Jesus Christ has a divine plan for you. He created you according to His unique design. All your natural abilities, physical features, strengths and weaknesses are part of His grand design. You are unique. In all of the world, in all of history there is only one you!

1) Jesus Christ has designed you special according to Psalms 139:

¹² Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.

¹³ For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb.

¹⁴ I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.

¹⁵ My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

¹⁶ Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

¹⁷ How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

2) Jesus Christ has specific tasks for you to perform according to Ephesians 2:

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

3) The Necessity of Vision-

You and I live in a fallen creation. We are limited to time and place. We still possess our sin nature which is in rebellion to Jesus Christ. So when circumstances are confusing and difficult, we need a vision of Jesus Christ’s perspective to help us look beyond the present.

Proverbs 29:

¹⁸ Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is
he.

Ecclesiastes 3:

¹¹ He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.

4) Your Creator is intimately concerned with the details of your life and He orchestrates the events and meaningful experiences to position/prepare/equip you to perform the tasks He has pre-ordained for you to accomplish before He takes you home. Paul says it this way in

Ephesians 1:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

5) Please understand Jesus Christ is never the author of evil.

1 Corinthians 14:

³³ For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

James 1:

¹³ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

6) Jesus Christ began your faith and will take you over the finish line according to Hebrews 12:

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

7) Jesus Christ allows hard circumstances into your life for His own purpose, which is always good.

Ephesians 2:

⁸ For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

⁹ Not of works, lest any man should boast.

¹⁰ For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Philippians 3:

¹³ Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Mark 7:

³⁶ And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;

³⁷ And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

Nahum 1:

⁷ The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

8) Jesus Christ works all things together for good – Romans 8:

²⁸ And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

²⁹ For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

³¹ What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?

Working the situation for your good

Working in you good for the situation

9) Jesus Christ displays His wisdom through you–

Ephesians 3:

⁹ And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

¹⁰ To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

¹¹ According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

1 John 1:

⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 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.

10) Jesus Christ works all things for His glory -Ephesians. 1:

¹¹ In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

¹² That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

¹³ In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

¹⁴ Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

11) Jesus Christ manifests the savor of His knowledge  by you-2 Corinthians 2:

¹⁴ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

12) Jesus Christ uses earthen vessels – 2 Corinthians 4:

⁶ For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

⁷ But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

⁸ We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

⁹ Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

¹⁰ Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

¹¹ For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

13) Jesus Christ uses difficulties to correct your focus according to Hebrews 12:

⁰⁹Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live?

¹⁰ For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.

¹¹ Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.

This is how the writer of Hebrews concludes his assessment of Jesus Christ in circumstances in chapter 12:

¹²Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;

¹³ And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.

¹⁴ Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

¹⁵ Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

¹⁶ Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.

¹⁷ For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

¹⁸ For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,

¹⁹ And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more:

²⁰ (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:

²¹ And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:)

²² But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

²³ To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

²⁴ And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Questions for Reflection

1) As you ponder the love and intimate concern Jesus Christ has for you, what thoughts come to mind?

2) What do you see of Jesus Christ’s purpose for you in your current circumstances?

3) No one can tell you how you should feel. Your feelings are unique. They belong to you. Jesus Christ understands. Tell Him your feelings about your circumstances

The Lord will provide- Martha Cook, 1870

In some way or other The Lord will provide;

In some way or other The Lord will provide;

It may not be my way, It may not be thy way,
And yet in His own way, The Lord will provide.

At some time or other The Lord will provide;

At some time or other The Lord will provide
It may not be my time, It may not be thy time,
And yet in His own time, The Lord will provide.

Despond then no longer, The Lord will provide;

Just trust Him the stronger-the sea will divide
And this be the token—No word He hath spoken
Was ever yet broken: “The Lord will provide.”

March on, then, with courage, The Lord will provide

And be not discouraged, The sea shall divide;
The pathway made glorious, With shoutings victorious,
We’ll join in the chorus: “The Lord will provide.”

The Lord Will Provide – John Newton, 1779

Though troubles assail us and dangers affright, Though friends should all fail us and foes all unite,
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide, The promise assures us, “The Lord will provide.”

The birds, without garner or storehouse, are fed; From them let us learn to trust God for our bread.
His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied So long as ’tis written, “The Lord will provide.”

When Satan assails us to stop up our path, And courage all fails us, we triumph by faith.
He cannot take from us, though oft he has tried, This heart cheering promise,

“The Lord will provide.”

He tells us we’re weak, our hope is in vain, The good that we seek we never shall obtain,
But when such suggestions, our graces have tried, This answers all questions, “The Lord will provide.”

No strength of our own and no goodness we claim;

Yet, since we have known of the Savior’s great Name,

In this our strong tower for safety we hide: The Lord is our power, “The Lord will provide.”

When life sinks apace, and death is in view, The word of His grace shall comfort us through,
Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side, We hope to die shouting, “The Lord will provide.”

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy, Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven. This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by

special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is abundant living with all the fruit of the Spirit

 

Abundant living

Jesus Christ contrasts your enemy’s plan with His plan. John 10:

⁷ Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

⁸ All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

Is the life you are living worthy of the price He paid for your salvation?

 

Abundant living with all the fruit of the Spirit.Galatians 5:

²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

²³ Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

²⁴ And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

 

Love-Jeremiah 31:

³ The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

Joy-Nehemiah 8:

¹⁰ Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Peace-Luke 2:

¹⁰ And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

¹² And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

¹⁴ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Ephesians 2:14

¹³ But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

¹⁴ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

Longsuffering-Colossians 1:

¹⁰ That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

¹¹ Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Gentleness-Paul reminds you of Jesus Christ’s gentleness in 2 Corinthians 10:

 ¹ Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:

Goodness-2 Corinthians 9:

⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

Faith-Hebrews 11:

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Meekness-Peter tells you how to use meekness in 1 Peter 3:

¹⁵ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

Temperance-2 Peter 1:6

⁵ And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

⁶ And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

⁷ And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

⁸ For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Claiming your present components of your inheritance

1) Stay in His Word

2) Pray continually – talk to Jesus Christ all day

3) Fellowship with other believers

4) Participate in corporate worship of Jesus Christ regularly

 

Questions for Reflection

1) What does the unconditional love of Jesus Christ for you matter to you?

 

2) How can you use the strength from the joy of the LORD to overcome your enemy’s attempts to steal your inheritance?

 

3) How can you use His peace to overcome your enemy’s attempts to steal your inheritance?

 

4) How can you use His strength for longsuffering to overcome your enemy’s attempts to steal your inheritance?

 

5) When was Jesus Christ gentle with you?

 

6) How can you use faith to overcome your enemy’s attempts to steal your inheritance?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

Jesus Christ loves you with an unconditional, everlasting love.

There is nothing you could ever do to diminish His love for you.

There is nothing you need do to increase His love for you.

Jesus is love.

A well known speaker started off his seminar by holding up a $20 bill. In the room of 200, he asked, “Who would like this $20  bill?” Hands started going up. He said, “I am going to give this $20 to one of you but first, let me do this.” He proceeded to crumple the dollar bill up. He then asked, “Who still wants it?”   Still the hands were up in the air. “Well,” he replied, “What if I  do this?” And he dropped it on the ground and started to grind it into the floor with his shoe.

 

He picked it up, now all crumpled and dirty. Now who still wants it?” Still the hands went into the air. “My friends, you have all learned a very valuable lesson. No matter what I did to the money, you still wanted it because it did not decrease in value. It was still worth $20.

Many times in our lives, we are dropped, rumpled, and ground into the dirt by the decisions we make and the

circumstances that come our way. We feel as though we are worthless. But no matter what has happened or what will happen, you will never lose your value in God’s eyes. To Him, dirty or clean, crumpled or finely creased, you are still priceless to Him. Psalm 17:8 states that God will keep us, “as the apple of His eye.”

THOUGHT: The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we are but by WHOSE WE ARE!

You are special – Don’t ever forget it!

Hebrews 12:

¹ Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus!

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy, Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven. This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by

special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is victory and freedom from sin.

Even though you still have your rebellious sin nature, you do not have to sin. But Jesus Christ loves you so much He allows you to choose. You are not a puppet compelled to obey Him.

When you are tempted to sin, Jesus Christ provides a way of escape. 1 Corinthians 10:

¹² Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

When you do sin, Jesus Christ provides a solution. 1John 1:

⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Don’t you just wonder that He not only forgives the sin but cleans up the result of your sin.

Jesus promises victory – 2 Corinthians 2:

¹⁴Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

¹⁵ For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

¹⁶ To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things?

Victory and freedom from sin-Romans 8:

¹There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

² For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

³ For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

⁴ That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

⁵ For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

¹⁰ And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

¹¹ But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.

Galatians 5:

¹ Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Victory in Jesus – Eugene Monroe Bartlett Senior

I heard an old, old story, How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, Of His precious blood atoning

Then I repented of my sins; And won the victory.

Refrain:
O victory in Jesus, My Savior, forever.

He sought me and bought me With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory, Beneath the cleansing flood

I heard about His healing, Of His cleansing power revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and brought To me the victory.

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing, And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there The song of victory.

Listen on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QC37VXrVNjE

Questions for Reflection

 

1) Are you fully experiencing the victory Jesus bought for you? Why?

 

2) What does it mean to be free from sin?

 

3) Is there some sin that consistently grabs hold of you? Tell it to Jesus now.

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy, Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven. This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Your future inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your future inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your future inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your future inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is the Divine Helper He provides you.

a Divine Helper-John 14:

¹⁶ And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

¹⁸ I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

²⁵ These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.

²⁶ But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

The Comforter has Come –Frank Bottome, 1890

Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come!

refrain

The Comforter has come, The Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from heav’n, The Lord’s dear promise giv’n;

Oh, spread the tidings ’round, Wherever man is found—  The Comforter has come!

The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last;
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast!  The Comforter has come!

Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full deliv’rance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings: The Comforter has come!

O boundless love divine! how shall this tongue of mine
To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine—
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine!  The Comforter has come!

Catch it on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU98khZAz2g

Where are you today? Are your circumstances perplexing? The Holy Spirit stands ready to guide you to all truth and to comfort you in the difficulties of living in this fallen creation. The Holy Spirit, the 3^rd Person in the Trinity, is the love gift from Jesus Christ to you. God understands!

Questions for Reflection

1) How can knowing the truth help with decisions you make?

2) In which situations has the Holy Spirit given you comfort?

 

3) In which situations has the Holy Spirit given you direction?

 

4) Are you consistently relying on the Holy Spirit for comfort and direction?

 

5) What specific truths has the Holy Spirit brought to your heart?

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes your enemy, Your enemy wants to destroy you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

Your inheritance has both future and present components. The future components are reserved for you in Heaven.

This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by

special arrangement for you

In this series we will examine the present components of your inheritance, which your enemy seeks to steal.  The next present component we will examine is your body as His tabernacle.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites went to the tabernacle and later to the temple to meet with and commune with God. But Jesus has a different plan for His church. As a partaker of the New Testament, the new covenant built on better promises, Jesus Christ dwells in you. You are able to meet with and commune with Him at all times. No need to wait for an appointed time or to go to an appointed place.

Your body is a tabernacle for Jesus to dwell for your fellowship –Ephesians 3:

 ¹⁴ For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

¹⁵ Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

¹⁶ That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

¹⁷ That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

¹⁸ May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;

¹⁹ And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

²⁰ Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

²¹ Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

So what is the significance of Jesus Christ dwelling in you?

1-access to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, your Creator, the author and

finisher of your faith, the One Who has a good plan for your life, at all times –ponder that

2-hope for your future inheritance

The graciousness of Jesus Christ to choose to dwell in you while you still possess your

rebellious sin nature and potential for disobedience evidences His ability to present you

spotless and without wrinkle when you cross the finish line into His physical presence.

-ponder that

Christ Liveth in Me –Daniel Whittle, 1891

Once far from God and dead in sin, No light my heart could see;
But in God’s Word the light I found, Now Christ liveth in me.

• Refrain:
  Christ liveth in me,
  Christ liveth in me,
  Oh! what a salvation this,
  That Christ liveth in me.

As rays of light from yonder sun, The flow’rs of earth set free,
So life and light and love came forth From Christ living in me.

As lives the flow’r within the seed, As in the cone the tree,
So, praise the God of truth and grace, His Spirit dwelleth in me.

With longing all my heart is filled, That like Him I may be,
As on the wondrous thought I dwell That Christ liveth in me.

Listen on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nK4YpYj600

 

1) What difference does it make to you that Jesus Christ is willing to dwell in you?

 

2) What is your personal hope of glory?

 

3) What does Galatians 2:20 mean to you?

²⁰ I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you receive an inheritance from Him. In this series we will examine the components of your inheritance.

Definition of inheritance: property passing at the owner’s death to the heir or those entitled to

succeed;

Background on your inheritance

Paid in full by Jesus Christ- Hebrews 9:

¹¹ But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;

¹² Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

¹³ For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:

¹⁴ How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

¹⁵ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

¹⁶ For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.

 

Claimed by faith in Jesus Christ alone: John 3:

¹⁴ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

¹⁵That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

¹⁶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

¹⁷ For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Old Testament example of receiving the inheritance by faith

Of the 600,000+ (Exodus 12:37) Israelites who were delivered from slavery in Egypt, only 2 possessed the inheritance land: Joshua and Caleb (Joshua 14:9-14)

Exodus 12:

³⁶ And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians.

³⁷ And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children.

³⁸ And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

 

Numbers 14:

⁶ And Joshua the son of Nun, and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, which were of them that searched the land, rent their clothes:

⁷ And they spake unto all the company of the children of Israel, saying, The land, which we passed through to search it, is an exceeding good land.

⁸ If the LORD delight in us, then he will bring us into this land, and give it us; a land which floweth with milk and honey.

⁹ Only rebel not ye against the LORD, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not.

¹⁰ But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the LORD appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel.

 

Joshua 14:

⁶Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadeshbarnea.

⁷ Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadeshbarnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart.

⁸ Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God.

⁹ And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s for ever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God.

¹⁰ And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five years old.

¹¹ As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

¹² Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said.

¹³ And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, Hebron for an inheritance.

 

Your inheritance has both future and present components.

 This is how Peter describes your future inheritance- I Peter 1:

³Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

⁴ To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

⁵ Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

 

Your inheritance is incorruptible: i.e. it cannot be perverted, dissolved or decayed

Your inheritance is undefiled; i.e. cannot be made dirty

Your inheritance fades not away; i e. cannot become dim, lose freshness, strength or health

Your inheritance is reserved for you in Heaven; i.e. set apart particularly for you and kept by

special arrangement for you

 

To God be the Glory – Fanny Crosby

1.            To God be the glory, great things he hath done!

So loved he the world that he gave us his Son,

who yielded his life an atonement for sin,

and opened the lifegate that all may go in.

Refrain:

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

let the earth hear his voice!

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,

let the people rejoice!

O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son,

and give him the glory, great things he hath done!

2.            O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,

to every believer the promise of God;

the vilest offender who truly believes,

that moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

(Refrain)

3.            Great things he hath taught us, great things he hath done,

and great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son;

but purer, and higher, and greater will be

our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

(Refrain)

Listen on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBjvzDq1dM8

 

My Tribute (To God be the Glory) – Andrae Crouch

How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me
Things so undeserved Yet you give to prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels Cannot express my gratitude
All that I am or ever hope to be I owe it all to Thee

(Chorus)
To God be the glory To God be the glory
To God be the glory For the things He has done
With His blood, He has saved me
By His power, He has raised me.
To God be the glory For the things he has done

Just let me live my life And let it be pleasing, Lord to Thee
And should I gain any praise, Let it go to Calvary.

With His blood, He has saved me By His power, He has raised me.
To God be the glory For the things he has done.

Listen on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iZm9__sJL8

Questions for Reflection

1) What does your inheritance mean to you?

 

2) When you consider the price Jesus paid for your inheritance what three words come to mind?

 

3) How can you show forth the wonder of your inheritance in your daily living?

 

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

You and I have an enemy.  We did not choose him. When we chose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His enemy became our enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

 When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the very power of sin and someday will be saved from the very presence of sin!

What is success from God’s perspective? What is it that will please our beloved Jesus? What does He desire of you? Read the words given to Joshua as the children prepared to enter their inheritance. Remember every one of the 600,000 men (Exodus 12:37) delivered from slavery in Egypt, except Joshua and Caleb, dies in the wilderness and did not enter the promised inheritance. So the children, not yet seeing God face-to-face and not yet rid of their sin natures, prepared to enter the inheritance land. They were in the same circumstances as you and me.

Joshua 1;

⁵ There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

⁷ Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

⁸ 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.

 

Ephesians 6:

¹⁰ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

¹¹ Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

¹² For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

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.

¹⁸ Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

     

Philippians2:

²⁷ Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

²⁸And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

           

2 Corinthians 10:

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;

⁶ And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.

The battle Belongs to the Lord by Jamie Owens-Collins

In heavenly armor we’ll enter the land
The battle belongs to the Lord
No weapon that’s fashioned against us shall stand
The battle belongs to the Lord

Chorus

We sing glory and honor
Power and strength to the Lord
(repeat)

The power of darkness comes in like a flood
The battle belongs to the Lord
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord

When your enemy presses in hard do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord

Check out the song on youtube –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qp_PolBwjEw

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

You and I have an enemy.  We did not choose him. When we chose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His enemy became our enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

 When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the very power of sin and someday will be saved from the very presence of sin!

The next piece of armor is the helmet of salvation

Ephesians 6:

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

What does the helmet protect?

The helmet protects your head which houses your brain. Your brain controls how your body operates and moves. Your head may become injured, bruised or severely damaged.

The enemy’s attack may be swift and unexpected or slowly approaching so you see it coming. Regardless of how and when the enemy attacks, Jesus wants you to be ready, with your mind protected with the helmet He designed for you.

Jesus’ love for you is unconditional. There is nothing you need do to make Him love you more. There is nothing you can do that will make Him love you less. His love is stronger than any failure on your part. His love is stronger than your enemy. His love is stronger than death. Rest in His love because His grace is sufficient for you.

What does salvation mean for you?

New life and forgiveness. – Colossians 2:

¹³ And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

John 5:

²⁴ Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

Deliverance and Translation into His kingdom as heir- Colossians. 1:

¹² Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

¹³ Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

¹⁴ In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Reconciled to God – Colossians 1:

²¹ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

 

Redeemed from the penalty of death and slavery to sin –Galatians 3:

¹³ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

¹⁴ That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

Remember any thought that comes into your mind is not a sin. You and I are bombarded with dirty images on the subway, on the television, on the internet, in casual conversations.

However, how you respond to the thought may be a sin.

Jesus loves you so much. He provides the helmet of salvation to protect your mind from any injury or damage.  He understands. He stands ready to help. Jesus does not want a puppet. The choice of what you allow into your mind is yours.

Advice from David – Psalm 32:

⁷ Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

⁸ I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

⁹ Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

¹⁰ Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

¹¹ Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Advice from Peter- 1 Peter 2:

¹ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

² As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

³ If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

⁴ To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

⁵ Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

⁶ Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.

^Z7 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.

¹⁸ But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Jesus is intimate. He is your personal Savior. Remember His promise in Hebrews 13:

⁵ Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

⁶ So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

 

Questions for Reflection

1) What does having Jesus for your teacher mean to you?

 

2) What does growing in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus mean to you?

 

3) What difference should it make for you to be in the Son’s kingdom rather than the enemy’s kingdom?

 

Rejoice in the Lord by Ron Hamilton

God never moves without purpose or plan
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD though your testing seems long;
In darkness He giveth a song.

I could not see through the shadows ahead;
So I looked at the cross of my Savior instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day;
Then peace came and tears fled away.

Now I can see testing comes from above;
God strengthens His children and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging more fruit I will bear.

O Rejoice in the LORD
He makes no mistake,
He knoweth the end of each path that I take,
For when I am tried
And purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

Listen to the song on youtube:- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iJLgasicRI

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti

You and I have an enemy.  We did not choose him. When we chose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His enemy became our enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

 When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the very power of sin and someday will be saved from the very presence of sin!

The next piece of armor is the shield of faith. Ephesians 6:

¹⁶ Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

This piece of armor is for action. You use it to quench those fiery darts of your enemy. That certainly involves protection for you but so much more. Jesus designed the shield of faith to enable you to quench those fiery darts, not just stop them from hurting and injuring you. With the sdhield of faith you can extinguish the fiery dart. You can overcome!

Remember there is nothing in the Bible that indicates your enemy knows your thoughts. But your enemy has had all of history to observe human behavior and he is hateful and cunning.

So what are your weak points- unresolved wounds from the past? -unfulfilled desires in your present?

Where are you vulnerable?

Jesus cares! He loves you unconditionally. He has a good plan for your life. He will give you the victory and bring you home to Him safely.

What is faith? Hebrews 11:

¹ Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

² For by it the elders obtained a good report.

³ Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

 

1 John 5:

⁴ For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

⁵ Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

 

Remember Who He is and who you are in Him!

Jesus overcomes your enemy!- John 16:

³³ These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

 

1 Corinthians 15:

²⁰ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

²¹ For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

²² For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

²³ But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

²⁴ Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.

²⁵ For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

²⁶ The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

 

Psalms 91:

⁴ He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield a buckler.

 

Remember, also, that Jesus as your High Priest, stands before the Father and speaks against the enemy who accuses you continually!

Revelation 12:

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.

¹² Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Hebrews 4:

¹³ Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

¹⁴ Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

¹⁵ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

Faith is the Victory- John Yates, 1891

Encamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know, That overcomes the world.

Refrain:
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love, Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath, Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death Is still our shining shield.

On every hand the foe we find Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind, And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head, With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ‘neath our tread, And echo with our shout.

To him that overcomes the foe, White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know His name confessed in Heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light, Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night, In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

Listen to it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdAo-qiGG8g

Questions for Reflection

1) Why do you think Paul thought taking the shield of faith was above all other pieces of the armor?

 

2) How important is faith in Jesus to you?

 

3) Which fiery dart is repeatedly thrown at you? Tell it to Jesus. He loves you unconditionally. He is able to give you the victory!

Hebrews 12:

¹Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

² Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He set before us, looking unto Jesus,

Coach Patti