Tag: VictoryInJesus

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Standing Strong

It seems the theme for the last days has been victory. I like that!

I like being declared the winner. I received two trophies in my life; one for most improved bowler when I was in my early 20’s and one for placing 1st at a speech tournament when I was in high school.

But in Christ, I have won!

I’ve been declared the winner, not because of my own talents or great efforts, but because I am on the winning side. My team captain has been called the Champion of Champions. He has defeated death, hell and the grave.

“When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He put his right hand on me and said, “Don’t be afraid! I am the First and the Last. 18 I am the one who lives. I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Revelation 1:17-18 ERV

“David did God’s will during the time he lived. Then he died and was buried like all his ancestors. And his body did rot in the grave! 37 But the one God raised from death did not rot in the grave. 38-39 Brothers, understand what we are telling you. You can have forgiveness of your sins through this Jesus. The Law of Moses could not free you from your sins. But you can be made right with God if you believe in Jesus.” Acts 13:36-39 ERV

I hope the verses I shared yesterday are filling you with hope and encouragement. We have been given this power that raised Jesus from the dead.

“ The Holy Spirit raised Jesus from the dead. If the same Holy Spirit lives in you, He will give life to your bodies in the same way.” Romans 8:11-13 NLV

Jesus, the one who spoke to storms, healed the lame, raised the dead and freely gave forgiveness to sinners, is the One who paid for our redemption. His death and resurrection gives us the ultimate victory.

I love this old hymn that was written in 1834.

The Solid Rock

“My hope is built on nothing less

Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness;

I dare not trust the sweetest frame,

But wholly lean on Jesus’ name.

Refrain:

On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;

All other ground is sinking sand,

All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness veils His lovely face,

I rest on His unchanging grace;

In every high and stormy gale,

My anchor holds within the veil.

His oath, His covenant, His blood

Support me in the whelming flood;

When all around my soul gives way,

He then is all my hope and stay.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,

Oh, may I then in Him be found;

Dressed in His righteousness alone,

Faultless to stand before the throne.”

I will not move off my stand on God’s Word! It is the foundation of my life and it has remained true through the ages.

” 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 did not fall, because it was built on solid rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 CEV

God’s Word has never failed and it never will! On Christ the solid rock I stand!!

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Victory in Jesus…

…because of the cross!

Yesterday, I ended the blog with this verse: ““The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].” John 10:10 AMP

That my friend is a life of victory!

As a Christian we aren’t promised a life void of conflict or battles, but we are promised to emerge from those battles just like David in his fight with Goliath; we are promised victory. Today, we are going to run our cups over with victory.

“ In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. 38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love…” Romans 8:37-38 CEV

“ 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! 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

“ Finally, let the mighty strength of the Lord make you strong. 11  Put on all the armor that God gives, so you can defend yourself against the devil’s tricks. 12 We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. 13 So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.” Ephesians 6:10-13 CEV

“ 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

Jesus said: “The time will come and is already here when all of you will be scattered. Each of you will go back home and leave me by myself. But the Father will be with me, and I won’t be alone. 33 I have told you this, so that you might have peace in your hearts because of me. While you are in the world, you will have to suffer. But cheer up! I have defeated the world.” John 16:32-33 CEV

“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

The words of the Bible are very plain. We have the victory in Christ Jesus! We have been given the power to stand in the presence of our enemies! They HAVE BEEN defeated by Christ when He hung on the cross.

O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

That old hymn means more to me today than when I was a child. My life has been filled with victory because of His blood! Oh, victory in Jesus!!

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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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Making Choices

The last few mornings I have had to make a choice that has delayed my blog. I have been getting out earlier for my morning walk because the temperatures in the desert have been increasing.

It was already in the mid-80’s when Dave and I walked out the door at 5:30. Yep. By the time we got back we were both a sweaty mess. Choices.

I know if we didn’t go out then it would be too hot later. There was something about turning 70 a couple weeks ago that told me I MUST be serious about my health for me and my family. It’s never easy but it’s beneficial.

“He will call upon Me, and I will answer him. I will be with him in trouble. I will take him out of trouble and honor him. 16 I will please him with a long life. And I will show him My saving power.” Psalm 91:15-16 NLV

Now, I don’t want you to think that I am some great fitness achiever – I’m not. In fact, I still have another 20+ pounds to lose before I will feel I have accomplished my weight goal but I am working toward it.

“Growing strong in body is all right but growing in God-like living is more important. It will not only help you in this life now but in the next life also. 9 These words are true and they can be trusted.” I Timothy 4:8-9 NLV

There you have it – a strong body and a strong spirit are both important. God has given us His word on it.

I know how hard it is to make good and healthy choices at any stage of life so I want to encourage you and I would appreciate your prayers too.

“This is why I have never stopped praying for you since I heard about you. I ask God that you may know what He wants you to do. I ask God to fill you with the wisdom and understanding the Holy Spirit gives. 10 Then your lives will please the Lord. You will do every kind of good work, and you will know more about God. 11 I pray that God’s great power will make you strong, and that you will have joy as you wait and do not give up.” Colossians 1:9-11 NLV

More words to live by…God’s great power makes us strong, don’t give up. That’s where my failure comes, giving up before reaching my goal. Maybe you experience that too. So, today Scripture becomes very practical to me.

Trust the Lord to lead you and give you His strength to reach your goal. We have victory in Jesus!

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One More Time!

Yesterday I shared some insights from the book of Joshua. It seemed appropriate to draw on that book again today.

Years ago, I was given a copy of the book, Victorious Christian Living by Alan Redpath. It was written in 1955, long before much was being said about victory in the lives of Christians. Redpath uses Joshua’s experiences to show us how God has designed for us to win. (I would encourage you to find a copy [ebay’s a good place] and read it.)

This morning I was reading about all the kings that came out to fight Joshua and the Israelites when the entered their Promised Land. Moses had led them in successful military campaigns before they crossed the Jordan River but Joshua was given the responsibility to lead the warriors as they defeated the many kings occupying the land.

“…The total number of kings was 31.” Joshua 12:24 ERV

Joshua went from battle to battle. Sometimes he was the aggressor but at other times four or five kings would form an alliance and come out to attack him and the Israelite army. Each time Joshua headed into battle the Lord would give him the same message.

“All these kings met together at the small river of Merom. They joined their armies together into one camp and made plans for the battle against Israel. 6 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Don’t be afraid of that army, because I will allow you to defeat them. By this time tomorrow, you will have killed them all.” Joshua 11:5-6 ERV

Don’t be afraid – one more time go out to battle; one more time I will give you the victory.

Joshua wasn’t the only one who faced repeated battles. Young David first fought Goliath and then he battled many enemy armies, including one his oldest son led against him. Jesus also faced many personal attacks. Satan came to him with three different temptations when Jesus was physically and emotionally weak. He had just completed a 40 day fast when Satan tempted him with food, with proving his deity and with world-wide acclaim.

“Jesus said to him, “Get away from me, Satan! The Scriptures say, ‘You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only him!’ 11 So the devil left him. Then some angels came to Jesus and helped him.” Matthew 4:10-11 ERV

Joshua and David won great victories because they trusted God’s word. Jesus was victorious over the temptations of the devil because He placed His trust in God’s word.

The Christian life isn’t void of trials or attacks but like Joshua and even more, like Jesus we can go from victory to victory when we put our trust and confidence in the promises of God.

“But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, stand strong. Don’t let anything change you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord. You know that your work in the Lord is never wasted.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 ERV

I just had the feeling that some of you woke up this morning with a battle ahead of you. The Lord wanted me to remind you, you’re not in this alone. “Be not afraid, send the devil running. Our victory comes from the Lord”. You’ve got this – He’s got this!

Trust Him – one more time!

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Shout of Victory

Today there will be lots of shouts for the winner at the racetrack.

…a little late with this morning’s blog. Kim and Austin came to spend most of the weekend with us and we set up there air bed in the living room area, i.e., my writing room while we are in the 5th wheel. Didn’t want to wake them at 4 am so waited until breakfast was over to put this out.

There shouldn’t just be shouts of victory from the racetrack, you and I should start our day with victory chants – praise because we made it through the events of yesterday and cheers because we are going to be blessed with many more victories, large and small, today.

Every day is an opportunity for the Father to show His love and kindness on our behalf. It’s also an opportunity to share His love with those around us.

“All of you nations, clap your hands and shout joyful praises to God. 2 The Lord Most High is fearsome, the ruler of all the earth. 3 God has put every nation under our power, 4 and he chose for us the land  that was the pride of Jacob, his favorite. 5 God goes up to his throne,
as people shout and trumpets blast.” Psalm 47:1-5 CEV

“SHOUT joyful praise” because “God goes up to his throne, as people shout and trumpets blast”. When we shout with a voice of triumph the unseen world recognizes that our Father, our God, is our source of victory!

Find a reason to shout – for today is your day of victory!

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Basic Training

Over the past several weeks I have shared with you teachings on who we are in Christ. The lessons we learn are like a spiritual “boot camp”.

“You have often heard me teach. Now I want you to tell these same things to followers who can be trusted to tell others. 3 As a good soldier of Christ Jesus you must endure your share of suffering. 4 A soldier wants to please his commanding officer, so he does not spend any time on activities that are not a part of his duty.” II Timothy 2:2-4 CEV

There are two major characteristics of a good soldier, discipline and obedience. The skills of marksmanship, navigation, physical endurance, and technical savvy can all be learned but without discipline and obedience those skills will fail.

A good soldier learns to follow orders as soon as they get to boot camp. This is the foundation for all their other training. A soldier must be willing to listen and obey or they could lose their life or the lives of their squadron.

Life for a recruit centers on discipline. They are told when to get up and go to bed, when to eat and what to eat, when to run and how far. It is a time of training. The orders are just that, they aren’t suggestions, recommendations, or choices. This is training!

Jesus was approached by a Roman officer, a soldier, who asked for his servant be healed. This story is an example for us to follow.

“When Jesus was going into the town of Capernaum, an army officer came up to him and said, 6 ‘Lord, my servant is at home in such terrible pain that he can’t even move.’

7 ‘I will go and heal him,’ Jesus replied.

8 But the officer said, ‘Lord, I’m not good enough for you to come into my house. Just give the order, and my servant will get well. 9 I have officers who give orders to me, and I have soldiers who take orders from me. I can say to one of them, ‘Go!’ and he goes. I can say to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes. I can say to my servant, ‘Do this!’ and he will do it.’

10 When Jesus heard this, he was so surprised…13 Then Jesus said to the officer, ‘You may go home now. Your faith has made it happen.’ Right then his servant was healed.” Matthew 8:5-13 CEV

Jesus was amazed by this officer’s understanding of orders. He recognized that Jesus had authority over sickness and all He needed to do was speak the command and it would be done. This Roman captain of the guard had complete faith in the authority of a directive issued by the Son of God.

We have a book filled with the “words of God”. The Bible was written for our benefit. It provides us with all we need to thoroughly furnished for every good work. (IITimothy 3:17)

Good soldiers obey the words spoken by their commanding officer. We should obediently follow the words Jesus has given us to live by.

“You have words that give life that lasts forever. 69 We believe and know You are the Christ. You are the Son of the Living God.” John 6:68-69 NLV

The discipline and training we receive from God’s word are for our good.

“God always makes it possible for Christ to lead us to victory” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

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