Victory - Day Thirty-One: An Attitude of Gratitude

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.
 Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly.
The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!

I thank you for answering my prayer and giving me victory!

Psa. 118:14-15, 21, NLT

Every Thanksgiving, each person at our table receives three pieces of candy corn, commemorating the three day feast the pilgrims and Wampanoag Native Americans shared in 1621. The first year in North America, more than half of the colonists died of starvation and disease. Only 52 of the original 102 passengers of the Mayflower remained alive. If not for Massasoit and his people’s help teaching them what to plant, how to hunt and fish, and build solid homes, perhaps none would have survived.

They weren’t aware that they were celebrating the first Thanksgiving, but they were very thankful that God had supplied for their needs. They had endured spiritual persecution, the tumultuous passage by sea, and a year of deprivation. But they survived and their natural response was gratitude to God.

I love hearing what everyone says when we take turns saying one thing we’re thankful for on Thanksgiving Day, until all three candy corns are gone. No blessings can be repeated, but we have so many to choose from it’s not a problem!

This month, as we look forward to this day to gather, whether with biological family or friends nearby, there are many who just can’t wait to begin “going round the table.” Last night at small group, we each shared one thing we’re thankful for. Many are posting each day this month on Facebook. Others, through blogs, emails, and text messages are choosing to celebrate a season of gratitude all month long.

Why not? We too have endured storms, sickness, hardship, and loss, but God has brought us through. Many of us have received the help of friends – old and new – and learned important lessons along the way. We praise God who is behind every blessing.

God is our strength and our song. He has given us victory over financial loss, death, disappointments, and shattered dreams. We will sing songs of joy and praise. He has answered our prayers – maybe not the way we had hoped or expected, but He hears our cries for help. He sends His angels of protection to shield and guide us through the darkness. He gives His Spirit to comfort us as we grieve. He comes personally to be among us day by day. He has done glorious things! I will be thankful.

Victory - Day Thirty: Rest is Essential for Victory

But he himself will be refreshed from brooks along the way.

He will be victorious.

Psa. 110:7, NLT

Apparently I think I’m some kind of superhero that can work every minute of the day and flawlessly accomplish super human feats. Then reality comes crashing down and it’s all too apparent how limited my powers are. Do I really think that highly of myself? No. It’s what happens when I ignore God’s command and Jesus’ example to take time out for refreshment.

Jesus was both fully God and fully human, so He got tired just like we do. Notice throughout the four gospels – Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, that He regularly, purposefully took time out to refresh His body and spirit.

 

Since He was able to quote scripture fluently, Jesus obviously spent time reading and memorizing it. He also got away to fellowship with friends – the twelve disciples, the “inner three” Peter, James, and John. Plus He spent time with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He also got away by himself to be with His Father, to pray and be encouraged. And He took time to eat and sleep to nourish and strengthen His body.

Eight days after announcing to His disciples that He would suffer death and be raised again, Jesus took the inner three on a mountain to pray. There God sent His buddies Moses and Elijah and they talked about all that was to come. It must have been nice to talk with His Father and these ancient believers who had true understanding of the divine plan (Luke 9).

How else could Jesus have had the strength and will to face the worst suffering ever known to man? It wasn’t just physical and emotional suffering He endured either, but the spiritual agony of bearing the sin of all mankind from beginning to end. And at that crucial point of betrayal and death, His own Father would have to turn away from the sin heaped on His only beloved Son.

Yet Jesus was victorious because, as Psalm 110 prophesied, He made time for refreshment along the way. How can we follow His example?    

·         Get away with God – to talk, to listen, to soak up His presence

*     Go to church regularly to worship with other believers

·         Spend time with close friends enjoying fellowship

·         Read the Bible to feed your heart and mind, encourage yourself, and share with others

What else refreshes you for times of intense temptation, sacrifice, and giving for the sake of others? Do you see a difference in the amount of victory you enjoy when you refresh yourself compared to when you don’t?

Victory - Day Twenty-Nine: Sing a New Song

Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds.
His right hand has won a mighty victory; his holy arm has shown his saving power!
The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every nation!
He has remembered his promise to love and be faithful to Israel.
The ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.

Psa. 98:1-3, NLT (emphasis mine)

My girls used to laugh at the ridiculous songs I came up with to entertain them. Some were motivational - to inspire them to clean up, get ready for school, come for snack, and or just to celebrate a happy moment. They often sounded suspiciously similar to the latest commercial jingle or Sunday school song, with new and “creative” lyrics to fit the occasion.

They especially remember the “entertainment” I provided on our boat in the middle of Detroit Lake while we waited for it to get dark enough for the fireworks show. The kids were getting restless and feeling cooped up, so I grabbed our friend Tyler’s stuffed Putty Tat and began a long and ridiculous rendition of “Three Cheers for the Red, White, and Blue.” However, since those were the only real words I knew to the song, it morphed into descriptions of the kids, our long wait, what we could see in the semi-darkness, and the anticipated fireworks. They loved being the subject of Putty Tat’s impromptu performance.

Have you thought about how much our Father loves to hear each new generation’s new, original songs of love for Him? He treasures the old ones too, many of them classics, still as powerful and true today as when they were written. The psalms, hymns, and contemporary music throughout the centuries all bring joy to His heart. Yet we each need to praise God again in our own voice, in our own style, with a new song.

In fact, we’re encouraged to do that. It keeps the message fresh and alive and personal. His character and message do not change, but our experience of Him does. We relate to the fears and struggles expressed by past generations, as well as their praise for all God has done. But we need to express it too, thanking Him for personal victories, even if only for His ears.

God is more than worthy to receive all the praise we can give Him. He loves to hear our expressions of gratitude for the daily victories He brings our way. The world needs to hear our fresh stories too. Our faith is not a dry toast kind of existence, but alive and vibrant, active and ever-new.

So savor the old songs that remind you of God’s provision in the past, but add to them new songs about His work in your life today. Keep your praise fresh and as up to date as the newness of our Lord in every rising sun.

Victory, Day Twenty-Eight: The Quiet Assurance of the Saints

Christians facing death in the Roman Colliseum

Happy All Saints Day! Today we celebrate the faith and courage of all those who have been martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ. We’ve been busy at our house, getting ready for a host of friends, who are coming tonight to feast, play games, and watch an inspiring movie about a great man of God. I’ve been hustling about all morning, baking and cleaning, with a song in my soul.

Those who are currently facing great persecution, will not enjoy much feasting and laughter today. However, we pray for a quiet assurance that all will be well, no matter how their physical battle ends.

I was reminded of that last night as we watched The Return of the King, the third in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Gandalf and Pippin are hunkered down together just before the battle of Minas Tirith, and things look hopeless. Pippin says, “I didn’t think it would end this way.”

Gandalf’s reply is unexpected, “End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path, one that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all turns to silver glass, and then you see it…”

Life after death for the faithful holds beauty, rest, and peace. Buoyed by this, Pippin and Gandalf go into battle knowing that whatever the outcome that day, all will be well for them in the end. That is why there is a quietness in the soul of a saint (born-again believer) before combat. There’s no need to work into a froth of war-energy because they know they already stand in victory.

William Tyndale

King David said it well,

I wait quietly before God,

for my victory comes from him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.

Psa. 62:1-2, NLT

That is how millions of Christians have been able to stare death in the face and not fear. They know that death is not defeat, but the gateway to their heavenly reward. Jim Elliot, who was murdered with four other missionaries by the natives of Ecuador said this: “He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Their story is told in the book Gates of Splendor, the movie Beyond the Gates of Splendor, and the movie The End of the Spear.

Jim Elliot

 

What inspiring examples we have of faith in the face of the terrors of suffering for the sake of Christ. I’m so glad we have a day to focus our minds and hearts on these brave men and women. From their stories, we can build courage to face our own difficulties with quiet confidence. For we know, in Christ, we have the ultimate victory.

50 Days of Victory - Day Twenty-Seven: The Name of Our Victorious God

As your name deserves, O God, you will be praised to the ends of the earth.

Your strong right hand is filled with victory.

Psa. 48:10, NLT

I’ve been called a few names in my time – Little Package, Babe, Punkin, Betheelaine, Herman, Goodie Two Shoes, Chatterbox, Nincompoop. Some were terms of endearment, others…not so much. What people call us is very important to our self-esteem and reputation. They either energize and comfort us, or discourage and condemn us to a fate we feel is inescapable.  

Believers were first called Christians in Antioch when Paul and Barnabas were winning many there to Jesus (Acts 11:26). It meant “Little Christ” and was a slam on those crazy Jesus Freaks who actually believed Jesus was the Son of God come back to life. Everyone could see how much they loved Him. They couldn’t stop talking about Him and centered their lives around His life, teaching, and promised return. The name stuck.

I don’t know about you, but I think it's a compliment to be named after Christ. I want to be like Him and spread His message of hope, forgiveness, and freedom.

Ann Spangler, says in Praying the Names of God, “To know God’s name is to enjoy a kind of privileged access to him…Through his names God reveals his character and his love. He is the Creator, the Everlasting God, the God Who Sees Me, the Lord Who Heals, the Lord My Rock, The Lord My Shepherd, and the Father who is calling us into a deeper, more satisfying relationship.”

It's His strong right hand that is filled with victory. He doesn’t just have a smidgeon or a pinch or a speck of victory. The right hand of our God is filled to the brim with victory. He already triumphed when He rose from the dead. The war is won; the devil has already been beaten.

Too often I forget that fact in the muddle of day to day life. I get discouraged and feel defeated, and think I have to do something to help Him out. In reality I just need to praise Him and spread the word.

Halloween: A Cheap Imitation Revisited

Is it wrong for Christians to celebrate Halloween? I am re-posting this updated blog to let you know about a better option and so you can make an informed decision about The Halloween Question. Click on the link below if you would like to learn more.

Happy All Saints Day Eve!

http://bethvice.blogspot.com/2009/10/halloween-cheap-imitation-c-beth-vice.html

Victory Series - Day Twenty-Six: Victory Redefined

In your majesty, ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds!

Psa. 45:4, NLT

God’s idea of victory and our human concept of it don’t always match. Personally, I would like to get victory over my thighs, the weeds in my yard, my unending need for reassurance and praise, and the misguided notion that it really is possible to do everything on my list each day. However, those things don’t seem to be God’s top priorities.

He’s not even concerned about power, land, or possessions. What God considers victory is saving human souls. He wants to rescue us from the living death of hatred, abuse, and self-destruction. He wants to heal our relationships with others. That’s why God rides out for victory with these three things in view: truth, humility, and justice.

Think how many of our problems would be solved if people would just tell the truth. Our court system wouldn’t be clogged with cases that stretch on for years. Voting would be simplified if we knew how the candidates really felt about the issues and how they would behave in office. Communication between husbands and wives would flourish, because instead of hiding problems from each other, they would honestly share and work on them together. Best of all, God’s Word would be the final authority.

Secondly, God fights for humility. The biblical definition of humility is: a realization of our sins, and desire to bring honor to God. The “great paradox” of Christianity is, “that it makes humility the avenue to glory.” (http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/eastons-bible-dictionary/Humility). Healthy self-esteem is when we can forget about ourselves, instead of assuming we’re better than others, or a waste of space on this planet. Either extreme puts us at the center of the Universe. Humility is seeing who we are in relation to God’s breathtaking splendor and putting ourselves in His hands.

The third thing God counts as victory is justice. God is for the underdog, the oppressed, the innocent, and the needy. Those are the people He fights for; He is their Defender and victorious Hero. His decisions are free from prejudice or lack of information. He is always good. It may seem at times like evil is winning, but in the end, God will triumph and right all wrongs.

While I still hope to get a few of the things under control that I first mentioned, this verse reminds me of what is most important to God. I want to follow His example and join the fight for truth, humility, and justice in my own life, and for those around me.  

Day Twenty-Five: Unexpected Weapons

It was your right hand and strong arm and
the blinding light from your face that helped them,
for you loved them.
You are my King and my God…
You are the one who gives us victory over our enemies.
 Psa. 44:4, 7, NLT

Usually, battles are won or lost through strategic warfare, the quantity and skill of the soldiers, sheer physical strength, or advanced weaponry. Sometimes the weather and even the shape of the land decides who wins or loses. Spiritual battles are a little different. As 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 says, the soldiers of God do not fight with the weapons of this world, and neither does the God we serve. 

God is strong; there’s no question about that. His power is unlimited, except the one area He has restricted himself by giving us free will to choose to love or reject Him. Whenever God’s right hand or right arm is mentioned in scripture, it refers to God’s superior strength and dexterity, like a warrior using his dominant arm.

The other two weapons mentioned here are a bit of a surprise though. Verse four says that the blinding light of God’s face helped His people win the victory. When God showed His radiance during a battle between the Israelites and their enemies it would have blinded, confused, and terrified them so much they would have dropped their swords and ran. This can apply to the spiritual battles we face every day as well.

Our God is radiant with glory and our enemy is terrified of the light! If we stay in God’s presence and walk in His light, He will illuminate our way and defeat the enemy, just by being who He is – the light of the world. The more we hang out with Him, the more He can fill us with light and shine through us.

The second unexpected war strategy God uses is Love. God is love; God loves people. He doesn’t desire our victory over fear, doubt, pride, deceitfulness, greed, or any of our other enemies because we deserve His help. Not because we’re from His favorite country or wear the right clothes.  He loves us because He is our Creator and chooses to love us. He fights for our victory so we can enjoy abundant life with Him here and spend eternity together in heaven.

Satan hates us because of this. He cannot defeat love – not God’s love for us, our love for God, or the love God gives us for others. Love is an unexpectedly powerful weapon indeed.

Who would have thought of these weapons for a surefire victory? Radiant light and unfailing love. Only God.

Day Twenty-Four: I Need to Hear Your Voice, Lord

Lift up your spear and javelin against those who pursue me.
Let me hear you say, “I will give you victory!”

Psa. 35:3, NLT

 

This prayer reveals the need of every heart to hear God’s reassuring voice. His own words in scripture tell us He will be with us. God will fight for us; He will rescue, save, and provide for us. Yet, when trouble comes, we still need to hear Him say it to us personally. We’re like a child walking down a dark hallway who needs to hear his parent’s voice to know he or she is there.  We are God’s children and He is willing to meet this need.

All through the Bible the words of God are in quotation marks, and the words of Jesus in red in some versions. This way we can know what God himself has spoken to us. And the Holy Spirit of God whispers in the heart and mind of those who love Him, “You are not alone.”

One of my favorite verses to reassure me of this is in the book of Isaiah: “Your own ears will hear him. Right behind you a voice will say, ‘This is the way you should go,” whether to the right or to the left’” (Isa. 30:21, italics mine, NLT). And as for victory, a verse that I have clung to recently regarding my children: “But the Lord says…‘I will fight those who fight you, and I will save your children’” Psa. 49:25).

I hope that encourages you too – God gives us His promise of victory and never failing presence, from His own lips.

My Halloween Story

I grew up in a Christian home and loved dressing up to go trick or treating every year. In high school I went to church Halloween parties where we watched such inspiring fare as "Drink the Blood of Dracula." I attended a Christian college where we had a school sponsored haunted house. When I became a parent, I delightedly dressed our daughter up as Dorothy from Oz and I’m a Little Teapot, and made costumes for us to wear as well.

However, in 1992 they showed Halloween: Trick or Treat? at my church and it all came to a screeching halt. I was horrified to find out what this “innocent” little celebration was all about. How could I, as a committed Christian participate in something that is so opposite of everything I believe?

As any recovering addict will tell you, whenever you take something away that has been a big part of your life, you need to replace it with something to fill the void. When I found out that there was actually a Christian holiday on November 1st called All Saints Day, I did a little research and decided it was the perfect thing to take Halloween’s place.

All Saints Day actually came first. The Church fathers originally declared it a holiday to honor all Christians martyred for their faith. But why not make it a day of thanksgiving for all saints (believers) past and present? Because our Christian ancestors lived faithfully for God, they made it possible for us to hear the message of Christ and go to heaven. Now that’s something to celebrate! (See "What is a Saint?" blog for the biblical definition of saints.)

If you’re fed up with the world’s cheap imitation for a party and your heart yearns for the best God has for you, here’s some ideas on how to reclaim the season for Holy Partying!

* Boycott Halloween. Have dress up parties for birthdays, New Years, Valentines, and other holidays not connected with Halloween. Get together with Christian friends for a movie, games, or Bible study.
* Talk it up. I have been amazed how open and interested people have been to hear about All Saints Day: at the grocery store; in my daughter’s first grade classroom.
* Get excited about Christian history. Spend the month of October reading and watching biographies of inspiring people of faith. (See "Just How Much Do You Really Know" blog.)
* Pitch the cobwebs and tombstones. Decorate the house for fall and highlight with red and white - the symbolic colors for courage and faith.
* Fast and Pray. Pray against the evil that seeks to devour our nation. Pray for the innocent lured or born into the occult, and those tortured and killed as offerings to Satan (yes, this is really still happening!). Fight for what is good with the same fervency our enemies use against us.
* Do not fear. When learning about the occult, it is easy to focus more on darkness than light. Remember, Satan has already lost the war.
* Sing and play music with lyrics about courage and faith. Look in the hymnbook under All Saints Day and listen to what’s on the radio. It’s inspiring stuff!
* Throw an All Saints Day party on November 1 and make it the climax of the season (Game idea: Who’s Who in Christian History).
* Have a feast! (I’ll bet you already thought of that.) No party is complete without good food.

Many blessings on you and your household as you seek to lift up the name of Christ in this season overrun with Satanic influences. Whatever you and your family decide to do, stand boldly for Christ and, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).