New Morning Statements

Welcome to another Thursday UNFILTERED blog post, the only blog that thinks if Jonah had owned a Fitbit, three days in the big fish would have counted as “deep sea steps.”

I appreciate all the words of encouragement from last Sunday’s Deep Cuts article: “Why the Bible IS the Word of God,” especially from young leaders.

The words of Jesus are “spirit and life” (John 6:63). It is beyond dispute that the Bible calls Jesus the Word of God. It’s also beyond dispute that Jesus called Scripture the word of God.

Jesus repeatedly treated the Old Testament Scriptures as God’s own authoritative, unbreakable speech (Mark 7:9-13; John 10:34-35, et al.).

The Scriptures (the written word) reveal and point to Christ (the living Word).

On that score, it’s been my privilege to work with so many next-generation leaders who are being trained on how to wield the Scriptures to reveal the stunning glories and staggering wonders of our Lord—the word of God unveiling God’s Word.

Over on the Christ is All podcast, we’re in the midst of a new series called “A Frank Talk About Ministry.” The series is made up of never-before-released talks I delivered to next-generation leaders. We are up to part 6 with more to come.

Since every Christian is called to ministry in some capacity, the talks are for all believers—including you. (There’s no clergy-laity divide in the New Testament. Although we all have different functions and ministries, every genuine Christian is gifted, has ministry, and serves as a member of the priesthood of believers—human tradition notwithstanding.)

Now for today’s featured article. Back in February 2019, I wrote the following post on my website.

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As I’ve pointed out elsewhere, kingdom citizens don’t think, react, or live like the world. However, it’s essential that we are continually reminded about who we are and the kingdom to which we belong.

This year, I created 6 spiritual affirmations that I currently read every morning.

These affirmations ground and center me as a kingdom citizen at the start of each day. I even printed out several copies to place in different parts of my home, just to “refresh” my mind in the afternoons and evenings.

They are:

1) Let go of how life ought to be and find joy somewhere in whatever your life currently is.

2) Ruthlessly eliminate all expectations of how your day should be.

3) Receive everything that happens today as passing through God’s sovereign hands before it gets to you.

4) All things that take place today — including the irritations and disappointments — will work together for your good. Romans 8:28 is still in the Bible.

5) You can’t control what others do, but you can control what you do and how you react.

6) Shift the responsibility on God to change the things you cannot. It’s His worry, not yours. 1 Peter 5:7 is still in the Bible.

Feel free to use these yourself. Or adjust as you see fit.

The Bible talks an awful lot about “renewing” our minds. Affirmations like these are part of that renewal process.

And no matter how seasoned a person is in the kingdom, we’re never beyond being reminded of who we are and where our allegiance lies.

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Fast forward to February 2026, seven years later.

During that month, I created a new set of morning affirmations. I call them “Morning Statements.”

Why did I replace the previous ones?

Simple. Every spiritual practice eventually becomes tired and dry. Each one, given enough time, loses its edge. The only thing that stays fresh is Christ Himself. Therefore, I regularly switch up my spiritual rhythms and routines.

(By the way, I had no idea that it was exactly seven years to the month since I created the first affirmations until I recently checked the date of that previous post. Our steps are ordered—Psalm 37:23.)

Here are my new morning statements. They are designed to renew the mind with truth and rewire the brain:

*Today is going to be a great day for God’s glory

*Nothing can stop me from doing the tasks God has assigned me to carry out today

*God’s blessing is on my life

*The Lord uses me

*I am focused on my work and refuse to be distracted

*I meet adversity with strength and not panic because God is for me and with me

*All things work together for my gain and His glory

*No weapon formed against me shall prosper

*The Lord is faithful who will guard me from the evil one

*I meet noise with stillness and pressure with purpose

*I am a chosen vessel that God has elected for this hour

Feel free to use if you like and adjust as you see fit. Or create your own from scratch.

Until next time.

Yours in His unfailing grace,

fv