Declaration of Faith

The Word of God (Bible) is powerful like a sword. When you feel under attack, flight back with the Word. Make the scriptures personal and speak your own declaration (announcement) of faith. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness, his response was "It is written" (Matthew 4). Jesus referred back to the scripture which still cuts the enemy like a two edged sword today.

Declaration of Faith....

The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). Therefore, I will pick up my sword and boldly proclaim that no weapon formed against me shall prosper for it is my heritage from the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).

I will go into battle prepared, wearing the full the armor of God. I will be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. I put on the full armor of God and take my stand against the devil’s schemes. I am fully aware my struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of darkness, and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, I will not depend on my own strength, but rather the full armor of God, so when the evil comes, I will stand my ground, and after I have done all I can, I will stand. Stand firm with the belt of truth around my waist, the breastplate of righteousness in place, my feet covered with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith in my hand which can and will extinguish all the flaming arrows of fear and doubt the enemy throws at me. I cover my mind with the helmet of salvation, knowing nothing can separate me from God’s love and my secure future in His grace. In the other hand, I hold strong to the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. I will pray in the Spirit on all occasions with my prayers and requests. The Holy Spirit knows what to pray when I do not and I give the Holy Spirit full authority to speak on my behalf. I will remain alert and always keep praying. My God will hear my cry and run to my rescue…I am never alone (Ephesians 6:10-18 and Matthew 28:20b).

I submit my past, my present, and my future to God. I cannot image the great plans my Father has for me. His thoughts are higher than my thoughts, His ways higher than my ways. His word will not return void. I will go out in joy and be led by peace. Good things will overtake me and I will walk in God’s favor. The blessings on my life will be an everlasting sign of God’s goodness which will not be destroyed (Isaiah 55:8-13).

My future is secure in God’s perfect plan. God plans for me to prosper, continuing from glory to glory without recession. God will not bring harm to me. He will fill me with hope and a secure future. No one will mess up God’s plan for my life, not even me. I will go and pray to my Father and when I pray my Father will listen to me. When I seek after Him with all my heart, I will find Him. My God will bring me back from captivity (Jeremiah 29:11-14).

God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power to over come the enemy, of love that bears all things, and a sound mind that will keep me in perfect peace (2 Timothy 1:7).

I will rejoice in the Lord always. The Lord is near. I will not be anxious for anything. God knows what I have need of and will provide my every need because He cares about me (Matthew 6:25-34). When I am tempted to work out things on my own, in my own time, I will take my thoughts into captivity and make them obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:4-5), submitting my requests to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving. The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4-8).

I may be hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. The same spirit that raised Christ Jesus from the grave dwells in me. Therefore, I will not lose heart. Though outwardly I may be wasting away, inwardly I am renewed day by day. My eternal reward far outweighs all the momentary troubles I may face. I will fix my eyes on not what is seen, but what is unseen (2 Corinthians 4:8-18). God’s grace is sufficient for me for His power is made perfect in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Heather Harris

November 13, 2007

Turning Pain Into Joy

On April 19, 2007, Thomas (my husband) and I found out we were having a baby. More specifically on August 13, 2007, we found out we are having a baby boy! The due date is Christmas day, December 25th! Our son's name will be Anthony Thomas Harris and we will call him Anthony. We are excited that God has blessed us with such favor.

My journey so far has not been easy. The first 15-16 weeks of the pregnancy, I was sick non-stop and lost 8 lbs. When I entered into the second trimester, I thought all the pains would be gone. After all, I had been told the second trimester is the "feel good" time of the pregnancy. Instead I have experienced back pains, trouble sleeping, heartburn, and the list goes on and on. I am claiming my "feel good" time will be all through the third trimester and delivery!

I look back and thank God for the pain, because through the discomfort He has brought many of those teachable moments to me. Thomas and I attended a child birth class on September 1. The class taught the techniques of pain management. The key points were to find a focal point and focus on it then breathe deep. An important word of advice was not to panic. There is a pain cycle that begins with anxiety. The anxiety causes tension, the tension causes pain, the pain causes anxiety.....more anxiety, more tension, more pain....and on and on the circle goes round and round.

The teachable moment was this....When we go through the most difficult pains of our life, God desires for us to make Him our focal point, to breathe deep, and not to panic. If we stay calm and endure the pain, this too will pass and the joy will soon come.

"You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy." - John 16:20-22 (NIV)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

Heather Harris
September 7, 2007