Victory Blog

Jesus went to the cross for me. There He shed His precious blood in my behalf and for my sin. What amazing love and compassion: to think that before the creation of time, He planned it all and in His grace included me. Since He died for me, then what can I do but live for Him. (1 Thess 5:9-10)

No, not today with all its cloudiness and rain. But a day of ministry, a day of serving the Lord… a day of worshipping the Lord with God’s people. “Lift my heart, O Lord, to the heights of your throne. Give me a vision of You, as You did Isaiah (Isa 6:1). Let me not be satisfied with just existing, but let me seek Your face today with all my heart (Ps 27:8)!”

Somedays, like today, my heart seems overwhelmed with the reality of God. He bowls me over with His love, compassion and patience. He rips my pride with the cross of Jesus. He lifts me up by His gracious hand.
This is the God who saved me, keeps me and will someday deliver me into his glorious kingdom. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift of Jesus (2 Cor 9:15) and inexpressible joy (1 Pet 1:8)!

For what am I truly longing? A new car? A new flatscreen TV? An iPhone? A new situation in life?
What will fill the void that I have in my soul? Why do I constantly seek fulfillment in the things of this world? Why is it, the more I get, the more I want?
Why can’t my longing simply be, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection… I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling of God in Christ Jesus?” (Phil 3:10-14)

I remember, when I was younger, wishing that time would pass because I was so dissatisfied with my current situation. Now,having crossed over the half century of life several years ago, I have come to appreciate today: to see today as a gift from God’s hand and an opportunity to serve and glorify Him. To simply find joy in today (Ps 118:24). This brings peace, contentment and an anticipation of what the Lord has for me…

To be like Him, this is my desire (Rom 8:29; 1 John 3:2). After all these years of walking with Him, I still have a long way to go. This process of conforming to the image of Christ is painful and arduous, and even sometimes discouraging. Yet, there is no greater joy in my life as I see Jesus in me. Now I see Him in a mirror cloudy, but then face to face (1 Cor 13:12).