Monday
Having An Overcoming Testimony
Read Revelation 12:10-11, Hebrews 11, James 5:10-11
When we read Hebrews 11 or anywhere in the Word of God where we are reminded of what others have gone through and how they exercised their faith, we should be very encouraged and emboldened to live for God. We are told to consider the sufferings of Job and the prophets in James 5:10-11. The Word of God feeds our soul and strengthens us. Our history is our testimony of those who stood for God’s Word and “loved not their lives unto the death.” I believe our history is sadly underestimated. We are saved by the precious blood of Jesus Christ and His Word guides and uphold us.
A believer knows he is saved, sins forgiven, through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. Period. No sin, no iniquity, no depravity, no transgression is greater than that shed blood of Jesus Christ. Having an overcoming testimony is the call of faith set to work. It is the call every genuine Christian aspires to and strives for. Yet, many times, Christians, in their weakness, yield to the world, the flesh and satan the devil. How can Christians who have lost their spiritual state of conversion and first love, regain their morality? How can gossips put a bridle on their tongues and find a pure language? How can backslidden thieves and liars and adulterers regain the purity of life ordered by Holy Scripture? It all begins with the words we speak.
Yes, it is by "the word of their testimony." the testimony of our heritage helps us overcome satan and his lies. Every time we share our testimony we are reminding ourselves of the work God has done in our lives.
Tuesday
The Secret Of Overcoming
Read 1Peter5:8-9, Ephesians 6:13-18
These days that we are living in are both great and horrible at the same time. Never in history have we had such a great explosion of wisdom and understanding. On the other hand, never in history have we had the enemy of hell trying his hardest to persuade God's people with his temptations and diverse tricks to keep our eyes off the Lord. We know that the devil is always hard at work and constantly trying to lure us away from a closer and more intimate relationship with the Lord.
To be an overcomer we have to keep our focus on God and His Word, when we study His Word we can we can experience God, not just obtain information. We must apply what we have learned through the study of his word and the experiences that we have with Him to our lives. We cannot just do whatever we want when difficult decisions or circumstances arise in our lives, we must remain strong in faith and seek His guidance and ask Jesus what he would have us do. As long as we keep our focus on God, satan cannot get to us. Remember when Peter walked on water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus he walked, the moment his focus changed he begin to sink. The secret Is keeping your eyes on Jesus.
Wednesday
The Truth Of Heaven
Read Ephesians 2:4-7; Revelation 4&5
What images come to mind when you think of Heaven? Do you think of a mode of life that is exciting and fulfilling? Or do the words of the epitaph of one dear soul come nearer to hitting the mark? Does Heaven awaken for you a sense of anticipation, or does it evoke visions of monotonous and boring inactivity? What is Heaven really like? Is Heaven even something we should spend much time thinking about? Or should we relegate thoughts of Heaven to the dusty corners of our mind, lest we render ourselves of little earthly good?
We know first of all that Heaven is the spiritual realm in which the glory of God's presence is manifest, and in which dwell the angels of God, and all believers who have departed this world. The few glimpses of Heaven given in Scripture reveal a pervading sense of the holiness of God. We are also informed that it is a place which human words are inadequate to fully describe. Many times people want to tell us that heaven is a place we will obtain when we die, but the fact of the matter is salvation, power, the Kingdom of God, and the authority of Christ are a present reality. Salvation is now, faith is now, God is the “I Am” not the I was. Our problem is we are so busy looking back at our past or looking for what will happen , but the fact is God is now. Heaven is here now.
Thursday
Overcoming The Enemy
Read Genesis 4:6-7; John 1:29; 19:30; Romans 10:10
The Bible says that satan is the accuser of the brethren. The word accuser is defined in the dictionary like this, "To make a charge of wrongdoing against another." The devil is constantly trying to put a wedge between us and God the Father, but verse 11 says, they overcame him (The devil) by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. We have power because of the blood that Jesus shed on the cross, and the testimony that we have as believers is another strength against the enemy of what God has brought us through.
Even though the enemy may stand before God and accuse us of our past sins; we have an advocate with God the Father and our advocate is Jesus Christ. He bore our sins, sicknesses and infirmities and through His death, burial and resurrection, we have a hope that is everlasting and no devil in hell can ever steal that from those who have made Jesus the Lord of their life.
Remember that there is power in the name of Jesus and the blood that He shed for All mankind. Just as the death spirit skipped over every house that was covered by the blood of a lamb in the Old Testament story of Moses, so it is with those who have been cleansed and
redeemed by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. The next time the enemy comes to you accusing you of your sins, you need to open your mouth and say "The blood of Jesus has cleansed me from all unrighteousness and in Jesus name I rebuke you satan and bind every evil influence that you try to bring into my life." Testify what God has done for you!
Friday
Giving Your Life For Him
Read Matthew 16:24-25; 22:37-40
His ministry was public, in your face and bold, he calls his disciples to follow this example. No wonder Peter was taken back at the idea of Jesus being crucified! The cross was public and humiliating, not the place for a king or a ruler, a place for a criminal, a thief - or the son of God, doing what was needed to set us free. Disciples are called to follow, not a one off prayer but a life of following, taking up the cross and relying on Christ - live dangerously, walk on the edge where Jesus calls you to be. Jesus was visible, vulnerable and effective - he calls us to be the same. Now something even more radical in our world of self centeredness, striving to win ...
Imaging throwing a race or competition - madness most would think. Jesus tells us to throw the race of life to gain life eternal. He canceled the debt we owe to God and made a public train wreck of the devil and all of his works. He gave up his life to win life for us, follow me he says, let go of your security in the world, live your life dangerously for me. Jesus calls us to daily die, over and again that we might win - sounds crazy, weird and impossible and yet ... its the truth, no longer held by those things that chain us we can soar on wings like eagles for him.
We may not be brave, he can strengthen us;
We may not be gifted in our eyes, he can gift us;
We may feel powerless, he can empower us.
All it takes it to desire to live dangerously for Christ.
Weekender
Looking Back
Let’s look back on what we have learned this week and review. In reflecting it is our desire that if something that you have learned really stands out that you look at ways in which you can implement them into your situation and life that will make a difference in your life.
Why do you think sharing your faith activates faith?
Why do you think that keeping your eyes focused on Jesus helps you overcome?
When you read the word do you experience God or do you just obtain information? Explain: How do you see Heaven?
How Do you handle the accuser when he comes against you?
Do you have what it takes to live dangerously for Christ? Why or why not:
What changes can you make or need to make to live dangerously for Him?
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