Tag: Victory

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Suffering Before The Victory

Life has a way of throwing you unexpected curve balls that are going 90 miles per hour and hit you in the gut. These circumstances leave you with a heaviness. Such a heaviness that it does not matter if it finals week, dinner needs to be cooked, the house needs to be cleaned, and your hair is now dreads. You are glued to your chair because it does not seem possible to get up.

Where is my victory? This is not how life is supposed to be.

So often we here about ‘there is going to be a victory’ but we do not talk about the gut wrenching process that it takes to see the victory. No one is talking about the suffering. Yet, when I read through the word of God, Jesus himself over and over not only talks about suffering but endured suffering before he ever saw the fulfillment of the victory. This is easily displayed through the crucifixion. There had to be death before there was victory. There had to be suffering in order for all God had planned to do to save us could to truly come to pass.

Then the Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people in Egypt, and have heard them crying out because of their oppressors. I know about their sufferings, and I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and to bring them from that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the territory of the Canaanites, Hethites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. -Exodus 3:7-8 CSB

Yes, you may be suffering. God see’s you, he hears you, he has not forgotten you. Thankfully it does not stop at suffering, thankfully there is a rescue mission in place. I have been thankful for throughout the 2 car accidents, the miscarriage, and the recent loss of my Grandmother is that God has heard my cries, he still hears them. In fact he has kept every single tear I have ever cried in a bottle.

You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
 You have recorded each one in your book. -Psalm 56:8 NLT

God has not forgotten you. Even though it may feel like he has, he has not forsaken you or left you. Jesus actually knows how you feel. So when you boldly cry out to him in anger and misunderstanding of all that has taken place (even in the parking lot of Wendy’s), he will meet you there. When you do not have the words to say because the heaviness on your chest feels like it is suffocating you, the Holy Spirit is there to help.

I am not going to be the person that preaches that all is fine and well in the life of a Christian. Unbeliever and believer alike both are going to go through sufferings because of the fallen world we live in. The bible shows in the life of the disciples (especially Paul) and Jesus, following God’s will is anything but easy. It’s hard. Sometimes it is really hard.

But, the wonderful news is, we do not have to go through these sufferings alone feeling misunderstood, alone, or forsaken. We do not have to wonder if the milk and honey in our land (promises fulfilled) will ever come. Each day, we are given the opportunity to boldly come before the Lord and cast our cares. He has invited us to come to him and exchange heaviness for his peace, rest in our souls.

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” -Matthew 11:28-30 NLT

Just yesterday, I wept so loud that I was reminded of the time that Hannah was crying and Eli thought she was drunk. Sorry neighbors! But through prayer, God’s word, and just being with him, I have found encouragement, joy, strength, and peace.

I weep with sorrow; encourage me by your word. -Psalm 119:28 NLT

You reveal the path of life to me;
in your presence is abundant joy;
at your right hand are eternal pleasures. -Psalm 16:11 CSB

The truth of the matter is that living a life in a fallen world is hard, it’s messy, and there is a lot of suffering. We each are going through something. Jesus knows this. He has experienced suffering and he so deeply desires us to come before him in the process. It is ONLY in his presence we can be filled with peace, joy, strength, hope, and encouragement that surpasses all worldly understanding.

I am not sure what you are facing. I can tell you that you are not alone, God is there with you and I am enduring hardship too. This is not the end of the road, we are not stuck in suffering. We must remember as believers that this life is temporary and must not lose sight of heaven. There is so much we can learn in the midst of our present circumstances. As you are honest and vulnerable before the Lord he will exchange the unbearable heaviness for the truth. After all, the truth will set you free. It may be hard to move closer to God right now, but it is essential that you do even if it is one centimeter at a time. Everything that you need is found IN him.

More Scripture To Meditate On:

  • I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.” -John 16:33 CSB
  • I’m exhausted and worn out with my weeping. I endure weary, sleepless nights filled with moaning, soaking my pillow with my tears. My eyes of faith won’t focus anymore, for sorrow fills my heart. There are so many enemies who come against me! Go away! Leave me, all you troublemakers! For the Lord has turned to listen to my thunderous cry. Yes! Yahweh my healer has heard all my pleading and has taken hold of my prayers and answered them all. -Psalm 6:6-9 TPT
  • Yet when holy lovers of God cry out to him with all their hearts, the Lord will hear them and come to rescue them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to all whose hearts are crushed by pain, and he is always ready to restore the repentant one. Even when bad things happen to the good and godly ones, the Lord will save them and not let them be defeated by what they face. -Psalm 34:17-19 TPT
  • Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong. Then you will find the healing refreshment your body and spirit long for. -Proverbs 3:5-8 TPT
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Walking Through The Valley~With The God of All Comfort

Have you ever been through a period of time where you cannot wait for it to be over, but God keeps you there? Let us be real. You may be going through it right now. This period feels strenuous, weighty, and you really begin to wonder if the Lord’s burden for us to carry is light. You begin to wonder that all that he has promised you is really going to come to pass and if you’ll ever see the light at the end of the tunnel. It is easy to look around you and wonder if anyone can see that what you are going through and even sometimes wonder if God truly understands.

I have learned that the valleys will teach you lessons that the mountain tops never can. When we go through these moments, I believe it is important to be aware of what is going on in our hearts. The valley’s make us ask the hard questions such as, do I really trust God is good and for me? Do I really believe? Is there a lie I am believing about who God is? Do I have the correct perspective of who I am in my heavenly father’s eyes? Am I really following Jesus or am I just going through the motions of meaningless religion? In these moments of hardship, when we ask these questions, we are inviting God in to prune off what will not last through the fire. This also gives us the chance to grow into a deeper and more intimate relationship with him.

We are often tempted during the hardships to want to run away from what is going on or quit in the middle. But what if what we are going through right now has a deeper purpose? We do not always look at a deeper purpose in our suffering, but I believe is essential to look beyond the surface in the midst.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.” -2 Corinthians 1:3-5 CSB

God is knowns as the Father of Mercies and the God of All Comfort. Being the Father of Mercies means that he has deep feelings about the difficulty and misfortune you are walking through, he is sympathetic and empathetic. We serve a God that not only knows about the valley’s because he was there (look at the life of Jesus). But God is walking with us through the valley’s through the power of the Holy Spirit. He did not leave us alone. What great news that even in what feels like our loneliest moments we are not alone. Thankfully because we have Holy Spirit, we have the best help, counselor, and comforter we could ever ask for. God is also known as the God of all Comfort which means God is our refreshment in times of need. God is ready and willing to encourage and strengthen us when we ask.

God does not take what you are going through lightly. Which is exactly why Paul reminds us that our suffering is not wasted. He exclaims over and over in 2 Corinthians 1 that comfort is here and gently reminds us to not to give up! Paul reminds us here that what we are going through is not wasted but is going to help others. Aren’t you thankful for the people who have helped you through suffering because they walked it before you? God takes what the enemy meant for evil and turns it out for good!

If you are suffering right now, remember comfort is here. Look no further than the promise of the Holy Spirit. It is so easy to look around and point out everything that is happening around you. But it is of great importance to look deeper and see what God is doing in you and what he is going to do through you. We must see things through a heavenly reality rather than an earthly. When we focus on Jesus, we can see that even when it feels like this is never going to end, comfort is here. Even when it feels like the promises are never going to pass, God says his promises are yes and Amen! When you are tired, ask and he will renew your strength. Where suffering seems to overflow, this is where God’s comfort will overflow. God is with you, his intentions are good, and his love never fails. Lay the burdens you have been feeling at his feet and know that he is willing and able to comfort you through this.  

Further Scripture Study:

  • Isaiah 41:10
  • 2 Corinthians 1
  • Romans 8
  • Psalm 23:4
  • John 14:26
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Remembering Your Stance In Trials (Devotional)

My enemies did their best to kill me, but the Lord rescued me. The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.
Psalms 118:13‭-‬14 NLT

No matter what you may face today, know that you are victorious. Even if you cannot see it, victory is on it’s way. No matter what the enemy tries to throw at you, Jesus still went to the cross over 2000 years ago and gave his life for us to have victory and triumph. Jesus died so that we may have peace, his peace, till the promises come to pass in the earthly realm. Jesus sacrificed his life so we are able to be joyful because no matter what happens, his word stands true. This victory does not depend on you or I. This victory has already been declared upon that cross. Let us give a praise of triumph!! Our helper is ready to act on our behalf. Let us praise his holy name!

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God My Rock~My Defense~ My Salvation; (Devotional)

▪️God my rock (my support and defense)▪️
▪️God my defense (untouchable to my enemies, my ultimate safe place, my refuge)▪️
▪️God my salvation (helper, deliverance, victory, prosperity, health, freedom, the one who saves me from evil)▪️
✖I will not be moved (be carried, cast, be out of course, waver, slip, shake, or fall)✖
So thankful for God and his steadfastness, protection, and wisdom. He is such a good father to his kids. There is nothing I need that I have to be hesitant to ask, he gives freely and willingly. He knows the heart of everyone. So when I don’t understand, I just simply trust and he makes my paths straight.
Who is God to you?
💜

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Obedience & Warfare

There is a lie out there that when you are doing as God has called you to do, everything will be smooth sailing. While we do know that God is faithful, our protector, and our refuge, this simply is not true.

If we look at people through the bible doing as God has called them to do, this often brought criticism to the world. Look at apeter in Acts 11, preaching the gospel to those who were “unclean” from the world’s standards. This brought much criticism from those who did not understand what Holy Spirit had spoken to him. When criticism rearing its ugly head, remember who you call to and that you are already approved by God. Not only that, but you are appointed by him too. We see in Acts 11:12 that Holy Spirit speaks to Peter that he “accompany them with no doubts at all“. I think this is important to key in on, because sometimes we can he focused so much on the opinion of other’s that it causes us to doubt and waver. But the Holy Spirit instructs him before hand to trust in HIS plan and go with boldness and courageousness.

I feel like I talk about this alot on here…

However, it is important to realize there will always be “haters”. People’s responses to you doing what God has called you to do is a reflection of their hearts not yours. Do what God has called you to do, despite the critics. Walk with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, bold, courageous, and fearless!

Another great example of this is our perfect example, Jesus.

He was perfectly obedient and flipped the world upside down! Remember, our home is not earthly it is heavenly. Therefore, just as Jesus did we should think and act differently according to the world’s standards. Jesus brought a heavenly perspective and all truth. Even when the “highest and most religious believers” were faced with Jesus…they brought hostility. Jesus see’s the heart and deals accordingly. Which is why it is so important to be obedient to Holy Spirit, despite what it seems like or feels like. God is after heart transformation, not just appearing good on the outside. Jesus suffered for his obedience and we should expect trials and tribulations as well. However, Jesus commanded us to “take heart, he has overcome the world” and “the suffering we endure now does not compare to the glory that is coming later”! We are on the winning side. Don’t get caught up in other people’s opinions and criticism.

Its oftentimes when you are doing exactly what God has called you to do, there is a ton of spiritual warfare. Do not be discouraged. Even through the storms of life God will refine you to be more like him and is working everything our for your good. Put on your armor, remember the real enemy. There will always be critics are those who do not understand. People’s approval and criticism does not matter. Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. You are approved and appointed!