For every child of God defeats this evil world by trusting Christ to give the victory...1 John 5:4 (NLT)
Growing up, one of my favorite shows to watch was ABC Sports. I can still remember the opening line — “The thrill of victory or the agony of defeat!” One of the greatest prophets of the Bible, Elijah, experienced his share of victories — but he also knew that sudden feeling of defeat. If you recall, Elijah was on Mount Carmel, the only prophet of God standing against four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. (2 Kings 18) When it was all said and done, Elijah was absolutely victorious! But wouldn’t you know that in the next chapter, we find Elijah under a juniper tree saying — “Lord take my life!” (2 Kings 19:4). He had the victory, but was feeling the agony of defeat.
We’re so quick to forget the victories that the Lord has given us, aren’t we? There are countless examples of great men of God who struggled this way. If they can go from victory to defeat so easily, how much more are we susceptible to the same attacks of the enemy? We must remember that this is precisely what they are — attacks of the enemy upon our lives — attempting to draw our attention away from all that God has done.
If you are finding yourself in the midst of a valley — try focusing on the victories the Lord has already displayed in your life. And more importantly, focus on the power of victory you can walk with today!
Remember, "we've been made more than conquerors, overcomers in this life, we've been made victorious, thru the blood of Jesus Christ."
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Renew Our Trust!
Jesus responded, "Why are you afraid? You have so little faith!" Then he got up and rebuked the wind and waves, and suddenly there was a great calm. The disciples were amazed. "Who is this man?" they asked. "Even the winds and waves obey Him." Mt. 8:26-27 (NLT)
Wow! How do you think the disciples must have felt back then as they saw the waves crashing against their boat? They were being swayed from side to side in the deep dark sea. They were afraid for their lives! But our Lord was there all along. He just wanted them to trust.
So often we find ourselves in that same boat (pardon the pun), don’t we? “Lord, where are you?! "Are you there?" "Don’t you see these waves about to consume me?" "Do you care about me?"
But He does! He sees all, hears all, knows all. He is the same Lord that calmed that storm two thousand years ago and He can cause the winds and the seas, and the trials of our lives to become calm in an instant! But you know what this passage really points out? This is the hard and fearful part... it’s usually in the storms that He will display His awesome power!
Let’s renew our trust in the Lord today. God has great plans for those who will put their trust in Him.
Wow! How do you think the disciples must have felt back then as they saw the waves crashing against their boat? They were being swayed from side to side in the deep dark sea. They were afraid for their lives! But our Lord was there all along. He just wanted them to trust.
So often we find ourselves in that same boat (pardon the pun), don’t we? “Lord, where are you?! "Are you there?" "Don’t you see these waves about to consume me?" "Do you care about me?"
But He does! He sees all, hears all, knows all. He is the same Lord that calmed that storm two thousand years ago and He can cause the winds and the seas, and the trials of our lives to become calm in an instant! But you know what this passage really points out? This is the hard and fearful part... it’s usually in the storms that He will display His awesome power!
Let’s renew our trust in the Lord today. God has great plans for those who will put their trust in Him.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
New Levels of Faith!
"After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned again to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch of Pisidia, where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that they must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations" Acts 14:21-22 (NLT)
I don’t know about you, but it seems that the tests we’re going through are getting harder and harder. Do you remember when you took tests in high school? At the time they may have seemed hard. But imagine if you had to take an elementary school test when you were in high school. You’d probably think – oh this is so simple.
So if it seems that the testing of your faith is more intense – it simply means that you’re graduating to new levels of faith! Our faith is being tested, and as we pass each “faith” test, we’re finding different means of being tested. I suppose in a few years, we’ll look back and think to ourselves – wow that was a hard test, but now it doesn’t look so difficult!
Look back on how you prepared for exams--you probably studied (hopefully), you had your parents quiz you, and you might have had a group to prepare with. I wonder what would happen with our faith tests, if we would use the same methodology for those tests? How about if we study the Scriptures? or use someone that has gone thru the tests to bounce the questions off of, or why not get a group of trusted Christians and discuss together? This might make us a little more prepared for the test and we might not feel so alone when going thru the tests.
If you’re going through a tough time right now, be encouraged because it simply means that God is graduating you to new levels of faith! The harder the tests, the greater difficulty – the greater the reward, an increased blessing awaits you! Stay focused, stay alert and remember that God is trying to stretch your faith so that you can accomplish even more for His Kingdom!
I don’t know about you, but it seems that the tests we’re going through are getting harder and harder. Do you remember when you took tests in high school? At the time they may have seemed hard. But imagine if you had to take an elementary school test when you were in high school. You’d probably think – oh this is so simple.
So if it seems that the testing of your faith is more intense – it simply means that you’re graduating to new levels of faith! Our faith is being tested, and as we pass each “faith” test, we’re finding different means of being tested. I suppose in a few years, we’ll look back and think to ourselves – wow that was a hard test, but now it doesn’t look so difficult!
Look back on how you prepared for exams--you probably studied (hopefully), you had your parents quiz you, and you might have had a group to prepare with. I wonder what would happen with our faith tests, if we would use the same methodology for those tests? How about if we study the Scriptures? or use someone that has gone thru the tests to bounce the questions off of, or why not get a group of trusted Christians and discuss together? This might make us a little more prepared for the test and we might not feel so alone when going thru the tests.
If you’re going through a tough time right now, be encouraged because it simply means that God is graduating you to new levels of faith! The harder the tests, the greater difficulty – the greater the reward, an increased blessing awaits you! Stay focused, stay alert and remember that God is trying to stretch your faith so that you can accomplish even more for His Kingdom!
Friday, March 13, 2009
The Road to Success!
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 (NLT)
How do we avoid rough spots? One of the big problems we create for ourselves is when we attempt to plan God around our lives instead of planning our lives around God. So how do we avoid the rough spots and not get off the wrong road? Guidance. We need guidance. I read an article that said "if we do not have guidance, then it is probably withheld because of one of two reasons: we are untrained or we are unwilling". Guidance just doesn't happen, it's a result of steering oneself in the right way. A radio just doesn't receive a transmission on its own. You have to turn the dial to the nearest frequency and receive the station. I have often prayed, "God, bless my plan" when I ought to be praying "God, what is the plan?" His plan is already blessed. Guidance comes as a result of our fellowship with God. As we spend time with the Lord, His peace is ever present in our hearts, putting us in a position to hear His voice. As we travel the road of life, we will encounter rought spots.
One writer put it this way.....the road to success is not straight. There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, red lights called enemies, caution lights called family. We will have flats called jobs. But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverence, insurance called faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called success.
How do we avoid rough spots? One of the big problems we create for ourselves is when we attempt to plan God around our lives instead of planning our lives around God. So how do we avoid the rough spots and not get off the wrong road? Guidance. We need guidance. I read an article that said "if we do not have guidance, then it is probably withheld because of one of two reasons: we are untrained or we are unwilling". Guidance just doesn't happen, it's a result of steering oneself in the right way. A radio just doesn't receive a transmission on its own. You have to turn the dial to the nearest frequency and receive the station. I have often prayed, "God, bless my plan" when I ought to be praying "God, what is the plan?" His plan is already blessed. Guidance comes as a result of our fellowship with God. As we spend time with the Lord, His peace is ever present in our hearts, putting us in a position to hear His voice. As we travel the road of life, we will encounter rought spots.
One writer put it this way.....the road to success is not straight. There is a curve called failure, a loop called confusion, speed bumps called friends, red lights called enemies, caution lights called family. We will have flats called jobs. But, if you have a spare called determination, an engine called perseverence, insurance called faith, a driver called Jesus, you will make it to a place called success.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Who do you resemble?
"...called according to his purpose...to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:28b-29
I am sure this has happened in your family, but there are times when friends see a picture of my family, they will say, "you look like your dad". Others might say, "well, you're the image of your mother".
I always get a laugh out of that... but even funnier, sometimes I get told by my husband that I act like my mother. I observe my sister, and she reminds me a lot of our mother. There is always a family resemblance one way or another.
Consider Jesus for a moment now. When Jesus was born, he took on the form of a man. He looked like ordinary man, so to speak. And we get to see God in the flesh, acting the way we ought to act.
So when God tells me in His word that He has a purpose for me - to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, there should be a family resemblance. To look like Jesus, I have to act like He would. That comes from hanging around Him, studying His character in the Word and imitating Him.
And when I look like Jesus, others will see Jesus in me. Isn't that our real purpose? To act in such a way, that others see Jesus in us? Let's look like our "Daddy--Abba, Father"!
I am sure this has happened in your family, but there are times when friends see a picture of my family, they will say, "you look like your dad". Others might say, "well, you're the image of your mother".
I always get a laugh out of that... but even funnier, sometimes I get told by my husband that I act like my mother. I observe my sister, and she reminds me a lot of our mother. There is always a family resemblance one way or another.
Consider Jesus for a moment now. When Jesus was born, he took on the form of a man. He looked like ordinary man, so to speak. And we get to see God in the flesh, acting the way we ought to act.
So when God tells me in His word that He has a purpose for me - to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, there should be a family resemblance. To look like Jesus, I have to act like He would. That comes from hanging around Him, studying His character in the Word and imitating Him.
And when I look like Jesus, others will see Jesus in me. Isn't that our real purpose? To act in such a way, that others see Jesus in us? Let's look like our "Daddy--Abba, Father"!
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