Power to Succeed Pt.1

The Bible says that all those who live Godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. There is no victory without overcoming. Today, we will discuss how the power to succeed in hard times is yours. You cannot overcome unless something comes at you. You are who God called you to be. You can do everything He says you can do – whether or not you believe it.

We are facing challenging times. The economic pressure is forcing all of the weaknesses in the foundation of people’s lives to be exposed. Nevertheless, we should be excited because this is a time for truth, power and majesty. We have the power to succeed in hard times. We are talking about the power to dominate in hard times. God said that the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the just.

Every challenge in life is an opportunity. Anything in your way – any obstacle – is an opportunity. People who don’t view challenges as opportunities are already defeated. You can’t view a challenge as a problem. Challenges are meant to be met and overcome. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. When you face whatever you face, you must keep the word of God in mind. The way that you do this is you store the Word of God in your heart, so that you can always keep it in mind.

God’s Word says in Romans 8:28 (NKJV): “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” We have to start to “know” some things. We must know that “all things work together for good.” This verse is referring to bad things, i.e. challenges, working together for our good. “Knowing” means we have confidence. Confidence brings peace.

When you are at your end that is when good stuff starts to happen – and good can become great. When you are at your end, you are being challenged, but it is an opportunity. The bigger the challenge is, the harder it falls. God is not afraid of anything – not even death (1 Thessalonians 4:13). The Word says that we should not grieve when people die, even as people who have no hope. We have hope, even in death.

When you come to the end of yourself, you need to evaluate whether you take note of it or whether you try to explain it away, i.e. bury your head in the sand. Most people try to convince themselves they have an answer. They don’t accept the truth that it is over. The battle might be over, but not the war. A war is made up of many battles. You ought to win the battles so that you can win the war.

God works all things together for our good – that includes ugly things. You can’t bury your head in the sand. You have to focus on the things that God has worked together for your good over and over again. You should not have regrets. God will turn it for your good.

God is not a sentimental God. He is a fair God. You can never use your experience to invalidate the Word of God. Romans 8:28 does not say that God works everything out for everybody. He rewards those who pay the cost. This verse applies to a specific category of people: “to those who love God”. Who loves God? Everyone who loves God is known. There is an acid test to determine those who love God. Jesus states in John 14:15: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” You have to learn God’s commands, put them in your heart and be able to recall them, so that you can do them. Simply stated, you obey God’s Word. This is the acid test.

If we fail the test, God’s Word tells us that if we confess ours sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). The Word also says that God will not remember our sins. This does not give us license to sin. But, if we do go back to sin, there is still hope because Jesus is our advocate. You prove that you love God by keeping His Word. You can’t bury your head in the sand. You must address it. We have to obey God’s Word to live with Him. When you don’t obey His Word, you have to get right back and obey. Confess your sins to God – that’s when you start being in a love relationship with God.

There is another category of people in Romans 8:28: “to those who are called according to His purpose”. The call of God is stated in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” You have to put yourself in the category – if you believe in Him, you will have everlasting life. Everyone is called, but only a few people answer. We determine whether we are in this group or not. Another translation of “to those who are called according to His plan” is “to those who God deliberately chose for His plan”. In other words, God deliberately chose you for His plan, so He called.

We obey God because He deliberately chose us for His plan. He calls us because He needs us for His plan, and if we come He will work everything together for our good. What Satan means to kill you, God will redeem for His glory. God knows our heart’s desire. He will cause our heart’s desire to come to pass (Romans 12:1). In hard times, you have to remember that God is working everything together for your good as long as you obey Him.

Don’t let it be too late for you. God is calling you right now. Pick it up. God is deliberately calling you right now because He has plans for you. Hope is the power to succeed in hard times. Hope drives your faith. Without hope, nothing happens. Hope does not disappoint (Romans 5:5). You will not be embarrassed. Your business is to love God and He will work everything together for your good.





























































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