S cripture quotations marked KJV are from the King James Version of the Bible; and scripture quotations marked NIV are fromtheNew International VersionoftheBible
B ut thanks be to God, Which giveth us the victory Through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV)
DEDICATIONThis book is especially dedicated to those people that have surrendered their lives to Jesus, but have not experience the abundant life the bible says.
I want to encourage you. There still hope for you, remember that Jesus is alive and want to bless your life besides your mistakes.
Never is too late to have a new beginning, God is waiting for you. Decide today to make a turn in your life and tell Him as Jesus said to the Father once Father, if it is
possible,letthis cup pass; but not be my will butyours. Do not be afraid and remember that all things work for good for those who love God.
I also dedicate this book to those who do not know Jesus yet, but are curious about real christian life. I want you to know that is possible to live a life full of joy and peace even in the middle of difficult situations, but this is only possible when we surrender our hearts to Jesus and live as He wants us to live.
CONTENTSACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 11 INTRODUCTION 13
LOVE 17
Loving God 17
Loving the world 19
Loving money 23
Loving our neighbors 26
Love overcome fear 28
Love and forgiveness 30
Love and mercy 32
True love 33
The gifts of the Spirit and love 35
The Power of Love 36
OBEDIENCE 43
Our disobedient nature 43
Obedience and blessings 44
Obedience as spiritual weapon 47
The price of obedience 48
Obedience and renunciation 50
The obedience and the cross 52
Religion and obedience 53
Obedience and tithing 55
PRAYER 60
Prayer and communion with God 60
Prayer and trials 62
Prayer and obedience 64
Prayer and resentment 65
The righteous and prayer 67
Prayer and spiritual guidance 68
Prayer and the glory of God 70
Prayer and spiritual authority 71
Prayer and transformation 72
FAITH 75
Faith and salvation 75
Faith and our spiritual walk 76
Faith and works 78
Faith and spiritual warfare 80
Faith and promises 81
The price of faith 82
CONFIDENCE 87
Confidence in God 87
Confidence and peace 88
What happens when we want to help God 90
The spiritual food 95
The sword of the spirit 96
The word and its modification 97
Doers of the word of God 97
Spiritual guide 98
FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHER BELIEVERS (Meeting Together) 101
The body of Christ 103
Our relationship with others 105
Testimony of love 106
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
i
Words are not enough, even writing a million books, to thank you for all you have done and I know you will do for me. Thank you for your patience, love, understanding and mercy. Thank you for the time you spend for my transformation. Thank you for the trials and tribulations and many things more, but more than anything thanks for your unconditional love showed to me in the sacrifice made by Jesus to save me. I love you
Thank you, because even though we met each other when we did not know God, later I realize you were the person God has for me. Thank for your patience and support. I love you.
l
Thanks, because you represent the blessing of God in my life. I know God has a special place for you both. I love you.
Thanks for your support and for blessing my life.
José andRuth Soto . Thanks for allowing God to use you in my first steps on christian life. You were really a blessing for me. You are always in my heart. Iris Hernández . Thanks, because when nobody believed in me you supported and listened me even when you did not understand.
INTRODUCTIONWhat it means to live a victorious life in God?
Many of us think a victorious life is one without trials and tribulations, but is the opposite. The victorious life is to remain steadfast in spite of the difficult situations that come to our lives.
Jesus did not promise us a life without tribulations, but a victorious one in God. This life belief in God, because knows He has control and cares on everything.
The bible says that all things work for good for those who love God. This means that everything that happens in our life has a purpose in God, to transform us into His image or to glorify His name through our lives.
God did not call us to put our sight on the things of the world because they perish, but in those that are everlasting. When we do it that way, He takes care of the other things and we can live that victorious life He has called us to live. I invite you today to surrender your life entirely to Jesus in order to experience that victorious life He has for all of us.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another..” (John 13:35 KJV)
To love is to be willing to deny ourselves in order to be a blessing for others regardless of who they are.LOVING GOD Many times, we ask, what it means to love God.
The first expression of love towards God is when we surrender our hearts to Him to follow and do His will for our lives. When we do this, we show God He is important for us and we want to know Him.
God’s major desire is to have people who love Him with all their heart, mind, and soul, willing to obey Him in all things.
To love God is very important to live a victorious life because that is what shows our obedience to Him.When we surrender to God, we allow Him to transform our lives into His image; and when that happens, He can show His glory through us.
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee,
but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk
in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. (Deuteronomy 10:12 KJV)
When we truly love God, whatever He ask from us is easier to do because real love is willing to do anything for the loved one. True love does not need encouragement because does it by itself. The person that really loves God will always try to please Him in all things.
There is a precious promise for those who surrender their heart to God: His presence continuously dwelling in their lives, a presence that overwhelms our being. A presence that gives us that abundant life we all want and sometimes we try to find through the things of the world.
When we love God we become His habitation, He becomes part of our being.Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we
will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
(John 14:23 KJV)
His grace helps us fulfill the purpose He has for our lives, without any effort. This grace is that special gift that makes the people sees something different in our lives. This is nothing but His presence dwelling within us.
Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. (Ephesians 6:24 KJV)
For us, fleshy human beings, highly influenced by a sinful nature is difficult to love God, as He desires. However, if we draw near Him with a humble heart He will help us grow in love towards Him. This love will make our hearts overflow with joy and peace.
L OVING THE WORLD
Sometimes we think that to love the world is only to please our flesh and do what we want. However, we do
not realize we show our love to the world when we do not give God the opportunity to be part of our lives; and when we do not let Him lead us.
We also think that to love the world is to live a crazy life having bad desires. However, when we do not surrender our lives to Jesus, we show we love the world more than we love God.
In 1 John 2:15 the bible says that if we love the world and everything on it the love of the Father is not in our lives. God dislike the things of the world, so if we say we love Him the things of the world will not have the first place in our lives.
The world passes and the things that are in it, but those who obey the Lord endure forever. If we already surrendered our hearts to Jesus, we can still be placing God in second place in our lives. We show this when we put earthly things on first place, being anxious about getting the things of the world.
Being a christian does not mean we cannot enjoy earthly things, but that we give God the first place. We should allow Him to lead us on every decision we take. Only He knows what is best for us, because He is the only one who really knows us.
We should draw near God and have a close relationship with Him. When we do that, His love becomes part of our being and we can testify to the people around us.
God created us to have a close relationship with Him. When we do not do that, there is an emptiness feeling inside of us. Only God’s love can make us feel whole. The bible says that He is the light of the world and only those who follow Him will not be in darkness. That light is the love that dwells within us when we come close to Him.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk
in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
(John 8:12 KJV)
Today the world lives in darkness because do not have a relationship with God. The people follow the desires of their hearts, destroying not only their lives but also those around them.
God is looking for true worshipers that worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:23-24). True worshipers are those willing to surrender their will to God drawing near Him, to see His glory through their lives. When people become light, they enlighten the darkness of this world. However, this is only possible when we have a close relationship with God, giving Him the first place in our lives.
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
(Luke 8:16 KJV).The world has many things that seem to fulfill our expectations, but when we get them, we realize the empty feeling within us still there. Jesus said we could not do anything apart from Him; He is the only one that can bring joy and peace to our lives.
We have to focus in God through Jesus, because He is the only one who can fill our lives.He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38 KJV)
L OVING MONEY When we do not have a relationship with God, we think
that money can fulfil all our needs. It is true that money can buy many things, but cannot meet the need of love we have within us.
In 1 Timothy 6:9-10 the bible says that they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: whichwhile some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
When we focus on money, thinking that will fill the emptiness we have inside, we will do wrong things to get it. In our desperation, we will behave against the will of God bringing curses to our lives and all around us. This does not means it is bad to have money, but to think that we will fulfill our desires and needs the more we have it.
In Ephesians 4:10, the bible says that only God can fill our lives, which means there is nothing we can do apart from Him. The only way we will feel whole is having a close relationship with Him.
There are times that God bless their children with earthly possessions, but this always comes with spiritual growth. His first goal is to have us close to Him in order to attain spiritual maturity manifest Jesus through our lives. When He blesses us in that way, His purpose is not to please our flesh but share the blessings with others.
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. (3 John 1:2 KJV)
The bible says in Proverbs 10:22 that the blessingof the LORD,it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it. This means that if God blesses us, we should not be selfish. It also means that this will bring changes to our spiritual life and with those around us.
Be blessed not only means to be wealthy but also to have stability in our families, to have a good health among other things. God material blessings do not involve any kind of deceit or illegal things. The bible says in 1 John 1:5 that God is light and there is no darkness in Him, and every work that is against the word of God belongs to the darkness. Therefore, if we get what we call a blessing through situations that are against the bible, God is not part of it.
Judas Iscariot is a clear example of what happens when we focus on money. He used to be very close to Jesus but he did not appreciate that and preferred to get thirty silver coins in exchange for Jesus life. What Judas did showed his avarice and lack of love for Jesus. Judas love for money was so strong that when Mary anointed Jesus feet with the alabaster perfume, he only thought about the material lost and not the offering given. (John 12:3-5).
When we give God a second place to be wealthy, we act like Judas. If we prefer to spend more time making money than having a close relationship with God, we are also acting like Judas.
We should ask ourselves today if we are putting a price to our faith like Judas, who lost his place in heaven for thirty silver coins? Are we trying to have a relationship with God because we really love Him, or because what we can get from Him?
In Matthew 6:24 the bible says that no mancan serve two masters: for either hewill hate the one, andlovethe other; or else he will hold to theone, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
God wants to bless us, but His blessings are not focus on worldly things but on the spiritual. His blessings are also, the things that happen in our daily living. The most important thing for Him is that we remain close to Him.
LOVING OUR NEIGHBORSOne of the main commandments established by God is to love our neighbors.
We think that we love our neighbors when we do not harm them, but this is not the only way we show love to our neighbors. The best way to love them is when we show God’s love through our lives.
To love our neighbors is not to please them, but to be good with them no matter what they do to us. It is to rebuke them with love when we see them doing something wrong or going in the wrong direction.
We not only show God’s love when we provide for their needs, but also when we give them a hug, have time to listen to them, among other things. Showing affection can fill a need of love even when we think is nothing. This can be the only thing a person need at once.
We say we know God, but we do not show His love. If we really have a relationship with God, we will show His love to everybody no matter the way they treat us.
Jesus gave up His life not only for those who hated and mistreated Him, but also for those that today reject Him and do not surrender to God. The bible says on Matthew 5:45 that He sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust which means that God show His love even to those who does not deserve it.
The way we behave shows the kind of relationship we have with God. The Bible says in John 13:35 that we have to love each other as God loves us. If we have experienced God’s love, we will share it with everybody around us.
True love does not expect to receive, but to give. As God first loved us approaching to us to save us, we should love first.
In 1 John 4:10 the bible says that love, is not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. . In the same way, we have to love expecting nothing from the other people, as God loves us. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
It is true that there are people hard to love, but God is not asking us to love them in our own strength. He is willing to help us through the Holy Spirit if we let Him lead us.
LOVE OVERCOME FEARThe world lives in fear because they do not know or love God. The bible says in 1 John 4:18 that there is no fear in love; but perfect lovecasteth outfear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Fear comes to our lives when we do not know of God. When we love God and have a relationship with Him, we will realize He cares for us and is in control of everything. Even when we do not understand the things that happen around us, when we love God, we will know that everything works according to His will.
The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.
(Psalm 24:1 KJV)
We, who declare to know God sometimes live in the same fear the world lives. This happens because we do not have a close relationship with Him, and do not really know Him.
If we really love God, there will be no fear in our hearts because we will trust that He is with us all the time. The bible says that He will never leave us or forsake us, that even when we are unfaithful He remains faithful.
LOVE AND FORGIVENESSWe think forgiveness is to go and reconciliate with the offended person. However, true forgiveness comes when there is no bitterness in our heart.
Forgiveness is very important. When we do that, we clean our hearts and if our hearts are clean it is easier for God to work in our lives.
When we have resentment this becomes an obstacle for our relationship with God. This hinders the victorious life that God has for us.
If we have truly experienced what Jesus did on Calvary, giving up His life even though we were unworthy of it will be easier for us to forgive. God showed us His forgiveness through that.
We have to forgive not only once, but every time needed even to the same person. Jesus said in Matthew 18:22 that we have to forgive our brethren seventy times seven. However, this does not mean we have to do it a certain number of times, but that we have to do it all the time.
Jesus is our main example of love and forgiveness, because He gave up himself without having any fault to deliver us from condemnation. He humbled himself taking the position of a servant to save our souls.
We have to forgive not only to fulfill the Word of God, but also to avoid bitterness in our hearts. When we have bitterness, our relationship with God is affected and we can lose our communion with Him.
Sometimes is not easy to forgive, but if we really love God and want to please Him we will do it. We just have to ask God to help us and He will be pleased to do it. Forgiveness is very important not only for us but for those we forgive, even when we do not see immediate results.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
(Matthew 6:14 KJV)
Mercy is an act of goodness and love shown to a person that does not deserve it.
God gave the first example of mercy sending His only son to die in order to reconcile us with Him. (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
In Matthew 5:7 the bible says that happy are the merciful, because they will also receive mercy. However, how many times have we been merciful to those around us?
True mercy is not only for those worthy of it, but for those we think not. God says thathemaketh his sunto rise on theevil andon the good, and sendeth rainon the just and on the unjust.(Matthew 5:45).
There is no compensation loving only those who love us because the world does it that way. When we are merciful with those unworthy of it, we show Jesus through our lives. (Matthew 5:46-48).
None of us is perfect and some day we will need mercy. The bible says in Matthew 7:12 that all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Mercy open doors of blessing in our lives not only through the people we practice it, but through any situation that comes to our lives.
He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.
(Proverbs 21:21 KJV)
When we are merciful with those around us we show them the love of God and that becomes a testimony of the relationship we have with Him.
TRUE LOVEThe definition of true love is in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 where it says thatloveis patient, love is kind. Itdoes not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. This means that real love endures no matter what.
The highest manifestation of love was the sacrifice made by Jesus Christ on Calvary. He gave up himself to reconcile us with God and deliver us from condemnation.
In Romans 12:9a the bible says that there is no duplicity in real love. God knows our heart and He knows when are honest in our feelings.
God knows we are not perfect, but He knows the intentions of our heart. God can tell if we love Him for who He is and not because what we can get from Him.
The first commandment established by God was to love Him with all our hearts, mind and soul, that is the desire of His heart for every one of us. He wants to have the first place in our hearts.
God knows we have a sinful nature and that we cannot show real love in our own strength. However, the bible says we have the Holy Spirit to help us grow in godly love.
God is love and we only grow in His love if we have a close relationship with Him. When we are close to Him, we become like Him. The student only learn from the teacher when is close to him.
When we come before God with a humble heart recognizing our need to learn from Him, God will begin to develop His love within us.
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT AND LOVEThe gifts of the Spirit are those supernatural capabilities God gives us to fulfill His purpose for our lives.
We all want gifts because we think that are the best way to manifest God, but the bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that love is the most important gift.
If we have gifts and ministries and do not have love, we will not show God but ourselves. When we show ourselves, the only purpose is to glorify us and not Him. However, when we show the gifts in love we bless those around us and show the real personality of God. We glorify His name and not ours.
Love is essential because it is what shows God to the world.
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and
understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
(1 Corinthians 13:1-2 KJV)
Love is the strongest spiritual weapon we have, and that is why the enemy (Satan) fights so hard against it.
It was through an act of love we were reconciled with God. Jesus Christ gave up himself as a sacrifice to redeem us from sin.
The church of Christ of these days lacks authority because of the lack of love. When there is division, jealousy, struggles God will not manifest all His glory.
Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame. Many
waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it
would utterly be contemned. (Song of Solomon 8:6-7 KJV)If we examine the verse above, we will see it says that love is as strong as death. We human beings are afraid of two things, to love and to die, and they are both related. It is necessary to die to ourselves, to our own interests, ambitions and desires to show real love. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 that if we want to follow Him we first have to deny ourselves and take our daily cross.
The church of Jesus Christ and the world are dying because of the lack of love.It is not a ministry or a new strategy that is going to change the things around us. Only love can do it. If we only surrender to God to become vessels of love, we will see great things happening around us.
This scripture also says that many waters cannot quench love, which means that there is nothing stronger than love. Real love will remain forever no matter the circumstances. In 1 Corinthians 13 the bibles says that love endures forever, which means that nothing can stop it.
People will hate us because of love. Love is willing to give up everything for nothing. When we really love there is no jealousy or envy, there is no competition. We help each other to grow, and we are willing to give up ourselves in order to see others prospered. One example was John the Baptist, who was willing to die to see Jesus ministry grow.
When we love, we do not depend on positions or situations because we know that everything belongs to God, and is for Him and to Him. We know that our salvation does not depend on what we do but on how much we love.
In the book of Revelation 2:4, God reproached one of the churches because of their lack of love towards Him (Revelation 2:4). The first commandment established by God was not only to love Him but also to love each other. Love is the most important gift because is the manifestation of God personality.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV)
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all
you do;”(1 Peter 1:14-15 NIV)
Obedience is not doing everything like a robot, but