Encouragement and Victory
Is there ever a day that goes by
that you feel DISCOURAGED, DEFEATED, or UNSUCCESSFUL? Maybe you've tried really hard to make something work, and
it wouldn't. Maybe you just felt
that you didn't do all that God wanted you to do one day, week, or even a whole
month. Could it be that you feel
that you are doing your best on Sunday's in the classroom and you just don't
see much fruit? Maybe it doesn't
seem that God is answering your prayers.
Whatever it might be, know that we all experience these feelings, BUT we
don't HAVE to stay there. We need
to consistently work at renewing our mind so that we can bring God the most
glory. How do we begin to feel
ENCOURAGED, VICTORIOUS, and SUCCESSFUL so that we can be effective Christians
24/7? Let's look at what God tells
us in His living Word....
1. ENCOURAGEMENT comes when we spend time with God. Philippians 4:8 states, "Finally,
brethren whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things
are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things
are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praise
worthy--meditate on these things."
I have found that if I am feeling
discouraged, I quickly become
encouraged when I spend some time in prayer and/or in God's Word. My attitude and my perspective shifts
from thinking about self to thinking about others and all that God has done for
me.
2. VICTORY is from Christ alone and comes by our faith in
Him. 1 Corinthians 15:57 states,
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ." 1 John 5:4-5 state,
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has
overcome the world--our faith. Who
is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of
God?"
3. SUCCESS comes from meditating in God's Word day and
night. Joshua 1:8-9 state,
"This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate
in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is
written in it. For then you will
make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not
be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." If we are doing what God has called us
to do, then we are accomplishing our aim and purpose as Christians. How can we know if we are doing what He
has called us to do if we are not meditating in His Word? Abide in Him and He will abide in
us. Seek Him and we will find
Him. Let us not try to find SUCCESS
in our own strength. May we daily
seek His face so that we will be able to hear His voice. The sheep KNOW His voice.
Let us be encouraged! Let us find our victory in Christ
today! Let us seek the Lord so
that in His strength and wisdom we will be successful! Amen.