I want to share with you an encouraging word that was given to me Sunday morning when the music team gathered to pray before the service: “We need to approach this service (day) like it was the ‘last leg’ of our breakthrough. Just a little more pressure and endurance pressing forward toward our goal.”
I realize it’s a psychological exercise that gives you extra ‘wind’ when you think all you have to do is just press a little more…after all, we all can muster a little more ‘steam’ to go forward. Regardless of the pressure, somehow we can endure just a little longer.
Scripture says that the Lord will never allow us to be tested (tempted) beyond what we are able, but will with the trial strengthen us to endure until the end, providing the way of escape (Mike Leach paraphrase of 1 Corinth. 10:13)!
Just after I spoke those words I had an image go off inside me of a runner. He was on a narrow, somewhat rocky, path going up a hillside with a bright Light at the end of his journey. The Light was his goal and he remained extremely focused on reaching that Light. As he was running, though, there were enemies alongside the path that were throwing things out in front of him.
I couldn’t see exactly what these things were, but I knew their purpose; they were meant to trip him up, even make him fall (for some were very large and some were small).
[Do you have your shouting clothes on? Pay close attention to this next portion.]
AS HE REMAINED FOCUSED ON THE PRIZE BEFORE HIM (his goal, destination) EVERY OBJECT THROWN IN HIS PATH MEANT TO DELAY, TRIP HIM UP — EVEN MAKE HIM FALL — COMPLETELY DISSOLVED EITHER BEFORE HE GOT TO IT OR RIGHT WHEN HE REACHED IT. RUNNING RIGHT THROUGH WITHOUT MISSING A BEAT!!!!!!
Maybe you need to read that part again. You see, there is nothing the devil can mean for evil that the Lord God Almighty cannot turn around for your good!!!
If your eyes are on Jesus, and your purpose is fixed on Him — death itself — yes, I said death! — cannot even cause you to lose one beat!!
Let’s turn the tables on darkness and allow the glory of God to spread like a cancer! Overcome the evil in your life by doing good to those who the enemy has sent to trip you up!
Say these words – OUT LOUD! – “Greater is He Who is in me! I am more than a conqueror through Him! Thanks be unto God, Who always leads me in triumph! I can do all things through Christ, Who strengthens me and loves me and is always interceding for me! I shall not be moved! The Lord is my Light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? He is my refuge and fortress, my God – in Him shall I trust! Though I walk through the waters, they shall not overtake me; though I walk through the fire, I SHALL NOT BE BURNED!”
Now shout: HALLELUJAH! Give God praise for His wonderful promises to you! Believe them! Speak them every day. His word is alive and it shall come to pass in your life!