For every test I have ever taken, I studied and prepared. I am sure you have done the same. Where this principle became law for me was in law school. I literally had to memorize the laws and cases to be able to remember the rules to write the essays. It took many days of memorization, practicing and practicing. Writing them down over and over, and finally! I would memorize the rule and be in the position to be able to write the essays.
The same effort I described is needed here. For you to really see God move and work through your focus word for this coming year, I strongly encourage you to identify scriptures that relate to the word you are standing on. For example, I had several scriptures for my one word, well actually a phrase, for this year — discipline and execution. But the scripture that most readily comes to mind is 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. This passage says that every runner who runs in a race runs to win, but only one runner gets the prize. We should run like them. Every runner goes into strict training. They run to win a temporary crown and we run to win a permanent one. So I run, but not without a clear goal ahead of me. And so I box, but not as if I were just shadow boxing. Rather, I discipline my body and make it my slave so that I will not be disqualified after spreading the good news to others. (Marquita paraphrase). This scripture drilled home 1) the need to have a goal I desired to achieve, 2) the discipline needed to achieve that goal, and 3) that discipline is necessary so that I will not prematurely disqualify myself.
I have already identified my word for this year and some scriptures. But to take it up a notch, I will write these scriptures on index cards like I did this year and keep them in my truck so that I can confess them every morning on my way to work. Confessing those scriptures over my life every morning has been life-changing. Things I was suffering from are no longer relevant. Things I was seeking to accomplish have been checked off the list. And I owe it to God through His using those scriptures to renew my mind.
So as part of our warfare strategy, we need to 1) know what scripture to stand on in the midst of battle, and 2) how to let that word take root in our hearts and minds to take back the territory of our mind from the enemy. I do not know what you are believing God for, but I know that God responds to His word being given back to him. I know God’s word cannot return to Him void and it must bear that fruit. (Is 55:11) If you sow healing words, then healing must come forth as fruit in your life. If you sow words of faith, then faith must come forth in your life. Likewise, if you sow words of defeat and destruction, those become inevitable goals.
Having scripture to stand on is your offensive weapon (Eph 6:18) against the enemy. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17) so we must speak the word!
Prayer:
Father God! I thank You for today. I thank You for wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Thank You for teaching me the power of correctly wielding your word, the sword of the Spirit. I thank You that You lead me and guide me to the scriptures You desire me to stand on. I thank You that with each one, You minister to a part of me, leaving no parts. I thank You for your faithfulness and for leading me on the set path You have chosen for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Life Inspired By God 