1 TIMOTHY 6:12 NKJV “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Many believers in Christ have the mistaken idea that if something is God’s will for them to have that it will just automatically happen without any effort or involvement on their part. Not true! We have a devil to contend with. We have to cooperate with God. We must believe what He says. We must resist doubt and fear. To walk in the fullness of blessing God desires for us, we must fight the good fight of faith. For example, the Israelites had to fight the giants in the land to possess what God said was already theirs. The Promised Land belonged to them already because God had given it to them. But it was still inhabited by others, including giants, who had to be driven out before they could enjoy what was theirs. Standing in faith often involves a struggle because of the contradictory evidences we may experience, so we must hold fast our confession of faith (Hebrews 4:14, 10:23). The devil will try to steal our faith by trying to get us to doubt God’s faithfulness to His Word. We may have to fight with our own logic and perspective. It may tell us it is impossible for things to work out, that God’s Word will not work for us, that we should not expect good things to happen to us. But the plan of God for us is victory through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ. We must do whatever it takes to maintain our faith in God. That is the fight we must engage in!

Romans 6:12 NIV “Do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.”  

Self control is the ability to control one’s emotions and behavior in the face of temptations and impulses. Self-control is one of the great keys to success in life, especially if you are a leader. People generally, cannot trust a man to control others who cannot control himself. Self-control emanates from the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23. It calls for bringing every aspect of your life under the complete control of the Holy Spirit. It is a lifestyle characterized by discipline and not impulse. For example, self-control calls for getting a grip on your spending so that you do not go into debt for things you do not need and cannot pay for. It calls for getting a grip on your temper and not saying things you will later regret: It calls for getting a grip on your desires, so they do not lead you to sin. If Joseph had failed to say no to the repeated advances of his boss’ wife, he would never have seen his life’s dream fulfilled and became prime minister of Egypt. Understand this: Satan would do anything to stop you from reaching your destiny. So, pray for self-control, and practice it as a lifestyle.

Job 22:28 NKJ “You will also declare a thing, and it shall be established…”

In the Old Testament there was an Israelite woman who was about to give birth. She had just heard that the Ark of the Covenant that housed God’s presence had been stolen. She was so upset about it that she named her baby boy Ichabod (1 Samuel 4:21-22), which means “the glory has departed.” Notice what she did; she named her future by what was happening in her present. She could have just as well named her baby “the glory will return,” but she was so focused on the negative, so caught up in where she was at that moment that she defined her future by it. People of God do not ever name your future by your present circumstances. You may be going through some hard times and it  may look like you are stuck in a pot hole and you do not really see how you could ever rise any higher;  even in that situation do not speak defeat over your life (Ephesians 4:29). Instead, name your future: blessed, prosperous, successful, victorious, healthy, whole, strong, talented, creative, wise, productive. Thank God for the good future He has prepared for you. Declare what God’s Word says so that you can move forward in the destiny He has prepared for you!

LUKE 10:19 NKJ “Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Jesus defeated the devil for you (Colossians 2:15). According to Matthew 28:18, all authority on Earth now belongs to Jesus. As His earthly representatives, Jesus has delegated His authority to us. All believers have authority to use the Name of Jesus Christ. In Jesus’ Name, or authority, we can cast out the devil and all his forces (Mark 16:17). After Jesus’ resurrection, Scripture clearly puts responsibility on the believer to exercise the delegated authority of Jesus to resist the devil, and all his works (Philippians 2:10; Ephesians 4:27; James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8-9).  The devil’s plan is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10a). Our mandate, through the delegated authority of Jesus Christ, is to stop the devil from carrying out his plan. In Christ, you have authority over the devil, all his forces, all his agents, and all his works.  You can resist the devil and not allow him any place in your life, because you have authority over him, in Christ! As believers we should not be afraid of the devil, although we should be aware and on guard against his schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). The way to exercise your authority is through words – speaking the words of God with faith in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Notes

I want to let you know that you have every reason to rejoice and be glad everyday because you in Christ Jesus (in Him).

Scriptures

Colossians 2:15 “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.”

Matthew 28:18 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”

Mark 16:17 “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;”

Philippians 2:10 “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;”

Ephesians 4:27 “Neither give place to the devil.”

James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”

1 Peter 5:8-9 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

2 Corinthians 2:11 “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

JOSHUA 1:8 KJV “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”

God wants His children to be successful in life, and for everyone who desires success, He has given instructions to succeed. You may follow other plans and advice that promise success, but you have no guarantee they will work long-term. With God’s Word you have an eternal guarantee: His Word will never fail. Heaven and earth will disappear, but God’s Word is eternal (Matthew 24:35). Look at God’s success instructions again. First, speak in line with God’s Word. What you say matters. Second, meditate on what God said. This is the opposite of worry. This is more than just reading the Bible. This is thinking about what God says and how it is applicable to your life. When are we to think about God and His Word? When it is day, and when it is night. We should never shut God out of our thoughts at any time. Third, be a doer of the Word (James 1:22). Look at what God promises will be yours if you follow these instructions: prosperity and good success. What everyone wants, but few are willing to do what it takes to achieve!