“Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the passion of the priceless privilege  (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage_ of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him (of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly). For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may WIN (gain) Christ (the Anointed One).” (Philippians 3:8 AMP)

We live in a society where competition is huge and winning to some is the most important thing in life; when winning has already been established by Christ: “Upon this Rock (Christ/The Word of God) I build my church (your personal church; you being the church that gathers with other churches once a week in a church building/structure) and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18 KJV) “In the beginning was the Word and the Word became flesh” (After we have established a foundation of Word within us; after we have established a memory bank of the Word; then we become the Word). On this foundation our supernatural thoughts go to auto pilot to the red flag at the finish line that says: “I ALWAYS WIN”

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended (to know all things): but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind (forget those things that didn’t work; didn’t happen; didn’t mend; that just didn’t), and reaching forth unto those things which are before. “ (Phil. 3:13) One thing I do:

1)      I forget the ground I have covered in the race. I cannot waste time over the past. I must get over myself and move on. Yes, even if I have been dumped in relationships, jobs, family; I need to get out of myself because I have made it all about me: “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth (happiness, joy, forgiveness)..

2)      I reach forth to that which is before me in the race (in my daily walk). I strain every nerve and muscle and use every ounce of my strength to win Christ/Word of God. My future depends on it. I am running for my life.  “I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill, but time and chance happeneth to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)

3)      Therefore, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (that is I pursue the white line in the stadium upon which all runners must keep their eyes fixed, lest be disqualified for the prize): “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting (I ALWAYS WIN)? Now sin (missing the mark of the high calling of God) is the sting of death and sin exercises its power (upon the soul) through (the abuse of) the Law/Word of God. But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory (making us conquerors) through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren and sister be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord), knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile (it is never wasted or to no purpose). (I Cor. 15: 55-58 AMP)

Therefore, continue to be encouraged, know and say everyday: “I ALWAYS WIN” Are you still breathing? Then you ALWAYS WIN!

 Ortheia Barnes-Kennerly

I Believe International

(A Ministry Without Walls)

(313) 821-3612

www.ortheiabarnes.com