One of my greatest joys is reading blog comments, tweets and emails from YOU. Whenever I get a free minute, I love sitting down and hear about the things that are on your mind.
Recently, I’ve been getting one particular question quite a bit. It has to do with something I mentioned in one of the video sessions in the Gideon Bible study. I figured it might be good for me to answer it here on the blog!
So, here’s the deal. . . I am very intentional about speaking affirmative Scripturally-based statements over my boys. Most of the time, as soon as I start in on the liturgy of “You are. . .” statements, they frantically lift their hands up over their ears as if to say, “Mom, enough already, we hear this every day!”
Well, of course, I demand that they take their hands down from over their ears and listen intently as I tell them who they are in Christ and who they are becoming as men who will live in way that is honoring to Him.
They smile – in between sighs of impatience – and indulge their mother 🙂
Many of you have asked me to be a little bit more specific about what I say to the boys each day. Honestly, I wish I could give you more detail than you’re going to find here. Because actually, it is really just a compilation of Scripture verses – promises from the Lord that I reword into affirming statements for their lives. I have a consistent way of starting – an initial first few sentences that they always expect – but then it’s a free-for-all – whatever comes to mind at the time.
Here’s what I always say:
You are a man of integrity and character. You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your strength. You will be a blessing to your teachers and a blessing to your friends. You are the head and not the tail. You are above and not beneath. You are a leader and not a follower.
After that, I normally say only a few more things before the day begins. . .
You are the temple of the Holy Spirit.
You are a man of valor.
You have the whole armour of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.
You will bless the Lord at all times and His praises shall continually be in your mouth.
This could be a fun activity for you – constructing a statement to speak over your children (or to speak over YOURSELF for that matter) that is suited to what you hope for them to become in Christ. They might put their hands up over their ears in protest every now and then but WHO CARES! They WILL hear you and what you are saying will nestle deep into their souls over time.
Here are a list of Scripturally-based affirmation statements to get you going. Have fun!
I love the Lord my God with my whole heart, soul, and mind. (Mark 12:30)
I walk by faith and not by sight. (II Corinthians 5:7)
The Lord is on my side. I will not fear what man can do to me. (Psalm 118:6)
I am competent not in my own abilities but because He has made me competent by His Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:5-6)
I abide in Christ, He abides in me, and I bear much fruit. (John 15:5)
I have the mind of Christ therefore I act in a way that is consistent with His actions. (1 Corinthians 2:16)
He will never leave me nor will He forsake me. (Hebrews 13:5)
I do no look with disdain upon my weaknesses. I use them as an opportunity for God will display His powerful strength. (2 Corinthians 12:10)
I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)
There is no weapon that is formed against me that can prosper, and every tongue that rises up against me in judgment shall be condemned. (Isaiah 54:17)
I will be hospitable without complaint. (1 Peter 4:9)
I will not use my tongue to speak cursings but life-giving blessings to everyone that I meet and in every situation I face. (James 3:8-10)
The Spirit indwells me therefore I am the temple of the Living God. (II Corinthians 6:16)
I am faithful over a few things, and I will be made ruler over many. (Matthew 25:23)
I humbly submit to God and I actively resist the work of the devil, and he must flee from me. (James 4:7)
I will not give the enemy an opportunity or foothold in my life. (Ephesians 4:27)
The One who is in me is greater than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4)
I choose to obey the Lord and receive the prosperous abundance and blessing that He will bestow on me. (Deuteronomy 30:8-9)
My heart keeps the commandments of God, and length of days, long life, and peace shall they add to me. (Proverbs 3:1-2)
I walk by the Spirit and do not fulfill the desires of my flesh. (Galatians 5:16)
I exhibit the fruit of the Spirit which is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
The Lord guards my going out and my coming in – today and forever. (Psalm 121:8)
I rejoice in the Lord whether circumstances are good or bad. (Philippians 4:4)
I will not be afraid when I lie down and my sleep shall be sweet. (Proverbs 3:24)
I obtain the favor of the Lord. (Proverbs 12:2)
The Lord is in my midst and sings over me with joy. (Zephaniah 3:17)
I am the apple of my Father’s eye. (Deuteronomy 32:10)
Goodness and mercy will follow me; not only today but all the days of my life. (Psalm 23:6)
I have been made in the very image and likeness of God Himself. This is my heritage. (Genesis 1:27)
