Victory, I hear the sound of Victory, for it is on its way...
The music, the singing, the dancing in the streets...
It is getting closer, and my mind can't compete with its joy...
It is sweet and savory...It is lovely and admirable...
It is fresh and compelling...It is strong and vibrant...
For it demands a listener...It will not be overlooked or dispelled...
It is life...LIFE in Christ!
No other way for the Christian except VICTORY. SORROWS MAY LAST FOR THE NIGHT, BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING…
Luke 24:21, “But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, today is the third day since these things were done.”
The period of time from the crucifixion of Jesus to His resurrection was a trying time for His disciples. The disciples were dejected and depressed because they had believed that Jesus was the one to “have redeemed” Israel, but it was the third day since these things were done. Jesus had taught them that He would go to Jerusalem and there He would be killed. But He also taught them that He would be raised on the third day. Jesus had revealed the plan of God to them. However, they were so consumed with the dying part of the revelation that the enemy had stolen the most important part, the resurrection. This was the day of their salvation, redemption, and victory, but they could not see it...yet!
These disciples had gone through all the emotions of losing someone near and dear to their hearts. The first emotion was denial, the absolute disbelief that this could be happening to them. All the signs appeared to point to Jesus as the Messiah. How could they have been so wrong about Him? They had experienced the intrusion of life-altering doubt, a crippling doubt that would cause them to question all things previously discerned to be settled. How could they ever trust their emotions and discernment after suffering such a debilitating loss? They had dared to love and trust so deeply that their lives would be forever changed by this experience. God's plan was proceeding on schedule just as Jesus had prophesied. But they could not see it! The disciples were looking at the circumstances. How could they understand the revelation that Jesus was the Son of God and miss the prophecy of His death, burial, and resurrection?
The resurrection revelation was soon to come because this was the third day. The season had arrived, but the hour had not come. God's plan is always on schedule, but as Jesus' disciples found out, we must move into the realm of faith to preserve our convictions until the revelation comes.
The Body of Christ is suffering in a season of extreme trial and tribulation. “...though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:” 1 Peter 1:6. However, the hour of our deliverance is at hand. We must be so drawn to Him that when the circumstances say no to the revelation, His faith will arise in our hearts and preserve us until it is time for the fulfillment of the promise.
May God help us to have the spiritual fortitude to walk with Him until the hour of His revelation. 1 Thess. 4:16, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” Sunday Is Coming!
2 Peter 2:17, “These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.”
Why do many churches compromise, neglect, forget, and even reject the Bible standard? They didn't start out that way, but the compromise began little by little. Slowly, the TRUTH was neglected and forgotten until, in many cases, it was completely REJECTED.
It truly breaks my heart to see so many falling away from THE TRUTH that was once delivered to the saints. This is a prominent SIGN of the last days. Many are following those who crept in unaware and diluted, watered down the teachings of Jesus Christ. Those who changed the meaning of what the Word actually says to fit their own lustful desires. Innocent people in search of TRUTH will blindly follow those who are ungodly, unholy, unrighteous, those speaking lies and taking advantage of people. We are warned in the Word to be aware of such people and have no part with them.
2 Peter chapter 2 speaks of these false prophets. People deserve TRUTH! TRUTH should be prevalent in every church preaching Jesus Christ because He said, “I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE,” John 24:6. Be aware...it is NOT being taught! People have followed their own ways and still operate under the guise of being "Christian” churches.
BUT know this, we have the WORD OF GOD! Get into the WORD! Study and know for yourself what God expects from you. Turn your life over to him, seek Him until you are filled with His Spirit. It takes His Spirit to understand His Word. Then listen to His voice. In all your ways acknowledge HIM, obey HIM. He said He would direct your paths and lead you in TRUTH...The World Must Hear God’s Truth!
Hebrews 12:1, “...let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”
The soul cries out for freedom, freedom from sin’s influence and sin’s wages. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life. Disobedience is sin, and sin is a weight that paralyses our attempts to be right and live right.
We need to identify our struggles in life and decide that we will not entertain the influences of sin. And, neither can any person if he or she wants to truly be free. Sin is a weight! Its destructive power is like a malignant cancer with its invasive tentacles reaching into every fiber of the human body. The cancer must be identified and eradicated.
It is the work of the Holy Spirit to identify sin. It is the work of the same Holy Spirit to destroy the power of sin. He does that when we repent and walk in the light of the Word. He does that because of the power of the redeeming blood of Jesus Christ. Accept the saving grace of Christ and don’t look back. By faith in the finished work of the blood of Jesus, tell Satan that he has no hold in your life. Tell him he can no longer exert his influence in your life. You need to decide that he is not welcome, and he needs to feel the indignation of the Holy Spirit’s disapproval.
Submit yourself completely to the leadership of God, resist Satan’s influence, and he will flee from you. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” In the preceding verses, James addresses the pride that exists in the fleshly heart. God will not receive our proud boasting, but if we will humble ourselves, He will give us His grace. Humble yourself before God, and He will lift you above your storm, and you will experience the Freedom your Soul Cries Out For!
Jesus is standing in the defense of all who will trust Him. He is our Divine protector against all evil. He is Alive, and He is Coming for all those who love Him (not casual love but love with a commitment and a covenant). We have no need to fear evil because Jesus is our bodyguard!
JESUS has conquered death, hell, and the grave. He won't let His Bride be destroyed by any enemy. He has made a way for us to have love, joy, and peace in the pavilion He has made for us. Even in the dark days, He is our HOPE, He is our Future, He is our Savior!
But we, as Ezekiel, need to hear "the word of the LORD came unto me, saying." We must be able to communicate with Christ because He is our great Intercessor to the Father. He is our daily guide, our very life's sustainer. How can we survive without talking to Him? We must know He is near and listening to our cries when we are facing daily battles with the enemy of our souls.
Lord, our greatest quest is to hear your voice and know your desire for us. Lord, help me to listen intently. I want to obey, but I must be still and quiet to hear you today. So much is going on in my mind and my heart. Lord, you can calm all the thoughts and direct my steps.
I will trust in you and sing your song. It may be low, very low this morning as the tears flow. But you understand, as I feel the needs of my family and friends heavy on my heart. Help me to just hand all these thoughts, prayers, and urgent needs to you and allow you to take care of each one of them. My job is to gather them one by one and bring them to you in Faith. You are the Healer! You are the Deliverer! You are the Heart Mender! You are the Peace Giver! You are the Lifter of our Heads! You, Lord, are the one who really cares for us. We belong to you because of the cross.
I pray this prayer for my family and all who need an encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. May you learn to love the sound of God's voice in your ear. May you cultivate such a heart for Peace and a heart at Rest that you fully Trust your Father to lead you in the Way that you should go. May you lose your taste for the things that weaken you. May you develop a hunger and thirst for all God has for you. May you receive a fresh revelation of God's Love and Promises for you. You are a gifted treasure, a loved person, and you're called to impact the world in a way that only you can. May the Love of Christ constrain you and compel you in the days ahead. May He open your eyes to the new territory awaiting you. Will You Hear?
Galatians 6:9, “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Don’t grow “weary in well doing.” Persecutions and afflictions are synonymous with being a disciple of Christ. Actually, tests and trials are the anthem of the “born again.” Paul testified to the deliverance of Christ because Christ brought him through persecutions and afflictions. 2Tim. 3:10, “But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.”
The Lord Jesus delivered Paul out of them all. That was Paul’s testimony. Paul “endured” hardness (to suffer, be afflicted) as a good soldier of the Cross; therefore, he could instruct Timothy to do the same. 2 Tim. 2:2, “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
Persecution will become more intense as we approach the coming of Jesus Christ and the consummation of all things. 2 Tim. 3:12, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;”
Though the enemy rises up to interfere with our mission, our victory has already been secured. Jesus declared victory at Calvary when He embraced the role of His sacrifice. Psalm 22:14, “I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.” Jesus poured Himself out on the cross, and there is power in the blood of his sacrifice to empower us to finish His mission here.
Take heart, be encouraged, we’ve read the last chapter in His Book. Jesus Christ is victorious. Put your trust in Him. Walk in His strength. He will provide everything we need to successfully complete our mission. Jesus Will Win This War!
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
I long to see You, Jesus, high and lifted up in Your Glory, in Your wealthy, prominent estate. You are rich in Royalty and flow with Grandeur. You are covered with the precious Anointing of Your Father, as he said, "This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." There is no name above Your Name because You are the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. I long to See You, Jesus!
But first I saw You differently. I saw You as one cast down upon a stone, crushed as an olive. There, You gave forth the healing balm to all who believe in You.
I saw You being stricken with great ridicule, yet You remained humble and never lashed back.
I saw you being mocked and despised by those who had little or no regard for who You are. But you said not one word.
I saw You cast aside as a foreigner by those who once loved You and called You Lord, yet You still loved them.
I saw You forgotten and forsaken by those of Your own Household. You still called them Your people.
I saw You betrayed, stripped of Your robe and beaten without mercy, hung on an old rugged cross, mocked, ridiculed, and left to die. I felt it was all because of me and my sin. Yet, You could have called ten thousand angels to release You.
Yes, You were held a short season by those who were blinded by their doctrine, traditions, and selfish motives, those whom God allowed.
The same is happening today. Many are blind, and they do not see the evil doctrines and hideous acts they are condoning, pushing You completely out of their lives. Many are cold, heartless, and rebellious. You are still calling out to them in Your Mercy.
You are being crucified afresh, tortured by the heathen, and they see You not. You are the Son of God, but they are blind.
They give You no esteem for being who You are. They cast You down and consider You useless to them. They consider You powerless and weak, crumbling under their rejection. They seem to despise what You represent...Holiness...Truth...and Life Everlasting.
One day in the near future, "at the Name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:10
Lord, I am captured by Your love for mankind. You suffered and died for all who would call on Your Name. You went through much agony for us to be with You one day. I see You Strong and Mighty...full of Righteousness...High and Lifted up...Coming in Splendor to receive unto Yourself Your chosen Ones...Those who call You Lord...Those who are willing to die for You if need be...I Long To See You, Jesus!
