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Hi and welcome to KGM Studio. My name is Tina, and I'm so glad to be here to share a message with you today. The message God placed on my heart is based on the acronym Champion. I want to take you back about three years ago when I had the privilege of going on a mission trip to Kenya for a women's conference. During that trip, we traveled to a city called Eldoret, which is known as the City of Champions. Eldrit is a home to many world-renowned Kenyan Olympic runners and champions who have trained there throughout their careers. Because the city sits at a high altitude in the Rift Valley, it provides the perfect environment for athletes to develop incredible endurance. I also learned from one of the women there that one of Kenya's former presidents lived in that city. It amazed me how one place could produce so many influential people and carry such great significance. As I sought the Lord about what he wanted me to share at the women's conference, I honestly didn't know what I was going to speak about. I had been asked to speak three or four times, so I was desperately seeking God for his direction. Then one morning, around three o'clock AM, God woke me up. Many times he wakes me during the night to pray and speak in my heavenly prayer language, but this time was different. As I sought him, he gave me a single word, champion. Then he began revealing how each letter represented a biblical principle. C for Christ follower, H for hope in the Lord, A for ambassador for Christ, M for mission, P peace of God, I for inheritance, O for obedience, and N for new thing. Today I'd like to walk through each one and show you how it connects to God's Word. See Christ follower. Follower. In John 12 26, Jesus says, Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me. Then in Matthew 16 24, Jesus told his disciples, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. These verses remind us that following Christ requires surrender. Jesus calls us to lay down our own desires, pick up our cross, and walk in obedience to him. Sometimes that means letting go of addictions, sometimes it means removing idols from our lives. An idol doesn't always have to be a statue. It can be anything we place above God. It could be social media, money, success, a relationship, or even a hobby. God lovingly asks us to surrender those things and put him first. As we continue walking with him, little by little he changes our hearts and aligns our desires with his will. What amazes me is that Jesus says when we follow him, the Father honors us. What an incredible promise. Whether it's his peace, his favor, his provision, his strength, or his blessings, God honors those who faithfully follow his son. H. Hope in the Lord. Isaiah forty verse thirty one says, But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. This verse reminds us that our strength doesn't come from ourselves, it comes from God. Waiting on the Lord isn't always easy because we naturally want immediate answers. We can become impatient or discouraged when things don't happen on our timeline. But God says to place your hope in Him. When we trust Him, wait on Him, and rely on His promises, He renews our strength. He gives us endurance to keep running the race without giving up. Sometimes the greatest act of faith is simply being still and saying, Lord, I trust you. When we choose to trust God, even when we don't understand, He honors that faith. He gives us peace and reminds us that He is in control. He is still in control. A for ambassador for Christ. In 2 Corinthians 5 20, Paul writes, Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. As though God were making his appeal through us. What an incredible calling. An ambassador represents someone else's kingdom. As believers, we represent the kingdom of God. We are his hands, his feet, and his voice here on earth. Our assignment is to share his love, his peace, his forgiveness, and the message of salvation. Think about earthly ambassadors. They represent their country wherever they go. How much greater is it to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ? God has entrusted us with his authority to carry his message into the world. When we surrender our lives to him, he gives each of us an assignment. He's saying, It's time. It's time to step into your calling. It's time to move forward in faith. It's time to walk in the purpose I've prepared for you. I personally witness God perform miracles, signs, and wonders with my own eyes. I've seen people healed, I've seen lives transformed, I've watched people be set free from the power of Jesus. Every time God moves, I'm left in awe. I simply say, Lord, let's go, do it again. Being an ambassador for Christ is truly an honor because we get to boldly proclaim who Jesus is. We can pray for the sick, we can pray for healing, we can pray for salvation, we can encourage the broken, we can tell others about the love of Christ. I remember a friend once telling me, I can't believe how much you've changed. It's like you've made a complete 30, 360-degree turnaround. That comment reminded me of God's transforming power. When Jesus changes your life, everything changes. Looking back on all the mission trips and everything God has done for me, I've never imagined He would use me the way He has. Yet He continues to use ordinary people who simply say, Yes, Lord. If He can use me, He can certainly use you. I want to encourage you today to embrace your identity as an ambassador for Christ. Walk boldly in the calling He has placed on your life. M for mission. One of the greatest passions is missions. One of my greatest passions is missions. In Matthew 28, 18 through 20, Jesus gave us what we know as the Great Commission. He commanded his followers to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything he had commanded. Then in Luke 9, 1 through 2, Jesus gave his disciples power and authority before sending them out to preach the kingdom of God and heal the sick. The mission God has given us is not limited to another country. Yes, some people are called internationally, some are called across the nation, but many are called right where they are. Your mission field could be in your neighborhood, it could be in your workplace, it could be in your school, it can be in your church, it can be even in your own family and community. Every day God gives us opportunities to be his light in the places he has planted us. You are on a mission to let people know who Jesus is. You are on a mission to love people. You are on a mission to share the gospel. You are on a mission to be a living testimony of God's goodness and grace. Remember, you don't have to travel across the world to fulfill God's mission. Sometimes your greatest mission begins right where you are. As you faithfully serve him, God will open doors that no one can shut, and he will use your life to impact people for his kingdom and for his glory. Let people see that healing is still taking place today. People can still be healed when we pray in the name of Jesus because if God did it before, he can do it again. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13 8. As I'm sharing this, God is reminding me of something he said. You've been to these countries. By his grace, I've had the opportunity to travel to 16 countries, and most of these trips have been for missions. The Lord reminded me what you've seen in those nations, the faith, the expectation for healing, miracles, signs, and wonders, bring that back with you to the United States. Bring it back to California because I want to do something so great that it will amaze people. That has become one of my greatest passions to continue serving God wholeheartedly and to believe Him for the impossible. When I pray for people, it isn't because of anything I can do. It is because of the power of Jesus Christ working through those who believe in him. God wants people to know that he is still the God of miracles, not only in Brazil, Ethiopia, the Philippines, and Dubai or other nations around the world, but right here in our own communities. He is the same God everywhere. I want to encourage you today that you are on a mission to do great things for the kingdom of God. P for peace of God. The letter P in champion stands for peace of God. Philippians 4, 6 through 7 says, Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, present your request to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. What an incredible promise. God's peace goes beyond human understanding. It doesn't always make sense, yet it guards our hearts and minds even in the middle of life storms. When we come before God in prayer and surrender our worries to Him, He fills us with His supernatural peace. It's a peace that no person, circumstance, or earthly solution can fully provide. I've experienced that peace personally. It's difficult to describe because it's unlike anything else. It's a calm assurance that God is with you. It's his presence surrounding you with comfort, strength, and rest. My prayer is that every one of you experiences that same peace. Declare Philippians four, six through seven over your life, believing that the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Amen. I for which stands for inheritance. In Ephesians one eleven through fourteen says Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance. He makes everything work out according to His plan. What another beautiful promise. Just as a loving Father leaves an inheritance to his children, our Heavenly Father has given us an eternal inheritance through Jesus Christ. As children of God, we inherit his promises, his grace, his love, his presence, and the hope of eternal life. God also blesses us with spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit to build up his kingdom. Sometimes people don't realize these gifts are available. They have never been taught about them or encouraged to seek them. As we draw closer to the Lord, pray, study his word, and spend time in his presence, he continues to mature us and reveal the gifts he has placed within us. The closer you grow to God, the more he transforms your life and equips you to fulfill the calling he has prepared for you. The letter O stands for obedience. In 1 Samuel 1522, Samuel said to obey is better than sacrifice. God desires more than religious rituals. He wants our hearts. In the Old Testament, God's people offered animal sacrifices as part of the covenant, but when Jesus came, everything changed. Jesus became the perfect and final sacrifice, the spotless Lamb of God who shed his blood for our sins once and for all. Because of his sacrifice, we no longer have to earn forgiveness through sacrifices. We receive forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. There is power in the blood of Jesus. His blood brings forgiveness, his blood brings freedom, his blood brings victory, his blood reminds us that the price for our salvation has already been paid. God isn't looking for outward appearances while our hearts remain unchanged. He desires obedience that comes from love. When we obey Him, we demonstrate our trust in Him, and He is pleased with a heart that willingly follows His voice. The final letter is N, which stands for New Thing. Isaiah 43 19 says, See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isn't that encouraging? Even when we feel like we're in a wilderness season, God is making a way where there seems to be no way. He is opening new doors, he is creating new opportunities, he is bringing new beginnings, he is doing something new in your life. Jesus also said in Matthew 19, 29, and everyone who's has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands or fields for my name's sake shall receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life. Throughout Scripture, we see people leaving behind what was familiar in order to step into God's greater purpose. Sometimes God asks us to let go before he gives us something greater. I once heard a powerful statement that has stayed with me. Transition is often God's pathway to promotion. Sometimes God stretches us, sometimes he challenges us. Sometimes he allows us to become uncomfortable because he is preparing us for something greater. Looking back over my own life, there were many seasons when I didn't understand why I was walking through certain trials. But now I can see that God was using every season to shape my character, strengthen my faith, and prepare me for what he had ahead. God never wastes our pain, he uses it to prepare us for his purpose. As I close with this, I want to encourage you to remember what it means to be a champion in Christ, to be a Christ follower who faithfully walks with Jesus. Keep your hope in the Lord, knowing He will renew your strength. Live as an ambassador for Christ, representing His kingdom everywhere you go. Stay committed to your mission, whether it's across the world or right where you live. Walk daily in the peace of God, allowing him to guard your heart and mind. Receive the inheritance God has prepared for you as his child. Choose obedience because obedience is better than sacrifice. And believe God for the new thing he wants to do in your life. Carry the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. As you live differently, people will be drawn to the light of Christ in you. Many people are searching for hope, searching for love, and searching to belong, and you have the opportunity to point them to Jesus. Never forget that God has called you to be his light in this world. So I just want to close out with prayer. So I just want to bless you and just close it out with prayer. And so, Heavenly Father, we thank you for every person listening today. I pray that you would touch each heart, encourage every spirit, and remind them of who they are in Christ. Fill them with hope, peace, strength, and boldness to fulfill the calling you have placed on their lives. Use them for your glory, open doors for them to share your love wherever they go. Heal those who are hurting, restore those who are broken, and strengthen those who are weary. May they walk as champions for your kingdom, bringing honor to the name of Jesus in everything they do. We thank you for your faithfulness, your grace, and your unfailing love. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen, amen, and amen. God bless you and thank you so much for tuning in.