Basis For Victory

BASIS FOR VICTORY

Part two of six devotions in Resurrection Power series

1 Corinthians 15:19, 54-55: “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.

“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’

‘Where, O death, is your victory?  Where, O death, is your sting?’”

            Jesus’ resurrection changed everything!  Jesus’ death was real (Matthew 27:50).  The devil began dancing, celebrating three days what he thought was his victory.  Then there was an earthquake.  Mary Magdalene was the first one on earth to hear about Jesus’ resurrection and see Him personally (Matthew 28:2-9).

            The devil stopped dancing.  1 John 3:8b says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.”  The devil IS defeated.  John 14:30 shows Jesus’ words, “I will not speak to you much longer, for the prince of this world [the devil] is coming.  He has no hold on Me.”

            Apostle Paul says in the first Scripture reading, “if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are to be pitied.”  Believers’ hope stretches beyond this earth and grasps victory in heaven (Matthew 25:31-34).  Believers can stand firm.  Christ died for our sins.  He was buried.  Then He rose back to life on the third day. 

            See the lesson linked below to learn how Believers will also live again.  Jesus’ resurrection power is the basis for our hope of victory, too.

            This hope is real.  We can stare down death and smile.  We know that Jesus’ resurrection power will break us out of the prison of death.  And…we can share this hope for victory with others…because we believe and trust Jesus’ resurrection power.  The good news of the Gospel carries resurrection power.  The good news of the Gospel brings eternal value to people everywhere. 

            Our faith is useless without resurrection power.   Resurrection power is the foundation, the basis, the very source for our hope of victory from death.  Because Jesus is alive today at the Father’s right hand, that hope is secure.             (Ephesians 1:20).

Take Home Nugget

            Reread the beginning Scripture and imagine what if…what if Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead?  Without the resurrection, Christian faith would be stupid.    Without the resurrection, there wouldn’t be a gospel message.  Without the resurrection, we’d never be saved for eternal life.

            Without the resurrection, we’d have no hope for the future.  This life would be all there is. 

 

            Praise God for resurrection power!

“The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.  He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:2

Adapted from “Are you ready to experience the resurrection power every day?” by Lesli White.  www.beliefnet.com.  June 13, 2017. 

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/5-ways-resurrection-power-can-completely-transform-your-life.aspx?p=3#S1GQl6ZjBEdo1L1T.99

J.D. Griffith

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God Brings Us Through What He Brings Us To

GOD BRINGS US THROUGH WHAT HE BRINGS US TO

Part one of six devotions in Resurrection Power series

Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

           

            Jesus is with us.  Matthew 1:23 calls Him Immanuel.  His resurrection assures us of that.  Are you ready to experience Jesus’ resurrection power?

            Whatever is happening today, God is in it with you.  When people surrender themselves to Christ, He lives through us.  Even those who don’t have a clue that an infinite God oversees their lives are never alone. 

            That’s either creepy or comforting.

            Rough times find everyone.  No one escapes awful situations or people.  And how we respond to rough times ought to evolve [e-VOLV].  We learn to develop better tactics to seize victory.  Kids react knee-jerk or with immediate, instinctive revenge.  As we grow older, we learn to reject our first response.  Hurting someone physically or hurling curses is childish.  Instead of swearing, we can choose to respond thoughtfully and calmly.

 

            Another option is to simply walk away.

            Jesus’ resurrection power provides strength to think clearly.  It controls mouths to shut up.  It empowers us to run from danger.  Avoiding fires and people whose goal is to harm are both dangerous.  We learn what ought to be dodged completely.  When we suspect danger, those who are childish dance around the edges—and get burned.

            Again, who’s there?  Jesus.  Rough times teach us to grow up.  Of course we made a mess of the situation.  Nothing makes sense anymore.  Instead of wringing our hands in frustration, we can pray.  Naturally, people never want to admit making mistakes.  But Jesus is right there.  He knows what you did.  He sees the mess.  We can choose to swallow our pride and ask Him for help.  

                                                                        

Take Home Nugget

            Awful times teach spiritual growth best.  Then, we press hard into God.  We pray more urgently.  Because we have to.  A relationship with God begins or grows more intimate.  Believers-in-Christ know that prayer is the smart choice to survive.  We know that Jesus is the only path to victory.  We trust God and are comforted. 

            The silver lining is the opening Scripture.  Whatever we messed up God can fix.   Whatever His kids muddle, Papa can make turn out for good—for those who love Him.  People who come to Christ are called by God (according to His purpose) and may claim Jesus’ resurrection power.  Then, we end up with the greatest blessing ever!

            Check out the lesson linked below to see many other blessings God gives us.

Holy Father, thank You for the many promises that Your kids may claim—including Jesus’ resurrection power! Amen. 

Adapted from “Are you ready to experience the resurrection power every day?” by Lesli White.  www.beliefnet.com.  June 13, 2017. 

Read more at http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/5-ways-resurrection-power-can-completely-transform-your-life.aspx?p=2#6hlcfEKKDW43rPjp.99

J.D. Griffith

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Working Out Salvation

WORKING OUT SALVATION

Philippians 2:12: “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence but not so much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.”

            Apostle Paul wanted to teach the difference between “earning salvation by doing” or “working out salvation” by choosing spiritual growth and development.  Salvation is not a gift received once, but an ongoing process.  The student, a Believer-in-Christ tirelessly strives for growing up in the faith.  “Fear and trembling” is reverence toward the God of creation—our awe responding to God’s grace. 

 

            “Working out salvation” consists of choices people make.  

            Our Savior Jesus Christ already accomplished the impossible “work” of salvation!  Whoever confesses heartfelt belief that: 1) Jesus was born as God in the flesh, 2) who lived a sinless life, 3) died on the cross as payment for human sin, AND 4) rose back to life again—has salvation after death. 

             Believers’ hope is also being resurrected from the dead with glorious bodies like Jesus.  Our Father’s breathtaking promise of eternal life in heaven with Him is what salvation is all about!

            “Growing up in the faith” or spiritual development means that we choose to live by faith obeying God’s Spirit.  After confessing the 4 beliefs above, the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside our hearts.  From that point, He’s the boss.  Believers become works-in-progress who grow spiritually every day.

            That’s called sanctification; [SANK-tif-i-ka-shon] means “set apart”.  Our Father planned for His kids to grow up more and more like His Son Jesus.  He wants Believers to be set apart from all others in the world. 

  

            Every person must choose for him or herself to make God 1^st place in life.  

Everything or everyone else that battles for 1^st place is an idol.  

            Jesus never leaves us to figure things out for ourselves.  He teaches Martha in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?”

            The lesson linked below shows why Jesus wanted to teach this truth.

Take Home Nugget

            I truly hope that your Labor Day—celebrated in the USA Monday, September 4, 2017—was fun.  Whether you’re back in school or back at work now, please consider working out salvation as a privilege offered only to God’s kids.  Choosing God as #1 isn’t hard.                   

            Our Father never meant for us to work so hard that we refer to it as a chore.  Work was always meant to be activities that satisfy us through each day. 

  

Heavenly Father, empower me to grow spiritually into the likeness of Your precious Son with reverent fear and trembling.  Amen. 

 J.D. Griffith

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Today's Manna

TODAY’S MANNA

Matthew 6:34:  “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

            Twelve-year-old Cassie whined aloud.  “Labor Day is Monday.  My family is hosting a cook out and the weather forecast is stormy!”

            Her school mate Jeremy heard her complaint and said, “No prob, Cassie.  Monday is light-years away!” 

            Jeremy’s correct.  Jesus may return before Monday and He changes everything!

            People will continue to plan lives and worry about what can go wrong.  God didn’t create worry.  But God did create people—in His very image (Genesis 1:27).  His kids created worry when we realize all that is beyond our control.   Papa never intended for His kids to worry nor to live stressed out.

            Thousands of years ago the Israelites whined to Moses a lot.  As they traveled toward their Promised Land, their grumbling grew louder.  Genesis 16:3 says,

            “If only we had died by the LORD’S hand in Egypt!  There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted.  But you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

            Did Moses worry or stress out about the problem?  No!  Moses couldn’t solve their unhappiness, so he took it to the One who could.

            The Father solved that problem, ending their grumbling.  Genesis 16:4-5 says: “I will rain down bread from heaven for you.  The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.  In this way I will test them and see if they will follow My instructions.  On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on other days.”

            What a perfect way to solve the peoples’ frustration!  No one need worry about tomorrow because when tomorrow came, the bread from heaven was there again.                 

Take Home Nugget

            “The Israelites called this bread from heaven “manna”.  “It was like white coriander seed and tasted like wafers made with honey.” (Exodus 16:31).  In fact, Bible scholars said manna tasted like what every person was hungry for.

            Today, God’s manna is new grace He pours on us every day.  When His kids worry—maybe something happening tomorrow—His grace delivers whatever the situation calls for.  Let’s always remember to pray our worries away!

            Our Father wants us to simply rest in His ability to heal, deliver, favor, protect, enable, and provide for our needs each day. 

            See the lesson linked below for awesome grace Papa delivered to King Jehoshaphat when the Israelites were surrounded by enemies.  They actually lived how Psalm 118:24 advises:

“This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Amen.

Adapted from “Fresh Grace Every Day” by Rev. Joseph Prince.  www.JosephPrince.org.  August 9, 2017.

 J.D. Griffith

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God's Grace Qualification

GOD’S GRACE QUALIFICATION

Psalm 103:1,4:  “Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name; ... who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion.”

            Beneath veiled faces, morally questionable women stand tall.  The genealogy of Jesus is found in Matthew 1:1-16.  Verses 3, 5, and 6 name Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba (Uriah’s wife).  Yet, Sarah, Rebekah, Leah, and Rachel are missing.  Verse 2 omits the wives of the Christian patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.         

“What’s up, Father?” we wonder.

                “I am greater than human sin.” God replies.  “Where sin thrives, My grace overflows!”

            “But…Tamar deceived her father-in-law.  She pretended to be a prostitute to get pregnant!” we point out.

            “I commanded people to populate the earth.  Women are expected to produce children,” God explained.  “Tamar was also deceived.  I’m very fond of Tamar, and she did conceive.”   

            “So, it’s okay to lie to get what you want?” we ask.

            God replied, “No.  Lying is a sin.  My grace covers the sinner.  Remember that I WILL achieve My purpose.  Judah and Tamar’s son Perez produced the line from where Joseph came.  He married Mary—the mother of My Son!”

            “Rahab was a prostitute!” we mention.

            “Rahab believed in me.  She hid and protected the spies who checked out the Promised Land.” Our Father explained, “Then Rahab had Boaz—who married Ruth!”

               We continued, “Ruth was a Gentile!  What’s so special about Ruth?”

            Our Father smiled.  “Ruth heard and accepted Me from her husband! … Boaz noticed how well Ruth cared for her mother-in-law Naomi and agreed to be her kinsman redeemer.  They gave birth to Obed—from where David came.” 

            “But, why Bathsheba?  She represents a woman who all women hate!” we press our Father.

            He smiled.  “How could Bathsheba ignore the advances of King David?  Their son Solomon is proof that My grace covers repented sin!  Solomon continued the royal line from where My Son descended!”

            “Teach us how Your grace qualifies the morally questionable,” we plead.

            “When the world disqualifies someone, My grace qualifies them to receive My blessings.” God began.  “I offer an infinite number of do-overs.  These women are typical of men, too.  When trouble comes, peoples’ loss is neither final nor fatal.  I will pour grace on whomever comes to me, and turn their circumstances around.”

            Papa continues, “Know that I can position anyone and anything to suit My purpose anytime I want to!  All people have to do is ask!”   

Take Home Nugget

            Believers never need to be discouraged with circumstances.  Let’s trust our Father who turns lives from awful to awesome.  The lesson linked below shows God’s grace and tender mercies!

Holy Father, Thank You for qualifying me by Your grace.  Amen.

Adapted from “God Can Qualify the Disqualified” by Rev. Joseph Prince.  www.JosephPrince.org.  August 3, 2017.

 J.D. Griffith

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Buzz Thrill

BUZZ THRILL

Hebrews 6:19-20:  “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary, behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.  He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizekek.”

            “This hope” from the opening Scripture refers to faith in God.  Baptism, repentance, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment are taught to God’s kids.  Promises that accompany salvation provide confidence of a better life one day for all Christians. 

      

            A ship’s anchor holds it firm.  Anchors prevent drifting.  Seaweed can entangle. Sand bars can stop progress and reefs can poke holes into a ship’s hull.  Anchors are also familiar Christian symbols.  Artists use the anchor in stained-glass windows in churches to remind Believers-in-Christ that we’re: 1) forgiven, 2) accepted as God’s kids, and 3) eternal life is guaranteed by the Father.   Jesus died to offer these promises.

            A sure anchor sees Believers through all crises on earth.  Hope in this faith anchor helps people cope with disappointment and tragedy.  A sure anchor helps people stand tall through trouble.  The good news of “not guilty” in heaven’s court delivers “Buzz Thrills” to Believers! 

            Every organization has someone who complains, draining good will from the rest.  We call this person a buzz kill.  People hear them predict that loss of job, illness, even losing one’s friends loom on the horizon.  

            Because the Father backed up His promises with a solemn vow, His kids are guaranteed of His love, provision, and protection.  (See the lesson linked below to learn how God swears and from where Melchizedek came).     

    

Take Home Nugget

            Believers can—and do—drift.  Terrible winds can blow people off the course of righteousness.  Tragic circumstances often leave one adrift, blown off course and reeling.  What to do? 

  

            Psalm 91:2-4 offers advice: “I will say of the LORD, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.’  Surely He will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.  He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.”

            Life’s many temptations lure us into evil.  Thanks be to Jesus because He was tempted in all the ways we are, yet never drifted away from righteousness.  He intercedes for us at our Father’s right hand, forever (Ephesians 1:20, Hebrews 7:25).  

  

            Clearly, we’re not strong enough to not drift away from the opening Scripture’s promise.  But God’s indwelling Spirit and His Word are!

Holy Father, empower me to hold firm to Your Word’s covenant promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  I claim Your best by faith in You and belief in Your Son, Jesus.  Amen.

Adapted from “Anchors Are Good” by Pastor Mark Jeske.  www.TimeOfGrace.org.  August 8, 2017.

 J.D. Griffith

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