Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
- Hebrews 12:1,2
Jesus warned us that the distractions of this age, the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things can creep in and choke the Word of God and make it fruitless (Mark 4:19)
Satan always uses distractions to discourage us and draw us off course. Distractions like the cares of the world - weights in our life that slow us down spiritually. They may not be sin and bad things in themselves, yet they drain us of our spiritual power, robbing us of our time spent with God in prayer and in the Word of God.
We might be wrapped up in our own occupation or hobby thinking and talking about it, for it had become the centre of our attention, God speaks to us about what is in our hearts, when things or people take up too much of our thoughts, too much of our time.(2 Tim 2:3,4).
As we ask ourselves what it is that is the centre of our attention in this life what are the things that capture our affection? If it is not God and His Word and His kingdom, then we need to make a change. We need to set God in the centre of our lives, not dividing our loyalty, we keep our attention undivided, seeking first the kingdom of God, putting first things first. This gives us a successful spiritual life, then we will have a successful natural life.
(Col 3:1-2) says we are to set our affection on things above not on things on the earth. God wants us to set the affection of our heart on Him, so that he can pour out His affection on us. When our attention is on Him, He blesses us. We can't give anything to God without Him giving us much more in return.
Satan never stops his efforts to distract us, but we have the power to overcome. We have the power and knowledge to do what God has already told us to do. (2 Tim 3:14,15) we make it through in victory by simplifying our life, seeing that we have time to spend with God in prayer and in the Word of God, letting not our career, our family or anything else keep us from our time spent with God (Psalm 91:1) Listening to Him. It is our very life. It is where our victory lies.
We have everything it takes to be a winner. The Word of God, and the name of Jesus. As soldiers of God, we get aggressive and lay hold of the kingdom of God with all the force we can muster. That is the price we pay to win. We not only have the present victory, but also the eternal victory we gain is worth it all.
Satan always takes the risk when he come against us that we might come out victorious and end up stronger than we were before instead of weaker. He takes the chance of giving us another testimony of the miracle - working power of God.
When we apply the fundamental truths we already learnt and do what we know to do, expecting the Holy Spirit to teach us more, God will take care of the rest. God is limitless. Nothing is impossible for God.
As we look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith depending on God's power, His ability and holiness, Jesus develops our faith and brings it to maturity-perfection (Rom 12:1-3). Everyone of us has the measure of faith. As we exercise our faith believing for small things first and then bigger things, we develop our faith.
(Eph 2:8) Grace is a gift, faith too is a gift. We need faith - the God kind of faith to access His Grace - all He has given us. The God kind of faith is independent of what we believe, the circumstances we are in. It is only dependent on the Word of God we believe and speak and then we believe whatever we speak is going to come to pass. That is what created the world. God spoke it and He believed what He spoke is going to come to pass. Faith says it is already done (2 Cor 4:13). To make our faith work, our believing, thinking and speech should line up with our faith. Faith only says what God says.
Satan always fights against our faith, because faith is the victory that overcomes the world. (1 John 5:4) He uses circumstances that look opposite to what we are believing for to discourage us (Prov. 30:32)
The enemy wants our thoughts, if he gets us to speak out our negative thoughts he can control our life.
The way we stay strong until the manifestation comes is through praise (Col 2:7) we abound in faith with thanksgiving. Praising God for the answer before we see it makes us stay in the realm of faith.
Phil 4:6-8 Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, if there be any virtue and if there be any praise, think on these things.
