Victory Ceremony

Victory Ceremony

Revelation 15: Then I saw in the sky another mysterious sight, great and amazing. There were seven angels with seven plagues, which are the last ones, because they are the final expression of God's anger.

² Then I saw what looked like a sea of glass mixed with fire. I also saw those who had won the victory over the beast and its image and over the one whose name is represented by a number. They were standing by the sea of glass, holding harps that God had given them ³ and singing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb:

“Lord God Almighty,
    how great and wonderful are your deeds!
King of the nations,
    how right and true are your ways!
⁴ Who will not stand in awe of you, Lord?
    Who will refuse to declare your greatness?
    You alone are holy.
All the nations will come
    and worship you,
    because your just actions are seen by all.”

 

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After winning a prize, I was told to arrive early to the formal award ceremony. I received instructions on where to sit, who to meet on the stage and what to do after the meal.

 

• I was excited about the ceremony!
• I was handed objects pertaining to the ceremony.
• I enjoyed participating in the ceremony!

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was given a mysterious sight, great and amazing. He saw the seven angels with seven plagues as the final expression of GOD’s anger. But before talking about what the plagues were, there was a ceremony, orchestrated by GOD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew what HE would do after the great tribulation.
• GOD provided the musical instruments and Moses and JESUS provided the song.
• All who had endured some terrible things were finally able to participate in a victory ceremony!

 

Celebration is coming! I mean, sometimes it looks so dismal and celebration seems so far away. BUT GOD is not worried. In fact, HE is planning a victory celebration that includes you and me!

 

Those who endured the persecution and did not bow down to the beast will receive a harp and a song of victory! I look forward to this ceremony!

 

Challenge

• How do you think the writer felt about what he saw?
• Have you ever been celebrated or watched a formal celebration?
• Will you persevere and endure through the troubles so you can participate in GOD’s victory ceremony some day?

Celebration

 

Celebration

Philippians 3:  In conclusion, my friends, be joyful in your union with the Lord. I don't mind repeating what I have written before, and you will be safer if I do so. ² Watch out for those who do evil things, those dogs, those who insist on cutting the body. ³ It is we, not they, who have received the true circumcision, for we worship God by means of his Spirit and rejoice in our life in union with Christ Jesus. We do not put any trust in external ceremonies. 

 

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Preparing for the celebration was hard work. Lists were made, lots of things were prioritized and budgets were blown. Large groups of people were involved in this frenzied experience. Lost sleep, meetings and stress ensued. “It’s tradition” someone said, trying to make sense out of the madness.

 

• We had placed high value on ceremonies.
• We placed a lot of trust in the tradition.
• We made sure the photo opportunities looked like everyone was enjoying themselves.

 

Paul repeats himself by saying “Be joyful in your union with the LORD.” He then warns everyone about trusting in “external ceremonies” versus simply trusting in the union with CHRIST JESUS. He knew that looking holy did not make a person holy.

 

My Observations

• My external actions may look good to people, BUT GOD rates my righteousness as filthy.
• GOD saw my sinful actions and saved me anyway.
• Only my union with CHRIST JESUS can save me.

 

Celebrating special days or people may have its value, but can sometimes be prioritized over the One who deserves celebration, namely JESUS. I mean, it is alright to recognize leaders or to be circumcised or to celebrate accomplishments, but placing trust in these ceremonies could make us think that we holier than we are.

 

Being “joyful” in union with the LORD can happen every day. No special day or moment is needed. GOD made it possible for me to celebrate the LORD each and every day. Traditions are nice, but I am glad I can recognize CHRIST without the need for anyone to see it.

 

Challenge

• Who is the writer warning everyone about?
• What is the “true circumcision?”
• Will you celebrate your relationship with CHRIST as often as you can without the need for a special day or person triggering an event?

Time to Celebrate

Matthew 22: Jesus spoke to them again in parables, saying: ² “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. ³ He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

⁴ “Then he sent some more servants and said, ‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

⁵ “But they paid no attention and went off—one to his field, another to his business. ⁶ The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. ⁷ The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city.

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Christmas morning had arrived and the gifts were sitting under the tree. “Go on without me” were my whispered words because I had no idea how long the conference call would be. An “emergency” happened at work and all the leaders had to be on a call, even though my area was not affected.

• There have been times when I have been too busy to celebrate GOD.
• There have been times when I have been too exhausted to worship GOD.
• There have been times when I had so much to do that I could not even conceive how to have a moment with GOD.

“This is important” as if to say “GOD will understand my absence from worshipping HIM.” Work did interfere with daily worship as well as gathering together with others to worship. Taking vacation to serve others was unheard of because I “needed” time to unwind and relax, or at least I thought. BUT GOD wanted something else.

• GOD wants me to come to the celebration of HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to take a moment to sit at the banquet with HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to pay attention to HIS servants who talk about HIS SON.

As a created being, I should have as much time as the Creator desires. Unfortunately the things of the world distract me from paying attention to HIM. GOD wants me to celebrate HIS SON as much and often as possible.

• Are you too busy for GOD?
• Does worshipping GOD take too much effort?
• Can you make time today to worship JESUS?

Remember to Celebrate

Esther 9: ²⁸ These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family, and in every province and in every city. And these days of Purim should never fail to be celebrated by the Jews—nor should the memory of these days die out among their descendants.

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After that catastrophic year, I was numb. I went to class then work then home to finish studying. This was my fifth year and I was ready to be out of college. Life had resumed after my trial and I went into another year, not really noticing things had changed for the better. I wonder if I should have celebrated.

• Life had some very difficult moments for me.
• Life does not always go as planned for me.
• Life had some twists and turns that seemed to throw me for a loop.

I did not celebrate after my trial because I was not paying attention. I was just floating through life and wanted to move onto the next thing. As far as I was concerned nothing special had happened. BUT GOD wants me to think different.

• GOD wants me to celebrate after I go through a trial so I can remember HIS deliverance.
• GOD wants me to take notice when I go through my trouble so I can shout about HIM.
• GOD wants me to remember how I was before and after the trouble so I can praise HIM.

Trials and tribulations are always going to be here. GOD knew this when HE cursed the Earth, heavens and  mankind. HE knew humans would get sick, hurt and die. HE knew sin would enter humanity and “I” would turn my back on HIM along with everyone else.

Yet HE chose to have compassion on me. JESUS thought being GOD was nothing to gain so HE became a human, took my punishment that HE decreed with the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT and proved HIS power by being raised from the dead. HE overcame all trials and wants me to remember HIM as often as possible.

• Did you just come out of a trial?
• Are you going to celebrate what GOD did for you?
• If you are still going through something can you celebrate the little accomplishments?
• Will you remember to set up a time to remember?

A Time of Thanksgiving

Nehemiah 12: ⁴³ And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

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Things seemed to break daily. Setback after setback, we kept plodding along until one day we were finished. I mean, it was over. No more extremely late nights. No more scratching my head wondering if this thing will ever be finished. All of us went out and celebrated.

• When I finish a large project I celebrate.
• When I get through a huge trial I celebrate.
• When I move past a large obstacle I celebrate.

Celebration is only natural when I get over the hump, but can be quite difficult if I haven’t quite made it there. If I am still in the trial and everyone else is celebrating, I can feel a little down. BUT GOD wants me to see what HE is doing.

• GOD wants me to celebrate HIS daily victories rather than waiting on a big ending.
• GOD wants me to celebrate HIS moment by moment victories rather than waiting on seeing things as I expected.
• GOD wants me to celebrate HIS tiny victories rather than waiting on the huge battle scene at the end of the movie.

Seeing GOD on a daily basis is what HE wants from me. HE wants me to celebrate HIM with praise for the mundane just as much as getting through a large trial. In fact, the more I praise HIM the easier it is to get through the trial.

• Do you feel like pouting right now?
• Do you think celebration is not for you right now?
• Can you stop looking at your situation for a moment and celebrate GOD?
• Will you slow down enough to see what GOD is doing around you and appreciate where HE has you right now?