In our last two posts we wrote articles on how to walk in victory. There is much more that could be written on this subject. But here is a reality-a person first must make the decision that they want to live a victorious life.

Last Friday I preached at Bread of Life Mission in Seattle. Myself and others from our church go to the mission at least once a month. Before I started my message I asked how many men would like sermon notes on how to live a victorious life. Only about 25% took the notes. Thus 75% of the men were saying by their actions that they are not interested in living a victorious life. Now of course I could have pumped them up, promise them 'if you will just do this, God will bless you and you will no longer have any problems'. Or maybe I could have said, 'if you will give your last dollar God will bless you abundantly'.

Instead of trying to pump up the 75%, instead of making name it, claim it promises, I focused on the 25% who wanted to learn biblical principles on how to live a victorious life. Principles that will require them to die to self, require them to check their motives, require them to be humble, require to make different choices.

Many would say that the reason only 25% responded is because I was at a homeless mission filled with drug addicts, alcoholics, mentally ill, etc. But guess what? I bet everyone in most churches would take the sermon notes (to look spiritual), read them, and not apply the principles. Why? Because to live a victorious life requires change, and most people are not willing to 'pay the price' to change. I put 'pay the price' in quotes because the price to pay is so minor to the reward.

So, my question to each reader, Do You Want Live in Victory? If so, then be willing to do, think, act, differently than you have in the past. Allow God to renew your mind. Allow God to mold and shape you. It takes more than positive confession-it takes action. And it requires pure motives-wanting to change for the glory of Christ-not just so you can be blessed. The blessings will come as you are faithful and walking out the victory.

Oh, by the way, the blessing may be you lose your job to get a better job. Or that God allows sickness to come your way to slow you down to focus more on Him than stuff.