more than conquerors Archives - Soaring With Him Ministries

Focus on the Right Voice {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}

Patricia — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 09:07:25 +0000

“His coach said he’s a little dog who thinks he’s a big dog.”

The ESPN broadcaster words stood out among the other commentators’ insights. It was perhaps the biggest highlight of Georgia Bulldogs’ senior Christopher Smith’s college career. A 74-yard interception return against the Clemson Tigers on Sept. 4 became the deciding play on a game with an outcome that challenged all predictions. My bulldogs were the underdog (pun intended), and yet, the focus, boldness, and determination of a 5-foot-11-inch defense player stood out as over 6-foot-tall giants pursued him all the way to the end zone.

I love a good underdog story. Something moves within our spirit when we hear the accounts of people who overcome limitations and rise above everyone’s expectations.

History tells the story of numerous exceptional men and women whose destiny far surpassed their humble, often broken beginnings. Whether through hard work, persistence, extraordinary faith, or a combination of all these traits, they stand up taller than their stature, astonishing those who witnessed the beginning of their story.

Scriptures are also filled with underdog stories. From Amos, a shepherd-turned prophet to King David — a frail, teenage boy who brought down a taunting giant with a sling, a stone, and a firm trust in his omnipotent God. From Joseph, a slave-turned second in command of the greatest nation of his time to a band of 12 outcasts chosen by the Messiah to change the world. Indeed, God loves to use broken, unlikely, or small vessels to defy all odds and even change history.

Whether faith plays the central role in someone’s success story or not, there is an element that is true to every winner: Focus. @AJC #MondayMotivation #Mondaythoughts #Focus
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When facing challenges, winners refuse to look back or fix their eyes on their limitations. Instead, they deliberately shut down doubts, opposition and discouragement, and set their minds on the goal.

In his “Joy Letter” to the Philippian church, the apostle Paul shared this concept from a believer’s perspective — words which have inspired Christians throughout the centuries:

“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize (…)”

At the beginning of chapter three, where we find these words, the apostle describes his many credentials, both as a pure-blooded Hebrew from an elite tribe and also as a Roman citizen.
Paul had a past filled with reasons not to pursue the calling of God to spread the gospel to the Roman empire. He could certainly have settled for the easy life of a Pharisee, a life he knew all too well. But his destiny was radically changed when he had a personal encounter with the resurrected Christ on the road to Damascus.

After receiving his calling, Paul knew that he had to focus. He would never be able to finish his race had he fixated on his past or the confinement of the prison walls. Instead, his perseverance, even in chains, moved him forward against all odds to fulfill his life’s destiny. Nothing would stop him.

Likewise, so many voices shout for our attention when we are running toward a goal. But these voices can only prevail if we allow them to. They may say we’re not good enough. They may shout that we are too weak or taunt us with the idea that we are alone in the race. And they may be right on all fronts.

So many voices shout for our attention when we are running toward a goal. But these voices can only prevail if we allow them to. @AJC #MondayMotivation #Mondaythoughts #Focus
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But if we have God on our side and believe in his attributes, we know better because while everything within and around us may shout defeat, the same Voice that spoke the stars into existence whispers life and victory into our lives. We may not be able, but He is. We may be weak, but He is mighty. We may be lonely, but He is with us.

Undoubtedly, the outcome of your race will be determined by which voice you will allow prevailing.

You may be a small dog. But if you listen to the right voice, you can dare to move forward to the end zone with confidence; eyes fixed on the prize of a race well run, believing that with God, you are indeed “a big dog.”

While everything within and around us may shout defeat, the same Voice that spoke the stars into existence whispers life and victory into our lives. We may not be able, but He is. We may be weak, but He is mighty. We may be lonely, but…
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This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, September 12, 2021. Click HERE to find it on the AJC’s website.

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Conquering by Peace {Recharge Wednesday LINKUP}

Bethany McIlrath — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 08:25:44 +0000

Can you think of a victory in a game, a sport, or even a war that is owed to more to blunt force than to strategy? The weapons used, the position of troops, and the element of surprise are all vital to winning. Underdog teams win by crafty plans and perseverance, not force.

Naturally, victories won by sheer force are rarely celebrated. What matters more is strategy and its effectiveness.

Yet isn’t it by force that we often try to win or overcome in life?

Knowing that “in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us,” (Romans 8:37) we often look at stuff in this world like we’re entitled to beat it out. We try to overcome by sheer force of will. We ignore problems to forge ahead, or push to be great so that we can do great things for God. But it’s never by these forces that we’re actually winning.

Acting impervious or refusing doubt, grief, and pain during difficult circumstances might make us feel like we’re actually winning at the holiness game and at life, but here’s the thing:

We’re often playing the wrong game because the stuff that matters is won by Christ.

Casting Crowns’ “All You’ve Ever Wanted” says:

“I was chasing healing when I’d been made well
I was fighting battles when You conquered hell
Living free but from a prison cell”

Familiar? We so easily forget that Christ already won the war. He goes before us in battles, too, and His will is perfect. Rather than being freed by our own efforts at making life “what it should be” or “overcoming,” our best option is to act like David or Gideon before battles: to pray and obey. If He says it isn’t worth fighting, let it go.

We do not need to be playing by the rules of this world, but by the rules of its maker.
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Though the saying goes “there are no rules in love or war,” there actually are. There are rules of logic, morality, sociological principles, patterns that must be followed, and natural consequences of actions.

For those that know this is His world, there are also rules natural to the Kingdom of God. Rules that defy much of what society suggests.

Look at Christ. He conquered death. He is King forevermore. Yet His strategies for battle were:

• Humility
• Obedience
• Enduring suffering and temptation
• Loving kindness
• Peace

Of course, there were more. His example turned on everyone’s head the idea of conquering and overcoming.

Remember His triumphal entry?

His people long-awaited their savior, riding in on a white horse with an army and all glory and splendor. As it turned out, all glory and splendor, and all needed for conquering death, was a donkey. A young donkey, borrowed from someone else and the perfect God on top proclaiming peace among men instead of terror.

That’s winning in God’s Kingdom.

To fight the good fight of faith we must act in faith. We must be guided by the Holy Spirit and God’s Word.

Be ready for battle. Be armed with the weapons of God. Be trained in righteousness.

Be constant prayer, asking the greatest commander to offer His strategy of peace to rule in your heart (Colossians 3:15).

(A version of this post was previously published here.)

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5 Things You Need to Know About Spiritual Attack

Patricia — Tue, 16 Feb 2016 19:54:08 +0000

The scene is puzzling and eye opening.

The angels of the Lord came to present themselves before the Throne, and Satan came with them. He was there with a purpose and God knew it. He had been “roaming about on the earth.” He had seen Job and his devotion to Yahweh and became convinced that the only reason he worshiped God was because of how much he had been blessed.

So, in Job 1:9-11, he bargained with the Almighty (pardon my interpretation):

“Of course he blesses You! You put a hedge about him and his house and on all that he has, on every side. You have blessed the works of his hands, and made him the richest man in the land. Let me touch his life. Let me strip him off of every blessing you bestowed upon him. Then let’s see if he still worships you.”

You know the story. God gave the green light for Lucifer’s attacks.

And all hell broke loose in one of the bloodiest, darkest stories in the bible.

Sometimes, spiritual attacks are hardly detectable.

They may come in the form of that tempting situation where we have to make a decision…

Or through words that are thrown at us by someone we love dearly.

They may come through dark thoughts of hopelessness and fear…

Or through bad dreams that taunt us, all of a sudden.

Other times, spiritual attacks are so fearlessly evident, that we can even sense the presence of evil in our homes, jobs, or when we are around certain people.

Truth is, spiritual attacks are as real as God’s blessings are.

I have recently been the victim of intense spiritual attack. As I was praying, putting on the Armor of God as Paul calls us to do in Ephesians 6, the Holy Spirit gave me insight into five things that we all must know about spiritual attacks.

I would like to share them with you.

#1 – Satan has ONE objective: DESTRUCTION!

When Lucifer asked God to allow him to touch Job’s life, God’s objective for allowing it was to strengthen and prove Job’s faith. He knew the outcome, but His desire was to make Job aware of the depth of his love for God.

Satan’s objective, however, was only one: To completely destroy Job’s life.

When Satan attacks, he doesn’t mean to simply weaken you. He wants destruction.

He attacks your marriage to destroy your family, which in turn will impact each member’s testimony and effectiveness for God’s Kingdom.

He attacks your finances in order to destroy your peace and make you question God’s faithful provision.

He attacks your children so that the blessings of God will not pass on to the next generation. He wants salvation to stop with your life.

DESTROY, he says. Not hurt or touch, but DESTROY.

#2 – He uses those you love the most.

Let’s look at Job once again: His wife (Job 2:9) and closest friends (Job 4-23) were used by the devil to get him to question and deny God.

He will do the same to you. He will use your husband, parents or children to provoke you to sin and deny God with your actions.

Remember that sometimes love is the greatest weapon. Pray for them, and CHOOSE to respond in LOVE. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

# 3 – He wants you to ignore that you’re under spiritual attack.

There’s such a division among Christians regarding spiritual attack. There are many Christians who are part of denominations which act as if Satan is behind everything. Indeed, I’ve known some Christians who talk more about the devil than about God! However, on the other hand, there are certain denominations which almost completely disregard the devil as a present force in this world, and therefore never equip the saints to understands how he operates. What a tragedy!

He would love nothing more than to be ignored!

Because, if and when we do, much as soldiers caught by surprise, we are ambushed and become spiritually defeated.

# 4 – He HATES the BLOOD

“And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die” Revelations 12:11

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.” – Philippians 2:9-10

Death and Hades will be cast in the lake of fire because of His sacrifice. (Revelations 20:14)

The blood of Jesus, which covered our sins and defeated Satan’s dominion over our lives has incredible power.

And that same blood covers you and me. We have been purchased by His precious blood. When we are under spiritual attack, we must stand on that truth: Because of redemption, “no weapon formed against us shall prevail.”

# 5 – If You Stand Firm, There’s Great Reward

“The Lord restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the Lord increased all that Job had twofold.” Job 42:10

I believe it. I do.

I have walked through many valleys, where spiritual attacks were real and they were meant to destroy my life and testimony. I’m going through one right now as my husband’s job was eliminated in early January. God is proving our faith and steadfastness by fire. Once again…

and the devil has been trying to fiercely attack us.

But as I look back at the many years I have walked with Christ, and the valleys we have walked hand in hand… valleys of physical, emotional and even spiritual darkness, I can boldly testify, that each one was meant to strengthen me, never destroy me.

All God asks of me is that I stand firm, resist the devil, and watch him flee from my presence. (James 4:7)

Are you under spiritual attack today, my friend?

Welcome to the team of those selected to be strengthened, refined… victorious in battle!

Open your spiritual eyes.

Take up your Sword.

Stand Firm.

Remember: The battle is not yours.

All you have to do is get dressed for it . Resist.

And watch as the enemy flees.

PS: I created the frame to the right containing Scriptures to be used as you stand strong against the enemy. There is one scripture for each of the 5 things I listed on this post. Print it, share it, memorize them.

They’re powerful in battle!

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