Tag: AlwaysTriumph

Posted on

Steadfast & Immovable

I’m sure you’ve had those moments when something pops into your mind and you say to yourself, “Gosh, I haven’t thought about that in a long time”. This morning is one of those moments for me.

I was praying over friends and family this morning and I began to pray these words. “Lord, let them be steadfast and immovable. A solid representation of Your love. Not moved by the world’s opinions but standing firm on Your infallible word”.

It was then a flood of Scriptures came rolling in. Verses I had committed to my heart years ago, verses that have been my life-line both physically, emotionally, and spiritually for many years.

Today, I liked to share them with you. Verses of victory and strength.

“But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” I Corinthians 15:57-58 NLT

Steadfast and immovable. Steadfast: resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering

“If you live to satisfy your sinful self, the harvest you will get from that will be eternal death. But if you live to please the Spirit, your harvest from the Spirit will be eternal life. 9 We must not get tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up. 10 When we have the opportunity to do good to anyone, we should do it…”Galatians 6:8-10 ERV

Don’t grow weary in well doing.

“ 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.” Ephesians 6:10-13 ERV

When you’ve done all to stand, STAND.

“ Can anything separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble or problems or persecution separate us from his love? If we have no food or clothes or face danger or even death, will that separate us from his love? 36 As the Scriptures say,

‘For you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.’

37 But in all these troubles we have complete victory through God, who has shown his love for us. 38-39 Yes, I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not death, life, angels, or ruling spirits. I am sure that nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers, nothing above us or nothing below us—nothing in the whole created world—will ever be able to separate us from the love God has shown us in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39 ERV

Complete victory: more than a conqueror.

“We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow.4 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 5:3-5 CEV

Overcome the world.

My dear friend, your struggle is not too great for God. His word is the solid rock foundation to build our lives on. Built on His word we can be and will be steadfast and immovable in the storms and we will stand!

Posted on

When Things Go Wrong

I was reading some of my favorite verses this morning and the thought came to me, what do we do when things go wrong?

And they do, you know…

A flat tire, a broken washing machine, an explosion in the kitchen – these are the simple things but what about the bigger messes? Cutbacks at work, downsizing, illness, divorce, fire, hurricanes, political upheaval, what do we do then.

“ Don’t worry about anything, but pray about everything. With thankful hearts offer up your prayers and requests to God. 7 Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

8 Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper. Don’t ever stop thinking about what is truly worthwhile and worthy of praise. 9 You know the teachings I gave you, and you know what you heard me say and saw me do. So follow my example. And God, who gives peace, will be with you.

10 The Lord has made me very grateful that at last you have thought about me once again. Actually, you were thinking about me all along, but you didn’t have any chance to show it. 11 I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have. 12 I know what it is to be poor or to have plenty, and I have lived under all kinds of conditions. I know what it means to be full or to be hungry, to have too much or too little. 13 Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:6-13 CEV

Paul was a man who knew what it was to have things go wrong.

He was thrown into prison more than once, run out of towns for preaching. Once he was stoned and left for dead. He was shipwrecked, snake bit, hungry, left afloat in the sea and he spent his final days under house arrest, not being able to travel to visit the saints he loved.

Yet, his letters were filled with encouragement for them and for us. He showed us how to live a life of faithfulness, trusting God in every situation!

I love verse 9. “Follow my example and God will give you peace”.

Peace? Peace!

And how do we achieve this? By praying about everything, worrying about nothing, and thinking on the goodness of God. Whatever is true, honest, pure, right, kind and holy. In others words having our minds stayed or anchored to God.

“God, you give true peace to people who depend on you, to those who trust in you.” Isaiah 26:3 ERV

In the middle of the mess, we can trust. When the waves are ready to swamp our boats, we can trust. When we’re in the lions’ den or facing the giants, we can trust!

“Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” Philippians 4:13 CEV

No matter where, no matter what, no matter how big the mess, Christ promises us the strength we need to go through it in victory.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 CEV

And we will be a sweet-smelling testimony to God’s goodness and faithfulness!

Posted on

Free Indeed

Happy 4th of July to everyone!

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

On this day of independence, it’s important to remember that we are truly free through our relationship with Jesus Christ. We are no longer held captive or enslaved by sin and/or the devil because the Son, Jesus Christ, broke the chains of bondage and set us free! Hallelujah!

Our nation was founded by men and women who were seeking a better way of life; an opportunity to achieve life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. They trusted in God’s leading and direction in the founding of this nation.

We are blessed with a great heritage of those who have fought for our freedom and with founding fathers who established our nation using the Bible as the base and foundation of our governing laws.

Many things have changed since the founding of our nation but one thing that has not changed is God is still and forever will be, Lord God Almighty who rules and reigns in mercy, truth and justice!

We can trust Him and Him alone! He is our hope, He is our peace, He is our joy, the Everlasting God!

“Don’t be afraid. I am with you. Don’t tremble with fear. I am your God. I will make you strong, as I protect you with my arm and give you victories” Isaiah 41:10 CEV

Keep your hearts free from fear. When God reigns He brings peace and with Him is ultimate victory.

Posted on

Don’t Be Discouraged!

I realized yesterday when I talked about hardships that some of those reading this blog may be discouraged by that thought. So, let’s continue on.

As I pointed out the Apostle Paul had many opportunities to become discouraged because his hardships were many. However, he never accepted defeat. Instead of going from battle to battle, he went from victory to victory. He had his mind set, like concrete, in the truth of God’s word.

“Do not act like the sinful people of the world. Let God change your life. First of all, let Him give you a new mind. Then you will know what God wants you to do. And the things you do will be good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLV

When we come to Christ and begin to study God’s word there is a transformation that begins to take place in our minds. Instead of seeing limitations we see God’s intervention and His power.

“ It is true, we live in a body of flesh. But we do not fight like people of the world. 4 We do not use those things to fight with that the world uses. We use the things God gives to fight with and they have power. Those things God gives to fight with destroy the strong-places of the devil. 5 We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ.” II Corinthians 10:3-5 NLV

The people Paul was writing to were used to seeing soldiers invading their lands; fighting men ready to conquer a weaker or diminished force. He pointed out that ours was a different kind of battle. Ours is a battle of faith – trusting and believing God to do what He has promised. Breaking down every thought that tries to diminish the power of God in our lives.

“This is the last thing I want to say: Be strong with the Lord’s strength. 11 Put on the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will not fall into the traps of the devil. 12 Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens. 13 Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing.” Ephesians 6:10-13 NLV

Still standing! Going from victory to victory.

“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

“But we thank God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!” I Corinthians 15:57 ERV

Hardships, yes. Victory? Absolutely, through Christ we always triumph!

Posted on

Take Action!

Last night was one of those nights of very little sleep and a lot of prayer. Over and over in my prayer I voiced, “Lord, I trust You”. And the truth of that is, I do trust the Lord; I trust Him for my health, my peace, my children, my decisions, my rest and my words.

So, when I picked up my Bible to read, I was not surprised that this was the next Psalm in my reading.

“Praise the Lord and pray in his name! Tell everyone what he has done. 2 Sing praises to the Lord! Tell about his miracles. 3 Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart. 4 Trust the Lord and his mighty power. 5 Remember his miracles and all his wonders and his fair decisions. 6 You belong to the family of Abraham, his servant; you are his chosen ones, the descendants of Jacob. 7 The Lord is our God, bringing justice everywhere on earth. 8 He will never forget his agreement or his promises, not in thousands of years.” Psalm 105:1-8 CEV

It’s a call to action!

Praise, pray, tell, sing, celebrate, worship, trust, remember. All are actions on our part but there’s also action on God’s part – He will never forget his agreement or his promises. God will never forget, nor will He break His word or alter it.

“God is no mere human! He doesn’t tell lies or change his mind. God always keeps his promises.” Numbers 23:19 CEV

As I started to write this, I was reminded of four men in the Bible who took action. Their story is recorded in II Kings chapter 7. They were 4 lepers, their country was under siege and the people were starving. Because they were lepers they had to live outside the city’s gates.

” …They said to each other, ‘Why should we sit here, waiting to die? 4 There’s nothing to eat in the city, so we would starve if we went inside. But if we stay out here, we will die for sure. Let’s sneak over to the Syrian army camp and surrender. They might kill us, but they might not.'” II Kings 7:3-4 CEV

“When the four men with leprosy reached the edge of the Syrian camp, no one was there. They walked into one of the tents, where they ate and drank, before carrying off clothes, as well as silver and gold. They hid all this, then walked into another tent; they took what they wanted and hid it too.

9 They said to each other, ‘This isn’t right. Today is a day to celebrate, and we haven’t told anyone else what has happened. If we wait until morning, we will be punished. Let’s go to the king’s palace at once and tell the good news.’” II Kings 7:7-9 CEV

Is there something that has caused you to be immobilized? Ask yourself the same question the lepers did, “should we sit here, waiting to die”.

Take action! Praise, pray, trust, remember, celebrate and then go tell what God has done!!

Posted on

Victory!

This afternoon millions of people are going to be glued to their televisions waiting for victory. Who will be declared the Super Bowl champion?

Of far greater importance is the billions of people around the world, throughout the generations, who have searched for and gained victory in life. I remember in 1982 when I realized that I was called to be victorious in this life.

“Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. 57 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 15:56-58 CEV

Victory!

Before that, I let the circumstances of life defeat me more times than I can count. Instead of going from victory to victory, I went from embattled defeat to classic failure. “But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!”

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary this is victory:

  1. the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist
  2. achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties

Victory is ours in Christ. Just look at these verses.

“Help us defeat our enemies! No one else can rescue us. 12 You will give us victory and crush our enemies.” Psalm 60:11-12 CEV

“I have a lot of enemies, Lord. Many fight against 2 me and say, ‘God won’t rescue you!’ 3 But you are my shield, and you give me victory and great honor.” Psalm 3:1-3 CEV

There have been times since 1982 when I have let my guard down and gone through defeat. Having walked through some pretty tough battles that I thought I could handle on my own – without His help or strength, I failed miserably. The defeats were crushing, I like victory better.

“ 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—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:37-39 CEV

“We show our love for God by obeying his commandments, and they are not hard to follow. 4 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 5:3-5 CEV

The players on the field today have trained hard. They’ve done the drills, they’ve been committed to training, they’ve been disciplined, and they know the play book. God has given us a play book and it’s not hard to follow.

The captain of our team knows all the winning plays and leads us to victory.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 ERV

Today I will sign off the same way I sign most of my letters, Victorious in Him! Because of Christ we are victorious, let’s celebrate the victory!

Posted on

Be An Influencer

Yesterday afternoon Dave and I were watching one of our favorite YouTube channels; they are full time RVers and they were at the Tampa RV show. As they were going from one new model to the next, they introduced a man who was with them as an “RV Influencer”. That is such a strange term however, the concept of an influencer is as old as man.

The first real influencer appeared in the Garden of Eden and was so convincing that Eve, was not only tempted, but influenced to eat the fruit that God had forbidden.

As I sit here this morning, I have been mulling over what it would take for us to be influencers. Influencers for good and not evil. Is that possible for someone like me and you? Or is that only for the rich and famous?

“We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. 4 God made great and marvelous promises, so his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” II Peter 1:3-4 CEV

Jesus knew it was possible and gave us a directive to follow.

“Go and make followers of all the nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to do all the things I have told you. And I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Matthew 28:19-20 NLV

Since the world hasn’t ended, Christ’s command is still valid.

In yesterday’s verses we saw the thing Jesus wanted his disciples to convey to the world was a “new commandment”, that they love one another. This is what He wanted them to teach the world.

Jesus is our living example of an influencer of love:

  • Let the little children come to Me. When you show kindness to one of these, you’ve done it to me.
  • He touched the leper
  • He ate and drank with the common people
  • He healed the sick and raised the dead
  • He made an impetuous man like Peter one of his disciples
  • He fed the hungry with 5 loaves and 2 fish

Paul, who had been a harasser of Christians, became one of their greatest teachers.

“My dear friends, remember what you were when God chose you. The people of this world didn’t think that many of you were wise. Only a few of you were in places of power, and not many of you came from important families. 27 But God chose the foolish things of this world to put the wise to shame. He chose the weak things of this world to put the powerful to shame. 28 What the world thinks is worthless, useless, and nothing at all is what God has used to destroy what the world considers important.” I Corinthians 1:26-28 CEV

We should make it our goal to be an influencer of love and forgiveness. Be gracious in how we treat others. If we touch just one person’s life today with the love of God and they touch one person’s life tomorrow, we will be making an impact that will change the world!

Posted on

Loss, Love & Triumph

Have you ever lost contact with someone you love? Maybe one of you moved and circumstances changed; maybe it was more permanent than that and death is the cause of separation. If that’s the case, then maybe you can understand the story of Joshua.

Joshua lived in Egypt and he was one of the many that Moses delivered from pharaoh’s control. He and Caleb were two of the twelve spies that saw how luscious and productive the land of Israel was; he gave a good report that the others chose to ignore. He became Moses’ assistant and served God with his whole heart. Now Moses had died and the responsibility for taking the Israelites into this new land was his.

“…The Lord said: 2 My servant Moses is dead. Now you must lead Israel across the Jordan River into the land I’m giving to all of you. 3  Wherever you go, I’ll give you that land, as I promised Moses…5  Joshua, I will always be with you and help you as I helped Moses, and no one will ever be able to defeat you.

6-8  Long ago I promised the ancestors of Israel that I would give this land to their descendants. So be strong and brave! Be careful to do everything my servant Moses taught you. Never stop reading The Book of the Law he gave you. Day and night you must think about what it says. If you obey it completely, you and Israel will be able to take this land. 9 I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-9 CEV

For forty years Joshua had seen God’s mighty miracles; for the same time, he had seen the stubbornness of the people. He had stood by Moses, learned from him and now he was on his own to lead. I imagine his sense of loss was almost too much to bear.

But God!

God knew Joshua was in need of encouragement. God knew His plans for Joshua’s future and He knows His plans for us.

“I will bless you with a future filled with hope—a future of success, not of suffering.” Jeremiah 29:11 CEV

In a few, power-packed verses, God establishes Joshua’s leadership and declares his victory.

  • I will always be with you
  • I will help you
  • No one will defeat you
  • Be strong. Be Brave
  • Obey My Word
  • Be strong. Be Brave
  • Don’t be discouraged or afraid
  • I will be there to help you

Notice the Lord repeated Himself. He was making a point to Joshua and to us.

“ 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

Can you hear God saying to you “be strong, be brave – God, in Christ always leads us to victory”? Sure, there are battles but we will be victorious.

God promised to always be with Joshua and He has made the same promise to us.

“ 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 8:37-38a CEV

Maybe you’ve experienced the loss of someone you loved and depended upon, just like Joshua. Your heavenly Father is there – in your loss to encourage you with His love and lead you to victory!

Posted on

Confident Love

There’s a confidence that comes when we know we are loved. We can open up and share our heart’s desires and our fears, knowing we are in a safe place, a place of free from ridicule and ambivalence.

That’s what God, our Father, wants for each of us.

Old time religion seemed to be more based in fear than in love. Christianity isn’t about religion, it’s relationship! Once I began to see how much God loved me and how He desired a relationship with me, more that I was desiring one with Him, I became God-fident!

I am confident in the One who loves me. Confident that His correction is based on love and not malice. Confident that He will never leave me. Confident that He wants me coming to Him whenever I feel weak and uncertain. God-fident in His unconditional love.

“You can be sure that the Lord will protect you from harm.” Proverbs 3:26 ERV

David, the shepherd boy, was confident in God’s love and protection.

“ Everybody here will see that the Lord doesn’t need swords or spears to save his people. The Lord always wins his battles, and he will help us defeat you.” I Samuel 17:47 ERV

“ I want them to be strengthened and joined together with love and to have the full confidence that comes from understanding. I want them to know completely the secret truth that God has made known. That truth is Christ himself. 3 In him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are kept safe.” Colossians 2:2-3 ERV

“ So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can stand against us. And God is with us. 32 He even let his own Son suffer for us. God gave his Son for all of us. So now with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.” Romans 8:31-32 ERV

The last two verses were written by Paul and were part of his instructions to the new followers of Christ in Colossae and Rome. The basis of his teachings were to get new believers on a firm foundation in their walk with Christ. He wanted them to be God-fident. His teachings will do the same for us.

My last verses today are some I have held confidently in my heart for over 40 years now. I used to pray, wondering if God was even listening. Did He hear my prayers, would He answer them? Then I read these verses and committed them to memory.

“My purpose in writing is simply this: that you who believe in God’s Son will know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have eternal life, the reality and not the illusion. And how bold and free we then become in his presence, freely asking according to his will, sure that he’s listening. And if we’re confident that he’s listening, we know that what we’ve asked for is as good as ours.” I John 5:13-15 MSG

There’s a misconception that we can’t know what God’s will is. That would be so unfair of God to leave us in a constant state of unknowing. How can we be confident like that?

“9 But as the Scriptures say, ‘No one has ever seen, no one has ever heard, no one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.’ 10 But God has shown us these things through the Spirit.” I Corinthians 2:9-10 ERV

We have God’s word. He does not change. When we see a promise of God in the Bible we can have confidence that He will keep His word when we pray. And if we don’t know what we should be praying for we can ask Him to show us and He will. He will lead us with peace, directed by His word.

We will become God-fident, confident in His love!

Posted on

Make Love the Last Resort

I don’t know who you are and I really don’t expect that you will admit this openly but someone said, just last night, “I have come to the end of my rope and I don’t know what I’m going to do now.”

Been there – said that! And so have many others. God’s love has a way of reaching people who feel they have no place else to turn; they are at their last resort.

There was the professional fisherman who couldn’t manage the storm at sea.

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. 38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” Mark 4:37-38 KJV

Then there was a woman who spent every thing she had on doctor’s and only got worse.

“And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.” Mark 5:26-27 KJV

What about the military leader whose servant was very ill?

“And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, 6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.” Matthew 8:5-6 KJV

Or the leper whose body was being eaten away?

“And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean.” Matthew 8:2 KJV

We can’t forget the rich tax collector who had everything but friends and peace.

“And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way.” Luke 19:3-4 KJV

I want you to notice that in every situation Jesus met the need of those who came to him. He didn’t lecture them and say “what took you so long”. Nor did he get offended that they had tried everything else and he was their last resort. Jesus met them where they were and took control over the situation.

He’s still that way today. Jesus isn’t a dictatorial tyrant that comes in demanding allegiance and forcibly takes control; no, he waits for us to come and ask and then He moves with love and compassion to change the circumstances.

Even King David had times that he came to the end of his rope.

“I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place. The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” Psalm 118:5-6 KJV

I’m not sure who you are or what you’re going through but I do know if you’ll call out to the Lord he’ll be there and he’ll take you through to victory.

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress