Romans 15:13
I pray that God, who gives hope, will
bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And
may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I was reading some Beth Moore devotionals today, and she talked about living successfully versus living victoriously.
Moore pointed out that many people manage to skate through life
relatively unscathed…to be what most consider “successful”. They appear
to have a great life…do well in business, live comfortably, and have
and do all of the things we associate with “success”. Often, these
folks have managed somehow to avoid very much conflict or struggle in
their lives. But just because these people have glided along pretty
smoothly does not mean that they have lived victoriously.
What’s
the difference? A victorious person is one who has grabbed hold of the
promises of God and held them tightly, even when “the chips were down”.
This person trusts that God is in control, no matter what. He/she
believes God when He says in His word that we are important to
Him…precious treasures for whom He wants only the best. Regardless of
what is happening in the lives of people who live victoriously, they are
filled with complete happiness and peace through Jesus Christ.
Does
this mean that victorious people are never sad…that they never have
bills to pay – or get into debt…lose a job…get sick…grieve…or have
struggles or tragedies in their lives? Absolutely not! But because
they are filled with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit,
victorious people know that they can handle whatever comes their way.
God understands grief and suffering. He knows that when we are sick or
injured, we are not necessarily at our best. He knows that people lose
jobs and struggle to pay bills. He feels our pain when relationships
sour and people frustrate or dishearten us. But He also offers us the
hope of a better day…and those who trust Him to deliver this are never
disappointed.
Not all successful people are victorious…but
those who are filled with hope in Jesus are both! Where are you in
this picture? Where would you like to be? Anyone who puts his/her hope
and trust in the LORD…and truly internalizes the power of the Holy
Spirit to accomplish all things in and through them…will enjoy the
complete happiness, peace and rest of a victorious life. And this is
the ultimate example of success…don’t you agree?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label victory in Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label victory in Jesus. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for December 31, 2013
Titus 3:7
Jesus treated us much better than we deserve.
He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you.
He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, a friend of mine posted this on Facebook:
Satan cannot stand it when we give our heart to God. He absolutely despises even the thought that we belong to God and are protected and reinvigorated by His love and care. So he uses all of his cohorts to TRY to snuff out our light…just as my friend said. But the all-important filled-with-hope-and-and-comfort GOOD NEWS is that Satan can never win when we belong to God!
As we close out this year, I am sure that there have been moments of joy and peace in your life in the last twelve months. But I am also fairly certain that many have experienced a time when you felt like the devil was coming after you. I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I am resolving to put on God’s full armor this year… to remind myself often of His presence - and His unending love and care. When Satan sends his cohorts to try to snuff out my light, I’ll stomp my foot and tell him to “Get lost!” As the old hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”… and I know that He is covering me in both.
I pray that you will end this year – and enter the next – with hope… the hope of always being acceptable to God through Jesus… the hope of God’s victory after victory – and his unending presence in your life… and the ultimate hope of Eternal Life with Him in heaven someday. Resolve to make 2014 a year of HOPE…refreshed with God’s love and armed against Satan and every one of his cohorts. God bless and keep you… Happy New Year!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Jesus treated us much better than we deserve.
He made us acceptable to God and gave us the hope of eternal life.
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you.
He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.”
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
This morning, a friend of mine posted this on Facebook:
Ok, so here's the deal…Satan REALLY hates me. He's a thief, a liar, and the lowest of low. He'll use any of his cohorts; anxiety, imperfection, depression, oppression, regret, fear, doubt, loss, pain, apathy, indifference ...to SNUFF out my light. Be on the lookout… because if you've said “YES!” to God, you better believe he'll come for you too!Clearly, she is dealing with some serious challenges… as are all of us at one time or another. So these two verses… one from the New Testament and one from the Old Testament, both bring us a message of hope. Jesus treats us much better than we deserve and makes us acceptable to God. We have hope of Eternal Life because of Jesus. AND…God wins victory after victory and is always with us! God actually sings because of us and refreshes us with His love.
Satan cannot stand it when we give our heart to God. He absolutely despises even the thought that we belong to God and are protected and reinvigorated by His love and care. So he uses all of his cohorts to TRY to snuff out our light…just as my friend said. But the all-important filled-with-hope-and-and-comfort GOOD NEWS is that Satan can never win when we belong to God!
As we close out this year, I am sure that there have been moments of joy and peace in your life in the last twelve months. But I am also fairly certain that many have experienced a time when you felt like the devil was coming after you. I’m not big on New Year’s resolutions, but I am resolving to put on God’s full armor this year… to remind myself often of His presence - and His unending love and care. When Satan sends his cohorts to try to snuff out my light, I’ll stomp my foot and tell him to “Get lost!” As the old hymn says, “My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”… and I know that He is covering me in both.
I pray that you will end this year – and enter the next – with hope… the hope of always being acceptable to God through Jesus… the hope of God’s victory after victory – and his unending presence in your life… and the ultimate hope of Eternal Life with Him in heaven someday. Resolve to make 2014 a year of HOPE…refreshed with God’s love and armed against Satan and every one of his cohorts. God bless and keep you… Happy New Year!
©2013 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for October 7, 2011
Psalm 118:14-17
My power and my strength come from the LORD, and he has saved me. From the tents of God's people come shouts of victory: "The LORD is powerful! With his mighty arm the LORD wins victories! The LORD is powerful!" And so my life is safe, and I will live to tell what the LORD has done.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I never know where God will lead me for inspiration as I write these devotionals. In recent months, I’ve pretty much written them one at a time, rather than writing several in advance… trusting God each day to show me what I need to share. Today is no exception. I found this scripture passage, then walked away to pray and consider what I should write as commentary. God led me to the piano, where I keep a book my mother gave me one year for Christmas. It is titled “Then Sings My Soul” and contains 300 of the world’s greatest hymns, along with a commentary about each and how it was written.
I thumbed through and the page opened to a hymn I have always loved, based on 2 Timothy 1:12 – “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” The back story explained how Major Daniel Webster Whittle enlisted in the 72nd Illinois Infantry when the Civil War began. He was seriously injured in the Battle of Vicksburg and lost an arm. Out of boredom, Whittle picked up a New Testament and began to read. He considered inviting Jesus to be his Savior, but drifted off to sleep. An orderly woke him and asked him to pray with a POW who was dying. Whittle declined, and the orderly told him that he assumed Whittle was a Christian, because… “I have seen you reading your Bible.” At that moment, Whittle did confess his sins to Jesus and invited Him into his heart. Then he knelt and prayed with the POW, rising to see that the young boy had died, but his once-troubled face was peaceful. Whittle recognized the power of God to use him to lead this young man to trust Jesus for himself and find peace and pardon. Later, he penned this hymn to express his own faith.
So often, we fail to recognize the power and strength of God in our daily lives… the ability He gives us to do all things – from the simple to the extraordinary. We miss opportunities to convey the safety of trusting God to claim victory over sin in our lives – and to give us tremendous comfort and care.
Today, as you read the words of this beautiful hymn, claim victory in Jesus for yourself. Recognize the strength and power of God in your life… His desire and ability to conquer all challenges and sins - and give you total victory. Know Whom you have believed… and be persuaded that He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him forever and ever.
©2011 Debbie Robus
My power and my strength come from the LORD, and he has saved me. From the tents of God's people come shouts of victory: "The LORD is powerful! With his mighty arm the LORD wins victories! The LORD is powerful!" And so my life is safe, and I will live to tell what the LORD has done.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
I never know where God will lead me for inspiration as I write these devotionals. In recent months, I’ve pretty much written them one at a time, rather than writing several in advance… trusting God each day to show me what I need to share. Today is no exception. I found this scripture passage, then walked away to pray and consider what I should write as commentary. God led me to the piano, where I keep a book my mother gave me one year for Christmas. It is titled “Then Sings My Soul” and contains 300 of the world’s greatest hymns, along with a commentary about each and how it was written.
I thumbed through and the page opened to a hymn I have always loved, based on 2 Timothy 1:12 – “I Know Whom I Have Believed.” The back story explained how Major Daniel Webster Whittle enlisted in the 72nd Illinois Infantry when the Civil War began. He was seriously injured in the Battle of Vicksburg and lost an arm. Out of boredom, Whittle picked up a New Testament and began to read. He considered inviting Jesus to be his Savior, but drifted off to sleep. An orderly woke him and asked him to pray with a POW who was dying. Whittle declined, and the orderly told him that he assumed Whittle was a Christian, because… “I have seen you reading your Bible.” At that moment, Whittle did confess his sins to Jesus and invited Him into his heart. Then he knelt and prayed with the POW, rising to see that the young boy had died, but his once-troubled face was peaceful. Whittle recognized the power of God to use him to lead this young man to trust Jesus for himself and find peace and pardon. Later, he penned this hymn to express his own faith.
So often, we fail to recognize the power and strength of God in our daily lives… the ability He gives us to do all things – from the simple to the extraordinary. We miss opportunities to convey the safety of trusting God to claim victory over sin in our lives – and to give us tremendous comfort and care.
Today, as you read the words of this beautiful hymn, claim victory in Jesus for yourself. Recognize the strength and power of God in your life… His desire and ability to conquer all challenges and sins - and give you total victory. Know Whom you have believed… and be persuaded that He is able to keep that which you have committed to Him forever and ever.
- I Know Whom I Have Believed
Daniel W. Whittle, pub.1883 - now public domain
I know not why God’s wondrous grace
To me He hath made known,
Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love
Redeemed me for His own.
I know not how this saving faith
To me He did impart,
Nor how believing in His Word
Wrought peace within my heart.
I know not how the Spirit moves,
Convincing men of sin,
Revealing Jesus through the Word,
Creating faith in Him.
I know not what of good or ill
May be reserved for me,
Of weary ways or golden days,
Before His face I see.
I know not when my Lord may come,
At night or noonday fair,
Nor if I walk the vale with Him,
Or meet Him in the air.
Refrain:
But “I know Whom I have believed,
And am persuaded that He is able
To keep that which I’ve committed
Unto Him against that day.”
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for September 8, 2011
John 9:24-33
They called the man back a second time—the man who had been blind— and told him, "Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor." He replied, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see."
They said, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" "I've told you over and over and you haven't listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become his disciples?” With that they jumped all over him. "You might be a disciple of that man, but we're disciples of Moses. We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from."
The man replied, "This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him, but the fact is, he opened my eyes! It's well known that God isn't at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will. That someone opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of—ever. If this man didn't come from God, he wouldn't be able to do anything."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Jerry Betnar is a friend of mine who recently posted on Facebook … “Putting God first was the hardest thing of all as I struggled to let go....and only now I see that it is not my Dream that I seek, but a story written in the Mind of God....made possible by the Love and Sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ and the Guiding Hand and Light of the Holy Spirit… working together to shape me into what I was always meant to be!”
Do you hear what Jerry is saying? Many of us are waiting for Jesus to descend to earth and literally rub mud in our eyes before we will believe in His gift of salvation… and trust Him to operate in the power of God to effect real, permanent changes in our lives. Everything will never be perfect. We’re never going to escape problems, challenges, frustrations, illness, and more. But by the power of Jesus’ blood, we can handle all of this… and much more.
We so underestimate the power of God. We do not fully comprehend His amazing gift of Jesus Christ… and what He means for us. We pray and ask for help… but we don’t truly expect it to come. We say, “God can change anything”… but we still listen to the devil’s voice whispering, “Are you sure?”
Even when we get “mud in our eye” and see clearly how the hand of God has orchestrated certain events, we still question His continual power in our lives. The least little bump in the road, and we are back to “Square One”…wringing our hands, wondering what to do to fix things, and feeling vulnerable and alone.
I don’t think it is any accident that Jerry posted these comments on Facebook. I believe that God is calling us to stop and take a look at this testimony… and to hop on the bandwagon! Our story has also been written in the mind of God… made possible by the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God, through Jesus, is working to shape us into what we were always meant to be. The question is… will we open our ears and our heart… and truly believe?
©2011 Debbie Robus
They called the man back a second time—the man who had been blind— and told him, "Give credit to God. We know this man is an impostor." He replied, "I know nothing about that one way or the other. But I know one thing for sure: I was blind . . . I now see."
They said, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" "I've told you over and over and you haven't listened. Why do you want to hear it again? Are you so eager to become his disciples?” With that they jumped all over him. "You might be a disciple of that man, but we're disciples of Moses. We know for sure that God spoke to Moses, but we have no idea where this man even comes from."
The man replied, "This is amazing! You claim to know nothing about him, but the fact is, he opened my eyes! It's well known that God isn't at the beck and call of sinners, but listens carefully to anyone who lives in reverence and does his will. That someone opened the eyes of a man born blind has never been heard of—ever. If this man didn't come from God, he wouldn't be able to do anything."
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Jerry Betnar is a friend of mine who recently posted on Facebook … “Putting God first was the hardest thing of all as I struggled to let go....and only now I see that it is not my Dream that I seek, but a story written in the Mind of God....made possible by the Love and Sacrifice of my Lord Jesus Christ and the Guiding Hand and Light of the Holy Spirit… working together to shape me into what I was always meant to be!”
Do you hear what Jerry is saying? Many of us are waiting for Jesus to descend to earth and literally rub mud in our eyes before we will believe in His gift of salvation… and trust Him to operate in the power of God to effect real, permanent changes in our lives. Everything will never be perfect. We’re never going to escape problems, challenges, frustrations, illness, and more. But by the power of Jesus’ blood, we can handle all of this… and much more.
We so underestimate the power of God. We do not fully comprehend His amazing gift of Jesus Christ… and what He means for us. We pray and ask for help… but we don’t truly expect it to come. We say, “God can change anything”… but we still listen to the devil’s voice whispering, “Are you sure?”
Even when we get “mud in our eye” and see clearly how the hand of God has orchestrated certain events, we still question His continual power in our lives. The least little bump in the road, and we are back to “Square One”…wringing our hands, wondering what to do to fix things, and feeling vulnerable and alone.
I don’t think it is any accident that Jerry posted these comments on Facebook. I believe that God is calling us to stop and take a look at this testimony… and to hop on the bandwagon! Our story has also been written in the mind of God… made possible by the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God, through Jesus, is working to shape us into what we were always meant to be. The question is… will we open our ears and our heart… and truly believe?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Daily Devotional for July 15, 2011
Psalm 98:1-2
Sing a new song to the LORD! He has worked miracles, and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory. The LORD has shown the nations that he has the power to save and to bring justice.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You have probably seen news footage of the overtime “header” that USA women’s soccer forward Abby Wambach made on July 10 against Brazil to win the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup in Dresden, Germany. You may have even been watching the game on television at the time. After the score, Wambach let out a loud scream and slid into the corner, pumping her fists as she was mobbed by her teammates. While Wambach’s point may not have truly been miraculous, it definitely sealed the victory for the USA. ESPN even named this Wambach’s overtime point as its “Best Play” at the 2011 Espy awards.
When it comes to giving awards for miracles and power, Jesus wins every time… or at least, He should! For every time “our team” has shown others throughout the country – or even the world – how powerful and mighty we are, Jesus has demonstrated power and might “in spades!” And to top it all off, our LORD is fair! Justice and fairness are the end result of His power and might. The devil tries to defeat us at every turn… but Jesus sets things right again. He wins… and so do we, when we are members of His “team.”
There are probably thousands of little girls across America who are now aspiring to be like Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, or Lauren Cheney. They are probably dreaming of growing up to participate in games that leave the crowd breathless and receiving accolades from throughout the world. But I can tell you, the real winners are those on Team Jesus! The true miracles happen in the lives of people whose victories may not be as widely reported – but are far more significant in terms of life on this earth and into eternity. And at the center of all of this… the One who truly deserves our praise and adoration… is JESUS!
Sing a new song to the LORD! He has worked miracles… and with His own powerful arm, He has won the victory. Are you a member of His team?
©2011 Debbie Robus
Sing a new song to the LORD! He has worked miracles, and with his own powerful arm, he has won the victory. The LORD has shown the nations that he has the power to save and to bring justice.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
You have probably seen news footage of the overtime “header” that USA women’s soccer forward Abby Wambach made on July 10 against Brazil to win the quarterfinals of the Women’s World Cup in Dresden, Germany. You may have even been watching the game on television at the time. After the score, Wambach let out a loud scream and slid into the corner, pumping her fists as she was mobbed by her teammates. While Wambach’s point may not have truly been miraculous, it definitely sealed the victory for the USA. ESPN even named this Wambach’s overtime point as its “Best Play” at the 2011 Espy awards.
When it comes to giving awards for miracles and power, Jesus wins every time… or at least, He should! For every time “our team” has shown others throughout the country – or even the world – how powerful and mighty we are, Jesus has demonstrated power and might “in spades!” And to top it all off, our LORD is fair! Justice and fairness are the end result of His power and might. The devil tries to defeat us at every turn… but Jesus sets things right again. He wins… and so do we, when we are members of His “team.”
There are probably thousands of little girls across America who are now aspiring to be like Abby Wambach, Megan Rapinoe, or Lauren Cheney. They are probably dreaming of growing up to participate in games that leave the crowd breathless and receiving accolades from throughout the world. But I can tell you, the real winners are those on Team Jesus! The true miracles happen in the lives of people whose victories may not be as widely reported – but are far more significant in terms of life on this earth and into eternity. And at the center of all of this… the One who truly deserves our praise and adoration… is JESUS!
Sing a new song to the LORD! He has worked miracles… and with His own powerful arm, He has won the victory. Are you a member of His team?
©2011 Debbie Robus
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