Warning: Trying to access array offset on value of type bool in /home1/heartof6/public_html/blog/wp-content/themes/responsive-mobile/includes/functions-extentions.php on line 35
Home › Posts tagged victory

victory

Understanding Your Authority

Posted on by

Authority over the Earth – Genesis 1:28

28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.

Authority over bondage and doubt – Matthew 18:18-20

18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

Authority over idolatry – Exodus 20:5

5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Authority over lack in one’s confidence – 1 John 4:4

4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Protection of Authority – Ephesians 6:13

13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Authority over Sin – 1 John 3:8

8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Authority over Emotions and Imaginations – 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Authority over your church – Acts 20:28

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Authority over your house – Acts 16:31

31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Authority unto Victory – Revelation 12:10-11

10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

Throughout all of the word of God we see where when mankind could not maintain stability (from the lack of knowledge and desire for power) that God used His authority to re-align us in His will. The flood came as the ultimate authority for all whom would not receive this fellowship with God.

When the promise that floods would come no more mankind was steady for a season but eventually fell under the bondage of religion and government dominance. God sent Jesus Christ to not only rid us from the bondage of sin but granted us the authority from the power from on high to defend ourselves and fight for others’ salvation until the return of Christ.

So while we remain let us be reminded of the areas in our lives where we have control to shift the situation. Let us yield our obedience to the gifts, callings and faith we have to be overcomers and ready for the return of Jesus Christ!

Don’t Be Afraid To Lose

Posted on by

100% of the opportunities that we have and do not take will be lost unless we take a chance on something will at least give you shot of making it. However we all know that from the popular cliche that we “can’t win them all”. I also heard another great saying that said that you win some and you learn from when you lose. Don’t be afraid to learn from your losses each and every day. Nobody has ever gotten better from winning them all.

images

Don’t worry, for life is not like the NCAA tournament: there will always be another game or opportunity if you lose. There will be more opportunities to be better, wiser, and stronger. Nine times out of ten you will find that what you learned is actually what you really needed rather than always being the winner. God wants the best for his children (even when they lose from time to time). Don’t count a loss as failure but count it as a chance to become better to be able to win a harder game. Seek God sincerely in these wins, losses, and let the opportunities where you doubt your own abilities allow you to grow from what you have learned to do the best you can do. You may not win today like a lot of people you see making it but stop looking to only win. Winning isn’t everything! Remember that in life it rains on the just and the unjust. Just because we are the most talented and are the most qualified does not imply we will still gain victory. Sometimes the most difficult things come out of when we think we are so close to victory.

We must learn that sometimes you may lose but you should never lose the value of how far you’ve have come and endured and let God work in your life. As we all fall God is there to pick us up and help us to become exactly who He wants us to be and thinks ahead of us for the ultimate victory of righteousness. As God’s glory shines in you for others everyday learn to stay encouraged and let God walk with you in all your worries and trials of life. Live life to the fullest and enjoy it as God planned for you to.

Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

How To Win The Battle Over Rumors And Silence The Critics

Posted on by

One of the key ways the enemy likes to try and create perceived “drama” related to you is through the process of rumors, envyings, strife and jealousies. People that have these feelings in their heart may use things against you, even inasmuch of a way as to take one good thing you have said/done and twist it to create potential trouble.  And to those whom are being active in ministry it seems to be (as the expression goes) “double the trouble”, trying to destroy the few good things are are accomplishing.

Here are 10 key points of what may be happening that you should expect the enemy to come out (through people and circumstance) and attack you.

When you:

1) Gain spiritual control over a temptation

2) Learn how to hold your peace when you are provoked

3) Overcome in victory over a previous drama

4) Love those who are provoking you

5) Give no regard to the jealous behavior

6) Are confident and bold in your calling

7) Begin a more regular praise/prayer/study routine

8) Begin to try and be more involved

9) Show a clear display of happiness

10) Attempt to encourage/witness to others

God did not leave us without the scriptures to begin and understand how we “fight” back.

Matthew 6:25-34

[25] Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
[26] Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
[27] Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
[28] And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:
[29] And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
[30] Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?
[31] Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
[32] (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
[33] But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
[34] Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Matthew 10:19-22

[19] But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak.
[20] For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you.
[21] And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death.
[22] And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

When you read the phrase “take no thought” in these scriptures you can interpret this as “do not be afraid”. What may read at first glance as to not care truly means that we are not to live in bondage to anyone or to be in fear by our burdens. To interpret that as reckless abandonment would lead you unprepared in times that you are in need. So the ultimate answer to how you win over these kinds of people is to break the bondage of their control and lift the burdens of fear by the love of God. A perfect love will cast off every fear and release you from every bondage. Be as it may we as people will try anyway…but I will remind each and every one of us that despite our best efforts at times there is nothing else we can do or say that will fix anything the way God can. Sometimes even the truth as we know the truth of the circumstance or the rumor will not fix it. In fact, it just continues to fuel the resolve of the enemy. However, when the enemy sees that he can do no more harm when you show that great love of God he will turn loose. The enemy had to turn loose of Christ by the persecution of His body when Jesus was made broken for our sins. That is how we are able to live and walk as forgiven children of God! This is the same things we must do. We must endure the things that are said. Let the critics criticize, and let the judges judge.

So let the rumor-makers speak their lies, and let the trouble makers start all the trouble that they can. Ultimately the things they try to falsely create have no hold upon those that dwell in the love of God. As the lilies live, they continue to grow irregardless of the weather and boisterous wind. Their resolve to grow is steadfast even when the elements are against them. That is the same way you can continue to overcome! Learn to endure these storms. Give no regard to the things you know are untrue and stay strong in who you are in God. This much I know: those who lie will be revealed as liars, and those who walk righteously will not only be proven true but glorified and blessed in the process.

 

Faith Breaks The Walls Down

Posted on by
Click To Play     

 

Click To Play     

Joshua 3:9-17

[9] And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, Come hither, and hear the words of the LORD your God.
[10] And Joshua said, Hereby ye shall know that the living God is among you, and that he will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Hivites, and the Perizzites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Jebusites.
[11] Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan.
[12] Now therefore take you twelve men out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man.
[13] And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.
[14] And it came to pass, when the people removed from their tents, to pass over Jordan, and the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people;
[15] And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)
[16] That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
[17] And the priests that bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground, until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.

They crossed the Jordan River and were reminded of the Red Sea. This was a confirmation moment for Joshua to realize his authority in God and the favor he was given to lead the children of Israel.

Joshua 6:1-2

[1] Now Jericho was straitly shut up because of the children of Israel: none went out, and none came in.
[2] And the LORD said unto Joshua, See, I have given into thine hand Jericho, and the king thereof, and the mighty men of valour.

It was humanly clear: scale the walls, beat down the gates, and tunnel in at night. At least for our human perspective the only way to take things are by our own devised cunning strategy and force of will.

Joshua 5:13-15

[13] And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
[14] And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
[15] And the captain of the LORD’s host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

Encounters with God empower faith.

Joshua 6:3-14

[3] And ye shall compass the city, all ye men of war, and go round about the city once. Thus shalt thou do six days.
[4] And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams’ horns: and the seventh day ye shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
[5] And it shall come to pass, that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when ye hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city shall fall down flat, and the people shall ascend up every man straight before him.
[6] And Joshua the son of Nun called the priests, and said unto them, Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.
[7] And he said unto the people, Pass on, and compass the city, and let him that is armed pass on before the ark of the LORD.
[8] And it came to pass, when Joshua had spoken unto the people, that the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns passed on before the LORD, and blew with the trumpets: and the ark of the covenant of the LORD followed them.
[9] And the armed men went before the priests that blew with the trumpets, and the rereward came after the ark, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
[10] And Joshua had commanded the people, saying, Ye shall not shout, nor make any noise with your voice, neither shall any word proceed out of your mouth, until the day I bid you shout; then shall ye shout.
[11] So the ark of the LORD compassed the city, going about it once: and they came into the camp, and lodged in the camp.
[12] And Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the LORD.
[13] And seven priests bearing seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD went on continually, and blew with the trumpets: and the armed men went before them; but the rereward came after the ark of the LORD, the priests going on, and blowing with the trumpets.
[14] And the second day they compassed the city once, and returned into the camp: so they did six days.

All of God’s blessings come by faith.

Faith requires our obedience.

Faith without the works of obedience is dead.

We will reach our blessings by abiding in faith!

Just think of how foolish that it must have appeared to look to those that were residing in Jericho. God’s plan takes that appearance to the world, but if we will abide in His will and plan we will overcome!

Victory Begins With Thankfulness

Posted on by
Click To Play     

 

Click To Play     

Luke 18:9-14

[9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:
[10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
[11] The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.
[12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.
[13] And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.
[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

The Pharisee was unaware of his greatest need. He started with thanks but it was the wrong kind. He was not thanking God for what grace had done for him, but for what he had done. This is the wrong attitude to possess! It was a “prayerless” prayer: he had said a prayer but did not pray any. Prayers centered on our efforts will be about what we have done and not done. You see, he needed something human effort could not get. The Pharisee was unconcerned about the publican. The difference filled him with pride and not compassion. True thanksgiving produces thankful living.

Ask ourselves, are we thankful for?

  • Love
  • Mercy
  • Compassion
  • Peace
  • Faithfulness
  • Patience
  • Kindness
  • Benevolence
  • Blessings
  • Longsuffering
  • Joy
  • Perseverance
  • Persistence
  • Boldness
  • Gladness
  • Willingness
  • Eagerness
  • Leadership
  • Salvation
  • Blood of Jesus
  • Baptism
  • Forgiveness
  • New Home In Heaven and Gone From hell
  • Life Eternal
  • Our soul will never die!

True thanksgiving changes us. Even though the Pharisee was at a good place (temple) and went with good intentions (to pray) he went out unchanged and not justified by faith. Millions of people go out unchanged from church. Strive to not make the same mistake!

Let us learn to walk as this publican. He went home forgiven and could then be truly thankful!

Blessed Beyond More Than What We Have

Posted on by

Luke 15:11-18          

[11] And he said, A certain man had two sons:
[12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
[13] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
[14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
[15] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
[16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
[17] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
[18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

In order for the devil to try and gain victory he must do something to try to get you out of the house. He had to send a restless spirit. Being blessed and favored of the Lord has no bearing on what you have in possessions. We are always restless, trying to find a way to move in the direction that is opposite of what we are because we think that we are not blessed based on the persecution we are facing. Young trying to act old, old trying to act young, people jobs trying to leave it, people with no jobs trying to get jobs.

The prodigal son only got hindered was because he left the house, thus giving the devil a place where he could work. He had lived his whole life with riches, so we know living with riches wasn’t the season the young man wanted to leave. It was his lust to want to be in control of it that drew him away. What a world we live in. It tempts us to believe that if we move out from God that we can be in more control of our lives. But it is a deception!

We serve God but are always second-guessing how blessed we are even though we are blessed regardless of possession. You need to begin to realize that you are blessed! An indicator that you are is when you are facing hard times and not when you have a lot.

Acts 3:1-7

[1] Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.
[2] And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;
[3] Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.
[4] And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.
[5] And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.
[6] Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.
[7] And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.

People were not blessed with miracles because of the possessions. It was a faith, a substance, a perspective. The young man at Luke 15:13 spent his substance. Do you see the citizen of the country?!?

If we do not keep our substance we fall when we lose our possessions or what we value. You are blessed even when you do not have!

Answering The Hard Questions: Why Is It So Hard For Me To Pray?

Posted on by

This may not be an everyday question that we are thinking all the time, but it is certainly a stumbling block we have all faced at some point in our walk with God. To keep this short and something we can walk away from after reading, I would like to list 3 key answers:

1) A lack of separation, or being “too close” to what holds you back.

So let us say that I am going to have some prayer time because I want to quick smoking. If I literally just got through having a cigarette and am about to start praying while I am next to the ash tray and can still smell the smoke, the chances are of having a supernatural faith is very small. Why? If I am being hindered literally by the very thing I want victory over, then I must separate myself from it. Smoking is a very physical example as you can touch and feel what is afflicting you. Your situation may be a person, place or emotional object that is getting in the way. Remember before you begin to get yourself as separate from the things that are hindering you as you can. You would be surprised at how much of an effect having a quiet place is. This is not to say that you could not put on some praise and worship music to help you, but please do not be moved by a song: be moved by the faith that is in you to petition to God!

2) Little willingness to be humble or give up pride.

For our second example, let us say that there is a major problem with a person controlling the content of inappropriate language. If this person was asked if they had a problem, the answer can indicate where pride is in two ways. The first way would be to admit there is a problem, or being humble enough to admit that it is something that is a problem to your well-being. The second way is when a person will not admit the problem and to give the paraphrased “I’m fine”. This is a great indicator of having too much pride to be humble to any issue. Victory in God begins when we come and confess. God wants to mold each and every issue you have, and without the acknowledging the failures we have pride always wins over prayer! Be willing to simply admit that, “I need help”. This is a great step in the right direction to start a prayer!

3) Missing a habit or the continuing effort to pray every day.

For my job, I am driving myself back and forth each and every day. Driving is a habit that through continual practice is able to be kept and retained so long as I am willing to do so. However if I just stopped driving all together for great lengths of time I cannot imagine that I would get behind the wheel with the same confidence or willingness to “take off” that I would have when it happened frequently. With that said, there is definitely something to praying every day! Praying every day will keep you from having the “first-time” anxieties each and every time you try. Making it a habit will only build up the faith and confidence in God therefore creating an easier feeling to get the first word out!

There are so many more examples and things to be said here, but I want the mission of this word to be simple: Separate, Be Humble, and Pray Often!

God Can Be Everywhere, Right?

Posted on by

One of the toughest things that we have to be continually reminded of is that God is “always with us”. I preach it and write it so often that it makes me begin to wonder if that part of the mind refuses to believe it. I then begin to realize that it’s not the believing part that is hard, but the hanging on to the belief once it is there that is.

You see, a person can believe that God is everything and ever present in a time of trouble all day long. I know that with all that is in my mind, heart and soul! The part that begins to increase the difficulty is when things begin to happen to loosen the grip you have on that belief. When and if something comes up to discourage or remove your focus from about God, we lose it little by little. Before you know it we eventually go from feeling completely secure to feeling completely lost sometimes in as little as months, days, hours, or even minutes.

To me, the grip is as strong as your faith is. The more I am able to have faith in a time of trouble, the easier it is to hang on to God and to see a trial through to victory. I encourage you today to hang on to your faith. I am here to remind you that no matter how bad things look right now, that God has not left! God does has no intentions on going anywhere! The only thing that does is our faith! Keep the faith today in God! Remind yourself today by keeping the blessings of yesterday in your heart! Keep what you have today in your mind and know that there is more in your future!

The children of God are not a defeated people! We live in victory, and we should learn to live it! Get your minds and hearts in the mindset of Christ! Continually remind yourself daily that things WILL not be perfect around us, but as we strive for perfection God will prevail!

I hope that as we all continue to serve God together that we all play a role in being the “reminder” for someone, or in other words, that witness!

Keep Yourself In The Game

Posted on by

When watching competitive sports, one could easily account for the strength and skill of the athletes that you see going for the victory. When hearing and reading about some of the most successful athletes though, you read about a completely different quality: their heart for the game. You can have all the talent and ability in the world, but without the heart and passion for what you love to do it is without profit to you. In our walk serving God, it’s all as much the same; for without a strong love and desire for the things we do for God, the gifts and talents that God has placed in your life will bring little profit to you or anyone around you. God’s spirit is unlocked when you serve Him with a selfless and unwavering desire: that part of you that will go on regardless of how you feel or what is going on around you!

So wherever you are today, whether you are a member of a church in administration or a part of an outside ministry, remember to keep a love and desire for what you do! Remember why it is that you are there each time you execute the part you contribute. Never let what you do become just “going through the motions”. Get yourself in a place where you are a difference-maker, a person that makes an impact not only in the work but by the life and choices that you make. Let God be glorified each and every day.

Keep yourself in the game! Stay encouraged and count your blessings! The race isn’t over yet! God bless you!

Why Worship Counts

Posted on by

With each and every passing day, it seems to be a fading trend to have active praise and worship in the house of God. It seems as though we are getting down to a presentation and reaction sort of venue. I know that wherever that we go as a ministry, that it is becoming less and less of something that is occurring on a regular basis.

I do realize that many have a lot of misconceptions about worship, but let’s talk about some important parts about it to clear it up a bit!

First off, worship should be something you do ALWAYS. If you are waiting for some kind of special moment to move you, you might be waiting for a long time. I do understand we must wait for God’s voice, but the word of God speaks on entering into his courts with praise! It talks about praising him on the stringed instruments and on the loud sounding cymbals! Thanksgiving should be in your heart before you ever come to church! If you are waiting to get it when you get to church, or are waiting for something, then the process is backwards; God has given you more than enough to step out and worship!

Secondly, we are to be ready IN and OUT of Season. Whether we feel like it or not, or think it is required of us or not, God will always move on us when push comes to shove and there are people in the midst of you that need you to show them who God really is. It’s not about worshiping anyone BUT God. It’s not about giving glory to anyone BUT God. It also means we have to step out whether we are on the mountain in victory or in the valley in the midst of trials. We couldn’t have a good enough of an excuse to sit back and say “I don’t have to”!

Lastly, it’s YOUR CHOICE. No one can make you, but only encourage you to. People get upset at me all the time because they feel as though I am trying to tell them how or when to worship the Lord, but I am merely encouraging them to! I’m not going back there and lifting up your hands for you, for that has to be you! God will never put anything on you more than you can bear, but I cannot imagine that he would ever put you in a place that you could not draw from the well of praise. Praise is what builds faith. Praise is what builds your zeal. Praise is what breaks ground for the word of God.