VICTORY IN JESUS!

Time with Jesus - Sunday, 09 September 2012

Hi all,

Victory in Jesus! It’s a forgone conclusion. Having said that be aware that we all have a part to play. It won’t work if we surrender. Success may come ultimately, but we will not see it! In the meantime you and I are required to follow Him obediently. He will win without anyone’s assistance. But He wants us to be a part of it anyway. That’s victory!

Blessings

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Sunday, 09 September 2012			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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	INTRODUCTION		DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	VICTORY IN JESUS!
The Battle of Britain during the WW2 is one of the most remembered events of those long and difficult days. A handful of British and Commonwealth pilots took on the mighty German Luftwaffe. Statistically, they should have lost. The hand of God must have been with them because they won the battle. They shouldn’t have won. It appeared to be impossible and Europe, in its entirety, should have been one huge Nazi “state”. I firmly believe that it was the goodness of God that prevented this from happening. For some reason Hitler decided to forget about Britain and attack Russia. It was at this time Winston Churchill made one of the greatest speeches he ever made. “Never in the field of human conflict have so many owed so much to so few”. As we know, in the end the Allies defeated the German war machine. It was a miracle. There have been a number of battles that have shaped human history. At present there is an on-going battle which has still to be settled. The final outcome is a foregone conclusion. In the battle between good and evil, the forces of God will defeat the forces of evil. The ultimate conclusion is inevitable. Jesus Christ and His people will defeat Satan and his forces. No other alternative is possible. Good will triumph over evil. The problem you and I have is being unaware when the final battle will take place. We have been given eternal life. Death is meaningless to a committed Christian. But that does not mean that the latest battle of this war has been fought and decided. Complete victory will only be achieved when Jesus returns. In the meantime, wars and battles continue to take place! 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:23 TNIV During the interim the wages are the same for all. You and I are sinners. Yes, Jesus has redeemed us. But until He comes back, death is guaranteed for everyone born on this planet. Malcolm Smith pointed out that each of us has worked for and will receive payment in full. Our death sentence was decreed the instance we first sinned. We’ve worked hard for our wages during our lifetime and we will get payment in full! Not exactly good news. But it’s a fact and there is nothing we can do to change it. Jesus came to this planet. He lived a perfect, sin-free life. So death for Him was not appropriate. If a man is perfect before God, death cannot hold him. Jesus did not work for the death sentence. Instead, He gave His life in exchange for us. In a way we will never understand, we swapped. He took all our sin and gave us His righteousness. Grossly unfair! No human court would approve. But God not only approved, He made it possible! Until He returns, we will continue to grow old and die. When He comes, Christians who are still alive will not die. He has already paid that penalty. So we will all be with Him. Those who have died will be resurrected. Paul expresses it as follows: 17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 TNIV I’m not in a position to say whether or not the total will be few or many. What I can say; and in this I share Churchill’s view. “Never in the field of human (spiritual) conflict have so many owed so much to one Man”. Jesus Christ! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			2 But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. Psalms 73:2 NLT 18 I cried out, "I am slipping!" but Your unfailing love, O LORD, supported me. Psalms 94:18 NLT 31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. 32 But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon that your faith should not fail. So when you have repented and turned to Me again, strengthen your brothers." Luke 22:31-32 NLT 16 A righteous person may fall seven times, but he gets up again. However, in a disaster wicked people fall. Proverbs 24:16 GW 24 Even if the man trips, he won't fall. The LORD'S hand takes good care of him. Psalms 37:24 NIrV 8 The people of Jerusalem say, "Don't laugh when we suffer, you enemies of ours! We have fallen. But we'll get up. Even though we sit in the dark, the LORD will give us light. Micah 7:8 NIrV 19 From six disasters He will rescue you; even in the seventh, He will keep you from evil. Job 5:19 NLT 1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the One who is truly righteous. 1 John 2:1 NLT 25 Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. Hebrews 7:25 TNIV	Look where you are going. Be careful not to fall. Never give the devil the smallest chance at all. Watch out for the surfaces, and don’t step in the mire. Making you fall over, is Satan’s one desire. Watch what you are wearing. Take care of your shoes. Only foolish people, will ever take their cues, From what the foe is wanting. He’d like to see you dead. And he’d like nothing better than for you to bust your head! Of course the Lord protects you. This always will be true. But don’t provide the devil a chance to murder you! He wants to lift you with a fork and throw you in the air. He does his best to sift you and lead you to despair. But Jesus said He’s praying that you won’t slip or fail. His prayers are always answered in the very best detail. The Lord wants you to testify and strengthen all your friends. So do the things He telling you, for surely life depends, On making Him your Saviour, your Master and your King. This prevents the devil from doing anything That damages God’s Kingdom; on this you can rely. And He’ll continue praying for you until you die! It’s true you are not perfect. At times you won’t succeed. But if you keep on focusing upon your Christian Creed; Even if you’re brutalised and they tear limb from limb, That is an opportunity for you to worship Him! Satan wants to hurt you, but cannot touch your soul. Give a shout of triumph; scream, “Christ is in control!” He’ll declare you righteous and in a state of grace. No matter what the devil does. You’ll soon see Jesus’ face. The foe may all laugh at you; perhaps they’ll even sneer! But know that Christ the Saviour is standing very near. Perhaps they’ll have you locked up in a room as dark as night. In this situation, The Lord will be your light. Nothing you experience will ever be unique. Jesus has been through it and gives the strength you seek. Pain won’t last forever. On that you can rely. And you’ll be in the Master’s arms the instant that you die. So stand firm in disaster. Look Satan in the eyes. He cannot defeat you no matter how he tries. It’s a foregone conclusion. You’re guaranteed to win; To break the chains of Satan and the crushing power of sin. Not because you’ve done it. That never will be true. But Jesus is the victory in everything you do. Jim Strickland – Written 9th September 2012