COUNTING TOWARD VICTORY

Never, never, never give up! It isn't necessary. It isn't productive. It isn't life-giving. It doesn't bring about the desired end which is Victory over our enemy! Everywhere we look in the Word of God, the Bible, we see that everything points toward winning. We are "more than conquerors"! (Romans 8:37) What does it mean to be "more" than a conqueror? Native Americans, also known as First Nations People, have a saying. It is called "counting coup". Counting coup is when you win prestige against an enemy through acts of bravery. It is one thing to fight a battle and win. It is another thing to take it a step further as opportunity affords. In the Spiritual Battle, we have the privilege and the power and the permission to take it that extra step. Counting coup included such things as touching an enemy warrior with a hand, bow or coup stick and escaping unharmed. It could also involve stealing the enemies’ horses or weapons. The element required for counting coup was the risking of your life. In our battle as Children of God against our adversary, the Devil, there is no risk of life.

 1 Samuel 17:47 tells us that "The Battle is the Lord's" if you read the end of the Book... The Book of Revelation, we see that the Battle is already won and our enemy is defeated and on his way to the Lake of Fire! The words to a song we sing at the Drum are: "Keep on Counting Coup". Our battle is daily and it is designed to be daily victory. The only way that is obtained is through the ability given to us by our Heavenly Father. Another thing to consider is that we don’t battle alone. If you look to your right or to your left, you see that your “brothers and sisters” are fighting the same fight right along with you. The Book of I Peter, chapter 5, verse 9 tells us to resist the enemy and stand firm in the Faith. We need to lock arms and march forward, fearlessly, knowing and walking as if we believe the battle has been won! Do you believe it today? I do! There is nothing man or the devil can do to me to steal my Faith unless I allow it to happen. I am determined not to let my fellow Believers down my giving up the fight. “No way, shape or form”, as the saying goes. It is hard enough to walk through this world without becoming discouraged and even depressed at what we see happening. We shake our heads with disbelief at what has become of things that once brought us a sense of peace and security. “It has always been and it always will be”… NOT! Nothing is as it was and it never will be again… because there is a bigger purpose on the horizon! Christ is coming back! Court is about over…. Judgment is coming. That’s no “doom and gloom” for those of us who are waiting, watching. We have been preparing and are preparing to stand “unashamed before him at his coming”, 1 John 2:28&29. Not by our own works or efforts are we unashamed and unafraid, but because of the precious blood of the Lamb who was slain on the Cross, Jesus Christ. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved,” Acts 16:31 and then walk in obedience to his commandments which I have written about many times: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself.” No greater commandments. So, the way we, as Believers “count coup” is to add that extra blow of LOVE even to our enemies… Matthew 5:44. The biggest act of “counting coup” is to have another person become a Believer because of us! What a blow to the enemy of our soul, the devil, Satan himself when even our earthly enemies bow their knee and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Let’s begin “Counting Toward Victory” with our own Family members and move the circle outward! To God Be the Glory!