Defeating Major Enemies Part IIId cont

3. Faith and patience will bring victory in our lives.

James 1:2-8
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the proving of your faith works patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and without reproach, and it is given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting. For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, being driven and tossed by the wind; for do not let that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord -- he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.

Deuteronomy 8:1-20
All the commandments, which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers. And thou shall remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in your heart, whether thou would keep his commandments, or not. And He humbled you, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed you with manna, which thou knew not, neither did your fathers know; that He might make you know that man does not live by bread only, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of them LORD does man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon you, neither did your foot swell, these forty years. You shall consider in your heart, that, as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him. For the LORD your God brings you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills; a land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates, a land of oil olive, and honey; a land wherein you shall eat bread without scarceness, you shall not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig brass. When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you forget not the LORD your God, in not keeping His commandments, and His judgments, and His statutes, which I command you this day: Lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses, and swell therein; Then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God, which brought your forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; who led you through that great and terrible wilderness wherein were fiery serpents and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought you forth water out of the rock of flint; who fed you in the wilderness with manna, which your fathers knew not, that He might humble you, and that He might prove you, to do you good at your end; and you say in your heart. My power and the might of mine hand has gotten me this wealth. But you shall remember the LORD thy God: for it is He that has given you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore into your fathers, as it is this day. And it shall be, if you do at all forget the LORD they God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them. I testify against you this day that you shall surely perish. As the nations which the LORD destroy before your face, so hall you perish; because you would not be obedient unto the voice of the LORD your God.

Deuteronomy 8:1-20
All the commandments, which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD swore unto your fathers.

If we want victory in our lives, we must be willing to hear the Word of God and obey the Word of God. Our living, multiplying, going in and possessing our promised land depends on our obedience. God has already promised us.

Defeating Major Enemies Part IIIc Cont

3. Faith and patience will bring victory in our lives.

James 1:2-8
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the proving of your faith works patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and without reproach, and it is given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting. For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, being driven and tossed by the wind; for do not let that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord -- he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.

I Peter 1:6-9
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love, Through now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith –the salvation of your souls.

I Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as although some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.

Defeating Major Enemies Part III A Cont

3. Faith and patience will bring victory in our lives.

James 1:2-8
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the proving of your faith works patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and without reproach, and it is given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting. For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, being driven and tossed by the wind; for do not let that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord -- he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.

Hebrews 6:15
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

If at any time in the process of testing we lack wisdom, all we have to do is ask God. He will give us the wisdom to know what to do.

Defeating Major Enemies Part IIIA Cont

3. Faith and patience will bring victory in our lives. James 1:2-8

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the proving of your faith works patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and without reproach, and it is given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting. For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, being driven and tossed by the wind; for do not let that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord -- he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.

Hebrew 6:11-15
And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiply I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

Hebrew 10:23
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

When problems come, the way to victory is through faith and patience unswerving constancy. We find God's promise in His Word. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Patience (unswerving constancy) or saying the promise over and over again moves us on to victory in our lives. Remember, testing is a process to find out what our faith is like and provide the Word of God needed to make our faith strong and complete.

Defeating Major Enemies Part IIIA

3. Faith and patience will bring victory in our lives.

James 1:2-8

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the proving of your faith works patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all freely and without reproach, and it is given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting. For the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, being driven and tossed by the wind; for do not let that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord -- he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.

Fatih and patience work together to bring about victory in our lives. The following are definitions of faith and patience:

Faith - belief in God's work. James tells us that faith without works is dead. So along with belief in God's work one must put action for faith to be complete.

Patience- unswerving constancy. That is to say or do the same thing over and over again, never varying.

Hebrews tell us that through faith and patience Abraham received God's promise to him.

(more on Friday)

Defeating Major Enemies Part IIB

2. What you consider will bring victory or defeat in every situation that you face.

Romans 4:19-5:1

And (Abraham) being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Hebrews 12:1-3
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, 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 it set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds.

We discussed what not to consider - Do not consider our circumstances or situation. What do we consider? We are to consider Jesus! Because Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. Faith pleases God and makes things happen. We are to run with patience (unswerving constancy). We are to find what the Word of God says about our situation, just like Abraham did, and say it over and over again- nothing else! If we do not, our considering our circumstances will not leave us hope. Then no hope, no faith, and no faith, no victory. Considering Jesus, "by Jesus stripes I was healed" (Isa 53:4-5 and Matt 8:17), keeps hope in us and our minds remain positive toward God. With no hope we become weary and faint in our minds.

Defeating Major Enemies Part IIA

2. What you consider will bring victory or defeat in every situation that you face.

Romans 4:19-5:1
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb: he staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for Abraham’s sake alone, that it was imputed to him, but for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on Him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into the grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

This passage is talking about Abraham. It says that Abraham was not weak in faith because he did not consider his own body or circumstances. Because Abraham was strong in faith, he did not stagger/waiver at the promise of God through unbelief. He was strengthen through faith by giving glory to God. Because he was strong in faith, he was fully persuaded that what God had promised, God was able to perform. Because Abraham was in faith, God imputed this to righteousness on Abraham's account. Ultimately Abraham's righteousness resulted in peace with God. This is also the way we have peace with God through our faith in Jesus Christ.

Defeating Major Enemies Part 1E

James 4:1-10

Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously”? But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resist the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse you hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

This passage discusses parts of I Peter 5:5-11. James says that you have problems when you are self centered. You do not put God first but yourself. When you ask, you ask not according to the Word of God but your own selfish desires. God wants you to put Him and His purposes first. The Holy Spirit in you wants your total commitment to God. God gives more grace. God's loves for us is so great and His desire to bless us is so great. God can not do all He wants to do for us except as we put ourselves in proper relationship to Him. When we put ourselves under God's mighty hand/submit to Him, we can resist the devil and he has to flee. We must draw near to God and He will draw near to us. We must use the Word of God to get our hearts right with God and He will take care of us and the problem.

Defeating Major Enemies Part 1D

I Peter 5:5-11

But the God of all grace, the One calling you to His eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered a while, He Himself will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.

When you humble yourself under the God's mighty hand of deliverance by casting your cares upon Him and resist the devil standing on the Word of God, God will move on your behalf to restore (supply what you are missing), to establish ( make you solid as granite), to strengthen (fill you with strength), and to settle (lay the foundation).

Since faith is the key ingredient in our relationship with God, all of the above helps in developing the foundation and building of the faith relationship with God.

Give Him great praise!!!

Defeating Major Enemies Part 1C

I Peter 5:5-11

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: but resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world.

After you are in God's hand and the problem is in God's hands, you need to watch: 1) The Word of God that God has given you for your situation and 2) the devil who is trying to defeat the Word of God in you. The devil is already defeated and we can resist him by staying steadfast in our faith. James 1:2-4 tell us patience is unswerving constancy. That is to keep saying what God says again and again.

Defeating Major Enemies Part 1B

I Peter 5:5-11

...God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time: casting all you care upon him; for he cares for you.

Once a person puts themselves under the might hand of God and cast the care on God. They can depend on God to provide all His resources to deliever that person from the problem. The person must then find out what the Word of God says about the problem. Begin to meditate/confess/agree with what God's Word says about the problem. The person must watch for any deceptions to come to mind. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: but resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren who are in the world. The person must stay steadfast in the Word of God. Say only what the Word of God says about the problem. Do not deviate from the Word of God or you become double minded. In all things give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:18