The Power to Overcome

Knowing God

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1. Trials can develop your Character
James 1:2-4
2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

When faced with trials from stupidity, ignorance, God or the Devil your response to them means everything.

Trials will be stepping stones or stumbling blocks, it’s your call. Your attitude will determine the outcome.

When you don’t represent any threat to the enemy it’s likely that his opposition toward you will be small.
When you are taking his territory (the hearts of people are being influenced for Christ’s Kingdom) it’s likely that he’ll try to mount some kind of counter attack against you to silence your effect on others.

2. Our Faith Helps Us Overcome
1 John 5:4,5
4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
In the face of every battle, you must believe that your victory is already at hand.

3. We have an Advantage
1 John 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

4. Doing God’s Will Gives us Overcoming Power
The Will of God is Good to You
Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

His Delight becomes…
Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.
If we’ll delight in him, he’ll give us what he’s put into our hearts. Because we delight in him we want what he wants.

…our Delight
1 John 5:14,15
14This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

When we are self focused
James 4:2a,3
You do not have, because you do not ask God. 3When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

5. Knowing the Heart of God
It is not enough just to know the Word, however. You must also know God’s heart behind the Word in order to activate the reality of God’s courage in our hearts. The Bible is a written expression of God’s love, and it contains the truth about His character. When you know God’s character, you know His heart. It’s knowing God’s heart—His true intentions and His will for you—that gives you confidence in Him and turns on your ability to do great and courageous things in Christ.

Jeremiah 29:11
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Daniel 11:32b
the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.

In every situation that you face, think to yourself, What do I know about God’s character? The first thing you know from God’s Word is that He loves you unconditionally and wants you to triumph in your battles.

2 Corinthians 2:14a
14Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ,

Next, you know that you have been commanded to love God with all of your heart, mind and soul (Matthew 22:37). Since God requires this kind of love from you, He is faithful to love you in the same way.

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Because He loves you, He will protect you and bring courage to you allowing you to do great exploits. Walking confidently in the knowledge of God’s love keeps you walking in the power of His might.

Ephesians 6:10
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

I don't know what kind of battles you are facing but if you'll position your heart into the heart of God to receive what he's telling you he will empower you with courage and information that will help you get through the challenges you are facing.

Jubilee Family Church