Check Mate

Did you know that one of the benefits of being a Christian is that we are in a fixed battle? Yup, everyone who is connected to God, who received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is destined to win!

What battles you ask? From who or what? Why?

In this world we are in constant battles, sometimes that involves health, relationships,natural disasters, loss or injustices. We may also have encountered physical , mental or emotional struggles as a form of conflict in our lives. Did you know the majority of this discord is due to us living in a fallen world? We fell from our original position in the Garden of Eden. This was not God's original plan for us, but due to what took place with Adam and Eve ( See Genesis 3) we now struggle with sin on a daily basis. We also are under attack from the enemy, who wants us to fail and not receive all the goodness God has for us in abundant life. John 10:10 reads "The thief (refers to Satan) does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I (refers to Jesus) have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly". The bible lets us know that we are under spiritual attack from the enemy but for us to trust and depend on the Lord. Ephesians 6:10-12 "A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (refers to unseen)". Despite all this, we will still win in the end! The enemy is not stronger than God, Jesus defeated him on the cross.

Hope and victory- we still win

Through Jesus Christ , we are being restored and have hope in the truth, that Jesus overcame the world John 16:33 "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation(hardships): but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."1 John 5:4 "for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith." What does this mean? well, it means in the end we win! No matter the challenge, we are more than conquerors through Him; (Romans 8:37-39 37 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.. Revelation 21:4 "and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” We have the victory; we know from scripture that the challenges we go through on earth are temporary (2nd Corinthians 4:17 "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all"). We have eternal peace to look forward too and know that God's plan for us is that we win! Christ came so that we have abundant life !! That means that even this life here is meant to be overflowing with the goodness of the Lord; even in perilous times He provides and sustain us! Below are scriptures pertaining to the victory of God ; Let them renew your mind and change your perspective as winners in this season.

Additional Scriptures to meditate on:

Deuteronomy 20:4

For the Lord your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit,

1 Corinthians 15:57

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

James 1:12

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

2nd Corinthians 2:14

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.

Psalm 144:1

A Psalm of David.

Blessed be the Lord, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle;

Numbers 10:9

When you go to war in your land against the adversary who attacks you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets, that you may be remembered before the Lord your God, and be saved from your enemies.

Psalm 140:7

“O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, You have covered my head in the day of battle.

Psalm 35:1

A Psalm of David.

Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me.

Zechariah 14:3

Then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations, as when He fights on a day of battle.

Proverbs 21:31

The horse is prepared for the day of battle,But victory belongs to the Lord.