Victory247

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others”   2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)

Paul was writing some advice to his good friend Timothy, urging him to tell others about what he has learned.

It embeds truth in to our heart if we pass on the things we are learning about God. Others get blessed, you get blessed, and He is honored.

Try it next time you hear a good sermon, come across an inspiring bible verse, or read a meaningful devotional. Briefly and humbly tell someone else what you have learned. This could be a family member, co-worker, friend…

(Trust me, true story) There was a guy in high school that was very popular, partier, good looking, star athlete… Years later he gave his life to Christ. He ran across an old high school classmate at a really good church service. She was one of those behind the scenes, quiet, good students that humbly blended into the background of high school memories. The popular guy probably didn’t even know her name. He walked up to her and asked, “were you a real Christian back in high school?” “Yes”, she retorted with a huge smile.” His response dropped her face. He kiddingly, yet honestly wondering, asked, “then why didn’t you tell me about it? I would have loved to have started my relationship with God much sooner. I did some really stupid things that I truly regret”. They hugged and became friends with a common bond.

Sometimes we think we will be bothering people if we bring up God-stuff. I have found the opposite to be true. Bring it up and see what happens.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, give me the courage and the tact to relay what I learn to others. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”  Matthew 6:13 (NIV)

In the sample prayer that Jesus is giving us, He realizes that we will be in a battle against sin; wrongful actions, words, or thoughts. We need to be convinced that sin damages us.

A saying that has helped me is that “if you are trying avoid sin, stay out of sin’s orchard”. Don’t put yourself in a candy store if eating sweets is a problem. Don’t turn on the computer or TV late at night if lust is a problem. Don’t bring up ‘juicy’ topics with certain people if gossip can grip you.

If you feel your flesh telling you that it’s okay, “everyone else is doing it”, be convinced that sin is NEVER worth it! Then pray to God to ‘deliver’ you with the strength to move past it.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, help me to fight the battles with sin. I need your strength. When I fail, I will confess and start over. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God”   Matthew 5:9

Jesus isn’t referring to an internal peace or a circumstantial peace in this statement. He is talking about relational peace. ‘Relational’ peace has to do with one’s state of harmony with other people.

Someone who has become a child of God by trusting Christ (see “Start the Victory” atop the victory247.org) has made eternal peace in their relationship with Him. God the Father actively pursued us by sending Jesus Christ to make amends for our broken relationship. Through Christ that relationship is fixed. Separation has been bridged and forgiven.

So, in response to that amazing grace is that we actively pursue peace with others. I know that we each have plenty of stressed and broken relationships that we could ‘pursue’. God is there to not only give us the strength to work on these, but also the ability to even feel like working on them.

Those who choose to ‘pursue’ will be ‘blessed’.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank You that I can have peace with You through Jesus Christ. Please help me to forgive and restore relationships that have been damaged. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3 (NIV)

We so often are comparing ourselves with others around us. When we look at their flaws and faults, “well, I’m not too bad”. But when we look at God, that purity, that holiness, that righteousness, we say, “Oh God, help me”. That is what ‘poor in spirit’ is. It’s a true evaluation of ourselves, not in light of man but in light of God, where we see the real truth about ourselves and it brings us to that, “oh God, I need help”, “I can’t do this, but with Your strength, I can”, or “I’m tired of trying to figure this out, what is Your direction for me”.

Jesus said, really ‘blessed’ or happy is that person. Why? Because he has had a true encounter with God, and as the result, the kingdom of heaven belongs to him. Not just living for the temporary, but for the eternal. Not just getting, but giving. Not finding self-worth in the accumulation of stuff, but in who we are in God’s loving eyes.

This verse is the first sentence Jesus says as He is beginning the famous “Sermon on the Mount”.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You that You love me in spite of my flaws, and thank You that I can be ‘blessed’ (happy) because I communicate and encounter You. Keep changing me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”  Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

‘Mercy’ is basically not getting something we deserve. We deserve to be punished for our sins; wrongful actions or thoughts. But as soon as we place our trust in Jesus Christ for our eternal salvation, God gives us the greatest gift; ‘mercy’! (see “Start the Victory” atop the victory247.org)

We are off the hook! We can now enjoy heaven when we die, and receive help from God while we are still here. Our lives can be a huge THANK YOU to the Lord for what He has done for us. So…

Jesus is asking us to realize how much we have been forgiven and shown mercy, then in return, treat people with mercy. Watch for opportunities today. It’s not easy, but let some things slide by instead of retaliating. Don’t lash back when someone verbally attacks. Don’t feel like we need to correct all the errors of others.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, it is hard to show mercy, especially to those closest to me. Please remind me of how much You “let me off the hook” eternally, as well as, every time I confess daily. I need Your strength to show mercy. Thank you for the blessings that will follow when I do. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Can I not do with you as this potter does?” declares the LORD. “Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in My hand”  Jeremiah 18:6 (NIV)

A potter is a guy who makes pots out of clay. This was big business back in the days before tupperware.

What the potter does is take a big glob of clay, put it on a spinning plate-like wheel, and skillfully form it with his hands. The goal is to make a vessel that is usable and attractive enough to sell.

There are some practical parallels to think about;

–Pressure– The potter needs to apply pressure to mold the pot. The pressures of life are irritating and frustrating. We can hand them over to God, or just walk around complaining and hiding behind the escape of indulgent pleasures.

–Water– moisture keeps the clay pliable and ready for subtle change. Without water the clay gets hard and too rigid. Confessing our wrongful actions, words, and thoughts is like adding moisture. Not confessing to God and others hardens the heart. We are unable to change, and start to grow a hard insensitivity toward others and to God.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I want You to be my potter. Remind me to hand my frustrations and pressures over to You, so that You can mold me through them. Help me to confess my wrongs toward You and others, so that I can have a soft heart and great relationships. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made”  Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

It’s amazing how every person is unique. Today’s verse says that God created us with a certain body, pattern of thinking, emotional wiring, skills, and talents.

Our culture tries to convince us that we start reaching our full potential as a human if we make a lot of money, or perform as a top athlete. I personally know men who have a terrible quality of life, have few friends, offensive, and grumpy, but they still are convinced that they are better than someone who makes less money. They have learned how to make a wealthy living, but don’t know how to live. Both are possible, but not essential for a full life.

I am coaching a seven grade basketball team. Tryouts are taking place to pick the top 12 players. The other 14 kids who get cut will feel like they are losers. Their esteem will be shaken. Value is placed on athletic skill. I know that several of those “cut” young men are quality individuals, but will feel less of a person then those who make the team.

It seems unfair, but there is only room for so many players. The blessing is that those “cut” guys can now have more time to find a niche in life that better fits them. Actually, making the team could stunt their growth.

We do the same thing. Failure can be God’s way of humbling us and directing us. One person defines success as; “going from failure to failure and not losing your enthusiasm”.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, don’t let my culture define my value and worth. You see me as valuable. Help me to see through Your eyes what and who You want me to be. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense”  Proverbs 19:11 (NIV)

We have heard the saying, “expect the unexpected”. That can be good, but I would like to also suggest that we “expect the expected”.

Sports coaches, players, and fans should expect that the refs will make at least a few bad calls. Spouses can’t be surprised when (not “if”) something is said that is hurtful. Parents shouldn’t go into shock when their teenager does something stupid. Friends need to be aware that they will get offended by selfishness. Teachers can’t be taken back when a student turns on them…

The key is to have a plan. There are times we need to let an offense slide by. There are times that offenses need to be addressed. But if we are ready (expecting, praying in advance and right after), our reactions to offenses can be much more productive. Offenses can actually help us develop our personal character and “patience muscle”.

We need to watch our reactions this week. Reactions are good indicators on how we are doing. It is worth it to use these hurtful moments to allow God to grow our character and patience. How we approach this can be a relationship builder, or a relationship killer.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, give me Your strength to handle offenses. Use them to develop me. Prepare me to expect the expected, and to tap into You for my reactions. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you”    Matthew 7:12 (NIV)

When I was a kid I remember this verse being called the “Golden Rule”. It almost became just a trite saying. It wasn’t until I got older that I put thought and effort into applying this to daily life.

When dealing with others we need to ask, “how would I want to be handled?”, “how would I want to be talked to?”…we basically need to put ourselves into their shoes. Try to look at our interactions through their eyes. It’s being ‘others-oriented’ instead of  ‘self-oriented’.

The more we live this way, the more God can invade, effect and impact our lives. He will keep blessing us so that we can bless others. Or we could even say that if we bless others, He will bless us (what came first, the chicken or the egg?).

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, give me the strength and faith to be ‘others-oriented’. Renew my thinking as I interact with people. Remind me to put on their shoes. Thank You for the blessings that will follow. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Seek first God’s kingdom and what God wants. Then all your other needs will be met as well”  Matthew 6:33 (New Century Version)

Starting in verse 6:23, Jesus is giving the people some healthy perspective on living by faith. He is addressing everyone’s basic daily needs; clothes (our stuff), and food (our survival).

Jesus is telling us that the Father will intervene in meeting these needs if we start to focus more on placing ourselves under His leadership (‘kingdom’), working on doing right, looking to help others, and not being consumed with just meeting our own needs. If we direct time and effort into seeking God and His perspective, we are saying to Him, “I believe, and I’m banking on You to take care of me”. Seeking God is basically opening the door for Him to step in to our personal world of physical, mental, emotional, and social needs.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, as I work responsibly to take care of my basic needs, give me opportunities to help others and spend some time learning more about You, because I want to experience You stepping in and helping my needs get met. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.