DO NOT GIVE UP IN THE FACE OF THE OPPOSITION 2

SO AI BECAME A PERMANENT MOUND OF RUINS, desolate to this Very day.” Joshua 8:28 (NLT)

• There are things that could be considered as the weapons of the contemporary believers.
a. The knowledge of the word of God and the practice of it (James 1:22-25).
b. Unceasing prayer and fasting (Acts 13:2,3; Ephesians 6:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:12; 2 Corinthians 11:27).
c. Being sensitive to God's leading, that is, hearing from God and being prompt in obeying (Acts 8:26-30).
d. A lifestyle of Giving; that of your substance, resources or money or whatever (1 Kings 3:4; 2 Corinthians 9:6-10).

• Thus, living a victorious Christian life entails:
I. Always strive to know God's Will or mind on whatever you wanted to do. In most cases, whatever you could not get approved by God might not be gotten in the physical—might not be made a reality.

• Thus, there is a need to build a strong fellowship or communion with God, and know how to receive approval from God whatever you needed.

II. You should also keep growing your faith, because It is a major weapon that you need to overcome the opposition.

• Faith should be built ahead of challenges, the days of adversity. And It is simply built through the Word of God, the Bible (Romans 10:17); reading and studying of the Word, meditating or pondering on it, and the practicing or doing of it (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3).
• Faith through the Word of God, the Bible, is for living, and not for reciting.
• There are many reciters of the Bible, they can quote the Bible verses offhand, but they do not practice or do it—the Word.

III. Take time to stay long in the place of prayer. That is, tarry in prayers. Have a time for an extended time of prayer, where you would be able to intercede and supplicate—this could be done with fasting: "PRAYING ALWAYS WITH ALL PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION IN THE SPIRIT, BEING WATCHFUL TO THIS END WITH ALL PERSEVERANCE AND SUPPLICATION FOR ALL THE SAINTS" (Ephesians 6:18 NKJV).

IV. Endeavour to be sensitive to the leadings of the Holy Spirit on the inside of you. Things that could not be made known through anyone would be revealed to you as you build your communion with God through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14).

V. Understanding timing.

• Know that God will take you a step at a time in the journey of life. All that would be done in your life would not be in a day, It would be done gradually and systematically. That is how God works!
• God is never in a hurry, because He does not work in the realm of time. A day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day before Him (2 Peter 3:8). Thus, God is not agitating or perspiring to get anything done or accomplished—His work is systematic and progressive.

VI. You also should know that you would be tested (Genesis 22:2-3; James 1:2,3).

• You would be exposed to different challenges in life, based on the plans and purposes of God for your life (Psalm 105:17-19).
• God will test your loyalty on how you handle each trial or challenge that is allowed to come your way (James 1:2,3).

• The devil should not be feared, he is a defeated foe, but you should not be casual in your approach to all you do: "FOR WE ARE NOT FIGHTING AGAINST PEOPLE MADE OF FLESH AND BLOOD, BUT AGAINST PERSONS WITHOUT BODIES—THE EVIL RULERS OF THE UNSEEN WORLD, THOSE MIGHTY SATANIC BEINGS AND GREAT EVIL PRINCES OF DARKNESS WHO RULE THIS WORLD; AND AGAINST HUGE NUMBERS OF WICKED SPIRITS IN THE SPIRIT WORLD" (Ephesians 6:12 the Living Bible).

• Life is spiritual, we are engaging or wrestling with spirit beings, they are devious or deceptive; wile, scheme or underhandedness, is their major weapon with which they outsmart whoever they are contending with (Ephesians 6:11).
• Take the matter of life serious. Life is not a funfair!

• You will not fail in Jesus' name.

• Whatever the operation of the devil in your life is, such is put to an end in Jesus' mighty name.
• If there is any ailment in your body as you read this piece, I declare your healing now in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
• And, you will not be a casualty in the operations of the enemy, the devil, in Jesus' mighty name.
  Peace.

STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).

• If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!