Good day beloved, these I share with you today is my lesson gained from yesterday's worship service.
1 Corinthians 9:25
King James Version
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
As christian, our major goal on earth is not to achieve earthly glory or fame but to strive for the crown of life in heaven.
And in so doing, we will not contend with physical issue but of spiritual forces, the forces of darkness.
Ephesians 6:12, KJV: "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Go has told us that no man can contend with those forces except He be with them. And He has told us to be very vigilant and always ready to contend with them, though not physically, but through His word.
1 Peter 5:8-9
King James Version
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Ephesians 6:11-18
King James Version
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
We must be totally grounded in the word of God in order for our faith to grow, because our faith is a principal factor to this battle.
Colossians 1:23
King James Version
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.
And for us to be grounded in the word of God, we must first totally submit to Him with all our heart, His word, in His own wisdom not our wisdom, and through prayer.
Then and only then, a crown of victory will be given to us.
James 4:7
King James Version
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.