Fred Astair – After his first screen test in 1923, the director wrote the following memo: “Cant act, slightly bald, can dance a little.”

Vince Lombardi – “He possesses minimal football knowledge and lacks motivation.”

Beethoven – “He wont practice on improving his technique. He is hopeless and incompetent as a composer.”

Walt Disney – He was fired from a newspaper for “Lacking ideas.” He found a minister who paid him a small amount to draw advertising pictures for his church. Disney had no place to stay, so the church let him sleep in a mouse-infested garage. One of those mice, which Disney nicknamed Mickey, became famous.

Anyone who made a difference had to overcome obstacles and others opinions. Maybe you are here today facing some big obstacles in your life and you feel like giving up. In Genesis Chapter 37 Joseph dealt with many obstacles on the journey to the dream that God gave him. He undoubtedly felt like giving up many times. He had to make the choice… should he give up, or should he go on!

Here are two truths about the obstacles you are facing:

#1 Just because you are facing an obstacle does not mean that you are not following God.

Along the journey to the dream God has for your life there will be obstacles. You may be feeling down because of the obstacle that is standing in your way. Let me encourage you, God is with even in this trial! You are not alone. Joesph had to feel alone as he was sold into slavery by his brothers, lied on by Potiphar’s wife, and forgotten in prison. These circumstances were not the end for him. These obstacles were all part of the path to purpose!

#2 God has brought you to this obstacle so that He can get all the glory and you will share it with others.

Why did Joseph’s story have all of the twists and turns? Why does our stories feel disjointed at times and we don’t understand God’s plan? God was more focused on the man that Joseph was becoming through the ups and downs then he was just about getting him quickly to the fulfillment of his dream. If he didn’t feel powerless along the way he would not have the patience and humility needed to lead the nation and to save the people of God. God could not put him in a place of leadership in Egypt until he knew he would not kill his brothers that harmed him. God’s whole purpose in calling Joseph out was to save his entire family so that the nation of Israel would be saved during the famine. The future messiah was going to be brought forth from this tribe and Joseph had to have the right heart. When the time was right and he was the second in command in Egypt he had a heart to save his brothers instead of hurting them. This was God’s plan all along. Watch the heart of Joseph when he saved his brothers.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis 50:20

Let us keep moving forward today! Let’s see God as being in control of it all and even using the obstacles that Stan in our way for His glory. God wants to use you to share His story through the obstacles that you are facing. Don’t face obstacles alone! Connect with others on the journey and be encouraged. If you are not in a small group click here to find a small group today! Don’t give up… Go on!!!

Father, I pray today for anyone that is facing an obstacle and feels like giving up.  Give them the strength to trust you in this season.  Help them to see you in complete control of everything!   Help them choose to not give up on the calling that you have on their life!  Help them to go on despite all opposition.  In Jesus Name!  Amen.

Then they entered Capernaum. When the Sabbath arrived, Jesus lost no time in getting to the meeting place. He spent the day there teaching. 22 They were surprised at his teaching—so forthright, so confident—not quibbling and quoting like the religion scholars. 23 Suddenly, while still in the meeting place, he was interrupted by a man who was deeply disturbed and yelling out, 24 “What business do you have here with us, Jesus? Nazarene! I know what you’re up to! You’re the Holy One of God, and you’ve come to destroy us!” 25 Jesus shut him up: “Quiet! Get out of him!” 26 The afflicting spirit threw the man into spasms, protesting loudly—and got out. 27 Everyone there was incredulous, buzzing with curiosity. “What’s going on here? A new teaching that does what it says? He shuts up defiling, demonic spirits and sends them packing!” 28 News of this traveled fast and was soon all over Galilee.

A few years ago my wife and I were on a date-night in Nashville and got in a traffic-jam. The usual roads were closed and police were directing traffic. We couldn’t turn around or get out of the line. We thought the line was due to a wreck. At one point we rolled down our window and asked someone what was happening. “You’re at a concert.” They said. We didn’t expect that. We were in Nashville though, it shouldn’t have surprised us. Instead of trying to turn around, we bought tickets and had a fun and unexpected date-night to a concert we didn’t know we were in line for.

Many times as believers we get surprised by the fact that we are in line for a spiritual battle.

‘The problem is that most people overestimate or either underestimate spiritual warfare. It’s funny how the devil likes it when we over believe or under believe instead of Bible believe.’

C.S. Lewis-

Right at the onset of the Gospel of Mark we see Jesus be interrupted by someone who was possessed with a demon. I love seeing the response of Jesus to the evil spirit. He used the authority that he had to tell the evil spirit to be quiet and leave the person.

Jesus Has Authority

We see in this passage who is in full control of this battle. The evil spirit had to obey Jesus. There was no great conflict. One word from Jesus was enough to cause the demon to start packing. Jesus has all authority. As you go throughout your day, think about the authority that Jesus has over everything in our world. He is in full control.

You Have Authority

As believers we have authority over anything that would come against us through Jesus. We are not powerless. Many times as believers it is easy for us to live from a defensive posture when it comes to the world. We are trying our best to just hold on and hopefully we will make it. This is not the posture that Jesus had. He understood His authority and pushed back the kingdom of darkness wherever he went. We are called to do the same and bring hope and life wherever we go today! Understand the authority that you have in Christ and use the weapons that God has given you against the enemy.

You have weapons against the enemy that are available to you today!

#1 The Name of Jesus

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.”

Luke 10:17–19 NIV

The Name of Jesus is the highest name on earth! That name is the highest authority. Like a law enforcement officer that has the authority to say “Stop, In the name of the law.” We are able to tell the enemy to “Stop, in the name of Jesus.” He has to obey the name of Jesus!

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth.

Philippians 2:10 NIV

#2 The Word of God

When Jesus was being tempted in the wilderness by Satan in Matthew 4 and Luke 4, his weapon was to tell Satan, “It is written.” Jesus used the Word of God to win the battle. The Word of God is more than just something that we should use for devotions. The Word of God is a sword that can be used to defeat the enemy in battle.

Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Ephesians 6:17

#3 The Blood of Jesus

Another weapon that we have is to remind the enemy about the victory of Jesus on the cross! My grandmother used to say, “I plead the blood of Jesus.” When things were coming against our family. She was reminding the enemy about the victory that Jesus won on the cross! This is one of the ways that we triumph over the enemy according to the Book of Revelation.

They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…

Revelation 12:11 NIV

So today, let’s not be surprised when experience a spiritual attack. Let’s understand that Jesus has all authority and that he has given us authority through, His Name, His Word, and His blood that we can use to fight the enemy. Let us not be passive, but let us be bold and take the fight to the enemy!

Jesus, thank you for the victory that we have in you!  Today we trust you!  Help us to recognize the attack of the enemy today and take the authority that you have given us.  We submit our lives completely to You Lord!  Have you way in our lives today.  Use us to advance Your Kingdom today.  In Jesus Name!