Each and every one of us faces trials on a daily basis. No one escapes this earthly journey without frustrations, trials, and obstacles. We all can agree that life is not easy. We have to face the good and the bad, blessings and curses.
So, how does someone overcome the daily grind and live the abundant life that God says is ours through Jesus Christ?
I could explain the Gospel to you, but you know the story. You understand sin and know that every person falls short of God because of it; see Romans 3:23. Easter is this Sunday and you are looking forward to celebrating our Risen Savior. You have the spiritual knowledge, yet something is missing. You know it, but you can’t put your finger on it.
What is missing is the power behind what you believe.
This power cannot be obtained within yourself. You cannot earn it, work for it, or even pray your heart out to get it. I know. I have tried to understand the power that Philippians 3:10 speaks of for years. In His faithfulness, God has been showing me and continues to make it clearer and clearer this power. It has been a lengthy journey of trials, tribulations, and a great stretching of my faith to get to where He has me today! He has helped me to surrender and accept wilderness living where God is schooling me in Kingdom living and I have a greater understanding of this power.
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection of the dead!” (Phil. 3:10-11)
The first place to begin is in understanding God’s plan in overcoming daily trials. In Luke 11:20-28, you read why you are not capable of overcoming life on your own. Take a look at others who are rejecting Christ. When I look around, I see divorce. I see women, especially, looking for love in all the wrong places and unplanned pregnancies occur, abortion, or having to endure rape. I see the chasing after money and never being satisfied. I see drunkenness. I see gluttony. These are just a few examples. What do you see? Living in rebellion to God comes at a great cost. You live spiritually defeated and the enemy can’t be more pleased.
From these verses, Jesus tells you why you need to follow Him if you desire to overcome your sinful nature on a daily basis. This is the key to the kingdom where the power lies. Jesus says, “If I am casting out demons by the power of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. For when a strong man like Satan is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe – until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.”20-22
Jesus accomplished this on the cross! He resurrected and conquered Satan! JESUS IS YOUR POWER SOURCE!
What do you learn from verse 23? Every believer in Christ must follow Him. There is no other way to walk by faith. How did Jesus walk while on earth? He was obedient to the Holy Spirit. Every believer must listen for the Spirit’s voice and walk in obedience to it. You cannot live any other way. Many live by believing in God the Father only. Others add Jesus and even repent of their sins. Then, the unthinkable happens, believers stop there. They ignore the Holy Spirit. This is the greatest lie from Satan that keeps believers from overcoming whatever they face.
Look at verses 24-26 and see why it’s imperative to tap into the power source of Christ and overcome the evil that is all around. When you receive Christ, your sins are removed, but if you don’t replace them with Christ and allow Him to refill you with eternal things, you will go back to your sinful ways. If God’s mercies are new every morning (see Lamentations 3:22-23), then you must refill yourself on a daily basis with truth, prayer, and full reliance on God. You walk in step with the Trinity, not just a part of it, each day.
Now, look at the final two verses. While a woman was blessing Jesus from a physical standpoint, God was letting believers know what really matters. What is it? Are you willing to listen and obey?
Last Fall, God revealed another nugget of truth that has catapulted me in experiencing the power of Christ! It is found in the book of Jude. It is a short book right before Revelation. The mighty angel, Michael, was arguing with Satan. How he handled Satan is what revs up our spiritual engine to ignite the power of Christ in us!
“But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, “The Lord rebuke you!” (Jude 9)
Every believer is called to fight Satan, his demons, and your sins this way. You have to give it to Christ to battle for you. Whatever it is you are facing, any temptation of any kind, pray these words, “Lord, rebuke (confess what it is that you are doing or want to do). Fill me with yourself and help me to respond how you want me to.” Are you feeling insecure, doubtful, angry, etc. Do the same thing. You can even ask the Lord to rebuke any demon wanting to trip you up (pay attention to what you are thinking about). God will respond and help you!
Prepare your heart this week and begin to call out to the power source that is waiting to fight for you. Jesus is it! You do not need anyone else. Be encouraged with Romans 8:31-39, “Overwhelming victory is ours through Christ!”37 Are you convinced that nothing can separate you from God’s love? Is your daily life exhibiting what you believe?
Repeat after me, I am victorious, and it’s all because of Jesus Christ! Have a blessed holy week.
Carol J German 