long after I got out, but I couldn’t shake your Nana’s words until I finally got it together.  I put your Nana through way more than she deserved because she was a good mother to me and my siblings and I know it wasn’t easy for PopCee when he came into the picture, but they never gave up on us.  They did and taught us the right things: morals, values, work ethic, family first and taught us to love and reverence God.  I made a mess of my life, but God’s been merciful.  So I’m crying like a man is supposed to when he’s happy for his kids and because it’s like God is giving me a second chance through you.  I’m not ashamed to tell you that I’m proud of you son and I love you.  I used to think that I wasted so much time because of the choices I made, but now I realize it was the foundation for the ministry I have for the men I help.  There isn’t anybody that can tell me that they have done too much for God to forgive them because he forgave me.  I know your scholarship is covering all of your school expenses, but I got the rest covered, you won’t need to work a part-time gig.”

Mikey soaked up every ounce of knowledge his father shared with him, but he was still a little confused about making declarations.  He understood what his Nana said about making a decision, protecting his dreams; being strong, quitting wasn’t an option and staying positive, all of that made perfect sense.  He was still stuck on Trusting God (who he couldn’t see) and creating a world with his words. 

PopCee had been quiet the entire time, but now he spoke up first by telling Nick how proud he was of him for being so transparent and complimenting him on the amazing job he did with his sons and then he focused on Mikey’s question and said:  “Mikey and Nick stand up”, and they did and he continued, “Mikey I want you to face me and Nick I want you to stand behind Mikey about five feet directly behind him,” and he did.  PopCee looked Mikey dead in the eyes and said, “Do you trust your father?” to which Mikey said, “Yes”.  PopCee continued, “Are you positive?”  To which Mikey said, “Of course”’ PopCee asked again, “You’re absolutely positively sure?”  This time Mikey said, “PopCee, man, I trust my Pops with my life”.  PopCee said, “This is your time to prove it, close your eyes and fall backwards. Without hesitation, Mikey did exactly as he was instructed.  PopCee said, “Now tell me why you just did that?”  Mikey responded, “Because I knew my Father wouldn’t let me fall because he loves me and doesn’t want me to hurt myself”, to which PopCee said, “Exactly, so imagine this.  Let’s day Nick loves you 5 billion times more than anyone on the planet.  God loves you 999,888,777,677,555 times more than your father to the umpteenth degree.  Now if you have that much confidence in your earthly father who is limited as to what he can provide or protect you, etc. you can use that as a reference point for trusting God. 

Moving to the East Coast won’t be easy, there will be a huge adjustment period – new environment, people, things to do, pretty girls, lots of distractions – and then there’s the discipline of studying.  There may also be times when you get really homesick, wanna quit and do what’s familiar, return to the Bay and “settle”.  Going to school out of state isn’t an impossibility, young adults have successfully done it for years, but it comes with a price.  Everything costs something and anything worth having is worth the sacrifice of obtaining. I’m sure your Nana already told you this but it won’t hurt to hear it again: 

·       Write your declarations out and speak them out loud every day (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

·       Surround yourself with like-minded people

·       Respect the process:

·       Discomfort – pain of change –

·       Be ok with walking alone while you transform;

·       Be prepared for the haters – you’re a reflection of what they aren’t doing;

·       Protect your heart and mind from doubt and negative talk (Proverbs 4:23)

·       Be committed to the commitment (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

I’m out of time but if you’ll follow this family’s declaration recipe for your beliefs that are in line with God’s word, you can expect it.  Just remember to inspect what you expect.

In His Humble Service

Tan