I Get Knocked Down

By Pastor Brad Heintz

Last fall I was sharing my Life+Change Story with a small group and as I concluded I must admit that my mind was more focused on where I had been knocked down or fallen short verses where I had been triumphant. When the group started to comment, they shared that they saw how I had gotten back up again and again in life. One person said, “You remind me of a resilient warrior!” That was a profound statement for me and “Resilience” became my word for 2022 I can’t get out of my head that 1990’s pop song by Chumbawamba, “I Get Knocked Down.” It is a song that has a great beat and a singable chorus, “I get knocked down, but I get up again - You are never gonna keep me down.” It doesn’t have the best solutions to coping with difficult challenges in life. If you know the song then you know what I’m talking about. It reminds me that what we choose to help us get up again can either lift us up or knock us back down.

Maybe you can relate. Have you been knocked down in life? Maybe it was a bad situation, your current circumstance, a difficult illnesses, some bad habits, ongoing financial stress, or relational struggles. Whatever it was or is, the real issue isn’t only what has happened to you, but what you are using to get back up again.

I find it interesting that Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) The Greek word, for “overcome” is “Nenikēka,” and it is used only used once in the Bible. It is in the perfect tense, which means that when Jesus speaks of His victory over the world, it is as though it is an accomplished fact with continuing results to the present! So that means, if we trust in Jesus, if we invite him into our situations, if we ask him to help us get up again, it will lead us to be victorious. By the way, the root form of nenikēka is nikáō. This is the verb form of the noun níkē, “victory”. Most of us know that word or wear that logo on our feet.

I believe true resilience is possible when Jesus’ accomplished fact start showing results in our present lives. How do you do this? The same way his first disciples did! Invite Jesus into your trouble and see how he helps you be triumphant!

So, the next time you get knocked down, just ask Jesus to help you get up again!

Pastor Brad Heintz is the founding pastor of Living Word Church in Taylor Lake Village, Texas, a vibrant family-style, non-denominational gathering of believers who take a pure, simple and real approach to faith and life. www. LWCBA.org

Living Word Church Building Update

Taylor Lake Village, Texas

April showers may bring May flowers yet August showers have caused Living Word Church to adjust the construction schedule of their new church home and community center. Progress is happening with utility work both by Wycoff Development and Clear Lake Water Authority. Concrete work is underway and Living Word Church anticipates a cornerstone bible placing foundation ceremony at the beginning of October. Look for structural steel arriving late October!

Living Word is building a 11,170 sq. ft. multipurpose facility which will include a 300 seat auditorium, children’s classrooms, a community room and offices.

“We believe that God has given us land to build a new church home and community center,” said Pastor Brad Heintz. “It will be a place where neighbors, friends, families and organizations can gather to worship, study, serve and share together. I invite you to build with us a place where everyone is welcomed home and loved.”

Living Word Church of the Bay Area, is a vibrant family-style, nondenominational gathering of believers who take a pure, simple and real approach to faith and life. Living Word Church is worshiping at G.W. Robinson Elementary, 451 Kirby Rd. El Lago, TX at 10:30am on Sundays until they move into their new church home and community center. Everyone is invited to attend and help build a church!

Reserve your seat now! Scan the QR code or visit bahfh.org/2022gala