Topic: KEEP STANDING IN TIMES OF CHALLENGES – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 11 MARCH 2024 The Redeemed Evangelical Mission

Topic: KEEP STANDING IN TIMES OF CHALLENGES – Bishop Mike Okonkwo Devotional 11 MARCH 2024 The Redeemed Evangelical Mission

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KEEP STANDING IN TIMES OF CHALLENGES

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13 (KJV)

Challenges will come, but you must keep standing. If you have started something, don’t quit because of challenges. Keep standing until your breakthrough comes. Stay there! God never said you should jump ship because of difficulties. Remember the word of encouragement from the scriptures: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. (Galatians 6:9 KJV)

In 2 Corinthians 4:13, Apostle Paul declares: “We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;” (KJV). Leaders and indeed all believers, must never change their confessions because of challenges. Job never changed his confessions because of adversity. Rather, he made bold declarations, even in the face of hopeless situations: “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, Till my change come.” (Job 14:14 KJV)

Apostle Paul says: “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;” (2 Corinthians 4:8-9 KJV). Apostle Paul remained undaunted in the face of adversity. He kept standing. That is the hallmark of leaders. In the book of Acts 20: 24, Apostle Paul says: “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”(KJV). Paul never allowed the circumstances around him to move him to do the negative things. He was focused only on the call of God upon his life.

What enables you to stand in times of difficulties is what you choose to focus upon. Jesus focused on the joy that was set before Him (Hebrews 12:2). Follow His example! Look into the word, and you will find the joy that is set before you.