This session we conclude our study with Jonathan Evans, “Fighting Your Battles”, We have learned many different perspectives and realities through the series to help us through our way in life, today we can take that deep breath…
We are all on a journey, many battles behind us and still more ahead of us. We must realize that no matter what we go through, there is a purpose, a plan and a promise that we can rest in.
Main Ideas
As we watch the video teaching from RightNow media there are some main ideas to take note…
- Many of the things we go through are the enemy’s attempts to strip us of the evidence of our heavenly Father’s favor on us. Satan wants us to feel like we’ve lost God’s favor.
- God has a plan for your pit. He never lets those experiences go to waste. He is using your pit to prepare you, not just for the ministry to which He’s called you, but for the saving of many lives.
- It’s important to pay attention in the pit, because all around us is evidence of God’s promise for our future — how He’s going to use us. So keep your eyes open and don’t give up. There are people who are going to need the comfort, the hope, and the faith that you will testify of.
- Just as God used Joseph’s battle to take him to something beautiful, He will do the same for us if we remain faithful. Our hardest tests, left in God’s hands, produce a testimony of God’s grace, providence, goodness, and sovereignty.
No matter how bad things are, God is making it good. If it’s not good yet, God’s not done yet…. everything will be fine in the end. If things are not fine, we are not at the end. If we still have breath, He’s not done.
Watch session 6 of Fighting Your Battles
“This is the fun part”, says Jonathan at the beginning of this video — the testimony. This is when you finally get to see and celebrate what all the blood, sweat, and tears were for.
What’s the value of looking back over our life and seeing what God was doing, how He was connecting the dots all along? Why does this matter?
With Joseph’s testimony in Genesis 50:20, the focus is God. The hero is God. He is the real Hero of any Christian’s story. Let’s look at Isaiah 46:3-4
Listen to me, descendants of Jacob,
all you who remain in Israel.
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.
How does the Lord describe His history with his people? What are the key verbs here that show He not only has been the Hero of their story, but has always intended to be?
You can imagine the Lord saying this to you as well, because it’s just as true for His people now as then. How does it make you feel to know that God Himself has been caring for you and your story throughout your life?
Even Jesus went through pit experiences: being betrayed, rejected, crucified; people wanting to stone Him, to throw Him off a cliff. Despite the evil, He overcame each attempt to keep Him down. In each of the verses that follow, note what motivated Him.
“Now my soul is deeply troubled. Should I pray, ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But this is the very reason I came! Father, bring glory to your name.” Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, “I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again.” – John 12:27-28
I brought glory to you here on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. – John 17:4
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. – Hebrews 12:2
What are some of your insights and thoughts on those verses related to your life?
Can you share about some defining moments in your life that you can look back on now and see that God was using your life to develop your testimony? Were there times that seemed tragic, but were precious life lessons?
Where is God continuing to refine you and sharpen you for the ministry you’re doing or the ministry you envision?
How is He using your testimony to encourage someone else or to “preserve many lives”?
Moving forward through life, let us remember that life is not the destination. We are just passing through, experiencing life, but also here for a purpose. Keep alert and see what He is doing. Don’t sit on the sidelines, but get in the game.