True Victory

 

True Victory

1 Thessalonians 2: ¹⁷ As for us, friends, when we were separated from you for a little while—not in our thoughts, of course, but only in body—how we missed you and how hard we tried to see you again! ¹⁸ We wanted to return to you. I myself tried to go back more than once, but Satan would not let us. ¹⁹ After all, it is you—you, no less than others!—who are our hope, our joy, and our reason for boasting of our victory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes. ²⁰ Indeed, you are our pride and our joy!

 

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After “winning” the company’s most coveted prize, I felt elated. “I” had worked hard and “I” felt great. Months later, I found out the CEO of the very large company was going to visit. I thought this was my chance to make an impression. “I won the -blank, blank- award”, I blurted. “Good for you” was his snide reply as he walked past, not even asking me my name. “Why did I say that?” I said to myself frustrated!

 

• I thought awards would raise me up.
• I thought achievements would make me stand out.
• I thought accomplishments would take me places that were “higher” than where I was.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy expressed their desire to visit the people of Thessalonica, but were hindered by Satan himself. They tried and tried, but could not physically return, so they sent a letter, letting everyone know how much they cared for the Thessalonians, They also expressed that the true victory is speaking about them before the LORD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to be willing to go and serve other people.
• Watching other people grow in the LORD should be where I place my hope.
• JESUS will return one day and I will be able to brag about you because you are my pride and joy.

 

“It is you” are words that stick out to me. I mean, humans love “winners” but usually the focus is on themselves. “Look at what ‘I’ did” is the attitude that is innocent, yet when used too much, can lead to a desire to always be in the spotlight.

 

GOD wants me to see other people and to say “Look at what he or she did” versus “Look at what ‘I’ did.” My bragging and boasting should be about those who have placed their trust in the LORD. I am grateful for you and I am glad GOD has given you a special reward.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writers are so fond of the people?
• Who do you brag about outside of yourself?
• Will you get excited when other people place their trust in the LORD and when he or she gains honor before the LORD today?

Odd Path to Praise

Psalm 113: ¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, you his servants;
    praise the name of the Lord.
² Let the name of the Lord be praised,
    both now and forevermore.
³ From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised.

⁴ The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
    his glory above the heavens.
⁵ Who is like the Lord our God,
    the One who sits enthroned on high,
⁶ who stoops down to look
    on the heavens and the earth?

⁷ He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
⁸ he seats them with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
⁹ He settles the childless woman in her home
    as a happy mother of children.

Praise the Lord.

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As I watched the plane takeoff I felt like I was going to lose my job as the partner of the company sat with an empty seat next to him that was supposed to be mine. As I watched my finger being stitched I felt the pain racing through my body due to me touching the end of my hedge trimmers. As I picked up the pieces of my totaled car I wondered how I was going to get to work that day or any day for that matter.

• There are times where I am shocked by life.
• There are times where it seems like things go wrong in my life.
• There are times when I look out and see nothing but the immediate calamity.

Problems can sometimes seem very hard and harsh. My mind starts racing and I quickly try to figure out a solution but sometimes I can’t think of one. When the problem hits I have two choices, blame GOD or praise HIM.

• GOD wants me to have a relationship with HIM where there is no blaming HIM for the way HE loves me.
• GOD wants me to understand that “blame” is one of the problems HE would like to fix within me so HE can replace it with grace.
• GOD wants me to know without a shadow of a doubt that HE always has my best interest in mind and HE does not need to be manipulated.

GOD knew every situation HE has taken me through and looking back I am very glad I went through each. My blinded eye on that I placed on the job with the partner would have left me at a place that no longer exists. My fingers are still wiggling even though they could have been cut off and the totaled car was a death trap and my roommate and I walked away without a scratch.

I have a lot to praise GOD for and I have learned over the years that the sooner I can praise HIM the better. GOD deserves my praise no matter what because HE is guiding me to a better place!

• Are you blaming GOD or praising HIM?
• Are you looking at your situation or looking at GOD?
• Are you ready to grow or has the last situation taken you down?
• Can you praise GOD today in the middle of your storm, knowing HE has an awesome plan for you?

Bargaining with GOD

2 Chronicles 19: ⁷ Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

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“I will NEVER do that again” were my words to GOD as I had just left “that” particular sin. I desired something so I tried to refrain from sinning to obtain my longings. I waited and waited and did not get my way in the time I wanted. I got angry at GOD. I mean, “what good is it to be ‘sinless’ if those who sin seem to get their way?”

• Sometimes I think I can manipulate GOD by refraining from certain sins for a short period of time.
• Sometimes I think GOD owes me something for being “good.”
• Sometimes I think I can be “sinless” for any period of time.

One mistake I have made is thinking “I” can be sinless for a month or a week or even a day. I may give up specific blatant sins and commit others I am not aware of. My motive behind refraining from sin ends up “being” sin because I want my way. 

• GOD wants me to realize HE treats people I don’t like with love.
• GOD wants me to understand I cannot change HIS mind with my sinfully motivated righteousness.
• GOD wants me to know HE already loves me to HIS fullest so when I try to manipulate HIM to get my way, it’s saying to HIM. “I don’t trust YOU.”

‘I will do THIS again and again LORD, but only YOU can help me in my path” is a new thought. I will never ever be sinless while I am on this earth. JESUS knew that my birth was flawed with sin so HE took my death and placed it on HIM. HE wants me to open my eyes to show me HIS impartiality.

I have consequences and grace just like every human HE has ever created. That crazy boss or the thief who stole my tapes or the thugs who robbed me are all loved dearly in GOD’s eyes. HE has a plan for me that cannot be tarnished with my bribery. I need to trust that HIS plan for me is great.

• Are you trying to bribe GOD?
• Do you think you can manipulate GOD by being “good” for a period of time?
• Can you trust GOD enough to let HIS great plan unfold in front of you?

Praise Without Expectation

2 Chronicles 5: ¹³ The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:

“He is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, ¹⁴ and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.

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After the phone transferred the call to my answering machine, I could hear the bill collector leave their number. I went to church and they talked about a “cheerful giver” and “praising GOD,” so I tried it. I praised GOD and I smiled as I gave and weeks later, someone broke the window out of my car and stole my cassette tapes.

• When I praise GOD with expectations that HE owes me something, I am trying to manipulate HIM.
• When I give to GOD expecting more cash in return, I am trying to manipulate GOD.
• When I sing to GOD expecting HIM to see how righteous I am, I am trying to manipulate GOD.

I realized the difference between praise and manipulation when I observed a person who had less than nothing approach me and praise GOD on a dirt road in another country. I mean, he wasn’t looking for more stuff, he only sought GOD. In fact he walked twenty miles to hear me talk about GOD and I wasn’t a pastor or a big name.

• GOD wants me to praise HIM because HE is worthy to be praised.
• GOD wants me to keep my praise simple and remove the expectation from my words of praise.
• GOD wants me to enjoy my time with HIM, understanding HIS love for HIS humans.

Praise comes from the heart and if my heart is filled with doubt, fear, lust, anger, lies or thievery then my words can become tainted with “want” instead of gratitude. I must praise GOD and expect nothing in return.

• Are you trying to get GOD to do your bidding?
• Do you feel GOD is not answering your prayers?
• Can you praise HIM without expecting HIM to get you out of the mess you are in?
• Won’t you simply say “GOD YOU are great” and leave it at that?