Are We Ready To Make Up Our Mind To Win?
Good Morning Friends,
When we experience the true purpose of Lent we need to keep focused on the goal and the hope of an astounding victory. Jesus changed the rules to give us victory. Still it helps to have Vigilance, Imagine the consequences, Cry out to God, Take thoughts captive, contemplate the Omnipresence of God, Rely on the Scriptures, and Yield to the Spirit to bring victory. But before all that there is a question we each must ask ourselves and answer. Are We Ready To Make Up Our Mind To Win?
Scripture: for whatever is born of God conquers the world. And this is the victory that conquers the world, our faith. Who is it that conquers the world but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 John 5:4-5:5 (NSRSV)
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:57 (NRSV)
Message: Jesus, the one who saves, loved the disciples and demonstrated it by leading them to a victory when defeat was imminent. He is a lover that never quits and brings us more than an identity. Jesus births in us new life. Every time the disciples got into a tight spot, every time they were up against the wall, He gave them strength and a prayer. Now as we near holy week we are already thinking of the songs we will sing and music we will play on Maundy Thursday, Palm Sunday and on Easter Sunday. It is hard to experience the season when we are in the middle of it all. The learning experience of Holy week for the disciples and for us is formidable. The emotions of the triumphant entry into Jerusalem, the last supper, the prayers, the songs, the denials, trial, punishment and crucifixion prepares us and prepared them to see life in a new way. There is so much going on. Thankfully we have Lent to begin to unpack what it means to have and to share and to grow in the hope of a resurrection…in the hopes of victory. We are to have hope my friends. So be moved to allow God to act through you and you too can live in the victory. Friends, you do not consciously know all that you really know about this. Below the surface of your consciousness you already know that you do not have to remain in defeat. Set your mind to thinking positive… thinking of victory. Do not focus on the problem, focus on the promise. Then get up and get moving to do something about all the love God has given us. And when you do, wake up to the Word. Be instructed by the Spirit. Experience the light of Christ and how his love holds it all together. Rejoice in the belief that Jesus is the key to victory in every situation of our lives and that even death has not victory over Christ. Know that Jesus died reversing the results of Mankind’s Fall. Instead of a proclamation of inevitable gloom, today we are to take up a battle cry.
Today we are asked to stop bewailing expected strife and join Jesus in the challenge of working in the fight of our life. Friends, victory is to be ours, but it does not come without a fight.
Pray that we begin to sort out how we have changed in the experience of Lent this year. Pray that God gives us victory over that which enslaves us. Pray that in the race we look to the goal with faith. Pray that when defeat seems imminent, He will lead us to victory. Pray that the victory is already won. Pray we sing with grace in our hearts for His victory in us. Pray that we gain strength from every victory given us by grace through faith. Pray that we be persistent in prayer until God blesses us with victory over the troubles of this life. Pray
that our soul be untethered and live on in Jesus. Pray that His Salvation will bring us serenity. Pray this serenity will bring us strength. Pray this strength will bring security. Pray this security will bring service. Pray our service will shine forth in our lives as a victory of faith secure in the knowledge and sufficiency of God. Pray that we share in the victory of Jesus.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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