Morning Bible Studies at Relentless 2012...
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Victorious People living Victorious Lives
by Ryan Holmes
I believe in God therefore I’m victorious. I love Jesus therefore I’m victorious. I worship in church no matter if everyone is watching therefore I’m victorious, and I go to church, 4:12, bible studies and whatever else is on surely I’m victorious?
You are not victorious! Just kidding, of course you are! Jesus Christ went to the cross to ensure that through Him we are a victorious people. Saying that, this isn’t the point that I’m trying to convey. The noun definition of ‘victory’ is stated below:
“An act of defeating an enemy or opponent in a battle, game, or other competition: "an election victory"
As Christians that is what Jesus achieved for us on the cross, victory over death. I assume the majority of people know that. You might be thinking “cut to the point already!!” OK I will. In hardships, bullying, abuse, real times of trouble, when you as an individual are at your lowest, perhaps a family member passes from you, a best friend walks away from God or the things of God, your parents are having a tough time at the minute, maybe financially or with one another or maybe you’re just down, you’re a little bit sad because of some more personal issues in your life. Does God want us to live a defeated life? To not worship Him as much because of your life situation? I really don’t believe so.
Throughout the bible God makes it clear to us that He wants His people to live victorious lives, we always get the first part of Victorious people but sometimes not the second part. It can be easy to stomp your foot and clap your hands on a Friday night singing, “If God be for who can be against me?” when really when you get home and you sit down or lie down in bed, everything seems to be against you.
When we look at the life of Paul we see a man filled with so much love, peace, grace and kindness. Other than that what was really so special about him? What really appeals to people about Paul? Why when you get asked the question “If you could have dinner with 3 people who would they be?” most of the time one of the answers would be Paul? Why? What is it about this ‘dude’? There’s quite a simple explanation of why he’s so admired, of course there’s a whole lot of theology in there also but to us, to young people living in the 21st century lifestyle, with everything that comes along with that. Why is it? Paul knew he was victorious and he backed it up by living a victorious life. Pretty simple explanation, pretty obvious too.
A plain old geezer that had an encounter on Damascus Road (Acts 9) knew what it was to believe in Jesus and from that point onward no matter what he lived a victorious life. He went to prison and wrote letters about love to the church in Corinth, how nuts is that? The last thing I’d be doing in prison is writing love letters to church!! Incredible!
Paul simply knew what it was to suffer for the cause of Christ and through his suffering Jesus was lifted higher and higher and higher. He was a victorious man living a victorious life and people knew him for it, do you think the people in the church were thinking “poor wee Paul, he’s heartbroken in that wee prison”? No way! The same guy that said “To live is Christ and to die is gain”. He took every opportunity he could to elevate the name of Jesus in his life and from that he lived a victorious life. If you’re suffering at the minute whether it’s one situation or another, YOU are VICTORIOUS. The caps are necessary. Jesus Christ went to the cross to conquer death and every life situation you face. Nothing too small and nothing to big for God.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
You my friend have overcome, live it out in your life today.
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