Hopeful Expectations

What if we could make fear go away? How? We stop talking about imagined disaster. We stop listening to media alarm. We begin to live again…laugh again…hope again that the world is good.

Might this defeat the weapon of fear? Might the new narrative, spoken aloud, create a different reality? Is this what the kingdom government of God might look like? If we weren’t living in fear, might we make different decisions? Might we open doors of innovation bringing new solutions to education, government, media, health care, family, life? 

Good days are ahead.

Cooler weather is coming.

The earth is stable.

What is happening is not unusual.

Sleep. Rest. Breathe.

Let's turn off the noise and turn on some music.

Dancing is healing; joy is wisdom; love is the main thing.

Job 3:25 says “what I feared the most has come upon me.”

Fear is a great weapon. Let's do the opposite and embrace hopeful expectation of good.

Have you read my book, Tapestry - The Divine Design for Your Life? Find it here on Amazon.com.

Declarations - My Christmas Gift to You!

 A bout of several surgeries in a short amount of time had gotten to me. I realized that gradually an insidious monster of bad attitude and negativity had taken over my thought life. It was gradual, robbing my joy.

How often does that happen to you? I know I have the tools to resist it, but sometimes I am sick or weak or it's just easier to let myself fall into it. Kind of a comfort zone.

But it's ugly and hopeless, dark and despairing. It aims to kill and it's straight from the lies of the devil. In ministry school, we were taught over and over and over that the enemy has no power over us except when we believe his lies. His job is to covertly overcome us through lies we think we're telling ourselves. "You're lonely, you're sick, it's going to turn out bad, nothing is going to work, there is only hopelessness to look forward to, you are an imposter, who cares what you think, etc., etc." These are only some of the lies the enemy tries to wield at you and me.

It is so empowering to declare out loud the opposite...the truth. The Bible says to resist the devil and he will flee. How do we resist? One way I do it is to simply declare the promises of God over myself. For example: "My prayers are powerful and effective. God richly supplies all my financial needs. I walk in ever-increasing health. I live under a supernatural protection."

I have attached a link to some of the declarations I love to say daily. When things start to look dismal in my life, I realize I have forgotten this daily discipline.

I encourage you to say these with me every day. Say them out loud. Let your ears hear them. They have the power to change the way we think. Say them enough times, and when that other voice tries to speak lies into your head, you will immediately remember the TRUTH - the promise of who you are, Who you belong to, and why you are here on earth.

Here they are. My Christmas present to you! Daily Declarations from Igniting Hope Ministries. (Steve and Wendy Backlund were some of our amazing teachers at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry in Redding, California.) Click here.

Find these declarations and more in my book "Tapestry, The Divine Design for Your Life." In it you will be given tools to step into your destiny, to restore hope, and to see God's plan for you. Available in print and Kindle versions here: 

Let It Be So in 2013

Those who know me know I love to declare the promises of God. God has taught me about the power of declaration. Just as His spoken word formed the heavens and the earth and all that is in them, so our spoken words have life and substance.

We often sing a song that says “let the weak say I am strong, let the poor say I am rich,” and today, in honor of our New Year – 2013 – I want to take those “let it be’s” a bit further.
Here we go:

In the Name of Your beautiful and wondrous son, Jesus, Father I ask now:

Let your sons and daughters encounter you more this year than ever before.
Let the hurting be healed and the sad be filled with new hope and joy.
Let the people of God rise up and be known – so You, God, will heal our land.
Let the little children of the world be safe from evil.
Let those in bondage to lies and disease declare “I am free!”
Let the broken hearted find new love and purpose through Your people.
Let us not depend on the earthly economy but on Your Kingdom economy.
Let us be generous with our talents, time, and finances.
Let us not succumb to fear and doubt, but rise up in all hope and trust in the One who cares for us.
Let us dream again and see our dreams come true.
Let us have the heart to be world changers, and the courage to take risks and make a difference.
And Lord, in 2013, let your Bride be ready for her Groom. Let your Church be united in spite of her differences so that we may release the fullness of the Kingdom of God to our cities and nations.
Amen!
Peace to you and your family and Happy New Year!

What If We Prayed Over Our Babies?

What if we prayed over our babies, making declarations like:

“You are destined for greatness; you are smart; you are going to be the happiest person alive; you are special; your Papa in heaven loves you so much; He created you unique and special; there is only one you; you are amazing; you are creative; you will make a difference in our family and on this planet; you are so loveable; watch out world, because this baby will turn you upside down; God knew you before you were in your mommy’s tummy; He has mighty dreams for you; you make Him so proud; He gave you to us to bless you and to bless us; you have purpose; your life means so much; your mom and dad love you more than you will ever know; your smile lights up our lives; you are an inspiration to your family; you have special gifts; God protects you; He provides for you; He has given you His DNA and you will know Him in your life; you are made in His image and you carry His glory; your days are in His hands; His thoughts about you are like the number of sand particles on beaches and the number of stars in the sky; He laughs over you and dances; He thinks you are funny; you, our child, are His favorite. What an awesome privilege it is to be chosen to raise you!”

What if?