Bible verse of the Day: Romans 8:37-39 "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
We are truly blessed to live in a time where so much information is available so quickly and where communication is possible from even the farthest remote parts of the earth to anywhere else we need to. But there is also great danger in that we can also become easily distracted by having such vast sums of information available. If we don't know how to decipher truth and where to look for it, we can become disoriented and unable to live truly effective lives.
As I travel around the world on business, I find that many people are being seriously distracted, deceived and ultimately destroyed from becoming who they were created to be in God by the lies that they are listening to on the internet, television or radio. The world is saying to be happy you need to be wealthy, you need to do whatever you want that makes you feel good, consequences be damned, that you deserve a life of material possessions and that you shouldn't have to work hard for it, it should be given to you because it is your right as a human being to be happy. All a series of lies that somehow has crept into a global mindset of what people are entitled to in 2016. In case you haven't noticed, there are many, many wealthy people who are completely miserable because they have bought into the lie that wealth equals happiness. No matter how many bedrooms your house has, you can only put your head down on one pillow at night and you can't trick your soul. Money will never allow you to forget about the things that are troubling you deep down in your soul. There is no such thing as getting something for free and feeling good about yourself in the long term. Like Luke 9:25 says, "what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world yet loose their own soul." Yet everyday, we live in a society that glorifies wealth regardless of the means in which it was obtained. Cheating, stealing and lying are a part of acceptable behavior if they lead to you getting what you feel you are owed. When the only thing that matters in this world is yourself and your pleasure, then the ends will always justify the means. Galatians 5:16-17 warns us of the battle that rages in everyone of us between feeding our Spirit or feeding our fleshly nature, which is designed to look and feel pleasurable but which ultimately leads to disaster. 16 "So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want."
Working for something that is a goal of yours feels tremendous when it is accomplished through hard work and diligence. But really what people are searching for is peace deep down in their soul. Peace that is real and not circumstantial. Peace that they have a hope and a future. Peace that is found in relationship to knowing that "nothing can separate from the love of God that is found in Christ Jesus our Lord," as Romans 8:39 tells us. This peace is life altering as it allows us to shift our focus from one of fear to one of faith, freedom and fearlessness. We shift our focus from the worries of the here and now, to the promises of the there and then that will be ours for all of eternity, no matter the short term hurdles we may face on this earth. When this shift occurs, we can begin to live victorious lives where we become " more than just conquerors through Him who loved us," as Romans 8:37 promises. So what does a victorious life look like? I think that will depend on each of us individually and on the struggles and opportunities that we have been presented with. The only thing I can see for sure is that each of us will have unique challenges that will stretch our faith on earth, and each of us will have unique opportunities to step out in faith and to glorify Christ with our actions. We will need to take a first step of faith. I am convinced that life truly begins at the edge of our comfort zones. But when we do stretch ourselves for God, we can be sure that the God of all Creation will meet us there to help us accomplish what we intended to glorify Him. Ephesians 3:20 says we may not even believe what He can and will accomplish through those who are willing to step out in faith" now He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us."
Below is what living victoriously may look like in my life. It is based on my own fears, experiences and dreams. What will it look like if your life? May God help you to find that contentment that no one can steal.
Live Victoriously
Remove all fears by focusing on the promises of Christ.
Because the Tomb was empty, His promises were not!
Take massive action.
Be involved in greater purposes that create value, rather
than extract value.
Faith, family, and then everything else.
Live above the fray ( above the noise ) and do be easily distracted.
Be selfless even when it is hard ( what you get makes a
living, what you give makes a life )
Shine your light into an ever increasing darkened world.
People need to know the truth and where to go to find hope.
Give it to them.
Start each day grateful and energized.
Walk on the beach and keep things in perspective. The
Universe is a grand creation.
Be forgiving, not judgmental.
Enjoy the beauty all around me; don’t pay attention to the
noise.
Be more patient, we have all of eternity.
See the miracles around you every day. When you change the
way you look at things, then the things you look at begin to change.
Change your focus from what you can get, to what you can
give.
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