How to gain victory in your life ? Inquire of the Lord for wisdom and strategy.
Thank you @Pure Glory for this reminder.
Life would be so much easier if we learnt true dependence on God. Every day we should ask Him for wisdom and strategy to successfully navigate our world.
1John 5:4 NKJV [4] For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
A victorious Christian life is a way of life, a life of consistent victory, it is about thriving in the face of difficulties and challenging situations. With the existing complexities, hardships of the current world, a victorious life is a much cherished way of life. And the good news is; every Christian, every disciple of Jesus can enjoy this life. First John 5:4 tells us this much……
We are born of God, born of the Word and Spirit, with a spiritual genetics configured to have victory at all times and in all things.
Through faith, accepting God’s Word as true and patterning of lives according to God’s Word we set ourselves up for victory, in every situation, place or time.
God is our Father and every time we go to Him, He is ready to help us. He is always willing to help us sort even the most difficult challenges of life.
What sets a Christian apart to enjoy a life of perpetual victory in a world where everyone is striving to thrive against odds? How is it possible to enjoy a victorious christian life in our current world? This is what this study series is about.
Faith believes for the invisible, true faith operates by believing without seeing.
What Is Faith?
“NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].“ Hebrews 11:1 (AMPC)
Faith is a state of believe, conviction, assurance, confidence that is based on what God’s Word says.
We can tease out 3 important truths about faith from Hebrews 11:1
Faith is a state of believe, conviction, assurance, confidence that is based on God’s Word.
Faith is the evidence of biblical Hope
Faith believes for the invisible.
Faith Believes for the Invisible
The object of faith is very real spiritually to the spirit man, however it is not visible to the physical eyes.
Faith perceives things which are not tangible to the human senses as real. This means that with faith, believing comes before seeing.
In Mark 11:24, Jesus says we are to believe that we have received whatever we are praying for, at the time of prayer, not when we see the answers to our prayers with our physical eyes, and not after we’ve expereinced them.
“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Mark 11:24 NKJV
In John 20:26-29, Jesus scolded Thomas; ‘Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed’.
“And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” [27] Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” [28] And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” [29] Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29 NKJV
If you always look for facts or evidence before believing, you will struggle with faith. You can learn how to improve on this attitude towards life in this video.
Biblical Hope is the confident expectation of good based on God’s Word. It is important to understand the concept of biblical hope because of its critical relationship to faith. And an understanding of the relationship between Hope and Faith is of high importance because anything we would ever receive from God, comes to us through faith. It is through faith and patience that we inherit all the promises of God (Hebrews 6:12), which have all been met in Christ Jesus. For me, the most exciting thing about biblical Hope is that the expected object manifests, eventaully. So it doesn’t matter how long it does, hope does not disappoint.
Relationship Between Faith and Hope
In this bible study video, I briefly explore the concept of biblical Hope, showing the relationship between Hope and Faith, and the link between these two and our divine healing experience.
Faith is the confidence, conviction and assurance that we have received the things we are believing from God, without having a physical evidence of these things . This definition of faith is better appreciated when we read Hebrews 11:1 from the Amplified Classic Version…
“NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].” Hebrews 11:1 AMPC
Hebrews 11:1 doesn’t just give us a definition of Faith, it also shows us the relationship between
Faith and Hope, as clearly stated in the New King James Bible Version….
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
My husband often checks my perpective on issues with this question; ‘where is your evidence, where are your facts ?” Well, from Hebrews 11:1, we can clearly see that the evidence of Hope is Faith. Biblical Hope picks up whatever Faith has received but which hasn’t yet manifested and holds on to it.
The FACTS OF HOPE IS THE CONFIDENCE AND CONVICTION OF FAITH. BECAUSE FOR FAITH IT IS DONE, SETTLED.
Below I share 6 important things about Hope that can help us enjoy God’s promises, including healing.
I pray that the truths in these verses of scripture come alive to you as you listen to the short bible study session on Hope, Faith and divine healing.
1. The Evidence of Hope is Faith
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 NKJV
2. Hope waits with confident expectation
“And our hope for you [our joyful and confident expectation of good for you] is ever unwavering (assured and unshaken); for we know that just as you share and are partners in [our] sufferings and calamities, you also share and are partners in [our] comfort (consolation and encouragement).” 2 Corinthians 1:7
“Remember the word to Your servant, Upon which You have caused me to hope.” Psalms 119:49
3. Hope works by using Faith as it’s substance or ingredient.
Without faith there will be no hope, because faith receives from God, by hearing and believing His Word (Romans 10:17) and Hope holds on to what Faith has received.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV
“But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” Romans 8:24-25 NKJV
4. Hope needs evidence because it is based on what is not seen physically.
“For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” Romans 8:24-25 NKJV
5. Hope is important for the healing experience because it is patient and waits endlessly
The healing process starts once faith has received healing by faith. However, if it happens that healing doesn’t manifest immediately, Hope holds on to what faith has received until it shows up.
Faith says I am healed.
Hope says ‘It will surely manifest’. Hope does not disappoint.
6. Hope does not Disappoint because God loves us
God loves us and wants us healed, so our healing will surely show if we hold on to God’s Word.
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:5 NKJV
Are you a leader? Do you want to be influential? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then this study series ‘Wisdom for Influence’ should interest you. Join me, let’s learn together.
What Is Influence?
“Influence is the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something” -Oxford Dictionary.
A person of influence is someone with leadership in a given sphere, someone whose words, presence or actions motivates and drives people to act or respond in a particular way.
According to John C. Maxwell; “the true measure of leadership is influence nothing more, nothing less“.
What Is Wisdom?
The webster unabridged dictionary defines wisdom as the capacity to make due use of knowledge.
What Is Biblical Wisdom?
From the Bible, we learn that the preeminent and choice part of wisdom comes from a reverent fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10), and insights into the workings of life come from the knowledge of God. The bible remains the truest, purest and most reliable source of the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:6).
Do you need Wisdom for Influence?
The topic ‘Wisdom for Influence’ aims to explore biblical insights and approaches to leadership for wider application to everyday life. So if you are you occupy any leadership position or seeks to be influential, then you need wisdom for influence.
Biblical Insights and Truths to Influence and Leadership
1. True Influence comes from God
Like we see with the shrewd manager in Luke 16:1-8, influence can be bought. Influence can also be gotten through philanthropy and generosity (Acts 9:36-43). However as we read throught the bible, we find that widespread and overwhelming influence is orchestrated by God.
Abraham is celebrated across different religions as a great patriarch. How did Abraham become so influential?
God’s promise to Abraham in Ur before he departed for the promise land was a promise to make him influential…
“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bleoss those wh bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
Abraham accumulated great wealth through his sojourn from Ur to Canaan, and although Abraham was a hardworking farmer and herdsman, in Genesis 12:2-3 God states clearly that He is the One who would make Abraham influential. Indeed, God repeats and emphasizes the word “I” at least 4 times in that portion of scripture.
In 2 Chronicles 1:11-12, Solomon asks God for wisdom to lead and govern His people, in response, God promises to give Solomon great wealth, riches, honor and glory. Solomon’s influence came from God.
True influence comes from God. He is the One who exalts and promotes (Psalms 75:6-7).
Abraham’s Wisdom for Influence
Abraham trusted God, obeyed God and walked by faith in God’s Word. He left his comfort zone at Ur to an unknown land. Can you imagine relocating from where you currently reside to an unknown destination because a voice told you so?
Abraham exhibited great faith walking into the unknown simply at God’s command.
Solomon’s Wisdom for Influence
God’s response to Solomon followed Solomon’s request for God’s help in governance.
Solomon was grateful for God’s kindness and goodness towards his father David. He was grateful for the kingdom God gave him to be king over; ‘a nation as full of people as the earth is full of dust‘ (2 Chronicles 1:9). And a grateful Solomon wanted so desperately to boast of The Lord’s goodness and to display God’s magnanimity towards him and his household. Therefore he assembled all the army officers and judges of Gibeon and all political/religious leaders of Israel at the Old Tabernacle for a showdown. After 1000 burnt offerings, God responded to Solomon’s gratitude by issuing him a blank cheque-he can ask for whatever he wants. Solomon asked for wisdom to lead God’s people. In otherwords, Solomon asked for Wisdom for Influence
“Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.” II Chronicles 1:11-12 NKJV
Just reading a bit of Abraham’s and Solomon’s journey to influence we see that total dependence on God is necessary for enjoying Godly influence. We must trust, believe and have faith in God and His Word and also be ready to obey and follow His leading, living in total submission to His will.
Please join me in the next part as we consider another wisdom nugget for influence.
A grateful Solomon wanted so desperately to boast of The Lord’s goodness and display His magnanimous doings towards him and his household. Therefore he assembled all the army officers and judges of Gibeon and all political/religious leaders of Israel at the Old Tabernacle for a showdown!
God wants us healthy, well and enjoying life (3 John 1:2). He wants us to enjoy life and life more abundantly (John 10:10). So, the scripture is replete with admonitions on ways to live, life choices to make in order to enjoy long life. Below I share a few of them..
A kingdom is a territory, domain or realm ruled by a king or queen who is the highest authority and who may choose to delegate same as he/she wishes. The day you made Jesus Lord and Saviour of your life, you were translated from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God and of His dear son Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:13). You are a member of the Kingdom of God. You are royalty (1 Peter 2:9).Kings reign and rule kingdoms through words. Their decrees become established and they govern their domains through words. Kings issue commands and processes are immediately set in motion for actualization of such commands. Jesus spoke extensively about the Kingdom of God, making reference to it many times in His teachings and parables. In Matthew 16:19, Jesus reveals the Keys of the Kingdom of God to His disciples…
“And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19
Words have power. Words are seeds. Decrees and Judgements are passed through words.
Little wonder Jesus marvelled at the Centurion’s words in Luke 7:7-9. This man understood Ecclesiastes 8:4-5 all too well….there is power in the Words of a king (Ecclesiastes 8:4-5).
The keys to unlocking every blessing in the Kingdom of God is in our words/decrees, and the keys to condemning/refuting every consequence of the curse is in our words/judgement.
Wisdom and discernment help proper use and application of decrees or judgment (Ecclesiastes 8:5). Thi is how an empty and voidless space became home to plants, animals, man (Genesis chapter 1). And how a seed of words becomes a big company/organisation offering employment and source of livelihood to many (Luke 13:18-19).
The keys of the Kingdom of God …..decrees…..judgements…. communicated through words. Loose/unlock your blessings, judge/bind every curse or a semblance of the curse.
You are royalty; your words have power. Your words are the keys to unlocking every blessing in the Kingdom of God. And words are the keys to condemning/refuting everything with semblance to the curse.
