So many people live defeated lives. They feel defeated by their sin. They feel defeated by the inadequacies. They feel defeated by outside pressures that they believe force them to make poor choices. Defeat. It sounds horrible. As we have finished our study in Ephesians this week, I am reminded of who is truly victorious. I know, there are times when we wonder if the world is going to overcome Christianity’s influence over people, but if you look at Ephesus it is clear the Christianity has truly left its mark on the world. In Ephesus you find ruins of the great temple/colloseum dedicated to Artemis. You don’t find many worshippers of Artemis. All you find are ruins. Christianity has outlived the worship of Artemis. Christ is victorious!
What about you? Do you let the struggles of sin, weakness, and others cause you to throw in the towel? Do these struggles lead you to conclude that God’s ways won’t lead you to the victory you seek. John writes in his first letter that, "You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." In Ephesians we learn that, "we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."
God’s plan is bigger that our sin – He redeems us from that. God’s plan is bigger than our weaknesses – He gives us His strength. God’s plan is bigger than any outside struggle (person or obstacle) – He tells us to follow Him and He will take care of the others. God’s plan is so big that He is going to make sure that it succeeds. That means victory! Will you live in that victory?
Something to think about,
Pastor John
Pastor John D Jakes 
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