Welcome to my randomized study & miscellaneous thoughts about the Awesome God of the universe, who He is and what He wants us to be.

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Verse of the Day

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Today's Quote

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Living Victoriously in a Defeated World

I would like to start off today by trying something a little bit different. If you don't mind, would you please think about if in the past 12 months you have:
been overly tired, worried, anxious, fearful, depressed, had a major illness personally or in your family, had a death in the family, moved, lost a job, changed jobs or careers, had surgery, got divorced, had major conflicts with family member, a friend or at work, ended a romantic relationship, struggled against bouts of depression or anxiety, been heartbroken, had sexual struggles with pornography, adultery, homosexuality or premarital sex, loss of control, fits of rage, seemed lost, confused or just plain unsure about where your life was going.

Doubt, worry, anxiety and confusion - all methods of fear that the devil attempts to use to make you think that you are worthless, alone and defeated. You are not alone. The enemy tries to divide us and then wear us down by making us believe that we are in a struggle alone that no one else has been through or could ever comprehend. He is the prince of lies!
John 10:10 "The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have {it} abundantly. (NAS)

We all carry with us the scars of past hurt and pains, Jesus carries scars too. But just like a open heart surgery, the scars heal and only serve to remind us of the great battle that we have been through.

1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. (NAS)

Please let us pray for a unity within the body of Christ. We are to live victoriously in this defeated world. Let's talk about it...

1. God's Presence
Gen 3:8-9 And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden. 9 Then the LORD God called to the man, and said to him, "Where are you?" (NAS)

Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord; (NAS)

James 4:8a Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. (NAS)

Exod 33:14 And He said, "My presence shall go {with you,} and I will give you rest." (NAS)

Dan 3:23?25 23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed?Nego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace. 24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar was astonished; and he rose in haste and spoke, saying to his counselors, "Did we not cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?" They answered and said to the king, "True, O king." 25 "Look!" he answered, "I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (NKJ)

Remember that when the world drives you down to your knees, you're in the perfect position to pray. If God seems distant to you, who do you think needs to move? If you will stop and listen, you may hear God asking you the same question that resonated in the garden, "Where are you today?"

Have you drawn near to God? I encourage you to do so through prayer, reading and studying the Bible, praise and worship, fellowship with believers.

2. God's Plans & Provisions
Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (NIV)

Rom 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to {His} purpose. (NAS)

Prov 19:21 Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (NIV)

Prov 16:9 The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps. (NAS)

Ps 33:11 The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart from generation to generation. (NAS)

"I try to avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward."
Charlotte Bronte, nineteenth century author of Jane Eyre

Have you sought God's purpose and vision for your life? Have you asked Him to reveal to you His plan for you? Do you just wake up each day and let whatever will happen to you happen, being blown around in life like a leaf in the wind? Where is your mind today, on your plans or on God's?

"When I meditated on the word guidance, I kept seeing "dance" at the end of the word. I remember reading that doing God's will is a lot like dancing. When two people try to lead, nothing feels right. The movement doesn't flow with the music, and everything is quite uncomfortable and jerky. When one person realizes and lets the other lead, both bodies begin to flow with the music. One gives gentle cues, perhaps with a nudge to the back or by pressing lightly in one direction or another. It's as if two become one body, moving beautifully. The dance takes surrender, willingness, and attentiveness from one person and gentle guidance and skill from the other. My eyes drew back to the word guidance. When I saw "G," I thought of God, followed by "u" and "i". God, "u" and "i" dance". God, you, and I dance. This statement is what guidance means to me. As I lowered my head, I became willing to trust that I would get guidance about my life. Once again, I became willing to let God lead."
Author Unknown

3. God's Promises
James 1:12 Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which {the Lord} has promised to those who love Him. (NAS)

2 Tim 4:7?8 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; 8 in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. (NAS)

1 Pet 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (NAS)

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (NIV)

Jesus did not promise us that one who follows Him will live a trouble-free life, just the opposite. But He did indeed promise that the believer would have the peace of God available to him/her during these times. Have you claimed His promises, believed them and live like you believe them? Where are you living on His promise today?

4. God's Power
Acts 1:8 but you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." (NAS)

2 Tim 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. (NAS)

1 Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words, but in power. (NAS)

Eph 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, (NAS)

Are you a Clark Kent or a Superman? Bruce Wayne or Batman? Where are you displaying God's power that dwells within you? Are you talking the talk or walking the walk?

5. God's Victory!!!
I Jn 5:4?5 4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world?? our faith. 5 And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (NAS)




scribbled with crayon by dr. larry at 10:32 AM