Raising Up Contenders

Here’s what I heard from God this morning. I pray it encourages your heart and gives you the desire to be a contender.

My children do not need to be victims. It is a lie that many are believing. Sure, your own power does not match the devil’s. But he is no match for MY power in you!

I am calling my people to maturity. I am calling them to walk in POWER. I am calling them to HUMILITY. I am calling them to regular practices of confession and repentance! My children need to stop inviting the works of the enemy into their lives through pride, self-pity, and unconfessed sin. You need to start believing that everything Jesus purchased on the cross is YOURS! No need to earn it; you certainly cannot. No one is good enough. It is my GIFT to each one of you. My children must stop blaming their circumstances, other people, their past, their parents, etc. and start taking responsibility for the way my Spirit wants to work in their life. I want to partner with my children to do great exploits, but it begins in their own heart and mind!

Listen, and I will tell you a mystery: my children are the most powerful people on the planet. They just don’t know it. I have placed my Spirit inside them to testify to Me on earth. My Spirit is what empowers and enables my people to do the impossible. Remember, with me, all things are possible. ALL THINGS. My people are walking around thinking that they lack what they need. You do not realize that you have the Source of all power and love, taking up residence inside you. When the world sees a people who DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE they take notice! It makes me and you look good! I need a people who will walk in humility, power, and love, doing the impossible and giving me the glory.

Just because it is POSSIBLE does not mean it is EASY. I make the impossible, possible, but I don’t always make it easy. This is because maturity is the goal. Intimacy with my kids is the goal. Raising up mature warriors who do not know the meaning of the words “give up” is the goal. Heaven will mean so much more to the children who have fought for it here on earth.

I am raising up contenders.

A contender looks at the darkness and sees how the light will transform it. A contender looks at what the world views as hopeless and sees a hopeful future. A contender looks at what is broken and sees restoration coming. A contender looks at what has been lost and gets excited about the redemption to come!

A contender never, ever gives up.

A contender chooses gratitude as the antidote to self-pity.

A contender sees themselves as a victor, not a victim.

A contender sees the world through the eyes of eternity, not what is finite.

A contender sees things the way God sees them, not man.

Rise up, sons and daughters of God! I have called you to be contenders. I have called you to walk in victory. I have not made everything easy for you; but everything is easy for Me. Call on me and I will help you.

Psalm 107:19-22 NIV

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.  

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 8:36-38 TPT

even though it is written:

All day long we face death threats for your sake, God.
    We are considered to be nothing more
    than sheep to be slaughtered!

Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!

So now I live with the confidence that there is nothing in the universe with the power to separate us from God’s love. I’m convinced that his love will triumph over death, life’s troubles, fallen angels, or dark rulers in the heavens. There is nothing in our present or future circumstances that can weaken his love.