But thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory [making us conquerors] through our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 15:57, AMP
God desires that you live in victory in every area of your life. The Scripture says He always causes us to triumph through Christ Jesus! No matter what you may be facing today, God wants to make you more than a conqueror. Are you battling sickness? God wants to give you healing. Are you struggling with a broken relationship? God wants to give you restoration and peace. Are you facing a need—physically, spiritually or emotionally? God wants to give you provision and supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory.
Notice this verse starts out by saying, “Thanks be to God.” In the Bible, when God’s people were going into battle, many times they sent the worshipers out in front of the warriors. When you choose to be thankful and bless the Lord in the midst of your battle, you are making a way for Him to move in your life. Start today by thanking Him for His goodness. I say it all the time, magnify your God. Don’t magnify your problems. Give Him the thanks and praise as He leads you into victory in every area of your life!
Where others only see a disease, lack, or some form of fear, guilt, or addiction in your life, God sees beyond that—to His healing, grace, and power superabounding in that area of weakness (see Rom 5:20).
Success is never an accident, it's always on Purpose! NEVER GIVE UP! What is impossible to others is completely possible for you, a Child of the Living God! Think like it. Act like it. Know that He is working to perfect that thing which concerns you most. For YOU are blessed and highly favored!
If you’ll stay in faith, God will take your broken pieces and use them to not just put you back together, but He’ll make you into something better and more beautiful than if it hadn’t happened.
MARRIAGE IS FOR THIS LIFE
Therefore in the resurrection whose wife of them is she? for seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, The children of this world marry, and are given in marriage: - Luke 20:27-40
It is very doubtful that the situation that the Sadducees were relating ever took place. It is more probable that they were stating a hypothetical case to complicate the understanding of the resurrection and thereby discredit it.
If you accept their basic supposition (marriage continues in heaven), then their reasoning was correct. It would not be possible to administer marriage in heaven with multiple mates as their story described. Their reasoning wasn't flawed, but rather the "facts" that their reasoning was based on were not scriptural.
The scriptures speak of two becoming "one flesh" in marriage, and angels are not flesh. Paul said, "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Cor. 15:50). Therefore, marriage is an earthly institution limited to flesh and blood mortals and will not exist in heaven. Marriage, as is death, is temporary for mortals while they are on earth. This is why a person whose mate has died, is free to remarry. Marriage pertains only to this life.
That is not to say that a couple who have loved each other deeply here on earth will love each other less in heaven. God forbid. They will love each other infinitely more, but it will be God's "agape" love (not romantic love) and it will not be limited to just one person. We can be sure that heaven will surpass any expectations that we may have so that no one will be disappointed.
Today, many people use logical reasoning to try to discredit God's Word. But Jesus said, "They err because they do not know the scriptures." Therefore, their arguments have no merit; only reasoning based on scripture has any merit.
DUMP YOUR GRUDGES!
'Love...keeps no record of being wronged...' 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 NLT
Holding a grudge is costly, and you and the people in your life end up footing the bill! In all probability the offender has moved on, forgotten the offence and left you holding the bag. But in reality, blame, not the offender, is the crux of the problem. And until you understand and accept that, you will continue to be upset. Don’t let your grudges fester and turn into:
(1) Self–victimisation. Negative energy expended on others just drains your resources and robs you of the chance to fulfil your God–given potential. Stop cheating yourself. Don’t surrender your power to your grudges!
(2) Bitterness. It’s like a deadly poison; a little of it can contaminate your entire system. The hurt you harbour pollutes the stream of your daily experience, including your experience with God!
(3)Isolation. There’s no joy in being around someone who constantly indulges in blame, defensiveness and anger. Others pick up the vibes and feel at risk, so they keep a safe distance in case they become a target in the event that they displease you. It’s a formula for isolation and self–induced loneliness.
(4)Negative role–modelling. Maybe you think, ‘My feelings are nobody’s business!’ Maybe—if you live on a desert island. Grudges are highly communicable. ‘…Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up…corrupting many.’ (Hebrews 12:15 NLT)
(5) Sabotaged repentance. Genuine repentance and forgiveness aren’t possible until you’re willing to face up to your grudges. If you’re still blaming others, you’re avoiding responsibility. A bad attitude is like a flat tyre—until you change it, you’re not going to get anywhere.
DON’T LET YOUR PAST ROB YOU
Philippians 3:13–14 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Are you living a life of regrets thinking, “If only…”? “If only I had that college education…If only I had married the right girl…If only I had taken up the other job…If only I had not made that stupid mistake…”
Is your past robbing you of the joy of today? Then forget your past!
You might say, “But Pastor, you do not know what I have done in the past!”
Consider Paul. If the devil had anything to bring against Paul, it would be reminders of how he had persecuted the early church and caused the deaths of many, including Stephen, the first Christian martyr.
Paul had done horrendous things that were hard for him to forget. But he had such a revelation of God’s awesome forgiveness that he could say, “forgetting those things which are behind…I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”.
Beloved, God has forgiven you of all your sins. He has completely forgiven you and declared, “Your sins and lawless deeds, I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17)
Like Paul, you can forget your past, the wrongs you have done and the hurts you have caused others or been through yourself. God can take the tears of yesterday and transform them into the miracles of tomorrow. He can restore to you in all abundance what you have lost. He can cause all things, even the painful events of your past, to work together for your good. (Romans 8:28)
God’s Word says, “The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:8) His glory will cover your past. Wherever you go, His glory covers your past. It is no longer the same past that you know of because His glory has descended on it. Your past is past. It has been wiped out. It is gone! So don’t let your past rob you of today’s joy any longer!
TISSUE BOXES
I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hands. —Psalm 31:14-15
As I sat in the surgical waiting room, I had time to think. I had been here recently, when we received the jarring news that my only brother, much too young, was “brain dead.”
And so on this day, waiting for news about my wife who was undergoing a serious surgical procedure, I penned a lengthy note to her. Then, surrounded by nervous chatter and oblivious children, I listened for the quiet voice of God.
Suddenly, news! The surgeon wanted to see me. I went to a secluded room to wait. There, on the table, sat two tissue boxes, conspicuously available. They weren’t for the sniffles. They were for cold, hard phrases like I heard when my brother died—“brain dead” and “nothing we can do.”
In such times of grief or uncertainty, the honesty of the psalms makes them a natural place to turn. Psalm 31 was the heart-cry of David, who endured so much that he wrote, “My life is consumed by anguish” (v. 10). Compounding that grief was the pain of abandonment by his friends and neighbors (v. 11).
But David had the bedrock of faith in the one true God. “I trust in you, LORD; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands” (vv. 14-15). His lament concludes with resounding encouragement and hope. “Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD” (v. 24).
This time in the waiting room, the surgeon gave us good news: My wife could expect a full and complete recovery. Of course we’re relieved and grateful! But even if she hadn’t been “okay,” our times still remain in God’s capable hands.
Lord, we give You our deepest grief and pain as well as our joy. Thank You for Your constant love and presence no matter what today holds for us. You alone are faithful!
When we put our problems in God’s hands, He puts His peace in our hearts.
LIVING THE FULL LIFE ...
The earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness of it... - Psalm 24:1, AMP
God wants you to live an abundant and satisfied life. He wants you to enjoy the fullness of the earth and life’s experiences. When you open your mind to new things and new situations, you are broadening your horizons and opening yourself to new opportunities.
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, doing the same thing the same way all the time. But when you open yourself to new people and new ideas, you are making room for God to reveal Himself to you. You are making room for Him to work in your life. Make the decision to explore something new this week. Take a different route home from work. Try something new on the menu at lunch. Be open to new people who may not necessarily look like you or act like you. Let God direct and broaden your horizons. As you do, you’ll encounter new opportunities and live the satisfied, full life the Lord has in store for you!
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