SOMETIMES GOD PRESENTS US WITH AN OPPORTUNITY – BUT TO US IT LOOKS LIKE AN OBSTACLE.

 

 

 

The intensity of the opposition in your life is proof of the power of God’s promise in your life. 

Stephen Furtick

 

 

The enemy doesn’t attack people who are not a threat –  that means that there must be something very valuable inside of you! Thieves don’t break in to empty houses & quality things are protected for a reason… You have GREAT purpose & you carry authority from God, that the enemy hates!

 

 

JAMES 1:12 

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

 

 

God knew we would face hard times. The interesting thing about this scripture is that it does not say {those who win, receive a crown} – it says THOSE THAT STAND, even in the middle of their trials will receive a crown… This crown is referred to as, “The crown of life.” This crown does not represent that our salvation or ability to live rests on our strength. In fact, the Bible clearly shows that we cannot save ourselves & it is truly the preserving grace of God that brings us into His presence. This scripture shows us, demonstrated by the action of standing in trials & hard times, that when we cling to God – we have true faith that is AT WORK, as we work out our salvation in fear & trembling.

 

 

 

Those who face trials & end up falling away or forgetting who their God is, demonstrates that they never had true faith from the beginning. On the other hand, those with true faith pay attention to | follow | & are lead by God no matter what the season. The bible tells us, in the same chapter in James, that people who truly believe in God & act on that belief – will be able to count it joy when their faith is tested because they know such tests will produce strength that goes beyond a feeling or even outward circumstance. As James has already shown us, & further explains… It is authentic | REAL faith that handles affliction & trial by answering it with perseverance & faith in a God that is bigger than any issue or problem.

 

 

Part of the difficulty with these crowns is that most cultures today do not use crowns, and those that do reserve the crowns for royalty. But the word used for “crown” is Stephanos, which can also refer to a “reward” or {laurel wreath, a symbol of victory & honor.} 

 

 

 

Some think that if you fail to persevere through temptation | hard times | or bad choices – you prove you do not have  a life in God. & this is not true. eternal life is a free gift to everyone & anyone who believes in Jesus for it. You do not have to work your way to salvation, it cannot be earned or kept by good works. The Crown of Life, is a reward that is mentioned in the bible as a symbol of victory & honor for perseverance under trial – it proves your dedication to the God who sent His son Jesus, who also has walked where we have.

 

 

If you are dealing with temptation | pain | sin | or even persecution – be encouraged to stand for God through them. Just as someone who works out, perseveres through the difficulties & the pain… so that they might reach the finish line & receive the reward of hard work. In the same way, Jesus is waiting to put the Crown of Life on you when you reach the point of persevering through pain | trials | & persecution. It will probably not be an actual crown or ring of leaves, but will be some sort of special blessing, honor, privilege, or recognition in the future, eternal reign of Jesus. By offering this Crown, Jesus is encouraging us to stay strong, keep the course, and remain faithful.

 

 

Not every moment in our life feels incredible. Not every person in your life will love you or see the best in you. There will be people that oppose you, maybe even hate you… There will be times that life is going ALL THE RIGHT WAYS & there will be times it seems like it’s going crazy. There are times when life is AMAZING & WONDERFUL & other days its amazingly frustrating. 

 

 

 

MORE BLESSINGS CREATE MORE BATTLES.

 

 

 

OPPOSITION: The action of resisting, or combating, protesting something, someone, or the state of being opposed by way of comparison or contrast.

 

OPPORTUNITY: an appropriate or favorable time or occasion: a good position, chance, or prospect, as for advancement or success… In reference to the wind, “in front of; toward”

 

 

 

 

It is in the difficulty that God opens up the door for opportunity.

 

 

 

 

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On my honeymoon, I was researching Paul.

 

 

 

When Paul was traveling in his ministry, he clearly expresses that there is GREAT Opportunity & yet, there “are many adversaries.” In life – this is not a new dynamic, life seems to follow a pattern at times.

 

 

 

We typically tend to believe that effective & hard work will result in success, & should be void of any conflict. In our minds, because of what we seemingly see in others, success is supposed to consist of celebration | excitement | & universal support. Success, in our minds is not supposed to include difficult times or riotous opposition. 

 

 

 

What I quickly learned about Paul, is that he understood opposition well, because he use to be the opposition before Jesus changed his life. If we want to be a leader | if you want to have true success | you must be focused & faithful – no matter what & actually we should expect opposition, if we are going to do great things!

 

 

 

We can look at something & see opposition, & God sees opportunity. Our perspective is the only difference. 

 

 

 

• You cannot control the variables. But you can control your perspective. The enemy would love to confuse you in the middle of the work God is doing in you & make you think that this THING is not okay with God… like He doesn’t know what is going on.

 

• As more people love/believe in you – more people will hate you. It all goes together. The only way to stop opposition is to give up. & you don’t want that kind of life.

 

 

 

You pray for opportunity & You seem to only get opposition. 

 

 

The opportunity you want most come wrapped in opposition. Success tastes like stress many times…

 

 

 

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• Moses (God uses the man who was trying to kill Moses – to bless Moses, to train him, raise him, & save him.)

• David (God used a giant to propel the warrior in a shepherd boy & raise up a king inside of an unwanted son.)

• Mary Magdalene (When she poured out her best, she was judged, but God used her to anoint His son before the greatest act of love history has ever known.)

• Joseph (God used slavery, wrong doing, accusation, &

• Mary (God used a young woman without any experience who was willing. Even in the middle of her fiancé not understanding – she remained faithful.)

• Paul (God restored & called him – His own people (jews) & so called Christ followers didn’t like it… he didn’t just have to face critics at ‘home’ but also all around. But that didn’t stop him from being & doing what God called him to. Even unto his death.)

• Jesus (God brought His son to the earth, to be judged, questioned, ridiculed, abused, rejected, accused, doubted, betrayed, & eventually killed. & through His trials God released freedom to us through Jesus… The same happens today. 

 

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GOD RELEASES FREEDOM THROUGH OUR LIVES TO OTHERS – WHEN WE ARE FAITHFUL & SUBMITTED TO GOD NO MATTER WHAT. IT IS OUR CHOICE TO STAND FOR GOD IN HARD-TIMES & STRUGGLE, THAT ENABLES HIM TO USE OUR VICTORY TO SET OTHERS FREE!

 

 

 

PHILLIPIANS 4:10-13

We belong to the Lord… I’m not saying this because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me. I know what it’s like not to have what I need. I also know what it’s like to have more than I need. I have learned the secret of being content no matter what happens. I am content whether I am well fed or hungry. I am content whether I have more than enough or not enough. I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.

 

 

 

 

WE ARE SO AWARE OF OPPOSITION THAT WE CANNOT SEE THE OPPORTUNITY.

 

 

 

 

 

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{ 3 OPPORTUNITIES IN OPPOSITION }

 

 

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1. You get the opportunity to: TAKE ACTION.

 

 

 

OPPORTUNITY REQUIRES ACTION.

 

 

• God has put the answer to your opposition inside of you. You cannot get to the opportunity when you are focused on your needs.

 

• God is trying to get us focused on our opportunities not what we need. You are the ANSWER to the problem. Opportunities don’t come from NEED, they come from.

 

• Could you be looking at your situation from the wrong perspective? Get from negativity (in the flesh) to opportunity (in the spirit.)

 

 

So often it’s easy to think that with God we shouldn’t face hard times. We think that if something is from God – we shouldn’t face opposition…but what if the opposition is from God.

 

 

• If you look at anything that grows or develops, there is always a price. & the harvest in life takes more work & discipline & focus than the planting of the seed. We think that the point was to plant. But what is the point of being faithful if you have no fruit.

 

If it was easy – we don’t value it. With Him, Paul was able to face the opposition in his life directly & that opposition became the opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed. We shouldn’t just go to church – we should BE THE CHURCH. What if today you and I looked at our opposition as an opportunity to do something GREAT with God?

 

 

Darkness only grows when the light is not shining.

This does not mean, however, that there will not have outright opposition. 

 

Opposition is not only an evidence that God is blessing, but it is also an opportunity for us to grow.

 

 

 

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2. You get the opportunity to: GROW & MATURE.

 

 

 

WE HAVE A NEED FOR CONVENIENCE.

 

• God has blessing for you right ahead. & you will be grateful for the opposition one day.   Convince & need for comfort & preference will keep you from your calling & purpose.

 

Satan will not allow us to do a great work for God without opposing us. 

 

 

• You can be certain that you will be attacked.  Satan hates us because he hates God. We must remember however, that everything that the enemy does just sets up Gods plan because he is under God’s rule.

 

 

I believe that every time the enemy tries to set you up – God sees it as a set up to take a step up towards your higher call.

 

 

Discouragement & Distraction are the enemies most important tools.

 

 

• He doesn’t have to destroy you if he can distract you. If you can get focused on what is wrong – you will never see what is RIGHT.

 

 

When you don’t know who you are in God – you can be convinced that lies or waiting or pain is final & that is just the life you have.

 

 

Discouragement comes from the word courage…it literally means (to get away from your strength, your heart, & bravery.)

 

 

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE INSIDE OF THE PROBLEM?

• The enemy wants you to only see the problem… so you never find the purpose. If he can stop you from recognizing the purpose he can keep you from reaping from it.

 

 

Resilience is something that can only be developed in and thru pain. One way to measure true spiritual maturity is by the way hurt and pain effect you. The things that hurt you the most have the power to help you the most.

LEADERSHIPOLOGY

 

 

 

OUT OF YOUR PAIN COMES YOUR ANOINTING. OUT OF YOUR PAIN COMES YOUR CALLING.

 

 

 

JAMES 1:2-4

My brothers and sisters, you will face all kinds of trouble. When you do, think of it as pure joy. Your faith will be tested. You know that when this happens it will produce in you the strength to continue. And you must allow this strength to finish its work. Then you will be all you should be. You will have everything you need.

 

 

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3. You get the opportunity to: BECOME POWERFUL.

 

 

 

POWER COMES WHEN WE GIVE OUR WEAKNESS TO GOD. 

 

• The most effective attacks come from within our self. The most effective strength is found inside of your weakness. 

 

 

2 CORINTHIANS 12: 5-10

… I won’t brag about myself. I will brag only about how weak I am. Suppose I decide to brag. That would not make me a fool, because I would be telling the truth. But I don’t brag, so that no one will think more of me than they should. People should judge me by what I do and say. God has shown me amazing and wonderful things. People should not think more of me because of it. So I wouldn’t become proud of myself, I was given a problem. This problem caused pain in my body. It is a messenger from Satan to make me suffer. Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me. Because of how I suffered for Christ, I’m glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong.

 

 

 

It will cost you to carry something great.

Nothing great comes at a small cost.

 

 

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David wrote in PSALMS 3:1, “Many are those that rise up against me.”

 

David would not have been made a warrior if he hadn’t begun in the field. He was a worshiper, he was a shepherd, he was a king, he was a man after God’s heart – anything that was great inside of him, was developed through opposition!

 

The most dangerous place you can be is away from opposition.

 

 

• What if God uses the hard things to do what you have been asking Him to do all along. We ask God to do something GREAT in us, & He gives us a challenge to conquer with Him & we are confused…

 

 

 

NOTHING GREAT COMES WITHOUT A GREAT COST! 

 

 

God wants to win the battle in you, so He can win the battle for you!

 

 

• It’s not the people, or things, or situations that you are fighting… its many times the (INNER ME) not the enemy that we must fight. It’s not the opposition that will defeat you – it’s your position in the opposition 

 

 

The amount of pain you are able to endure, will determine your capacity for freedom in any area of your life.

Erwin McManus