End time Overcomers

Our life on earth is like a hurdle-race. The LORD JESUS Himself said,

".. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. 

In the world you will have tribulation; 

but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

When you were young in your faith, GOD removed hurdles in your path because He did not expect you to do anything more than a sprint.

Now the LORD expects you to look to Him for strength to come over the hurdles for the glory of His name!

When you face evil, do not let it come over you, but you come over it with good.

You can come over the devil with GOD!

 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:21

Whether you are old, young or little, you can come over the wicked one by knowing GOD through the LORD JESUS CHRIST and by submitting to Him.

I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him 

who is from the beginning. 

I write to you, young men, 

Because you have overcome the wicked one. 

I write to you, little children, 

Because you have known the Father.
1 John 2:13

The LORD has given us the authority and the power to come over the works of darkness to sit with Him on His throne!

 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, 

as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Revelation 3:21

The equipment we have been given that enable us to overcome are, the Blood of the LORD JESUS that cleanses us from sin and frees us from guilt, the word of GOD and the cross that liberates us from the bondage of our selfish nature!

And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.

Revelation 12:11

Our faith reaches beyond the realm of spiritual darkness

to the very throne of the Almighty GOD.

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. 

And this is the victory that has overcome the world-

-our faith.
1 John 5:4

We must abide in CHRIST to overcome any situation.

In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us.

                                             These will make war with the Lamb, 

and the Lamb will overcome them, 

for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; 

and those who are with Him are called, 

chosen, and faithful."
Revelation 17:14

He who has an ear, 

let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, 

which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." '
Revelation 2:7

He who has an ear, 

let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. 

He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." '
Revelation 2:11

He who overcomes shall inherit all things, 

and I will be his God and he shall be My son.
Revelation 21:7

When GOD permits you to go through testing in your life, 

He knows how much and how long you can bear it 

because His eyes are constantly on you.

It is like the silversmith with His precious piece of silver 

while it is being refined in the fire.

No temptation has overtaken you 

except such as is common to man; 

but God is faithful, 

who will not allow you to be tempted 

beyond what you are able, 

but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, 

that you may be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13



We must beware that sin is contagious.

We have similar weaknesses in our body and our soul as the ones we minister to.

If that individual has become prideful, hurtful, caused offense or become offended or fallen into immorality, we must be careful to protect our selves from these attitudes so we don't catch them!

Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, 

you who are spiritual 

restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, 

considering yourself lest you also be tempted.
Galatians 6:1

when we let the Holy Spirit overtake our soul and our body,

we become true overcomers!

 So David inquired of the Lord, saying, 

"Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them?" 

And He answered him, 

"Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them 

and without fail recover all."
1 Samuel 30:8

Let us diligently prepare ourselves for the Day of the LORD

by constantly refocussing on JESUS alone.

Let us lay down our burdens at the cross

until we find rest in Him.

Let us ask for grace to put away our traditions,

religious rituals and our own works of justification.

Let Him alone be our first love.

Let our trust be in Him alone.

But you, brethren, are not in darkness, 

so that this Day should overtake you as a thief.
1 Thessalonians 5:4

Spiritual Warfare - 20

Spiritual Warfare - 20

In short, what is 'Spiritual Warfare'?

UNDERSTAND that it is a spiritual battle in the heavenly realm between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. It is a battle we need to overcome in this life in order to reach our eternal destination, heaven.

It is a battle of the soul, for the souls of people.

It is a battle that begins in the minds of people and may progress to the heart and to the body.

Diligently study the word of GOD to RENEW YOUR MIND to counteract the lies of the devil.

The LORD JESUS has already won the victory on behalf of every human being.

RECEIVE CHRIST to take the first step to victory.

LIVE IN CHRIST and progress in CHRIST until the end of this life to gain eternal victory.

 What then shall we say to these things? 

If God is for us, who can be against us? 

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 

Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 

Romans 8:31,35,37 

Therefore spiritual victory is not a life without tribulation, distress, persecution and so on.

 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

 let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, 

who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,

 and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

Hebrews 12:1-2 

The path to spiritual victory is the way of the cross which is self denial for the sake of CHRIST.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope 

through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

  to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away,

 reserved in heaven for you, 

  who are kept by the power of God through faith

 for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

  In this you greatly rejoice,

 though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

  that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, 

though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory
 at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. 

Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, 
you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 

  receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls. 

1 Peter 1:3-9

It is our faith that keeps us connected to the LORD JESUS.

 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness,
 which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,
and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. 

2 Timothy 4:7-8 

 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; 

it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:8-10 

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, 

And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, 

  To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, 

Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power,

 Both now and forever. Amen. 

Jude 1:24-25 

HUMILITY

HUMILITY

The disciples of the LORD JESUS asked Him one day, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?"

Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4

It is necessary therefore to humble yourself to enter the Kingdom of GOD.

After escaping the hand of Pharaoh and coming out of Egypt, GOD'S chosen people were led through the wilderness for forty long years. GOD had to work in them and mould them before they could enter the promised land.

And you shall remember that the LORD your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. Deuteronomy 8:2

Through situations in your life's journey, GOD humbles you, preparing you for Heaven.

Humility is a Kingdom Attitude 

 

You must be humble to receive GOD'S grace:

 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. 

Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."

- 1 Peter 5:5

For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

- Isaiah 57:15

"You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.

- John 13:13-15

The LORD JESUS gives you an invitation:

 
"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." 
- Matthew 11:28-30

By humility and the fear of the LORD Are riches and honor and life.

- Proverbs 22:4

Seek the LORD, all you meek of the earth, Who have upheld His justice. Seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be that you will be hidden In the day of the LORD's anger. 

- Zephaniah 2:3

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God,
that He may exalt you in due time,

- 1 Peter 5:6  

The humble He guides in justice, And the humble He teach 

- Psalm 25:9

Standing in humility with CHRIST gives you the victory over Satan:

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

- Romans 16:20

Blessed are the meek, For they shall inherit the earth. 

- Matthew 5:5

Checklist and Practical steps to humility :-

H 

Honour GOD and all people  1 Pet 2:17

U

Understand GOD and others  Prov 28:16  

M 

Have the Mind of CHRIST and a Moderate lifestyle 1 John 2:15-17  

  I

Identify with the meek Rom 12:16  

   L

Listen to others and Love them  James 1:19, 1 cor 8:1

I

I must decrease; He must increase  Gal 5:24-26

T

Thank the Lord and others. Think of the LORD and others Phil 2:4

Y

Yield to the Holy Spirit  Eph 4:30-32

The proud heart is an abomination to the LORD.

GOD resists the proud and destroys his house. 

The pride of life, wine and riches are of this world and cause strife and envy. 

Pride lifts up the heart and hardens the spirit and brings destruction. 

It is the attitude and way of Satan. 

It is totally contrary to the way of the LORD.

Therefore GOD humbles us if necessary through affliction to draw us to Himself and to give us victory over the enemy who is the king of all the children of pride!

Selflessness is Freedom!

Humility is Victory!!

Gideon

Gideon

Judges chapters 6, 7 & 8

Judges 6:10 

 Also I said to you, "I am the LORD your God; do not fear the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell." But you have not obeyed My voice.' "

Israel sinned by fearing the gods of the Amorites.

Judges 6:1

Then the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD. So the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian for seven years,

God delivered them into the hand of the enemy.

Judges 6:6 

So Israel was greatly impoverished because of the Midianites, and the children of Israel cried out to the LORD.
They cried out to the LORD in their distress.

Judges 6:12  

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with you, you mighty man of valor!"
Gideon was raised up as a deliverer to save Israel from the the Midianites.

Judges 6:13-14 
 Gideon said to Him, "O my lord, if the LORD is with us, why then has all this happened to us? And where are all His miracles which our fathers told us about, saying, 'Did not the LORD bring us up from Egypt?' But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hands of the Midianites."
Gideon was also confused and discouraged like his brethren.

Judges 6:15-16 
 So he said to Him, "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house."
He knew his weak state and he was humble. Therefore GOD picked him.

Judges 6:14,16,17
 Then the LORD turned to him and said, "Go in this might of yours, and you shall save Israel from the hand of the Midianites. Have I not sent you?" And the LORD said to him, "Surely I will be with you, and you shall defeat the Midianites as one man." Then he said to Him, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, then show me a sign that it is You who talk with me.
God looked on him favourably. GOD sent him. GOD promised to be with him. GOD promised to defeat the Midianites through him.

Judges 6:19 
 So Gideon went in and prepared a young goat, and unleavened bread from an ephah of flour. The meat he put in a basket, and he put the broth in a pot; and he brought them out to Him under the terebinth tree and presented them.
Gideon made an offering to the LORD.

Judges 6:21 
 Then the Angel of the LORD put out the end of the staff that was in His hand, and touched the meat and the unleavened bread; and fire rose out of the rock and consumed the meat and the unleavened bread. And the Angel of the LORD departed out of his sight.

The LORD was pleased and accepted his sacrifice.

Judges 6:23
 Then the LORD said to him, "Peace be with you; do not fear, you shall not die."
GOD confirmed His favor on Gideon.

Judges 6:25-26
 Now it came to pass the same night that the LORD said to him, "Take your father's young bull, the second bull of seven years old, and tear down the altar of Baal that your father has, and cut down the wooden image that is beside it; and build an altar to the LORD your God on top of this rock in the proper arrangement, and take the second bull and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the image which you shall cut down."
He had to bring down inherited idol worship and establish Godly worship.

Judges 6:27
 So Gideon took ten men from among his servants and did as the LORD had said to him. But because he feared his father's household and the men of the city too much to do it by day, he did it by night.
Although he feared man, he feared GOD more and obeyed GOD.

Judges 6:30-31 
 Then the men of the city said to Joash, "Bring out your son, that he may die, because he has torn down the altar of Baal, and because he has cut down the wooden image that was beside it." But Joash said to all who stood against him, "Would you plead for Baal? Would you save him? Let the one who would plead for him be put to death by morning! If he is a god, let him plead for himself, because his altar has been torn down!"
This opened the eyes of Gideon’s father to the futility of idol worship and he defended his son. He realised that he needn't fear other gods.

Judges 6:33-34
 Then all the Midianites and Amalekites, the people of the East, gathered together; and they crossed over and encamped in the Valley of Jezreel. But the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon; then he blew the trumpet, and the Abiezrites gathered behind him.
As soon as the curse of idol worship was removed, the Spirit of GOD came upon Gideon and raised him up to face the task ahead.

Judges 6:36-37 
 So Gideon said to God, "If You will save Israel by my hand as You have said-- look, I shall put a fleece of wool on the threshing floor; if there is dew on the fleece only, and it is dry on all the ground, then I shall know that You will save Israel by my hand, as You have said."
In sincerity Gideon wanted to know that GOD was in this and requested the fleece sign.

Judges 7:1
 Then Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) and all the people who were with him rose early and encamped beside the well of Harod, so that the camp of the Midianites was on the north side of them by the hill of Moreh in the valley.
As soon as Gideon knew this was of GOD, he set camp against the enemy.

Judges 7:2
 And the LORD said to Gideon, "The people who are with you are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel claim glory for itself against Me, saying, 'My own hand has saved me.'
Glory has to go to GOD alone. His strength is made perfect in my weakness.

Judges 7:3
 Now therefore, proclaim in the hearing of the people, saying, 'Whoever is fearful and afraid, let him turn and depart at once from Mount Gilead.' " And twenty-two thousand of the people returned, and ten thousand remained.
Fear has to be put away first.

Judges 7:4,6-7
 But the LORD said to Gideon, "The people are still too many; bring them down to the water, and I will test them for you there. Then it will be, that of whom I say to you, 'This one shall go with you,' the same shall go with you; and of whomever I say to you, 'This one shall not go with you,' the same shall not go." And the number of those who lapped, putting their hand to their mouth, was three hundred men; but all the rest of the people got down on their knees to drink water. Then the LORD said to Gideon, "By the three hundred men who lapped I will save you, and deliver the Midianites into your hand. Let all the other people go, every man to his place."
GOD desires no frills!

Judges 7:5 
 So he brought the people down to the water. And the LORD said to Gideon, "Everyone who laps from the water with his tongue, as a dog laps, you shall set apart by himself; likewise everyone who gets down on his knees to drink."
Soldiers need to be alert at all times.

Judges 7:9 
 It happened on the same night that the LORD said to him, "Arise, go down against the camp, for I have delivered it into your hand.
GOD had finished His work. The battle was won in the heavenlies.

Judges 7:12
 Now the Midianites and Amalekites, all the people of the East, were lying in the valley as numerous as locusts; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the seashore in multitude.
The enemy seemed big, strong and frightening.

Judges 7:10,14,15
 But if you are afraid to go down, go down to the camp with Purah your servant, Then his companion answered and said, "This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp." And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshiped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand."
When the LORD revealed to Gideon the real state of the enemy (that they were in fear), fear left him. He worshiped GOD. He took up the sword of the LORD.

Judges 7:17-18
And he said to them, "Look at me and do likewise; watch, and when I come to the edge of the camp you shall do as I do: When I blow the trumpet, I and all who are with me, then you also blow the trumpets on every side of the whole camp, and say, 'The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!' "
Gideon followed the instructions of the LORD and asked the people to follow him. He was a good leader.

Judges 7:20-21
Then the three companies blew the trumpets and broke the pitchers--they held the torches in their left hands and the trumpets in their right hands for blowing--and they cried, "The sword of the LORD and of Gideon!"
The weapons of their warfare were not swords but trumpets (Prayer) and pitchers & torches (Breaking of self and letting the light of GOD shine from within).

Judges 7:21-22
 And every man stood in his place all around the camp; and the whole army ran and cried out and fled. When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the LORD set every man's sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.
As the people of GOD took their place in obedience to GOD - with GOD & with each other - the enemy fled. They panicked, feared and used their own swords to kill each other.

Judges 7:25 
 And they captured two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb. They killed Oreb at the rock of Oreb, and Zeeb they killed at the winepress of Zeeb. They pursued Midian and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side of the Jordan.
The enemy was defeated & beheaded!

Judges 8:1-28
vs 1-3
Take the task that has been entrusted to you as important. Don’t compare with the task of others.

vs 4-21
Learn to look at the big picture - The Kingdom. Support others in the work of GOD’S Kingdom. Stand united in exposing and destroying the common enemy.

vs 22-28
When you have excelled in some ministry and the people show admiration and devotion towards you, it is easy for you to take advantage of that situation to put yourself between GOD and the people carnally. This becomes a snare to you and to the people to play the harlot. Always keep your focus on JESUS. 

 After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward." Genesis 15:1

PASSION

Passion

Passion is an intense emotion, a compelling feeling or an enthusiasm for something.Passion is an eager desire and interest in or admiration for a cause or activity. It is a great love for someone or something.

Since the fall, man is born with a greater consciousness of self than of GOD. This is the consequence of sin that separates us from GOD.

The centre of all our problems is self.. that is, I, Myself and Me and that is our flesh. Physical passions are natural but if they are uncontrolled and disorderly, they lead to sin.

Passionate living begins when this self is given  for a particular purpose and is driven by a cause or goal in life. We observe individuals passionately playing and even watching and following sports. Others terrorizing and killing others and killing themselves for a cause more important than their very lives. Many others giving their time, energy, talents and skills for money. Some others giving their all to gain a name in competitions, to get their names into the guinness book of records or gain fame as a celebrity.

As long as self rules in me, I live for myself and there can be no passion other than a fleshly one. Passionate living starts the very moment I take a hold of myself for a purpose and a cause beyond myself.

The more focussed I am with one purpose, the greater the passion for that purpose. As I progress in that path, I will give my all, my everything, towards achieving that purpose. Every thing of great value becomes lower in value compared to that purpose that has now become the greatest passion of my life. The purpose which seemed the best for my life, which I chose for myself, and I first took a hold of, wilfully with my mind, now starts to take hold of me until it becomes the passion of my heart. Now it is beyond my mind. My heart is set aflame by this passion. My ‘I’ is taken over by that purpose for my life and  I ‘Pass - I - On’ to that purpose!

Am I living with a passion? Are you living with a passion? Life is not worth living unless it is lived with passion. The self centered life is boring, confusing and not interesting. It is anything but joy that propels you out of your bed in the morning. The day drags on. You feel tired and drowsy although you have not worked hard enough and not stayed up long enough. Even when you get to bed there is no fulfilment about the day’s work and your sleep is not sweet. The cycle goes on day after day.. unless and until you find out that purpose for your life.

When you do find out, make a wilful decision to follow that path unless you aren’t yet tired of your mediocre life.

Take your time to consider carefully the path that you are about to choose for your passion. You need to make sure that it is worth your life. It costs everything you have and everything you are. You have to be sure that the path ends in victory. How would you know?

This passion is usually picked up from someone else. Observe your hero. He will be your  forerunner. You have to keep your eyes on the forerunner, imitate him and follow him. Do not embark on your journey until you have observed his end.

JESUS set the perfect example and is the model for passionate living. The climax of the passion of the CHRIST was the cross. His gruesome death was followed by His glorious resurrection! It was worth the pain because the end is eternal victory for Him and for all of mankind who would choose His purpose and path!!

• We need to put away the sinful passions of our flesh.

Colossians 3:5-6
Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience,

1 Corinthians 7:9
but if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Romans 1:26-27
For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature.
27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.

• We have to diligently choose the path we want to passionately follow.

Matthew 13:44-46
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls,
46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

• We can observe and follow our Hero. His end is victory!

Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Philippians 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,
6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,
7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,
11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

• We can imitate those who followed the LORD JESUS with passion. The apostle Paul lived with passion for the wrong cause. When the LORD JESUS met him, he turned around to live with passion for the cause of CHRIST!

Acts 9:1-6
Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven.
4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?"
5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads."
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

• Now he exhorts us through his letters.

Philippians 3:12-14
Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

• The LORD JESUS Himself not only instructs us but also set the pattern for us to follow.

Matthew 16:24-27
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.


John 19:17-18 
 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha,
¹⁸ where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.

• The LORD not only set a pattern for us, He also enables and empowers us.

Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."