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Finding the Champion Within You

9 Jan2017 CWHarticle// Craig W. Hagin

If you've ever thought, "I'm a failure. There's nowhere I can go from here," I have a scripture for you.


I LOVE WHAT the Apostle Paul wrote to the believers at Philippi. "Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13–14 NKJV).


This scripture tells us that we can forget everything that's behind us—the good and the bad. It's not about what we've done. It's about what we're doing now in Christ. And what we should be doing is living an abundant life.


Remember, Jesus died and rose from the grave for us. Because He did, we have a wonderful inheritance. We have His life-changing ability inside us! And that means we have the opportunity to change our destiny.


Change isn't always easy, but we don't have to do it in our own strength. Philippians 4:13 says we can do all things through Christ Who gives us strength. Romans 8:37 (NKJV) says, "In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us." Christ gives us strength and ability. He's a secret weapon inside us! But we must lay aside every weight and put our focus on Him.


HEBREWS 12:1–2 (NKJV)

1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Many people have lost their focus. They've gotten caught up in sin or in looking at their circumstances. They've lost their joy. Some aren't even running their race anymore.

If you ever reach this point, remember the Word. Come to your senses. This is not a game. This is life. And you have so much potential on the inside.

Deal With It

It's time to lay aside the weight, forget about what's behind, and press toward your future. God's a good God. He loves you so much, and He sees you as a conqueror.

Yes, things will happen. You might start to feel frustrated and worthless. You may feel as if you'll never measure up.

But don't let the devil lie to you. Don't let him win. Instead, choose to deal with whatever is causing your unhappiness and frustration. The Bible tells us not to be moved by what we see or feel. We should only be moved by what we believe (2 Cor. 5:7). And we believe that Jesus Christ changed our circumstances 2,000 years ago. But whether we feel like our circumstances have changed or not, we have to know deep inside that things have changed. It's about living by faith.


Where does faith come from? Faith comes by hearing God's Word (Rom. 10:17). We must build up our faith. We must store up the Word on the inside by renewing our minds. Then, when tough seasons come our way, we'll be prepared. We'll know our Heavenly Father, and we'll know what to do in every battle. We will overcome.


Rise Up

Sometimes, despite our best intentions, we end up in trouble. We may not even know how we got there. Our world has been rocked and we don't know what to do.

But no matter where we find ourselves or how we got there, we can rise up and become champions once again. We only have to realize that the devil has no right to defeat us, and then come back to our Father.

Quit having a pity party in life and let the Greater One inside you help you get up. Rise up in the Name of Jesus! In Christ we are winners, not losers. And victorious people don't lie on the ground and cry. Victorious people shout and rejoice!

Quit letting circumstances and problems get you down. Instead, focus on Jesus Christ—your Savior. He is the Answer to every test you're going through. And He is saying, "Get up!"

Don't pray about it anymore. Don't think about it anymore. Just get up! Jesus did not die on the cross for you to just sit around in defeat. He died so you could go out and fulfill what He called you to do. It's time to arise and move into what God has for you.

You Are Valuable

Our Father God sees you as valuable and precious, even when you don't think you are. He always accepts you. Nothing you can do will separate you from His love. You may have lost everything, but you'll never lose your Heavenly Father. And if you have Him, you have everything you need. He'll put you back in right standing—as if you never left. He'll wipe your slate clean. He will lead and guide you in the way you should go.

It's amazing how good God is. He wants you to prosper and be in health. And He's given you the ability to change your destiny.

Don't waste the wonderful inheritance Jesus has given you. He didn't come for you to live life feeling trapped. He came so you could have a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10 NLT)!

Dare to live that life. Dare to rise up and become the champion God created you to be. He is always for you, He is always with you, and your best days are ahead!

FAITH IN ACTION


Think It Over

Are there areas of your life you've let slide? God can take your mess and turn it into something good. It's time to rise up and press forward with Him. Say this prayer out loud:

God, Thank You for being my Father and for loving me, even when I don't always do things right. I realize You are full of compassion, mercy, and forgiveness toward me. And I believe Jesus came so I could live an abundant life. God, I want to live that life and be the person You want me to be. Help me to make adjustments, watch my thought life, and see myself as You see me—complete in Christ. Help me to be a light to this dark world. I trust You to lead and guide me in every area of my life. In Jesus' Name I pray, amen.

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