We have been promised victory.  1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1John 5:4 "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith." Although we have been promised victory it is conditioned upon our faith. 

When the British Admiral Lord Nelson was preparing his navy for the battle at Trafalgar in 1805 he said there are three core demands of a navy - to supply and fit itself; to survive the sea; and to kill the enemy.   

In our quest for victory may we too understand the importance of meeting these three core demands. We must be prepared for battle. Eph. 6:13-17  "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace, 16 above all taking the shield of faith...."  Secondly, if we are so armed we will be prepared for whatever the storms of the sea will bring.  

And thirdly, we can overcome the enemy, the wicked one, 1 John 2:14 "I have written to you fathers, because you have Him who is from the beginning, I have written to you young men, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one."  

As we too continue our battles in the army of God may we remember there is no substitute for victory.       

- The Elders