Week 8. Father and Mother Heart of God.
Chapter 8: Desert of Sin – The Provision of God
8 - Wilderness of Sin - מדבּר H4057 – ‘midbâr’ = ‘wilderness/pasture/uninhabited land’ & סין H5512 = ‘sıŷ n’ = “thorn” or “clay”
Parallel: The Feeding of the 5,000 (John 6:1-14)
Scripture: "Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted." (John 6:11)
Introduction: The Desert of Need
After crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites entered the Desert of Sin—a region characterised by their immediate needs and growing dissatisfaction. Here, they encountered not only physical hunger but also a deeper, spiritual craving for a connection with God. The desert experience serves as a powerful metaphor for the spiritual journey of every believer, showcasing the challenges of reliance on God amidst scenarios of need and scarcity.
As the Israelites wandered through this arid wilderness, they cried out for food, longing for the comforts of their previous life in Egypt. They quickly forgot the miraculous deliverance God had just provided at the Red Sea. In their desperation, they faced the temptation to complain and doubt God's ongoing provision. This scenario closely mirrors the challenge of faith that Jesus addressed in the New Testament through the feeding of the 5,000, where God's ability to provide exceeds human expectations.
The Israelites in the Desert of Sin
In Exodus 16, we read about the Israelites’ grumbling against Moses and Aaron as they lamented the lack of food in the wilderness. Their complaints revealed a profound lack of trust in God’s ability to care for them. They expressed nostalgia for the comforts of Egypt, forgetting the severe hardships of their bondage. The stark reality of their situation was discouraging: they found themselves in a barren desert with limited resources.
In response to their cries for help, God showcased His compassion and provision. He sent quail in the evening and manna in the morning—bread from heaven to satisfy their hunger. This miraculous provision not only addressed their physical needs but also served to strengthen their faith and dependence on God.
Father and Mother Heart of God
The story of the Children of Israel’s Exodus and the Christian teaching of the “Father and Mother Heart of God” beautifully illustrate God’s deep love, care, and compassion for His people. During their journey from slavery to freedom, the Israelites experienced God's nurturing presence, which reveals His maternal and paternal qualities. God’s guidance through Moses, provision of manna, and protection in the wilderness reflect His role as a loving Father who cares for His children. At the same time, His gentle nurturing and comfort, like a mother caring for her children, highlight His maternal heart.
In Christian theology, God’s Father Heart is demonstrated through the sacrificial love of Jesus on the Cross, where God shows His unwavering commitment to His children by giving His Son for their salvation. This sacrificial act mirrors the nurturing and protective love of a parent who sacrifices for the wellbeing of their children. It reveals that God’s love is not only authoritative but also tender, compassionate, and forgiving—qualities of a Mother’s love deeply woven into His divine nature.
This understanding encourages believers to relate to God not only as the Almighty but also as a loving Parent who longs to nurture, correct, and care for them. The Exodus story reminds us that God’s protective heart sustains us through hardships—providing manna, guiding with cloud and fire, and caring for their every need. Christians are called to trust in this divine Father and Mother Heart, finding comfort and reassurance amidst life’s challenges.
In conclusion, the “Father and Mother Heart of God” reveals that divine love is comprehensive—merciful, nurturing, and sacrificial. It affirms that God’s love sustains His children, guiding them on their journey of faith with compassion and grace, just as a loving parent nurtures and protects their children through every season of life.
The Father Heart
The Father Heart of God emphasizes God's deep, unwavering love, authority, and protective nature, revealing Him as a caring Father who seeks the best for His children. Throughout the Bible, God’s paternal qualities are demonstrated in His guidance, discipline, provision, and unconditional love. For example, in Psalm 103:13, it says, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” This highlights God's compassion and tenderness, showing that He desires a close, loving relationship with His people.
In the context of the Exodus story, God's Father Heart is evident in His protective guidance and provision. Despite the Israelites' disobedience and doubts, God remained patient and faithful, providing manna, water, and His divine presence. His leadership was characterized by care and discipline, guiding them through their wilderness journey, much like a loving father sternly yet tenderly guides his children toward growth and safety.
In Christian teaching, Jesus' relationship with God reveals the intimate nature of the Father Heart, describing God as “Abba,” a term of close, personal connection—akin to “Daddy”—highlighting the warmth, closeness, and trust believers should have in God's care. Jesus showed that recognizing God's Father Heart encourages believers to approach God boldly and confidently, knowing they are loved unconditionally.
The Father Heart of God also offers comfort and reassurance in challenging times, reminding believers that they are loved beyond measure and that God's ultimate goal is their wellbeing and salvation. It calls believers to trust His leadership, submit to His discipline, and rest in His loving embrace. This understanding encourages Christians to see God not only as a mighty Creator but also as a loving, caring Father whose love is eternal, guiding them with compassion and faithfulness throughout their life journey.
Mother Heart of God
The Mother Heart of God emphasizes God's deep, compassionate, and nurturing love for His people. Throughout the Bible, God's maternal qualities are vividly expressed, highlighting His tenderness, patience, and care. For example, in Isaiah 66:13, God describes His comforting love by saying, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” This image underscores God's compassionate and protective nature, reassuring believers that they are always held in His loving embrace.
In the context of the Exodus story, God's Mother Heart is reflected in His continual provision and care for the Israelites. Despite their frequent doubts and struggles, God displayed patience and kindness, providing manna to nourish them, guiding them with a cloud by day and fire by night, and healing their wounds. These acts portray a God who intimately cares like a mother caring for her children, always watching over and nurturing them through their journey.
Christian teachings deepen this understanding by emphasizing that God's maternal qualities are also fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus’ compassion for the sick, the lost, and the vulnerable reveals His Mother Heart, showing that divine love extends beyond authority to encompass tenderness and forgiveness. Jesus' words and actions reflect a loving embrace that seeks to comfort and restore, embodying the nurturing love of a mother.
Moreover, the Mother Heart of God invites believers to see God as accessible and personal, not distant or strict. It reminds us that God’s love is unconditionally patient and forgiving—qualities that nourish our faith and give us hope amid difficulties. This image encourages believers to turn to God in prayer, trust in His gentle guidance, and find solace in His loving, maternal care. Ultimately, the Mother Heart of God reveals that divine love is all-encompassing, tender, and endlessly nurturing, like the love of a mother who cares for her children through all life's trials.
Feeding the 5000
John 6:1-14 beautifully illustrate the Father and Mother Heart of God—His loving provision, care, and compassion. In the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus takes five small barley loaves and two fish, blessing and multiplying them to feed a huge crowd. This act reflects God's Mother Heart—nurturing and compassionate—providing for His people’s needs out of love, much like a mother caring for her children with tenderness and mercy.
At the same time, it also demonstrates God’s Father Heart—His sovereignty, authority, and authority in providing salvation and sustenance. Jesus’ act of feeding signifies the divine provision that comes from God’s loving nature, ensuring that His children are cared for physically and spiritually. The miracle reminds believers that the Father and Mother Heart of God are always at work—meeting both their spiritual hunger and their physical needs with unfailing love.
In the context of the Exodus, God’s Mother Heart is reflected in His deep compassion for the Israelites, providing manna in the wilderness and guiding them through their journey. His Father Heart is shown in His sovereignty, leading His children and giving them commandments and guidance to live by. Both hearts work together—nurturing and commanding, loving and guiding.
This passage encourages believers to trust in both the nurturing and authoritative aspects of God. It invites them to draw near to the divine Mother and Father Heart—knowing He provides, cares, heals, and protects with love and compassion. Just as God provided for the Israelites’ physical needs and fed the multitude through Jesus, we are called to trust in His loving, caring Heart, recognizing that His love sustains us both spiritually and physically throughout our journey of faith.
Reflection: Trusting God for Provision
The Desert of Sin is a critical phase in the Israelites' journey, reflecting the spiritual deserts we may encounter in our own lives. During challenging times, we might feel compelled to question God’s goodness and provision. The Israelites’ experience forces us to examine our hearts: do we trust God to provide for our needs, even when circumstances appear dire?
The Feeding of the 5,000: A Lesson in Abundance
In John 6:1-14, we encounter another powerful narrative of provision—Jesus feeding the 5,000. A large crowd had followed Him, captivated by His teachings and miraculous signs. As evening approached, the disciples recognized an impending problem: there was not enough food to feed the multitude. They suggested sending the people away to find food in nearby villages, but Jesus had a different plan.
He inquired about what food was available, and they discovered a boy with five loaves and two fish. Jesus took this meagre offering, thanked God for it, and began to distribute it to the crowd. Astoundingly, the loaves and fish multiplied, providing enough for everyone until they were satisfied, leaving twelve baskets of leftovers—a profound testament to God's abundant provision.
Reflection: God’s Abundance in Our Need
Both accounts illustrate a common theme: God’s willingness to provide abundantly, even in situations that seem hopeless. The Israelites experienced this through the manna and quail in the desert, while the crowd was fed miraculously by Jesus. In our lives, we may find ourselves in periods of need, but God remains faithful to supply our needs—often in unexpected ways.
"Jesus Took the Loaves" – A Symbol of Trust
The act of Jesus taking the loaves, giving thanks, and distributing them serves as a beautiful symbol of trust in God’s provision. It reminds us that in the face of scarcity, we can present our limited resources to God and trust Him to multiply them for His purposes.
In Matthew 19:26, Jesus emphasises this reality: "with God, all things are possible." This truth encourages us to focus not solely on our lack but on the greatness of God. When we surrender our worries and limitations to Him, we open ourselves to the miraculous possibilities that He can provide.
Reflection: Presenting Our Needs to God
What do you have in your life that feels insufficient? It may be resources, time, strength, or even faith. Just as the boy offered his lunch to Jesus, we, too, can present our "small" offerings to God. He takes delight in using what we have—no matter how limited—to accomplish His purposes.
Trusting in God's Timing and Provision
An essential lesson from both the Desert of Sin and the feeding of the 5,000 lies in understanding God’s timing and provision. The Israelites learned that they could not hoard the manna for themselves; it was meant to be collected fresh each day. This teaching emphasises the importance of daily dependence on God. Similarly, in our own lives, we often desire immediate answers to our prayers. Yet, God frequently operates within His own timing, teaching us patience and trust as we await His provision. The Israelites were required to trust that God would sustain them daily, just as we must learn to rely on Him for our needs.
Application: Recognising God's Provision in Our Lives
- Identify Your Needs: Take a moment to reflect on the areas of your life where you experience lack or scarcity. What are you yearning for—physically, emotionally, or spiritually? Recognising your needs is crucial in allowing God to step in and provide.
- Present Your Offerings: Like the boy who offered his modest lunch, bring your needs before God. Offer Him whatever resources, time, or gifts you have, believing that He can multiply them for His purposes.
- Practice Gratitude: Cultivating gratitude shifts our focus from what we lack to acknowledging God’s past provisions. Reflect on the ways God has cared for you in the past, and express your thankfulness. Thankfulness can transform our perspective in times of need.
- Trust in God’s Timing: Be patient as you wait for God’s provision. Remember that He is faithful to meet our needs, even when answers do not come in the timeframe we desire. His timing is always perfect, even when we cannot see it in the moment.
Conclusion: The Desert Experience of Faith
The Desert of Sin stands as a vital reminder of our dependence on God for sustenance, both physically and spiritually. As the Israelites learned to trust God amidst their complaints, we too are called to place our faith in Him during times of need.
The accounts of God’s provision—the manna in the desert and the feeding of the 5,000—demonstrate that our God is a provider who delights in meeting our needs abundantly. In the wilderness moments of our lives, let us remember to trust God’s ability to provide, realising that "with God, all things are possible.”
Prayer:
"Lord, thank You for being my provider in times of need. Help me to trust You, especially when I feel scarcity in my life. I surrender my limitations to You and ask that You multiply my efforts for Your glory. Teach me to be patient as I await Your provision and to express gratitude for all that You have done in my life. Amen."
In this chapter, we explored the challenges faced by the Israelites in the Desert of Sin and the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. Both narratives illustrate God's abundant provision and encourage us to trust Him in our times of need. As we navigate our own deserts, let us bring our needs to God and remain open to how He provides, knowing that He is faithful to sustain us.
Chapter 8: The Wilderness of Need — Trusting in God's Provider Heart
Bob, Nancy, Caleb, Joshua, and Sharon had navigated miraculous waters, faced impossible barriers, and tasted the bitterness of unmet needs. Now, after crossing the Red Sea, they found themselves in the Wilderness of Sin—the arid, thorny land where hunger and thirst pressed in, yet also where spiritual hunger deepened. They were physically tired, and emotionally drained, longing for the comforts of Egypt they had left behind, and unsure of how they would survive.
For the Israelites, this moment was the desert of need—an uninhabited land, not just in geography but within their hearts. It was a place that revealed their reliance on God's provision, exposing their fears, doubts, and even their ingratitude. The wilderness was thinly veiled dependency on God's ongoing care, and the challenge was to trust amidst scarcity.
The Challenge of Scarcity and the Call to Trust
In Exodus 16, the Israelites cried out in frustration: "What are we to eat?" They longed for bread, for the familiar provision of Egypt, forgetting the pain of slavery. Yet, God's response was remarkable. He sent manna—bread from heaven—along with quail in the evenings, providing enough each day to meet their needs. The food appeared like morning dew, a divine gift reminding them that their sustenance depended on Him, not their own strength.
This miracle exemplifies a profound biblical principle: trusting God as our Provider. It's easy to forget God’s faithfulness when we're surrounded by lack, but our spiritual journey is rooted in recognizing that divine provision is ongoing, even when we cannot see it immediately.
The Spiritual Parallel: Feeding the 5,000 and the Power of Small Faith
Just as God provided manna in the wilderness, Jesus later miraculously fed five thousand people with just five loaves and two fish (John 6:1-14). In this miracle, Jesus took what little we have—our small faith, our limited resources—and, blessing it, multiplied it to meet great needs. That act reflects God's Mother Heart—tender, compassionate, and nurturing—meeting His children’s needs out of love.
Similarly, the feeding shows God’s Father Heart—sovereign and powerful—carefully overseeing the details of our lives, ensuring that our spiritual and physical hunger are both addressed. The miracle teaches us an essential truth: no matter how small our offering of faith or provision, God’s love and power can turn scarcity into abundance.
Baptism: A Sign of Trust and New Identity
In the journey through the wilderness, crossing the Red Sea was a symbol of new beginnings—a spiritual baptism. Just as the Israelites passed through the parted waters into freedom, baptism for the believer is an act of surrender, an affirmation of trust in God's power to save. It is a symbolic drowning of our old selves—our sins, fears, and doubts—and rising into a new identity as children of God.
Baptism signifies physically what we experience spiritually: trusting Jesus’ death and resurrection to wash away our guilt and give us new life. It’s an act of obedience, marking our commitment to rely on God's provision and sovereignty. Like Israel passing through the waters, every baptized believer steps into an unknown future, trusting in God's promise to provide, protect, and sustain.
The Heart of God: Compassionate, Nurturing, and Faithful
The wilderness reveals God’s heart—caring, compassionate, and fiercely faithful. His deep love is shown in His provision of manna and quail, His guidance in the cloud and fire, and His promise to never leave His people. God’s caring nature is like that of a loving parent—patient with our doubts, gentle in correction, and relentless in His mercy.
The biblical picture of God's Mother Heart is vividly seen in Isaiah 66:13: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” God’s maternal qualities—tender, forgiving, nurturing—are woven into His divine character. He nourishes us spiritually with His grace, shields us from harm, and provides all we need for life and godliness.
Living in Trust and Gratitude
Just as Jesus' miracle of feeding the multitudes teaches us that God’s love is both gentle and mighty, our response is to trust Him in every season. Baptism is our first public declaration that we rely on His power, His love, and His provision. Our daily walk involves choosing to trust that—even in the dry, Thorny wilderness—God's goodness sustains us.
Bob’s family learned in the wilderness that God's provision isn’t just about physical needs; it’s about spiritual nourishment too. It’s about trusting in His divine Heart—Father,
Discipleship Journey, Day 8
New Beginnings
Rest, pray, and meditate on the word.
Wait on the Lord.
Renewing the mind
Wilderness Journey 8
They left Elim and camped near the Red Sea.
Were they rejuvenated for the journey?
The Disciple Journey 8
To be a disciple of Jesus, you must rest, pray, and meditate.
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.
Due to this heightened "Elim" awareness, we experience a moment of respite from the travails of the arduous journey through the wilderness. We "camp near the Red Sea" and bask in the rejuvenating power of water. Water, the word for prayer, releases God's love and power and rejuvenates the body, soul, and spirit.
The Commandments of Jesus
Watch and pray—Matthew 26:41
Receive God’s power—Luke 24:49
Listen to God’s voice. Matthew 11:15, 13:9
The Parables of Jesus
Matthew 11:16-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
16: "To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
17 "‘We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance.
We sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.’
18 For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they said, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ But wisdom is proved right by her deeds."
Woe to unrepentant towns!
Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgement than for you. 23 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. [a] For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, they would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgement than for you."
The Father Revealed in the Son
25 At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.
27 "All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Hebrew
Eight (chet)
New Beginning Rest
Chet is a fence in Hebrew. It can also signify an inner room, even the heart itself.
Eight is the number of new beginnings. The sons of Abraham were to be circumcised on the eighth day (Gen. 17:12), because the eighth day was the lawful time for the presentation of the firstborn (Ex. 22:29, 30). It took a full seven days to consecrate the priests (Lev. 8:33), and then they emerged from the tabernacle on the eighth day. God then manifested His presence to the people on the eighth day (Lev. 9:1, 4, 24).
In the New Testament, Jesus was raised from the dead on the eighth day to fulfil the law of the wave-sheaf offering (Lev. 23:10, 11). Likewise, Pentecost occurred seven weeks later on the fiftieth day, which was also the eighth day (Lev. 23:15–17). As we showed earlier, Jesus prophesied on the eighth day of Tabernacles (John 7:37–39) about the outpouring of the Spirit. These examples all fulfil the law of the presentation of the firstborn on the eighth day in Exodus 22:29–30 (Joshua 6:15).
The Tabernacle
It took a full seven days to consecrate the priests (Lev. 8:33), and then they emerged from the tabernacle on the eighth day. God then manifested His presence to the people on the eighth day.
Personal Message
How to Renew Your Mind with God's Word
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what God's will is, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect," says Romans 12:2.
What does this entail, and how do you go about renewing your mind?
In this article, I'll show you how to renew your mind with God's word using two simple approaches that have helped me transform my thinking.
Let's get started!
The Importance of Mind Rejuvenation
The Bible encourages us to renew our minds by changing our thought habits and beliefs.
What is the significance of this?
Simply defined, it is so that "you may demonstrate what God's will is, which is good, acceptable, and perfect."
This is only feasible with a refreshed mind.
Did you know that doubt is caused by an unrenewable mind?
God is frequently hampered when a believer's mind is filled with doubt and fear, leading to "double-mindedness.
Many plans that God has for His church have been put on hold as He waits for us to regenerate our thinking.
Until this occurs, the gift within us (the Holy Spirit) will never bear fruit and reach its full operational capacity.
With that in mind, we can see the gravity of this calling on the life of every born-again believer. This calling is significant because its realisation and implementation will enable the spirit of God to execute God's will here on earth.
2 Simple Ways to Renew Your Mind
You may be thinking, "That's great, but how can I put this into practice?"
The answer is straightforward, but maintaining its application will be difficult.
Through meditation and application of the word, you are refreshed in mind and transformed into the image of Christ.
Renewing your mind with God's word
Let us first discuss how to reflect on God's word in order to rejuvenate your mind and apply it to your life.
Step 1: Get rid of all distractions.
Practically speaking, meditation on the scriptures necessitates a time commitment.
Sometimes I just need to get away from everything, so there are no distractions. I'd either go somewhere quiet and alone, or I'd close my room door and hang a "devotions in progress" sign on the handle.
This way, my family understands that this is a private moment between me and the Lord.
In summary, it's preferable if you can find a private location where there will be no distractions. I'll add that I either leave my phone outside my room or put it on aeroplane mode to avoid being distracted by it.
Step 2: Reflect on Scripture
Start reading the Word once you are free of distractions and your mind is fixed on committing this time to God.
The purpose here isn't simply to read a few chapters. You should read slowly in order to get the meaning of the words beyond the surface level.
If anything piques your curiosity, linger on it and think about it. This is biblical meditation in action.
Scripture meditating
Move on to the following verse when you've finished the one you were thinking about.
Ponder, meditate, absorb, and pray it in before moving on to the next passage.
When you read a God-given promise, such as one in Isaiah 53:5, the first thing you want to do is receive it. Then, ask the Holy Spirit to assist you in believing it and demonstrating how to use it in your life.
Step 3: Put the word into action in your life.
"But prove yourselves doers of the word and not merely hearers who delude themselves," James 1:22 says.
The next stage is to start incorporating the word into your daily life. Allow the truth to take hold of your life by acting on it rather than simply accepting it.
As an example:
If you are concerned about your future career or how things will turn out in your life, meditate on the scriptures that apply to you.
verses to refresh your mind.
As in Matthew 6:30:
"But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will he not much more clothe you, you of little faith?"
As you bring your worries to God, remember this passage and pray to Him. If I was experiencing anxiety and fear about the future, I would pray as follows:
"Father, I appreciate you for keeping an eye on me. I am grateful that you will look after me, provide for me, and clothe me. As you have stated. I appreciate the fact that I can put my trust in you and rely on you. I hand over my concern to you.
This is how I would interpret that verse in my own life.
Now, if that dread or anxiety arises in my head, it does not engulf me and cause me to worry.
Instead, the truth of God's word (Matthew 6:30) would come to mind swiftly, and I would "defeat" that doubt with God's word. And as time passes, my mind will stop thinking along the lines of doubt and worry, instead totally trusting and believing what God's word teaches, resulting in a life of peace through confidence in God.
How to Renew Your Mind Through Scripture
Another crucial way for us to renew our minds is to declare the word.
This is a practice that stems from Philemon 1:6: "that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgement of every good thing that is in you in Christ Jesus."
This is what I mean:
Declaring the word means declaring the word over yourself and speaking God's truth into your life. When you say it like you mean it, you will feel the spirit move within you.
As an example:
According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, "therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.
This verse can be turned into a declaration like this:
Scripture affirmations to declare over oneself from John G. Lake Ministries' "New Man" study
I start speaking these declarations over myself in a strong voice while I'm driving or outside. I don't yell them at the top of my lungs (though you can), but I also don't say them quietly and softly.
Here's how I put these pronouncements into practice throughout the day:
I begin by declaring the word for 5 to 10 minutes or more.
Then I pray in tongues to cement the word and strengthen myself (1 Corinthians 14:4).
I then meditate and reflect on what I said before.
Repeat as necessary.
Your order may differ from mine. This is not meant to be a formula, but rather a suggestion.
I strongly advise you to watch the "New Man" seminar series by John G. Lake Ministries. The information is considerably more detailed than I can provide here.
The effect of repeating the word in this manner over a long period of time is astounding.
It is exactly the same as when a preacher proclaims the truth on stage until he or she comes "under the anointing," as some would say (which, by the way, is not true; that preacher is no more anointed than you are).
What is actually happening is that the preaching or declaration of the word stirs up the spirit within that preacher.
When the Spirit of God is given such control, amazing things happen!
With time and practice, any born-again believer can do the same thing. True prophecies flow from that point in the spirit: physical and internal healing is given to others, God's kingdom comes, and God's will is done.
It all boils down to mind regeneration, which leads to single-mindedness and faith.
If our minds were only renewed by these 17 declarations, our lives with Christ would look very different.
It's amazing to realise that you can have all of Christ's riches simply by committing to renewing your thoughts. Because it is your unregenerated thinking that is preventing the spirit of Christ from doing what He desires.
Remember what I mentioned earlier? Application is considerably more difficult to maintain than learning. However, if you have grit, you will achieve God's goal for your life.
God's kingdom will come, and His will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
You can refresh your mind like never before by reading, declaring, meditating on, and applying God's word.