1 John 5:4 “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith”
Christians are overcomers and the way we overcome is by faith. Challenges are just opportunities to exercise our faith.
I have encountered many challenges along my journey and have witnessed many victories… I once was totally debilitated by a fear of stuttering = Overcome! by faith. Thank You Jesus!
I stepped out of the boat in 1986 and began walking on water as I started what now is “Relate Church” (= a great victory journey still unfolding) – all by faith!
I confronted a myriad of character flaws in me that were causing much pain in my marriage and family (this too is a great victory journey still unfolding) – all by faith.
Faith has become a way of life to me. I no longer just wait for challenges to come to me, now I look to take on challenges on behalf of others. Our world is full of challenges and by faith we can serve… every week I use faith to produce and air our TV show, “Relate with John and Helen” that is seen in a number of nations and helps people overcome their challenges in relationships. My wife and I have taken on the challenge of building the first “Mercy Ministries Home” in Canada to help hurting young women get healed. It all takes faith.
Faith is a gift and its like a muscle… we must exercise it. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger faith. As our faith grows, our capacity grows and we get to tackle bigger mountains. I believe this is our journey of life… and its not boring!
Please comment on your journey and victories of faith… it will encourage others.
Pastor John
This is great stuff, I am really excited about this summers teachings to come.
To comment on my journey and victories of faith, I think the truest testament I can give to God is simply that He is GREAT! My victories have come true by faith, by believing God can make it happen even if I am the furthest from what I believe God has planned for me. But it took/takes the little victories each day that made/makes me ready for the big victories God had/has for me.
Proverbs 22:17,18,19 The Living Bible
For a little over 5 years now I have been walking with God. 5 years and 4 months ago I was in a psych ward. I was so addicted to drugs and had tormenting voices in my head. I entered the samaritan inn for women and I began to learn about Jesus. I began to seek Him for myself with all my heart.
Jesus filled me with a hope I never had befor. He gave me a knowing of great things in the future. I suffered a horrible social fear.
God had delivered me from drug addiction and 7 months after being at the samatitan inn, He delivered me from the tormenting voices in my head. Now I waited for deliverance from a debilitating social fear that kept me in isolation for years.
For whatever reason deliverance in this area has come slow. Little by little.
one small victory here, one small victory there.
There are times I feel strong and it is easy for me to believe. Then there are times when I feel so angry. Sometimes it takes everything I have not to say things to God I know I will regret later.
I know that I know that He has amazing things planned for me. He has given me desires and dreams in my heart so big, that some would think impossible to accomplish.
But I know the plans He has given me will unfold.
In this time I wait, and I learn, and I wait, and I pray, and I wait, and I work at changing wrong thoughts, and I wait, and I read the word, and I wait, and I wait, and I wait.
Something inside me keeps me going, keeps believing. I have determined that I will never, ever, give up.
Pastor John and Helen, I observe you both and listen close to all you say. Many times I have thought to myself, I’m greatful to have you both as pastors. I enjoy your honesty and openess. I enjoy who you both are.