Category: Victory & Power

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Bravery & Boldness

Bravery: displaying courage, especially when facing danger or adversity. A brave person might face challenges head-on, despite feelings of fear.

Boldness: a daring spirit or the willingness to take risks. A bold individual doesn’t just face challenges but does so audaciously.

When we trust the Lord He will give us both bravery and boldness.

Think of David facing Goliath. Courage in the face of danger and the willingness to take the risk.

“ David said to the Philistine, ‘You come to me using sword, spear, and javelin. But I come to you in the name of the Lord All-Powerful, the God of the armies of Israel. You have said bad things about him. 46 Today the Lord will let me defeat you. I will kill you. I will cut off your head and feed your body to the birds and wild animals. And we will do the same thing to all the other Philistines too. Then all the world will know there is a God in Israel. 47 All the people gathered here will know that the Lord doesn’t need swords or spears to save people. The battle belongs to the Lord, and he will help us defeat all of you.” I Samuel 17:45-47 ERV

Bravery and Boldness has always been at the forefront of the life of those who followed God. Hundreds of years later, the Christians were facing persecution. They were imprisoned, beaten, and even killed.

“They were upset because of what Peter and John were teaching the people. By telling people about Jesus, the apostles were teaching that people will rise from death. 3 The Jewish leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail. It was already night, so they kept them in jail until the next day.,, 24 When the believers heard this, they all prayed to God with one purpose. They said… 28 These people who came together against Jesus made your plan happen. It was done because of your power and your will. 29 And now, Lord, listen to what they are saying. They are trying to make us afraid. We are your servants. Help us to say what you want us to say without fear. 30 Help us to be brave by showing us your power. Make sick people well. Cause miraculous signs and wonders to happen by the authority of Jesus, your holy servant.”

31 After the believers prayed, the place where they were meeting shook. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak God’s message without fear.” Acts 4 ERV

We may not experience arrest and beatings because we speak out for Jesus, but we may. We may lose friendships, business relationships and standing in social circles. It’s time for bravery and boldness.

The Apostle Paul penned these words: “I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power of God. It is the way He saves men from the punishment of their sins if they put their trust in Him. It is for the Jew first and for all other people also.” Romans 1:16 NLV

Be grateful that the Lord has called us to be brave and bold. It means that He is investing His power to change lives through us.

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Suit Up

There’s a reason why I was so emphatic in my comments yesterday about never, ever compromising on the Word of God.

A recent sermon reminded me of a teaching I have done many times from Ephesians, chapter 6.

We are commanded to put on the whole armor of God so that we will be able to stand in the face of our spiritual enemies and emerge victoriously. Each piece of the armor is tied to God’s word and His promises.

“ To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 11 Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks. 12 Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. 13 That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.

14 So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. 15 On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 16 And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. 17 Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. 18 Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people.

19 Also pray for me—that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret truth about the Good News without fear.” Ephesians 6:10-19 ERV

Let’s break down the armor: Belt of truth – “ Your word is the truth. So let this truth make them completely yours.” John 17:17 CEV

Breastplate of righteousness – “Christ never sinned but God put our sin on Him. Then we are made right with God because of what Christ has done for us.” II Corinthians 5:21

Footwear – The Gospel which means good news – “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!” Romans 10:15 NKJV

Shield of Faith – “ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 NKJV

Helmet of Salvation – “ For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 NKJV

Sword of Spirit – “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two–edged sword…” Hebrews 4:12 NKJV

If we are without God’s word, we are without armor. Suit up – the victory is ours in Christ Jesus!

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Redeemed – Blotted Out

I’m so glad I found these little “Thesaurus” pigeons. They are great images for bringing home a point.

Redeemed! One of our words from yesterday. Let’s see if from God’s perspective.

Have you ever had a glass of milk or juice spill all over something you were working on, or maybe it was a cup of coffee or a can of soda? I’m sure you didn’t sit calmly watching it spill but instead probably jumped up quickly and got towels to blot up the liquid and save your project.

I remember dropping a class project in muddy water once and trying to dab it dry so that I could recover the information and hand it in on time without completely redoing it. Such a sinking feeling.

Worse yet, what about a hard drive crash?! Is your stomach in knots just thinking about that happening. Try as you might you can’t recover it – the lost reports or if it was your personal computer the lost pictures, contact lists, etc…that’s such a hopeless feeling.

Would it surprise you if I told you that God purposefully lost information?

“You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.

14 God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:13-15 CEV

In another translation it says that the handwriting against us was blotted out – this translation says God wiped out the charges against us.

Regardless of our terminology – wiped out, blotted out – there was lost evidence, the evidence of our sin, our past, our failures because they were nailed to the cross and covered by the blood of Jesus!

So, when Satan comes into God, the Father’s courtroom and asks that we be punished, judged for our sins and tries to bring charges against us, the Father can find no evidence, it’s gone!

Christ defeated those who would like to destroy us, crashed their hard drive and led them away as prisoners bringing His victory to us!

Praise God – somethings just can’t be recovered. We’ve been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb!

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He Is Good

That might not sound very profound to you because of course, doesn’t everyone know that God is good?

No, some don’t.

God’s goodness is called into question every day; fires, floods, earthquakes, family crisis, world events, loss of work, mental distress. You’ve heard the questions – if God is so good why does He allow things like this to happen? I’ll answer that the way I think Jesus did.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so everyone would have life, and have it fully.” John 10:10 CEV

There is one who rules the earth and he delights in stealing, killing and destroying all that is good and making sure God gets blamed for it. We battle a real enemy but we win. In fact, we have already won.

“ I am grateful that God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory. God also helps us spread the knowledge about Christ everywhere, and this knowledge is like the smell of perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!” I Corinthians 15:57 CEV

“ What can we say about all this? If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? 32 God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won’t he freely give us everything else? 33 If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? 34 Or can anyone condemn them? No indeed! Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God’s right side, speaking to him for us. 35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?…37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.” Romans 8:31-37 CEV

We have won more than a victory. How can there be more “than victory”?

I asked the Lord that once and He gave me this reply. It’s more than a victory because I fought the battle for you. I stripped Satan of his powers when I went to hell and came out victorious, that’s what is means when it says “in Christ” you triumph and have victory.

” God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:14-15 CEV

God is good! He is just, righteous, love. He is our peace and our strength. He is all we need in this life and for life eternal.

There is a segment of the song “Gratitude” that I love. It was going through my mind and heart this morning as I was writing.

“Oh, come on, my soul
Oh, don’t you get shy on me
Lift up your song
‘Cause you’ve got a lion inside of those lungs
Get up and praise the Lord”

Our praise is a weapon that strikes the heart of our enemy. Our praise is also a sweet aroma to those around us that draws them to the goodness of God.

Get up and praise God for He is good!

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To the Rescue

For the last three mornings I have awaken with the these words filling my heart, “I will rescue you”.

The words come from a song I hear frequently on Pandora. It’s sung by Lauren Daigle, Rescue.

“I hear you whisper underneath your breath
I hear your SOS, your SOS

I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It’s true, I will rescue you

I hear the whisper underneath your breath
I hear you whisper you have nothing left

I will send out an army to find you
In the middle of the darkest night
It’s true, I will rescue you
I will never stop marching to reach you
In the middle of the hardest fight
It’s true, I will rescue you

Oh, I will rescue you”

I have dear friends and family who are going through some very trying times. Their emotions are raw, their sleep has been stolen, anxiety is high, and they need to know that the Lord has not abandon them. He’s here saying, “I will rescue you”.

Yesterday I wrote about perspective. David facing Goliath was one of the examples that I used. The odds of success seemed insurmountable in the natural way of thinking. The entire army of Israel had been sidelined with fear.

But God.

” 36 I have killed both a lion and a bear; and as your servant I will kill this uncircumcised Philistine, too, since he has dared to taunt the armies of the living God. 37 The Eternal One, who saved me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear, will save me from the hand of this Philistine… 45 You come to me carrying a sword and spear and javelin as your weapons, but I come armed with the name of the Eternal One, the Commander of heavenly armies, the True God of the armies of Israel, the One you have insulted. 46 This very day, the Eternal One will give you into my hands. I will strike you down and cut off your head, and I will feed the birds of the air and the wild animals of the fields with the flesh of your Philistine warriors. Then all the land will know the True God is with Israel,” I Samuel 17:35-46 VOICE

David’s enemy was huge, but God was greater. Goliath was an “uncircumcised Philistine”. This phrase is crucial to the story. You see, when God promised Abraham that He would be the God of Abraham’s descendants, the Israelites, the promise was sealed with a blood covenant of circumcision. That way, Israel would always be aware of the promise God had made them.

God has also made a promise to us.

“ Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.” Hebrews 4:16 NLV

“I always look to you, because you rescue me from every trap. 16 I am lonely and troubled.
Show that you care and have pity on me.” Psalm 25:15-16 CEV

These are God’s promises. Listen to His words, “I will rescue you!”

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Steadfast & Immovable

Last weekend while Dave & I were at the Grand Canyon I was intrigued by the trees that grew with such twisted trunks.

I did a quick on-line search and found that the twisted growth was attributed to the rocky ground, exposed roots and the windy conditions near the canyons rim. I took several pictures but was disappointed that I couldn’t capture their natural beauty.

These trees that grew up through the boulders, not only survived but thrived.

Imagine that. Surviving and thriving in adverse and harsh conditions. You know I’m going to apply this to Scripture, right?

“But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory! 58 My dear friends, stand firm and don’t be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile. I Corinthians 15:57-58 CEV

The King James version of this verse says that we are to be steadfast and immovable, like those trees I admired so much at the Grand Canyon. They don’t budge in the storm. They bend but they remain steadfast.

“ Anyone who hears and obeys these teachings of mine is like a wise person who built a house on solid rock. 25 Rain poured down, rivers flooded, and winds beat against that house. But it was built on solid rock, and so it did not fall.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

The Christian life is not one without storms or battles. However, we are promised the victory and the ability to remain standing when the storm passes, not in our own strength but because of God’s infallible word.

Our victory in this life comes from our faith in what Christ did for us on the cross.

“Every child of God can defeat the world, and our faith is what gives us this victory. 5 No one can defeat the world without having faith in Jesus as the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5 CEV

The Apostle Paul writes that we are more than conquerors. I once asked the Lord “How do we become more than conquerors”? To be a conqueror means we win the battle but what makes us more than conquerors? It’s when we follow Him, trust Him to defeat the enemy and then enjoy the victory.

“ In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.” Romans 8:37 CEV

Like Gideon and his 300 men. They blew the trumpets, revealed their torches but they stood on the rim above the camp and let the enemy defeat themselves. More than conquerors.

Be encouraged today. Stand. Steadfast. Immovable.

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Victory at Fear Spring

I am really enjoying this look at Gideon’s life and the way God used him. I hope you are too.

When we left Gideon, he had destroyed the altar of Baal, and the Lord told him he would defeat the nations who were out to destroy Israel. Gideon sounded a trumpet, and his neighbors came to enlist in the fight. Messengers were sent to the surrounding tribes and more fighting men arrived.

Gideon had an army.

“Then they set out toward the enemy camp.

36-37 Gideon prayed to God, “I know that you promised to help me rescue Israel, but I need proof. Tonight I’ll spread a sheep skin on the stone floor of that threshing-place over there. If you really will help me rescue Israel, then tomorrow morning let there be dew on the skin, but let the stone floor be dry.”

38 And that’s just what happened. Early the next morning, Gideon got up and checked the sheep skin. He squeezed out enough water to fill a bowl. 39 But Gideon prayed to God again. “Don’t be angry with me,” Gideon said. “Let me try this just one more time, so I’ll really be sure you’ll help me. Only this time, let the skin be dry and the stone floor be wet.”

40 That night, God made the stone floor wet with dew, but he kept the sheep skin dry.” Judges 6:335-40 CEV

Let me repeat what I said a few days back. God doesn’t mind honest questions. Gideon was putting his life and the life of his men on the line, and he needed to be sure that God was leading him in this battle.

Gideon and his army went and camped at “Fear Springs”. Somehow that seems appropriate. This was the place where the Lord would remove all fear in a very unusual way. He began to reduce the size of the army.

“The Lord said, “Gideon, your army is too big. I can’t let you win with this many soldiers. The Israelites would think that they had won the battle all by themselves and that I didn’t have anything to do with it.” Judges 7:2 CEV

Everyone who was afraid to fight was told to go home. Twenty-two thousand, two-thirds of the soldiers, went home. The Lord told Gideon you still have too many men. Take them to the Spring to drink. Separate the men into two groups – those who lay down to drink from the spring and those who scoop the water up in their hands. Of the ten thousand who remained only 300 scooped up the water; Gideon sent the rest home.

“ Then Gideon gave these orders, ‘You 300 men stay here. The rest of you may go home, but leave your food and trumpets with us.’ Gideon’s army camp was on top of a hill overlooking the Midianite camp in the valley.” Judges 7:8 CEV

It wasn’t just the Midianites that Gideon was about to face.

“All the Midianites, Amalekites, and other eastern nations got together and crossed the Jordan River. Then they invaded the land of Israel and set up camp in Jezreel Valley.” Judges 6:33 CEV

Gideon is left with 300 men and God’s promise to be with them to fight the armies of these nations. Before the physical battle, they first had to win the mental and emotional battle. They had to conquer the battle at “Fear Springs”.

We face that same battle. Tomorrow we’ll cover the physical battle and the victory but today I encourage you to face “Fear Springs” and let the Lord show you how you can trust Him in the face of overwhelming odds.

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Hang In There

I hope you took time to go to Judges, chapters 6 through 8 and read about Gideon’s conversation with the Lord. It’s a great story of God’s patience and provision.

“Then the Lord himself said, “Gideon, you will be strong, because I am giving you the power to rescue Israel from the Midianites.”

15 Gideon replied, “But how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest one in Manasseh, and everyone else in my family is more important than I am.”

16 “Gideon,” the Lord answered, “you can rescue Israel because I am going to help you! Defeating the Midianites will be as easy as beating up one man.” Judges 6:14-16 CEV

This morning it’s not about writing a thought that will inspire or encourage; it’s about DOING what we have already been taught. We should never stop learning, never stop receiving good teaching but it’s imperative that we LIVE what we hear.

“17 Everything good comes from God. Every perfect gift is from him. These good gifts come down from the Father who made all the lights in the sky. But God never changes like the shadows from those lights. He is always the same. 18 God decided to give us life through the true message he sent to us. He wanted us to be the most important of all that he created.

19 My dear brothers and sisters, always be more willing to listen than to speak. Keep control of your anger. 20 Anger does not help you live the way God wants. 21 So get rid of everything evil in your lives—every kind of wrong you do. Be humble and accept God’s teaching that is planted in your hearts. This teaching can save you.

22 Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves. 23 Hearing God’s teaching and doing nothing is like looking at your face in the mirror 24 and doing nothing about what you saw. You go away and immediately forget how bad you looked. 25 But when you look into God’s perfect law that sets people free, pay attention to it. If you do what it says, you will have God’s blessing. Never just listen to his teaching and forget what you heard.” James 1:17-25 ERV

The Lord who spoke to Gideon is the same Lord who speaks to us. He hasn’t and doesn’t change. He took Gideon, the least important man in his community, and used him to bring deliverance to his nation.

When the Lord speaks into our lives He backs His word with His presence. He doesn’t participate in idle conversation. His word has power, and He invests that power in us. Even when we are timid like Gideon, we have God’s promise.

Hang in there and watch the Father bring His word to pass.

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Break Every Chain

I just read and heard a young woman’s prayer at her high school graduation. It was a prayer of power for her fellow students, faculty, parents and friends.

It was a prayer of power for their futures, breaking addiction, depression, oppression, and setting them on a path of knowing God deeply and walking in His presence. It is a prayer that I said a heartfelt AMEN to, praying those words with her over my family, friends and co-workers.

It was the words of Jesus, words that are filled with truth and power. Words that bring about that change we were talking about yesterday.

Jesus knew the power of God’s word. He returned the from desert where He had been tempted by Satan. Satan tempted Him with power, possessions and position. Jesus answered every temptation with “It is written”.

“ Jesus traveled to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. On the Sabbath day he went to the synagogue as he always did. He stood up to read. 17 The book of Isaiah the prophet was given to him. He opened the book and found the place where this is written:

18 ‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor.
He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again.
He sent me to free those who have been treated badly 19 and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness.‘

20 Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the helper, and sat down. As everyone in the synagogue watched him closely, 21 he began to speak to them. He said, “While you heard me reading these words just now, they were coming true!” Luke 4:16-21 ERV

Jesus brought that same power that He had used to defeat Satan to the people in the synagogue. “While you heard me reading these words just now, they were coming true”!

While you read these words, this very minute, they are coming true for you! Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. The words He spoke to them, He also speaks over us. The freedom and the power that infused the word of God then is the same for today.

“So if the Son makes you free, you are really free.” John 8:36 ERV

“God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Colossians 1:13 ERV

There’s a song that is filling my heart as I finish this writing. It is my prayer for you. “I Speak Jesus”

“I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus

I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
‘Til every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus

‘Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire”

I tell you today that Jesus paid the price and broke the chains that imprisoned you!

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What Happened in Hell?

After the crucifixion the world thought that Jesus was dead and no longer a threat but they were so wrong.

Jesus went to hell and defeated satan and his demons. When He rose from the tomb He emerged as the Champion of Champions.

“God lives fully in Christ. 10 And you are fully grown because you belong to Christ, who is over every power and authority. 11 Christ has also taken away your selfish desires, just as circumcision removes flesh from the body. 12 And when you were baptized, it was the same as being buried with Christ. Then you were raised to life because you had faith in the power of God, who raised Christ from death. 13 You were dead, because you were sinful and were not God’s people. But God let Christ make you alive, when he forgave all our sins.

14 God wiped out the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross. 15 There Christ defeated all powers and forces. He let the whole world see them being led away as prisoners when he celebrated his victory.” Colossians 2:9-15

Here’s a brief recap of the above.

All the fullness of God lives in Christ and since we are in Christ all God’s fullness lives in us. All of His power, faith, love and righteousness are ours – we need to renew our minds to what God has done for us!

By Christ’s death and resurrection, we have been raised to new life and our old sinful nature has been circumcised – it has been cut away. All of our sins have been forgiven and we have been made alive in God – a new creature, a whole new species of being.

God the Father wiped out all the charges of sin that were against us when He nailed them to the cross and they were blotted out by Jesus’ blood! I like to think of it as this – He crashed the hard drive, and all the evidence of our sin was lost forever!!!

Jesus defeated all the forces of hell, and He led them through the streets of the spirit realm, striped of power. The picture painted here is of a Roman ruler parading a defeated monarch through the streets of his capital city, naked. He did this to prove to the monarch’s subjects that their king had been defeated completely, humiliated and unable to control what was forced upon him. This is what Jesus did to Satan when he was placed in the tomb. He marched into hell; gather up Satan and paraded him through all the streets of hell – naked – striped of the keys of death, hell and the grave – striped of all his power – to prove that Jesus is Lord!

Oh my goodness, if you’re not shouting by now – you’re in need of resuscitation!

Sing it with me – He is Lord, He is Lord, He is risen from the dead and He is Lord! Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

He did this for you and me. He didn’t have to come to earth to have power over Satan, He had it from the beginning. But He came to die and in death defeat Satan for us – we were the ones under his rule. What He did in hell, He did as our substitute, and he defeated the devil and sin on our behalf so that we could have the fullness of the Father operating in our lives!

Glory Hallelujah!!!

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