Executive Director
New Hope For Adopted International Kids
We are living in the days of life storms upon earth. The storms have increased and grown stronger. Many Christians in these times are facing a storm or either walking in one. The storms are not to be run from, but to rather learn victory in the midst. God is calling forth end-time warriors. The key to victory is learning to become an overcomer in the midst of the storm.
All Christians are called to become overcomers, but not all respond in a positive way. As the storms rage many fall by the way side. I heard a good sermon recently about voices that speak to us within the storms. There are voices that speak to us in the storms. I have thought about this principle quite a bit, looking back to former storms that I have walked through. There are voices that the enemy speaks to us to bring fear and terror, and then there is the voice of the Lord that encourages us to stand firm in peace facing the enemy.
I know in former storms I have experienced the voice of pressure to run; yet the word of God tells us to stand firm. I have heard the voice of fear of the unknown or losses. But the blood of Jesus has wiped all fear from my life, for to live is Christ.
In Revelations we are given directions and promises on walking as overcomers. In Chapters 2 and 3 we are directed how to overcome, and encouraged by the rewards we will receive. Re 2:7,11,17,26, 3:5,12,21.
The call is going forth across our land right now for Christians to arise and become overcomers within the storms of life. As we walk through the book of Revelation until the rapture we are going to need to stand firm in patience, maintaining our first love for Jesus. Faced with evil we are called to love the person, yet hate the evil. Re 2:6. We are called to maintain good works in the midst of tribulation, betrayal, and poverty. Re 2:9 We are called to walk in righteousness and faith, and stay away from idolatry, which loves the things of this world more than Christ. Re 2:14. We are called to renounce false teaching, fornication or adultery in the church. Re 2:20-22. We are called to be watchful and steadfast in righteousness. Re 3:2. We are called to keep His Word and not deny His name. Re 3:8. We are called to shine like a bright light that cannot be put out. Re 3:16.
Most people are drawn into the world and succumb to the flesh. The true Christian is dead to sin. When the love for sin is dead the devil attacks with fury. The believer must be ready to fight. Satan is after every blessing God has provided for you.
There are three parts in our journey to becoming overcomers, walking under the blood of the Lamb, sharing the word of our testimony, and loving not our lives unto death. The Bible says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” Re 12:11
In this day and age we are still engaged in this battle as Christians. But in the shed blood of Jesus Christ we have the victory! Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God. Paul talks about dealing with the powers of darkness in Ephesians 6:16. It tells us the blood of Jesus quenches the fiery darts the enemy throws at us. Plead the blood of Jesus over your life and the lives of your love ones. Jesus died to preserve us from the evil of this world. Gal 1:4.We used to sing a song called, “There is power in the blood.” The first verse is “Would you be free for the burden of sin? There is power in the blood, power in the blood. Would you over evil the victory win? There is wonderful power in the blood.”
John Wesley when faced with the enemy said, “I, the chief of sinner am; but Jesus died for me.” The blood of Jesus is our victory. By the blood of the Lamb we’re cleansed from all sin and it leaves no room for accusing from the devil. There is power in the blood of Jesus, because He is alive!
A Christian Testimony is a witness as to how Jesus has saved, healed and set a person free. Webster’s says one of the meanings is a “Public expression of a religious experience.” Sharing our testimony releases faith into others so they are open to walking in areas they have not been aware of. It releases the dynamics of God power to be released into those who are hearing the testimony. There is power is the blood of Jesus and there is power to help us become overcomers. It is released as we give our testimonies.
The words out of your mouth are your testimony to the life of Jesus Christ inside of you. Jesus calls His people to testify to what He has done in your life. It is amazing to watch lives touched by a testimony. This is a powerful tool that has been given to help us in the process of becoming an overcomer. We must use it!
As we walk with Jesus Christ our life takes on more of His life. In the process we should come to the place that we love not our lives even unto death. “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.”
Pastor Li Dexian had preached only a few minutes when PSB officers in China burst into his house. They dragged Pastor Li outside and beat him and some of his congregation in front of his home. He was then taken to the police station. There he was beaten more until he vomited blood and then thrown unto the concrete floor of the cell.
When he was released he resumed his ministry. They again broke in while he was preaching and again beat him, this time with rods. Pastor Li stated, “I will preach until I die.”
Missionary Ray Thorne said, “If we Christians don’t continue to share the gospel and push the envelope, the envelope will close in on us. If we maintain a “silent witness” there will be no witness, and Christianity will die in America.”
The storms are upon Christians in America. The storms seem to be increasing and are threatening our way of life as we have known it. We must not run from the storm, but walk within it. As we set our eyes upon Jesus we will learn victory in the midst of the storm. And we will become overcomers.