1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:05,680 The evidence that you have overcome your situation 2 00:00:05,680 --> 00:00:11,451 is that your situation does not overcome you. 3 00:00:14,080 --> 00:00:18,400 Greetings in Jesus’ name and welcome to another edition 4 00:00:18,400 --> 00:00:22,880 of ‘Faith Is Natural’ here on God’s Heart TV. 5 00:00:22,880 --> 00:00:26,240 Today, I want to address an issue that I have been 6 00:00:26,240 --> 00:00:30,720 asked about many, many times over the years. 7 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:33,040 And it’s something like this – 8 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:42,640 as a Christian, why do my problems persist despite my prayers? 9 00:00:42,640 --> 00:00:44,400 I’ve played my own role. 10 00:00:44,400 --> 00:00:47,920 You know, I go to church. I’ve prayed and fasted. 11 00:00:47,920 --> 00:00:52,080 I’ve received prayer; I’ve received prayer for deliverance. 12 00:00:52,080 --> 00:00:56,480 I read my Bible; I claim the promises in the Scripture 13 00:00:56,480 --> 00:00:59,920 and I really to strive please God. 14 00:00:59,920 --> 00:01:08,800 But why can’t I seem to overcome this problem? 15 00:01:08,800 --> 00:01:15,120 People of God, just as God created each of us to be unique – 16 00:01:15,120 --> 00:01:20,240 in the same vein, each situation we face is unique. 17 00:01:20,240 --> 00:01:26,720 So, there’s no single message that can address every situation 18 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:31,280 but the answer, of course, lies in the Word of God. 19 00:01:31,280 --> 00:01:35,760 Today, I want to share with you a very valuable 20 00:01:35,760 --> 00:01:40,800 and important truth that I believe will help you. 21 00:01:40,800 --> 00:01:47,680 As a Christian, overcoming your situation… 22 00:01:47,680 --> 00:01:53,280 And when I say ‘situation’ – I mean, it could be in your finances, 23 00:01:53,280 --> 00:01:59,840 your health, marriage, family, business, career – just name it. 24 00:01:59,840 --> 00:02:06,320 As a Christian, overcoming your situation 25 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:14,640 does not necessarily mean that situation will change. 26 00:02:14,640 --> 00:02:21,120 No! The evidence that you have overcome your situation 27 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:27,680 is that your situation does not overcome you. 28 00:02:27,680 --> 00:02:30,240 Let me repeat that – 29 00:02:30,240 --> 00:02:35,440 the evidence that you have overcome your situation 30 00:02:35,440 --> 00:02:39,520 is that your situation has not overcome you, 31 00:02:39,520 --> 00:02:43,520 has not taken you away from God, 32 00:02:43,520 --> 00:02:48,880 has not misled you to sin. 33 00:02:48,880 --> 00:02:55,520 You see, it’s common today for us to equate overcoming our situation 34 00:02:55,520 --> 00:03:00,480 to a change in that specific circumstance. 35 00:03:00,480 --> 00:03:05,040 For example, we equate overcoming hardship to 36 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:07,920 receiving financial breakthrough 37 00:03:07,920 --> 00:03:12,320 or we equate overcoming sickness, affliction 38 00:03:12,320 --> 00:03:15,760 to receiving physical healing. 39 00:03:15,760 --> 00:03:23,280 But remember – as Christians, we walk by faith, not by sight. 40 00:03:23,280 --> 00:03:29,120 So, the evidence of overcoming is in the spirit first, 41 00:03:29,120 --> 00:03:32,160 not the natural – the spirit first. 42 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:45,280 Remember, God is Spirit and your real value lies in your spirit. 43 00:03:45,280 --> 00:03:51,680 So, the evidence of overcoming is in the spirit, not the natural. 44 00:03:51,680 --> 00:03:56,640 Now, I am not saying that God cannot sovereignly, 45 00:03:56,640 --> 00:04:01,360 supernaturally intervene and change that situation in your life. 46 00:04:01,360 --> 00:04:06,880 Of course, HE can – there is nothing impossible for God. 47 00:04:06,880 --> 00:04:13,920 I am just stressing to you that your present condition 48 00:04:13,920 --> 00:04:22,800 is not a means of measuring your spiritual life. 49 00:04:22,800 --> 00:04:30,240 Overcoming hardship does not mean getting rich. 50 00:04:30,240 --> 00:04:36,640 No – it means not being ruled by that hardship. 51 00:04:36,640 --> 00:04:41,440 Yes, I may have hardship and yes, I am seeking God – 52 00:04:41,440 --> 00:04:44,320 I am seeking Divine intervention. 53 00:04:44,320 --> 00:04:51,120 But no matter how hard, how long is that hardship, 54 00:04:51,120 --> 00:05:00,400 it will not mislead me into seeking alternatives outside of Christ. 55 00:05:00,400 --> 00:05:04,320 No matter how difficult is that difficulty, 56 00:05:04,320 --> 00:05:11,600 it will not deceive me into taking steps outside of God’s ways. 57 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:17,200 No matter how painful is that pain, 58 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:23,360 it will not break the flow of joy in my heart 59 00:05:23,360 --> 00:05:26,240 and prayer in my spirit. 60 00:05:26,240 --> 00:05:33,200 That is how you overcome! 61 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:38,240 And when the blessing comes in God’s time, 62 00:05:38,240 --> 00:05:42,880 according to His Master Plan, 63 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:47,280 just as hardship does not rule you, 64 00:05:47,280 --> 00:05:55,760 so too the blessing will not rule you but the Giver – God. 65 00:05:55,760 --> 00:06:01,920 So, as Christians, we are not immune to trouble. 66 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:07,360 No – in this world, there will be trouble. 67 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:10,720 But we are not ruled by it. 68 00:06:10,720 --> 00:06:12,880 We are not exempt from challenges. 69 00:06:12,880 --> 00:06:14,560 There will be challenges – 70 00:06:14,560 --> 00:06:18,400 sometimes prolonged, persistent challenges. 71 00:06:18,400 --> 00:06:22,960 But we are not to be controlled by them. 72 00:06:22,960 --> 00:06:26,640 People of God, I want to remind you of that famous story 73 00:06:26,640 --> 00:06:31,760 in the Gospels in the book of Mark 4:37-40 – 74 00:06:31,760 --> 00:06:36,960 the story about when Jesus Christ calmed the storm. 75 00:06:36,960 --> 00:06:41,440 And I want you to take note of something. 76 00:06:41,440 --> 00:06:47,440 Jesus Christ was calm in the midst of the storm 77 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:52,320 before He calmed the storm. 78 00:06:52,320 --> 00:07:00,880 The storm was raging around him but not within him. 79 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:05,040 Fear did not overtake Him. 80 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:08,400 Worry did not overwhelm Him. 81 00:07:08,400 --> 00:07:11,520 Anxiety did not overthrow Him. 82 00:07:11,520 --> 00:07:20,160 No! He mastered the storm because the storm did not master Him! 83 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:23,920 But on the other hand, look at the reaction of the disciples. 84 00:07:23,920 --> 00:07:25,680 Look at their response. 85 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:27,440 They woke Jesus up and said, 86 00:07:27,440 --> 00:07:31,600 ‘Master, don’t You care that we’re drowning? 87 00:07:31,600 --> 00:07:38,000 Don’t You care that we’re about to die? Don’t You care?’ 88 00:07:38,000 --> 00:07:46,000 This is a picture of what happens when your problem overcomes you – 89 00:07:46,000 --> 00:07:54,400 you begin to see God in a bad light. 90 00:07:54,400 --> 00:08:01,200 ‘God, don’t You care that I’m sick? Don’t You care I’m in pain? 91 00:08:01,200 --> 00:08:05,040 Don’t You care that my business is about to go bankrupt? 92 00:08:05,040 --> 00:08:09,920 Don’t You care how they’re treating me unjustly at my work place? 93 00:08:09,920 --> 00:08:12,240 Don’t You care? 94 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:19,120 Why is God allowing this to happen to me?’ 95 00:08:19,120 --> 00:08:29,840 We begin to question God’s goodness and query His ability. 96 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:32,560 And even if we do approach God, 97 00:08:32,560 --> 00:08:35,680 even if we do run to the house of God, 98 00:08:35,680 --> 00:08:45,440 it is often to submit our prayer requests out of panic, not faith. 99 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:53,680 People of God, I want to share with you a secret to overcoming – 100 00:08:53,680 --> 00:09:01,520 the recognition that it is not all about you. 101 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:04,720 It’s not about how you are feeling, 102 00:09:04,720 --> 00:09:08,160 how you are doing, how you are treated. 103 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:15,200 No! The central character in your story is God 104 00:09:15,200 --> 00:09:19,200 for you are created for His glory. 105 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:24,960 So, redirect the focus from you to God. 106 00:09:24,960 --> 00:09:31,120 Instead of asking, ‘Why is God allowing this to happen to me?’ – 107 00:09:31,120 --> 00:09:33,600 change the focus. 108 00:09:33,600 --> 00:09:39,280 Why is GOD allowing this to happen to me? 109 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:45,040 Because if God allows it, if God permits it – it’s for my good. 110 00:09:45,040 --> 00:09:48,480 Perhaps there is a lesson he wants you to learn 111 00:09:48,480 --> 00:09:51,520 that is necessary for your future, 112 00:09:51,520 --> 00:09:55,360 for the responsibilities He has for you tomorrow. 113 00:09:55,360 --> 00:10:00,240 Perhaps He is humbling you under His mighty hand. 114 00:10:00,240 --> 00:10:06,240 Perhaps He is refining you so that you come forth as gold. 115 00:10:06,240 --> 00:10:10,240 Perhaps He is building your character for 116 00:10:10,240 --> 00:10:14,960 the greatness that lies ahead of you. 117 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:19,040 Look unto Jesus! 118 00:10:19,040 --> 00:10:30,080 The extent to which your problem, your situation misleads you 119 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:39,280 to worry, to fear, to anxiety, to discouragement, to alternatives 120 00:10:39,280 --> 00:10:51,600 is the extent you place something else above God in your heart, 121 00:10:51,600 --> 00:10:58,000 usually yourself. 122 00:10:58,000 --> 00:11:04,400 So, people of God, in conclusion – 123 00:11:04,400 --> 00:11:14,160 let us look unto Jesus, for He is the Light of the world. 124 00:11:14,160 --> 00:11:19,680 Today, we’re close to a lighthouse – a beautiful lighthouse. 125 00:11:19,680 --> 00:11:26,240 And we recognise the importance of a lighthouse in the dark, 126 00:11:26,240 --> 00:11:30,480 not when the sky is clear and the sun is shining. 127 00:11:30,480 --> 00:11:34,320 No – it’s in the darkness that you know how important, 128 00:11:34,320 --> 00:11:38,720 how life-saving a lighthouse is. 129 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:42,960 It is in the dark moments of your life that you will come 130 00:11:42,960 --> 00:11:52,800 to recognise, to appreciate, to value the light – Jesus Christ. 131 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:55,600 Jesus is the Light of the world. 132 00:11:55,600 --> 00:12:02,800 He will illuminate your paths and eliminate your fears! 133 00:12:02,800 --> 00:12:06,880 He will provide you the strength to overcome, 134 00:12:06,880 --> 00:12:09,040 the peace to persevere, 135 00:12:09,040 --> 00:12:14,480 the grace to keep pressing whatever your situation. 136 00:12:14,480 --> 00:12:20,400 Whatever your situation, know this – 137 00:12:20,400 --> 00:12:33,120 if that situation sparks your spiritual life, you are an overcomer. 138 00:12:33,120 --> 00:12:38,720 Right now, let us pray together. 139 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:46,000 Jesus Christ stood in the boat in the midst of the storm 140 00:12:46,000 --> 00:12:50,880 and declared calmness! 141 00:12:50,880 --> 00:12:55,040 Right now, whatever storm that surrounds you, 142 00:12:55,040 --> 00:12:58,560 whatever storm that rages around you – 143 00:12:58,560 --> 00:13:05,440 I declare calmness in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! 144 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:08,720 Let there be calmness in your marriage! 145 00:13:08,720 --> 00:13:11,920 Let there be calmness in your family! 146 00:13:11,920 --> 00:13:15,200 Let there be calmness in your business, 147 00:13:15,200 --> 00:13:18,320 in your finances, in your career! 148 00:13:18,320 --> 00:13:22,240 Let there be calmness in your health right now! 149 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:27,280 Calmness, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! 150 00:13:27,280 --> 00:13:34,400 To every troubled heart, to every disturbed heart – 151 00:13:34,400 --> 00:13:37,760 receive the calmness of Christ! 152 00:13:37,760 --> 00:13:43,745 Receive the calmness of Christ right now! 153 00:13:43,760 --> 00:13:49,280 Jesus Christ is the Light of the world! 154 00:13:49,280 --> 00:13:54,720 Whatever represents darkness in your life, 155 00:13:54,720 --> 00:13:57,200 let there be light right now! 156 00:13:57,200 --> 00:13:59,680 Let there be light right now! 157 00:13:59,680 --> 00:14:02,480 Let there be light! 158 00:14:02,480 --> 00:14:04,800 That sickness is darkness. 159 00:14:04,800 --> 00:14:07,120 That setback is darkness. 160 00:14:07,120 --> 00:14:11,120 That limitation in progress is darkness. 161 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:14,560 That nightmare is darkness. 162 00:14:14,560 --> 00:14:18,480 I command you to come out of darkness! 163 00:14:18,480 --> 00:14:21,520 Come out of darkness right now! 164 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:28,800 Let there be light! 165 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:33,600 In Jesus’ mighty name. 166 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:39,360 Amen. Amen. Amen. 167 00:14:39,360 --> 00:14:40,720 Thank You, Jesus Christ! 168 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:42,160 Thank you, viewers. 169 00:14:42,160 --> 00:14:47,360 God bless you for joining us for today’s edition of ‘Faith Is Natural’. 170 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:50,400 Please share with us the lessons you learned from 171 00:14:50,400 --> 00:14:53,760 today’s message in the comments below and remember – 172 00:14:53,760 --> 00:15:01,440 continue to seek God’s heart to see life clearly, 173 00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:03,980 in Jesus’ name.