Momentum: The Key to Victory

Momentum: The Key to Victory

John Eckhardt

Crusaders Publications Chicago, Illinois

Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

Momentum: The Key to Victory ISBN 0- !"0#!$-%-! Cop&right ' ( " b& )ohn *c+hardt ,.-. Bo. $/(( Chicago, I0 !0!%0

,ublished b& Crusaders ,ublications ,.-. Bo. $/(( Chicago, I0 !0!%0 U.S.1.

Co2er design and boo+ production b& 3B 4 1ssociates 3esign 5roup, Inc. ,.-. Bo. #/$#! 6ulsa, -7 $8(#/ *ditorial Consultant9 3ebra 6hompson ,rinted in the United States of 1merica. 1ll rights reser2ed under International Cop&right 0aw. Contents and:or co2er ma& not be reproduced in whole or in part in an& form without the e.press written consent of the publisher.

Contents
( ;omentum Brings Impact.......................................................$ / 3a2id<s ;omentum...............................................................(# " 3unamis................................................................................/( 8 6hie2es of ;omentum........................................................../$

Chapter (
1

Momentum Brings Impact

he greater the momentum of a thing, the greater the impact it will ha2e once it reaches its destination. If the 0ord<s people are to ha2e an I;,1C6 upon our cities and nation, we must be a people who understand and operate in ;-;*N6U;. 1n =impact= is a forceful contact or collision. 6here will alwa&s be a collision between the +ingdom of 5od and the +ingdom of dar+ness. -ne of the best e.amples I can gi2e concerning impact and momentum is that of a hurricane. 1 hurricane starts as a small storm hundreds of miles offshore in the ocean. 1s the storm approaches land, it pic+s up momentum. B& the time it reaches land it has enough momentum to destro& e2er&thing in its path. 6he impact the storm has is a result of the increased momentum it pic+ed up o2er hundreds of miles. >hat starts off as a small storm ends up as a +iller hurricane. 6his is also true of re2i2als and different mo2es of 5od. 1 mo2e of 5od is sometimes t&pified b& wind. It is the mo2ing of the winds of the Spirit. 6he& usuall& start with a small group of people and pic+ up momentum. 6he result can be millions swept into the +ingdom of 5od o2er a period of time. 1nother e.ample of momentum is a sports team that wins a few games. Before long this team is on a winning strea+. 1s the team wins, it pic+s up momentum. -ne of the hardest things to do is defeat a team that is on a winning strea+. Because the team has momentum, it becomes harder $

Momentum: The Key to Victory

to stop the winning strea+. 6he rule in sports is the team that gets momentum is usuall& the team that wins. The key is to get and maintain momentum. 6he 0ord desires to gi2e you momentum. It will carr& &ou into realms of the spirit that &ou will ne2er enter without it. Satan desires to stop &our momentum. ?e +nows that if &ou get momentum, &ou will ha2e a greater impact on those around &ou. Churches that get momentum are churches that will impact their cities. 6he Bod& of Christ needs a re2elation of how to get momentum, maintain it, and use it to our ad2antage to fulfill the great commission.

Increasing Your Momentum

And aul said to !a"id# Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to $ight %ith him: $or thou art but a youth# and he a man o$ %ar $rom his youth& And !a"id said unto aul# Thy ser"ant 'ept his $ather(s sheep# and there came a lion# and a bear# and too' a lamb out o$ the $loc': And I %ent out a$ter him# and smote him# and deli"ered it out o$ his mouth: and %hen he arose against me# I caught him by his beard# and smote him# and sle% him& Thy ser"ant sle% both the lion and the bear and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one o$ them# seeing he has de$ied the armies o$ the li"ing )od& !a"id said moreo"er# The *ord that deli"ered me out o$ the pa% o$ the lion# and out o$ the pa% o$ the bear# he %ill deli"er me out o$ the hand o$ this Philistine& And aul said unto !a"id# )o# and the *ord be %ith thee& 1 amuel 1+:,,-,+

-ne of the +e&s to getting momentum is to allow &our 2ictories to thrust &ou into greater momentum. 3a2id<s pre2ious 2ictories ga2e him the momentum he needed to defeat 5oliath. ?e rehearsed his 2ictories o2er the lion and %

Momentum Brings Impact

the bear before he went into battle against the giant. *ach 2ictor& the 0ord gi2es &ou increases &our momentum. @ou should alwa&s go into battle with momentum from &our pre2ious 2ictor&. ;omentum builds &our confidence. It increases &our strength and s+ill for the ne.t battle. 6rue champions understand momentum. 6he& +now how to get it and maintain it to achie2e 2ictor&. 6rue leaders also understand the importance of momentum. 5reat generals understand its importance in the field of battle. 6he& +now how to capitaliAe on their opponent<s errors and gain momentum in battle. -nce the& gain momentum, the& +now how to use it to defeat their foes. 6wo of Israel<s greatest generals were )oshua and 3a2id. 6he& understood the place of momentum in warfare. Both used momentum to destro& their enemies.

)reat *eaders .nderstand Momentum

I ha"e pursued mine enemies# and o"erta'en them: neither did I turn again till they %ere consumed& Then did I beat them small as the dust be$ore the %ind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets& Psalm 1/:,+#01

3a2id +new how to get momentum and use it against the enem&. -nce he got the upper hand, he pressed the battle and did not turn until he consumed his enemies. ?e did not stop with a slight 2ictor&, he rode his momentum until he slaughtered the enem&. 3a2id understood the importance of momentum. -nce the 0ord gi2es &ou momentum, &ou must use it to &our ad2antage. 3on<t stop after a slight 2ictor&. Continue until the enem& is B-U6*3.

Momentum: The Key to Victory

-nce 3a2id had his enemies on the run, he pursued and o ertook them. ?e consumed them and beat them =as the dust before the wind=. ?e allowed nothing to stop his momentum. ?e +new his momentum came from the 0ord. ?e +new that once the 0ord ga2e it to him, he had to use it to fulfill ?is purpose. 6here are too man& of the 0ord<s people who stop after a 2ictor&. Instead of using that 2ictor& as momentum for the ne.t battle, the& rela. and lose it. 6he period following a 2ictor& is not the time to rela.. 6here are more battles to fight and 2ictories to be won. 6here are 5oliaths to be faced after &ou defeat &our lion and &our bear. Be li+e 3a2id. ,ursue, o2erta+e, and consume the enem&C Be persistent and press the battle. -nce the 0ord gi2es &ou the upper hand, ha2e no merc& on Satan and his demons. Use &our momentum to &our ad2antage.

2oshua(s Momentum
Then spa'e 2oshua to the *ord in the day %hen the *ord deli"ered up the Amorites be$ore the children o$ Israel# and he said in the sight o$ Israel# un# stand thou still upon )ibeon3 and thou# Moon# in the "alley o$ A4alon& And the sun stood still# and the moon stayed# until the people had a"enged themsel"es upon their enemies& Is not this %ritten in the boo' o$ 2asher5 o the sun stood still in the midst o$ hea"en# and hasted not to go do%n about a %hole day& And there %as no day li'e that be$ore it or a$ter it# that the *ord hear'ened unto the "oice o$ a man: $or the *ord $ought $or Israel& 2oshua 16:11-10

-ne of the greatest miracles recorded in the >ord of 5od occurred on the field of battle. )oshua spo+e and the Sun and ;oon sta&ed. )oshua recei2ed an e.tra da& to (0

Momentum Brings Impact

defeat his enemies. )oshua understood momentum. -nce he saw the enem&<s defeat, he would not allow the sun to go down. 6his miracle ga2e him the momentum he needed to destro& his enemies. )oshua did not allow dar+ness to come and stop his momentum. ?e +ept it, by a miracle! to destro& the enem&.

Momentum# the Key to Victory

Candidates who get momentum win elections. -ne issue can gi2e a candidate the momentum needed to win. 1rmies who get momentum win battles. -ne strategic ad2antage can gi2e an arm& the momentum needed to win.

A 7ussian 8inter Can top Your Momentum

1dolf ?itler and NaAi 5erman& had momentum at the beginning of >orld >ar II. 6hrough a battle plan called =blitA+rieg,= the& were able to in2ade countries through the element of surprise and win quic+, eas& 2ictories. 5erman& was winning the war through momentum. ?owe2er, the allies e2entuall& stopped ?itler<s momentum. 1 turning point in >orld >ar II was the battle of Stalingrad in Bussia. 6emperatures plunged to -80 degrees Dahrenheit. 6roops lac+ed warm clothing and suffered frostbite. 6an+s and weapons bro+e down. 6he Bussian winter stopped ?itler<s troops and o2er "00,000 were +illed or captured. Drom that point, the momentum began to change and it was a matter of time before ?itler and 5erman& fell. Napoleon<s armies swept across *urope. Because of his momentum his armies were unstoppable. Ironicall&, his momentum was also stopped b& a Bussian winter when he decided to in2ade ;oscow. -f the !00,000 men in ((

Momentum: The Key to Victory

Napoleon<s forces, o2er #00,000 were +illed, captured or died from illness. ?itler could ha2e learned from Napoleon that a Bussian winter can stop an arm&<s momentum.

Miracles )i"e .s Momentum

;iracles ha2e the power to release momentum. 6he 0ord desires to wor+ miracles through ?is people to gi2e us the momentum we need to impact our nation for 5od. ;iracles ha2e the power to sweep multitudes into the 7ingdom in a short period of time. 6he ministr& of )esus impacted the entire nation because of miracles.
And 2esus %ent about all )alilee# teaching in their synagogues# and preaching the gospel o$ the 'ingdom# and healing all manner o$ sic'ness and all manner o$ disease among the people& And his $ame %ent throughout all yria: and they brought unto him all sic' people that %ere ta'en %ith di"ers diseases and torments# and those %hich %ere possessed %ith de"ils# and those %hich %ere lunatic'# and those that had the palsy3 and he healed them& And there $ollo%ed him great multitudes o$ people $rom )alilee and $rom !ecapolis# and $rom 2erusalem# and $rom 2udaea# and $rom beyond 2ordan& Matthe% 0:1,-19

6he ministr& of )esus gained tremendous momentum because of the miracles ?e performed. It was not long before multitudes of people followed ?im. )esus gained such momentum until the religious leaders figured that onl& ?is death would stop it. 6he& plotted to +ill )esus in order to stop ?is momentum.
Then gathered the chie$ priests and the Pharisees a council# and said# 8hat do %e5 $or this man doeth many miracles& I$ %e let him thus alone# all men %ill belie"e on him: and

(/

Momentum Brings Impact the 7omans shall come and ta'e a%ay both our place and nation& 2ohn 11:0+-0/ Much people o$ the 2e%s there$ore 'ne% that he %as there: and they came not $or 2esus( sa'e only# but that they might see *a:arus also# %hom he had raised $rom the dead& But the chie$ priests consulted that they might put *a:arus also to death3 Because that by reason o$ him many o$ the 2e%s %ent a%ay# and belie"ed on 2esus& ;n the ne<t day much people that %ere come to the $east# %hen they heard that 2esus %as coming to 2erusalem# Too' branches o$ palm trees# and %ent $orth to meet him# and cried# =osanna: B*> >! I T=> KI?) ;@ I 7A>* T=AT C;M>T= I? T=> ?AM> ;@ T=> *;7!& The Pharisees there$ore said among themsel"es# Percei"e ye ho% ye pre"ail nothing5 behold# the %orld is gone a$ter him& 2ohn 11:A-1,#1A

6he raising of 0aAarus from the dead was the =straw that bro+e the camel<s bac+=. 6he religious leaders were so upset and worried about the momentum of the 0ord<s ministr& that the& e2en consulted to put 0aAarus to death. 6here is no substitute for miracles. ;iracles are a manifestation of 5od<s power in the earth that brea+s the power of demonic strongholds and sets people free to recei2e the truth of the gospel. ,eople will alwa&s be attracted to miracles. 6here is something in all of us that desires to see the supernatural. Some ha2e called healing and miracles =5od<s dinner bell to sal2ation=. >hen the religious leaders were attempting to stop the momentum of the earl& Church, the pra&er of 5od<s people was for the 0ord to stretch forth ?is hand to heal and ("

Momentum: The Key to Victory

perform signs and wonders b& the name of )esus E1cts 89"0F. Signs and wonders not onl& gi e us momentum but the& help us maintain momentum. 1 church with miracles is a church that will continue to march triumphantl& throughout the land. -ne deli2erance. -ne miracle. -ne healing. -ne 2ision. -ne prophetic word. -ne relationship is all it ta+es to start momentum. -ne sermon &ou hear. -ne conference &ou attend. -ne prophetic word &ou recei2e....can brea+ &ou through and gi2e &ou the momentum &ou need to go forth and be a successC 3on<t despise the da& of small things. Bemember, hurricanes start out as small storms that pic+ up momentum. @ou ma& not be doing much now, but ta+e a step at a time and pic+ up momentum as &ou go. -nce &ou recei2e and maintain momentum, it will carr& &ou great distances.

(8

Chapter /
1

!a"id(s Momentum

?o% there %as long %ar bet%een the house o$ aul and the house o$ !a"id: but !a"id 8AB>! T7;?)>7 A?! T7;?)>7# and the house o$ aul %a<ed %ea'er and %ea'er& 1 amuel ,:1 And !a"id %ent on# and gre% great# and the *ord )od o$ hosts %as %ith him& 1 amuel 9:16

6hose who get momentum will pre2ail. 3a2id e2entuall& gained momentum in his war with the house of Saul. 6he Botherham translation sa&s he =went on and on wa.ing great=. 6he 1merican translation sa&s, =+ept on increasing in power=. In the long struggle between 3a2id and Saul, it loo+ed at times as if 3a2id would lose his life. 3a2id e2en said himself9 "I shall no# perish one day by the hand of $aul..." E( Samuel /$9(F. 3a2id found himself fleeing Saul and dwelling in the land of the ,hilistines, the enemies< camp. Saul pursued 3a2id in the ca2es and mountains of Israel, and the 0ord graciousl& deli2ered 3a2id from his enem&. 1fter the death of Saul, there was a long war between 3a2id and Saul<s son, Ishbosheth. 1bner, the captain of Ishbosheth<s arm&, fought against )oab, the captain of 3a2id<s arm&. Now 3a2id begins to get momentum. ?e gets stronger and stronger, while his enemies get wea+er and wea+er. 6he Scripture states that 3a2id went on and grew (#

Momentum: The Key to Victory

=great=. ?is momentum not onl& carried him to the throne to be +ing o2er Israel, but it carried him to 2ictor& o2er Israel<s enemies.
And !a"id did so# as the *ord had commanded him3 and smote the Philistines $rom )eba until thou come to )a:er& 1 amuel 9:19 And a$ter this it came to pass# that !a"id smote the Philistines# and subdued them: and !a"id too' Methegammah out o$ the hand o$ the Philistines& And he smote Moab# and measured them %ith a line# casting them do%n to the ground&&& !a"id smote also =adade:er# the son o$ 7ehob# 'ing o$ Cobah&&& &&& !a"id sle% o$ the yrians t%o and t%enty thousand men& &&& and all they o$ >dom became !a"id(s ser"ants&&&& 1 amuel /:1-,#9#10

3a2id was, what we call toda&, =on a roll=. ?e harnessed his momentum and maintained it to defeat his enemies within Israel and without. *ach 2ictor& ga2e him increased momentum for his ne.t challenge. >e go from strength to strength, faith to faith, and glor& to glor&.

Absalom(s Momentum
Not onl& can momentum wor+ for &ou, but it can wor+ against &ou. *2en wic+edness, if not stopped, will gain momentum. 3a2id<s momentum of 2ictories came to an end because of his sin of adulter& with Bathsheba, and murder of Uriah, her husband. 6his opened the door for the enem& to use his son, 1bsalom, against him. 1bsalom gained momentum against his father. ?is conspirac& grew stronger and stronger. (!

%a id&s Momentum And the conspiracy %as strong3 $or the people increased continually %ith Absalom& 1 amuel 19:11

6his shows us the power of momentum. -nce an&thing gains momentum, whether good or e2il, it is hard to stop. Because 3a2id was not able to =nip it in the bud=, the conspirac& of 1bsalom grew stronger and gained momentum.
And there came a messenger to !a"id# saying# The hearts o$ the men o$ Israel are a$ter Absalom& And !a"id said unto all his ser"ants that %ere %ith him at 2erusalem# Arise# and let us $lee3 $or %e shall not else escape $rom Absalom: ma'e speed to depart# lest he o"erta'e us suddenly&&& 1 amuel 19:1,#10

3a2id had to flee for his life. 6he momentum for e2il was so strong that he did not ha2e the strength to stop it. -nl& 3a2id<s pra&ers and 5od<s inter2ention were strong enough to stop 1bsalom<s momentum. 3a2id ga2e his enemies momentum against him through his foolishness. Sin not onl& can stop &our momentum, but it can also gi2e the enem& momentum against &ou. 6his is wh& it is imperati2e that we maintain our momentum b& a2oiding sin and foolishness. 5i2e no place to the de2il E*phesians #F. 7eep &our momentum o2er the enem&. Ne2er allow him to get momentum o2er &ou. -ne sinful act can destro& &our momentum. -ne foolish act can destro& &our momentum. -ne costl& mista+e can stop &our momentum. -ne 1chan stopped Israel<s momentum. -ne sin stopped 3a2id<s momentum.
And it came to pass# a$ter the year %as e<pired# at the time %hen 'ings go $orth to battle# that !a"id sent 2oab&&&& But

($

Momentum: The Key to Victory !a"id tarried still at 2erusalem& 1 amuel 11:1

6his was the beginning of 3a2id<s troubles. Instead of going forth to battle as the leader of 5od<s people, he sta&ed at )erusalem and sent )oab to battle. 3a2id had Gust slew the S&rians destro&ing se2en hundred chariots and fort& thousand horsemen in a pre2ious battle E/ Samuel (09(%F. 6his gi2es us an important truth9 %on&t stop after a ictory. Keep your momentum' Bemember, a 2ictor& gi2es &ou momentum for the ne.t battle. Instead of going forth into battle, 3a2id remained in )erusalem and fell into adulter& with Bathsheba E/ Samuel ((9/-#F. 3a2id rela.ed and fell into sin. ?e lost his momentum, and his string of 2ictories came to an end. 6his opened the wa& for the enem& to bring much sadness and grief into his life. 3a2id almost lost his +ingdom as a result. 6his hidden sin stopped his momentum. 1lthough he tried to hide it and co2er it up, it caused him e2entual shame and dishonor.

The *ord o$ Bursts

And !a"id came to Baalpera:im# and !a"id smote them there# and said# The *ord hath bro'en $orth upon mine enemies be$ore me# as a breach o$ %aters&&&& 1 amuel 9:16

3a2id describes his momentum from the 0ord as a breach of waters. 6he Botherham translation sa&s, =li+e a brea+ing forth of waters=. 6he ;offat translation sa&s, =li+e waters bursting a dam=. ?e called the name of the place =Baal-peraAim=, which means lord of bursts. 6o burst means to force open Eas a doorF b& strong or 2igorous action. It means to brea+ open, apart, or into piecesHusuall& from impact or from pressure within. (%

%a id&s Momentum

Bemember, the +e& to impact is momentum. 6he greater the momentum, the greater the impact. 6he 0ord wants to gi2e &ou so much momentum that &ou literall& burst forth upon &our enemies. >hen a dam brea+s, the momentum from the rushing waters will destro& e2er&thing in its path. @our momentum can be li+e a might& rushing ri2er, destro&ing and o2erta+ing an& opposition from the de2il in &our path.

Chapter "
,

!unamis

And# behold# I send the promise o$ my @ather upon you: but tarry ye in the city o$ 2erusalem# until ye be endued %ith po%er $rom on high& *u'e 10:0A

6he Church started with momentum. 6he da& of ,entecost was a da& of momentum for the Church. %unamis is the 5ree+ word for po#er. 3unamis gi2es the Church momentum. ;omentum is the result of power. 6he more powerful a thing becomes, the more momentum it carries, and the more momentum a thing recei2es the more power it has. ;omentum and impact are related to 6?BUS6. 6o thrust means to push or dri2e with force. 6he force needed to thrust the Church forward was =dunamis=, the power of the ?ol& 5host. 6he da& of ,entecost ga2e the Church the momentum it needed to in2ade the world with the gospel. Drom )erusalem, the Church mo2ed forward with and maintained its momentum to impact the world with the message of Sal2ation.
&&&and the same day there %ere added unto them about three thousand souls& Acts 1:01 =o%beit many o$ them %hich heard the %ord belie"ed3 and the number o$ the men %as about $i"e thousand& Acts 0:0

/(

Momentum: The Key to Victory And belie"ers %ere the more added to the *ord# multitudes both men and %omen& Acts 9:10 There came also a multitude out o$ the cities round about unto 2erusalem# bringing sic' $ol's# and them %hich %ere "e<ed %ith unclean spirits: and they %ere healed e"ery one& Then the high priest rose up# and all they that %ere %ith him# D%hich is the sect o$ the adducees#E and %ere $illed %ith indignation# Acts 9:1F-1+

,ersecution is an attempt b& the enem& to stop momentum. 6he first opposition the earl& Church encountered was from the established religious system of their da&. *2er& re2i2al and mo2e of 5od is fought b& religion. 6hose who want to maintain the status quo don<t li+e change. >e must ha2e enough momentum to brea+ through persecution. Ne2er allow persecution for righteousness< sa+e to stop &our momentum. Ne2er allow what people sa& or do to stop &our momentum, if &ou are in the will of 5od. BecogniAe persecution as an attempt b& Satan to stop &our momentum. @ou cannot react to it in the flesh, but &ou must respond to it in the Spirit.
&&&and %hen they had called the apostles and beaten them# they commanded that they should not spea' in the name o$ 2esus# and let them go& And they departed $rom the presence o$ the council# re4oicing that they %ere counted %orthy to su$$er shame $or his name& Acts 9:06-01

6he apostles did not allow the persecution to stop their momentum. 6he& responded to a ph&sical beating b& B*)-ICIN5. "(nd daily in the temple! and in e ery house! //

%unamis

they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus )hrist" E1cts #98/F. 6he& did not cease to teach and preach. -nce &ou gain momentum in an& endea2or, don<t ceaseC 0earning how to maintain &our momentum in the face of opposition is a +e& to &our success.

The 7esult o$ Momentum

*2en after threats and beatings from the religious leaders, the apostles +ept their momentum.
And the %ord o$ )od increased3 and the number o$ disciples multiplied in 2erusalem greatly3 and a great company o$ the priests %ere obedient to the $aith& Acts F:+

Increase and multiplication are the result of momentum. *2en the strongest opponent of the Church, Saul, was changed and became the apostle ,aul. 6his shows us the power of momentum. The enemy #ill not be able to stop a church #ith momentum. >hen the 0ord<s people gain momentum, it will cause our enemies to either be destro&ed or con erted. 1fter the con2ersion of Saul, the Church had rest throughout all )udea and 5alilee, and Samaria, and "#ere multiplied" E1cts 9"(F. >hen a mo2e of 5od gains momentum, it will sweep e2er&thing in its path. ,eople will either be swept into it or be destro&ed b& it.

=erod
?o% about that time =erod the 'ing stretched $orth his hands to "e< certain o$ the church& And he 'illed 2ames the brother o$ 2ohn %ith the s%ord& And because he sa% it pleased the 2e%s# he proceeded $urther to ta'e Peter also&&&&

/"

Momentum: The Key to Victory Acts 11:1-,

-ne of the wa&s the enem& stops the momentum of a mo2e of 5od is to attac+ its leaders. *2er& mo2e of 5od has leaders. ?erod +illed )ames and was planning to +ill ,eter. 6he church pra&ed da& and night for ,eter<s release. Because of angelic inter2ention, ,eter was set free from prison. Not onl& did an angel deli2er ,eter but an angel smote ?erod, and he was eaten of worms E1cts (/9/"F. If the enem& can discourage or eliminate a leader, he is often successful in stopping the momentum of a Mo e.
But the %ord o$ )od gre% and multiplied& Acts 11:10

6he ,hillips translation sa&s, =But the word of the 0ord continued to gain ground and increase its influence.= ?erod was destro&ed, and the Church maintained its momentum. 0eaders need pra&er. 6he& need intercessors to stand with them in order to +eep their momentum. Intercession and pra&er help us maintain momentum in the face of opposition.

Boldness =elps .s Maintain Momentum

And no%# *ord# behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy ser"ants# that %ith all boldness they may spea' thy %ord& By stretching $orth thine hand to heal3 and that signs and %onders may be done by the name o$ thy holy child 2esus& Acts 0:1A-,6

6he threatenings of the religious leaders were intended to stop the momentum of the earl& Church. 6he& pra&ed for boldness that would result from signs and wonders. Dear will stop &our momentum. 6he fear of man brings a snare. Dear will paral&Ae &ou. It is a spirit from hell, sent to stop /8

%unamis

&ou. Boldness will rise up in &our spirit to o2ercome opposition. 1n&one who gains momentum will encounter resistance. 6he enem& will not Gust sit bac+ and watch &ou go forth and establish the +ingdom of 5od without resistance. ?e will attempt to stop &ou through fear. Boldness helps us maintain momentum. Instead of drawing bac+, the apostles "#ere all filled #ith the *oly +host! and they spake the #ord of +od #ith boldness" E1cts 89"(F. 6hrough boldness the& o2ercame the opposition of the enem&. ;an& belie2ers gi2e up the moment the& encounter resistance. 6he& lose their momentum and stop doing what the 0ord has commanded them to do. ,ra& for boldness. Bise up in courage and continue in spite of intimidation.
And %hen they had gone through the isle unto Paphos# they $ound a certain sorcerer# a $alse prophet# a 2e%# %hose name %as Bar4esus: Acts 1,:F

If the enem& cannot stop &ou through fear and intimidation, he will attempt to stop &ou through deception. ,aul and Barnabus encountered a sorcerer named BarGesus on their first missionar& Gourne&. ?e withstood them E1cts ("9%F. ,aul called Gudgment down upon him, and he was smitten blind. ,aul called him, ,- full of all subtilty and all mischief.. 6he 6wentieth Centur& New 6estament sa&s9 =@ou incarnation of deceit and fraud.= 6he >illiams translation sa&s9 =@ou e.pert in e2er& form of deception and sleight-of-hand.= Satan will use men to stop &our momentum. -ne bad relationship can stop &our momentum. -ne good relationship can gi2e &ou momentum. /#

Momentum: The Key to Victory

>hen Israel came out of *g&pt the& had momentum. >hen Bala+ Ethe +ing of ;oabF saw Israel, he called for Balaam to come and curse them. ?e tried to use witchcraft to stop their progress.

/!

Chapter 8
0

Thie"es o$ Momentum

; $oolish )alatians# %ho hath be%itched you# that ye should not obey the truth#&&& )alatians ,:1 Ye did run %ell3 %ho did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth5 )alatians 9:+

6he 7no. translation sa&s9 =Senseless 5alatians, who is it that has cast a spell on &ou.= Coming under the control of another is #itchcraft! which puts &ou under a spell. 6he 5oodspeed translation of 5alatians #9$ sa&s9 =@ou were ma+ing such progress.= Beware of wrong relationships. Controllers and manipulators will stop &our momentum. 6he 5alatians had lost their momentum b& allowing themsel2es to come under the control of legalistic teachers. Beware of 0egalism. It #ill stop your spiritual momentum. Stand fast in libert&. ;aintain &our libert& and freedom in the Spirit. Sta& free in the Spirit. Dollow the cloud of 5od. Some people are stuc+ in pre2ious mo2es of 5od. 6he& stopped to build a monument. 6he& refused to mo2e on with 5od into the ne.t mo2e. *2er& mo2e of 5od is designed to gi2e &ou momentum for the ne.t mo2e. ;omentum will carr& &ou from one mo2e to the ne.t. 0et nothing stop &ou from obe&ing 5od. Beligious control will stop &our momentum. 6oo man& belie2ers allow religious control to stop them. Control /$

Momentum: The Key to Victory

spirits are of the de2il. Belationships based on fear, control and intimidation are of the de2il. Belationships from 5od will help &ou get and maintain &our momentum. Belationships from the de2il will cause &ou to stop and lose &our momentum.

in tops Momentum
o there %ent up thither o$ the people about three thousand men: and they $led be$ore the men o$ Ai& And the men o$ Ai smote o$ them about thirty and si< men: $or they chased them $rom be$ore the gate e"en unto hebarim# and smote them in the going do%n: %here$ore the hearts o$ the people melted# and became as %ater& 2oshua +:0-9

1i was the second battle Israel fought after the& entered Canaan. 6he first battle was )ericho. 6he& destro&ed )ericho and seemed to ha2e the momentum the& needed to defeat 1i. *2en though 1i seemed to be an eas& 2ictor& in the natural, the& were turned bac+ in defeat. 1chan had brought a curse upon Israel b& parta+ing of the accursed thing. 1s a result, Israel could not stand before their enemies. Because of one man<s trespass Israel lost their momentum. 6he& were brought to a 2irtual standstill. )oshua had to pra& and recei2e re2elation as to wh& Israel fell before 1i. )oshua $9( calls the act a =trespass=. 6he word trespass is the ?ebrew word maal meaning sin falsehood, transgression. It also means treacher&, to act co2ertl& or treacherousl&, to co2er up. 6his is e.actl& what 1chan did. ?e tried to co2er up his sin b& hiding the garment and the sil2er he had co2eted. 6his gi2es us a clue as to what stops momentum. Not onl& does sin stop our momentum, but hidden sins. 6he /%

Thie es of Momentum

hidden sin of 1chan stopped the momentum and forward progress of )oshua and the armies of Israel. )ericho was a great 2ictor&. 1fter )ericho fell, e2er& nation in Canaan heard of its defeat. 6his great 2ictor& ga2e Israel the momentum it needed to go forth and possess Canaan. Bemember, e2er& 2ictor& gi2es &ou momentum for the ne.t battle. Israel should ha2e had no problem with 1i. It was a small cit& compared to )ericho. 6he Israelites were so sure of 2ictor& until the& did not send their entire arm& against it. But the defeat b& 1i came as a result of a hidden sin. ?idden sins will destro& &our momentum. 1n&thing that can stop &our momentum, needs to be eliminated from &our life. 1n& relationship, habit, or act that leads &ou into sin, must be eliminated from &our life if &ou are to maintain &our spiritual momentum. 1s+ &ourself this question9 /hat is the one thing that al#ays stops my momentum0 Is it a particular habit that &ou cannot seem to brea+I Is it a relationship that &ou cannot seem to sha+eI Is it anger, lust, fear, discouragement, depression, hurt, bitterness, unforgi2enessI >hate2er it is that stops &our momentum, &ou must isolate it and eliminate it from &our life. 6here is no hidden sin worth stopping &our momentum. 1rocrastination is a thief of momentum. )esus +new at an earl& age that ?e must be about his Dather<s business. Some people alwa&s dream about tomorrow without e2er doing an&thing toda&. >hat &ou do toda& will determine whether &ou will ha2e momentum tomorrow. ;omentum is a result of action. ,rocrastinators are full of e.cuses. @ou must eliminate e2er& e.cuse that stops &ou from doing what &ou ha2e been called to do. ;oses< e.cuse was his speech. )eremiah<s was /

Momentum: The Key to Victory

his &outh. 6here is no e.cuse worth stopping &our momentum. 5od<s grace is sufficient. >inners don<t allow e.cuses to stop them from winning. 1assi ity and slothfulness are two more thie2es of momentum. Some people are too passi2e and laA& to gain momentum. ;omentum comes to doers of the >ord.
A double minded man is unstable in all his %ays& 2ames 1:/

%ouble mindedness will rob &ou of momentum. Some people ne2er get momentum because the& ne2er decide to do an&thing. 6he& are too indecisi2e. 6he& can ne2er ma+e up their minds as to which direction the& should go. 6he 5ood-speed translation sa&s, =an irresolute person li+e him, who is uncertain about e2er&thing he does.= 6he >e&mouth translation sa&s, =being a man of two minds, undecided in e2er& step he ta+es.= ;omentum will carr& &ou to &our destination, but &ou must set &our course. @ou must ta+e the first step. ;omentum alwa&s begins with a first step, a decision. 3on<t allow double-mindedness to +eep &ou from ta+ing the first step. 3ecide to do something. Be a person of action. )esus +new his Dather<s will and mo2ed in that direction. @ou ma& start off slow but as &ou gain momentum, &ou will begin to see results. 1 thousand mile Gourne& begins with one small step.

7egaining Your Momentum

But mine enemies are li"ely# and they are strong: and they that hate me %rong$ully are multiplied& Psalm ,/:1A

>hen 3a2id sinned, he lost his momentum and ga2e his enemies an ad2antage. 3a2id<s enemies had momentum "0

Thie es of Momentum

against him. *ither you ha2e momentum or &our enem& has momentum. 3a2id<s sin caused him to lose his momentum. 1bsalom gained momentum and used it to attempt to ta+e the +ingdom. 6hroughout the ,salms, 3a2id pra&ed and repented. 6his gi2es us an important key to regaining our momentumHBepentance.
; spare me# that I may reco"er strength# be$ore I go hence# and be no more& Psalm ,A:1,

>hen we ha2e lost our momentum, and the enem& has gained momentum, we need the merc& of the 0ord. -nl& the 0ord can stop the enem&<s momentum.
&&&let them be dri"en bac'%ard and put to shame that %ith me e"il& Psalm 06:10

1rayer and fasting #ill help you regain your momentum. ,ra&er and fasting will lift up a standard against the enem&. Dasting turns bac+ the armies of the enem& E)oel /9/0F.
I humbled my soul %ith $asting#&&& Psalm ,9:1, My 'nees are %ea' through $asting3 and my $lesh $aileth o$ $atness& Psalm 16A:10

>hen 3a2id<s enemies pre2ailed, he used that +e& of fasting to stop the enemies< momentum. 6hrough pra&er and fasting, he regained the momentum he lost. 6he battle was turned against his enemies in his fa2or. ,ra&er and fasting causes the enem& to be turned back. @ou must ha2e the +nowledge to ta+e awa& the enem&<s momentum and regain &ours. *2en so, it is better to maintain &our momentum and ne2er lose it. "(

Momentum: The Key to Victory

-n the other hand, if &ou ha2e lost &our momentum, don<t gi2e upC 6here is a wa& to regain it through repentance! prayer and fasting. >e must remember that our 5od is the Dather of mercies E/ Corinthians (9"F. >e can come boldl& to the throne of grace and obtain merc&, and find grace, to help in the time of need E?ebrews 89(!F. 6he 0ord will hear &our pra&er, release ?is merc&, restore &ou, and cause &ou to regain &our momentum. If &ou ha2e lost &our momentum, spend some time in fasting and pra&er. @ou will begin to see &our spiritual and ph&sical life in2igorated. 1lthough 3a2id fell, he +new the 0ord was merciful, and his repentance, pra&er and fasting caused him to regain his momentum, and to be restored in 5od<s +ingdom.

"/

6o order boo+s and tapes b& )ohn *c+hardt, please write or call9 Crusaders Ministries !(#0 >. North 12enue Chicago, I0 !0!"
E"(/F !"$-/(/(