Along the way to writing and developing BattleStrong, God has taught me, grown me and instilled in me a desire to share with His Saints. Paul exhorted the Ephesians to "Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them" (Eph. 4:29). Believers today need to hear and re-hear those encouraging words of God. In a world that seeks to deflate, discourage and destroy anyone that is willing to stand up for their faith in Christ, he will need to be encouraged - not with words of man's wisdom but with words that are grounded and rooted in the Word of God.
The first of the BattleStrong series focuses on the most basic, yet integral and imperative role of the Christian life - Faith. The Bible describes faith as, "the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." As believers we are in a continual, daily spiritual war. We cannot always see our adversary (though we can see the attacks of his presence) but regardless we can claim victory through faith. Whether that victory be found in overcoming the "besetting sin", praying healing upon a loved one, experiencing personal triumphs, or witnessing the salvation of one that was far from God, faith is the power cord that connects our heart's desires with God's electrical system.
Today the battle cry from all of God's warriors ought to be, "because Christ lives I can do anything." That anything, whatever it may be, can only be attained through faith in Christ and the daily demonstration of that faith. A faith that fails to be put to practical use is not faith at all. In fact, the Bible tells us in Romans 14:23b that, "everything that does not come from faith is sin." For the believer to truly live a life that pleases God and fulfills the calling upon his life, he must live that life by faith. Not dependent upon ourselves. Not dependent upon our circumstances. Not dependent upon the actions of another. Completely, absolutely, and utterly dependent upon God. Faith in action in the One whom we cannot see. Regardless who you may be, you demonstrate faith every day. That faith may be found in science, that faith may be buried in self, that faith may even be centered in fear - but for the believer, the only faith he need to extend is that is the King of kings, the Lion of Judah, the Captain of the Heavenly forces - Jesus Christ.
D.L. Moody once noted, "To fear is to have more faith in your antagonist than in Christ." Today, stop fearing; dismiss the lethargic, apathetic attitude that has beseeched the Body; condemn the complacency and utilize faith in Christ as never before.
