ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Anyone who knows me very well knows that I am a HUGE Rocky Balboa fan. I love Rocky's heart and never say die attitude. That character just inspires me to keep going, no matter the odds against me.
(A highlight of my life was getting to meet Stallone before the premier of the movie, Rocky Balboa. I conducted an interview with him and 100 pastors. I was privileged to get to pray for him at the close of the interview.)
I have many lines from the Rocky saga memorized and often quote them to my wife and girls as the situation warrants. One line I particularly love comes from Rocky II. It was early in the rematch fight with Apollo Creed. Rocky was initially very intimidated by Apollo because the champ was angry and had vowed to make quick work of this "one time, lucky bum."
Rocky seemed totally over-matched at the outset. He was knocked down two times in the first two rounds. It appeared that defeat was imminent. But then something happened. Rocky had had ENOUGH of being intimidated and manhandled. Before the start of round three, he told his trainer, Mickey, "I ain't going down no more."
ARE YOU GETTING KNOCKED DOWN?
Have you ever felt like circumstances and fleshly desires and the devil himself were beating you to a pulp? Have you ever felt just so intimidated, overwhelmed, and defeated? Have you ever had the urge to just stay down, throw in the towel, and quit? I mean what's the use of trying? After all, your past failures have proven that you just can't whip your problem with depression, or alcohol, or bitterness, or anger, or drugs, or sexual immorality, or lust, or laziness, or gluttony, or jealousy, or whatever sin is knocking you down. Why not just give up and give in?
My friend, no matter how many times you have been knocked down, you need to remember that in Christ, you were not saved to live a life of defeat, but a life of victory. Romans 8:37 tells us that we are super conquerors in Jesus Christ! Start living like it!
TAKING A STAND
I love David's declaration in Psalm 101:3-4, "I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not fasten its grip on me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil." David was basically saying, "I ain't going down no more!"
Listen, as long as the devil can get you to think and feel DEFEAT, he can defeat you every time. But, when you stand up to him and tell him how it is going to be, how you are going to rise above and not let sin fasten its grip on you, then you will start to walk by faith and experience victory.
There really is overcoming power in the Word of God. "He has said . that we may confidently say ." (Hebrews 13:5-6). Start claiming the Word of God in your life. Start claiming your victory in Jesus. Stand up to the devil and his evil ways that are wrecking and ruining your life. Resist him in the power of the Holy Spirit, and he will flee from you! (James 4:7).
"I ain't going down no more" is not just a good movie line, it is good theology. Make it your declaration today!
Love,
Pastor Jeff Schreve,
From His Heart Ministries
Dr. Jeff Schreve believes that no matter how badly you may have messed up in life, God still loves you and has a wonderful plan just for you. From His Heart provides real truth, love and hope on over 700 radio stations each day, in 182 countries each week on TV, and is always available online. Pastor Jeff takes no income from this ministry. All donations go to furthering the broadcast outreach. As a listener/viewer supported ministry, we thank you for joining with us to help speak the truth in love to a lost and hurting world. Go to www.fromhisheart.org for more information.
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