Keep on Winning!
Winning is the victory that has been given to each and everyone through the acceptance of Jesus Christ – the Son of God as Lord and Savior. Through Him, We have gained life and the blessings to live each day triumphantly. The winning life once accepted carries with it many ups and downs, tests and trials (James 1:2-8). You may ask – are you where you should be? Why so many obstacles, trials, difficulties and hardships? To simply encourage yourself, look at the bright side of the many battles you have won and your victorious existence today! Never become discouraged because many more victories are ahead and a final battle to win! As long as you have accepted Jesus in your heart, you exist with the gift to be victorious. Always know that winning is your Pal and there is no winning without a test. As a Christian you are called to stretch and grow to new levels of understanding and experiences in this challenge. Understand that your growth depends on moving to new levels through tests and trials. However, relevant to each test is a divine preparation by your maker, who has established that there is no test or trial greater than what He has already given you the victory over (1 Corinthians 10:13 & Psalm 34:19) . You are to further seek Him for the answers and solutions for these tests and trials as they come your way. (Romans 12:12, Philippians 4:6-7 & Prov 3:5-6)
This brings us to the point that your relationship with God through Jesus Christ is of paramount importance to sustaining the continuous winning life. You may already know that a relationship with God can only be built and sustained by adhering to the following requirements: reading His word daily, constantly praying, obedience, thanking, praising and worshiping Him, fellow-shipping with other Christians and sharing Him with others. Yet at times, you can grow weak, weary and become discouraged as a result of not doing what you are called to. Your Heavenly father, not to be taken for granted, has continued to be merciful and forgiving that He welcomes you with open arms to return unto Him. In the bible, Paul says it best – reinforcing the fact of what your true focus should be, ” Not that I have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:12-14). Can I get an Amen? Rejoice!!! Forget those old things which are behind, release those things which keep you bound and look ahead to your higher calling.
In conclusion, expeditiously rid yourself of fear and doubt and instead take on courage and faith. Become positive about your life and keep on believing in the promises of God’s word. Do not loose heart, but be encouraged to know that even though your outer self is wasting away, internally you are being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16) Finally, believe in the promise that you have overcome the world because greater is the one (God) who lives in you than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4)
Written By: Iodelle A. Chinnery