CHALLENGE OF LIFE

I don’t know about you, but as I continue this walk of faith…

I am daily faced with opportunities. Some are designed to give me an added advantage, some are designed to take me down; others I believe are simply modern day factors that arise from the fact that we live in a sin sick, fallen world that according to scripture is ruled daily by the ‘prince and the power of the air.’ That being said, in the context of opportunities coming mine and your way seems to be a little more than meets the eye as we travel or ‘sojourn’ through this land. The Bible says that we are to ‘test the spirits’. Consider these words: “But God hath revealed [them] unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (1 Cor. 2: 10).
The discerning of spirits is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to discern the source of a manifestation, atmosphere, underlying reasons of actions. The gift gives the ability to discern and know if it is of God, of the devil, or of man. This is not reading someone’s mind, invoking psychic powers, or human criticising and finding fault. And so, as we go through this life we should learn to put this discernment to work daily so that we walk as wise, not as fools, redeeming the time. It is imperative fellow Christian, that we learn to operate in the gifts that God has given us and to exercise them often so that we may be strong in the Lord and the power of HIS might! “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” (1John 4: 1).
We will be deceived if we don’t test the spirits because there are so many of them. They come from the spirit of error. A good series of verses to memorize is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-21, and verse 21 applies especially to 1 John 4:1, “Prove [test] all things; hold fast that which is good.” Verse 20 says not to despise prophesying. We’re to put it to the test and hang on to it if it’s good. Satan is both clever and subtle, so you have to be careful.

Conclusion…

Always be testing… That’s right! Walk alert, be sober, vigilant, because your adversary the devil lurks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Wake up! Eyes open? Ears on? God has a perfect plan for your life, if we are not careful to navigate according to the leadership and guidance that only comes from the Holy Spirit, we will wind up like a ship with no rudder, landing on whatever shore we wash up on… and now you know, that’s no fun!

“I can’t” virus

…There is a viral attitude running around in the Christian Body of believers today that I call the “I can’t” virus. It is an attitude of doubt and disbelief, and a lack of trust & faith in God. This attitude is of the devil and is not of God. The devil would have us to think that we are worthless, and cannot do anything, and that God is a God of small things. God wants us to think positively and to have the opposite of an “I can’t” viral attitude, and to have an “I can” attitude.
Paul speaks in this the 4th chapter of Philippians about an “I can do” attitude. He encourages the church at Phillipi that even though they may be going through, that they, through Christ, can do all things. And I believe that God wants us to have that kind of attitude today, no matter what we’re facing. So, the question I would pose to you the people of God today is; “How do I get over the “I can’t” attitude virus?

THREE REMEDIES FOR THE ‘I CAN’T’ VIRUS…

1. Recognize who your strength is…
We need to recognize that our ultimate, all in all strength, is found in God and God alone. Apart from God, we really can’t do anything, but when we get hooked up to the ultimate power source, which is Jesus, we can do all things according to his will and to his purpose. I believe David says “The Lord is my strength & my redeemer.” God is the ultimate strength and source. We’ve got to get hooked up to the SOURCE!!
2. Don’t be afraid.
Far too often we lose faith in God and get an “I can’t” virus due to fear and anxiety. God says in his word ’Do not be afraid. Lo’ I am with thee always, even unto the end.”, and “God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” We fear trying new things, so because of fear of the unknown, we’d just rather go on ahead & say “We can’t.”! But we have to realize the POWER God has bestowed upon us. Fear and anxiety are tools of the enemy, and we need to recognize the power God has given us over him. The Bible says, “If you resist the devil, he will flee.”! We have to get over our fears in order to conquer an “I Can’t” virus!
3. You have to BELIEVE that you can do it!
(Talk about the little train that could.) We have to believe that we can do whatever it is that we’re trying to do. God says, “If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, then you can tell that mountain to move, and it will move.” What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 gives the definition of faith. We have to have faith in things we don’t see yet. You gotta get outta the flesh, the here and now, and see yourself in the future in the spirit. Because God will give you revelation! You gotta begin to talk to your situation, & say, “I know I’m here now, but I won’t always be this way, for trouble, don’t last always, right now, I see it in the spirit, but after a while, I’ll see it in the natural, If I just hold on, don’t give up, don’t let go, and hold out, God is faithful, and he will do that thang!  Yes ‘thang’!! You can do all things through Christ, who strengthens you! Can I get a witness! I’m going, back to my seat, but before I leave you now, I encourage you, no matter, what you’re facing, you can do it and you can make it, just stay close to God, and he will allow you, to accomplish it for HIS GLORY!
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