Living Victoriously Pt 2 Fact 1: Life’s not fair Victorious living is never about being in denial about the hard times in life. But if we never progress from the place where we focus on this we can never live victoriously. We face the fact and move forward. Jesus won the victory on the cross, but we have to take it up. But we have to choose to apply it to our lives. Psalm 119:71-72 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. You truly have victory when you can say……”Life’s not fair but it is working in my favour” When life goes along smoothly it’s so easy for most of us to become complacent and neglect time in the Word of God. But just as hunger motivates us to eat, hard times motivate us to get into the Word. When life’s not fair it is actually good for us! Psalm 119:73 Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. Fact 2: God knows best On the computer or a smart phone, when you download some software you have to agree to the terms and conditions that the maker puts on it before you can get the benefits from it. We happily click on the accept button and give people we don’t know access to certain information on our computers and phones. We submit willingly to their terms and conditions which are usually only for their benefit, not for ours. Our Maker too has set down terms and conditions. To live a victorious life we must submit to these. They are found in the Word. Unlike the makers of computer software, the terms and conditions that God lays out are not for his benefit but for ours. When we are trained in the Word, we are able to access the victory that is available to all God’s sons and daughters. Psalm 119:74 May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. . Fact 3: It’s not all about you, it’s about others too It’s impossible to live victoriously when we are the centre of our own world. There are always others looking on watching to see how we live our lives. This is especially true of followers of Jesus who live, work and play in a community where most people are not following Jesus. People are always watching to see how we handle life and do our lives match up with Christian claims that Jesus is the hope of the world. Victorious living gives the message to others that Jesus really is the hope of the world! Worldly victory means competing……one gets the prize. In contrast, kingdom victory is meant to be shared. When others see us living victoriously through our trials it has a beneficial effect on them It inspires those who already know and follow Jesus and may draw others who don’t yet, into the kingdom. Psalm 119:75-77 I know, O Lord, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. The ultimate key to whether or not we live victoriously is our attitude. Victory is a fact of the kingdom of God. Jesus has done all that is needed for us to have victory. Our part in making that victory a reality in our lives is choosing our attitude. Fact 4: Victory depends upon our attitude We can know that life’s not fair, God knows best, and it’s not about me, it’s about others; but this knowledge alone will not get us the victory. These are important facts but we don’t have any control over them. The only thing that we can control is our attitude. Victory comes through an attitude of trust and humility. The opposite is self-pity. Where there is even a hint of self-pity there is no victory. V76 May your unfailing love be my comfort……the word comfort is not referring making us feel better as in “there, there”, but to changing our mind and attitude. When we know God’s unfailing love it is very hard to stay in an attitude of self-pity. Victory comes when we make a choice to carry an attitude in line with the love of God. Check out this clip to be inspired by a man who truly lives a victorious life through Jesus Christ https://youtube/watch?v=CM_eHJcdjig For homework read Hebrews 12:5-11 :-)
Posted on: Sun, 24 Aug 2014 06:52:46 +0000
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