Tag: #YieldedLives

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Obstacles or Opportunities – Part 2

I love what Pastor Jack Hayford says: “Unbelief looks at obstacles; faith looks at God” (The Hayford Bible Handbook). 

Whatever we focus on grows (Pr 23:7). 

One of the definitions of “obstacle” is “catch-22.”

We can either get caught up in a snare or caught up in the powerful Presence of God with the mind of Christ.

We are commanded to follow God’s lead. Yet, if we don’t know Him for ourselves, we won’t trust Him.

God has a glorious inheritance for us as we move from obsolete (legend) to overcomer.

We know there is freedom (opportunity) in the salvation God offers us for a life reconciled to Him. And we know God goes before us to make a way, even when life on earth seems impossible to us. 

But do we believe Him at His Word?

Pastor Hayford wisely advises us to increase our “faith in God’s promises rather than look at the impossible circumstances.”

With this strategy, we grow in faith and shrink hindrances as we trust God. 

But when we see more obstacles than opportunities, something’s wrong: Our focus and faith have shifted off of God and His grace and goodness. 

We have come to trust something or someone else above God. 

Perhaps even ourselves. 

We know that God never disappoints, because His Word says so (1 Pe 2:6). 

So, when we feel disappointed or frustrated, it’s an alert to us to shift our misplaced faith (and focus) back onto Him.

Even when we walk through wilderness seasons or when we feel hemmed in during times of endurance, we can still look up and seek and worship God. We can see above and beyond giants when we gain God’s perspective. We can receive power from on high and defeat them as we experience God’s magnificent Glory-Presence. We can stand in His truth, knowing He will watch over and fulfill His promises to us in His time and way.

Sovereign God is more powerful than any mere obstacle. 

King David understood this. I believe his defeat of Goliath was an outward manifestation of David having overcome something within his own soul.

Since Jesus has bought back abundant life for us, we only need to believe Him at His Word, obey Him and receive from His heart and hand through His gift of grace.

Unlike man, He will not cheat us or trick us. 

He will not be too hard on us.

With God, we will never come up short when we receive what He has for us.

But obstacles of the soul that we don’t overcome can limit God.

And they can take many forms.

For example, when we take our eyes off of The Spirit of Grace, a harsh attitude can easily gain ground into our soul—a legalistic one that fears and thinks and sees the worst in people and circumstances. A critical attitude that tears others down. This is condemnation of the enemy, the accuser of the brethren, working through a person. This type of behavior reveals insecurity (an open door) in the soul of that person, a hole in their soul where they’ve rejected God’s way and gave up their hope and confidence. 

This type of behavior is a self-reliant attempt to cope in order to protect oneself and one’s worth by exalting oneself pridefully. It is a false shield that distrusts God and counters the armor of God. This false shield will eventually be shaken, because it’s an idol within an unbelieving heart (Is 2:18). The vain glory of un-resolve battling to rule the effects of a wounded soul held captive. The aging unrest, false responsibility and overwork of self-reliance above knowing God and trusting in His goodness. 

1 Corinthians 8:4 AMPC reveals that “…an idol is nothing (has no real existence) and that there is no God but one. [Deut. 6:4.]”

This self-reliant behavior can be the result of a life hard lived that didn’t know a better way of the true power of God. It can even be blasphemous, where God’s truth was “traded for a lie” long ago (Ro 1:25).

Jeremiah 2:11 AMPC says “…My people have changed their Glory [God] for that which does not profit.” 

So, this type of behavior can be at the root of why people fail in life, because there is no life (or victory) in idolatry, including our way.

Proverbs 16:3 tells us, “Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed.”

So, friends, isn’t it time to lay down every hopeless obstacle of idolatry? Every worthless focus that would try to exalt itself against God’s power and rob you of His abundance (2 Co 10:5)?

There’s no need to fear coming into port to make this exchange, because there’s no condemnation in Christ.

God is rich in mercy and full of grace.

James 1:5 TPT tells us, “…if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace.”

We need to humble ourselves and yield our whole heart to The Lord and receive.

And if we desire to see a great yield of good fruit in our lives, then we have to yield to the Fruit of the Spirit (Ga 5:23).

So, God’s parallel for the enemy’s catch-22 is Isaiah 22:22, which is to wholeheartedly believe and operate in the authority, power and privilege of our position in Christ, having been given full access, nothing withheld through Jesus. His Spirit living in us is our key to “revelation, treasures, favor and opportunity” (Is 22:22 TPT study note).

Yes, “…we still have the opportunity to enter into the faith-rest life and experience the fulfillment of the promise” (Hebrews 4:6 TPT)!

Matthew 22:2 AMPC says, “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who gave a wedding banquet for his [daughter].” 

It’s time to enter into God’s abundant life (Strong’s #2222). 

So, pray with me, if you will…

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for offering me abundant life. I repent of wrongdoing. I trade in my false shields for You as my protector. I invite Jesus into my whole heart, nothing withheld (Pr 30:5). I choose to lay down every false idol to You today and make You the center of my life. Help me to receive Your healing power—bind every wound and heal every injury. Show me a better way, Lord. Enable me to receive Your freedom of deliverance from every catch-22 snare. Help me to receive healthy boundaries and truth in my life as I choose to trust You totally (Pr 16:3). Help me to know You more. I ask You to release Your wisdom, revelation and favor to me, as You know all things (1 Jn 2:20). Help me to receive Your best legacy (inheritance) and destiny (pre-determined plan) for my life. Thank You, Lord, for making all things new. Thank You for the invitation to Your banquet. I receive it.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen. 

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.