Lifebit

From FreshOutlook magazine

If you can’t think of anything nice to say…

keep thinking.
Luke 6:31

Think on These...

• You only discover your real strength when you face adversity.

• Ability will get you to the top but only godly character will keep you there.

• You must invest your time and life in something or you will throw it away on nothing.

• Destiny is not a matter of chance but a matter of choice.

• Faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense later.

Don't Give the Devil Even an "Inch"

From the Editor of FreshOutlook Magazine

Every place on which the soles of your feet tread, I have given to you.
Joshua 1:3

I have a nephew who was very trying when he was little. My sister said that the doctor told her to ‘choose her battles.’ I imagine he gave this advise because at this time in my sisters life, it seemed everything was a battle with the little guy, therefore, if you fought over every little thing, you would be fighting all the time.

I am sure you have heard that saying, ‘choose your battles’ and I am just as sure that there are many situations in life where it may apply. But I do know somewhere it doesn’t apply. To the enemy. The Bible says to give NO place to the devil. That means that we are to fight and win every battle, not to give him one inch. Have you ever heard the expression ‘give him an inch and he’ll take a mile.’ Well, that is how he works. He is looking for a way in – any way in – small or large.

One thing that I love about the Word of God is that it is living…it literally contains life. The Word of God never becomes powerless and you can study day and night and still gain new understanding and revelation of the Word. This week I studied a scripture that I have often quoted during times when I was believing God for things. Unfortunately, when using that scripture base I didn’t know the fullness of it’s meaning, therefore I was missing out on the revelation of that scripture. The scripture is found in Joshua 1:3, every place on which the soles of your feet tread, I have given you. I remember when I went to purchase my home I used that scripture as I walked around the property. Now, that was a good start BUT let me tell you what that scripture is actually saying.

The part that says ‘soles of your feet tread’ literally means every place that you are willing to put your battle shoes on, load up your weapon and fight for – THAT is what God will give to you. While it is still a wonderful promise, it now involves us doing something. God is saying ‘whatever you find in My Word that you are willing to fight for – it’s yours!’ Great news. Yet, if you are not willing to battle and fight for it – you will probably never possess it.

So, what’s happening in your life? Where is the enemy attacking you? Is it worth fighting for? Your marriage and family are worth fighting for. Your prosperity is worth fighting for. Your healing is worth fighting for. Your peace and soundness of mind is worth fighting for. But we have to put on our shoes, pick up our weapons and fight. It’s already ours, paid for at the cross, but we have to posses it, and to posses it we have to dispossess the enemy from our territory. Which brings me to another interesting scripture.

In Numbers 33:55, God had told Moses to dispossess the inhabitants of Canaan and dwell in that land for God had given it to the children of Israel. But God didn’t stop there. He said if you don’t drive them all out they shall be an irritant in your eyes, a thorn in your side and they shall harass you forever. Wow! That’s pretty strong. God is saying if you leave one enemy on your land, he will irritate your eyes (you won’t be able to see properly), he will be a thorn in your side (every time you take a step you are going to feel him prick you), and he will harass you every single day (you will never have peace).

So you see, God tells us to fight every battle and run every enemy off – or suffer the consequences. It’s not enough to win the battle over your health and remain broke. It’s not enough to win the financial battle and lose your family. NO! We win every battle and all we have to do is put on our shoes and fight. Which brings me to my next point.

I was in a battle several years ago with the enemy and victory came one way – through worship. I didn’t pick up a weapon, I simply worshipped God. Why? Because that was what He required of me. Another time, in another battle, God instructed me to praise Him for 24 hours straight – and I did and deliverance was immediate. The point is that God has a different strategy for every battle and you have to inquire of Him before you know which way to fight. You must first inquire and get your battle plan. No good soldier goes into battle without a fresh and effective battle plan.

In the Old Testament, Moses was in a battle and as long as his hands were raised, he was winning, but his arms grew tired. Yet this was the only way to win this battle – so God had Aaron and Hur hold up his arms and victory was theirs. In another battle in the Old Testament, God told the people to walk around the wall seven times and then to shout. They obeyed and victory was theirs. When Gideon went to war, God told him to have his men carry trumpets in one hand and pitchers with a torch in the other – they didn’t even have a weapon. Yet they obeyed God and won.

What would have happened if Gideon had said ‘no, God, I think I will do it the way Moses did it.’ I can tell you…he would have died.

I know you have probably fought and won battles against the enemy, but the way you won last time may not be the way you win this time. Inquire of the Lord. David was a warrior, yet for every battle he first inquired of the Lord. Get the plan of God to win your battle and then march forth with confidence that the Lord of Hosts is with you and victory will be yours. Furthermore, don’t give the enemy any place – don’t allow him to win one battle. The victory is already yours if you will simply stand firm and fight. He knows that and when you know that, then the battle is almost over. Next, inquire of the Lord as to how you are to approach this enemy and obey, do whatever it is He instructs you to do. It may be praise, it may be quote the Word, it may be sow a seed to someone who sows spiritually into your life, it may be simply stand. Whatever it is, don’t hesitate, do it! The victory is surely yours – remember, wherever you tread your foot – wherever you choose to put your shoes on, pick up your weapon for battle and run the enemy off your territory – it is yours, says the Lord.

Faith Works By Love

Bishop Keith Butler

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision avails anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which works by love. Galatians 5:6 (KJV)

As born again believers, we have to confront fear or it will become our terror and oppress us.

Now, the Scripture says that oppression and terror will be far from us, and that they won’t even come near us. But how is that possible? Well, it’s possible when we do not allow ourselves to function in fear. Fear is what allows terror and oppression to come to you. And overcoming fear is what drives them far from you.

Many, many years ago, I had a parishioner who was afraid to drive. Well, not only did I pray for him, but I also took him driving at five o’clock in the morning. He started driving and we went on the expressway. Now, of course, there wasn’t a lot of traffic then, but the point was overcoming that fear. Now on the expressway he was terrified, but I told him to say, "No weapon formed against me shall prosper. I will not fear. God is on my side." Well, he started speaking the Word and after driving for a week, God delivered him from that fear.

You see, the thought of driving terrified and oppressed him. It also stopped him from doing what he should have been doing for his family.

Listen, fear leads to terror. Terror is the planned, organized use of fear to render its victim helpless to oppression. That’s why we cannot afford to have our lives run by any aspect of fear; it will lead to terror, oppression, and then bondage.

Now Isaiah 54:17 tells us how to handle fear. It says, “You shall condemn.” In other words, you have to open your mouth and speak to fear. You have to condemn it; you have to speak the Word over it and it has to go.

Then, the verse continues by saying, “for this is your heritage, your righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.” You are sons and daughters of the Lord and you have a right to condemn anything that comes up against you.

So don’t be dismayed about anything you have to face today. God is telling you to fear not. He is with you every step of the way. When you decide not to fear, you release God to move on your behalf. God’s anointing is on you, in you, and it will produce victory in your life.

Scripture References: Isaiah 54:14-17; Hebrews 13:5: Matthew 28:20b

Bishop Keith A. Butler is the founder and pastor of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Southfield, MI, and Word of Faith Christian Center in San Antonio, TX. Bishop Butler ministers extensively in churches, conferences, and seminars throughout the U.S. and abroad with an emphasis on instruction and no-nonsense, practical application of God's Word. Click here to read more!

Weary of Worry

Gloria Copeland

"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place."
(2 Corinthians 2:14)

As you fight the good fight of faith today, remember this: Your mind is where the battle will take place. Whatever you allow to captivate your mind will rule your life. Will it be the Word of God or the lies of Satan?

The decision is yours.

If you want the Word to reign, make up your mind now to resist the devil when he comes to plant doubts within you. Refuse to surrender to the circumstantial pressure he brings your way. Decide at the onset that you will not succumb to this trial. Dig your heels in and stand immovable upon the promises of God.

When thoughts come that are contrary to God's will, cast them down. And above all, don't worry. Worrying is meditating the thoughts of Satan.

When you recognize you are worrying, stop it immediately. Replace worried, fearful, and doubtful thoughts with the Word.

Be assured, Satan will continually try to tell you that your situation is hopeless. He will persistently peddle doubt, defeat, and discouragement. But if you won't allow him to sell you his goods, his commission will be zero. If you don't buy his lies, he can't cause them to come to pass in your life.

God has promised that He will always cause you to triumph in Christ. You are guaranteed victory over any adversity you face today. Make up your mind right now to be a winner and you'll spread the knowledge of victory in Christ everywhere you go.
Scripture Study: Philippians 4:1-9