Strategy (VCL)

Philippians 3:13-14 Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I keep pursuing the goal to win the prize of God's heavenly call in the Messiah Jesus.

All our constant struggles as Christians have one objective: full salvation and complete deliverance from sin.

The cause of defeat can be discovered by prayer, but it takes more than prayer to recover the ground we have lost. The process of deliverance is gradual. Applying a divine strategy to our daily living against the master strategist, Satan, is required to outmaneuver his wily, subtle temptations.

Note:  If you are being tempted on all sides and surrounded by tribulations, it is because you are going right through with the will of God in blessing.  

1 John 4:1 Stop believing every spirit. Instead, test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

 In Joshua 9, Joshua and his crowd were deceived. Verse 14 - they did not ask the Lord about the strangers lying to them. They compromised and were easily fooled.   

Neglecting prayer always leads to trouble and destroys the spirit of discernment. Neglect of prayer always suggests pride in our judgment, which is fatal. Spiritual power is cut out of your Christian living when you give Satan even one inch, listen to his persuasive words, and yield in some manner on a part of your life.

What is the answer to matching Satan and his subtle ways? NEVER trust your own judgment. Always lift your heart to God, for the path of faith and blessing may be opposite to what you call common sense. Do not be rushed. Dare to stand still until you have peace with God. Be strong enough and brave enough to dare to stand and wait on God.

Battles may be lost, but don't be disheartened or discouraged. Wars can still be won. God can overrule our sins and mistakes, even turning the harm into a blessing.

O that the flame on the altar of my love for Jesus will burn more brightly, and many will be saved through my life.

What we think may be a curse, the mistake from which we thought we could never be free, which seems to have ruined a testimony for right, is used by God to strengthen prayer life and deepen devotion. God turns the curse into a blessing. The love of God and His extraordinary providence, the matchless grace of Jesus, takes us with all our sins and mistakes and overrules them all to His glory.

Refuse to allow the devil to drag you down and keep you down. Forget the things which are behind and press on to those that are before.  

Philippians 3:13-14 Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I keep pursuing the goal to win the prize of God's heavenly call in the Messiah Jesus.