CHAMPION IN CHRIST

1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! Amplified Bible

Aligned By God’s Directives

As I am learning to pursue gold in my quest to be God’s Champion right out of the starting block, I made a tiny little adjustment in my pace by aligning myself more to God’s directives. The adjustment began by the use of a different word association. I am not going to be a Champion FOR Christ I am going to be a Champion IN Christ! This aligns me more on the side of Gods strength and less out of my human trying. It is not about what I can do for Christ in human striving, it is all about what I can be in the strength and power of Jesus Christ, working in me and through me. Holy Alignment!

Being Found In Christ

Champions make little adjustments of growing from pursuing a “for God” to being in the position of God’s Presence. This place helps to not compartmentalize my relationship with God. I want Him to be with me in my all in all and never want to be found in the position of striving with a dead ended religiosity in that “for God” kind of way where my “doing” is more a priority than my “being”. The best position to be found in is, wholly-holy aligned in a personal relationship with God’s Holy Spirit. I want to stay away from an association of religiosity and stay firmly planted in being in relationship with God. This creates in me a better heart of a servant. This is where I hope huge to be found, always in Christ through the power and strength of His Life in me.

Little Adjustment~Major Alignment

The major alignment is a little adjustment of the words “for” and “be in”, which helps me to focus my actions on being dependent upon Jesus more and me less. I can be led by His Holy Spirit instead of the opposite, where I tell God what I want Him to do and that doing is very much aligned with my comfort zone. If I consistently stick with what I am comfortable with, then I am severely stunting my growth as a Champion in Christ who is growing as a servant leader.

Followship Jesus

When I set a training pace of followship, I then am habitually learning to chase after God, pursuing Him first. This wholly-holy alignment with God helps me to grow as I go. I know my human condition, which I share with all of humanity, makes me prone to fall very easily into being independent and ritual. The enemy of my soul is constantly trying to steal my freedom and put me back underneath laws. I want to be a Champion “In” Christ Jesus, therefore my life needs to be in followship of more of Him and less of me!

IN PURSUIT OF GLORY-GOLD

Kingdom Training

When I think about being a “Champion In Christ”, the word Champion takes me back to when I was training to be a gymnast. I trained for 9 years of my life to be a champion athlete, so I know the concept of discipline, I know it backwards and forwards. This is different, becoming a Champion “In” Christ and training, submitting my whole body, soul, mind, will and spirit to Him. The main difference is when I trained to be a gymnast, it was all about me and I had to make it happen by myself and for myself. The gold medal that I strived so hard for, it tarnished. I don’t train alone as I strive to be a Champion In Christ and the gold that I train for, the gold that I pursue, is not corruptible; in fact it becomes a Glory glow that shines from here until forever in unending relationship with God and His Kingdom. A servant warrior will always strive to have a living legacy that is viable on this day, tomorrow and unto forever.

Independence To Dependence

I am in a relationship with Jesus and I train to run my race that way. I am connected in love, hope and joy with Him. I am never alone, always with Him. It is one of my disciplines as I train as His Champion to practice His presence, to push myself past my human independence to dependence upon Him in a vital-vertical relationship with Him.

Let us occupy ourselves entirely in knowing God. The more we know Him, the more we will desire to know Him. As love increases with knowledge, the more we know God, the more we will truly love Him. We will learn to love Him equally in times of distress or in times of great joy.” ― Brother Lawrence

Training Of Relationship Not Ritual

When I was training as a gymnast, I had various instructors for every aspect of becoming a world class gymnast, which balanced my training in technical and artistic skills. My preparation was centered from my will and it was a very ritualistic training, repeating every day the same workout routines and then adding new tricks to learn and perfect. Now I have a kind of three in one Coach. The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit and I am related to them by choice, theirs and then mine and through this relationship, my training is anything but ritualistic. I never know what each day will bring, I just come and wait, knowing that my Coach is always with me and will guide me, equip me, prepare me and run the race ahead of me, being my Champion pacesetter.

Followship And Pursuit

I follow after my Coach, I gleam from Jesus and I feed my heart passion of being a servant, just like Him through His Word. Jesus has already run this race and won gold that is imperishable and eternal and I want to emulate Him. My heart is not engaged in my training as much as it is engaged in Him and out of this relationship connection, I passionately pursue His Championship Gold. I don’t want the gold that does not last, I want the real gold. When I pursue Jesus instead of success, I find that my best quest is found in followship through my relationship with the Champion, Jesus Christ. I am His athlete and my training is balanced between the pursuit of Him, gaining more of His character, His life, His purposes, His will and less of all things me and mine. My training as I pursue gold that lasts the tests of time, is a real God adventure, as I practice the possibility that I have in Christ and experience all His purposes that are in play during my pursuit of eternal things. I realized this: A real champion trains and will be running and going with God in that consistent, steadfast, always and forever kind of way and will be a servant warrior who puts God first, by daily fleshing out and adding truth into their spirit.

The Desire And The Realization

Fleshing Out

It is a very interesting time when the Lord begins “fleshing out” the junk that weighs you down so you can run your race excellently. When you begin to train in Christ, anything is possible. But, there will be a transition time from the way of your yesterday and the draw to followship. It is best if you draw a line in the sand, mark the date, step over it into your training to become a person of complete followship. You then have a crossing point to look back on while you are training. We all have that desire to be a good Christian, but to be a Champion in Christ from every moment to every choice is a different matter altogether. A Christ Champion steadfastly, patiently endures.

The Followship Difference

When you step over the transitional threshold from “for God” to “in God”, it is a change of natural position to supernatural placement. If you have not experienced stepping out in followship, this is what Christ Champions do, it will be different from your normal everyday living and the personal costs are higher. You can live between your past and your future, it is a continual place of transition and it keeps you wavering between good and best or you can agree with God that now is your time to step out in complete followship, the first step of a champion in Christ.

Divided Or Undivided

An undivided heart is fully facing God with their “YES” on His table. It is a positon of completely, being wholly-holy His from every moment into every choice from here to there unto forever. Your heart is settled and your will is obediently decided to be forever His. A divided heart makes for difficult training, because you have given way to a comfort zone that you can escape to when the going gets rough. An undivided heart has no comfort zone, it is wide open to whatever God wants to do, no matter what. Every answer to God’s unasked questions is “yes”. God hasn’t even asked it, but you have already said: Yes Lord.

“Just like training for a marathon, training in Christian disciplines is necessary. What are these disciplines? They are the practices that bring us more in fellowship with each other and obedience to Jesus. You know them – prayer, Bible study, service to others, worship, etc. Are you practicing them?” Paul and Peggy Schlieker

Hindsight Of A Christ Champion

What we will see in our hindsight is that all of our lives we have settled for second best. We were good Christians, who never truly made the choice to be a champion in Christ. We should not want the silver, we belong to a Champion and we should want to reach for the gold. Are you done backing down because of life circumstances? Are you done being pushed down by dysfunction? Are you done staying down where your opponent cheated you into accepting defeat and second place? Get up and strive to be a champion in Jesus Christ. Make it your heart’s desire that at all times, you want to be the best for God that you can be. Pursue excellence in all that you do and be God’s Champion.

A Champion’s Commitment

I don’t want to be just a good Christian, it is my heart’s desire to be a champion in Jesus Christ. This is a new day, it is my time to shine in the completeness of God’s powerful, brilliant light and be holy-wholly His. I realized I just don’t want to be a good Christian. It is my undivided heart’s desire to be the best I can be. I have loved people and things in this life more than I have loved Jesus Christ, but today, I accept God’s true love with all of me. No more compartments. No more comfort zones. I am undivided in my heart. I have found my way to wholeness and committed myself, positioned all of who I am in the One, Who my soul truly and completely loves, the only One Who can make me complete. I am fully facing Jesus Christ! In Jesus Christ, I will be a God Champion from this earth unto His Kingdom and forever. I will train be God’s Champion and live this life in the excellence of His love, wisdom and strength from every moment into every choice.

A New Day

This is a new day and I will face the challenges set before me without feeling burdened, but with the hope and promise of My Jesus. My hope ignites when I know the truth about challenges. Challenges have God purpose running through them, these purposes of God are stronger and greater than the challenge itself. There is no challenge greater than the God purpose contained within that challenge. I step out into this day with the joy of my new adventure and I will strive to be God’s Champion today no matter what because He is with me in His Presence and Power and His great purpose is at play in my life.

The Training Begins

A Christ Champion Keeps Striving.

God’s Champion does not run away when failure hits them in all directions. They don’t take other’s failures on themselves, they keep striving in Christ, knowing that in the end He wins. They know that success is measured by their faithfulness to God.

A Christ Champion Turns The Other Cheek.

God’s Champion does not lash back at hurting people who are hurting people. When they are betrayed by others, they keep a short memory and live for the day at hand, knowing God makes all things new. They bear with the shortcomings of each other, even though they may get hurt again. A champion in Christ forgives like they have never been hurt and are willing to go the second mile with those that have deeply wounded them.

A Christ Champion Does Not Give Up.

God’s Champion does not give up when they are thwarted by the enemy, they know the possibility deep within them is not their own. They dig deep and run the race that is set before them in the hope and strength of Jesus Christ. They look into the eyes of Jesus and see the victory He has set before them and they rehearse that vision with confident faith in God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 God’s Discipline Proves His Love. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.  We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. New Living Translation

A Christ Champion Is Openhearted.

God’s champion trains and disciplines themselves and they keep their heart open completely to the Lord with an intimacy that supersedes all their training. They boldly allow the Lord to lead them in ways where their training could never keep them. They are wide opened to God in heart, mind, soul, will, body and spirit for the leading of His Holy Spirit. They are balanced between discipline and intimacy and they walk in the moment, not dependent upon their training and experience but upon the whisper of God’s Voice.

A Christ Champion Is Courageous.

God’s champion is strong and courageous and when it looks like everything is lost, they keep moving forward because they know the promises of God and they believe that they are for them. In each and every situation no matter what it takes, they give Christ their all, even through the pain and suffering, they never give up, they believe Him, taking Him at His Word and waiting on Him faithfully. Patient endurance is the characteristic of a servant warrior of God, one who has become a Christ Champion.

“If the Lord Jehovah makes us wait, let us do so with our whole hearts; for blessed are all they that wait for Him. He is worth waiting for. The waiting itself is beneficial to us: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes. The Lord’s people have always been a waiting people- Those who do not hope cannot wait; but if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.” Charles Spurgeon

Developing Wholly-Holy

A Christ Champion Is Wholly-Holy.

God’s champion does not push the limits of this world, they stay within the covenant of God and don’t expect to win unless they keep holy aligned with God. They make all the right choices even though their flesh thinks they deserve better than what they are getting from this world, as they wait on God with confidence and belief that He is working on their behalf.

A Christ Champion Makes The Right Choice.

God’s champion makes the right choice the first time, even when it takes them further away from their personal dream that they have wanted for a long time. A champion will not go their own way to preserve their personal dreams, they will let go and let God and in complete followship of God make the choice for righteousness. Servant Warriors do things right the first time.

A Christ Champion Is God Ruled.

God’s champion will not let their “flesh” rule over them. They will not let the wounds inflicted by others determine their future. They rise above the consequences of other people’s sins and determine to stay the course God has put them on. Champions have a short memory when it comes to other peoples’ failures, they always press forward and know God’s got them. A champion is never derailed by the betrayal of the weak, but offers the other cheek, willing to be struck again if for the good of the Kingdom of God.

A Christ Champion Is Shaped By God.

God’s champions know they can perform to the best of their ability because God’s way is the best way with the most power. A champion accepts the shape God has given them and the way He has used to shape them, they do not despise.

Moving Like A Champion

A Christ Champion Presses Forward.

God’s champions forget the past and press on to what God has for them, tapping into His now power for the moment. A champion knows that whatever mistakes they have made in the past, they are forgiven. A champion accepts the forgiveness and moves on in the power of reconciliation that has been provided for them. A champion has a short memory for their personal failures of the past, knowing that God has given them a new day and accepting the power of that Grace into their lives.

A Christ Champion Is Not Limited.

God’s champions do not let the world limit them or brand them by anything in their flesh that makes them weak. A champion is open to the Omnipresent – Omnipotence of their AWE-GOD. A champion has a high view of God, a low estimation of flesh and a total dependence upon God’s Holy Spirit. A champion can do all things through the power of God at work in them. A champion knows their weaknesses, but they also know, believe and act out of the power and strength of God.

A Christ Champion Steps Out In Truth.

God’s champion always takes steps into the fullness of truth, because they know that the truth will set them free and give them the ability to fly and compete in life with the full power of God at their back. A champion knows that if the world brands them with a weakness, the power of God will propel them for the task ahead. Champions do not fear the challenges of life, they face them by fully facing their God in all spirit and truth.

‘There is no great challenge that we face where the God purpose in the challenge is less, it is always greater than the challenge at hand. God’s purposes are in play in our lives and they are greater than the challenge because His Providential Care always plays out in good for us and glory for His Kingdom.” KimberlyMac

Developing Champion Character

A Christ Champion Is A Team Player.

God’s champion never strays far from the coaches wisdom, always follows the Voice of their coach even if they don’t understand His Way. A champion is not a lone ranger. True champions have a strong team around them, people who encourage them to inspire for greatness, pushing them beyond the natural to the supernatural. Most God champions have an inspirational coach, a mentor who sees God potential and pulls it forward through team interaction.

A Christ Champion Is A Servant Leader.

God’s champion knows the strengths of team members and is always willing to take a second seat and let others shine in their giftedness. Humility is a strong characteristic of a true champion. A champion surrounds themselves with those that believe in them and is vulnerable, always willing to be completely open, genuine with everyone.

Philippians 2:1-4 Have the Attitude of Christ~ Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?  Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. New Living Translation

A Christ Champion Is An Encourager.

God’s Champions cheers on those who have been beaten and down trodden by others and makes sure they are included in the path of the God-given strengths of others. A champion shares hope with all those that they meet and they let the down trodden borrow their hope until they can stand on their own renewed faith.

A Christ Champion Makes Good Habits.

God’s champion knows that they can change any bad habit, because they know Coach Jesus believes in them, they look to the Coach for encouragement and they believe in His power to change them. A champion has a short memory of yesterday’s failure and they focus on today’s possibilities, training in ways that are always creating new spiritual habits.

The Actions Of A Champion

A Christ Champion Is Selfless.

God’s champion knows the power of keeping sacrifice in their salvation. A champion never stops running for the gold, never lets anything or anyone keep them from laying everything out in competition. Even if it hurts, a champion keeps running and believing in the end they will prevail, if they lay it all out and give God everything.

A Christ Champion Is Growing Through.

God’s champion never stops training and growing and reaching for the gold. Champions are always giving their all even if they are wounded by the world, they still focus on the prize and run their race with excellence. A true champion will do their best, even if everyone around them fails. They serve consistently in the good and the bad times.

A Christ Champion Loves Unconditionally.

God’s champions do not act out of condition. A true champion will cheer others on in life, even if they have hurt them or betrayed them or have not lived the way of truth. A Champion cheers others on and encourages them until they break free of their past and start living completely in the power of God.

A Christ Champion Is Fearless.

God’s champions are not afraid to try new things. A true champion will not walk in the safety of the wisdom gained by personal experiences, they will step out in new things, new ways and follow God, trusting Him completely as He leads them into new God adventures. They know the perfect love of God that casts out all fear.

A Christ Champion Looks Out For Others First.

God’s champion will shake off the thoughts of fear and of being hurt by the failures of others and embrace the human condition with the power of Jesus’ reconciliation. Champions are not afraid to embrace or serve people who are prickly and need extra grace. An E.G.R. a person where extra grace is required, God’s Champion embraces this challenge with love, hope and faith, willing to invest the extra time and emotions required to care for, serve and love this person.

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A True Champion Looks Like This:

• A true champion will stay the course with people even though they hurt them and lie to them over and over again, they will continue to speak the truth, point others to the right way, the great life in Christ.
  
• A true champion never compromises their life with Christ in order to win over other people, they know that truth can stand any trial, even the test of time. They stand on the side of truth and err on the side of hope and believe completely in the power of God to change people. Compromise does not even enter the training door of a true champion, it is shut out by the power of trust.
  
• A true champion believes in the truth, walks in the truth and fully embraces the cost of being the fullness of truth. They never let a lie stand in the place of truth, they always expose darkness with the light of their lives that shines brightly in truth.
  
• A true champion reaches into the deepest part of their soul and shares their weakness with others, so that the strength of God will shine.
  
• A true champion is not overshadowed by their human condition, they always find a spot in the Grace and Light of Jesus Christ and they shine despite their weakness.
  
• A true champion knows their strengths and weaknesses and they never give up, they always strive for excellence, even in their weakest area, they know the power of God can and will make them strong.
  
• A true champion is strong and courageous and nothing holds them back in their pursuit of excellence in the day at hand. If the competition for their soul is fierce, they welcome it as they position themselves in the grace and strength of Jesus Christ. They are bold in their ventures and they step out in humility, knowing that they are flawed, they are not the best, but they have the best in them, and He has already won.
  
• A true champion does not lie, or misrepresent the truth in order to keep their place at the top. They always speak the truth and depend upon God for their position. Truth is always the way a God servant travels on the path to excellence.
  
• A true champion gives others a break, bears with them until God can change them. A true champion is not out for their own self-preservation but is willing to lay down their wants for the good of others.
  
• A true champion does not bear the burden for others and is not yoked by the pressure of changing others, knowing that only God can change others, they stay focused on the path God has laid out for them and do not change course to try to change others by their own strength.
  
• A true champion does not please others, never hides who they are or the path they have taken to growth. They do not hide their weakness, knowing that it is a part of them and it is what has made them strong. They walk in the image of God and never self-propel and replica that will gain them approval of men.
  
• A true champion always pushes truth, knowing it can stand the test of time, believing in the power of Christ and never having to defend themselves, where they have been and where they are going.
  
• A true champion never puts themselves in the limelight, never puffs themselves up but always shows the face of Christ.
  
• A true champion looks into their soul and sees the Image of God.
  
• A true champion always sets things right, even if the truth will derail their way, they uncover the truth and do not hide it.
  
• A true champion never settles for second place, but always believe in the power of God, trusting that He will take them all the way to Gold.
  
• A true champion lets go of thoughts and plans of their way to success and are open to complete followship of God.
  
• A true champion does not lean on building their own image, they are not fake in order to make their way, building their own brand. They are Who God has created them to be, putting forth the truth of their weaknesses as they stand in the Image of God and move forward in His strength.
  
• A true champion represents Jesus Christ by clinging to Him, digging their roots deeper in His love and never letting anything or anyone keep them from moving forward in God.
  
• A true champion believes in the miraculous power of God’s Presence and divine intervention and know that He will work all things out for their own best.
  
• A true champion does not walk in the light of a man made fire, they do not kindle the fire to light their own image, but walk in God’s light.
  
• A true champion will not do things their way, but will do things God’s way, they will follow Him, even if His way makes no sense.
  

A Serious Champion Looks Like

Working harder, smarter and excellently week by week by the Grace of God we run the race as His Champions! Ever-ready Servants-Champions For Christ! A serious champion will run their race with all of the personality, characteristics and giftedness that God has given them, empowered by the Holy Spirit. They look into their soul and see God and are not focused on who they want to be, but Who they are in His Kingdom.

Step Up To Championship

Let the cause of your life be to become a Champion In Christ! Step It Up! Be found in training with God The Father, The Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ! Step It Up! How? Sit in God’s Presence and listen to His still small voice each morning and be determined as Your feet hit the ground each day that you will be found being God’s Champion. Just Do It: Give Him Your All, Be Excellent Today. Be His dedicated disciplined runner on the life path He has put you on. Be positioned in His Presence, His Grace, His Power, and His Holy Spirit, as you put your feet in the running blocks of your life course today.

STEP IT UP WITH JESUS CHRIST

Step up your training, press towards the gold of the Kingdom of God. Train with Jesus to win. Be Excellent in all you do unto Jesus! Sit down with Jesus, talk with Him and find out how you can step up your training to lose the fat around your spirit and body and train like You are an Olympic athlete pursing the gold! Exercise your spirit in the Word and Presence of Jesus Christ! Get accountable with The Holy Spirit and Talk It UP! The Holy Spirit is the unifier of Christians. Share your triumphs and defeats with other Christians and keep each other accountable as you run this Kingdom race together to win. Encourage and exhort one another to excellence through the anointing of the Holy Spirit! Champions of Christ “talk it up” with God first and then each other!

Of course my favorite hero is Jesus Christ! I love everything about Him. He is my True Champion and His Living Legacy motivates me every single day. Every day I learn something new about Jesus and it inspires me, challenges me to rise up to new heights as a Champion In Christ. I use The Bridegroom’s Café to help exhort the Body Of Christ to nourish their soul with God’s truth and be Champions in Him. I hope this encouragement on the Servant Warrior Table, about being a Champion In Christ has inspired you to be an amazing Servant Warrior for God. I highly suggest you purchase a copy of The Bridegroom’s Voice, it is an incredible God Adventure, a Journey with Jesus that will inspire the God Champion in You through His Word. God bless you Much, KimberlyMac~Author