Scriptural Foundation:
Matthew 16:24 New King James Version (NKJV)
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
John 19:30 New King James Version (NKJV)
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!” And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.
Hebrews 12:1-2 New King James Version (NKJV)
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Reflection:
Since mid-last year, I have had an unexplainable excitement in my spirit. Something about 2019 would be different…God had something amazing planned. Like a child waiting for Christmas, I have been looking on the horizon ever since maintaining my child like awe that God can do anything He wills in the blink of an eye. Fast forward to today, the last few weeks and months has been very challenging. Unbearable so, for me personally and for individuals I have come along side in prayer concerning a specific season in their lives. The challenges haven’t shaken my faith in the Lord, however it has changed the way I look at victories.
Victory is defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary as: the overcoming of an enemy or antagonist; achievement of mastery or success in a struggle or endeavor against odds or difficulties. Trials are the victories that testimonies are made out of…yeah try to get your soul and mind around that one. Trials are the victories that testimonies are made out of!
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. but let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. – James 1:2-8
Trials are the substance that produces victories. So, if you are going to have any kind of victory, it is not going to seem in the moment as a victory. Victories are only victories seen in the rearview mirror of our lives. We must learn to appreciate the process of the trial, knowing a testimony will come from it.
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it – Matthew 7:13-14
It is easy to be content in captivity. Captivity meaning, safely insolating ourselves in the lives that we have built. As much as is within our control avoiding challenges and perceived hardship through compromises. “I know God said this, but…; God’s Word says that. but” Moving in the flesh will ensure that you stay in this kind of captivity and become ineffective for the Kingdom. Moving in the Spirit, requires you to step out of captivity. It requires that you get pressured and squeezed beyond natural comprehension and still maintain your peace.
We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So then death is working in us, but life in you. – 2 Corinthians 4:8-12
As for me, the fight still rages in my mind, but my soul remains at peace. I actively choose daily to pick up my cross and follow Jesus into the unknown – the Author and Finisher of my faith. What does victory look like, Beloveds…it looks like hopelessness…it looks like defeat, but God… BUT GOD takes dead things and resurrects them for the good of His glory. If you are going through a challenging time in your life, double up on your worshiping time. In the shower…in the car…on the job…wherever and whenever you can. Saturate yourself in praise, because it is praise that will proceed the inevitable victory!
Seeking Revelation:
Grab your notebook:
- Write down items that the Lord has clearly spoken to your heart.
- Find a scriptural promise goes along with that spoken word. Write it down.
- Meditate these things day and night until His joy comes. Remember the darker it gets the nearer your victory in the Lord is!
God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill? – Numbers 23:19
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