I'll Keep My Dreams!预览

I'LL

"I'll" is a phrase denoting a decision. Everything starts with a decision. In Genesis, the Bible chronicles God's decision to create humankind in His image. God is spirit. So, He created us to be spirit beings possessing creative speaking power like His. On completion of creation, God declared all He created good.

Further expressing His commitment to humankind, God declared:

- I have loved you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3)

- I knew you before I formed you in your mother's womb (Jeremiah 1:5)

- I have cared for you since you were born. Yes, I carried you before you were born. I will be your God throughout your lifetime...I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. (Isaiah 46:3-4)

As wonderful as these declarations are, these weren't the first words God spoke to Adam and Eve. His first words are of blessing, defining Adam's and Eve's purpose and declaring their dominion on earth. 

He empowered and expected them to reign. And they did -- until relinquishing their authority to the enemy. Subsequently, Jesus came to earth to reclaim what had been lost. With His resurrection, Jesus defeated and made an open show of the enemy; reclaimed the lost authority; and transferred it to Believers. 

Despite the enemy's defeat, Jesus knew the enemy would continuously target Believers for persecution. Jesus forewarned we would have tribulations in this world, but He had overcome them all (John 16:33).

Our mandate from God to reign remains. He's equipped us to be overcomers. I'm inspired by Paul's example. Despite being stoned, shipwrecked, etc., Paul's confession was, " I press on..". His decision was ironclad. He knew great struggle and even greater triumph. We can read the Bible and observe Paul's example. 

We can also mirror Paul's ironclad determination, and say, "I'll!"