The Battlefield of the Mind, Part-4

Out of His Glorious Riches


Ephesians 3:14-21 (NIV) For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

X. God gives to us out of His riches

Ephesians 3:16a (YLT) That He may give to you, according to the riches of His glory,

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NLT) By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

XI. Strengthened by the Holy Spirit

Ephesians 3:16 (AMP) May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened {and} reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].

Ephesians 1:18-20 (NIV) I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 

Colossians 1:10-13 (NIV) And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

XII. If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:31 (AMP) What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]

Romans 8:32-39 (NIV) 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Isaiah 54:17 no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me," declares the LORD.

XIII. God does more than we can imagine 

http://www.renewalcs.org/battlefield_of_the_mind4.pdf

Battlefield of the Mind-Part 3

We Win or Lose by How we Choose 

VII. We reap what we sow

Hosea 10:12-13 (NIV) Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD, until he comes and showers righteousness on you.13 But you have planted wickedness, you have reaped evil, you have eaten the fruit of deception. Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors,

Galatians 6:7-9 (NIV) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

We reap what we sow, we reap more that we sow, and we reap in time

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NKJV) But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Determine to sow good seed in abundance and to wait in faith for a new harvest.

VIII. We have been given everything we need

2 Tim. 1:7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline (KJV sound mind).

2 Peter 1:3-4 (NIV) His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and good- ness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Philippians 2:13 (AMP) [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.

We must remember that change is about submitting our will to the word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. God expects us to do our part in the process.

• We must make deliberate, principle centered, biblical choices
• We must be consistent in those choices
• This will enable us to walk in obedience to Gods will and purpose for our lives

IX. We Have the mind of Christ

1 Corinthians 2:7-16 (NIV) No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him”—10 but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment:16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and the reading or God’s word, believers have insight into some of God’s plans, thoughts, and actions—we, in fact, have the “mind of Christ.” Through the ministry of the Holy Spirit we can begin to know God’s thoughts, talk with him, and expect Him to answer our prayers.

"The spiritual person has the mind of Christ (see Phil. 2). This means that the Spirit, through the Word, helps the believer think as Jesus thinks. It is an amazing thing to say that human beings possess the very mind of God!” —Wiersbe’s Expository outlines of the New Testament

Luke 24:45 (NIV) Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures.

1 Peter 1:13-16 (NIV) Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Mark 12:30-31 (NIV) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

We Win or Lose by How we Choose, One Decision at a Time

http://www.renewalcs.org/battlefield_of_the_mind3.pdf

The Battlefield of The Mind-Part 2

We Win or Lose by How we Choose

Last week we talked about the ongoing battle for the mind. The enemy of our soul wants nothing less than to destroy the children of God. If he can invade our thoughts, he has the hope of manipulation, deception, vexation, and worse. Where our thoughts go our feet follow.

Ephesians 6:12 (NIV) For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Do Not Live (think) Like The Unsaved

Ephesians 4:17-19 (NLT) With the Lord’s authority let me say this: Live no longer as the ungodly do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They don’t care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.

Do Not Associate With Them

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NIV) Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Think on Spiritual Things

Romans 8:5-8 (NASB) For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

The Transforming of Our Minds

Romans 12:1-2 (NASB) Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, {which is} your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

The Battlefield of The Mind-Part 1

We Win or Lose by How we Choose

I. The “depraved” mind

There is a battle going on, even as we speak, for the minds of men and women. The enemy of our soul wants nothing less than to destroy the children of God. With a desire of invading our thoughts, he has the hope of manipulation, deception, vexation, and worse. Where our thoughts go our feet will follow.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Romans 1:20-32 (NIV) For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities— his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. 25 They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. 26 Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.28 Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Titus 1:15-16 (NIV) To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are cor- rupted. 16 They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are de- testable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

II. Do not live (think) like the unsaved

Ephesians 4:17-19 (NLT) With the Lord’s au- thority let me say this: Live no longer as the un- godly do, for they are hopelessly confused. 18 Their closed minds are full of darkness; they are far away from the life of God because they have shut their minds and hardened their hearts against him. 19 They don’t care anymore about right and wrong, and they have given themselves over to immoral ways. Their lives are filled with all kinds of impurity and greed.

Paul uses the strongest language he can with the understanding that he has the sup- portive authority of scripture and of God himself.

Ephesians 4:17a (TMNT) And so I insist—and God backs me up on this. Ephesians 4:17a (NIV) So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord,

III. Do not associate with them

1 Corinthians 15:33 (AMP) Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.

“ . . . he who frequents the company of bad or corrupt men will soon be as they are. He may be sound in the faith, and have the life and power of godliness, and at first fre- quent their company only for the sake of their pleasing conversation, or their literary accomplishments: and he may think his faith proof against their infidelity; but he will soon find, by means of their glozing speeches, his faith weakened; and when once he gets under the empire of doubt, unbelief will soon prevail; his bad company will corrupt his morals . . .” —The Adam Clarke Commentary

2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NIV) But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slander- ous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

2 Timothy 3:5 (NLT) They will act as if they are religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. You must stay away from people like that.

Do not be deceived, if you keep company with those whose minds and consciences have been corrupted, YOUR actions can be compromised and YOUR thought life corrupted. One cannot play with fire and not be scorched or burned. Continue to compassionately evangelize the lost but guard your heart on how intimate you become with them.

IV. Think on spiritual things

Romans 8:5-8 (NASB) For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

We must understand that our thought life will affect our entire life. If we choose to think on those things which are carnal and fleshly, our feet will eventually take us there! Please remember that . . .

• Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. Col. 1:21
• If I regard wickedness in my heart, The Lord will not hear. Psalm 66:18
• If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

V. The transforming of our minds

Romans 12:1-2 (AMP) I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, {and} beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service {and} spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, {even} the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

Romans 13:14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.

Ephesians 4:22-24 (NIV) You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

VI. Choose to walk in the light

Remember what was said earlier? Where our minds are, our feet will take us. Choose to think about things that will illuminate your life.

Ephesians 5:8 (NLT) For though your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your behavior should show it!

1 John 1:7 (NIV) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 (The Message) But if we walk in the light, God himself being the light, we also experience a shared life with one another, as the sacrificed blood of Jesus, God's Son, purges all our sin.

Remember the old saying “GIGO”, garbage in garbage out? What we take in through our eyes, what we allow our minds to dwell on is critical to our emotional and spiritual wellbeing.

Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV) Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about any- thing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philip. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

2 Peter 3:1 Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking.

Col. 3:2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

http://www.renewalcs.org/battlefield_of_the_mind1.pdf

Obtaining the Promises and Walking in Victory-Part 3

Last week we talked about the importance of:

V. Adjusting to change, a walk of faith not of sight. Seen or unseen, God is with His people. We can trust Him to lead us to victory.

VI. Getting the needed assurance and power of a divine encounter to further strengthen our faith and galvanize us for the battle.

Having done this we are now ready to receive additional and specific guidance from the Lord. Now we can go forth in a power not our own to wage war against a fortified enemy. But what do you do when the guidance your receive defies human reasoning?

Joshua 6:1-11 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.2 Then the LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. 4 Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. 5 When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in.” 6 So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant of the LORD and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it.” 7And he ordered the people, “Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the LORD.” 8 When Joshua had spoken to the people, the seven priests carrying the seven trumpets before the LORD went forward, blowing their trumpets, and the ark of the LORD’S covenant followed them. 9 The armed guard marched ahead of the priests who blew the trumpets, and the rear guard followed the ark. All this time the trumpets were sounding. 10 But Joshua had commanded the people, “Do not give a war cry, do not raise your voices, do not say a word until the day I tell you to shout. Then shout!” 11 So he had the ark of the LORD carried around the city, circling it once. Then the people returned to camp and spent the night there.

Having a complete understanding of what God wants to do, how and why He intends to do it is not a prerequisite for obedience. Throughout the scriptures, we read how God challenges His people to demonstrate their faith and acceptance of His word by walking in obedient.

VII. Be willing to receive God’s prefect plan

In the Bible the number, seven often symbolizes perfection, completeness, or full- ness. There were seven priests, 7 trumpets, seven days, seven circuits of the wall on the seventh day. God wanted Joshua and the people to know that while God’s plan of action may seem foolish to us it is always the perfect strategy for winning battles and pulling down strongholds.

Notice the order of the precession: (1) armed guard, (2) priests and rams horns, (3) priests and the Ark of the Covenant, (4) armed guard, (5) the Hebrew people. God wanted Joshua and the people to know that victory in battle would depend upon recog- nizing His presence in the midst of them. When you do it God’s way the evidence of His presence will be in the middle of it all.

2 Samuel 22:31 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him.

Isaiah 55:9 "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Hosea 14:9 Who is wise? He will realize these things. Who is discerning? He will un- derstand them. The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them, but the rebellious stumble in them.

Romans 11:33 (NLT) Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are his riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his methods!

VIII. Weapons of warfare not of our own choosing

“The trumpets they used were not those silver trumpets which were appointed to be made for their ordinary service, but trumpets of rams' horns, bored hollow for the purpose, as some think. These trumpets were of the basest matter, dullest sound, and least show, that the excellency of the power might be of God.”

—Matthew Henry Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible

2 Corinthians 10:4 (NKJV) For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds.

Get the entire study of part 3, IX, X, and XI, by clicking this link

http://www.renewalcs.org/walking_in_victory3.pdf

Obtaining the Promises and Walking in Victory-Part 2

Obtaining the Promises and Walking in Victory-Part 2

This is part two in a series where we are talking about God’s desire for us to walk in the fullness of His power and to enjoy the richness of His promises. Like Joshua, we too will face strong opposition from our enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Here is a review of the stronghold strategies we have learned thus far.

I. Personal preparation opens the way for the living God who is among us to do wonders.

II. Commitment to covenantal relationship, allowing God to cut away areas of our lives that hinder us spiritually.

III. The removal of reproach.
a) the taunting and scorn directed toward us by the enemy. b) the shame and disgrace of our past sin.

IV. The celebration of Passover

The first and most important Stronghold Strategies are acts of preparation and devotion. You see the Promised Land before you. You are eager to advance. Before we go to battle, we must celebrate Passover.

Joshua 5:10 On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover.

Passover (Ex. 12:1-13; Deut. 16:1-8), began the religious year and commemorated God’s deliverance of His people from Egypt. For seven days the people gathered (in April) to renew and reaffirm their commitment to God. They gathered by families to replay the events of their miraculous deliverance and to teach the next generation the importance of wholehearted reliance and obedience to God.

“To remember what the Almighty has done is pleasing to Him and beneficial to us. It rebukes ingratitude and faithless- ness. Hence the need of erecting our altars, which shall call to mind continually the blessings which have been be- stowed.” —Pulpit Commentary, Vol. 3, Joshua pg. 80

God required three elements to be eaten at Passover—the lamb, matzo (unleavened bread), and biter herbs.

Exodus 12:8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. (Num. 9:11)

1) the lamb symbolized innocence
2) the matzo symbolized purity
3) the bitter herbs symbolized slavery and misery.

Exodus 12:12-13 On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn—both men and animals—and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. 13 The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.

As Christians, we recognize and celebrate JESUS as the pure, holy, Lamb of God, who through the shedding of His innocent blood delivered us from the slavery and misery of sin.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Cor. 5:7b . . . For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.

1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Hebrews 9:16-22 In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, 17 because a will is in force only when some- body has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living. 18 This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. 19 When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. 20 He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” 21 In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. 22 In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Hebrews 9:27-28 Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, 28 so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.

Not only do we remember our deliverance from sin and death we also celebrate Christ’s enabling power during times of temptation and trial.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (The Message) No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll al- ways be there to help you come through it.

2 Corinthians 1:8-10 (The Message) We don’t want you in the dark, friends, about how hard it was when all this came down on us in Asia province. It was so bad we didn’t think we were going to make it. We felt like we’d been sent to death row, that it was all over for us. As it turned out, it was the best thing that could have happened. Instead of trusting in our own strength or wits to get out of it, we were forced to trust God totally—not a bad idea since he’s the God who raises the dead! And he did it, res- cued us from certain doom. And he’ll do it again, rescuing us as many times as we need rescuing.

Romans 8:31-33 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all— how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies.

To download the full study on part 2 click the link below.

http://www.renewalcs.org/walking_in_victory2.pdf

Obtaining the Promises and Walking in Victory-Part 1

Obtaining the Promises and Walking in Victory-Part 1

God’s desire is for us to walk in the fullness of His power and to enjoy the richness of His promises. When faced with what seems to be impossible odds He will always make a way where there seems to be no way. He will also give us the guidance we need to defeat the enemies of our soul, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Over the next few weeks, we will look at the story of Joshua as he leads the people of God into Canaan and the defeat of Jericho. We will discover how we too can gain victory over those obstacles that keep us from possessing what God has promised.

I. Preparation for the living God who is among us to do wonders

Joshua 3:3-5(NIV) giving orders to the people: "When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it." (V5 Amp.) And Joshua said to the people, Sanctify yourselves [that is, separate yourselves for a special holy purpose], for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.

"So when we set about any work of more than ordinary importance, be it sacred of be it secular, we are bond to prepare ourselves by prayer, by meditation, by reception of the Holy Communion, by a special study of God’s Word, by a cessation, as far as possible, of ordinary cares and engagements, for the task that awaits us.” —The Pulpit Commentary

Joshua 3:9-11 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.

Joshua 3:15-17 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (the Salt Sea ) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho. 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.

Joshua 4:23-24 For the LORD your God dried up the Jordan before you until you had crossed over. The LORD your God did to the Jordan just what he had done to the Red Sea when he dried it up before us until we had crossed over. 24 He did this so that all the peoples of the earth might know that the hand of the LORD is powerful and so that you might always fear the LORD your God.”

God’s deliverance of us now demands a deeper response from us, if we are to move and possess the promises of God.

For the complete study of part one click the link below:

http://www.renewalcs.org/walking_in_victory1.pdf