Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Overcomers Get All The Good Stuff! 6

GodThoughtsWired!                     Tuesday, June 15, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
overcomers get all
the good stuff!
6
For an in-depth discussion of spiritual warfare click on, The Bible Says Series, Armor of God.
OVERCOMING...DEMONIC FORCES
"To him who overcomes..."
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21
The fifth (no particular order) and final of the five key areas in which we must {attain the knowledge, develop the skills, and cultivate the will} to overcome is:
-Demonic Forces.
 "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places."
Ephesians 6:12
As far as we are concerned, the skill is simple. "Don't give the devil an opportunity" (Ephesians 4:27). However, this is only half the battle because, "The devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8). He is proactive!
So, when the devil (demons) come knocking on your door the key is to "resist him (them)" (see 1 Peter 5:9). James 4:7 promises, "resist the devil and he will flee from you." (see Jesus in the wilderness for a perfect model of this, Matthew 4:4-10).
And how do we "resist" demonic forces? By putting on the full armor of God.*
"Take up the full armor of God,
that you may be able to resist..."

Ephesians 6:13
*For an in-depth discussion on this topic, click on: The Bible Says Series: Armor of God.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Overcomers Get All The Good Stuff! 5

GodThoughtsWired!                    Monday, June 14, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
overcomers get all
the good stuff!
5
OVERCOMING...OTHER PEOPLE
"To him who overcomes..."Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21
The fourth (no particular order) of the five key areas in which we must {attain the knowledge, develop the skills, and cultivate the will} to overcome is:
-Other People.
 "'They will fight against you,
but they will not overcome you,
for I am with you to deliver you',
declares the Lord."

Jeremiah 1:19
Relative to the others, this is by far and away the greatest challenge (in my opinion). The following is what I call "The Grand Test:"
Let the positives in others point you
toward God, Without allowing the negatives  to pull you away from Him.
-pastor Brad
I've been studying (and attempting to practice) this concept for a little more than 12 years now and I've identified three components. Three keys to becoming an overcomer in the area of other people. "The Grand Test" requires three attributes:
1.  Love. This kind of love, found only in God, "Does not take into account a wrong suffered" (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
2.  Humility.  "For this finds favor (with God), if for the sake of conscience toward God a man bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly..."
(1 Peter 2:19-20).
3.  Submission. "While being reviled, He did not revile in return, but kept entrusting Himself to the One who judges justly" (2 Peter 2:23).
Yes, I call it "The Grand Test," and we are given this test virtually every day...sometimes many times a day. Love, humility, submission. The highest of the "high roads."
But "To him who overcomes..."

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Overcomers Get All The Good Stuff! 2

GodThoughtsWired!                  Wednesday, June 9, 2010
An Inspiration for Today...A Resource for a Lifetime!
overcomers get all
the good stuff!
2
For further study click on The Bible Says Series, Sin & Salvation.
Also, check out pastor Brad's youtube channel:
GodThoughtsLive!
OVERCOMING...SIN
"To him who overcomes..."
Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21
The first (no particular order) of the five key areas in which we must {attain the knowledge, develop the skills, and cultivate the will} to overcome is:
-Sin.
"Sin is crouching at your door,
and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

Genesis 4:7
Yes, we must master sin. "His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness" (2 Peter 1:3). That being the case, it simply boils down to skills and choices. Is it fair for me to suggest that, "The time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties and abominable idolatries" (1 Peter 4:3).
So, skills and choices. First, the skills:
 "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
provision for the flesh in regard to its lust."

Romans 13:14
Solomon put it this way,
"Do not enter the path of the wicked and do not proceed in the way of evil men. Avoid it and do not walk by it; turn away from it and pass on."
Proverbs 4:14-15
And then, the choices. "Choose for yourselves today, whom you will serve...But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself" (Joshua 24:15; Daniel 1:8).
Skills, choices, mastery over sin. And the overcomers get all the good stuff...
FOR ETERNITY.
For further study click on The Bible Says Series, Sin & Salvation. 
Also, check out pastor Brad's youtube channel: GodThoughtsLive!