Words that I really began to focus in on around my time in undergrad at Claflin University. I always grew up knowing and appreciating church and being connected with God while fellowshipping with like brothers and sisters in a building designed for such. Once I left home in Hartsville headed to Orangeburg for college, I was very intentional about what I'd read in our church covenant. I still joke with my best friend, Meek, to this day about how I had these words memorized from the back of that old, speckled, burgundy hymnal at JBC: "We moreover engage that when we remove from this place, we will, as soon as possible, unite with some other church, where we can carry out the spirit of this covenant and the principles of God's Word."
... So once I was out of my home church, I was eager to be connected. Eager to be intentional. I eventually found myself across the tracks in "The Burg" at New Mt. Zion Baptist Church. And there, it felt just like being back at home. But there was an added element that was new to me. There was the declaring and decreeing. The trusting God. The bold faith. The speaking out of your mouth what you were yet to see with your eyes. The forward speaking. Declaring and decreeing. Decreeing and declaring. Again and again and again.
I am so glad to know that I serve a God who delivers on the words He speaks and the promises He entrusts to our hearts. We are not uttering lies when we speak forward. We are simply declaring and decreeing. When we speak in faith, wholeheartedly believing God for what we know He can and will do, it's a pre-testimonial opportunity to speak life and grow in our faith. It's our outward manifestation until it's made visible... Declare and decree, and trust God for all that He has the power and authority to do.
And wait for Him to do just what you were bold enough to speak.
Powerful Word Of Affirmation!