WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.680 The evidence that you have overcome your situation 00:00:05.680 --> 00:00:11.451 is that your situation does not overcome you. 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:18.400 Greetings in Jesus’ name and welcome to another edition 00:00:18.400 --> 00:00:22.880 of ‘Faith Is Natural’ here on God’s Heart TV. 00:00:22.880 --> 00:00:26.240 Today, I want to address an issue that I have been 00:00:26.240 --> 00:00:30.720 asked about many, many times over the years. 00:00:30.720 --> 00:00:33.040 And it’s something like this – 00:00:33.040 --> 00:00:42.640 as a Christian, why do my problems persist despite my prayers? 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:44.400 I’ve played my own role. 00:00:44.400 --> 00:00:47.920 You know, I go to church. I’ve prayed and fasted. 00:00:47.920 --> 00:00:52.080 I’ve received prayer; I’ve received prayer for deliverance. 00:00:52.080 --> 00:00:56.480 I read my Bible; I claim the promises in the Scripture 00:00:56.480 --> 00:00:59.920 and I really to strive please God. 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:08.800 But why can’t I seem to overcome this problem? 00:01:08.800 --> 00:01:15.120 People of God, just as God created each of us to be unique – 00:01:15.120 --> 00:01:20.240 in the same vein, each situation we face is unique. 00:01:20.240 --> 00:01:26.720 So, there’s no single message that can address every situation 00:01:26.720 --> 00:01:31.280 but the answer, of course, lies in the Word of God. 00:01:31.280 --> 00:01:35.760 Today, I want to share with you a very valuable 00:01:35.760 --> 00:01:40.800 and important truth that I believe will help you. 00:01:40.800 --> 00:01:47.680 As a Christian, overcoming your situation… 00:01:47.680 --> 00:01:53.280 And when I say ‘situation’ – I mean, it could be in your finances, 00:01:53.280 --> 00:01:59.840 your health, marriage, family, business, career – just name it. 00:01:59.840 --> 00:02:06.320 As a Christian, overcoming your situation 00:02:06.320 --> 00:02:14.640 does not necessarily mean that situation will change. 00:02:14.640 --> 00:02:21.120 No! The evidence that you have overcome your situation 00:02:21.120 --> 00:02:27.680 is that your situation does not overcome you. 00:02:27.680 --> 00:02:30.240 Let me repeat that – 00:02:30.240 --> 00:02:35.440 the evidence that you have overcome your situation 00:02:35.440 --> 00:02:39.520 is that your situation has not overcome you, 00:02:39.520 --> 00:02:43.520 has not taken you away from God, 00:02:43.520 --> 00:02:48.880 has not misled you to sin. 00:02:48.880 --> 00:02:55.520 You see, it’s common today for us to equate overcoming our situation 00:02:55.520 --> 00:03:00.480 to a change in that specific circumstance. 00:03:00.480 --> 00:03:05.040 For example, we equate overcoming hardship to 00:03:05.040 --> 00:03:07.920 receiving financial breakthrough 00:03:07.920 --> 00:03:12.320 or we equate overcoming sickness, affliction 00:03:12.320 --> 00:03:15.760 to receiving physical healing. 00:03:15.760 --> 00:03:23.280 But remember – as Christians, we walk by faith, not by sight. 00:03:23.280 --> 00:03:29.120 So, the evidence of overcoming is in the spirit first, 00:03:29.120 --> 00:03:32.160 not the natural – the spirit first. 00:03:32.160 --> 00:03:45.280 Remember, God is Spirit and your real value lies in your spirit. 00:03:45.280 --> 00:03:51.680 So, the evidence of overcoming is in the spirit, not the natural. 00:03:51.680 --> 00:03:56.640 Now, I am not saying that God cannot sovereignly, 00:03:56.640 --> 00:04:01.360 supernaturally intervene and change that situation in your life. 00:04:01.360 --> 00:04:06.880 Of course, HE can – there is nothing impossible for God. 00:04:06.880 --> 00:04:13.920 I am just stressing to you that your present condition 00:04:13.920 --> 00:04:22.800 is not a means of measuring your spiritual life. 00:04:22.800 --> 00:04:30.240 Overcoming hardship does not mean getting rich. 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:36.640 No – it means not being ruled by that hardship. 00:04:36.640 --> 00:04:41.440 Yes, I may have hardship and yes, I am seeking God – 00:04:41.440 --> 00:04:44.320 I am seeking Divine intervention. 00:04:44.320 --> 00:04:51.120 But no matter how hard, how long is that hardship, 00:04:51.120 --> 00:05:00.400 it will not mislead me into seeking alternatives outside of Christ. 00:05:00.400 --> 00:05:04.320 No matter how difficult is that difficulty, 00:05:04.320 --> 00:05:11.600 it will not deceive me into taking steps outside of God’s ways. 00:05:11.600 --> 00:05:17.200 No matter how painful is that pain, 00:05:17.200 --> 00:05:23.360 it will not break the flow of joy in my heart 00:05:23.360 --> 00:05:26.240 and prayer in my spirit. 00:05:26.240 --> 00:05:33.200 That is how you overcome! 00:05:33.200 --> 00:05:38.240 And when the blessing comes in God’s time, 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:42.880 according to His Master Plan, 00:05:42.880 --> 00:05:47.280 just as hardship does not rule you, 00:05:47.280 --> 00:05:55.760 so too the blessing will not rule you but the Giver – God. 00:05:55.760 --> 00:06:01.920 So, as Christians, we are not immune to trouble. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:07.360 No – in this world, there will be trouble. 00:06:07.360 --> 00:06:10.720 But we are not ruled by it. 00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:12.880 We are not exempt from challenges. 00:06:12.880 --> 00:06:14.560 There will be challenges – 00:06:14.560 --> 00:06:18.400 sometimes prolonged, persistent challenges. 00:06:18.400 --> 00:06:22.960 But we are not to be controlled by them. 00:06:22.960 --> 00:06:26.640 People of God, I want to remind you of that famous story 00:06:26.640 --> 00:06:31.760 in the Gospels in the book of Mark 4:37-40 – 00:06:31.760 --> 00:06:36.960 the story about when Jesus Christ calmed the storm. 00:06:36.960 --> 00:06:41.440 And I want you to take note of something. 00:06:41.440 --> 00:06:47.440 Jesus Christ was calm in the midst of the storm 00:06:47.440 --> 00:06:52.320 before He calmed the storm. 00:06:52.320 --> 00:07:00.880 The storm was raging around him but not within him. 00:07:00.880 --> 00:07:05.040 Fear did not overtake Him. 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:08.400 Worry did not overwhelm Him. 00:07:08.400 --> 00:07:11.520 Anxiety did not overthrow Him. 00:07:11.520 --> 00:07:20.160 No! He mastered the storm because the storm did not master Him! 00:07:20.160 --> 00:07:23.920 But on the other hand, look at the reaction of the disciples. 00:07:23.920 --> 00:07:25.680 Look at their response. 00:07:25.680 --> 00:07:27.440 They woke Jesus up and said, 00:07:27.440 --> 00:07:31.600 ‘Master, don’t You care that we’re drowning? 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:38.000 Don’t You care that we’re about to die? Don’t You care?’ 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:46.000 This is a picture of what happens when your problem overcomes you – 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:54.400 you begin to see God in a bad light. 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? 00:08:01.200 --> 00:08:05.040 Don’t You care that my business is about to go bankrupt? 00:08:05.040 --> 00:08:09.920 Don’t You care how they’re treating me unjustly at my work place? 00:08:09.920 --> 00:08:12.240 Don’t You care? 00:08:12.240 --> 00:08:19.120 Why is God allowing this to happen to me?’ 00:08:19.120 --> 00:08:29.840 We begin to question God’s goodness and query His ability. 00:08:29.840 --> 00:08:32.560 And even if we do approach God, 00:08:32.560 --> 00:08:35.680 even if we do run to the house of God, 00:08:35.680 --> 00:08:45.440 it is often to submit our prayer requests out of panic, not faith. 00:08:45.440 --> 00:08:53.680 People of God, I want to share with you a secret to overcoming – 00:08:53.680 --> 00:09:01.520 the recognition that it is not all about you. 00:09:01.520 --> 00:09:04.720 It’s not about how you are feeling, 00:09:04.720 --> 00:09:08.160 how you are doing, how you are treated. 00:09:08.160 --> 00:09:15.200 No! The central character in your story is God 00:09:15.200 --> 00:09:19.200 for you are created for His glory. 00:09:19.200 --> 00:09:24.960 So, redirect the focus from you to God. 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:31.120 Instead of asking, ‘Why is God allowing this to happen to me?’ – 00:09:31.120 --> 00:09:33.600 change the focus. 00:09:33.600 --> 00:09:39.280 Why is GOD allowing this to happen to me? 00:09:39.280 --> 00:09:45.040 Because if God allows it, if God permits it – it’s for my good. 00:09:45.040 --> 00:09:48.480 Perhaps there is a lesson he wants you to learn 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:51.520 that is necessary for your future, 00:09:51.520 --> 00:09:55.360 for the responsibilities He has for you tomorrow. 00:09:55.360 --> 00:10:00.240 Perhaps He is humbling you under His mighty hand. 00:10:00.240 --> 00:10:06.240 Perhaps He is refining you so that you come forth as gold. 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:10.240 Perhaps He is building your character for 00:10:10.240 --> 00:10:14.960 the greatness that lies ahead of you. 00:10:14.960 --> 00:10:19.040 Look unto Jesus! 00:10:19.040 --> 00:10:30.080 The extent to which your problem, your situation misleads you 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:39.280 to worry, to fear, to anxiety, to discouragement, to alternatives 00:10:39.280 --> 00:10:51.600 is the extent you place something else above God in your heart, 00:10:51.600 --> 00:10:58.000 usually yourself. 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:04.400 So, people of God, in conclusion – 00:11:04.400 --> 00:11:14.160 let us look unto Jesus, for He is the Light of the world. 00:11:14.160 --> 00:11:19.680 Today, we’re close to a lighthouse – a beautiful lighthouse. 00:11:19.680 --> 00:11:26.240 And we recognise the importance of a lighthouse in the dark, 00:11:26.240 --> 00:11:30.480 not when the sky is clear and the sun is shining. 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:34.320 No – it’s in the darkness that you know how important, 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:38.720 how life-saving a lighthouse is. 00:11:38.720 --> 00:11:42.960 It is in the dark moments of your life that you will come 00:11:42.960 --> 00:11:52.800 to recognise, to appreciate, to value the light – Jesus Christ. 00:11:52.800 --> 00:11:55.600 Jesus is the Light of the world. 00:11:55.600 --> 00:12:02.800 He will illuminate your paths and eliminate your fears! 00:12:02.800 --> 00:12:06.880 He will provide you the strength to overcome, 00:12:06.880 --> 00:12:09.040 the peace to persevere, 00:12:09.040 --> 00:12:14.480 the grace to keep pressing whatever your situation. 00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:20.400 Whatever your situation, know this – 00:12:20.400 --> 00:12:33.120 if that situation sparks your spiritual life, you are an overcomer. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:38.720 Right now, let us pray together. 00:12:38.720 --> 00:12:46.000 Jesus Christ stood in the boat in the midst of the storm 00:12:46.000 --> 00:12:50.880 and declared calmness! 00:12:50.880 --> 00:12:55.040 Right now, whatever storm that surrounds you, 00:12:55.040 --> 00:12:58.560 whatever storm that rages around you – 00:12:58.560 --> 00:13:05.440 I declare calmness in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:08.720 Let there be calmness in your marriage! 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:11.920 Let there be calmness in your family! 00:13:11.920 --> 00:13:15.200 Let there be calmness in your business, 00:13:15.200 --> 00:13:18.320 in your finances, in your career! 00:13:18.320 --> 00:13:22.240 Let there be calmness in your health right now! 00:13:22.240 --> 00:13:27.280 Calmness, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ! 00:13:27.280 --> 00:13:34.400 To every troubled heart, to every disturbed heart – 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:37.760 receive the calmness of Christ! 00:13:37.760 --> 00:13:43.745 Receive the calmness of Christ right now! 00:13:43.760 --> 00:13:49.280 Jesus Christ is the Light of the world! 00:13:49.280 --> 00:13:54.720 Whatever represents darkness in your life, 00:13:54.720 --> 00:13:57.200 let there be light right now! 00:13:57.200 --> 00:13:59.680 Let there be light right now! 00:13:59.680 --> 00:14:02.480 Let there be light! 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:04.800 That sickness is darkness. 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:07.120 That setback is darkness. 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:11.120 That limitation in progress is darkness. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:14.560 That nightmare is darkness. 00:14:14.560 --> 00:14:18.480 I command you to come out of darkness! 00:14:18.480 --> 00:14:21.520 Come out of darkness right now! 00:14:21.520 --> 00:14:28.800 Let there be light! 00:14:28.800 --> 00:14:33.600 In Jesus’ mighty name. 00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:39.360 Amen. Amen. Amen. 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:40.720 Thank You, Jesus Christ! 00:14:40.720 --> 00:14:42.160 Thank you, viewers. 00:14:42.160 --> 00:14:47.360 God bless you for joining us for today’s edition of ‘Faith Is Natural’. 00:14:47.360 --> 00:14:50.400 Please share with us the lessons you learned from 00:14:50.400 --> 00:14:53.760 today’s message in the comments below and remember – 00:14:53.760 --> 00:15:01.440 continue to seek God’s heart to see life clearly, 00:15:01.440 --> 00:15:03.980 in Jesus’ name.