#NowNovember16: Joi Hayward

Hello Scribes,

In our walk with God we often need to seek God for His wisdom and direction. As we acknowledge Him we begin to understand how our lives are to be used to fulfill his purpose. Minister Joi Hayward is offering insight to help us walk with confidence:

Joi Hayward is a wife and mother. She is Vice President of Dartanion and Joi Hayward Ministries and founder of God's Confident Woman Ministries. You can find more of her writing in her book "Confidence in HIM" and  www.cfaith.com,  

What are We Fighting For?

When Judas became a follower, Jesus knew he was going to commit high treason; when Judas became a disciple, Jesus knew He would be betrayed; and when Judas became an apostle Jesus knew he would turn Him over to judgment. Jesus saw Judas; beginning from his end yet He walked with him, talked with him, taught him, loved him, and died for him. As Jesus hung on the cross after suffering insurmountable persecution, He prayed to the Father saying, “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” Yes, Jesus' prayer included Judas.

As I reflect on the character and corresponding actions of Jesus, I understand, as He IS, so am I in this world (1 John 4:17). I want to encourage you from this reflection to be as He is here in the earth. Jesus loved without fear. I am not suggesting you continue with those who are deceivers and full of betrayal, but I am suggesting you walk by Faith and not by sight. Love in Faith. Live by Faith to fulfill all God has sent you to do.
Understand this, God so loved the world that He gave His Son. Then He anointed, endued and empowered Jesus with His Spirit to preach the gospel to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, and restore sight to the blind. Again as Jesus IS, so are we. As Jesus forgave, so must we.

I also want to encourage you to walk in love and fight the good fight of faith without concern of who is with you or against you. Remember the Greater One resides on the inside of you. You are more than a conqueror through Him. The Lord told Joshua not to be not dismayed and not to look to his left, or to his right. He is saying the same to you and me. He is with us wherever we go.

Be confident if and when a Judas appears in the camp, there is nothing he or she can do to stop the plans and purpose of the Almighty God. The more you love and forgive a Judas, the more like Jesus you have become. Judas' betrayal led to the death, burial, and resurrection of Our Lord. His betrayal gave us access to redemption with the ability to have fellowship with Our Father. Judas' deception made a reservation for Jesus, you and me to be seated at the right hand of the Father. God is with you and no weapon formed will ever prosper. Judas may come to bring havoc and chaos but he will only propel you into your destiny and all the good Jesus has finished on your behalf.
You may be experiencing a hardship with working with people. Ask God to reveal to you those who are with you because they are for Him. Ask God to give you the ability to discern how to work with people where they are that He may get the glory from the situation or circumstance. We are the body of the Living God. We must walk with one another, love one another, and forgive one another.

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I Timothy 6:12 Have you ever imagined watching Jesus interact with Judas, the one who betrayed him? He did not operate in anything other than Himself. Jesus is love as He and the Father are One. He is the epitome of forgiveness and He is always good. The Word tells us Jesus is the lamb slain before the foundations of the world. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

#NowNovember16 continue to fight the good fight of faith, God is faithful and has not forgotten you,