Table of Contents
Before We Begin: Is Your Faith Out of Order? 1
Step One: Identify the Problem 19
Step Two: Make a Quality Decision 31
Step Three: Find Your "Title Deed" 43
Step Four: Listen to the Word 61
Step Five: Meditate on God's Promises 81
Step Six: Harness the Power of Confession 101
Step Seven: Act on the Word 115
Step Eight: Apply the Pressure of Patience 137
Step Nine: Wait for God's Timing 153
Step Ten: Expect the Answer 173
Conclusion: The Road to Your Answer 189
Notes 191
About the Author 193
Read a Sample Chapter
Claim Your Victory Today
10 Steps That Will Revolutionize Your Life
By Creflo A. Dollar FAITHWORDS
Copyright © 2006 Dr. Creflo A. Dollar
All right reserved. ISBN: 0-446-58005-8
Chapter One
Step One: Identify the Problem
in the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. -John 16:33
Before you can expect to get from the problem to the answer, you must first clearly define and understand the exact nature of the problem you are facing. is it spiritual? Physical? Financial? emotional? whatever it is, the first step in conquering it is facing it head-on and identifying what it truly is.
That may seem like a pretty obvious place to start, but you'd be surprised how many believers think that being born again means experiencing no more problems. then, when they are faced with an attack or an affliction, they don't know how to pinpoint it or what to do.
Make no mistake about it-problems are going to come. as we saw previously in John 16:33, Jesus said we could bank on it. he said, "in the world ye shall have tribulation." in Philippians 3:10, Paul shed additional light on the issue:
That I may know him [Christ], and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.
What does it mean to know the fellowship of Jesus' sufferings? Probably not what you think. this verse isn't telling you to be prepared to live inongoing pain and suffering. Jesus was an overcomer. he obtained absolute victory in every trial, temptation, and test he faced. therefore, when you enter into the fellowship of his sufferings, you don't have to just gracefully surrender to them: you can take anything the Devil throws at you and toss it right back in his face. and how do you do that? there is only one way you are going to truly be a partaker in Jesus' victory, and that's through the word of God. the seeds of victory over any circumstance you may ever face are in your bible right now. but be prepared. the Devil doesn't take kindly to your digging into the source of his defeat.
The seeds of victory over any circumstance you may ever face are in your Bible right now.
SATAN THE STEALER
One of the first things you'll notice when you start getting serious about planting God's word in your heart and mind is an increase in problems. that surprises a lot of believers.
"But I thought diving into the bible was going to quickly solve all my problems!" if that's what you think, child of God, you're mistaken. the word doesn't erase all problems from your life, but it does give you the power to overcome any problem. and as we learn from Jesus in the parable of the sower, satan's numberone objective is to steal that word from your heart. if he can't do that, he'll use problems to try to choke it out:
The sower soweth the word. and these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. and these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. -Mark 4:14-17
Notice that first sentence: "the sower soweth the word." we saw in the introduction that the bible contains seeds of answers for every problem you face.
Jesus said, "and these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard...." hearing the word is vitally important. if satan can stop you from hearing the word concerning a certain subject, he's on his way to defeating you in that area of your life.
"But when they have heard, satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts." who comes? satan. when does he come? immediately.
As long as you ignore God's word, you're no threat to satan. but when you start planting God's word in your heart, he flies into action. he simply can't permit you to put the awesome, creative forces of faith-filled words to work in your life. it will undo everything he has been working for where you're concerned.
'As long as you ignore God's Word, you're no threat to Satan.
If he fails to steal the word from your heart as soon as you receive it, the Devil's next ploy will be to come at you with trouble and cause you to be offended at God. remember Jesus' parable: "when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended."
This represents one of the two main sources of problems in any believer's life. trials, persecution, affliction, and trouble all can come as satan desperately tries to keep God's word from doing its work in your heart.
SELF-INFLICTED WOUNDS
We've seen how problems can come as satan tries to choke out the seed of the word in your life. the other way trouble can enter is through the bad seeds you plant yourself. look at 1 Peter 2:20:
For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently?
And 1 Peter 4:15:
But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters.
These verses tell us many Christians suffer not because of an attack of the Devil but because of their own actions. sins, evil words, and unrighteous attitudes can all result in an increase in trouble.
I recall hearing about a young lady who complained about constantly being approached by rude and offensive men. she prayed and spoke the word and wondered why she wasn't seeing any results. then someone pointed out that she tended to wear dresses that looked like they were painted on. she dressed like a loose woman and was shocked when men treated her like one. in reality, she was simply reaping a harvest of bad seeds she had sown.
BE A JUDGE
The first step in God's divine order of faith is identifying the source and nature of the problem you are facing. that requires you to become a good judge. be honest with yourself and with God, and determine the exact source of the problem. have you caused the problem or are you under attack? if it is a result of past sins or mistakes, repent and make appropriate restitution. if you are under attack, work to gain a specific understanding of the root. is it sickness, fear, family strife, financial lack, or something else? once you know precisely what your problem is and where it's coming from, you're ready to take the next step in God's divine order of faith.
'The first step in God's divine order of faith is identifying the source and nature of the problem you are facing.
THINK ABOUT IT
1. What is the first thing you should do when you have a problem?
2. Read James 1:2-3. why should we "count it all joy" when we have troubles?
3. Read Philippians 3:10. Does this mean you are to give in to suffering and bear it with a smile?
4. Where are your seeds of victory for every problem, trial, and tribulation?
5. When you start putting God's word in your heart, what happens?
6. Read the parable of the sower in Mark, chapter 4. what are some ways the word can be stolen from you?
7. Can you think of a time when your faith was shaken by a negative turn of events in your life? were you angry with God? how did you handle it?
8. Read 1 Peter 2:20 and 4:15. how do we cause suffering in our own lives?
9. Read Psalm 13. at what point did David turn from despair to hope? what do you think caused this switch?
10. What is one of the greatest advantages of going through the process of identifying our problems?
11. What is the first step in God's divine order of faith? what does this require of you?
12. What questions do you need to ask yourself in order to be a good judge of what's happening in your life? what if you are having trouble seeing the truth?
REFLECT ON IT
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. but let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. -James 1:2-5
My prayer in the power of the word:
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The sower soweth the word. and these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. and these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. -Mark 4:14-17
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. -Psalm 139:23
My prayer in the power of the word:
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DO IT
1. Study the parable of the sower (Mark 4:14-17) and this chapter's description of how satan attempts to keep us from hearing or absorbing the word. in your journal, make a list of all the ways that satan tries to steal the word from you. think about how he keeps you from hearing it in the first place, the ways he prevents it from permeating your heart, and how he causes you to be offended at God, thus negating the power of the word. now jot down some ideas for defeating satan in his tactics. Make a commitment to carry out some of these plans this week.
2. Write one sentence that describes the problem(s) that brought you to this book in the first place. below that sentence, make a list of everything you can think of that contributes to the problem or that led you to where you are today. see if this helps you delve beneath the surface and identify the root issue.
3. If you feel comfortable sharing your situation with a trusted friend or advisor, contact the person and make an appointment to talk by phone or to meet in person. when you meet, let your friend know that you are embarking on step 1 of this journey and would like his help in understanding and identifying the troubles you hope to overcome. Go into the conversation with honesty and openness, and listen carefully to your friend's assessment. afterward, note any insights in your journal.
4. Determine whether you need to make restitution to someone before continuing on this journey. if so, carefully consider how best to go about it. Discuss it with your pastor if necessary. Make a plan, including the date, time, and place, to carry out your restitution. then follow through.
5. read psalms that speak of troubles and trials. (you may want to look at Psalms 3, 6, 9, 10, 15, 22, 35, 39, 42, 43, 88, 102.) notice how the writers express themselves fully and honestly, not holding back their emotions. Pay attention to how they talk to God about the details of their afflictions, and how they articulate their distress. observe the transition from complaint to praise. now write your own psalm in your journal. write in normal, everyday language, expressing to God your suffering, your anguish, your worry, your guilt, or your grief. see if there is a point at which your psalm naturally evolves from focusing on your problem to expressing hope and worship. repeat this exercise until you can articulate the exact nature of your problem.
6. Finally, write down a clear and concise statement of the problems you need to overcome, and make a list of any scriptures that might help you in your journey.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Claim Your Victory Today by Creflo A. Dollar Copyright © 2006 by Dr. Creflo A. Dollar. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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