Everyone has trials in this life; nobody is exempt from them, not the richest of people or the healthiest of them, all suffer at some point. We face battles in relationships, finances, health, and every other area where there is life but, we have some keys to our battles as believers in Christ Jesus that the rest of the world does not have. I want to encourage you today with the word of God on how to obtain the victory promised you as a child of God.
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. – Jn 10:10 AMP The sooner we get this verse in our understanding, the better off we will be. Satan is a thief, and he will come and steal, kill, or destroy anything good and godly. Jesus offers us a life of overflow in peace, joy, and righteousness – the kingdom of God. Unfortunately, most people are not living in the overflow but are living in the leftovers. We, as children of God (those who are saved through Jesus Christ), are called to be the head and not the tail.
Keeping the commands of God is not that difficult once you decided to allow your heart to be changed by the Holy Spirit, and your mind transformed by the word of God. Jesus said, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." - Mat 6:33 NKJV This statement might well be our life verse. When we seek God's kingdom desires first, not ours and not the devils, and what He considers righteous, we will be provided everything we need. In context, Jesus was talking about being different from those who do not know God and worry about all kinds of things. He assures us that the Father knows what we need even before we do, and He will provide for those needs.
Ask almost anyone if they worry, and they will say yes; ask them what they worry about, and most of them will tell you they worry about provisions of various sorts. Jesus said to pray 9 "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed by Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. -Mat 6:9-11
When we set our face to the Father and make Him the holy center of our life, He will always provide. One of the ways God can provide for us is through the natural, in which He gives us knowledge and wisdom about an area of life where we can work and earn a wage. But, He also can provide supernaturally such as food items not running out or people giving you what you need right when you need it. One of the reasons we do not receive from God in supernatural ways is because we are looking towards the natural for our provision. The natural mind cannot understand the spiritual because they are spiritually discerned (1Co 2:14).
The Lord desires that we are open to His kingdom and His view of this world. God is opening the eyes of His people and enlightening their understanding of all things that pertain to His kingdom and its advancement. He has sent out the angels of shofars. These angels will cause an alert to go off in the spirits of those who are listening for His instruction during this season of warfare.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places]. - Eph 6:12
We have many enemies in the heavenly places who desire nothing more than to kill, steal, and destroy a child of God's life. But, God will release strategies to those who have allowed His Spirit to open their eyes. God is a giver of all things, especially of wisdom and knowledge that pertain to His will. For some, God may give one word, and that word will shoot forth like an arrow and find its target. To others, He may fill a quiver of arrows that can take out a bigger foe. The battle may be quick and short or long and drawn out. The Lord is asking, "who will enter the battle and release My arrows as I reveal?" We should all be quick to answer, "send me," when God says, "Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me." - Isa 6:8
We are not called to run from battle but are always encouraged to go to battle with courage and faith. James talks about faith and deeds and how if you have faith without deeds, you're your faith is actually dead. If we know that we should do something good even in the face of fear, lack, or another kind of battle, but we do not do it, we deny God and our faith. Our faith is to be active at all times, always awake, and waiting for the Holy Spirit's direction. Jesus said we are to bless those who curse us and pray for those who are not so nice to you and use you. These are deeds of faith. Loving the unlovable is an act of kindness done by faith.
Here are some keys to action, after first seeking God's kingdom and His righteousness.
Know who you are and your purpose -- But you [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; - 1Pe 2:9
Know your strengths are a dot in comparison to the power of God -- And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. - 2Co 12:9
Know how to resist with the strength of the Lord, locking your will to His -- I speak in human [terms] because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members [as] slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness [leading] to [more] lawlessness, so now present your members [as] slaves [of] righteousness for holiness. - Rom 6:19
Jesus said, "I am the vine, you [are] the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. - Jhn 15:5 We must recognize that as children of God, we have to abide on the vine of Christ. Without being in Him and He in us, we can do nothing. Jesus did nothing without the Father speaking or showing Him to do something, and we should live the same way. Remember that as we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
If we diligently seek God, we are assured in His word that He will reward us because faith pleases Him. We can walk in faith by not leaning on our understanding but in all our ways, acknowledge God. Know that His ways are not yours and that when things look too foolish to be of any use, those are the very things God will use to confound the wise.
Let's pray,
Heavenly Father, thank You for the measure of faith I have been given to believe and for the gift of faith that Your Spirit gives me in times of need. I desire to live according to Your word and to show the world my faith as I live it out in front of others. I confess my selfishness in the area of doing good to others who hurt me. Help me to live according to my faith in Jesus Christ and the new identity I have in Him. In Jesus name, Amen
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