Victory247

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD”              Psalm 31:24 (NIV)

My paraphrase of this verse would go something like this, “Hang in there when things get tough, God will rescue you”.

The biblical term ‘hope’ is different than how it is used today. ‘Hope’ isn’t just a desire for something to happen, it WILL happen.

There was an experiment done with rats in the deep sewer water (sounds disgusting). How long can a rat swim before it gives up and drowns?

They took some rats and rescued them right before they reached “the give-up point”. Interestingly, the next day these rats would swim further than “the give- up point”. Why? They had hope! They knew, unlike the first timers, that if they hung in there that they would be rescued.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I need Your strength to not give up. I place my dependence and ‘hope’ in You. I know You won’t let me drown. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had”  Romans 15:5 (NIV)

I thought it was interesting to see in this verse that our attitude toward others starts with allowing God to impact us. He gives us ‘endurance and encouragement‘.

The ‘endurance and encouragement’ comes by asking for His strength. Then power comes through the Holy Spirit that dwells in those who have accepted Christ into their hearts (see “Start the Victory” atop victory247.org).

The ‘endurance and encouragement’ also comes through an understanding of how God views us, and knowing our efforts to walk and depend on Him are not a waste of time.

I was watching a show about overweight teenagers. Each kid gets a personal trainer to work with them every day in the summer.

One girl weighed 263 lbs and her trainer was outstanding. He gave her guidelines to follow when he wasn’t there, and verbally pushed and encouraged her during the treadmill and weightroom training. “You can do this, I know it’s hard but you will breakthrough, I’m so proud of you, it’s okay that you failed today because we’ll start over, you will look back on this and be so glad you kept going, you are important…”

Needless to say, she lost 79lbs and was so glad she decided to allow this guy to impact her life.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, remind me to depend on You continually so that I will get Your ‘endurance and encouragement’. Train me in life. Thank You for the amazing blessings that will follow. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink”  Judges 7:6 (NIV)

God was helping Gideon pick an army of men to fight the Midianites. The number of men was widdled down from 22,000 to 10,000, and God told him that he still had too many (you would think, get as many dudes as possible when putting together a rumble).

He has Gideon send the men to get a drink at the waters edge. Three hundred scooped the water with their hands to drink. The other 9,700 kneeled face down into the water. God told Gideon to cut all the fellas that didn’t scoop.

Wow. Now they were down to 300! Talk about not grading on a curve.

Think about it. The guys who went facedown were not alert and cautious. The ones who used their hands could look around while getting their drink.

God wanted those who were alert, aware, always checking out and evaluating what is going on around them so that they can respond or act quickly and thoughtfully.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, come beside me and show me to be aware and always evaluating what’s going on around me so to make wise decisions, as well as, help others. Correct me when I am facedown in self-indulgence or self-consumption. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured… “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive others from your heart.” Matthew 18:34-35 (NIV)

These are the last verses of a story that Jesus was telling His disciples about forgiving others.

He is saying that there is a consequence to not forgiving someone.

Have you ever been mad at someone because you found out that they were talking poorly of you to others, wronged you, took something or someone from you…?

Every time you see that person or even hear their name, you get that grinding feeling in your gut. You see them across the room and you take the long way, just to avoid them. You talk about them to others. You examine and research their every move and criticize or complain.

You want them to fail. You, my friend, ‘have been handed over to the jailers to be tortured’!

This doesn’t just happen between enemies. It is most common with those we “love”; husbands and wives, parents and children, siblings, coaches, teachers…

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, please help me to forgive, even when they don’t “deserve” it. Show me who I am in bondage to and let me be released by truly forgiving them, BECAUSE I WAS UNDESERVINGLY FORGIVEN BY YOU. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Mark 9:24 (NIV)

Jesus was dealing with a dad who wanted his son to be healed of a spiritual condition that manifested physically.

The Lord basically told him that he needed to believe and have faith behind his prayers. The verse for today was His response.

I read this passage of scripture and wonder what the dad really meant. It seems like he was saying, “I believe it could happen, but I have some serious doubts”. Then I think of how many times I do the same thing.

“I guess I will pray about this, but probably a slim chance…”, or “God, I need You to help me, but I really don’t ‘feel’ like You even exist right now”.

We need to realize that answered prayer doesn’t necessarily depend on us thinking and saying the exact right formula. And faith is NOT a feeling. Feelings and emotions vary throughout the day and week. Our faith needs to be anchored in the FACTS placed in the bible.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, ‘I do believe; help me to overcome my unbelief’. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”  Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

Prayer is basically talking with God. Interestingly, this verse doesn’t suggest that we merely try to pray.  Instead the word ‘devote’ is used.

I think of the word “devote” in many contexts. My wife is devoted to jogging. She makes sure she is on the treadmill or running the streets of our neighborhood five days a week. My son is devoted to basketball. He shoots about 4,000 practice shots a week in the off season. I know men who seem to be devoted to not being devoted to anything. And let’s not even talk about devoted fans (those of us who can be insane during certain games).

I have found that when God insists that we do something, He knows it’s critical for our own well-being.

I personally try to chat with and acknowledge God in spots during my busy day. I also suggest we have to a set time each day.

I use the acrostic “APPTS” (appointments) as my prayer outline to guide and round out my set times with God.

Admit- confess wrongs, ask Him to change me.  Praise- appreciate His reign, and that He renews me daily.  People- pray for friends, family, and to forgive those who offend me. Thanks- for my possessions, the people in my life, and my position in life.  Self- my dreams, desires, direction, diet.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I pray for my “prayer times”. Let me allow You to invade and bless my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD Almighty”  Zechariah 4:6 (NIV)

There’s an old saying that says, “Let go and let God”. Sounds trite, but really think about it.

Jesus interacted with as many people as possible when He was on earth in the flesh. He spent most of His time with the disciples, teaching, training and helping them.

Alone, He could only do so much. But He had a plan that was much greater!

How about dying on the cross, rising, ascending into heaven and eventually giving us access to the Holy Spirit. This way He could personally influence every person who places there faith in Him, because they will each receive the Spirit.

It’s like a divine computer chip placed within us. As we dwell on His truths, pray and serve, the program starts to unfold. Then we understand and walk closer to Him, which leads to more unfolding.

The best part about this “chip” is that It knows and cares about us. And most importantly, we are not left alone. He yearns to give us the strength to live it out.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, I can’t do this on my own. Remind me to depend on You and Your Spirit moment by moment. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. And I will love them and show Myself to them.” John 14:21 (NIV)

Have you ever wondered what Jesus would be like to meet face to face, and actually get to know Him by hanging out together?

The end of this verse indicates that He will ‘show Himself to us’. A friend showed me a simple little quote that has helped me know Jesus more over time.

“LOVE GOD, HATE SIN, SERVE PEOPLE”

-Today’s verse says that keeping His commands shows Him LOVE; attempting to do what’s right, talking to Him in prayer…

-HATE sin by avoiding wrongful actions and words. Staying moral, ethical, and free of gossip, complaining…We will fail, so admit it and pray to change.

-SERVE PEOPLE by giving of our time, encouraging words, acts of service, donating money. Praying for family, friends and others.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, help me to love You, hate sin, and serve others so that I will see You more clearly. Thank You for the amazing side benefits for just attempting to grow in these areas. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth?”  Galatians 5:7 (NIV)

Have you ever found yourself doing things that you know deep down are wrong? Or stumbling onto new friends that have bad habits or ethics that you find yourself adopting so to fit in?

I know of a young man who earned a scholarship to play basketball in college. This young man had high morals, ethics and faith. The other players did not, to say the least.

The young man was teased and left out because heavy partiers want everyone to join in to justify their youthful immorality and lifestyles. If one is “staying clean”, then an uncomfortable guilt can filter in.

Needless to say, the young man started wanting to throw in the towel and go to the strip clubs, get drunk, pick up girls…just to fit in and have some friends. But, he stood firm and in God’s strength he continued ‘running a good race’. Guys are now warming up to him and starting to look up to him. Before long, they will be going to him for advice and help.

But most importantly he kept his inner peace and joy.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, help me to start over when I allow others to ‘cut in’. Give me the strength to ‘run a good race’, especially when there is strong resistance. Thank You that the benefits and prize are great and well worth it. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

“I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation”

Philippians 4:12 (NIV)

Paul was in a smelly, nasty prison when he wrote this verse. Chained twenty-four hours a day to a different Roman guard (for those of us who can’t relate; no TV, cell phone or internet access). Paul was a wealthy, top corporate exec of the Pharisees before he turned his life over to Christ. But now he is in a very humbling situation. So he really knows ‘what it is to be in need’ and ‘to have plenty’.

So what’s ‘the secret of being content’?—>

-> He truly trusted that God would take care of him, even if he died. His life was in God’s hands. He knew it was God’s responsibility to work things out.

-> He didn’t have the “if-then” mentality. “If things work out, then I will be happy”, “If I get this new job, then I will be fulfilled”, “If I had a romantic relationship, then my life would be complete”…

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, help me to truly appreciate where I am in life, who I am, and what I have. Give me peace in my spirit, quench my unrest with thank You’s. I place my life in Your hands. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.