Tag: #Proverbs4:9

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Victory Strategy: Obedience – Part 2

One way God demonstrates His love for us is to give us victory over everything as we adhere to, rely on and trust in Him.

Romans 8:37 TPT tells us, “Yet even in the midst of all these things, we triumph over them all, for God has made us to be more than conquerors, and his demonstrated love is our glorious victory over everything!”

In Part 1 of this series, we learned that we receive this victory by faith-believing, which implies action.

So, we do have a part in our manifest victory.

We know that God is our source for victory based on Proverbs 21:31 TPT, which says, “ultimate victory comes from the Lord God.”

Psalm 20:7 TPT reiterates this by saying, “…Our boast is in the Lord our God, who makes us strong and gives us victory!”

Psalm 18:35 TPT tells us, “You empower me for victory with your wrap-around presence. Your power withinmakes me strong to subdue…”

Proverbs 4:9 TPT says, “You will be adorned with beauty and grace, and wisdom’s glory will wrap itself around you, making you victorious in the race.”

Friends, at the point where we invite Jesus into our broken places, we begin to experience victory.

Just like the woman at the well, who invited Jesus to share His victory with her, she ran with beautiful feet to proclaim the good news to her people (Ro 10:15, Is 61:1).

This is important to remember as we receive nations as our inheritance and carry His glory to make His Name known. 

Like Esther, who pushed against all odds to help rescue a nation of people, Psalm 44:5 TPT assures us that “Through [His] glorious name and [His} awesome power we can push through to any victory and defeat every enemy.”

So, in His compassion for us, even the distress and oppression established against nations must bow in the Presence of our Perfect Lamb.

Isaiah 61:4 further reveals that, “…they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.”

As I sought The Lord on this topic, He impress my heart with a particular message, which is this:

Those who are willing to depart from abominations that produce ashes, the ones who open their eyes and their hearts to Him and become convinced by faith-believing, will move from (abomi)nations to their inheritance of nations (Is 44). 

Like the woman at the well, once we let Jesus into every chamber of our hearts, shame and disgrace will go. Then, we will run with beautiful feet to nations as an evangelist, strengthened and made victorious by Jesus, to share His compassion with our inheritance-nations, as in Isaiah 61:1 ESV, which says, 

“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;”

Lord, search our hearts (Ps 139:23-24)!

If there is any way in us that is displeasing, bring the conviction that leads us to repentance. 

Friends, we don’t want to miss this.

Unbelief feeds defeat. Strife is a snare and is rooted in a lack of true identity in Christ and a fear of man. Disrespect and defeat go hand in hand. They perpetuate a vicious trap. 

Proverbs 29:25 AMP reminds us that “The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.”

So, we don’t have to abandon our place of rest to tend to someone else. 

This is important to remember as we move forward.

We can have compassion for others and not allow them to take advantage of our compassion and pull us down with them.

We can pray for others and put our full faith and trust in God alone to bring them up higher, based on their willingness. 

We can have respect for God’s process of sanctification, believing He will get them to maturity in Him, even as far as their full restoration in Heaven.

We can remain in a place of glorious victory-strength and extend grace to others, believing God is working as we interact and fulfill divine purpose.

Friends, when we love well, we bring life.

We respect others.

We must remember that we have been given a gift of victory, and that we fight from this place of victory, according to God’s Word.

2 Corinthians 2:14-15 AMPC say, “But thanks be to God, Who in Christ always leads us in triumph [as trophies of Christ’s victory] and through us spreads and makes evident the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere,  For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ…”

I pray that we will live up to these promises. I pray that we will not give up and that we will run to our nations with beautiful feet. I pray that we will be finishers and that we will always remember the One who makes us victorious. 

To God be the glory.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Jesus The Victorious: Our Certain Win

What’s your idea of victory? Achieving all your goals in life? Beating your competitor? Or just trying to cross the finish line the best you can?

Friends, God has higher for you than any of this.

And higher begins with Him alone.

Psalm 24:10 TPT asks us, “…’Who is this King of Glory?’ He is the Lord of Victory, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, the invincible commander of heaven’s hosts! Yes, he is the King of Glory!”

In two cases of persecution, Jesus identifies Himself as “Jesus the Victorious” (Acts 9:5, 22:8, Mk 1:24 TPT).

In these two particular situations, Jesus’ persecutors were a man in the synagogue possessed by an unclean spirit (Mk 1:24), and Saul on the Damascus road (Acts 9:5, Acts 22:8).

Notice here, that even in, and especially in the face of persecution, Jesus remains in His identity and authority over all.

After identifying Himself to these persecutors, Jesus swiftly delivered them from that which afflicted Him and held them back.

Jesus made them victorious over darkness.

He truly liberated them.

Lives changed.

Jesus set each of them free on a new path for His higher purposes beyond themselves.

By His Spirit, they became more like Him.

And many witnessed this.

Friends, God loves to give us victory (Ps 44:3, 149:4).

And we are desperate to identify with His Victorious Name.

Like Jesus, we can authoritatively wage war against persecution with His powerful Name. We can be certain to overcome evil from a position of victory that Christ won for us on the cross.

Just believe, and act accordingly.

This inheritance, through the grace of Jesus, is appropriated by His indwelling persuasiveness, which is His imparted faith to us.

1 John 5:4 TPT explains, “You see, every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world.”

But do we, like Jesus, always choose to apply our victory-power of faith, in the face of persecution? Or do we tolerate unnecessary affliction outside of God’s will? Do we suffer needlessly? Do we make it better or worse for ourselves and others?

Obedience to God is a factor—both in the amount of victory we receive, as well as in the timing thereof.

Abiding with The Lord and trusting Him as the Spirit of Wisdom is crucial in victorious decision-making.

Proverbs 4:9 TPT says, “You will be adorned with beauty and grace, and wisdom’s glory will wrap itself around you, making you victorious in the race.”

Psalm 118:13 TPT declares, “…I was ready to fall, but you helped me to triumph, and together we overcame them all.”

So we see here that victory is a joint effort that requires our participation.

2 Corinthians 2:14 TPT reveals, “God always makes his grace visible in Christ, who includes us as partners of his endless triumph. Through our yielded lives he spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go.”

God’s prevailing Presence stands in victory over all, as He shares His love with us (Songs 7:7).

Therefore, even though we participate, our final Authority and Ruler over all, who is God, ultimately determines our level of increase (victory) (Ps 11:14).

Proverbs 21:31 TPT tells us, “You can do your best to prepare for the battle, but ultimate victory comes from the Lord God.”

God watches over us and sees the motives and actions of every heart.

He does everything He can, by His faithfulness, to sustain victory in our lives: God brings His salvation. He defends us and preserves us. He leads us into all truth. He protects our minds and hearts with the armor of truth and holiness. And He wraps His glory-presence, which is victory, around us as a protective shield (Eph 6:14; Ps 7:10; 18:35, 43).

Sometimes, we have to “push through” to victory by God’s Victorious Name, His Glorious Presence and awesome power to “defeat every enemy” (Ps 44:5).

Even during seasons of (long-suffering) endurance, God has purposed us to be victorious: to make us stronger in Him for His Kingdom purposes (Ps 55:22).

God, Himself, is enduring of life and time. He is everlasting. He offers Himself to us as the highest-ranking Source of perpetual strength. He is always with us and constantly intercedes for us. Even when our best prayer is a humble whisper, He rescues us from trouble.

Matthew 12:20 TPT assures us, “He won’t brush aside the bruised and broken. He will be gentle with the weak and feeble, until his victory releases justice.”

I love what Isaiah 35:4 TPT says, “…’Be strong and never afraid. Look, here comes your God! He is breaking through to give you victory! He comes to avenge your enemies. With divine retribution he comes to save you!’”

God’s desire is to bring us out better than before, to saturate us with His goodness (Ps 66:12).

Psalm 92:10 TPT affirms this by saying, “Your anointing has made me strong and mighty. You’ve empowered my life for triumph by pouring fresh oil over me.”

Song of Songs 6:10 TPT assures us by saying, “Look at you now— arising as the dayspring of the dawn, fair as the shining moon. Bright and brilliant as the sun in all its strength. Astonishing to behold as a majestic army waving banners of victory.”

Even death cannot conquer a believer in Christ (1 Cor 15:54-55). One way or another, death can only cause God’s lovers to rise higher in Him, as true life is restored.

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, Thank You for Your divine gift of victory and for bringing me victorious salvation through Your finished work at the cross. Thank You that Your victory releases justice on my behalf (Matt 12:20). I repent of operating in any and all doubt, hopelessness, and injustice that leads to defeat. I renounce every spirit of defeat and lies that the enemy has tried to bring. I command depression and oppression to depart from me now, in Jesus’ Mighty Name of Victory. And I call forth, the Spirit of the Living God to rise up in me to bring new life and fresh victorious hope (Heb 3:6). I declare that I am set free, truly liberated, and positioned in great freedom and abundance. I am victorious because of You. Thank You for growing me in victory (Ps 92:12). Thank you for protecting me and guiding me in victory. Thank You for helping me reign victorious going forward. Thank You, Lord, for Your love for me and for making me “more than a conqueror” over “every form of evil as a victorious soldier of Jesus, the Anointed One” (Ro 8:37, 2 Tim 2:3). My heart is Yours, Lord. With You, I know we can do this…victoriously. Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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God’s Glory-Power: Our Righteous Boast

“Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power; Your right hand, O Lord, shatters the enemy” (Ex 15:6 AMPC).

“You crushed the strongholds of Egypt and all your enemies were scattered at the mighty display of your glory-power” (Ps 89:10 TPT).

“You ask, ‘Who is this King of Glory?’ He is the Lord of Victory, armed and ready for battle, the Mighty One, the invincible commander of heaven’s hosts! Yes, he is the King of Glory” (Ps 24:10 TPT)!

1 Chronicles 29:11 NLT declares, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours…and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.”

Psalm 93:1 TPT says, “Look! Yahweh now reigns as King! He has covered himself with majesty and strength, wearing them as his splendor-garments. Regal power surrounds him as he sits securely on his throne. He’s in charge of it all, the entire world, and he knows what he’s doing!”

Friends, aren’t you glad that mighty God is head over all, that He knows what He’s doing and that He’s for us?

We can trust our Lord, Adonai, Sovereign and Master over the universe as He works His master plan of fulfillment.

As His masterpieces, God has “delegated to [us] mastery over all [He has] made, everything subservient to [our] authority, placing earth itself under the feet of [His] image-bearers” (Ps 8:6).

Mastery is a type of Godly power.

With this comes reverential responsibility.

First to Glorious God.

To His important Presence and mighty acts.

We are to consult Him and give thanks for who He is and what He does.

He is the “Commander of Angel Armies”…our “crown of glory and a diadem of beauty for the remnant of his people” (Is 28:5).

He empowers us by giving us everything we need.

He deserves all the credit (credit being a type of glory), as well as honor and praise, lest we think we accomplished great exploits all on our own (Eph 2:9, 3:7).

1 Corinthians 10:31 TPT instructs us to “…live your life in a way that glorifies and honors God.”

To do this, we must acknowledge our Hope of Glory, which is Jesus.

“Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it” (Col 1:27)!

Strong’s Concordance defines “glory” in Colossians 1:27 as “the unspoken manifestation of God.” This divine glory in us also encompasses God’s approval, which determines our value, as well as His excellence, dignity, splendor, honor, and brightness.

We can trust and be confident in this, according to God’s Word.

2 Corinthians 3:18 TPT reveals, “We can all draw close to him with the veil removed from our faces. And with no veil, we all become like mirrors who brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus. We are being transfigured into his very image, as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

As God leads and grows us from glory to glory, we realize God’s beauty and strength increases in our soul. In this way, there is a completion element in glory. Completion means: integration, perfection, fruition, and fulfillment. So, when we master one level or area of growth, by submission to the Master (Adonai), we’ve completed that portion. Then God moves us onward to the next glory, until we complete our race on earth and receive our glorified bodies for Heaven. 

If you’ve been suffering through tests and trials, know that God’s glory will be with you throughout, and that His glory will also be your completion. In other words, your story will end in glory.

So, don’t give up. 

Walk closely with God, who is never defeated.

Remain in His glory.

God will help you finish your race victoriously. 

Proverbs 4:9 TPT assures us that, “You will be adorned with beauty and grace, and wisdom’s glory will wrap itself around you, making you victorious in the race.”

When we put on Christ, who is our royal diadem, our crown of glory, we put on His victory of life, the finished work of the cross (Gal 3:27).

Remember, too, that God glorifies us to bring Himself glory. 

Isaiah 55:5 TPT affirms this by saying, “Look! You will summon nations you’ve never heard of. Nations, who have never heard of you, will come running to follow you because Yahweh, your God, the Holy One of Israel, has glorified you!”

Never forget that God’s glory is in and around you—His redeemed and beloved.

Psalms 62:7 TPT declares, “God’s glory is all around me! His wrap-around presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life-giving strength.”

Zechariah 2:5 AMP confirms this by saying, “‘For I,’ declares the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire around her [protecting her from enemies], and I will be the glory in her midst.'”

Proverbs 31:25 TPT says, “Bold power and glorious majesty are wrapped around her, as she laughs with joy over the latter days.”

Bible characters like Esther, Joseph and David understood God’s glory-power, as protective armor and influence. They glorified God by acknowledging who He is, by seeking Him, by depending upon Him, and magnifying Him above their life-or-death circumstances, even beyond themselves. Each had a nation to consider. Each endured suffering to discover a glorious, new life with a noble promotion.

We can do the same when we lean into the nobility of trustworthy God, to live lives that bring Him glory (Ps 29:1). 

Song of Songs 5:14 TPT invites us to, “See how his hands hold unlimited power…displaying his glory. His innermost place is a work of art—so beautiful and bright. How magnificent and noble is this one—covered in majesty!”

Pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, “…your power and presence shines on all your lovers. Your glory always hovers over all who bow low before you” (Ps 85:9). Thank You for giving me moral power, and excellence in my soul. Thank You for enabling me to “carry this glorious treasure within” me, “so that the extraordinary overflow of power, will be seen as” Yours, “not” mine (2 Cor 4:7). I repent of every time I misused Your glory, and boasted about myself or others, in an ungodly way (Jer 9:23). Please forgive me. I choose to forgive myself. I renounce this wrong behavior. And, I command evil to go. I close the door on evil. Show me a higher way, Lord. Help me to bring You glory in everything I do (2 Cor 10:17). Help me to know and understand You “[personally and practically, directly discerning and recognizing” Your “character], that” You are the Lord, Who practices loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things,” You “delight” (Jer 9:24). “Thank You for letting me share in the wealth and beauty of all your lovers,” rejoicing “with Your nation in all their joys, and” for letting “me share in the glory You give to Your chosen ones” (Ps 106:5). I look forward to seeing “the Son of Man, appearing in the midst of clouds, and revealed with mighty power, and great glory” (Mk 13:26).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

And now “I pray that” God “would unveil within you the unlimited riches of his glory and favor until supernatural strength floods your innermost being with his divine might and explosive power” (Eph 3:16 TPT). “…[so that you can know and understand] what is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for” you “who believe as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which” God “exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His [own] right hand in the heavenly [places]. (Eph 1:19-20 AMPC). I “…pray that you would be energized with all his explosive power from the realm of his magnificent glory, filling you with great hope” (Col 1:11 TPT). I pray that He will “rescue” you “every time” you “face tribulation and set” you “free from evil. For” God is “the King, who rules with power and glory forever…” (Matt 6:13 TPT). I pray that you will “proclaim his majesty, all you mighty champions, you” daughters “of Almighty God, giving all the glory and strength back to him” (Ps 29:1, Is 24:16)!

In Jesus’ Glorious and Powerful Name.

Amen.

This article was graciously reposted on the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.