Victory in Jesus

We had been renting a log house in the village of Nenana, Alaska for several years.  It was the perfect size for not only our home, but there was plenty of room for our new church plant to meet for Sunday worship and youth group, and we were only a couple of blocks from the village school, which covered grades 1 through 12.  Then one day the owner asked if we would be interested in purchasing the house?  Without hesitation, we said, YES! What an awesome opportunity!  

Less than two weeks later, however, another buyer showed up promising cash and a quick closing on the deal.  The seller immediately terminated our verbal agreement and decided to sell the house to the new buyer because she didn’t want to wait for us to get a mortgage.  Losing hurts!

Here on earth, we may lose our home, our job, our health, and even our life. Despite these tragic and difficult losses, we can be victorious in a way that goes beyond this physical world. Revelation 17:14 tells us that this victory is possible through Jesus Christ because “he is Lord of lords and King of kings--and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”

We can be victorious because Jesus has been victorious. (See John 16:33)  Jesus said to the church in Laodicea, “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” (Revelation 3:21)

Later in the book of Revelation, John wrote about Jesus’ victory with these words, “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals? And no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it, and I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:2-5)  Jesus is Conqueror!

In the book of Revelation, we see how Jesus sits on a white horse and, “…he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.” (Revelation 6:2)  Likewise, through Jesus we can have overwhelming victory.  Through Jesus, we are able to overcome sin, death, and Satan himself! (See 1 Corinthians 15:55-57)

All other victories in life are meaningless if we don’t have victory in Jesus.  If you want to be victorious over sin, death, and Satan, you must first obey the gospel.  Believe in Jesus (See John 8:24), repent (See Acts 17:30), confess your faith in Christ as the Son of God (See 1 John 4:15), and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. (See Acts 2:38)

Though my wife and I have experienced this and other losses throughout the years, with Christ in our lives we will always be winners, and you can be too!  Regardless of the obstacles that you face, Jesus can conquer them all.

Trusting God in All Circumstances?

When it comes to trusting God, do you say the words that all Christians are supposed to say, “I trust God in all things.”  But then you glance down and notice your fingers clamped tight and your knuckles turning white, and you realize you don’t really trust anyone, let alone a God whom you can’t see. 

 How does one trust God in all circumstances?

 In life, we have all faced situations that are completely unexpected and out of our control.  These experiences are a great training ground to learn to depend on God in all things.  If we can learn to put our assurance in God, we can find that peace that surpasses all understanding.

 Who do you put your trust in?  Aren’t they the people you know?  We need to make sure getting to know God is a priority.  Friendship takes time; it takes a commitment to the relationship.  It is about talking, listening, and learning about the other person.

God has huge shoulders!  We can go to Him with anything.  It may feel irreverent to cry out to God, and yet the Bible invites us to do so.  In God’s word, we see many examples of people grief-stricken and crying to God.  The Psalms are full of David crying out to the Lord.  And in Luke 10:40 Martha asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”  Even Jesus in the garden asked, “Let this cup pass from me.” (Matthew 26:39)

Expressing our complaints to Him is okay, but we do not want to grumble about Him.  Of course, it won’t solve our unanswered prayer, but it will drive us to God where we can find peace.  “O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” (Psalm 62:8)

 It is important to keep a record of what God has done in your life and the lives of those around you.  It will benefit you to remember that God is with you and for you.  Try journaling, so you have something to look back to and see how faithful God is.  2 Corinthians 5:7 reminds us, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.”

 Our assurance in God applies not just to the big things or when prayers are not answered.  It also applies to our everyday circumstances.  It is easy to struggle in the places where we see a little wiggle room or think we have some control.  In reality, we know we have no real power, and this thinking keeps us stuck in a place of fear, worry, and anxiety.

 An excellent example of the steps above can be found in Psalm 77.  Asaph wrestles and cries out to God, and then turns to remember how God has helped him in the past. In the end, he then turns to trusting God and in verses 11-13 says, “I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. Your ways, O God, are holy. What god is so great as our God?”

I encourage you to take to heart the verses in Proverbs 3:5, 6 and learn how to trust God in all circumstances.  “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Where do you struggle the most in trusting God?