As we continue working on our Grand Opening weekend for Harbor Life Church, I am continuing working on my message on VICTORY! Last time we talked about the "V" in Victory standing for "Viligance!" Today I move on to the "I" in Victory which for me stands for "Investing your life in the things of God!" INVESTING your life in the things of God.
The world we live in likes to shove sin and images of sin down our throats. Too many times we invest in all sorts of different avenues trying to find the right path to successs or what the world says success should look like. Spiritual VICTORY and victory over the flesh or over the enemy will never come through things of the flesh or things of the enemy. As Christian people we must INVEST in the things of Christ. Taking his word and praying to our God and holding strong to his promises will INVEST our lives into the kingdom of God. But I think it goes much further than just the normal message of "pray and read the bible!"
I bought a drum set when I was in 7th grade and learned how to play. I worked all summer long and saved up the money cutting grass in my neighborhood. As I learned to play I became drum captain of our marching band drum line in Jr. High and also in High School. I was in jazz band and when I graduated still held onto that drum set. It now sits on the stage of our church and is played every Sunday in worship to our God. (over 20 years later!) I worked for that set and invested my time, money and effort into it. I cherish it to this day. Maybe you have not felt God's presence latley or maybe you have not even spoken in prayer. How much are you investing in the kingdom of God?
When you invest in a bank there is a certain return you get on interest earned. People play the stock market and hope to get a return on their investment. How much more will God bless us when we are obedient to him and INVEST in what he promises and says we should do. It's not enough to say that you believe. True VICTORY will only come through a LIFE INVESTMENT into the kingdom. Salvation is only the beginning. Make the change and put your heart into it. Israel had everything riding on their march around Jericho. They invested their effort and prayer and time every day in obedience to God and received their VICTORY! Are you INVESTING your life in the things of God?
Next time we move forward to our "C" in viCtory!
Friday, May 21, 2010
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
VICTORY!
We are coming up on our Grand Opening Weekend at Harbor Life Church here in Safety Harbor, FL. and on June 5th we will have our youth/childrens family worship service. My message is going tobe entitled, "Man Became Alive-7 Steps to VICTORY!" I wanted to share some of these steps over the next few weeks. In Joshua 6, Israel is told to go and take captive the city of Jericho. Jericho had a huge wall around it that kept everyone in and everyone out. It locked in what God had promised them and became this obstacle preventing Israel from obtaining their blessing. Have you ever felt like you had a wall keeping you from your blessing? I know I have.
This brings me to the "V" in VICTORY! One of the 7 steps, "VIGILANCE!" In 1 Peter 5:8, it says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
As much as you want victory in life, there is an enemy who desires just as much to rip victory out of your hands. He paints a picture of failure and seeks to devour your drive and your passion for the blessings God has promised you. He tries to place a wall or situation or obstacle in our way to God. But thank God for VIGILANCE! We are aware of the enemy.
Vigilance means, alert, watchful. Careful attention. Israel was very aware of their surroundings. They knew the situation. But they stayed true because in their vigilance, they obeyed God's command. March around that city and praise me. I will give you the city.
In our vigilance we must be aware that the verse says that the enemy walks about seeking whom he MAY devour!" MAY, not whoever he just wishes to devour. In our vigilance, always remember, Satan is defeated, the devil is defeated. Our flesh is defeated. We must be mindful not to feed the lion. Do not feed the flesh with the world but feed the spirit with the thoughts and things of God. This will bring me to the "I" in VICTORY for next time. Be blessed!
Pastor Shawn
This brings me to the "V" in VICTORY! One of the 7 steps, "VIGILANCE!" In 1 Peter 5:8, it says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
As much as you want victory in life, there is an enemy who desires just as much to rip victory out of your hands. He paints a picture of failure and seeks to devour your drive and your passion for the blessings God has promised you. He tries to place a wall or situation or obstacle in our way to God. But thank God for VIGILANCE! We are aware of the enemy.
Vigilance means, alert, watchful. Careful attention. Israel was very aware of their surroundings. They knew the situation. But they stayed true because in their vigilance, they obeyed God's command. March around that city and praise me. I will give you the city.
In our vigilance we must be aware that the verse says that the enemy walks about seeking whom he MAY devour!" MAY, not whoever he just wishes to devour. In our vigilance, always remember, Satan is defeated, the devil is defeated. Our flesh is defeated. We must be mindful not to feed the lion. Do not feed the flesh with the world but feed the spirit with the thoughts and things of God. This will bring me to the "I" in VICTORY for next time. Be blessed!
Pastor Shawn
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