Overcoming Faith

1John 5: 4,5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

Sometimes life's obstacles can seem insurmountable. Trouble seems to be all around us, with no end in sight. It's easy to get discouraged. The world is on a rapid, downhill slide. However, God never intended for His people to go down with it. Like Peter, we make our mistake when we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on the storm and the raging sea around us. We begin to sink when we get in fear.

Fear can be described as False Evidence Appearing Real. There is no such thing as "healthy fear." Fear tolerated is faith contaminated. Fear will draw you toward the thing you do not want just as faith will draw you toward the victory.

If you want to turn your situation, get back in faith. If you call yourself a child of God, you have no business wallowing in recession, depression, sickness, lack and defeat. God intends to be your source, not the world's system. Start trusting him, and stop looking to the world for provision. You are assured of the victory!

What Are You Magnifying?

2 Cor. 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

It is easy to look at the circumstances around us today and get discouraged. We are bombarded daily with negative images from the news media, popular culture and the people around us. If you're not careful, you will begin to magnify the problems around you more than you magnify God. Of course, God is omnipotent. However, your perception of Him will determine the degree of His power in your life.

The Israelites were a case study in how the wrong attitude will affect your outcome in life. They saw God's miraculous intervention repeatedly. Yet when facing affliction, they forgot the God of Israel. They created a culture of complaint. Sound familiar? God called their words evil. Only two out of the company of people had a positive report... Joshua and Caleb. They chose to magnify God instead of the circumstances. The complainers died in the desert, never having received the promise. Only their offspring, along with Joshua and Caleb, entered the promised land.

Paul is a perfect example of a person not influenced by circumstances. Through hunger, beatings, imprisonment and persecution Paul maintained his winning attitude. It must have been a slap to the face of the enemy when he referred to his sufferings as "light afflictions!" Paul understood that every obstacle we face is only temporary. The reward is always forthcoming. Don't get so tunnel-visioned on circumstances that you forget the big picture. You are a winner, a citizen of an eternal kingdom that is not influenced by this world. You have a part to play in eternity. This is a drop in the bucket compared to the vastness of infinity.

I challenge you, get your eyes off your troubles and get them on Jesus. He is our example. He is the light at the end of the tunnel. Stop complaining. Create an atmosphere conducive to God's blessing by speaking right words- words of victory and not defeat. You are the prophet of your own life. See your future. Speak your future. Act like you've already won. This is the lifestyle of an overcomer.

The Heart of a Champion

Phil 3:13-14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Obstacles. Setbacks. We all face them. The common thread through humanity is that everyone has been disappointed and hurt at some point in life. You can dwell on the past and get stuck there. However, it doesn't have to be that way.

The world is full of winners and losers. What sets them apart is not failure. Everybody fails. The difference is that winners don't stay down when they fall. A champion's heart burns inside him, driving him toward the goal. Though sometimes tired and beat-up, a champion never quits.

What are you holding on to that is holding you back? Let it go. That was yesterday. God has a bright future in store for you- a divine destiny! It's bigger than you thought possible. So get up. Fight to the finish. Never say die. One day you'll find yourself on the winner's podium. You'll get to hear Him say..."Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Healing Follows Forgiveness

Matt. 9:2. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you."

3. And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, "This man blasphemes!"

4. But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil in your hearts?"

5. "For which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Arise and walk'?

6. "But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins"- then He said to the paralytic, "Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house."

7. And he arose and departed to his house.

Are you struggling with pain and sickness in your body? Do you pray and confess healing scriptures over yourself...to no avail? It may be that you are harboring unforgiveness.

God placed his healing power within you when you were born again. That vast resource of His power lies untapped in most believers- through unbelief, unforgiveness, or both.

Unforgiveness is like a dam in a river and a clog in the plumbing. Until it is removed, the power will not flow. Forgive that person. Release those individuals you've been holding a grudge against. If necessary, forgive yourself. In essence, Jesus was telling the paralytic to "Cheer up, your sins are forgiven. Now forgive yourself!"

Pray this aloud..."Father, I forgive__________. I release them from their indebtedness to me. I forgive myself for the mistakes I've made. I receive your healing flow inside me. It's quickening my body now. It is making everything right. I give you the thanks, the honor, and the glory- in Jesus' Name, amen!"

Now rise up and go your way...healed and delivered!