. . . he will have whatever he says (Mark 11:23)

Here is a powerful truth for the victorious Christian: What we believe after we pray is just as important as what we believe when we pray. This principle is also true in ministry(what we believe after we minister is just as important as what we believe when we minister).It is important to not withdraw faith after prayer or ministry. The devil wants us to curse the good seeds that have been sown by tempting us to speak unbelief concerning what has just been done. Certainly we can find areas where we can improve, but we must avoid negative, concluding conclusions that can undo much of the good that happened. Jesus cursed the fig tree in Mark 11. The next morning “they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.” This tells us two things. First, our influence in prayer and ministry starts in the unseen (in the roots); thus, outward results (whether circumstances or feelings) should not be used to measure success or failure. Secondly, Jesus’ words cursed the fig tree. We need to know that our words are powerful, and that they can bless or curse spiritual seeds and “trees” around us. So what do we say after we pray or after we minister? The wise believer says, “I refuse to withdraw my faith. God did great things. His word will not return void” (see Isaiah55:11).

Declare: I radically thank God after I pray or minister. I refuse to curse through unbelieving declarations what has been done. I maintain and speak my faith; thus I see a greater harvest.

Forget not all His benefits (Psalms 103:2)

Imagine an employee being ignorant of the benefits in his compensation package. What would you think if he pays for all his medical bills, but has health insurance? He would be either ignorant or foolish. Unfortunately, we as the people of God, often do this in our spiritual lives. The Psalmist says, “Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases . . .” (Psalms 103:2,3). We are instructed to deliberately remember what is in our “salvation package.” The obvious implication is this: If we don’t remember, we will believe we have to pay for things that have already been given to us. We can’t forget what we have never known. Some Christians are unaware that healing and other benefits are part of our “salvation package.” The Greek word sozo is translated “to save” in the New Testament; but it also means “to heal,” “to deliver,” and “to be made whole.” It is refreshing that now there is a growing understanding that healing and transforming forgiveness are still benefits for the Christian, and are not just occasional sovereign blessings. “Not forgetting” is more than a onetime event. It is a life-long contending for God’s total benefit package for mankind. Truly, let’s tell our soul to bless God and to radically remember how good He really is.

Declare: God is continually revealing to me my benefits as a Christian. I contend for these in my soul; and, thus, experience them more and more in my life.

Daniel . . . three times a day . . . prayed . . . as was his custom since his early days (Dan 6:10)

Daniel was a man of conviction. Even the threat of the lion’s den did not move him away from his godly habits. He built his life around life-producing priorities. In contrast, the prophet Malachi rebuked the people of his day for giving their leftovers to the Lord (see Malachi chapter one). Unlike Daniel, they began to view God as a burden rather than a delight. Two things cause convictions that burn in our hearts which become non-negotiable: 1) loving God’s presence, and 2) a strong vision for the future. Without these, we will only give God our leftovers. Here are areas for your convictions to develop in: time with God and His Word, fellowship and worship, serving in ministry, financial giving, speaking God’s promises, prioritizing our family, having strong accountability relationships, and putting ourselves in places where God’s power can touch our lives and the lives of others. Like Daniel, do you have spiritual non-negotiable convictions? Or are you fighting the “leftover battle” as the people in Malachi’s day? Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Build your schedule around God’s priorities like never before. You won’t be sorry.

Declare: I give God the first portion of my life and He takes care of all my needs. I am a person of conviction. I have dominion over my life and my time. I burn with a personal vision that leads me to sacrifice for God and His presence.

Let the weak say “I am strong” (Joel 3:10)

God has called us to make dead things alive. In Ezekiel37, the prophet was asked if the dry bones could live. In the dialogue and events that followed, God showed Ezekiel and His people a powerful principle that is vital for us today. God’s method of bringing life to these very dry bones was through Ezekiel prophesying “life” to the whole situation. Ezekiel had to speak to the bones. He had to prophesy to the wind. As he did, things changed and life came. You and I also must continually speak to dead areas in our lives and circumstances. A main method of God bringing change to a situation is for one of His children to speak His promises over people and circumstances. “And God who gives life to the dead and calls those things that are not although they are” (Romans 4:17).

NOTE: It starts with each of us prophesying life over ourselves. Joel gives us a good place to start in Joel 3:10, “Let the weak say I am strong.” Start now a lifelong habit to “call those things that are not as though they are” in your life.

Declare: Even though I feel weak at times, I am really strong. I am very strong to accomplish God’s purposes in my life and to be a strength to others. I prophesy daily over my circumstances, my future, and over the dry areas of my life.

Calling those things that are not . . . (Romans 4:17)

An apple tree will produce apples because of what it is. When it is young, it will have no apples; but it still must say, “I am an apple tree.” When it is winter and there are no apples; it still says, “I am an apple tree.” Is it lying at those times? No. It would be lying to say anything different. Many Christians have a hard time saying who God says they are when no fruit is manifesting in that particular area. Could they be too young in that truth to be fruitful? Could they be in a season where that dimension of the Christian life is being pruned back for future growth? Either way, it does not mean they are lying when they say, “I am anointed, prosperous, delivered, healed, righteous, strong etc.” Joel 3:10 says, “Let the weak say I am strong.” We don’t deny the fact of weakness, but we focus on the greater truth that we are strong in Him. Again, because the Word says we ARE these things, we would be untruthful to say anything different. Let’s not lie against the truth. Indeed, we ARE what the Bible says we are.

Declare: I am who the Word says I am. I have a sound mind. I have great favor with God and man. People love me. I am a happy person. I love life and enjoy every day. I walk in divine health. I have abundant provision. I am blessed and protected. I increasingly know who and what I am in Christ. I make a tremendous difference for Christ wherever I go.