Day 1: Daily Declarations of Success
Principle 1: Faith in God’s Word
Declare the Word
“My faith is growing because I hear the Word of God. My ears are open, my heart is receptive, and the living Word of Christ is shaping my thoughts, my words, and my actions. I will not be moved by what I see or feel—I live by faith that comes through hearing and hearing the Word of God.”
Believe the Word
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17
Apply the Word
Faith is not something you work up by sheer willpower—it grows as you continually expose yourself to the Word of God. Paul emphasizes two dimensions of hearing in this verse. The first “hearing” refers to the act of listening, receiving, and paying attention. This means keeping your spiritual ears open and attentive to what God is saying. You must intentionally posture yourself to hear—removing distractions, silencing competing voices, and leaning in with a heart ready to receive. The second “hearing” refers to the actual message itself—the content of what is heard. It is not enough to have open ears if what is coming in is empty or negative. The substance of your hearing must be the Word of God, the life-giving report of Christ.
But here’s the key: hearing the Word is never meant to be mechanical. The Holy Spirit is the One who makes the Word alive to you. Without Him, hearing is just sound; with Him, hearing becomes revelation. This is why it’s so important to cultivate a listening relationship with the Holy Spirit. He takes the written Word (logos) and breathes it into a spoken, living Word (rhema) that pierces your heart, guides your steps, and builds unshakable faith. As Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13 NKJV).
To apply this daily, create space in your schedule for both aspects of hearing. Begin your day by opening your ear through prayer: “Holy Spirit, I quiet myself before You; speak, for I am listening.” Then, fill that open ear with the Word itself—read Scripture, listen to the Bible, or declare promises aloud. But don’t rush away after reading; give the Spirit time to highlight words, stir insights, and apply truth to your situation. Faith doesn’t grow from information alone—it grows when the Spirit personalizes God’s Word in your heart. Over time, this listening relationship becomes the foundation of your walk with God, enabling you to live by faith, not by sight.
