1 00:00:02,670 --> 00:00:13,540 Speaker 1: Life Audio Welcome to the Crosswalk Devotional. We're glad to 2 00:00:13,580 --> 00:00:17,220 Speaker 1: have you listening with us. Today's topic is about becoming 3 00:00:17,320 --> 00:00:21,980 Speaker 1: more than a conqueror and being a warrior, not a worrier. 4 00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,790 Speaker 1: We'll return with the devotional after a brief message from 5 00:00:25,870 --> 00:00:42,889 Speaker 1: our sponsors. More Than a Conqueror, written and read by 6 00:00:42,990 --> 00:00:46,769 Speaker 1: Cindy McMenamin. In all these things, we are more than 7 00:00:46,850 --> 00:00:52,390 Speaker 1: conquerors through Him who loved us, Romans 8.37, New International Version. 8 00:00:53,550 --> 00:00:56,260 Speaker 1: The writer of Romans 8 told us about our victory 9 00:00:56,310 --> 00:01:00,260 Speaker 1: in Christ. He elaborated on our victory over sin through 10 00:01:00,300 --> 00:01:03,720 Speaker 1: Christ Jesus and celebrated with us that there is no 11 00:01:03,800 --> 00:01:07,319 Speaker 1: condemnation for those of us who are trusting in Christ 12 00:01:07,360 --> 00:01:12,190 Speaker 1: Jesus for our salvation. But do you feel victorious today? 13 00:01:12,730 --> 00:01:16,289 Speaker 1: Would you consider yourself a conqueror in all things, as 14 00:01:16,350 --> 00:01:20,230 Speaker 1: verse 37 states? Or do you see yourself more as 15 00:01:20,270 --> 00:01:25,289 Speaker 1: a failure, or, at best, one who survives? Life gives 16 00:01:25,390 --> 00:01:29,890 Speaker 1: us plenty to worry about, to fear, to become anxious over, 17 00:01:30,350 --> 00:01:33,940 Speaker 1: and yet Scripture gives us every indication that worry and 18 00:01:34,030 --> 00:01:37,920 Speaker 1: fear are unnecessary when we suit up in our identity 19 00:01:38,060 --> 00:01:42,539 Speaker 1: as a warrior and and an overcomer in Christ. Notice 20 00:01:42,660 --> 00:01:48,230 Speaker 1: I said warrior, not worrier. A worrier is one who 21 00:01:48,290 --> 00:01:51,590 Speaker 1: tries to fight battles of fear, insecurity, and doubt on 22 00:01:51,690 --> 00:01:56,150 Speaker 1: one's own. A worrier, on the other hand, lets God 23 00:01:56,230 --> 00:02:00,850 Speaker 1: fight those battles through him or her. Ephesians 6.12 tells 24 00:02:00,930 --> 00:02:03,710 Speaker 1: us we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, 25 00:02:04,210 --> 00:02:07,030 Speaker 1: like the person or situation that is making your life miserable. 26 00:02:07,690 --> 00:02:10,960 Speaker 1: but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, 27 00:02:11,440 --> 00:02:14,520 Speaker 1: against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil 28 00:02:14,600 --> 00:02:18,940 Speaker 1: spirits in the heavenly places, like the unseen thoughts, fears, 29 00:02:18,980 --> 00:02:22,620 Speaker 1: and frustrations that cloud your judgment, persuade you to worry, 30 00:02:23,080 --> 00:02:26,060 Speaker 1: and tempt you to stress out. But you are not 31 00:02:26,220 --> 00:02:31,090 Speaker 1: destined to succumb to the battle. Intersecting Faith and Life 32 00:02:31,750 --> 00:02:33,429 Speaker 1: Here's how you can tell if you're a worrier or 33 00:02:33,470 --> 00:02:40,000 Speaker 1: a warrior. A worrier says, I'm so nervous about this situation. 34 00:02:40,450 --> 00:02:44,830 Speaker 1: I've never done anything like this before. A warrior says, 35 00:02:45,330 --> 00:02:48,450 Speaker 1: God has gone before me into this situation, so I 36 00:02:48,510 --> 00:02:53,450 Speaker 1: have nothing to fear. A worrier says, there's no hope. 37 00:02:53,470 --> 00:02:57,750 Speaker 1: A worrier says, my hope is in the Lord. A 38 00:02:57,810 --> 00:03:02,480 Speaker 1: worrier says, what if something bad happens? A worrier says, 39 00:03:02,600 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 1: God causes all things, even the bad things. to work 40 00:03:06,260 --> 00:03:10,600 Speaker 1: for good to those who love him. Romans 8.28. A 41 00:03:10,680 --> 00:03:14,260 Speaker 1: worrier says, I'm not strong enough. Surely I will fail. 42 00:03:15,110 --> 00:03:19,430 Speaker 1: A warrior says, the Lord is my strength. Psalm 28.7. 43 00:03:19,430 --> 00:03:22,529 Speaker 1: And if God is for me, who can be against me? 44 00:03:22,850 --> 00:03:27,549 Speaker 1: Romans 8.31. Did you notice the primary difference between a 45 00:03:27,710 --> 00:03:32,200 Speaker 1: worrier and a warrior? The worrier looks at the world 46 00:03:32,320 --> 00:03:36,550 Speaker 1: and one's circumstances through physical eyes. They see or don't see, 47 00:03:36,890 --> 00:03:40,970 Speaker 1: and they fear. The warrior is looking in the word 48 00:03:41,470 --> 00:03:45,190 Speaker 1: and has God's response for every situation he or she encounters. 49 00:03:45,750 --> 00:03:50,290 Speaker 1: They see with spiritual eyes from God's perspective, the perspective 50 00:03:50,330 --> 00:03:55,410 Speaker 1: of a victor, an overcomer, a conqueror. Romans 12.2 tells us, 51 00:03:55,450 --> 00:03:58,210 Speaker 1: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed 52 00:03:58,610 --> 00:04:01,010 Speaker 1: by the renewing of your mind, so that you may 53 00:04:01,090 --> 00:04:03,380 Speaker 1: prove what the will of God is. that which is 54 00:04:03,470 --> 00:04:07,570 Speaker 1: good and acceptable and perfect. To be conformed to this 55 00:04:07,630 --> 00:04:11,170 Speaker 1: world is to worry, like every other person in the world. 56 00:04:11,850 --> 00:04:15,230 Speaker 1: To be transformed by the renewing of your mind is 57 00:04:15,290 --> 00:04:20,130 Speaker 1: to think differently, as a warrior thinks, as a warrior 58 00:04:20,190 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 1: who knows where their strength is, where the power is, 59 00:04:23,820 --> 00:04:26,940 Speaker 1: and to whom they belong. So which one are you? 60 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:32,659 Speaker 1: A worrier or a warrior? A victim or an overcomer? 61 00:04:33,560 --> 00:04:37,280 Speaker 1: A worrier can turn into a warrior at any time. 62 00:04:37,820 --> 00:04:42,960 Speaker 1: A victim can suddenly be an overcomer. Your transformation is 63 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:47,400 Speaker 1: just a prayer away. Lord God, grant me, according to 64 00:04:47,440 --> 00:04:50,159 Speaker 1: the riches of your glory, to be strengthened with power 65 00:04:50,220 --> 00:04:54,820 Speaker 1: through your Spirit inwardly, Ephesians 3, 16 and 17, so 66 00:04:54,839 --> 00:04:57,340 Speaker 1: that I can be a person of faith, not fear, 67 00:04:58,100 --> 00:05:01,920 Speaker 1: a worrier, not a worrier, an overcomer, not a victim, 68 00:05:02,589 --> 00:05:06,070 Speaker 1: It's in the powerful, victorious, overcoming name of Jesus that 69 00:05:06,130 --> 00:05:10,130 Speaker 1: I pray this. Amen. Will you join me today in 70 00:05:10,180 --> 00:05:14,539 Speaker 1: the ranks as a warrior? For further studies, see Ephesians 6, 71 00:05:14,540 --> 00:05:18,320 Speaker 1: verses 10 through 18. For more on becoming a warrior, 72 00:05:18,540 --> 00:05:22,380 Speaker 1: not a worrier, see my book, Ten Secrets to Becoming 73 00:05:22,420 --> 00:05:23,599 Speaker 1: a Worry-Free Mom. 74 00:05:27,839 --> 00:05:30,820 Speaker 2: Thanks for listening to today's devotional. If you liked what 75 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:32,930 Speaker 2: you heard today, We want to make sure you know 76 00:05:32,990 --> 00:05:36,930 Speaker 2: about our sister podcast, Your Daily Prayer. When you follow 77 00:05:36,970 --> 00:05:40,290 Speaker 2: Your Daily Prayer in your favorite podcast app, you'll get 78 00:05:40,310 --> 00:05:43,450 Speaker 2: a brand new prayer and devotional each day so your 79 00:05:43,470 --> 00:05:47,109 Speaker 2: days begin in conversation with God. If you're looking to 80 00:05:47,150 --> 00:05:49,920 Speaker 2: grow in prayer or start your day with your heart 81 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:54,080 Speaker 2: focused on the right things, search for Your Daily Prayer 82 00:05:54,420 --> 00:05:57,260 Speaker 2: in your favorite podcast app and be sure to follow 83 00:05:57,300 --> 00:06:00,239 Speaker 2: the show so you get a new prayer delivered straight 84 00:06:00,300 --> 00:06:01,700 Speaker 2: to you each morning. 85 00:06:04,970 --> 00:06:05,400 Speaker 1: Thank you.