By Pastor Samuel OBAFAIYE
There is no victory without a battle. You can’t be a champion without first being a contender. Those who want to be victorious in life must be ready to engage in warfare.
There are usually many aspects to a battle or a war, but at the summation of all the snippets of the engagements, a winner always emerges. It is possible that you are faced with contending issues right now, God says, “you shall overcome at last”.
In NOEC primary textbook many years ago, there is a cartoon I can’t forget. A boy was coming happily, unknown to him; two boys talking were holding a rope at both sides, letting the rope dropped on the floor, so no one will notice. As soon as the boy got in line with them, they brought the rope up, so that he fell. The boy then began to cry, while the other two were laughing.
Unknowingly to the trio, an elderly person saw the episode, grabbed the two laughing boys by their ears, and started pulling them along. They soon began to cry, while the initial crying boy began to laugh as he goes on his way.
It may be that you have lost your balance a little in whatever way; you will regain your stand again. This time, you shall be immovable in Jesus name.
In Ecclesiastes 7:8, we are told that the end of a thing is better than the beginning. It is great to be part of the beginning of something, but the greater joy is been part of its completion.
Laying the foundation of a house is joyous. Furnishing it at the end is more joyous. But between foundation and furnishing are different stages. Patience is required.
Every foundation you have laid, you will see the completion in Jesus name.
In I Cor. 9:24, Apostle Paul was telling the Corinthians to run the race of life well so that they might obtain a prize.
Some years ago, while in training in the Army, we used to do 25km race every Saturday. My Company was Charlie of about 375 recruits. To escape punishment, one needs to be in the first 200 that came back. Somehow, I was always coming above 200, so I would be among those been punished, even though I would have completed the race. What a vain.
You will not run through this life in vain. You will obtain a crown of life in Jesus name.
Our God is very great. His greatness is not just because He is the beginning, but because He is the ending as well. The first does not matter as the last; neither is the Alpha as important as the Omega. His kingdom shall have no end.
In 1987, Carl Lewis set the world record for 100 metres at 9:83s. Today, Usain Bolt has improved on that record as the fastest man with 9:58s. Carl Lewis is now 52 years, he can’t come back to surpass Bolt record. His record has been overshadowed forever.
People might have gone before you. The power that propelled Elijah on foot to overtake Ahab on chariot will work for you. For an overtaking to take place, either of two things may happen or jointly happened:
- Vehicle in front drop in speed
- Vehicle behind increase in speed. Whichever way God wants, you will overcome at last.
Many Christians begin to doubt the presence or love of God when faced with certain difficulty:
Because we have Jesus does not mean that we will not be hit by storms. Jesus Himself had attacks from storms (Mk. 4:35-41). The good tiding is that with Christ, we will not sink.
Because we have Jesus does not mean that we might not face challenges with finance or material supplies. Jesus Himself had to face such a challenge (Mt. 17:24-27). The good tiding is those with God will never be put to shame financially.
David said in Psalm 37:25 from his experience, he has not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread. From my experience in life, I can testify that this is true.
Paul said, he knew how to be abased and abound. Divine provision will come for you.
Because we have Jesus does not mean that we might not be cornered up or surrounded. Jesus had experience that before (Lk. 4:28-30). He was going to be thrown down…
The good tiding is that God will make a way of escape for us. Elisha was cornered up by the Syrian Army. What a funny operation it was.
Have you been cornered up in any way? You will laugh last.
Because we have Jesus does not mean that we will not face oppositions or contentions on what belongs to us. Isaac went through that regarding wells that were dug by his servants (Gen. 26:19-22). The people of Gerar strove with him. The good tiding is that God will grant us rest and make us the envy of many.
Esek – contention, strife
Sitnar- opposition, accusation
Rehoboth- room
Are you doing well before God and you still weep? Job had wept before. The end of Job was however better than his beginning. Your end shall be better than your beginning in Jesus name.
I have since discovered in life that no matter how comfortable a man might be. Yet he will have something he yet lacked if he were to be sincere. The woman of Shunem was an example. May you overcome the need of your life in Jesus name.
In the early years of Jesus, Satan must have been having a laugh:
Jesus was born in a manger – laugh
Poor parents, grew up in a carpentry workshop – laugh
Herod commands little boys killed – laugh
Joseph and family ran away to Egypt – laugh
Return to Nazareth – (no prophet come from there) – laugh
Visitor to Jerusalem (corridor of power) – laugh
Destiny went into silence at 12 – laugh
Became hungry after fasting – laugh
Gethsemane ordeal – laugh
Trial, crucifixion, death and grave – laugh
However, on the third day of crucifixion, heaven began to laugh a lasting laugh.
1 Corinthians 2:8
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Tips to overcome in life
- Believe that Jesus is the Son of God (I John 4:4; 5:4-5)
- Demonstrate your faith in God (James 5:17)
- Declare that you are an overcomer always (Rev. 12:11)
- Demonstrate patience through challenges of life (James 1:3).
Prayers
- Holy Ghost fire, defend me and all my loved ones throughout life in Jesus name.
- Almighty Father, remove every hindrance to my acceleration in Jesus name.
- In the name of Jesus, all my past failures are converted to successes in Jesus name.
- Almighty Father, let great doors of opportunities and breakthroughs is opened unto me.
- Almighty Father, let me continually experience and testify to your goodness in the land of the living.
- In the name of Jesus, whatever might have been programmed against my joy, peace, success, to receive the judgement of the Almighty now.
Delivered on April 27th, 2014