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?

Timing

Timing

Revelation 12: ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now God's salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused believers day and night has been thrown out of heaven. ¹¹ They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die. ¹² And so be glad, you heavens, and all you that live there! But how terrible for the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you, and he is filled with rage, because he knows that he has only a little time left.”

 

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After giving up my desire to leave, I was resolved that I would spend the rest of my days in the town I moved to. I decided that I needed GOD in my life rather than the party scene I was known for. One day I got a phone call at my desk. “We would like for you to come work for us” were the words I was waiting on for months.

 

• I was stunned and didn’t believe it at first.
• I had been waiting for so long, that after a while I stopped thinking it would happen.
• I was filled with new energy, knowing that it was finally time!

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard a voice in heaven talking about the arrival of the Messiah! John spoke about the timing being “Now” meaning there would be no more waiting and all that needed to be done was done. He also said that those who were accused by Satan “won the victory!”

 

My Observations:

• Waiting on GOD with my own expectations can make me feel disappointed sometimes.
• When GOD arrives with HIS solution, I can sometimes be a bit stunned.
• JESUS has already won the victory, so I can celebrate “now!”

 

Being glad in the middle of a storm seems hard. I mean, when the time is tumultuous and it seems like nothing is going right, it doesn’t seem like a good time to celebrate. BUT GOD wants me to see beyond the storm.

 

JESUS won the victory over yours and my circumstances. While we cannot see it, HE has taken care of everything, even “that” thing that looks impossible to you. GOD formally declared that all was right so all we have to do is proclaim HIS victory until JESUS returns. I gladly am willing to speak about JESUS, even unto death.

 

Challenge

• What timing does the writer mention?
• Have you ever been waiting on something to happen for so long, that you just gave up?
• Will you continue to proclaim GOD’s message of love and salvation even though your circumstance may not have cleared up today?

Unharmed Woman Witnessed

Unharmed Woman Witnessed

Revelation 12: Then a great and mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was a woman, whose dress was the sun and who had the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. ² She was soon to give birth, and the pains and suffering of childbirth made her cry out.

³ Another mysterious sight appeared in the sky. There was a huge red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and a crown on each of his heads. ⁴ With his tail he dragged a third of the stars out of the sky and threw them down to the earth. He stood in front of the woman, in order to eat her child as soon as it was born. ⁵ Then she gave birth to a son, who will rule over all nations with an iron rod. But the child was snatched away and taken to God and his throne. ⁶ The woman fled to the desert, to a place God had prepared for her, where she will be taken care of for 1,260 days.

 

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Everyone was working normally until a sudden moment. An armored car pulled up and I could see the tension on the manager’s face as the guards entered the facility. They quickly went into the back, grabbed what they needed and quickly left. I asked what was going on. Someone said, “We had a lot of cash that needed to be deposited and required a special level of protection.”

 

• The cargo was precious and required a different level of protection.
• The place that held the cargo was at risk, so it needed special protection.
• Once the cargo was delivered, normal operations continued and all was well.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, had heard the seventh trumpet blow. JESUS was revealed and was now showing him a recap of life from the beginning of human time. JESUS showed John a woman about to give birth. The woman was precious to GOD as well as the baby. They both needed special protection from GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Life is precious to GOD.
• JESUS chose to become a human and was born by a woman who belonged to one of the twelve tribes.
• Satan tried to stop JESUS from being born, but his plan to harm the baby or the woman, was thwarted.

 

As fragile as this plan seemed, GOD’s protection was always there. Satan did a lot of harm and JESUS showed us that everything was in control. The birth of JESU was the beginning of a victorious story.

 

HE will one day return and rule with an “iron rod” meaning this time HE won’t be so gentle. GOD’s power protected JESUS and the nation HE chose to be born through. That same power protects me and you.

 

Challenge

• Do you think the writer knew what was being shown?
• Have you ever needed a recap of events to know what was going to happen next?
• Will you believe that the woman, also known as the nation JESUS chose, was safe and did give birth to JESUS and HE did die and was raised to life and is victorious for you and me today?

Something to Focus On

Something to Focus On

Revelation 1: ⁴ From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace be yours from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits in front of his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first to be raised from death and who is also the ruler of the kings of the world.

He loves us, and by his sacrificial death he has freed us from our sins ⁶ and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father. To Jesus Christ be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

⁷ Look, he is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see him, including those who pierced him. All peoples on earth will mourn over him. So shall it be!

⁸ “I am the first and the last,” says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

 

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Worried about life, I felt like giving up. My “try harder” did not seem like it was getting “me” anywhere. As bills grew, so did my complaints. I could not find rest because the people I hung around also had many bills and complaints.

 

• My focus on life had turned into how much money I had or did not have.
• After complaining and worrying enough, I could only see problems.
• Victory was not even in my vocabulary because “I” did not feel victorious.

 

John starts his book by telling the believers that GOD, HIMSELF, sends HIS grace and peace. Not only HIM, but the seven SPIRITS and JESUS also send the message of grace and peace. All had seemed lost and humanity would belong to Satan. BUT JESUS, “the faithful witness” was “the first to be raised from death” and HE “freed us from our sins.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD, who is, who was and who is to come, is not worried about what is going to happen to me because HE has already seen me in a victorious state of being.
• JESUS freed me from death, pain and misery, so whatever I go through now is only temporary.
• GOD said, I AM the first and the last” meaning anything HE says can be counted on.

 

When life brings challenges, there is hope. I mean, human demands for unholy things can make anyone feel like all hope is lost, BUT when GOD tells me “everything turned out fine” I can believe it.

 

My focus needs to shift from the day to day worriers over to eternal victory. GOD may never say  “Did you work harder?” or “Did you get that gym shoe?”, or  “Did you accumulate as many earthly riches as you could?” Instead HE will ask “How many people did you serve the way I intended?” I am willing to change my focus over to the victory that has already happened!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer sends “grace and peace” from GOD?
• Have you ever worried about something and could only focus on your worries?
• Will you change your focus by believing that JESUS is already victorious over your temporary situations today?

Who can defeat the world?

Who can defeat the world?

1 John 5: Whoever believes that Jesus is the Messiah is a child of God; and whoever loves a father loves his child also. ² This is how we know that we love God's children: it is by loving God and obeying his commands. ³ For our love for God means that we obey his commands. And his commands are not too hard for us, ⁴ because every child of God is able to defeat the world. And we win the victory over the world by means of our faith. ⁵ Who can defeat the world? Only the person who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

 

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Winning the most coveted award in the company made me feel great! Conversely, being told “Your position has been eliminated” was devastating. I had wrapped my entire identity in work. When I had to face other parts of the world, I no longer had my title to lean on.

 

• I felt beat up by the world.
• I thought that the world was helpful, until it turned against me.
• I felt that I lost my “purpose” that was given to me by the world.

 

John turned his attention to defining what true victory looks like. He first spoke about what true success looks like. He mentioned the grand prize of being a child of GOD. He then defines how GOD’s children should act, namely with love and obedience to GOD. He then defines the battle. Believers against the world.

 

My Observations:

• The world has a lot to offer that could distract me from believing in GOD.
• Fighting the world sometimes feels overwhelming.
• GOD sent HIS SON to defeat the world, and HE did, so I need to place my trust in HIM so I can experience HIS victory!

 

Life has many ups and downs and the world thinks it has remedies. I mean, the solutions from the world usually appeal to my eyes, pride, and physical indulgences. BUT GOD wants more than that for me. JESUS was tempted by food, power and physical preservation.

 

HE experienced pain and suffering. HE knew about loneliness as well as persecution. HE did all of this to overcome the world so I would not have to. Any problem I face, HE knows and is empathetic. I am glad JESUS understands me and has defeated the world so I can have life through HIM.

 

Challenge

• What answer does the writer give to the question “Who can defeat the world?”
• Are all of your solutions to life’s problems from the internet?
• Will you seek a relationship with JESUS, who defeated the powers of this world, so HE could save you and me to join in HIS plan to save all today?

Victory Found

Victory Found

2 Timothy 4: ⁶ As for me, the hour has come for me to be sacrificed; the time is here for me to leave this life. ⁷ I have done my best in the race, I have run the full distance, and I have kept the faith. ⁸ And now there is waiting for me the victory prize of being put right with God, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that Day—and not only to me, but to all those who wait with love for him to appear.

 

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Looking for a “win”, I joined various groups, followed certain sports teams and even competed. Sometimes my team won, which made me feel better as a human for some reason, and sometimes my team lost. When I won a bowling trophy, I wanted another. After a while, I wanted more and more trophies and awards in life.

 

• I wanted to feel like I was getting ahead.
• I guess I just wanted to feel special for a moment.
• I wanted to have a bright shiny moment in my life that was sometimes filled with hurt, and pain.

 

Paul tells Timothy this is the end of his life. He mentions that he has participated in the greatest competition, namely the fight against evil. He also mentions that he is on the winning side and has a “victory prize” waiting for him in heaven.

 

My Observations

• Friendly human competitions are alright BUT GOD wants me to join the competition against the evil one.
• JESUS has already won the victory, so HE wants me to join the side that already won so I can receive my prize.
• GOD wants me to “wait with love’ until the Day JESUS returns.

 

Waiting on JESUS is hard, especially during times when it seems like evil is rampant. I mean, the world seems to have lost its mind! BUT GOD sees all the violence, hurt and pain. Instead of competing with one another HE wants something different.

 

Waiting with love is different than being nervous that my moment here on earth has not happened yet. It means I will keep showing love to those HE sends me to or who HE sends to me. It also means that even though life can be hard, GOD still wants me to join in on HIS victorious side and do my part with love. I gladly join GOD and know my victory has already happened.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer feels satisfied?
• Are you disappointed with your accomplishments?
• Instead of looking at your situation, will you love someone who GOD wants you to show love to and keep pressing forward in the “race” of life by seeking HIS Kingdom today?

Unstoppable Plan

 

Unstoppable Plan

Acts 28: Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. ² The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. ³ Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. ⁴ When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.” ⁵ But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. ⁶ The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead; but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.

 

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When I saw the agenda, I was disappointed. My name was no longer on the list. I sat in the audience prepared to listen. I couldn’t help thinking, “Why I was bumped from the agenda?”

 

I noticed a couple of people, who were at odds with me, were suddenly on the agenda. “Oh well.” I thought. A person in the audience asked for me to be put back on the agenda. I did not have to fight.

 

• There have been snakes of temptation in my life that have bit me.
• There have been people in my life who were against me.
• There have been situations in my life that seemed to go wrong but didn’t.

 

Paul and the crew were warmly welcomed by the islanders. Paul, unfortunately was bit by a venomous viper. The islanders saw this and thought he was a murderer who received justice. They believed in gods. Paul shook of the snake and stayed healthy. They were amazed, BUT GOD knew this would happen.

 

• GOD knows the enemy wants to come against me.
• GOD knows Satan wants to ruin HIS plan HE has for me.
• GOD knows HIS plan for me cannot be stopped.

 

By simply living, I have a rival. I mean, just by being alive, the enemy wants me to fall to temptation, make mistakes with other humans, lie, cheat and steal, like him. BUT GOD’s plan of salvation is unstoppable for me.

 

There is nothing that can separate me from GOD. Even my own sin can no longer keep me from HIS love. HE said “It is finished” when HE was on the cross. This means nothing else has to happen. The plan is complete. I am grateful JESUS included me in HIS unstoppable plan.

 

• Are people trying to stop you from mentioning JESUS?
• Are strange barriers arising, seemingly out of nowhere?
• Will you continue to live for GOD, knowing HIS plan for you is unstoppable?

Grant Me an Ear

Nehemian 1: ¹¹ Lord, let your ear be attentive to the prayer of this your servant and to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name. Give your servant success today by granting him favor in the presence of this man.”

I was cupbearer to the king.

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You should go see the President of the company one person suggested. My problem was I didn’t understand why or how I was going to do that. I was new in my post and trying to make my way through the fog. I timidly walked over to the administrative assistant and asked for time on the calendar. To my surprise I got an appointment.

Nervous and almost shaking, I sat outside the office of the President trying to think of what I was going to say. I honestly didn’t believe the President would want to see me.

• Power has a strange way of blinding me of my ability.
• Power has a strange way of deafening me to the truth.
• Power has a strange way of dumbing my thoughts into thinking one person is “better” than the next.

GOD is “no respect of persons” meaning HE can leverage what humans would consider the lowest person to do great things. My confidence was shaken when I placed senior management on a pedestal. It’s not that I shouldn’t respect their accomplishments or their office. The problem was I put them over GOD by placing my trust in them.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIM rather than worrying about humans.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM rather than thinking humans can raise souls out of debauchery.
• GOD wants me to serve HIM with acknowledgement of sin, prayer and praise.

There is no other human who can save me outside of JESUS. Yes, I need humans to survive, but my trust has to be in GOD. Those who seek power will only find it in GOD. HE repays.

• Are you trying to gain power?
• Do you feel like you would be better off if you aligned yourself with the “correct” side?
• Can you stop focusing on the power of humans and focus on GOD’s great might and authority?

Faith plus actions wins the battle

Exodus 17: ¹⁰ So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 

¹² When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. ¹³ So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

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School seemed like it took forever to complete! It took a lot of painful nights and prayer. Paying off bills seemed to take forever. It took a lot of discipline and prayer. Training for a marathon seemed tedious and time consuming. It took a lot of perseverance and prayer. Why couldn’t GOD just give me the knowledge, money and strength to do what I want to do?

• I want qualities that I may not be ready for.
• I want results without the pain of having my character shaped.
• I want easy living without troubles that may strengthen me.

GOD could have wiped out the army that fought against Israel but HE allowed HIS people to fight and show faith while fighting. GOD used Moses the strength in Moses arms as a gauge for whether they were winning or losing the battle. Meanwhile the soldiers had to actually fight for their lives. Many were wounded but they won the battle.

• GOD strengthens me through trials.
• GOD provides for me through work HE has given me..
• GOD grows me through studying HIS Bible and serving HIS people.

Each trial grows me for GOD’s purpose. As much as I despise the training I love the result!

• Are you going through a battle?
• Do you feel you have to fight for everything right now?
• Can you accept the painful process of GOD growing you?
• Can you take notice of the changes GOD is making in your life for HIS purpose?

Being on the winning side

Revelation 17: ¹⁴ Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”

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After a semester of confusion I sat praying for a miracle. I just didn’t understand the material and I hoped GOD would zap some clarity in my mind. I failed the course and got mad at GOD for a minute. I interviewed for a position that I really wanted. I prayed about it in hopes to get this “life-changing” job. I didn’t get the position and got mad at GOD. Wait, is there a pattern?

• When I don’t get my way I get mad at GOD
• When I get mad at GOD I don’t feel like serving.
• When I don’t feel like serving, sin looks like a good option.
• When I sin, my faith in GOD diminishes.

It seems like I’m at war with GOD to get my way.  When things go a little rough I get nervous, worried, frightened, let’s call it what it is, I lose faith. Fortunately for me GOD took care of every situation for me.

• When JESUS said “It is finished” my salvation was sealed forever.
• When JESUS rose with all power every situation I face has to bow to HIM.
• When JESUS returned to HIS throne all of humanity had to recognize HIS authority to rule over the past, present and future.

When I complain about the present, I’m complaining about the ordained. When I complain about people I may be complaining about HIS people. JESUS won and it’s up to me to choose HIS ways over mine.

• Are you fighting against GOD?
• Do you think you can continue in your ways and be on HIS side?
• Won’t you place your attention on building HIS kingdom instead of fighting?

Triumphant

Revelation 12: ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say:

“Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.

¹¹ They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.

¹² Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!

But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

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• Just when I think I’m losing GOD says HE already won.
• Just when I thought everything is lost GOD said HE already won.
• Just when I was about to give up GOD said HE already won.

GOD revealed exactly what happened to the accuser. GOD used HIS might to ban the accuser and reserved a place for me. HIS love has already conquered every sin I have committed and all who believe in HIS SON!

GOD wins!

Revelation 11: ¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying:

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.

¹⁸ The nations were angry,
and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

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My head was pounding and I could barely breathe. It seemed like every note sent to me was filled with more bad news. I said to myself “this is going to be a rotten day” and guess what… it was!

• When I focus on everything bad I forget to look at GOD.
• When I look at everything wrong I can’t see what is right.
• When I see everything terrible I lose my direction on where GOD is calling me.

When situations arise I tend to forget GOD has already won! I may think HE is losing because I’m feeling rather beat up but HIS victory is nothing but reward for me.

• GOD rewards me for revering HIS name.
• GOD rewards me for recognizing HIS place and HIS power.
• GOD rewards me for reveling in HIS power.

GOD reigns now! HE always has and will always reign. I mean the situations that I think are catastrophic were known to GOD way before they happened. HE understands and HE loves. I get excited just watching HIS power!

• Are you stuck?
• Do you think you have no way out?
• Can you rely on GOD’s matchless power to be in control of your situation?

A “Day” I’m looking forward to

2 Peter 3: ³ Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.

⁴ They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”

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Curiosity had gotten the best of me and finally I had to ask. “When will the world end?” The pastor I asked tried to brush me off by answering “That answer is in the book of Revelation, but you shouldn’t read it because you won’t understand it.” I’m actually glad he told this to me because that’s exactly what I did. I was a teenager so I had to do the opposite.

Over the next few decades other pastors spoke about JESUS’ return and named dates.  In fact some geographers state we only have three days left on earth because of an unfinished calendar created by a tribe. Why does this doomsday stuff sound like crazy talk?

• When I speak about the world ending without the right context, I seem like a weirdo.
• When I tell people JESUS is going to return and the “bad” people are going to get theirs meanwhile us goody, goodies are going to be saved, I can be exclusionary.
• When I see the end of the world as a solution to my problems I could be sadly mistaken unless I change my focus.

The sad news is this earth is cursed by GOD. When the first humans sinned, their bodies were changed and death was introduced. The Earth could no longer function as a paradise and all humans stopped seeking GOD. JESUS repaired the relationship with humans and built a new place for those who do not reject HIS “built in” word HE wrote on every heart.

• The basis of my belief in CHRIST is one day I will die and be with HIM eternally.
• The basis of my belief in CHRIST is HE died for my sins, enabling me to live, after this body dies.
• The basis of my belief in CHRIST is HE has built a new place and will return for me simply because I believe in HIS position as a savior and my need to be saved.

I am looking forward to HIS return, but I function day by day on what HE wants me to.

• Are you skeptical or scared of the “end of the world?”
• Can you stop focusing on the end and focus on the here and now namely showing GOD’s love?
• Won’t you stop trying to get revenge on “those” people by wanting the world to end?
• Can you modify your desire for the world to end tomorrow to give “that” person enough time to surrender their lives to GOD?