Victory Versus Defeat
The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
Deuteronomy 28:7 (NKJV)
As the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land, God set before them a choice: Heed His voice, obey His commandments, and experience continued victory. Or turn from God, disobey His word, and experience repeated and resounding defeat. It was a simple choice. The choice they made would be evident by the results on the battlefield.
The assurance of victory did not mean that the Israelites would not have to strap on their armor and go to battle. It did not guarantee them effortless victory. At times their enemies fought fiercely, and the battles raged back and forth. Nevertheless, as the Israelites walked closely with God, they knew that their efforts would always result in victory.
God gives us the same choice He gave the Israelites. If we walk with Him, in obedience to His Word, He will stand with us and ensure victory over our challenges. We must face the battle, but God promises us victory if we remain in His will. However, if we choose to disassociate from God, we surely will be overtaken by difficulties. As with the Israelites, our decision will be evident by the outcome. If you are continually being defeated by everything you face, your heart has departed from God.
If you have been experiencing defeat in the challenges you face, examine your heart. When you are buffeted by the crises of life, your heart may have shifted away from God. Choose to listen to God. Then obey what He tells you, no matter what you face, and you will experience victory.
Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby
Building Back Up In Beautiful Ways
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice
is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
Matthew 7:24 (NIV)
Over the last couple of years, I’ve watched my 30-year-old home undergo several renovation projects. Renovations are not for the faint of heart. They cause a mess, the results are sometimes slow, and the process can feel never-ending.
I’m learning home renovations are so very similar to heart renovations - especially as I’ve walked through painful seasons and relationship hardships. I’ve jotted down some important lessons about healing that I’ve collected from my renovation projects, and I want to pass them along from my journal to yours:
1. Sometimes you have to tear things down before you can build back up in new and beautiful ways.
It’s impossible to see true transformation unless you remove the damaged and unhealthy portions first. Houses and people are alike in this way. Sometimes we have to work through what was so we can move on to what can be. This doesn’t always mean we have to remove people who don’t want to cooperate with healthier patterns for our relationship. But it may mean we create boundaries that clearly outline which behaviors are acceptable and which are not. We establish boundaries not to shove people away but rather to hold ourselves together.
2. Working on the foundation isn’t appealing or attractive, but it’s important.
Jesus spoke of this truth in Matthew 7:24-27:
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash”.
Building our lives on anything but God’s Truth will result in a shaky foundation - a detriment to any building project before it even begins. We must put in the necessary hard work of building our lives and our faith on the solid ground of Scripture, daily seeking God.
3. It’s good to stay humble enough to realize sometimes you need to get professionals involved.
Some things you can do on your own, and some things you can’t. Many small home repairs can be handled without professional help, but major renovations must be carefully handled by those with skill and experience. The same is true with the deeper emotional work in our lives. Doctors, Christian counselors, and therapists are trained to bring renewed health and restoration to both body and soul. My family and I have benefited greatly from professionals in seasons when it was necessary for healing, and we’re so grateful for that.
One of the hardest realities I’ve had to face is that it’s not always possible to fix broken relationships. Heart renovations, like home renovations, take diligence, patience, and a whole lot of prayer, and through the process, we have to accept that some things can be changed and others cannot. But with God as our Master Carpenter, we can live assured - we are a beautiful work in progress.
Track the progress you do see. Be patient with the setbacks. Celebrate even the small wins. Stacks of small wins turn into big wins. Eventually, you’ll be so glad you pressed through when you see the beauty that comes from all the hard work.
God, help me have patience with the renovations You’re doing in my heart. In the messy middle of the process, help me see the beauty that’s taking shape and the joy that can be found even here in this season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
- Lysa TerKeurst
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"
Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:12-17
12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Jesus Wants You To Know...
"I understand your struggles; I know that the world exerts relentless pressure on you, trying to squeeze you into its mold. This is why you need time alone with Me. When you open up to Me and invite Me to transform you, I can work freely in you and accomplish amazing things. One of My most challenging tasks is renovating your mind, and My Spirit is always at work on this project. He does not overwhelm you with His Power. Instead, He prompts you gently and convicts you cleanly - showing you where you need to make changes and helping you develop new attitudes."
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."
- Romans 12:2 (NKJV)
- "Jesus Lives" by Sarah Young