July 7, 2019
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Heb. 11.6 (NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
1Tim. 6.12 (NKJV) Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Each of us in this room are on a journey of growing in Faith and trust with our Heavenly Father. I mentioned before, but this journey we are on is not one of destination but one of development or transformation.
He is growing us individually and collectively into His people who are called by His name who represent Him wherever we go.
It is a journey of discovery & intimacy. Of Who He is for us and who we are to Him.
in this room, there are
only winners.
ONLY those who are victors.
only overcomers here today.
I am not saying that to blow smoke at you.
No one here is at a disadvantage in God’s kingdom. Therefore no one is at a disadvantage in this life. To think otherwise is contrary to kingdom thinking.
You have access to all of God’s favor!!! His bias and advantage toward you!
Each and everyone of you have a purpose that comes with a grace (God’s empowering presence) to do what God has called you to do.
Gal. 3.11 (NKJV) But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”
When we are walking by faith it produces something… Not things, but something intangible… STOP believing for things. Faith produces something way more important… Believe what is already yours.
Think about it…
Faith when active produces…
A true Joy that is not dictated by our circumstances
a Peace that is not moved by the winds and the waves of life.
Causes you to overcome and conquer fear, anxiety & worry once and forever.
My faith is a grounded/anchored by God Love for me. It always translates into REST of my soul.
Free from the weight of worry,
overwhelming stress and
breaking pressure.
Today I am going to dive into a particular side of life that is vital to your growth in Christ and walking in the very things that are already yours.
Let me repeat, Already yours! And today you will be one step closer to living a life that is not governed by circumstances but governed from within.
Imagine life for a moment through the eyes of Jesus. A man who didn’t worry,
who didn’t freak out when negativity hit his life and
one who was not moved by the accusations and hurts of others.
1John 4.17b (NKJV) …because as He is, so are we in this world.
1John 4.4 (NKJV) You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
So what is faith?
Faith is responding. Not initiating. God is always the initiator. Always! It’s a new perspective.
Faith is responding to what God has said to us and to what Jesus did for us.
WWJD vs WDJD…
Faith… is a perspective you live from – living from Heaven’s view of why we’re here and where we are going.
When you walk by faith you don’t know how to look any where else.
Faith is…
embracing Him the author and perfector of our faith,
holding on to & standing firm in our Father’s perspective.
Resting in the stunning realization of how God really sees us – such that what I have “seen” changes the way that I live.
Its a response that arises out of our relationship with God, when God’s heart and His will for a situation is known;
Faith is Knowing that…
God is always good.
God always has our best in mind.
God is always setting us up to succeed.
And responding accordingly.
Faith is the readiness, the preparedness of my heart to receive what Christ has already accomplished, already paid for; a knowing in your heart.
We’re not trying to have faith. Faith is the result of knowing Him. The more I know Him and understand His compassion and His heart and His motive in sending the Son, faith is an automatic thing. It works through love.
Faith doesn’t come because I have a pressing need. That’s called fear and desperation. Faith comes because I have been with Him.
The Christian life was never promised as an easy journey… We are going against the current of life…
1Tim. 6:12 (NKJV) Fight The Good Fight Of Faith, Lay Hold On Eternal Life, To Which You Were Also Called And Have Confessed The Good Confession In The Presence Of Many Witnesses.
Faith Doesn’t Eliminate The Fight…
Agon… Agony And Agonize Which Means To Experience Pain… Also Means To Strain, To Toil, To Suffer Extreme Pain Of Body…
Paul Is Telling Timothy He Must Keep Agonizing Like An Athlete Or Soldier, Straining And Giving His All To Win The Prize Or Win The Battle
Good Fight… There Are Some Struggles Not Worth Engaging In, But Here Paul Says This Was A Worthwhile, Noble Fight…
David Vs. Goliath = Good Fight…
Eph. 6.11 (NKJV) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph. 6.12 (NKJV) 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. 6.13 (NKJV) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph. 6.14 (NKJV) ¶ Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
Eph. 6:16 (NKJV) Above All, Taking The Shield Of Faith With Which You Will Be Able To Quench All The Fiery Darts Of The Wicked One.
Faith Doesn’t Stop The Darts… Just Protects You From Their Damaging Effects…
This Fight Of Faith Is Not A Power Struggle… It Is A Truth Struggle…
• The Dart Of Accusation…
• The dart of condemnation…
• The dart of shame…
• The Dart Of Temptation…
• The Dart Of Offense…
• The Dart Of Doubt/Fear/Worry
• The Dart Of Identity
2Tim. 4:7 (NKJV) I Have Fought The Good Fight, I Have Finished The Race, I Have Kept “The Faith”.
Fought… Means To Exert Oneself, To Fight, To Labor Fervently, To Strive (Devote Serious Effort Or Energy = Implies Great Exertion Against Great Difficulty And Suggests Persistent Effort), To Struggle, To Contend With An Adversary – All Of These Actions Picturing An Intense Struggle For Victory.