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Underdog?

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Exodus 1:12 But the more [the Egyptians] oppressed them, the more they multiplied and expanded, so that [the Egyptians] were vexed and alarmed because of the Israelites. AMPC

Amit Chaturvedi, of NDTV defined Quitters Day in the following way: Quitter’s Day, observed on the second Friday in January in the US and several countries, marks the point when some begin to re-evaluate their New Year’s resolutions. Coined by data analysts studying fitness app usage patterns, this day highlights a common trend where enthusiasm for new goals starts to wane. This year, the day falls on Friday, January 10, 2025.

But what does the Truth (Jesus) have to say about this? Romans 8:31-39 What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?] 32 He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?] 34 Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us? 35 Who shall ever separate us from Christ’s love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword? 36 Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Christian Group, Audio Adrenaline penned the lyrics to a song that I used to call my theme song. It sums up what Paul is talking about and what many of you have felt from time to time: I am so weak and I’m so tired. It’s hard for me to find enough strength to feed the fires that fuel my ego. And consequently all my pride has all but died which leaves me down on my knees, back to the place I should have started from. Been beat up! Been broken down! Nowhere but up when you’re face down on the ground. I’m in last place if I place at all but there’s hope for this underdog! That’s the way, we like it! You can call me the underdog. I’m in this race to win a prize – the odds against me. The world has plans for my demise. What they don’t see is that a winner is not judged by his small size but by the Substitute he picks to run the race and mine’s already won!

Did you catch that last part? When the devil comes to knocking on Quitters Day and he reminds you of your failures, or he tempts you to throw in the towel to the plans you’ve made with the Lord – just sing him this song, or read him Romans 8:31-39. And thank him. Thank the devil? Absolutely. Why? For reminding you that you may be an underdog but you have chosen your Substitute Who Runs His Race through you and has already won the prize. The more the enemy oppresses you like an Egyptian the more you multiply and expand. Hallelujah!!

Confession & Declaration 40

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Romans 8:37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us…..AND….. 1 Corinthian’s 15:57 states: But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Greek word for conqueror is made up of two words: “huper” – which means in behalf of or for the sake of; over or beyond. The second root word is “nikao” and its where we get our modern word “Nike.” “Nikao” means to carry off the victory, or to come off victorious; to conquer or prevail. You see this word used extensively throughout the letters to the 7 churches in the book of Revelation. It’s typically translated, “overcome.” Revelation 2:7 To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life…Revelation 2:11 He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death…Revelation 2:17 To him who overcomes (conquers), I will give to eat of the manna that is hidden, and I will give him a white stone with a new name engraved on the stone….Revelation 2:26 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations— Revelation 3:5 “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.… Revelation 3:12 “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.….Revelation 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne,…Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

Today is Day 40 of the Confessions and Declarations. They were intended for the purpose of seeing our minds transformed by the truths of Jesus’ words to defeat the lies of the evil one who seeks to accuse and mislead us from who we really are in and through His Precious Blood. These truths, and so many more that I have not covered, are there to give us something to fight towards. Like the Children of Israel from of old, we also have been given a Promised Land. Yet this land will not fade away, nor be hidden behind prophetic symbolism and mystery. It’s our inheritance, or manifest destiny. Until that destiny is manifested we must fight in behalf of or for the sake of Jesus – our Savior, Lord and Conquering King. We must fight over, and beyond the obstacles that life may throw at us. By His Grace we will overcome carrying off the victory already won through Jesus. The really good news is now you have more revelation regarding what to do when you stumble and fall. Always remember you are continually being washed in the Blood of the Conquering King (1 John 1:7 Greek Tense and Word for “cleanse”), and all you have to do is get back up and continue advancing the Kingdom.

My theme song, Underdog, by Audio Adrenaline, encourages me, and I trust its words will encourage you: I am so weak and I’m so tired, It’s hard for me to find enough strength to feed the fires that fuel my ego and consequently all my pride has all but died which leaves me down on my knees back to the place I should have started from. Been beat up been broken down, no where but up when you’re facedown on the ground. I’m in last place if I place at all but there’s hope for this underdog! You can call me the underdog!  I’m in this race to win a prize the odds against me. The world has plans for my demise what they don’t see is that a winner is not judged by his small size but by the substitute he picks to run the race and mine’s already won! 

Never forget that you and I are Jesus’ underdogs.

Lastly may I leave you with the words of another song that should remind us of Who we are fighting, and the battle He has already fought and won: Swallowed into earth’s dark womb and death has triumphed that’s what they say. But tried to hold Him in the tomb the Son of Life rose on the third day. Just look the gates of hell they’re falling crumbling from the inside out. He’s bursting through the walls with laughter (Hah!) Listen to the Angels shout. His plan of battle you know He fooled them all. They led Him off to prison to die. But as He entered Hades Hall He broke those hellish chains with a cry. Just listen to those demons screaming. See Him bruise the serpent’s head. The prisoners of Hell. He’s redeeming (Oh!). All the power of death is dead. Just look the gates of hell they’re falling. Crumbling from the inside out. He’s bursting through the walls with laughter (Hah!) Listen to the Angels shout. (Listen, oh, listen). It is finished. He has done it. Life conquered death. Jesus Christ has won it! (The Victor by Jamie Owens Collins, redone by Keith Green)

Declaration 40: HalleluJah! I praise You my Precious Jesus, that you have already won the battle defeating satan, hell, sin and death. As Your servant the Apostle Paul wrote: Death is swallowed up- utterly vanquished forever – in and unto victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? Thank You Jesus, You give us the Victory, making us your conquerors! I praise You that I am Your underdog that I’ve Been beat up. I’ve been broken down, and that there is no where but up when you’re facedown on the ground. I’m in last place if I place at all but there’s hope for this underdog! I’m in this race to win a prize though the odds are against me. The world has plans for my demise but what they don’t see. Is that a winner is not judged by his small size but by the substitute he picks to run the race and mine’s already won! Thank You Lord Jesus, You have already run my race before me and that my race has already been won. I have overcome the accuser of the brothers through Your Precious Blood because You have already overcome. Grant me Your Grace and the Power of Your Spirit to keep on running and overcoming for the Reward of the Lamb and for His suffering.