BE OF GOOD CHEER
IT’S RESTORATION TIME - JN. 16:33
BISHOP DAVID IBELEME
You have been robbed of many things by the enemy through tests and trials - Joel 1:4.
The Devil’s aim is to fill your life with tears and fears but God’s aim is to show you daily that He cares - Hebs. 2:14.
So be of good cheer - Its Restoration time.
MYTHS ABOUT TEST/TRIALS - THEY ONLY HAPEEN WHEN;
1. You sin.
Jesus never sinned but He was tempted - Heb. 4:15
2. You are not walking in the Spirit.
Jesus was clearly walking in the spirit when He was led into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil - Lk. 4:1ff.
3. You are not in God’s will.
Jesus was in God’s will when He was tempted. Temptations actually come to remove you from God’s will - Lk. 22:42ff.
4. You are not walking by Faith.
Trials and Temptations are to try and test your faith so you must be in faith for them to come - Jam. 1:2ff.
5. God puts them on you, in essence they come from God.
God makes it abundantly clear that He tempts no one with evil - Jam.1:13, 17.
With respect to Abraham it should be rightly rendered that God proved him not tempted him with, for as God He already knew what Abraham would do - Gen. 22.
TRUTHS ABOUT TEST/TRIALS
A. Trials/tests/temptations are inevitable once you are on the earth - Jn. 16:33.
B. Trials/tests/temptations are inevitable once you are saved and have received the faith of God - Eph. 2:8; 2 Tim.3:12; Mk. 10:29ff.
C. They are designed to prove God¡¦s Word in you - Mk. 4:18; Rom. 10:17.
In essence, they are to try or test your faith - Jam. 1:2-4.
Your faith in God and His Word is the tool to overcome Trials, Tests and Tribulations - 1 Jn.5:4.
D. They are stepping stones to a mature character and promotion.
Every test is an opportunity for promotion and increases establishment - Phil.2:5ff.
E. Carnal desires - Jam. 1:14-16
Devil’s aim is condemnation - (Creating an environment of death) - Rom. 8:1-2.
Trials => Condemnation => Depression and Sadness
If you are sad you cannot flow effectively with God - 2 Cor.11:20ff; Prov. 12:25.
It takes the force of joy to activate faith, because depression encourages unbelief - Jam. 1:2.
CHOOSE JOY TODAY!
God doesn’t want you to have one bad day because you cannot serve Him with sadness.
Only with gladness can you serve effectively - Ps. 100; Ps. 118:24
He does everything to help us walk in joy - Lam. 3:20-22; Is. 61:1-3.
The anointing (the blessing) is for joy - Ps. 23:5-6; Pr. 10:22
Fruitfulness and multiplication are products of the blessing - Gen.1:28
If the devil cannot steal your joy then he cannot keep your goods - Joel 1:4; 2:25; Neh. 8:10.
It is restoration time.
You must count it all joy to overcome - Jam. 1:2ff.
You need joy for restoration - 2 Cor. 12:9ff.
"If it cannot stop you from being glad then it cannot make you sad".
The First thing God wants you to do when trials come is to "Be of Good Cheer". This means to "fear not".
We demonstrate our fearlessness by being glad/joyful - Joel 2:21; Is. 41:10.
Learn to encourage yourself - 2 Sam. 30:6.
God is your father so Respond like He does - Ps. 2:4
The "laugh of Faith" is a product of the Spirit of joy.
He who laughs, lasts and lasts and lasts.
A merry heart is likened to medicine - Prov.18:16; Rom. 8:28.
Stop worrying about your natural life / circumstances because if Jesus tarries you would not get out of "it alive" Matt.6:27; 16:24ff
The Kingdom of God is designed for Righteousness, Peace and Joy - Rom. 14:17; Is. 61:1-3
So be of Good Cheer.
Copyright © 2001 Bishop David Ibeleme
Victorious Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 4378, St. Ann¡¦s, Port of Spain. Trinidad & Tobago
(868) 625-6863 / 623-1020; E-mail: vfmwo@hotmail.com
Website: vfmwo.org
