Underdog

Underdog

There is an underdog, he fights for what he believes in, he has continued to stand up against a system he sees as unfair, he will never change, resisting to the very end against what he sees as an oppressive overlord even until he is finally caught and will spend the remainder of his life in torment but will never yield before then despite the obvious fact that he cannot win. 

Sounds good, right? It sounds like the kind of tenacity that humans value. In fact, in some lesser way many would choose to emulate him, wouldn't they? Might they be inspired to rebel against perceived injustice? Might they be inspired to stand for their beliefs and to do so against all odds based on this account alone? Is he not courageous according to this account? 

The devil is an underdog, he fights for what he believes in (his rights to kill, steal, and destroy, his rights to rule and the tainted, wicked worship of the human race towards the false God's he ordains), he has continued to stand up against a system he sees as unfair (humans being  allowed access to God and the good things of life, a system that places him below God's human creation man), he will never change (He will be evil always and the father of lies), resisting to the very end against what he sees as an opressive overlord (God who is love) even until Satan is finally once and for all put down and will spend the remainder of his life in torment but will never yield before then, devouring as many as he can, luring humans into his traps and all this despite the obvious fact that he cannot win. 

I am an underdog. Amongst the human race, and faced with opposition like demons and the world's system. I stand up for my beliefs and I stand up against a system warped by Satan's hatred of God and people's confused emulation of him. I will never change. I have been regenerated by the God of heaven and His Holy Spirit and if I change at all, it will be to be more like Jesus. I will resist even unto my death the tactics of Satan and my true enemies. This I will do knowing that if Jesus does not come again before my time, I will die for my Lord but I will not spend eternity in torment rather I will spend it with God in the place he is preparing for me. This I will do knowing despite any losses I may take, I cannot lose!

Keep Your Word

It is possible to just keep your word. You can do what you said you would do. If what you are considering promising to do is limited by what somebody else does or by circumstances then either don't promise or be very clear that keeping your promise will be dependent upon what someone else does or other circumstances. God's design for a man is that when we say we will do something we will do it. A promise not kept is a lie. However, not making any promises is not healthy either. Jesus was saying don't add anything to your promises to make people believe that you're going to do what you say. Just keep your word. Sometimes it may cost you a lot because you didn't foresee a sticking point. But your word is worth it. Be God's man and let your yes be yes and your no be no, don't add to it to try to get people to believe you, and then live a life that is strong evidence that you will always keep your word. Be determined, be trustworthy, and most important of all, be found faithful. #reachingnewheightsinjesus

P. Daniel Stevenson
Pastor New Heights Fellowship
Director Southside Life Station
419.469.0270
churchToledo.com
app: life4toledo
text INFO to 419.419.0095 for updates
text NHFBCT to 49775 to get free right now media

God Sets the Standard of Righteousness

Wickedness and righteousness are decided by God. True righteousness comes through Jesus Christ. But here the Psalmist was saying if we are righteous we have reason to celebrate. So, when you catch yourself doing right be reminded how awesome God our creator is. He made you awesome. You can do right when all the world is choosing to do wrong. Then, you can celebrate just how awesome he made you even if trials arise out of your intentionally making the right choice. As God's men, let's let God set the standard of righteousness and then live accordingly. We will then have great reasons to celebrate. Suggest other men text FWM to 419.419.0095 to receive ongoing encouraging texts for Christian men or simply forward them this text. #reachingnewheightsinjesus

P. Daniel Stevenson
Pastor New Heights Fellowship
Director Southside Life Station
419.469.0270
churchToledo.com
app: life4toledo
text INFO to 419.419.0095 for updates
text NHFBCT to 49775 to get free right now media

Alignment and Making a Difference

Clarity Consider that sometimes, indeed often, it is hard to move forward with clarity. We move forward whether we like it or not. We do what we have to to get through another day. We eat and bathe and whatever is called for. That's cool. It's necessary and there's really not much of an alternative. However, we do what we do simply because we do. Alignment God wants to align our do with our be. We are, as they say, Human beings, not human doings. The basic thought is this. If we are driven by the events that compose a given day we become reactionary. God promises something considerably more potent and real. He asks us to become worshippers in Spirit and Truth. When we do we become something more than driven by time and passage of events. Eternal and an heir to all the universe, the Lord makes us able to proactively walk. To change the world toward God's will. To MAKE a difference rather than to be made by a difference. Making A Difference You were made to be something more. Jesus new this. He new it and wanted us to know it. It's part of the mystery that men needed to know and were restrained from seeing clearly until Jesus paid the ultimate price with His life. Now it's done and we are enabled to see and act accordingly. Now, those who ignore this are without excuse. Accept Christ, begin to live for the Lord and never look back because the Kingdom of God has come on earth for those who believe and receive. Salvation is This. www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org www.facebook.com/NewHeightsToledo www.facebook.com/LifestationToledo

Integrity in the Underdog Church-wake Up!

Underdog
Why does the church keep acting like the underdog? I'm wondering why since we have God on our side we don't just go for it? Old, established churches, gather (and sometimes don't) and they are completely sold on hearing what the pastor has to say (and sometimes they aren't.) They take it with them but sometimes seem to reach a point where it isn't relevant (the teaching) through out the rest of the week. How can this be?

Compartmenalization:

Segmenting your life is dangerous. It seems almost necessary in this day. We want to believe that much of what we do does not change who we are. We don't know who we are in many cases and we are deathly afraid of finding out. Non-Christians probably should be. In some way who you are will reflect where you are headed and when Hell is the destination, the reflection isn't pretty.

Doubt equals fearing your reflection

Maybe Christians have the same problem. Christians are going to heaven. That was settled at Calvary. However, all it takes it doubt (and there seems to be plenty of that) and we could start fearing the reflection.

Cat:

I used to have a cat that would bat the cat in the mirror. It was cute. Not so much so in humans who are afraid of the reflection and try to preemptive strike it by not looking. Take a long look at who you are. It is who God made you to be-or at least it is how far you have come...

Self-exmination:

Anyway, all this seems to lead people to avoid self-examination. Probably because they are afraid of what they will find. Avoiding self-examination naturally leads to segmenting your life. See, I was getting back to it all the while...

We segment our life because we don't want to admit that that crap we are taking in is affecting us. We watch criminals perpetrate horrid crimes (fictitious or real) on TV and think-that is not real and its not me so I am fine...But what you watch is you. Not that you are criminal or even "like them." However, you have chosen to put that stuff in your head.

Recycling Bin:

On the computer, whatever you put in the "recycling bin" remains on your computer. The idea is that some people make mistakes and then want to un-delete something that they have sent to the recycling bin. It works. I have done it. In the mean time your hard drive is still partially filled with the junk that you have plans to be rid of. It still affects your hard drive-say if it has viruses in it.

The only way to stop this is to quarantine any infected files. I am not a computer person per se. I do not need any more details than what I have on how this works. However, the point is, that what's still there is still there.

The only way to get rid of it is to delete it-"actual and whole."

The same is true with our lives. When we put junk in our heads which it's really easy to do...Then the only way to be rid of the evil influence of it is to delete it "actual and whole." Problem-This is not within our ability. We can delete the source-we stop watching. However, forgetting is only questionably under our control.

Born again:

God can, However. He can help you erase the junk you've put in. So, repent. Turn from the junk that you are putting in and pray to God that you know you need healing from it. Stop watching evil and pretending that it doesn't effect you. Stop trying to compartmentalize it. This same principle applies to the mundane. Mundane is not inherently evil but is essentially uselessness compared to usefulness and so can be evil to those who are supposed to be useful.

God initiated an invasion and we are supposed to be part of it. The scheming enemy is focused in purpose to keep us from our potential. He wants to distract even divide. He seems to be succeeding since the church is acting like the underdog.

Wake up!

But we are not the underdog. You can actually do whatever you choose to do for God! You can change the wold for the better or for the worse now that you have Christ. You do not have to allow age, sex, race, nationality, economic status, or anything else to get in the way. Do not be divided against yourself. Decide now that nothing and no one will stand in your way from passionately living a life of purpose and love for the God who loved you that much to give his self for you-"actual and whole."

Integrity:

Integrity is being actual and whole. While division within yourself may seem useful now to allow you to dabble in things you should not-It is ultimately draining and weakening to the point of uselessness and the enemy knows this. So, stop. Be one person, know yourself, and your destination. Let that be the purpose of your life. Reaching new Heights in Christ!

You are not the underdog here! You have already triumphed (in Christ) over everyone of these distractions and hardships. They will one day all be permanently deleted. How can you do for Christ what you have never done before? Are you old and tired? Giving, working, and especially loving are energizing! Get alive and then live alive until it's time to go home...

God Bless you as you pursue Christ.

Pastor Dan Stevenson
www.newheightsfellowshipchurch.org