I AM STATEMENT

So I finally did it! I have always wanted to get a tattoo. The years I served in the Navy, I never did get one. I decided early in the year that for my 50th birthday I was going to get one. The big question was, “what will it be?”

The beginning of the year, 2020, a sister, in Christ, gave me a prophetic word. She saw me as a Oak tree and also saw steel reinforcement coming through the tree.

Because of this, they will be known as Mighty Oaks  of Righteousness, planted by Yahweh as a living display of his glory.

Isaiah 61:3b

I want to take a little time to explain further. God has put each human being on this earth for a purpose. Some actually grow to a place of stepping into their purpose for existing. When Moses asked God for his name God said, “I AM THAT I AM.” God’s purpose and who He is can be learned from His name. Jesus, God’s son, used this as well when He said, “I am the Way the Truth and the Life…” If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, then you are a son or daughter. We are joint heirs with Christ.

The Bible also tells us that our words are powerful. I will not go too deep here, as you are welcome to do your own homework. The book of James tells us the importance and significance of our words. We are also told to “be transformed by the renewing of our mind.” How do we do this? A GREAT source is to use God’s word. We can use God’s word in the form of a declaration concerning ourselves. All too often we make declarations in a negative light such as, “I am ugly.” How about we consider being transformed by speaking God’s truth over our life and circumstances. You are probably wondering what all this has to to with a tattoo.

Jesus said, “I Am…” As sons and daughters we too can create “I am…” statements. “I am the light of the world.” “I am the righteousness of God.” “I am a child of God.” “I am an overcomer.”

The Hebrew word for Jubiliee(Yovel) is a special year that occurs each 50th year. Yovel means rams horn or Shofar. It also in two places in scripture refers to the actual long sustained sound of the Shofar. Those two places are located in Joshua 6:5 and Exodus 19:10-13

When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets

Joshua 6:5a

This has great meaning for me. I love the nation that God saw fit to have me be birthed in. My family has been here since the 1600s. This land is truly my land. The Founding Fathers of this land had inscribed on a bell that is known as “Liberty Bell”, the scripture where God was setting the law concerning a Jubilee.

Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you; each of you is to return to your family property and to your own clan.

Leviticus 25:10

This tattoo represents an, “I am…” statement for me. I asked my niece to create the artwork. She did such a great job!

I am a mighty oak of righteousness to display God’s glory.

Answer to our prayer

Recently we found ourselves considering the idea of looking for another car that I could use for work. My truck was needing a repair that was a costly one. So it kind of made sense to put that money we would need for the repair into something different. There was a car that we began looking at and considering. We also were praying and asking God for wisdom concerning this car. My oldest son was needing a car as well.

Let me back up a minute. My wife was involved in a car accident. We are so thankful that it was not a serious accident. But non the less the insurance adjuster totaled her car. There is nothing wrong with that vehicle except the bumper is pushed in. So we are due some money from the insurance company related to this accident.

The same day that I was having our mechanic look at the car we were thinking about buying, my mom called me. She asked if we needed a car. I said, “Mom it is interesting your timing in asking this question, as we have literally been praying about purchasing a car.” In the conversation with Mom, we learned that she was willing to give us one of her cars that she was no longer needing. Her car was quite a bit newer than the one we were looking at buying. We decided that Mom’s offer was the answer to our prayer!

In a two week period of time immediately following the accident my wife was involved in, God made available another car for free, funds to cover repairs on my truck which enabled us to pass it on to our son! God is good!

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28