Y Are A Champi
Welcome to Victorious Living magazine. If you
are new to our publication, thank you for taking
the time to open our pages. I trust that you will
be blessed by each story contained in this issue.
They are real stories from real people, guaranteed
to bring you real hope. Don’t we all need a little
hope?
I am so thankful for this magazine. It has been a
blessing to many people from many different walks
of life—and it is a blessing to me. It has brought
great purpose to my life.
I can’t think of anything I’d rather do than
interview people whose lives have been totally
transformed by the love of God and then help them
write their stories so that others can experience that
same transformation. It is a high privilege, for sure.
For many of our contributors, when they tell
us their stories, it’s the first time they’ve shared
such intimate details of their lives. Why do they
do it? Why do they open up and make themselves
completely vulnerable to me?
It’s for you and the thousands of others going
through tough times who will read this magazine.
Our contributors share their life stories because
they know there is a God who is alive and active
in the lives of people today. They want people to
know that God cares, so they put themselves out
there to help others find an everlasting hope in
Him.
Many people have allowed the difficulties of life
and their current painful trials to lead them to the
conclusion that God doesn’t care or that He is an
angry, punishing god. Many feel God has deserted
them; that He’s left them to figure out life on their
own. I hope that, by the time you get through the
first article, you will realize just how good God is
and how much He wants to heal your broken heart
and love you to wholeness.
For this issue, I had the privilege of interviewing
Rivaldo Ferreira, one of the greatest soccer players
of all time. I didn’t realize at the time of our meeting
how incredibly gifted Rivaldo is as a soccer player.
When I asked about his career, he humbly and
quickly shifted the spotlight from his soccer success
to the One he says is truly deserving…his Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ. I Googled Rivaldo when
I got home and was blown away by the impact
he has had and continues to have on the soccer
community.
I know from experience how much dedication
and perseverance it takes to climb the podium
of success. But what impressed me most about
Rivaldo was his passion to help people discover life
in Jesus Christ. He repeatedly told me through our
translator (his wife, Eliza), that of all the victories
he has won, Jesus Christ is by far the greatest.
Jesus saved him from death, restored broken
relationships, and brought peace to his weary
soul. Wait till you read how Rivaldo moved from
the slums of Brazil to the top of God’s podium,
where he has now found the greatest victory of
all—fullness of life in Christ.
And it’s a victory we can all have!
Every story in this issue is powerful. If you take
their collective message to heart, these stories,
because of Jesus Christ, will change your life and
lead you to this victory. As you’ll soon see, all our
contributors are champions. No, they may not have
been crowned the World Soccer Player of the Year,
but they all stand with Rivaldo on God’s podium,
victorious in Him. With the Lord’s help, they have
overcome great trials and learned important
lessons that they now share with you.
I don’t believe you’ve picked up this magazine by
accident. You’re holding it by divine appointment.
I don’t know your trial, but I do know this—there is
hope for your tomorrow. The name of that hope
is Jesus. There is no enemy, no circumstance, no
sin, and no addiction that He cannot help you
overcome. You are not alone, and you are not
defeated. You are His champion, and in Him, you
will be victorious!
Sincerely,
Kristi
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Publisher Kristi Overton Johnson’s passion
is to equip and encourage people to
live victoriously in every season of life.
Learn more at kojministries.org.
Victorious Living is mailed to our ministry
partners and subscribers. It is distributed
at no charge to members of our military
and in places where people need hope and
help—places like hospitals, assisted living
facilities, drug and alcohol treatment centers,
mental health facilities, and prisons. You can
help us reach new people. Subscription and
distribution information is located on the
back cover of the magazine.
Please get involved!
6 kojministries.org Issue 1 2018 photo courtesy of The Daily ReflPhotography by Spencer Shultz
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