Today, I have to break up the message into two parts. It’s the first day of school for my children, so every year, on the first day of school, I share scriptures and prayers you can meditate on and pray for the school year.
Part 1: A message about our children and the school year:
Here are a few scriptures you can meditate on and discuss with your children. And I will then share two short declarations: one for students and one for parents. I will also provide you with a prayer at the end. Let’s get to it. Carefully and prayerfully read these scriptures. When the time is right, discuss them with your children.
(Col 3:20 ERV)
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
(Psalm 25:1-2 ERV)
Lord, I put my life in your hands. I trust in you, my God, and I will not be disappointed. My enemies will not laugh at me.
(Prov 22:6 MSG)
Point your kids in the right direction—when they’re old they won’t be lost.
(Prov 10:7 NKJV)
The memory of the righteous is blessed, But the name of the wicked will rot.
(John 14:26 ERV)
The Helper will teach you everything and cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name.
(Isa 30:21 ERV)
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”
(1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV)
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”
(Psalm 34:19 NIV)
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.
(Psalm 91:7-11 ERV)
A thousand people may fall dead at your side or ten thousand right beside you, but nothing bad will happen to you! All you will have to do is watch, and you will see that the wicked are punished. You trust in the Lord for protection. You have made God Most High your place of safety. So nothing bad will happen to you. No diseases will come near your home. He will command his angels to protect you wherever you go.
(1 Tim 4:12 ERV)
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.
(1 Thes 5:19-22 MSG)
Don’t suppress the Spirit, and don’t stifle those who have a word from the Master. On the other hand, don’t be gullible. Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.
(Deut 31:6 ERV)
Be strong and brave. Don’t be afraid of people because the Lord your God is with you. He will not fail you or leave you.
Declaration of Faith for Students to Declare as they go to School:
Father, my life is in Your hands. I trust in you, and I will not be disappointed. I know who I am and who I belong to. As Jesus is, so am I in this world. No one can influence me the wrong way. I refuse to allow myself to be corrupted by bad company. I surround myself with the right people, and I am influenced the right way. I also influence those around me to live their lives in a way that honors You, Father.
I enter this day and this school year knowing I am anointed, intelligent, loved, and protected from all harm. I respect my parents and teachers. I honor my elders and those in positions of authority. I am kind, nice, polite, courteous, respectful, and gracious. I have friends because I show myself friendly. I am the righteousness of God by faith.
You give me a supernatural memory. The Holy Spirit helps me remember everything I need to remember for class, and I have supernatural recall during quizzes, exams, and standardized tests. Every day I declare that my mind is alert, my body is awake, and I am ready to make the most of the day You set before me.
I excel academically, I am a Kingdom example socially, and I am healthy physically. I look in the mirror, and I am pleased with what I see. I love and like myself. I have strong mental health. I am confident, bold, and fearless. I am Your child, Father, and I act like it everywhere I go. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Declaration of Faith for Parents to Declare as their Children go to School:
Father, I place my children in Your hands. As they go to school, I trust in You, and I will not be disappointed. You give, and I give, angels charge over them to keep them in all their ways! No evil shall come upon them. In their pathway is life and no destruction.
My children resist negative influences, they are shielded from all harm, they are resistant to physical illness, and they are divinely capable of excelling at everything they put their hands to do.
I love them, and You love them. More importantly, my children know they are loved. They love and like themselves. They believe what You believe about them. They are bold, confident, and fearless. They are respectful and kind. They are courteous and polite.
My children are sharp and focused. They understand, comprehend, process, and digest everything that relates to their education. They excel academically, socially, and spiritually! This year is their best year because You are with them everywhere they go! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Prayer for children for the school year:
Father, we pray for children all over the world as they go to school this year. We stifle the hands and mouths of bullies. We come up against danger, violence, fighting, attacks, and school shootings. We command angels to shield and protect our children, their teachers, and their school grounds this year.
May Your love fill every facility. May teachers have the patience required to adequately teach their students. May the students be respectful, well-mannered, and focused on their education. May the children excel academically and socially. May this year be the best year of their lives.
As parents, may we also develop patience with our children. May we all be involved in our children’s education and their lives. May our children grow up to be the men/women You have called them to be for such a time as this! May our children know that You are ON them, IN them, WITH them, and FOR them! We pray this by faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
If you want to downloadable PDF version of these prayers, here is the link: https://bit.ly/studentandparentprayer
Please help me share the link!
Part 2: Today’s Word
Today, we continue our series entitled “Laser Focus,” emphasizing living with a Laser Focus on the Fixed Purpose God established for us before the world began.
(Proverbs 4:25 TPT)
Set your gaze on the path before you. With fixed purpose, looking straight ahead, ignore life’s distractions.
Scriptures for today:
(James 1:2-4 TPT)
2 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can!
3 For you know that when your faith is tested, it stirs up power within you to endure all things.
4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking.
(Ecc 3:1 ERV)
There is a right time for everything, and everything on earth will happen at the right time
Setting the Stage. (Based on 1 Samuel 17:48-51)
I will do something different today. I have been teaching you about David. Eight days ago, I preached a message entitled “The Trifecta of Divine Empowerment: Grace, Favor, and THE BLESSING,” (here is the link: https://youtu.be/4zAZsaoGbfI?si=elVDud1Y7q6ed2-K) where we explored these powerful concepts. Today, we’ll build on that foundation, applying these truths specifically to David’s encounter with Goliath, and we’ll also focus on a fourth element I mentioned in the message: Faith.
As we explore these four components – the first three being God’s part and the last being ours – we’ll see how they worked together to bring about one of the most famous victories in Biblical history. More importantly, we’ll learn how these same elements are at work in our lives today, empowering us to face our own giants and win battles for God’s glory.
So, what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Grace: God’s Unearned Gift.
God’s grace was evident in David’s life long before he faced Goliath. In fact, it was present before David was even born.
a) God chose David by His grace, not because of anything David had done or would do.
b) God’s plan for David was established before the foundation of the world, showcasing the preemptive nature of grace.
c) Even knowing the mistakes David would make (adultery with Bathsheba, murder of Uriah), God still chose him by grace.
d) David’s anointing as future king was purely an act of God’s grace – the youngest son, a shepherd boy, chosen over his older brothers and everyone else in Israel.
How this applies to you:
— Recognize that God’s plans for your life are rooted in His grace, not your performance.
— Understand that God’s grace covers both your past and future mistakes.
— Embrace the truth that you are chosen by God’s grace, regardless of your background or qualifications.
— Allow God’s grace to embolden you to step into the calling He has for your life.
— Rest in the assurance that God’s grace is sufficient for every aspect of your life and calling.
— Enter into every day ready to live #TheGraceLife!
2. Favor: God’s Supernatural Advantage.
God’s favor was clearly at work in David’s life, opening doors that would have otherwise remained shut.
a) Favor caused Samuel to notice David and anoint him as the future king, even when his own family overlooked him.
b) It was God’s favor that brought David to Saul’s attention as a skilled harp player, granting him access to the royal court.
c) Favor allowed David, a young shepherd, to even be considered as Israel’s champion against Goliath.
d) God’s favor gave David the platform to showcase his faith and skills on a national stage.
How this applies to you:
— Look for instances of God’s favor in your life, opening doors that seem beyond your reach.
— Trust that God’s favor can override human limitations and expectations.
— Favor can cause those in positions of authority to do things for you that are uncommon and the exception.
— Expect God’s favor to position you for opportunities that align with His purpose for your life.
— Cultivate gratitude for God’s favor, acknowledging His hand in your opportunities and successes.
3. THE BLESSING: God’s Empowerment to Prosper!
THE BLESSING was evident in David’s life, enabling him to succeed supernaturally in various situations.
a) It empowered David to kill a lion and a bear with his bare hands while tending his sheep.
b) THE BLESSING enabled David to play the harp skillfully, bringing peace to King Saul.
c) It gave David the supernatural ability to use a simple sling and stone to defeat a heavily armored giant.
d) THE BLESSING on David’s life caused him to succeed in whatever he put his hand to, from shepherding to warfare.
How this applies to you:
— While favor gives you the opportunity, THE BLESSING is what empowers you to prosper once you have it.
— Recognize that THE BLESSING empowers you to succeed beyond your natural abilities.
— Expect supernatural results when you step out in faith to do what God has called you to do.
— Understand that THE BLESSING operates in all areas of your life, not just spiritual matters.
— Trust in THE BLESSING to equip you for tasks that seem beyond your capabilities.
— Allow THE BLESSING to flow through you to impact others and advance God’s Kingdom.
4. Faith: Our Part in Accessing God’s Power.
While Grace, Favor, and THE BLESSING were God’s part, faith was David’s part – and it’s our part too.
a) David had to believe in God’s anointing on his life, even when others couldn’t see it.
b) It took faith for David to step forward and face Goliath when seasoned warriors were trembling in fear.
c) David’s declaration of faith before Goliath showed his complete trust in God’s power and promises.
d) Without faith, David would not have been able to access the grace, favor, and blessing God had prepared for him.
How this applies to you:
— Understand that faith is your responsibility in partnering with God’s grace, favor, and blessing.
— Cultivate a strong faith through studying God’s Word and spending time in His presence.
— Step out in faith when God calls you, even if the task seems impossible.
— Declare your faith openly, testifying to what you believe God will do before you see it.
— Remember that faith is the key that unlocks the power of God’s grace, favor, and blessing in your life.
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I thank You for Your unmerited grace that chose me before the foundation of the world.
I embrace the favor You’ve placed on my life, opening doors no man can shut and positioning me for Your divine purposes.
I walk in THE BLESSING, Your supernatural empowerment that causes me to excel beyond my natural abilities.
I activate my faith, believing and acting on the grace, favor, and blessing You’ve already provided.
Your grace is sufficient for me, covering my past, present, and future.
I expect to see Your favor manifesting in every area of my life, bringing me before great men and granting me divine opportunities.
THE BLESSING empowers me to prosper and succeed in all You’ve called me to do.
My faith is what emboldens me to tap into everything You have provided!
I step out boldly to face my giants, knowing You’ve already equipped me for victory.
Living this way, I know GREATER IS COMING FOR ME!
I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. AMEN!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
