April 21-22, 2012
Claim The Victory,
It’s Already Won!
Transformational Thought
Have you ever had that feeling? You know what I’m
talking about. Life seems to be going well, everything is falling into place.
You are on a roll, hit a streak. But then, out of the blue, all of a sudden, it
comes like a thief in the night. I will feel a cold, wet blanket come over me.
A memory from my past creeps into my mind … then it feels like all the goodness
gets sucked right out of the moment like the most powerful vacuum you’ve seen
just got in you head and replaces all the good stuff with negative. Shame,
guilt, doubt, worry, or regret instantly flood my mind and seek to control my
heart.
Perhaps you have made some poor choices in the
past and are suffering the consequences. Maybe you have suffered a traumatic
personal loss. Perhaps you have suffered abuse from a parent or spouse or
another “trusted” person. It doesn’t have to be a “major” trauma either. Most
hurts for any 6 y.o. are somewhat “traumatic” because we usually don’t have
very good coping mechanisms or interpreters in our life to put the hurt of
being picked last on the playground in proper context for us.
Many of these minor hurts, unless interpreted and
processed well, which most kids never do, leave lingering messages of doubt and
confusion that Satan uses to steal away times of joy and blessing.
Read today’s scripture carefully. God promises
that despite all these obstacles of life, you can have overwhelming victory
through Christ. Come to Him for help … and forgiveness. If you let Christ in,
nothing … absolutely nothing … can separate you from His love. No reason all
that stuff from the past should steal another minute of your joy and happiness.
A victory doesn’t just mean to win … it means a decisive win … a win that
leaves no doubt.
It is easy to look at scriptures about God’s love
and think, “Yes, God loves all people.” But in our innermost being we don’t
include ourselves in the “all people.” We think, “I’m different … I’m just not
good enough … That’s alright for other people, but I’ve made too many mistakes.
I’ve got special circumstances. It’s too late for me.” We need to examine and
search for the lies that keep us feeling defeated with no chance of winning in
this life on Earth.
God’s Word makes it abundantly clear that you are
included. No matter what you have done. No matter what other people say or
think about you. No matter what you think about yourself. God loves you.
Jesus died for you. Nothing will ever separate you from His love.
Today, stop when you struggle. Tell yourself “God
loves me and He proved it.” Then consider how that changes your view of the
moment. Walk with Jesus and you can have overwhelming victory over every
problem and obstacle in your life. The problems might still be there … the
obstacles may still come. But you won’t have to face them alone or have a
defeated attitude and perspective. God will empower you to overcome. Your joy
and victory is your decision, so choose well.
Prayer
Dear Father God, thank You that these promises
are not just for other people … but they are really for me. Thank You for your
unconditional love. Thank You that no matter what happened in the past or comes
my way in the future, I can walk in victory through Jesus. I pray this and all
prayers in the name of the One who made my victory possible, Jesus Christ; and
all God’s children say - AMEN!
The Truth
No, despite all these things, overwhelming
victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I know that nothing can ever
separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,
neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow … not even the
powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in
the earth below … indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate
us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37-39
