SHAKE IT OFF
by Pastor Greg Simon
Are you under pressure? Do you get confused sometimes? Do you face harsh criticism? Are you knocked down sometimes? Pressure doesn’t necessarily mean you are not in the will of God. You are not the only one going through crisis. Every person on earth faces pressure in some form – situations, circumstances, obstacles, problems, difficulties. Don’t let the enemy use pressure to deter you or to delay God’s purpose, or to take you off course from what God would have you to run. Don’t give up; don’t quit!
We have a spiritual enemy who covets our perspective, our passion, our purpose, and our potential. The 28th chapter of Acts reveals how Paul faced several forms of attack. As believers, we face attacks from the enemy including: the direct attack (“the lion”), the unfounded attack (“the dragon”), and the surprise attack (“the snake”). Listen below to discover how to SHAKE IT OFF! The video below was taken from the live Zoom feed of Valley Fellowship Church’s 10AM Service on August 16, 2020.
The Apostle Paul was a radical persecutor supernaturally redeemed and called by Christ Jesus to stand before kings and governors, philosophers and religious leaders. Paul’s writings are still impacting the world. Paul was mightily used but he face lots of opposition. His enemies accused him, imprisoned him, beat him, threatened him, and even stoned him. Paul could easily have been depressed if he had only focused upon the hardships he faced. Yet, Paul encouraged the believers, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, the excellency of the power being from God and not from ourselves. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; and always carrying around in the body the death of the Lord Jesus, that also the life of Jesus might be expressed in our bodies (2 Corinthians 4:7-10 MEV).” Paul was pressed, but blessed!
When he felt the pressure of life, Paul relied on the same strength that is available today to all Christ-followers. Paul didn’t keep his mouth closed regarding the secret to overcome. “I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength (Philippians 4:12-13 NLT).”