Confession of Faith - March 22, 2004

SCRIPTURAL VERIFICATION

The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

(Romans 10:8-10)

CONFESSION

Series 2.3.22 - #82

March 22, 2004

This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it. I rejoice before the tempter tempts me. I will express gladness before the tempter tempts me. From a thankful heart, I express the fruit of joy and gladness, and I will see the difference in the outcome of my day that God made for me. Many will spend their day warring with adversaries that they did not have to war against because they went down paths of lamenting. I will not greet the Lord with tears of complaints, but I will greet him with gladness. God has said, "Serve me with gladness and come before my presence with singing." First, I present the Lord with a bouquet of praises instead of a flood of tears that water the thorns that have created the pains in my life. I replace the weeping willows of the mourner with a high new song of life and victorious expectation. I resist the temptation to bring to the Lord a deep death song of the blues and of mourning. Many are controlled by grief, sorrow, and regret; therefore, they come to God as weak lamenting worshippers of their problems and their emotions. I will not wear the willows given me by unbelief, but I adorn myself with the garment of praise. I will not wear sackcloth and ashes, but rather, I wear the breastplate of faith and love. I am wearing my helmet. It is the hope of salvation. I have come to the throne of grace with this hope, and my head is not bowed to my troubles. The Lord has not appointed me unto wrath but to obtain salvation by Jesus Christ. I cannot comfort and edify anyone if I am in deep mourning. God has given me righteousness as a breastplate and a helmet of salvation upon my head. He has already worn the garments of vengeance for me; therefore, I cast off the willows I adorned myself with and put on the armor of light that shines through praise. I purpose to remain dressed in the armor of righteousness that God has placed on the right hand and on the left. I remain dressed in the whole armor of God. Now, will I be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. I purpose not to remove my helmet of salvation. Many remove their helmet of salvation in the morning and adorn themselves with crowns of lamenting expressions. I take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God and come forth with great rejoicing in the Lord. I will let my soul be joyful in Christ, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness. He is causing righteousness and praise to spring forth before all nations; therefore, I arise and take hold of his strength and rejoice in the goodness of my God. I remember the mercies of David. The Lord will not turn away my face from him, for I am anointed. I remember that I am clothed with salvation, so I shout aloud for joy. I am budding like the horn of David, and a lamp for my feet is given for my path. I arise, and cast off the willows for a garment. I will be adorned with the garment of praise. I am accepted in the beloved, and all my problems are already worked out in God's victory. He has clothed my enemies with shame and placed a crown of praise upon my head.

Hebrews 10:22 - 23

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.