We Finished 2011 WELL! Started STRONG in 2012!
As we come to the end of 2011, we to encourage you to finish well, and start strong in 2012! Don't allow the economic pressures of our time, past failures and disappointments, or the busy holiday season steal your joy. Take time for the truly important relationships in your life and remain rooted in the Word of God!
Here at Victory Christian Center (VCC), we're doing our best to finish strong as well. We've taken the Gospel of grace, love, and power to city! We will continue to do this day in and day out through the efforts of our dedicated team and the faithfulness of our ministry partners like you. Looking forward to your presence in 10 AM Sunday services and 7 PM REAL Bible studies 2nd and 4th Thursdays!
Below is encouragement for Finishing Well & Starting Strong:
Finishing Well & Starting Strong With Eternity In Mind
We keep refreshing our browsers to see if anyone “liked” our status on Facebook. We’re not too far removed from the insecure teenagers we once were, who long to be remembered as the best-looking, the most valuable player, the most likely to succeed, as chronicled on the pages of the yearbook of our lives. How ironic that what will define our eulogy isn’t what we amassed, but rather, what we gave away—in particular, those things we committed into the hands of the Father. It will be our legacy on earth and it will be the yardstick of our eternal reward when at last we stand at the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ.
Jesus, in His
final fleeting breaths on the cross, committed His Spirit into the hands of the
Father and then declared, “It is finished.” The Bible tells us of yet another
event to come, when He will place something else into God’s hands. 1 Corinthians
Chapter 15 tells us that Jesus will subdue all the kingdoms, rulers, authorities
of this world system, and even the last great enemy, Death. Our Jesus, the Role
Model of all role models--the One under Whose feet lies everything that is or
ever was—will come under the authority of God the Father in the greatest act of
submission of all eternity. And of His kingdom there will be no end!
"Then, when
all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s
authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be
utterly supreme over everything everywhere." - 1
Corinthians 15:28
Finishing Well & Starting Strong With Purpose
Serving God and being debt free conflicts with our original paths, but is the path God’s word illuminated for our feet to walk. Our appetite to please God and complete the work He formed us to do becomes more important than meeting a priorities. We realize finishing well does not have to mean finishing the way everyone else does or expects you to do it. Finishing well means doing what our Father in heaven sent us to do, trusting him to qualify me to do it, in a way that pleases him.
"And we know
that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have
been called according to his purpose."
- Romans 8:28
Finishing Well & Starting Strong: Finish Well
It’s heart wrenching to get knocked out when you are in a fight. Successful fighters spend years preparing physically and mentally for the challenge that lies ahead. Like fighters, God prepares us seasons in advance. Don’t take anything for granted. You may not be where you think you should but what you have already experienced can be for you to use in this season. God knew then what he could trust you with.
In his prayer for the Philippians, the Apostle Paul said it this way, "I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:6)
Overnight wonders and fast starters are a dime a dozen. The true test that you and I must pass is whether or not we have prepared to win the entire race. My prayer for you today is that you will allow the Spirit of God to give you the endurance that you'll need.
In Matthew 25, Jesus tells the parable of the talents. One man was given 5 talents, one was given 2 and one was given 1. The catch is that they were given talents based on their ability. In order to finish the rest of this year of “birthing” it’s important to get back in place, refocus and commit to go all the way so that you finish well.
"Be strong and of good courage, and act. Do not be afraid or dismayed; for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you, until all the work or the service of the house of the LORD is finished." - 1 Chronicles 28:20
"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 3:14
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." - Hebrews 10:36
David made a mistake with Bathsheba and continued to be king of Israel. He finished well. The woman at the well made mistakes in serial monogamous relationships. She finished well. Saul persecuted the church, but after his Damascus Road experiences, as Paul, he finished well. Thank God for a Personal touch so we too can finish well!!
All of our sins were nailed to the cross and buried in a tomb. If we confess, God is faithful to forgive. All humanity was released from the bondage of sin so we could finish well. Our mistakes are not final. (This is where you begin to praise God throughout the day!)
"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always." - 1 Chronicles 16:11
We want to finish strong. We want to close this journey with an effort that honors the One who was willing to finish for us. Paul understood athletics. Sports can be a good metaphor for life and he knew that well. At the end of our life race we have a couple of options that we could hear.
a) You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. (Gal 5)
b) You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. (2 Tim 4)
We choose b) for
the words I want to hear.
We pray that we will close well.
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." - 2 Timothy 4:7
It costs
something to be disciplined. It will make you scream sometimes. It will make you
holler sometimes, because your body does not want to conform, but you have to
make it conform and bring it into subjection. Subjection to what? To the Word of
God and to your own recreated spirit. It does not work automatically; you have
to stay with it all the time.
We like to eat. We love good food. We particularly enjoy ice cream. Sometimes we
will get a craving for it just as they say some women who are pregnant have a
craving for some particular food item. Sometimes when we get that craving, just
to let the devil know that we are in control, will deny yourself, and will
refuse to eat it. Tell my body, "I am in control--me, the spirit man. The man on
the inside is in control. Body, you do not control me!" No ice cream is going to
have you crawling the walls at midnight trying to find a fix, like some
preachers do with cigarettes.
We will say it again, because it bears repetition: A disciplined life is what you have to have in order finish well and start strong to be successful in your Christian life, as well as in the ministry!
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." - John 15:5
Starting Strong in 2012…don’t miss any services! brating the Blessings, Goodness, Power, Grace of God and VICTORY given through Jesus, the Christ!
We thank our God for an awesome 2012 start at VCC! Our service consisted of:
· Extended and powerful prayers of many areas…Israel/Peace of Jerusalem, Thanksgiving to God, our families, our nation and President, stated, city, elected official, lost souls/witnessing, faithfulness of believers, our/your destines, VCC growth, spiritual growth of believers, prayers of faith for healing and more
· Prophecies over individuals
·
Kenneth Copeland’s prophecy for 2012
(click link above to see video & listen)
· Great Word and encouragement for Communion
· Summary of Sermons/Teaching: Refreshing reminder, by faith, of our “Recommitment by Faith to the Heavenly Vision & Purpose…for 2012 Success – Parts 1 & 2!”, based on the following scriptures (& more)
o Romans 10:9-10-13 SALIVATION for everyone!
o Romans 12:2, Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
o Matthew 6:33, But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…… AMP!
o Acts 2:1-5, And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
o Ephesians 4:11-16, And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry……
o Matthew 28:18-20, Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit………
o 2 Corinthians 3:6, He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit
o 2 Peter 1:1-11, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises…..
o 2 Corinthians 5:21, For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him
o 1 Corinthians 15:57, But thanks be to God, who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.
o Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
o 2nd Peter 1:1-10, Add to your faith!le
Pastor Roy Coleman