VICTORY

ALOHA FAMILY AND FRIENDS,  Beloved of God,  John 3:16,  12:24-26,  17:20-26

VICTORY,   “WORTH CONSIDERING”    5/20/19,    (on my computer this morning from Joel.)

Today’s Scripture
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”  (1 John 5:4, NIV)

The Word That Leads To Victory
When trials and tribulations come, as children of the Most High God, we can take courage. We have a promise that we can overcome anything that tries to come against us in this life through our faith in God. When the enemy tries to come against you with sickness, despair or lack, you can stand secure and know that God promises healing, hope and provision. God promises you victory in every area of life! God created us to be the victor, not the victim!  Don’t let your world overcome you; overcome your world by believing and confessing God’s Word today!

A Prayer for Today
“God, I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the problems and pressures of this world. Help me to instead focus on You and the plan You have for me. I pray that You help me stand secure in my faith and proclaim myself to be a conqueror-victorious in every area of life! In Jesus’ name – Amen.”

My Thoughts:
I grew up in the faith for 13 years as a Calvinist Baptist.   And there are a lot of scriptures that I had to ignore.  As in Rev.2:25-27 and 1 John 4:17 which with many other verses indicate that the Victory starts with our Salvation but we must also walk it out as per James 2:17-18 and the whole James letter.  So for me Christ Jesus paid my debts off in full and gave me a new life but that new life still needs the process of growth in the Holy Spirit of Sanctification.  God’s plan is to ultimately make me into HIS Image and likeness, which was the original vision of God to create a family like Him.   So the process of sanctification, to make Holy, in this physical world is valid and real.  Jesus, in both the form of prayer and in his prayer, John 17 prays for this to take place and it will.  When the CHURCH goes home she will be a perfect match for the King of Kings.

The only thing I have to offer to God is my faith and the desire to allow it to grow in my own life.   Job is an example.  It was recorded that he was a perfect man except for the flaw of fear.   It took a lot of pain for Job to dump the fear but in the end he was twice blessed and with no fear….  Sure, we have a standing with God by faith in Christ Jesus as LORD in our lives that lets us in the front door.  But to grow up in Christ and put on Christ, really,  is a process of leaning to walk in love,  humility and obedience.   In the ultimate family of GOD there will be no future place for unrighteousness, rebellion or pride.     So we are saved,  we are being saved and we shall be saved “if,” as Jesus taught, “If”we endure to the end.

So in the writing of the New Testament we find a lot of “conditional scriptures.” You know the little “If’s” that we find everywhere.   Jesus taught that,  “He that endures to the end shall be saved.”  And so did Paul. I know that we are living in Roman’s 8 and we have the victory, but that is ” if “ we want it and have faith for it and apply it.  As long as our faith is strong then my old man is considered or reckoned by faith to be dead.   And in the resurrection he will be completely removed.  Just as if Adam had never sinned.

But zombie that he is, Mr. Hide, my flesh  will jump out of his casket and come out again and dance with me anytime he can if I let him.    Anytime that my faith gets weak from not being fed on the Word of God.  So we actually stand completely by Faith but we can be broken off as was Israel if unbelief is allowed to flourish.  Romans 11:14-23,  Heb. 11.

So we need to hold in high esteem though the salvation that was and is a finished work of Christ Jesus.  And HE is also pulling for us that our faith will grow by saturating ourselves as HE also did with the Word of God.   We must seek continually to ingest HIM till all of us is under HIS Lordship.  1 John 4:17.  It is a full on battle with the world, the flesh and the enemy till we see HIM.  And it is accomplished in and through HIM by faith and the commitment of our free will.

 Every day for me is a dying day to the lust of the eyes, flesh and pride of this world.  Paul mentioned also that he died daily.  Each day is a choice for HIS Kingdom or mine in what I do.  Whosoever will make come and drink of the waters of life freely.  With God there is no manipulation.  But HE will assist us and give us power, grace and mercy if we want to be like HIM and live with HIM.

Yours, in HIS great love and wonderful grace and mercy,   Ken<><    www.Trinity-Aloha.org
(A little behind as computer was acting up.   Robert Thomas Kitchen funeral today.   1 PM VA Cemetery,  Kona,    2-5 Reception at Calvary Community Church.)