Matthew 7:13-14 – “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. ¹⁴ How narrow is the gate and difficult the way that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” TLV

Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me.” TLV

I continue to be amazed at how some people reason.  I often find there their logic or lack thereof confusing.  Often, without examining the facts, with little to no first-hand information, and by following the advice or suggestion of the father of lies and deception they make illogical decisions.  They decide that it is too hard to live for God, so they decide not to decide for Jesus.  They also, decide that they cannot do anything significant for God, so they do not try.

Some present their arguments as to why they cannot do what God has instructed and they believe the lie of hell.  I say, balderdash!  The devil is full of prunes!  I am stunned at how easily he convinces people to reject God’s mercy and grace.  I am shocked at how often some decide that there is no reason to try to live for God.  However, they are right, in our own strength we cannot, but God never said we had to do it alone.  It is ‘Christ in us, the hope of glory.”

It is my conviction that we should never make a decision without gaining all the facts, or as many facts as possible.  Elisha said to his servant in 2 Kings 6:16 – “Fear not…for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  The apostle John declared in 1 John 4:4, “You are from God, children, and you have overcome them because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”  Also, our LORD Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 – “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 

I declare that we can Live For God and do exploits for God because Christ is in us. Therefore, I declare with absolute certainty – The devil is full of prunes!  Don’t listen to him, he is a liar and the father of lies.  You are more than a match for the devil because God is with you, in you, and lives His life through you.  You are an Overcomer!

You can serve God!  You can enforce the Victory of Calvary!  I love what the apostle Paul declared to the Philippian Christians in Philippians 1:6 – “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then in 2 Timothy 1:12, he declared, “For this reason, I also am suffering these things—but I am not ashamed, for I know in whom I have trusted, and I am convinced He is able to safeguard what I have entrusted to Him until that Day.”

God is not only able, but He forgives all sin that is repented of.  He is also able to keep us and will keep us if we will set our hearts to serve Him.  We are never without comfort, guidance, and protection of the Holy Spirit. 

You can work the works Jesus did and do greater works!  Jesus affirmed that reality in John 14:12 – “Amen, amen I tell you, he who puts his trust in Me, the works that I do he will do; and greater than these he will do, because I am going to the Father.”  Mark’s Gospel expands upon that in Mark 11:22-24 and Mark 19:23 we are assured that all things are possible to those who believe.

The question should be, “believe what?”  Believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God!  Believe that the Words of Jesus are Truth and Light!  Believe that it is possible to live for God because we are living through Him!  Believe that God desires to use you and He desires to use you more than you want to be used. Believe that He is not looking for talent and ability alone, but a willing heart.  I urge you to reconsider the account of exploit through obedience as is revealed in Gideon in Judges Chapter Seven.

In that event, God used 300 men to win a victory over a Midianite army of 135,000.  Gideon began with 32,000 which is still more than four to one.  God instructed him to let those who are fearful go home and 22,000 saddled up and left.  That left Gideon with 10,000 and God said, “Still too many.”  God narrowed it down to 300 or about 450 to 1 odds!  I can only imagine the thoughts in many of those men’s heads, but God proved to be the God of the miraculous and God of His Word!

In Leviticus 26:7-8 we are told that five can chase a hundred, and a hundred can put ten thousand to flight when they are trusting in God.  In Deuteronomy, God made it even more astounding saying that one could chase a thousand and two could put ten thousand to flight.  That is the God we serve!   Based on that formula, those men with Gideon could have defeated an army of 300,000 to 1.2 million.  That is the God we serve! Jesus is still the same yesterday, today, and forever – Past, Present, and Future!

The key to this victory is found in our willingness to obey and our complete confidence in God.  The question is, “Whose report will we believe?”  The devil who is full of prunes or the Living God?  God has proved Himself throughout the ages, so let us Trust God and reject the devil.

God bless you as you embark on your day of victory in Jesus today!