Blessings For A New Year

 Blessed be the LORD God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting!

And all the people said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD. 1Ch 16:36

In response to the Word of God, I bless this new year of my life! 

Rather than dwelling on the past, I press on towards the mark of the high calling of Christ.

I am not a failure, but I am more than a conqueror in Him.

I have been redeemed from the curse of the law.

In Christ I am an inheritor of the blessing!

I declare that I shall receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Because I obey the Lord and submit to His rule,

I shall be blessed in the city, blessed in the country;

All that is conceived in me and birthed from me shall be blessed;

All that I put my hands to shall be blessed;

I shall be blessed coming in and going out.

Christ is being formed in me, and He is my hope of glory!

I shall be fruitful and multiply;

I shall take dominion over all the territory the Lord has given me.

I shall walk in the counsel of God rather than the counsel of the ungodly.

When I am persecuted or reviled, I will bless.

The words of life shall be on my tongue, and I will eat its fruits.

In Christ I am blessed, and my year is blessed!

My times are in His hands, and I put my full trust in Him.

I am saved by the Lord, by the shield of His help,

and by the sword of His majesty.

My enemies submit to me, and I shall tread down their high places.

I dedicate my life this year to the Lord for the Kingdom of God,

And it shall be filled with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Those who I come in contact with will be blessed

by the indwelling presence of the Lord, so that He will be glorified.

Genesis 1:28, 12:3; Deuteronomy 28:3-6, 33:29; 1 Kings 8:56; Psalm 1:1, 31:15; Proverbs 18:21; Romans 5:17, 8:37, 14:17; Galatians 3:13-14, 4:19; Philippians 3:13-14; Colossians 1:27; 1 Peter 3:9; Revelation 22:3

Photo by Karen Gladys Henry, copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.

Submitted to Love

Love dwells in me. Love never fails. I rejoice in every opportunity to become completed in love.

God is Love. God dwells in me by His Spirit. Every time I submit myself to Love and walk in the Spirit, I choose to become more like Him. His Love is changing me into His likeness.

I confess these things over myself, for this is my destiny, to become like Him in His Love:

When I submit to Love, I suffer long and am kind;

When I submit to Love, I do not envy; I do not parade myself, I am not puffed up;

When I submit to Love, I do not behave rudely,

When I submit to Love, I do not seek my own, I am not provoked, I think no evil;

When I submit to Love, I do not rejoice in iniquity, but I rejoice in the truth;

When I submit to Love, I bear all things, I believe all things, I hope all things, I endure all things.

When I submit to Love, I do not fail, for Love never fails.

When I am reviled, I do not revile in return. When I suffer, I do not threaten, but I commit myself to Him who judges righteously. Rather when I am reviled, I bless; when I am persecuted I endure. I submit myself to Love and follow His example.

I love Him because He first loved me. I submit to Christ who is Love, for because of His perfect Love, I am saved from fear; I am becoming an ambassador of His Kingdom of Love.

I Corinthians 13:4-8; I Peter 2:23; I Corinthians 4:12; I John 4:10-21

The artwork "Love Never Fails" is a montage of my photos and hand calligraphy done on the computer. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Supercharged!

This is the day that the Lord has made! I will rejoice and be glad in it. I say to my soul, rejoice, for the Lord your God has given you the victory! I say to my body, rejoice, for the Lord your God is your health, your life, your energy. I will fear the Lord and depart from evil: it will be health to my flesh and strength to all my bones.

The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in me and is quickening my mortal body, giving me life and vitality. I will press through every distraction that crowds me until I have touched His garment and His power goes out from Him to me.

By Jesus stripes I was healed, and I am healed now as I receive His Word by faith. I rejoice in His healing power, His willingness to heal me, and in the reality of my healing. I will rejoice until it is manifested in my natural body. I rejoice because all His promises are "yes" and "amen" in Christ Jesus.

I rejoice because God's mighty power is working in me. His strength is completed in my weakness. I can walk in His strength. I am well able to carry out every duty set before me today, with joy and thanksgiving.

I rejoice because as I press in to know Him I will be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. He enables me to walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him; I am becoming fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. I am strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, so that I can serve Him with all patience and longsuffering with joy.

I give thanks to the Father who has qualified me to be a partaker of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered me from the power of darkness and conveyed me into the kingdom of the Son of His love. Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I am supercharged.

Proverbs 3:7-8; Philippians 4:4; Romans 8:11; Luke 8:46; Ephesians 1:19, 3:20, 6:10; Colossians 1:9-13, 28-29; II Corinthians 1:20; Isaiah 53:5; I Peter 2:24

Zec 2:10 "Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," says the LORD.

1Pe 1:8 whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see [Him], yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory

"Supercharged" is a photo composite by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved. See title link for dancer photo credit.

Victorious Warrior

I purpose it in my heart today to be the spiritual warrior God has called me to be. I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus my Lord! He is the victorious, mighty warrior called Faithful and True, and I am also faithful and true because He lives in me. I hate evil and love good, because I have the fear of the Lord.

Out of His mouth comes the sharp two-edged Sword with which He conquers all of His enemies. His powerful Word is in me, therefore I also have the power to defeat all of my enemies with the sword of the Spirit. Jesus has given me authority over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt me. I rejoice that my name is written in His book.

I study the Word with diligence, and the Spirit of truth brings all things to my remembrance, so I have the word of wisdom I need at the time it is needed. My tongue is loosed from bonds of fear and timidity. I refuse to allow a religious spirit, false humility or apathy to steal my voice. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

God is Love, and I yield myself to Him, to be led by the Spirit of truth. Therefore, when I speak to people, I open my mouth with wisdom, and on my tongue is the law of kindness. I speak forth the truth in love. My enemies are not people, but demonic beings of darkness, and spiritual wickedness in high places. I determine to be gentle with people and ruthless against the spiritual enemy. However, I will not rail or rant or join the devil in his own game of accusation and slander: rather I will say "the Lord rebuke you," and "it is written. . . "

I come before the throne of grace and favor, boldly, seeking first His Kingdom. I know my Father loves me and it is His good pleasure to give me the Kingdom. He is restoring dominion in my life. I inquire of the Lord, submitting to Him and receiving His strategies. In His hand I become a flaming arrow against the evil of our times. Praise the Lord!

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Romans 8:37

The fear of the LORD is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate." Proverbs 8:13

But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." Matthew 5:44

Amos 5:15; Deuteronomy 32:35, 41; Psalm 119:163, 149:6; Proverbs 31:26; I Corinthians 13: ; Ephesians 4:15, 6:12; Hebrews 4:12; Revelation 1:16, 19:11; Zechariah 3:2; Jude 1:9; Luke 10: 17-20; Psalm 7:9-13, 127:4

"Rise Up You Warriors and You Watchmen On the Wall" is a photo composite by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. Art and blog entry All Rights Reserved. See title link for stock photo credits.

Mastered by Truth

I cannot master truth, instead I must allow Truth to master me.

I submit to you, Jesus, for you alone are the Way, the Truth and the Life. You are my Lord and I shall have no other master.

Your Word holds the universe together, therefore it holds me together. I set myself to agree with Your Word and the Spirit of Truth, for anything else would be self-destruction and foolishness.

God, You are the Rock, Your work is perfect; all Your ways are justice; You are righteous and upright, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth. You are a God of truth, and You desire truth in the inward parts. I am submitting to Your truth and Truth is forming Your character in me.

I come before Your throne of grace, Father, that I might turn from my inquities and understand Your truth. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day. I hide Your word in my heart so that I might not sin against You.

I partake of Your word~ it is the milk and solid food that nourishes me. Your Word is becoming part of me, and this incarnate Word of Truth is changing me from glory to glory. I am being filled up with your Truth and the favor that comes with it.

I am gaining a more intimate knowledge of Truth from day to day. Truth is gaining the pre-eminence in me; Truth is rising up in me and I am taking authority over all the works of the devil, casting them down. When the devil comes to tempt and deceive, Truth comes out of my mouth like a two-edged sword to destroy every lie. I am taking every lying thought captive and punishing it with truth, after I have obeyed Truth.

I love Truth, and I am becoming more and more open to Him and transparent to others, for darkness, lies, deception and masking are all giving way to the clarity of Truth; therefore I am becoming more free each day from the tyranny of the world, the flesh and the devil. The Spirit of Truth lives in me, and comes along side to help me walk in the knowledge and understanding of the truth.

I worship God in Spirit and Truth, and Truth inhabits my praises. I am set apart by Truth, separated from darkness by His sword of Truth. I dwell in the City of Truth with all those who love Truth and are mastered by Truth. This heavenly City ~ full of truth, love and unity~ is shining more and more brightly and will draw all nations into it until the glory of God covers the earth.

Exodus 34:6; Deuteronomy 32:4; I Kings 17:21-24; Psalms 25:5, 51:6, 119:11; Daniel 9:13; Hebrews 1:3; John 1:14; John 3:21; John 4:23-24; John 14:6, 17; John 15:26, 16:13; Romans 2:8; Ephesians 4:15, 5:9, 6:14; I Peter 1:22; Zechariah 8:3

"Mastered by Truth" is a photo by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. Art and blog entry All Rights Reserved.

I'm Related To God

Wow! I wake up to Father's voice calling me to come up beside Him and talk with Him. He wants me to know Him! My Father is pleased with me because I believe that He IS, and that He rewards those who diligently seek Him. I make it my priority to diligently seek Him today. I feel drawn to Him by His unconditional love for me. Nothing can separate me from His love.

I have God's nature in me because I am born of the Spirit. It is my nature to desire Him and to love Him. It is my nature to excel in faith and to want to please Him. It is my nature to respond to His love with obedience. It is easy and natural to hear His voice and talk with Him.

I love Him because He first loved me. I am tuning in to His heart of love and learning to be led by the Spirit, for that is the natural way for me to live now that I am His child.

I am imitating my Father as a dear child, and He loves this. The more I watch Him and let Him teach me His ways, the easier it gets for me to be like Him. I am growing to be more like Him day by day, for that is exactly what Father wants me to be.

I'm related to God! I'm a heavenly being! I am enjoying Father's company throughout the day, and He's enjoying mine. I give Him joy, and the joy of the Lord is my strength! I will be about my Father's business.

Hebrews 11:6; Romans 8:38-39; Ephesians 5:1; Romans 8:6, 14; Hosea 1:10; John 3: 5-8; Luke 17:21; Luke 1:35; Psalm 25:4; Nehemiah 8:10; Luke 2:49

"I Am Your Child" is a photo by Karen Gladys Henry © 2008. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Dwelling In The Secret Place

I dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High, living securely in Him, and I am actively remaining under the shadow of the Almighty. The LORD is my refuge and my fortress; His Name is my strong tower. He alone is My God, and I trust in Him. I do not trust in any man-made or self-made things to protect me, nor do I trust in any other gods to keep me safe.

Without a doubt, the Lord is constantly delivering me from any kind of deception or trap, from the enemies that seek to kill and devour me; He is keeping me safe from the perilous pestilence that lurks in the darkness. He always covers me with His feathers, and under His wings I take my refuge at all times; His truth is my shield of faith to quench all the lies of the evil one.

I will not be afraid of that which tries to terrorize me in the night, nor of the invisible flaming arrows that the accuser tries to hit me with, nor of any kind of destroying plague or pandemic illness that walks in darkness, nor of any kind of destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it shall not come near me or near my household. Only with my eyes shall I look, and see the reward of the wicked.

Because I have made the LORD, who is my refuge, the Most High, my dwelling place, no evil shall befall me, nor shall any plague come near my dwelling; for He has given His angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways. In their hands they shall hold me up and protect me, to keep me from even being injured by accident. I shall tread upon the lion and the cobra; the young lion and the serpent I shall trample underfoot, because He has placed all demonic beings under His feet.

Oh, Lord you say about me, "Because you have set your love upon Me, therefore I will deliver you; I will set you on high, because you know My name. You shall call upon Me, and I will answer you; I Am with you in trouble; I will deliver you and honor you. With long life I will satisfy you, and show you My salvation."

I receive what You have spoken over me Lord, and I thank You for your constant warnings, protection, deliverance, honor and favor. I will not just be glad of this protection for myself, but I will try to convince those around me to run into the Secret Place as well, for it is still Today, the day of salvation. I pray for all those who have hardened their hearts~ or because of ignorance, foolishness or deception have placed themselves outside of Your protection~ that they may run to You for safety.

Psalm 91; Proverbs 18:10; Ephesians 6:10-18; Psalm 18:9; Hebrews 3:6-19

"Midnight Garden" is a photo composite by Karen Gladys Henry © 2007. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved. See title link for stock photo credits (my photo of the Cummer Garden).

Today I Choose Life

Today I choose Life because He is my Life.
I choose unity instead of strife.
Today I choose to shine my light,
To make His word my greatest delight.
His Kingdom first I choose to seek:
Words of wisdom I will speak.
I pick up my cross, the weight of glory–
I choose to live the gospel story.

Today I choose to trust and not falter.
Because Jesus’ blood is on the altar,
I choose to dwell in Him, not the past.
I’m a new creation, I’m free at last!
Today I choose to stand and not waver,
Because I have His grace and favor.
I choose the Truth. I won’t listen to lies
No matter what the devil’s disguise;
I will not give in to distractions.
I will put my faith into actions.
Today I choose to stand and fight,
To let my weakness be filled with His might.
I’m a child of the Light, and child of the King–
In Him I will overcome in everything!

Today I choose to walk in the Spirit
To obey His voice because I can hear it.
I will speak to the mountain, cast it into the sea–
His blessings are breaking through to me.
I choose to rest in Him and not worry–
Into His presence I will hurry
With an attitude of worship: I will hear His heart.
His clarity and passion He will impart.

To do His will is my greatest pleasure–
The reverent fear of the Lord is my treasure.
In Him I have everything I need–
I choose His riches, not lack or greed..

Today I will put my love into song,
To praise Him and thank Him all day long.
I am filled with joy in His love for me.
Today I choose Life because He chose me!

"I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live" Deuteronomy 30: 19

"In Him was life, and the life was the light of men." John 1:4

"that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him" Ephesians 1:17

"in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him." Ephesians 3:12

"that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him." Colossians 1:10

"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us., being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God" Romans 8:37

"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." John 15:16

"Revelation #11" is a photo composite by Karen Gladys Henry © 2007. Art and blog entry (the poem "Today I Choose Life") by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved. See title link for stock photo credits.

The Right To Become

God has given me the right to become a child of God because I have received Him and believe in His name, in Jesus His Son! God is my Father! I am His child and He loves me! I humbly enter the Kingdom as a little child because He draws me to Himself with His love. I fully trust in my Father God and I am growing daily in an awareness of how much He loves me. I am growing up to be like Jesus, my big brother. I am so very thankful that He has allowed me to be part of His great family!

John 1:2; Matthew 18: 2-5;

"for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God." John 16:27

The artwork "Spring Dance #3" is a combination photo composite and digital painting by Karen Gladys Henry © 2008. Art and blog entry by Karen Gladys Henry © 2009. All Rights Reserved.