Topic: Square Up To Challenges [Thursday, February 9th]
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (James 1:2).*_
There’re some Christians who, even though they’ve been born again for a long time, still love to be “babied.” When facing challenges, rather than squaring up to those challenges by putting their faith to work, they go seeking prayers and encouragement. They like to hear such words as, “Don’t worry; God is going to turn your worst into your best, and make a way where there seems to be no way.” But that’s not good enough.
Don’t stay at the level where you’re always being pulled up; always looking for someone to encourage you, hoping that everything would work out for your good. Square up to the problem! The Bible says, “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” (1 John 4:4). Romans 8:35-37 declares, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?…Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”
You’re more than a conqueror; you’re a victor in Christ Jesus; no circumstance or situation can overwhelm you, because you’re born to win, reign and rule over circumstances. It’s your heritage in Christ Jesus. So, stop asking God to make the challenges go away; He’s not going to make them go away, because they’re for your promotion. That’s why He says, “Count it all joy when you go through diverse tests.”
You’re in God’s army; you can’t afford to be a sissy. Face challenges and win. He knows you’ll come out unscathed. He already declared, “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isaiah 43:2).
Don’t pray to God to protect you from the devil; you’re superior to the devil. The devil and all his demons are under your feet. So, square up; win, reign, and rule your world every day with the Word.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I count it all joy when tests and challenges come my way. I remain joyful irrespective of contrary situations and circumstances, for I’m assured that the story has already been told, the end determined, and my testimony of victory assured in the Word. Thank you, Lord, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study: || Hebrews 5:12-14 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. ||
|| Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. ||
|| 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen [are] temporal; but the things which are not seen [are] eternal. ||
Daily Scripture Reading
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 26:57-75,
Exodus 36-37
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 13:24-33,
Genesis 40
