AUDIO The Mysterious Stranger

By Rev Bill Woods

Luke 24:13-35

This is a really nice story!

    – It’s a picture of life.

2 people are trudging along the road, trying to make sense of all that’s happened that week.

    – They’ve been in Jerusalem for the Passover — now they’re heading home.

      – When they’d gone to Jerusalem, they had no inkling of what would happen.

        – They’d been followers of Jesus Christ and had witnessed His Triumphal  

          entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, and seen His arrest, torture, and

          crucifixion by the weekend.

          – What an ordeal they’ve been through!

It’s like a picture of life because we’re all heading toward home and we all experience horrific ordeals from time to time.

We don’t know who these 2 were.  One was named Cleopas — we’re not told the other name.

    – One source thought they might be husband and wife — the 2^nd person was Mrs. Cleopas.

I like the idea of God walking with couples as they travel hand-in-hand along the Road of Life.

– We all travel the Road of Life — Watergate Senator Sam Ervin: “My Fellow travelers to the tomb.”

Let’s see how this story resembles life.

    – It’s a road on which for one reason or another, we all tend at times to feel  sad.

Luke 24:17– And He said to them, “What kind of conversation is this that you have with one another as you walk and are sad?”  

What a waste Christ’s death seemed to be!

     – He was young, energetic, popular, exciting — NOW HE WAS DEAD!

Often things happen that we can’t make sense out of because we can’t see them from God’s perspective.

    – Going up in the Space Needle…………

If we saw the whole picture like God does, we’d realize the beauty of what’s happening to us.

    – We’ve a tendency to stop and feel sorry for ourselves and complain about our  lot in life.

      – How things just never go right!

May 11, 1996, Demingo Pacheco was on a tight schedule to catch a plane out of Miami.

    – The left rear tire of his Cadillac blew on the Palmetto Expressway.

      – For an hour he sweated under the broiling sun changing that tire.

     – As he finished, his mother called on his cell phone and said, “Where are you?”

     – He said, “I’m stuck on the freeway changing a flat tire — I’ve missed my flight!”

She shouted, “Turn your radio on and thank God.  The plane you were going to be on crashed in the Everglades!”

    – Demingo Pacheco would’ve been aboard Value Jet Flight 592 except for that flat tire.

Normally, thanking God for a flat tire seems crazy, but we’re to give thanks “in all things.”

    – Good doesn’t necessarily mean health — not all Christians are healthy.

      – It doesn’t necessarily mean wealth — not all Christians are wealthy.

        – God’s purpose for you isn’t to be healthy, happy, rich or famous.

His purpose is found in Romans 8:29 — For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Paul said, we’ve been “predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.”

    – God’s purpose for you is that you be like Jesus.

  We need to learn to trust God for what He’s accomplishing — for His Blessings…

After two failed attempts at landing, a balloonist panicked. Frantically, he searched for a third spot to attempt a touchdown, but all he could see for miles was thick woods. He had only half of one tank of propane left.  Nevertheless, he felt his only option was to hit the burners and try to find a clearing.

Nearly paralyzed with fear, he cried out to God, “Help me. Take control of this situation. Lord, find me a safe place to land!”

With that prayer, a feeling of calm came over him. His fingers unclenched and he felt a wave of peace.

Even so, the landscape below sped by and he had no idea where his ground crew might be.

Then he spotted a small clearing directly ahead – and in it, two of the biggest bulls he’d ever seen.  

– “Lord, I trusted You to find me a safe place to land, and I trust You completely with those bulls!”

He held on tightly as the basket hit the ground roughly, tipped over, and was dragged along the ground for about fifty yards.

To his amazement, the bulls seemed oblivious to all the commotion.

Almost instantly, his ground crew came racing toward him.

 – One of them said, “You got caught in some nasty wind shear. It’s a miracles you kept control.”

The balloonist knew the true miracle. The true miracle was that he had given up control.

God may not always answer our prayers the way we think they ought to be answered.

    – When we give up all control, and simply trust Him, He will handle any obstacle that gets in our way.

Once we quit worrying and complaining and start praising — it’ll change our perspective.

    – Moth on rag rug

We must learn to trust God in any and all circumstances.

It’s a road on which all of us may meet a “Mysterious Stranger,” who knows the answers to all our problems and offers us His tender friendship.

Luke 24:18 — Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?”

These 2 people on the road to Emmaus felt like total losers.

Luke 24:19-21 — And He said to them, “What things?” So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a Prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,
²⁰  and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to be condemned to death, and crucified Him.
²¹  But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.

They’d invested their hopes, dreams, trust, plans in Christ — NOW HE WAS GONE!

      – Had they been scammed — duped?

How could the bottom have fallen out so completely and quickly?

    – Where could they go from here?

      – NOTICE:  Christ wasn’t very far away!…………

We’re all a bunch of losers!

    – Me and my plans and ambitions.

“Most of us feel like losers!” — That’s true!  Sometimes that’s good!

    – We have to come to that place in our lives before we surrender to God and let

      Him make us winners — Apostle Paul.

Thank God for failure because it’ll drive us right to Him.

    – Sometimes we don’t realize this fact.

Luke 24:25-31 — Then He said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!
²⁶  Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”
²⁷  And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
²⁸  Then they drew near to the village where they were going, and He indicated that He would have gone farther.
²⁹  But they constrained Him, saying, “Abide with us, for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” And He went in to stay with them.
³⁰  Now it came to pass, as He sat at the table with them, that He took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them.
³¹  Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.

Christ puts things in proper perspective when we let Him into our lives and homes.

    – He can meet our needs and give us the strength we need for today.

They came to a fork in the road and Christ indicated that He would go on.  They asked Him to spend the night at their place.

They served Him supper, He took over the duties of a Host and broke and distributed the bread.

• As He did this, they suddenly recognized Him.

That’s what He promises He will do in Revelation 3:20 — “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

What an experience these 2 had when they finally figured out they’d been with Christ!

    – Suddenly, their lives took on new purpose and meaning.

      – What they’d done before wasn’t wasted!

        – Jesus would help them piece together the pieces of their lives.

Suddenly He disappeared, but listen to their conversation after this wonderful experience.

““Didn’t our hearts feel strangely warm as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” — Luke 24:32

    – Every need they had was now satisfied.

      – We worry, fret, borrow trouble — but Christ satisfies!

    – He can and will satisfy your needs today too!

Often what we think is difficult almost impossible to cope with just might be the exact thing we need to strengthen us and give us victory.

This couple had been through some very harrowing and turbulent times, but what a difference now that Christ had calmed the turbulence.

• Turbulent times can help us be overcomers if we will let them.

TURBULENT WINDS CAUSE THE EAGLE TO FLY HIGHER.

Life’s troubles should cause the Christian to seek closer fellowship with the Lord. Troubles should cause us to fly higher.

TURBULENT WINDS GIVE THE EAGLE A LARGER VIEW.

When our lives are touched by troubles and we flee to God we begin to see the reason and result of lower living.

TURBULENT WINDS LIFT THE EAGLE ABOVE HARRASSMENT FROM OTHER BIRD OF PREY.

As we walk with the Lord it is difficult, if not impossible, for us to be harassed by the troubles or troubler of life.

TURBULENT WINDS ALLOW THE EAGLE TO USE LESS EFFORT.

We struggle the most when we live in lower spiritual altitudes. If we draw nigh to God, we will find how really simple life is meant to be.

TURBULENT WINDS ALLOW THE EAGLE TO STAY UP LONGER.

When we experience fellowship with God; His peace, comfort and love, there will be a desire to remain close to Him. When troubles come we learn immediately to stretch forth our wings and fly high into the presence of the Lord.

TURBULENT WINDS HELP THE EAGLE TO FLY FASTER.

The more we soar above the cares and troubles of life, the more effective we will be in accomplishing the work God has called every Christian to – Glorifying Him and evangelizing the world in which we live.

He goes before us — don’t worry about tomorrow — Live today!

Then, this is the picture of the road that leads home at last.

I’m intrigued that when they reached their destination, Jesus was able to answer all their questions as to,“Why?”

One day He’ll answer your questions too.

    – It’ll make sense — it’ll be beautiful!

    –  IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL WHEN WE SEE CHRIST!

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PODCAST THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGER

https://www.buzzsprout.com/824359/8309728

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Your Troubles Won’t Last Forever

Breaking news – your troubles will come to an end. Hallelujah! In this life, God warns that we will have trials and tribulations. The good news is that He also promises to deliver us from them all! Now, He doesn’t necessarily say that He will deliver us instantly, or the way we expect, or on our schedule.  

When things don’t happen the way you expect, it can be tempting to get discouraged, down and despondent. When you feel like trouble is surrounding you, that’s when you have to dig your heels in as the saying goes, and say “I’m not going to give up, because God promised me victory!” 

Today, if you are going through a dark time, keep moving forward! Remember, it’s always darkest just before dawn. That difficulty didn’t come to stay, it came to pass as the Bible says. Please stay in faith and keep praising and thanking God for delivering you. Set your hope in Him, stir up your faith, and keep believing, because soon you will see the victory God has prepared for you! Hallelujah! 

“Our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!” (2 Corinthians 4:17, NLT) 

Let’s Pray 

Yahweh, thank You for giving me the strength to overcome every trouble I face today through Your Spirit. Father, I set my mind on You. I set my hope on Your love, knowing that You are paving the way for my victory all the days of my life, in Christ’s Name! Amen. 

https://godinterest.com/2021/02/19/your-troubles-wont-last-forever/

VIDEO The Battle is the Lord’s

OCTOBER 30, 2020 / MULYALE MUTISYA

When battle rages, it is hard to keep still. The battle fronts are action-packed, and being still makes one a liable target- or so we think. However, when one stands grounded, when one is still, it is difficult to be pushed and shoved compared to when one is in motion. When ‘the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the Lord’ (Exodus 14:10). They also complained to Moses saying, ‘It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in this desert!’ (v12). When facing battle, some get disheartened, but when God calls one to a battle, there is no retreat nor surrender. There is not even looking back because God says woe to those ‘who go down to Egypt without consulting me’ (Isaiah 30:2). Moses, knowing too well that the guiding hand of the Lord was upon them in their journey urges the Israelites;

‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you only need to be still’ ~ Exodus 14:13-14

What followed was that ‘during the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. He made the wheels of their chariots come off so that they had difficulty driving’ (v24-25). The Egyptians, with their horses and six hundred best chariots quickly realized they were not fighting man. They said, ‘Let’s get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them’ (v25). But it was too late. ‘The water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen- the entire army of Pharaoh that had followed the Israelites into the sea. Not one of them survived’ (v28). This is because, when the battle is the Lord’s, He can be the only winner, for He always wins. Victory belongs to Him. ‘The Lord is a warrior’ (15:v3) and so in battle, ‘he pursues them and moves on unscathed’ (Isaiah 41:3). God says, ‘No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?’ (43:v13).

When two armies of the Maobites and Ammonites came to make war with Jehoshaphat King of Judah, he enquired of the Lord asking for the next step saying, ‘For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you’ (2 Chronicles 20:12). Again, God spoke through Jahaziel the prophet saying, ‘Do not be discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours but God’s . . . You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance of the Lord will give you’ (v15,17).

They indeed saw the deliverance of the Lord, for the next day, ‘Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendour of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army’ (v21). While they were singing and praising God, the Lord, the Man of War Himself took over. ‘The men of Ammon and Moab rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped destroy one another’ (v23). When the men of Judah reached the battle front, ‘they saw only dead bodies lying on the ground; no one had escaped’ (v24). On that day, the men of Judah realized that ‘power and might are in your (God’s) hand, and no one can withstand you’ (v6).

The Christian life is packed with battles. It is a watchful life. Battles threaten to erupt from all sides. And so sometimes it is hard to keep still. Even in the small battles, God commands us to be still to a point that, ‘If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also’ (Matthew 5:39). In essence, one is to keep still and not engage in human warfare, and in the human way. When the time came and Jesus was arrested, He did not resist. Judas the Betrayer came with ‘a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people’ (26:v47).

When Judas signalled the men to arrest the man he would kiss, and finally kissed the Messiah, Jesus tells him, ‘Friend, do what you came for’ (v50). One of Jesus’s companions however did not know that the battle belonged to God and so, ‘reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear’ (v51). When Jesus saw that, he admonished him, ‘Put your sword back in its place, for all who live by the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?’ (v52-53).

In this survival-for-the-fittest world we live in, some Christians forget that the battle is the Lord’s. That’s why they wage war the way the world wages war. They get ‘involved in foolish and ignorant arguments that only start fights’ (2 Timothy 2:3). Paul writes to Titus urging him to ‘avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because they are unprofitable and useless’ (Titus 3:9-10). Those who forget that the battle is the Lord’s are easily beguiled in taking up a worldly view and approach to things, yet God says, ‘Do not call conspiracy everything they call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it. The Lord Almighty is the one you are to fear, he is the one you are to dread’ (Isaiah 8: 12-13).

When it comes to spiritual matters, many people forget that the battle is the Lord’s, that ‘salvation belongs to our God’ (Revelation 7:10). So they try to strive and make their way to God by human efforts, not knowing that God says, ‘I hate, I despise your religious feasts; I cannot stand your assemblies’ (Amos 5:21). Again He says, ‘Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me . . . I cannot bear your evil assemblies . . . They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them’ (Isaiah 1:13,14). The more we try to merit salvation by our deeds and not by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, God says; ‘Has not the Lord Almighty determined that the people’s labour is only fuel to the fire, that nations exhaust themselves for nothing?’ (Habakkuk 2:13).

God intends that, ‘in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength’ (Isaiah 30:15). Like to Martha, Jesus asks us to be still and stand our ground, by allowing Him to take on our battles as we linger and praise in His presence. ‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’ (Luke 10:41-42).

Christians ought to shift their focus from the battle to the God who saves. So Paul writes, ‘Put on the full armour of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after having done all, stand’ (Ephesians 6:11-13).

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of hosts’ ~ Zechariah 4:6

‘Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth’ ~ Psalms 46:10

‘Jesus said, Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ ~ John 11:40

https://carolynemutisya7.wordpress.com/2020/10/30/the-battle-is-the-lords/

A Victory for Christians Everywhere

Christianity doesn’t just promise salvation from sin, death, and the devil, but victory over these things.

by Pastor Ray Patrick

As I listened to a football coach comment on his team’s win, he said “I knew we were going to win, it was just a matter of time.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that God promises to always lead us into victory? That means no matter what is going on in your life today, no matter what’s happening in the world around you, no matter what anybody says, you should always be thanking God, because victory is always on the way! Hallelujah!

Don’t wait for everything to be perfect before you decide to celebrate what God is going to do in your life. Praise is putting action behind your faith. In the middle of adversity or a tough time, start making a list of who you’re going to invite to your victory celebration. That means if you’re in the hospital, start planning what you’re going to do when you get out. If you have no money, or low on money, start planning your coming-out-of-debt party.

Today, when things don’t look good in the natural, remember the words of our team coach Christ – we were always going to win, it was just a matter of time, we serve a supernatural God. With God leading you into victory, you can always plan for increase. You can plan for restoration. You can plan for a comeback, and you can plan for victory, because He is leading and guiding you in Jesus’ name!

“Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ…”

(2 Corinthians 2:14, NKJV)

Pray With Me
Yahweh, I give You thanks and praise today for the promise of victory. Father, give me Your vision for the future, so that I can move confidently into the abundant life of victory You have for me. God, I may not be experiencing victory now, but I know it’s on the way, it’s just a matter of time, in Christ’s Name! Amen.

Original here

Victory In Christ

Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

by Godinterest

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.

1 John 5:4

The Meaning of the Victory of God

We need to draw near to our Helper, the One who is infinite in wisdom, Jesus. He is our Minister and our great Medical Missionary, and He knows that trials through which His believers on this earth will pass. He has been tempted like we are tempted. Let us not forget that Christ Jesus had came face to face with Satan, and that when He met him, He, our Saviour, was bearing the likeness of humanity.

Jesus is our Restorer, the Perfecter of His covenant with the human agencies who depend upon Him as their Prince and their Redeemer.

Christ conquered as a sinless, unfallen, perfect Man. As the Messiah He has won the victory over the temptations of the enemy, making it possible for us to overcome as He overcame.

We are to overcome in every encounter with the enemy, Satan. We are to be victors by becoming partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Each victory that Jesus gained in His humanity makes it possible for us, through receiving and believing in Him, to gain the victory as well. “As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God” (John 1:12).

Each victory that He gained in humanity secures for us its genuine fruits. Each assault of Satan overcome marks the occasion of a victory for humanity as a-whole

The deliverance of the people of God and His mercies to them in past trials are to be called to mind as an assurance of that which, if we trust in God, He will do for us in present and future emergencies.

Whatever may have been our experience, if we people surrender to God with full purpose of heart, with humility and contrition, He will receive us. To all who by faith receive Christ as their personal Saviour, He will give power to become overcomers—sons and daughters of God. We will become partakers of the divine nature, and fully realize the father God’s mercy and the grace of His Holy Spirit.

Let our prayers ascend to God in all humility. Let us through the grace Christ came to the world to impart confess and forsake our sins, with humble, contrite hearts. The Lord understands, for all secret things are known to Him. Not one mean action can be performed without God understanding every phase of temptation.

Throughout the gospels, Christ made frequent reference to the great conflict that He had with Satan at the beginning of His ministry. He makes constant reference to Satan’s kingdom as opposed to the kingdom of God. Let us be sure that we are on the Lord’s side.

Bible Verses about Victory In Christ

Christians can have victory over sin when they are living for Christ, and there are many Scriptures which detail this topic.

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Hebrews 7:25-27

Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens. He has no need, like those high priests, to offer sacrifices daily, first for his own sins and then for those of the people, since he did this once for all when he offered up himself.

2 Corinthians 4:8

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;

Romans 8:14

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Luke 10:17-20

The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” And he said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you. Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Luke 1:47-49

And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.

Colossians 2:15

He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Ephesians 3:6

This mystery is that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

John 6:50-71

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. …

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Zechariah 4:6

Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Ephesians 6:17

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

Romans 8:23

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

https://godinterest.com/2019/09/09/victory-in-christ/

GOD’s instructions for victory

Dear friends,

it’s so nice to win, isn’t it?

Have you ever wondered why we love it so much?

Could the reason be that it is what HE wanted us to strive for, fight for and wanted it to be our most favorite blessing?

I mean it is just so fascinating that EVERYTHING we love and want and desire is exactly what GOD has promised us and has even died for that we would have it.

Fascinating and demonstrating.

Showing us proof that we are HIS people, made by HIM, designed in HIS image and also according to HIS ideas about us – we are seeking and yearning for love, for a happy marriage, for a family, good health and happiness – at least if we are in our right mind, which is also a desire we all have and a blessing HE gives us – and what a “conincidence”:
these are the blessings GOD promised to HIS people.

Of course it is not a coincidence.

We are HIS creation.

If the devil had made us, we would be happy and deeply fulfilled every time we destroy or kill or violate others.

Whereas he fooled many people into believing that this is what they are supposed to be doing and what makes them happy, ALL of them know deep within themselves that it is NOT THE TRUTH, that they are not on the right path, that they are rebelling, disobeying and that they WILL be punished for this one day.

This is called a conscience and everybody has it, is born with it, it is given to us by birth.

Regardless where we are born and which circumstances we are born into, we have a natural and instinctive knowing about right and wrong and about justice and goodness.

Many people do not act according to it and do their best to unlearn it over the course of their lives, but when you look at children, they know what a lie is and they do feel guilty when they tell a lie – at least until they learn something else, most likely by their role models which would be us, their parents, their relatives, their teachers…

What I am getting at is that victory is important to everybody and GOD has intended us to seek it, to fight for it and to desire it.

BECAUSE it is what we can have when we are HIS.

And only when we are HIS people can we have victory.

Only through HIM.

We cannot win by not following the principles and rules GOD has layed out for us and we cannot win without HIM.

It is simply not possible.

When we try to do it our way and without GOD, our victory will ALWAYS and only be temporary and superficial and when we even fall for the snare of the enemy, who is telling us that the power is within us and that we can do whatever we want, then, we may seem to be victorious and even seem to have won in this life, but we will never be winners for eternity!

The stronger our egos and will and soul is, the harder it can be to win.

Because then, we are prone to believe that we are the doers, the soldiers, the fighters, that through our power the battle is won.

GOD has many examples in HIS WORD to prove this wrong.

I would like to take a look at the story in 2 Chronicles 20 with you to demonstrate what I mean.

This chapter has been very helpful for me to learn about HOW we can attain victory over the enemy.

It contains divine instructions when you analyze it – and last night, at a late night prayer and spiritual warfare meeting with my beloved sisters, all highly skilled and experienced prayer warriors (they all have many more years of praying and fighting and serving THE LORD under their belt than I do!), we looked at this chapter once again together and it was our basis for the breakthroughs we achieved right there and then, the victories of last night for HIS kingdom.

So the situation was that King Jehosaphat was threatened by 2 tribes, the Ammonites and the Moabites, who outnumbered his people greatly and he was afraid and the first thing he did was to seek THE LORD and proclaim a fast throughout all Judah.

Very important and ESSENTIAL first move!

If you want to win the battle, you MUST ask GOD first about it and also, you need to become receptive for what HE is going to tell you and you need to show HIM that you are submitting yourself (and if you are a leader, also your people) into HIS hands and this is an accepted and proven means of doing so, FASTING.

Here is GOD’s promise for those who fast and pray and for success of this endeavour, and that it will work every time!

2 CHRONICLES 7: 14-15
14 IF MY PEOPLE, WHICH ARE CALLED BY MY NAME, SHALL HUMBLE THEMSELVES, AND PRAY, AND SEEK MY FACE, AND TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS; THEN WILL I HEAR FROM HEAVEN, AND WILL FORGIVE THEIR SIN, AND WILL HEAL THEIR LAND.
15 NOW MINE EYES SHALL BE OPEN, AND MINE EARS ATTEND UNTO THE PRAYER THAT IS MADE IN THIS PLACE.

Verse 15 emphasizes that if this is done in a place, a church building for instance, or your home, it also will sanctify the place and will improve the anointing of this place and will make it more likely that GOD will hear other prayers made there as well in the future!

What a promise!

An instruction for success, for victory and for answered prayer!

Priceless!

I really wonder why so many people don’t do this, me personally, I cannot over-emphasize the importance of fasting and what it has brought me spiritually, I would not have had any breakthrough without fasting I suppose, or let me put it that way, when I discovered fasting for MY FATHER, that’s when HE really started to accept me, to communicate with me, to guide me, to heal me, to deliver me and to give me more and more opportunities to serve HIM.

Ok, so far, so good.

So they started out right.

The next thing is what Jehosaphat did next:

He gathered them all together and they sought the face of THE LORD and were asking for a word of knowledge or a word of wisdom or for a prophecy.
That’s exactly what we need to do as well!

Sometimes, GOD will speak to us personally in a matter that only concerns us.

Sometimes when we don’t hear from HIM and/ or when it is a matter for many, for a group, a congregation for instance or in the story of the bible, for a tribe, the tribe of Judah, it takes a gathering, seeking GOD together, fasting together, praying together, crying out to GOD together for help.

Even the sequence and the order of a successful prayer is given in this story!
Wouldn’t you love to have your prayers answered?

There are certain things a prayer needs to contain in order to get GOD’s attention and approval.

Let’s take a look at verses 6-13 of this chapter:

2 CHRONICLES 20: 6-13:
6 AND SAID, O LORD GOD OF OUR FATHERS, ART NOT THOU GOD IN HEAVEN? AND RULEST NOT THOU OVER ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE HEATHEN? AND IN THINE HAND IS THERE NOT POWER AND MIGHT, SO THAT NONE IS ABLE TO WITHSTAND THEE?
7 ART NOT THOU OUR GOD, WHO DIDST DRIVE OUT THE INHABITANTS OF THIS LAND BEFORE THY PEOPLE ISRAEL, AND GAVEST IT TO THE SEED OF ABRAHAM THY FRIEND FOR EVER?
8 AND THEY DWELT THEREIN, AND HAVE BUILT THEE A SANCTUARY THEREIN FOR THY NAME, SAYING,
9 IF, WHEN EVIL COMETH UPON US, AS THE SWORD, JUDGMENT, OR PESTILENCE, OR FAMINE, WE STAND BEFORE THIS HOUSE, AND IN THY PRESENCE, (FOR THY NAME IS IN THIS HOUSE,) AND CRY UNTO THEE IN OUR AFFLICTION, THEN THOU WILT HEAR AND HELP.
10 AND NOW, BEHOLD, THE CHILDREN OF AMMON AND MOAB AND MOUNT SEIR, WHOM THOU WOULDEST NOT LET ISRAEL INVADE, WHEN THEY CAME OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, BUT THEY TURNED FROM THEM, AND DESTROYED THEM NOT;
11 BEHOLD, I SAY, HOW THEY REWARD US, TO COME TO CAST US OUT OF THY POSSESSION, WHICH THOU HAST GIVEN US TO INHERIT.
12 O OUR GOD, WILT THOU NOT JUDGE THEM? FOR WE HAVE NO MIGHT AGAINST THIS GREAT COMPANY THAT COMETH AGAINST US; NEITHER KNOW WE WHAT TO DO: BUT OUR EYES ARE UPON THEE.
13 AND ALL JUDAH STOOD BEFORE THE LORD, WITH THEIR LITTLE ONES, THEIR WIVES, AND THEIR CHILDREN.

So he started with addressing GOD properly, exalting HIM, acknowledging HIS power and might and then reminds HIM of what HE has done in the past and the promises HE made to HIS people. Also, he reminds GOD of what they had done for HIM and how they had walked in HIM and served HIM.

Then he comes to the center of his prayer, the petition and asks that GOD would defend them.

The end of the prayer is also important, because it says everybody, the entire tribe, including children and wives, stood before HIM and waited on HIM.

This is what will lead to answered prayer and to hearing from GOD.

And they did.

Not through Jehosaphat, but THE LORD spoke through Jahaziel (and Jehosaphat was wise enough to know that THE LORD can speak through anyone!) and told them that HE would fight the battle.

That’s it.

When GOD tells us that, it means it is a done deal.

What it doesn’t mean though is that there will be no more required of us in order to secure, receive and own our victory, but it means that GOD has decided that we WILL be victorious.

What HE will ALWAYS expect from us next (and what they did in the story!) is to give thanks, to worship HIM and to listen for and follow the further instructions.

So what they did – and all they did! – was appoint singers and PRAISED HIM!

And their enemies all died.

Not only that, GOD let them have such a great spoil that they were not able to carry all of the treasures with them.

That’s not only the victory, but also a great increase on top!

We need to remember though that they could have lost the victory GOD had blessed them with, had they not been obedient to HIS instructions and had they not stayed in close contact and in submission to HIM.

I think that’s what happens to us a lot in our daily lives – at least do I remember this from my own past.

I recall situations when THE LORD had given me a victory and I was so glad about it that I forgot to stay close to HIM until the victory was complete and for instance broke my fast or didn’t pray as intensely and often anymore or focused on the next thing – in a way, I can say that I left my humility, because of the “winner mindset” that I went into.

Not a godly winner – mindset, not one that would give GOD all the glory, but one that would let ME appear great and victorious, I may have boasted about it – not necessarily before others, but before myself – and would have believed too much that it was me or my powers or my endurance or my cleverness who got me the victory  – instead of what it truly was, instead of seeing the only reason for it: GOD.

Pride can let us loose our victory.

Another thing they also did is they kept praising HIM and also spreading the story of HIS glory and how HE gave them the victory.

GOD wants us to be witnesses, wants us to give HIM thanks, wants us to testify  – HE wants HIS goodness to be used in order to bring more souls to HIM, wants us to tell others about HIM and about what HE can do – to share the stories of the miracles GOD did for us will ensure that HE gets the glory, that HE stays pleased with us and that we are still obeying and operating under HIS favour.

Because in the end of the chapter it is also demonstrated that Jehosaphat through an allegiance with Ahaziah, a wicked and ungodly king – lost THE LORD’s favour and GOD destroyed his ships.

I recommend that you read the entire chapter if and when you need a victory from OUR FATHER 

And I will write a separate post about what came out for me from following these principles and which victories THE LORD has granted me recently.

I wouldn’t be surprised – if you looked back on a victory GOD has granted you in the past, if you would discover that you had followed these principles layed out in 2 Chronicles 20.

Can you remember?

Will you share some of your success stories with us?

I hope and pray that this will inspire, bless and heal you and that THE LORD will bless you abundantly in all areas of your life, that HE will keep you, shine HIS face upon you and give you peace. In JESUS’ name I pray. AMEN.

GOD’s instructions for victory