I would like to share something that has helped me quite a bit over the last 15 years. As I have matured and gained knowledge about how and why I do the things I do I came to realize that I do better with some structure—some boundaries or guidelines to help me stay on track. I don't mean rules and rituals that have to be followed but an outline to provide a little structure for my prayer time. If I don't have this I will easily get distracted and neglect my prayer, meditation, or even Bible reading and study. I also include some positive and encouraging statements that are based on Biblical truths.
Once you have decided on any routine it is easy to fall into a feeling of obligation and legalism. This was something I struggled with off and on over the years. As I said before, I need some routine and structure but it can come around and be a source of struggle if you begin to see it as a requirement for favor or salvation. I do believe, for me, that God wants me to have a routine since it helps me stay focused but I also know that my salvation is not based on whether I follow a routine or any other ritual. Jesus paid the price so I don't have to follow a legalistic path to righteousness. Being obedient to God does directly affect my intimacy with God. So, for me there is a balance…I try to follow the routine that God has shown me according to what he knows is best for me but I also realize the routine itself doesn't save me, it is merely a tool to help me grow in my walk with Jesus.
So, gradually, over the years, I learned the importance of confessing Bible passages, my personal mission statement, and positive statements according to God's purpose for my life. I would like to share what I have done as an example and share how it has impacted my life. I have seen the evidence of the work of confession in bringing about change in my life, including a closer walk with God.
I am not saying you should do any of the specific things I do. I share this as an example that works for me. I do believe a daily confession can change your spiritual walk for the better. I am sharing what I do as a sample of what is possible, but, the possibilities are endless. You need to do and say what seems right to you. A couple of guidelines are: Does it line up with the Word of God? Does it fit with the desires God has put in my heart?
Here is the summary of my preferred routine throughout the day. I usually try to do things in order as listed here but I try to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and let Him lead me throughout the day's routine. Also, some days are filled with other activities that limit what I do. Rather than beat myself up over it if I am not able to do everything in my routine I do what I can.
I try to start the day with my daily confession and then spend some time in Bible reading and study. Part of my routine is to follow my plan to read the Bible in a year, so I try to read several chapters every day.
My daily confession has 3 basic parts:
1. My personal mission statement.
2. Putting on the Armor of God.
3. Reading Bible verses and statements that encourage and strengthen me.
My practice has usually been to read these out loud from a sheet that I keep in my Bible.
Personal Mission Statement – about 15 years God began giving me this personal mission statement through my prayer and Bible study and meditation. The phrase in quotation marks is the exact words that I believe God revealed to me for my mission statement.
1. "Remain devoted to God above all else" – a little obvious, but an important reminder since idolatry comes in many forms
2. "Attack Satan" – Spiritual warfare in whatever form God leads
3. "Preach and teach the Gospel" – share the message to individuals, groups, crowds whenever possible
4. "Heal the sick" – healing comes in many forms through counseling and therapy and miracles – they are all the work of the Holy Spirit
5. "Allow God's anointing" – let God do through me whatever he wants to do without me getting in the way
Putting on the Armor of God as found in Ephesians 6:10-20 (I read over the different parts of armor and since I am a visual person I imagine putting each on as I read.)
1. I put on the Belt of Truth – the truths of God holds everything together and in place.
2. I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness—righteousness of God protects me from the fatal blow.
3. I prepare my feet with the readiness of the Gospel of Peace—always ready to do God's work and share the gospel.
4. I take up the Shield of Faith to protect me from the fiery darts of the enemy—my faith in God and who God is protects me from all the enemy can throw at me.
5. I wear the Helmet of Salvation—my knowledge of my salvation protects my mind from the enemy's attacks.
6. I carry the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God—the Word of God is our weapon for offense and defense.
7. I pray in the Spirit on all occasions—I need to stay in contact with my commanding office.
Bible verses and personal statements (some are quotes from Bible, some are paraphrases from Bible, some are my statements about me). I have used all of these, but not necessarily at the same time.
- I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in my heart that God raised Him from the dead, I am saved.
- "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" (2 Cor. 5:17).
- I am in Christ. I am a NEW CREATURE! Old things have passed away and all things have become new.
- I have new life--everlasting life!
- I have been delivered out of the power of darkness and translated into the kingdom of My Lord, Jesus.
- My name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.
- I have power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over ALL THE POWER of the enemy: AND NOTHING SHALL BY ANY MEANS HURT ME (Luke 10:19)
- I have power over all demons to cast them out. I can lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
- I am more than a conqueror through Jesus.
- I can do all things through Jesus (Philippians 4:13.
- "Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his BENEFITS--who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Psalm 103, first few verses).
- My sins are forgiven.
- I receive healing in Jesus' name.
- My life is preserved and strong in God.
- I am crowned with His mercy.
- I confess that I am not afraid.
- Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL.
- I fear not, for YOU ARE WITH ME.
- I am not dismayed, for you are my God.
- You are helping me.
- You are giving me strength.
- You are upholding me with the right hand of your righteousness.
- For God hath not given me the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
- I have the power of the Holy Spirit working in me.
- I have the spirit of love in me.
- The blood of the Lamb is over me.
- The Lord goes before me.
- The angel of the Lord camps around me.
- Underneath me are the everlasting arms of God.
- Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (Psalm 23).
- FEAR HAS NO PLACE IN MY LIFE.
- I confess that this is a good day.
- I am filled with the love of God today.
- I am filled with the joy of the Lord today.
- I am filled with the peace of God today.
- I am filled with the wisdom of God today.
- I am filled with the Holy Spirit today.
- I confess that today I will help someone find the grace and mercy of God.
- I will rejoice today that heaven is my home.
- I will rejoice today that all of my family are coming into the fold of the Lord.
- This is my confession. I boldly say it aloud in the name of the Lord Jesus, and God my Father.
- I thank you, Father, in Jesus' name that I have what I say.
- The Lord's promises are true.
- My confession rises before you based on your word.
- Jesus is the high priest of my confession. He makes it good today.
- God is working out HIS purpose in my life.
- Every day He teaches me more and draws me closer to Him.
- My love for the Lord grows daily and my desire to sin decreases each day.
- Satan is defeated in my life.
- Satan is defeated in my ministry.
- Satan is defeated in my family.
- Satan is defeated in my finances.
- Satan is defeated in my thoughts.
- Satan has no authority in any area of my life and he is bound by the power of the blood of Jesus, my Savior, and in the name of Jesus.
- My ministry is successful in all ways.
- God has anointed me and is using me to preach, teach, heal, and lead in worship. Praise the Lord.
- I confess that the Bible is the Word of God. I have what it says I have. I am what it says I am. I can do what it says I can do. I am one of God's anointed servants. I have been set apart for service. God is using me for His purpose.
- God is in control of my family.
- God is in control of my life.
- God is in control of my ministry.
- God is in control of my finances.
- God is in control of my health.
- God is in control of my strength.
- God is in control of my future.
- God is in control of my thoughts.
- I trust God to take good care of me.
As you can see there is a lot here. Even though it is a daily confession I have learned not to get bogged down in the legalism of "having to do this every day" but I do try to do it every day. On some days I especially need the power of this daily routine. I encourage you to pick and choose what seems right to you.
By the way, I challenge you to match each statement in the above confession with a Bible passage. I have given you a few and many will be quite familiar to you but there are some that might be a challenge to you.
Please don't get bogged down in legalistic observation of this daily confession.
Don't forget confession is good for the soul.
Blessings
Tim
