Tag: victory

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Secure In Christ

Mighty Warrior

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based on the LGG Study, Secure in Christ/w6d4

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Ephesians 6:13-18

Because we are fighting a spiritual battle against the rulers and powers of darkness and spiritual forces of evil, Paul says for the second time, we must take up the full armor of God! Paul is not simply being redundant here – he is emphasizing the need for the armor. The battle may not be physical, but taking up the full armor of God requires deliberate action on our part. Standing firm…fastening on the belt of truth…putting on the breastplate of righteousness…fitting our feet with the Gospel of peace…taking up the shield of faith…extinguishing the flaming arrows of the evil one…taking the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit…praying…being alert…persevering…and petitioning God for specific needs are not passive actions. We cannot sit by doing nothing while the battles wage around us. If we want to be ready for any assault the enemy brings our way, then we must be engaged mentally, spiritually, and yes – even physically, so that we can stand firm

So, if it is a spiritual battle, why and how can we prepare physically? The first and crucial preparation is spending time with God in His Word. You see, God has equipped us with both the Spirit and His Word; through their power, we are strengthened for victory in every battle. That is why Peter wrote that we have everything we need to live a godly life.1 But friends, we must be invested in His Word, reading it, gaining wisdom for the battles, using it as a weapon to stand firm. We must hide it in our hearts, have it ready on our phones, or in our car to pull out and use as a sword against the enemy’s assaults. We must stay actively engaged in prayer and be devoted to it, as Paul wrote to the Colossians.2 This doesn’t mean we walk around with our eyes shut and our heads down, but that we pray with His promises and Word in mind, for nothing can stop the enemy quicker than the Word of God. We need to stay alert to the Spirit’s prompting3

 But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

John 14:26

Father, help us to stay alert, never forgetting that our enemy, the devil, prowls around, like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Help us to be on guard – to know Your truth and walk in Your ways. The breastplate of righteousness not only offers great protection, but it also identifies believers in the battle. So help us to put it on and wear it well. Help us to truly understand the message of the Gospel, and to be prepared to talk about its good news wherever we go. Help us take up the shield of faith, that we might be protected from the weapons of the enemy, even his fiery darts. May we be faithful to wear the helmet of salvation, not only for protection but for comfort and peace, since the mind is often the easiest and/or primary target. Your Word, o Lord, is a powerful weapon against the enemy (Matt 4:1-11)- train us well that we might use it well. – Thank You for not leaving us defenseless and for the privilege of wearing Your armor. – Amen and Amen!

The More We Know
  1. By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. 4 And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. 2 Peter 1:3-4 ↩︎
  2. Colossians 2:4 ↩︎
  3. John 14:26 ↩︎

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, For Such A Time As This, From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time

A Victorious God

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From the journal of the LGG Study, For Such A Time As This, p171

Read: Esther 7:9-10 and SOAP: Proverbs 26:27

If you set a trap for others,
    you will get caught in it yourself.
If you roll a boulder down on others,
    it will crush you instead.

Proverbs 26:27

It never gets old seeing God so visibly at work and/or seeing His Word played out in our own lives or on the pages of Scripture. What perfect correlation is seen in Haman hanging on the gallows he had built to hang Mordecai from, and the words of today’s Proverb: If you set a trap for others, you will get caught in it yourself. If you roll a boulder down on others, it will crush you instead.

As I read through today’s micro portion of Esther’s story, I found myself rejoicing when I read the words: “They hanged Haman on the very gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai.” However, I immediately felt bad for celebrating the demise of another person, but in searching my heart, I was reminded I wasn’t celebrating the death of a man but the victory of our God over the wicked enemy. As battles loom around or in us, what a blessing to know that our God is fighting for us. He goes before us, comes around, and behind us. Isaiah shared this message from God: “Do not be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you, I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.1“ We can rest assured, no matter the enemy or the battle, our God is with us and in perfect control. There is no enemy He cannot defeat nor battle He cannot win.

As today’s journal entry points out, when we look beyond the story of Haman’s demise, we will find a warning that we would be wise not to miss. Check it out below. (Note this entry is also available at lovegodgreatly.com)

Posted in Bible study, Devotion, From the Insideout, Journey Through The Word, LGG Study, Quiet Time, Triumphs over Trials

The Hope of Rescue

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based on the Love God Greatly Study, Triumph over Trials / w6d1

THE JOURNEY (SCRIPTURE AND OBSERVATION)

Scripture: 2 Peter 2:1-10 and SOAP: 2 Peter 2:9

—if so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from their trials, and to reserve the unrighteous for punishment at the day of judgment, 

2 Peter 2:9 NET

My commentary today is borrowed from bibleref.com, which I believe offers us a clear explanation of this important warning from Peter. The warning he gave is just as important today as it was in the early church – and should be taken seriously and not forgotten. I believe it should be talked about among believers and passed on to our children so that we are ready and alert to any false teachers among us. This is another reason to study God’s Word for ourselves, faithfully searching the Scriptures day after day and making an effort to hide it in our hearts.

And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Acts 17:11 NLT

In 2 Peter chapter 2, Peter describes and harshly condemns the false teachers who had entered the church. He promises their destruction, which will be brought by God. Peter also shows the impact of their lies on those who might believe them.

Who are these false teachers? They were not strangers who showed up spouting false doctrine in a full frontal attack against the community of Christians. Instead, they came from within the church. They were sneaky. They “secretly” introduced their destructive heresies, or “lies about the truth.”

In verse nine, Peter finally concludes his long “if” statement by arriving at the “then.” This is his conclusion.

The point of this lengthy statement has been this: God’s judgment is coming. The false teachers in the church will be condemned and destroyed. This is not a question of “if” God will repay, only “when.” If God condemned the rebellious angels and the world of Noah’s day and Sodom and Gomorrah, then He won’t hold back in condemning those rebelling against Him now.

But there’s more to the sentence: If God saved Noah and Lot, men He declared to be righteous, He will also save those He declares to be righteous now. God knows how to do both. He knows how to rescue His people, the ones He declares to be godly, from trials. And He knows how to hold those who are ungodly to be punished for their rebellion on the coming day of His judgment.

The message is clear. We may be tempted to look at the world and think that those who oppose God are winning. It may seem that standing with God costs more than it’s worth. We must never forget that God is still paying attention. Destruction will come, and so will salvation. The faithfulness we demonstrate today will be vindicated, one day.

LIVING THE JOURNEY (APPLICATION)

Search the Word daily

  • to familiarize yourself with it
  • to help you know when someone is teaching something other than the truth
  • and to keep you from falling into sin
  • trust that God is in perfect control and knows how to rescue His people
  • trust that He will one day punish the rebellion of the ungodly
QUESTION FOR THE JOURNEY

How does knowing that God rescued Noah and Lot from their societies reassure you in your current circumstances?

PRAYER FOR THE JOURNEY

Father, thank You for the reminder that You will rescue the godly from their trials! We live in an increasingly wicked world. We live among those who distort Your truth and seek to bring down Your people. Yet we have nothing to fear for You are in perfect control! You have not lost sight of the ungodly and You have not forgotten us who seek to follow after You -so we do not need to be discouraged or afraid for You are our God, You are always with us and You have promised to hold us up with Your victorious right hand and to one day punish the rebellion of the ungodly. We trust in You – in Your power and Your Word! Help us not to be lazy or idle in living out our faith in God, but always on the alert. Keep us faithful to study and live out Your Word, aware of Your presence and trusting in Your promises. – Amen in the mighty name of Jesus –

THE MORE WE KNOW

For further help understanding today’s passage, visit Bibleref.com/2 Peter chapter 2, where you will find a complete summary of the chapter and commentary on each verse.

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study, The Importance of Prayer

Pray Rejoicing In Hope

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Inspired by the – The Importance of Prayer, A LGG Bible Study- w3d1
Today’s Scripture: Romans 5:1-5; SOAP: 1-2

Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. 3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:1-5 NET

3 For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Romans 4:3

But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake, 24 but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. 25 He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification.

Romans 4:23-25

Is there anything more exciting than knowing we have been declared righteous by our faith? To truly understand the implication and the beauty of it, the unbelievable love behind it, and the truest meaning of God’s grace – it helps to read chapters 1-4 of Romans but specifically Romans 4:3, 23-25. I especially love verses 23-24, “But the statement it was credited to him was not written only for Abraham’s sake, but also for our sake, to whom it will be credited, those who believe in the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.” But in context with our study on prayer, what does it all mean? How does it affect the way we pray? And, how does it produce a HOPE in which we can rejoice?

Why Can We Pray Rejoicing in HOPE?

Because, to name a few reasons …

  • Christ was given over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.(4:25)
  • We are DECLARED Righteous through faith in Christ. (3:24-25)
    • This declaration happens by grace through faith, not by works. (Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 2:8-9)
  • We have peace with God, through the sinless blood of Christ. (5:1-2)
  • Which means we have access, or A WAY, [Jesus Christ, John 14:6] …
    • to enter into the presence of God
    • to stand in His Grace
    • to rejoice in the HOPE of God and all that is His

Faith is the victory! It is the key to the righteousness we must obtain through Christ to be made right with God and experience the hope of rejoicing in His glory! – The hope that does not disappoint, as we come to know the love of God that has been poured out into our hearts through His Holy Spirit, who He has given to us! It [faith] is the key to praying with HOPE and to rejoicing in our sufferings, and standing in His Grace!

Father, Than You for the HOPE that comes from knowing and believing in Your Son, Jesus! Thank for the RIGHTEOUSNESS that is ours through our Faith in Him, in His death and resurrection, for the victory that is ours through this FAITH, and for making a way where there was truly no other way. Thank You for Your GRACE that allows us to stand in Your presence and to REJOICE in the HOPE of Your GLORY but also in our sufferings because of the love You have poured into our hearts through Your Spirit! – Thank You in Jesus’ name, Amen –

Want More

Be sure and check out today’s LGG blog post for even more insight

Posted in Bible study, Come, Lord Jesus, Come, LGG Study

Immortal…Imperishable…Transformed

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Week 4, Day 4 of Come, Lord Jesus, Come (A Love God Greatly Study) – In The Blinking Of An Eye

Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (SOAP: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52)

Listen, I will tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the blinking of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.

1 Corinthians 15:51-52 NET

Observations of Transformation

Paul, talking to believers, grabs his listeners attention with – “Listen”, or “behold” as some translations write – either translation is meant to alert those listening that what he is about to say is important. Knowing that there are those who doubt the actual resurrection of the body he proceeds to “reveal to them the mystery” behind the resurrection. When Christ returns –

  • Dead or alive believers will be changed – transformed into a heavenly body, like Jesus (49)
  • Trumpets will sound and at the last sound
    • The dead will be raised ‘imperishable’, meaning they no longer have their earthly bodies but heavenly ones (see verse 49)
    • and those who are alive will likewise be changed from mortal to immortal, perishable to imperishable
  • And death will be swallowed up in victory!

 And just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, let us also bear the image of the man of heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:49 NET

Application – So, What Does This Mean For Us

It means we have been given a wonderful promise of HOPE and eternity in a new and improved body. For we will be transformed from perishable to imperishable and from mortal to immortal. It means we can rejoice now as we look forward to what God has promised.

Prayer – Response To God’s Word

Father, thank You for the promise of eternity with You – a promise that is yes and amen in Jesus! Thank You that one day this mortal, perishable body will be changed into an imperishable, immortal one. – Help me to stand firm in this and not be shaken as I wait on You.

Your Turn: Reflections

What excites you the most when you think about getting a new imperishable body when Christ returns?

Posted in From the Insideout

The Bondage of Fear

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The Bondage and Battle of Fear

The bondage of FEAR is a great and scary thing. It is real beyond words and until one has been captive to it you can not understand it. IT sneaks up on you and grabs hold of you before you realize it. You try to shake it off but it whispers to you and tightens it’s grip with every whisper of worry and doubt, or truths you can’t control and lies you choose to believe.

Yes, the bondage of FEAR is real and it is scary! Those that know it understand – they know that you can’t “just” shake it off – you can’t “just” ignore it. It’s grip is tight and it must be battled with sword and shield and truth. It can be fought and defeated for sure but not alone. Victory requires the Spirit of God but is better still with God’s army of supporters. The Aarons and the Hurs of your life that can come to your aid or those of the household of faith who faithfully walk with you and pray circles around the “fear” until it falls captive in obedience to Jesus Christ! (2 Cor. 10:5).

It can be a long and weary battle, you may see the enemy fall only to meet him at the next corner. Fear can be cloaked in health issues, in pain, in needs, in pride or dangers and a host of other phobias. But no fear is greater than our God – and that is the first step to every battle with fear. The belief that God is greater than all powers and entities of this world. Only this belief will allow us to say to our fear, like David did to Goliath, “You come to me with sword, spear, and javelin, but I come to you in the name of the LORD of Heaven’s Armies—the God of the armies of Israel…” (1 Samuel 17:45). The same God of whom the Gospels boasted when they taught – “Nothing is impossible with God!” (Matthew 19:26; Mark 10:27; Luke 1:37), and of whom Paul said, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13).

Experience God’s Peace

Are you plagued by worry or anxiety? Hear (don’t just read) the words of Paul – who was persecuted, threatened, beaten, imprisoned and yet wrote … “Don’t worry about anything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for what He’s already done. THEN you will experience Gods peace which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7). These are two of my life verses – and I can say from experience, the truth they teach and proclaim has loosened endless grips of fear from me and lowered countless prison bars that held me captive. The words themselves aren’t magic. You can’t just read the words and get results; you have to know the words are true. This happens when you get to know God – when you see Him part the Red Sea allowing the Israelites to cross safely – and then watch as He releases it on the enemy who pursued them into it. It happens when you see Daniel survive the lion’s den or Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego the fiery furnace. It happens when you watch them crucify our Lord but see Him alive on the third day. There is no limit to the power of our God – whatever you are facing He is greater and able to overcome it or to bring you through it. We only have to be still and know (and remember)that He is God, another of my life verses, Psalm 46:10. When we don’t know the answers and can’t see a clear or hopeful path or a way out of our situation – we must keep the Lord always before us and say, “because the Lord is at my right hand I will not be shaken,” Psalm 16:8. It is during these times that God allows us the opportunity to practice walking by faith and not by sight – or feeling for that matter, (2 Cor 5:7).

Able to Steel, Kill, and Destroy

Fear is a ferocious giant, an enemy like no other, a predator and captor – it is able to steel, and kill, and destroy us … IF we allow it a foothold. The key is choosing not to give fear a foothold – to stay alert – to be prepared with the truth – ready to take captive every thought that sets itself up against the knowledge of God and make them obedient to Jesus Christ! The victory is ours through Him who has already overcome the enemy on our behalf!

To borrow a line from a Veggie Tales song – “God is bigger than the boogieman … and He watches out for you and me! … I know whatever’s gonna happen that God can handle it.”

Does fear or anxiety or worry have you trapped? Let me offer this one last encouragement – from the words of the Apostle Paul … “and now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

Breath Prayers

A truly helpful exercise to make a daily habit (morning, noon, and night – and any time anxiety creeps in): Take a deep breath in through your nose and as you inhale think (I am weak) then exhale thinking (God is strong) … repeat/inhale (be still and know) exhale (that He is God) … repeat (I can do all things) exhale (through Him who strengthens me) repeat/inhale (do not be afraid) exhale (for I am with you) … four times at least three times a day will honestly change your life in more ways than I can count or share here. You can use any number of scripture combinations – keeping in mind that the purpose is to refocus from self to God.

Me – from the inside out 💕

Posted in From the Insideout, God is good, Journey Through The Word, Know These Truths, Prayer Starters, Quiet Time

A Faith that Moves Mountains

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James says it like this, Dear brothers and sisters, whenever you face troubles consider them an opportunity for great joy, for you can trust that when your faith is tested your endurance has a chance to grow, so let it grow – because when your endurance is fully developed you will be perfect and complete needing nothing, James 1:2-4. The Psalmist said it like this, I have set the Lord always before me and because He is at my right hand I will not be shaken, Psalm 16:8. And, as a Holocaust survivor, Corrie ten Boom said, “There is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still.” I believe we will all face, have faced, or even now are facing ‘troubles’ in our lives. I am learning the truth of James’ statement, the troubles of this life -whether big or small – help deepen our faith.

Faith may not change our ‘situation’ but fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our Faith certainly changes our perspective.

Fears are turned to peace, comfort replaces sorrow, where there are desperate needs we witness gracious provision; and when the thing needed is not provided – it is through faith we wait or through faith that we learn to do without. Through the eyes of faith, we witness miracles or walk in hope where none seems possible. Through faith we love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, and we cling to what is good rather than turning to the wrong we may desire. In faith, we turn to God when a doctor delivers unwanted or unexpected news. Through faith, we sit by the bed of a loved one or walk the halls of the hospital. With faith, we rise out of bed in His strength – even when we feel too week, sad, or lonely to go on, and in faith, we say good-bye to those God calls home. As John wrote in 1 John 5:4, and the old hymn repeats … “Faith is the victory that has overcome the world.” Faith doesn’t just move mountains it moves hearts closer to God. We lean on Him through our troubles and we find that He is trustworthy and true – and so when the next trouble comes we run to Him – through this habit the roots of our faith are deepened and we are made stronger – until God’s love runs deeper than the deepest pit of hatred and death … and we are able to consider the hardest of situations a joy because we know that God is with us … and the very knowledge of His presence keeps us from being shaken. This, my friends, is a Faith that moves mountains. Me – From the Insideout

Posted in Bible study, From the Insideout, LGG Study

We Depend on our God

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Prayer is an amazing weapon of warfare for the Christian, whether we are on the actual battlefield or on our knees at home – or for that matter in a car or at the sink doing dishes. It has been said in some commentaries that this prayer may have been prompted by David’s battle against the Ammonites in 2 Samuel 10. Whatever the battle and the circumstances – before David and his men strategized and fought the fight his people were praying. They prayed for protection and help. They asked for God to remember David’s sacrifices and grant him the success he desired – and they believed God would deliver. Their prayer bears witness to their expectation –

“Then we will shout for joy over your victory; we will rejoice in the name of our God. -”

Psalm 20:5

Not to go all grammar lesson – but don’t miss the plural pronouns in verse-5, “we will shout for joy”, “we will rejoice’, “of our God”. They prayed as a community of faith and it became an encouragement to David. David seems to remember God’s promises of victory and rest from his enemies and responds with an affirmation of his people’s confidence – with a statement of assurance that God will deliver. We can’t miss the reason – and if you will – the lesson he conveys for such confidence. It’s one of my favorite go-to-passages, a life-line so many times in both the big and the small battles of my life[1}. Perhaps, just as they were leaving for battle – maybe, just when the courage of his men was waning – David declares that their victory will come, not because they are stronger or their “weapons” mightier but because they depend on God.

Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we depend on the LORD our God[1]. They will fall down but we will stand firm. The LORD will deliver the king; He will answer us when we call to Him for help!

Psalm 20:7-9

What about you? Do you depend on “chariots and horses’, ie ‘money and power’, ‘home and possessions’, ‘friends and family’? Or do you depend on God? Are you praying for our leaders and others – expectantly? Are we preparing to shout for joy when He gives the victory – ready to give Him the honor due His name? These can be daunting questions but if we want to walk in confidence, if we want to be an encouragement to others we must remember wars aren’t just won by the warriors on the battlefields but by those who pray. This is how we gain the victory and find ourselves standing firm when the battle ceases!

Me – from the Insideout

Posted in Bible study, LGG Study

Bridge to Shame Breaker, Wk. 2 January 1, 2021

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Today’s Scripture: Psalm 19-20; (S.O.A.P. Psalm 20:4-5)

Psalm 19 For the choir director: A psalm of David.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard.[a]
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth
    and their words to all the world. Read More

Psalm 20 For the choir director: A psalm of David.

 In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
    May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from all harm.
2 May he send you help from his sanctuary
    and strengthen you from Jerusalem.[a]
3 May he remember all your gifts
    and look favorably on your burnt offerings. Interlude

May he grant your heart’s desires
    and make all your plans succeed.
5 May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory
    and raise a victory banner in the name of our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.

6 Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.
    He will answer him from his holy heaven
    and rescue him by his great power.
7 Some nations boast of their chariots and horses,
    but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
8 Those nations will fall down and collapse,
    but we will rise up and stand firm.

9 Give victory to our king, O Lord!
    Answer our cry for help.

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