Victory Day Fifty: Inheriting a Fortune!

Here we are at the last day of the Victory series, and if you haven’t gotten the idea by now - all who stay true to Jesus Christ in this life not only enjoy His love and guidance now, but are victoriously rewarded in heaven!

The scene there won’t be like the movies where nasty, greedy family members gather like vultures to see what they’re going to get “from the old man.” To their dismay they discover he hasn’t left them anything. They didn’t really care about the guy when he was alive, except for his money, and he knew it all along. That’s when the sweet and unsuspecting niece, grandson, or maid finds out their years of loyal, loving service are paying back – a million times over. They have inherited enough to take care of them the rest of their days.

If we remain God’s loyal, loving servants, what we see in the movies is only a taste of what our inheritance from God will be. The twist is that we are the ones who must die before we inherit. If we give up our own selfish desires and live to please Him instead, we will forever live as victorious children of God.

All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings,

and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

Rev. 21:7, NLT

Are you celebrating a victory today? What has God done in your life this last year? Has God helped you defeat an addiction or attitude? Has God healed a relationship? Have you grown in your relationship with the Lord, or started a brand new relationship with Him? I hope you will share with us. Your story will encourage others and give them courage to stay strong and keep aiming for victory too.

To leave a word of testimony, click on the word “Comments” below and type in the box that appears. If you have an Internet account, choose the appropriate one on the list, if not, click on the word “Anonymous” and then click “Publish.” You will see some letters and numbers that say “Copy the text.” Copy them exactly with a space in between and then select “Publish” and you’re done. Your comments will be sent for approval and appear later on the blog.

Thank you for joining me in the "50 Days of Victory." I can’t wait to hear your victory stories!  

Victory Day Forty-Nine: Rider on a White Horse

If you live in the United States, or are from the US, I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have so much to be thankful for in Christ Jesus our Lord! Our family gathered round the table and our sharing time could have gone on for much longer, if there hadn't been the promise of pie afterward. Somehow, that sped it up just a little.

Kelly and I will be celebrating once again with our kids tomorrow. So we are doubly blessed.

We're getting down to the last two days of the Victory series. I hope it has been a blessing to you. While it has been a challenge for me to post as often as I wanted to, it was amazing how the scripture I had planned for that day always touched my heart all over again. Next week I will begin posting a few Advent devotions from a book my pastor asked me to put together for our church family. It was such a fun project and I can't wait to share it with you too!

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Years ago, I was going through one of the worst times in my life when I read the following verse from Revelation. It came alive like never before.

I looked up and saw a white horse standing there.

Its rider carried a bow, and a crown was placed on his head.

He rode out to win many battles and gain the victory.

Rev. 6:2, NLT

Suddenly I saw my Savior, our strong and mighty conqueror, riding out to the last earthly battle. But also, I saw Jesus in heaven, as my hero against all fear and worry in this life. It gave me comfort like never before. This is what I wrote in my journal:

Oh my soul, do not give way to fear.

Trust in the One who loves you, who has saved you and keeps you.

Look into the eyes of your Lover and trust Him, my Beloved.

He will care for you; He will provide.

Do not fear, little one, or be intimidated by the enemy's attacks.

Satan is the loser and he already knows he has lost.

That is why he fights with such vengeance against the Almighty, and against you.

Lean back into the strong chest of the Rider who is faithful and true,

whose name is the Word of God,

the King of kings and Lord of lords.

He will carry you, protect you, and take you home when the battle is over.

Just rest now and trust.

Hang on to Him in all the striving until the final battle is won.

Beth Vice, October 11, 2005

I pray this vision encourages you to see Jesus as your conquering hero. He has already won the victory and is ever-present to be our strength and mighty warrior. Trust Him. Lean back on Him. Worship Him.

Victory Day Forty-Eight: Don’t Cry, the Lion Has Won

Remember the baby shampoo commercial that showed pouty faced babies with soap in their eyes? The slogan was, “No more tears.” That’s what today’s verse promises us; we don’t have to cry anymore. Our reason for hope is much better than a gentle shampoo that won’t sting our eyes. Jesus, the mighty Lion of Judah, has already won over the forces of evil that bring tears in this life:

“Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah,

the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory.

He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

Rev. 5:5, NLT

This was one of the elders already in heaven, reassuring John that everything was going to be okay. Jesus would take care of it. John was weeping because no one in heaven or earth was worthy to open the scroll in God’s hand that was sealed shut. Unless someone did, there was no way to know what was going to happen at the end of time. John couldn’t bear it.

It would be like watching an action movie to the final climactic moment, then having the power go out. There, in the darkness, we would sit tense and frustrated. Did the hero and heroine make it out alive? Did they get the bad guy? Save the earth from annihilation by aliens? Find the cure before the child dies? What happened?! Imagine then, John’s torment, knowing the end of time was coming in real life. He had been told to write everything down for future generations. He longed to give his readers hope. What would he tell them?

You and I also weep with frustration and grief over the consequences of sin in ourselves and our world. We can’t see what’s going to happen. We wonder, Is there any hope? Are we going to make it? The answer is the same for us as it was for John. God has written the end of the story and He holds the future in His hands. Only One is worthy to reveal that future and save us from the dire penalties of sin. And He’s already done it.

The Lion of Judah has already won the victory. He has conquered sin and death. If we accept His forgiveness and trust Him today, and each day as it comes, we don’t have to weep with fear over our eternal destiny. Even though we cannot see what our future holds, we know who does, and He has taken care of it. After these times of trouble on earth, we will be safe with Jesus in heaven. Weeping may remain for a night, but joy comes in the Morning.

Victory Day Forty-Seven: Better Than a Lazy Boy

 

People jokingly refer to their Lazy Boy or comfy chair as their throne. Of course, there’s also the one that sits in the bathroom. No matter how much time we might enjoy spending time on them, none can compare to the throne Jesus describes in today’s verse. The victory seat.

 

“Those who are victorious will sit with me on my throne,

 just as I was victorious and sat with my Father on his throne.”

Rev. 3:21, NLT

The books of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, and Revelation give us glimpses of what heaven looks like, and the glory surrounding the throne. God the Father sits on His throne, and Jesus the Son of God is on a throne next to Him. In this verse, Jesus says the victorious will sit with Him on His throne. I’m not sure I understand all this. If you take it literally, it sounds cozy and amazing, but also

a little crowded.

I think of King Solomon’s throne. He built: “a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with fine gold.  The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom” (1 Ki. 10:18-20).

That sounds magnificent and ornate, like a splashy display of power and wealth. But it also sounds cold and uncomfortable, but then I’m sure he had a lot of richly embroidered cushions too. Jesus’ throne will be even better.  

What does all this rambling have to do with our sitting with the Father and Son on their thrones? I think it will not only be breathtakingly beautiful and filled with glory, but also comfortable. Companionable. It won’t be like a never-ending family visit, where everyone runs out of things to say, yet continue to fill the space with awkward conversation. All of them long to be anywhere else, except the bore who talks on and on, seemingly unaware no one is interested.

No, when we get to heaven, we’re going to have so much to talk about; so many questions to ask. We will be so full of wonder and praise in the Presence of our Lord and Savior, that we might even just sit there speechless for a time, adoring Him. It definitely won’t be boring or tiresome.

And finally, it will be restful. Although there will be lots to do in heaven, we won’t have the pressure of time. There will be opportunities for worship, action, and for savoring the delights created for us, the children of God. The victorious. I want to experience this, don’t you?

Victory Day Forty-Six: I Don’t Want it to End!

Have you ever spent time with friends or family you just didn’t want to end? Ultra romantic dates when neither wanted to say goodbye? What about books or movies so good you could hardly pause to eat or sleep? With Thanksgiving this week, many of us will be enjoying special dishes we don’t get every day - delights that make your mouth water just thinking about them. And how about worship times so amazing you wish it would go on forever and ever? We feel clean and free, like we’ve touched a piece of heaven.

Today’s scripture reveals that Jesus understands these longings, because He promises five more rewards that never end. He wants to make sure we know the riches of heaven are worth standing firm for here on earth. At first, they will sound strange. So give this time to percolate through your brain.

“Because you have obeyed my command to persevere, I will protect you from the great time of testing that will come upon the whole world to test those who belong to this world. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take away your crown.  All who are victorious will become pillars in the Temple of my God, and they will never have to leave it. And I will write on them the name of my God, and they will be citizens in the city of my God—the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven from my God. And I will also write on them my new name.”

Rev. 3:10-12, NLT, italics mine

Pillars

“Yea! I get to be a pillar,” you say. “Just what I’ve always wanted.” Think about it, though. What do we call someone who is respected by everyone; whose reputation is flawless? We call them a pillar of society. So reward #1 is respect, honor, stability and permanence to grace the place where God is.

We Get to Stay

The second thing He says is that we never have to leave the Temple. Remember those great times of worship that we wish would never end? In heaven they don’t. That glorious emotional high and feeling of safety with God and His people is eternal.

Engraved

What do people do when they get a really special gift for a loved one? They get it engraved. A card is too temporary to show the depth of their love. That’s what Jesus does with His faithful ones; He writes His Father’s name - tattoos the family crest on us - for all to see.

Citizens

If you’ve ever immigrated to another country, you treasure the title of citizen more than those who were born there. Earth is not our home; we’re looking forward to our citizenship in heaven. When we immigrate, God assures our citizenship there.

Jesus’ New Name

Apparently we’re going to have a lot of writing on us. If you’re not a tattoo fan, don’t worry, I’m sure it will be tastefully done. Jesus doesn’t tell us what His new name will be, but we get to share it. We’ll be forever identified as His Beloved, belonging to and cherished by Him.

These five blessings give us much to think about. What love! Jesus wants us to know the tremendous sense of belonging and security we’ll have with Him. It will never end.

Victory Day Forty-Five: Forever the Cherished Bride

I believe the deepest wounds we inflict on one another in this life are not physical, but emotional. Worst of all, is the pain of being rejected by a close loved one – a child, parent, or mate. A man or woman whose spouse chooses someone else over them suffer a pain so profound, so personal, that it seems nothing can ever heal the scar completely.

For a woman, it is forever connected with her identity as a bride. Her white wedding gown, that proclaimed she was loved and desirable is now cast aside. The name her husband so proudly gave her is now taken back, and given to another. And it seems that she herself has been erased from the book of his life, his memories of her gone.

What a joy it is to know then, that Jesus will never un-choose His Bride – the Church. Men and women alike, we are the Bride of Christ. I have known the pain of rejection. So these verses are especially meaningful to me. However, even those who have never experienced divorce or a family member turning against them, have been abandoned at some point in their life, by someone they loved. And the pain is never forgotten.

But Jesus says to us,

“All who are victorious will be clothed in white.

I will never erase their names from the Book of Life,

but I will announce before my Father and his angels that they are mine.”

Rev. 3:5, NLT



http://eanperkins.com/

http://eanperkins.com/

He will never stop loving His Bride. To those who love Him Jesus has given His name, and will never take it away. He won’t give it to another in our place. He is proud to announce to His Father and all the angels that we belong to Him. Forever. That’s a promise we can count on.

Victory Day Forty-Four: I Finally Get to Be in Charge!

In the middle of her presentation our speaker paused and sighed. “After all these years of being a Christian, I still struggle with giving God control.” It’s true with all of us. We know Jesus is Lord; we know God is perfect and capable and loving, and yet we can’t quite pry our fingers off the steering wheel of life.

That’s why it’s an amazing thing that one of the rewards for victory in this life is authority in heaven.

“…hold tightly to what you have until I come. To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, to them I will give authority over all the nations.”

Rev. 2:25-26, NLT

This was the Spirit of God's message to the church in Thyatira. Their biggest problem was over authority. A woman in the church claimed to be a prophetess, but was taking away from God’s authority and parceling it out to others gods. Some people were giving in to this false religion and blending the truth of Christianity with the so called “mysteries” of the pagan priests. This was a repeat of Queen Jezebel’s wicked rule years earlier. She had vied for control over Israel, and their allegiance to God, by introducing her own brand of worship.

The message for us is the same. God will not share us with any other god or worldly belief. Not even if that god is us, trying to take over the controls of our life. However, in an amazing turn of events, if we obey and give Him control in this life, He will bless us with authority over others in heaven. I’m not sure I understand all this, but it gives me something to ponder.

Our God and the wonders He has awaiting us in heaven are too wonderful to comprehend. So I think I’ll just keep following Him and learn as I go.

Victory Day Forty-Three: Triple Whammy Reward

Today’s verse in our series promises a three-fold reward for those who are victorious in this life. Apostle John, the only one of the twelve disciples that wasn’t martyred (not that they didn’t try), was banished to the Island of Patmos. There, during a time of worship, Jesus revealed heavenly mysteries to John about the end times, instructing him to write them down.

Jesus mentions so many blessings in the first three chapters of Revelations that it’s mind boggling. I can imagine John trying to remember it all. So much beauty! So much praise! So many colors and sights and sounds! How could he describe them to those who haven’t been there?

Jesus describes phenomenal rewards, mixed with warnings not to give up until the end. He knows the pressure feels like more than we can sustain, the temptations enticing, and we get weary of choosing the right when the wrong is easy and popular. So He opened the door, just a bit, to show much our efforts will be rewarded..

“To everyone who is victorious I will give some of the manna that has been hidden away in heaven. And I will give to each one a white stone, and on the stone will be engraved a new name that no one understands except the one who receives it.”

Rev. 2:17, NLT

Perhaps you’re thinking, “So, we get mystery bread, a rock, and a name. Hmm, that’s…nice. What else? That was my first thought until I discovered what those three things include.

Manna was the miraculous food God provided the Israelites in the desert before they entered the Promised Land. It represents life, daily provision, nourishment, satisfaction, and a free gift for the taking. It has been hidden away in heaven until the end time.

In John’s day, a white stone meant ‘yes’ and a black stone ‘no.’ When God gives us a white stone He is saying, “Not guilty.” You are innocent because you have accepted the forgiveness my Son bought with His blood. Here you go. Your ticket to heaven has been paid.

The third reward is a new name engraved in the stone. A name of affection; a nickname. Something that has tremendous meaning to that individual that no one but Jesus could possibly understand. It might heal a deep wound inflicted on that person because of cruel name calling or attacks on their character. Perhaps the new name helps them overcome a label applied to themselves they could never remove. Ugly, Crazy, Stupid, Lazy, Worthless, become Beautiful, Imaginative, Clever, Motivated, Treasured. Each name is chosen to fill a profound need.

Don’t you want to dine on secret food held back for conquerors only? Wouldn’t it be a relief to get rid of the gnawing ache of guilt and shame? And wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a name more intimate than Snookums or Love Muffin? Something that really makes your heart skip a beat? It sounds great to me! Good enough to keep on fighting the fight until the day we see Jesus face to face.

Victory Day Forty-Two: Sweet and Juicy Rewards

In ancient battles, it was all about the plunder, the loot, the treasure. Even soldiers, who didn’t care about their king were plenty willing to go to battle, if they could carry home gold, jewels, women, clothing, and all the worldly wealth of their enemies. In our case, it’s a little different. From this point on in the series, I’m going to highlight scriptures that talk about the heavenly rewards God promises for the victorious.

We’re not in this war against the forces of evil for the booty, unless of course you count the captives set free when we convince them to follow our Commander. No, we fight because we’ve fallen in love with our King and His cause – the salvation of mankind. Also, because we hate how our enemy destroys everyone he rules. Yet (because of the glorious grace of our God) after the Great War is over, we do get to enjoy plunder. When we leave our earthly body or Jesus takes us home, we will experience rewards we can’t even imagine.

Here’s the first:

“To everyone who is victorious

I will give fruit from the tree of life in the paradise of God.”

Rev. 2:7, NLT

Does that have a familiar ring? Where have you heard about the tree of life before? Genesis chapter three tells us it was in the middle of the Garden of Eden. Those who eat fruit from the tree of life live forever. It’s like the legendary fountain of youth only in handy fruit form. You might wonder, if God put it in the Garden, why isn’t it still available? Because of sin.

When Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, sin entered our world. Since God is too merciful to doom us to an unending life of sin and all the pain it brings, He removed man from the Garden and provided the antidote to eternal death – Jesus.

So, in the end, we get to go back to that Garden existence, only we will have the gratitude of knowing what Christ has done for us in order to enjoy this gift. Don’t you wonder what it tastes like? Sweet and juicy, fresh and pure, satisfying like nothing we’ve ever had on earth. And that’s not all. To the victors go the spoils! Check in tomorrow to find out what else God has in store for those who fight faithfully to the end.

Victory Day Forty-One: Faith is the Victory

For every child of God defeats this evil world,

and we achieve this victory through our faith.

And who can win this battle against the world?

Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:4-5, NLT

If you recognized this blog title from the old hymn, you probably couldn’t resist humming the chorus - especially since the photos provide the lyrics. It’s been a while since I sang it, but it kept popping into my mind as I prepared for today’s post. The song is old, written in 1891, and the scripture even older, written around the year 98, but both state a timeless truth. Faith in Jesus is what gives us victory over the world.

A familiar song and Bible verse wasn’t enough to nail it down for me though. I had to ponder this and do some digging to grasp the full power of this claim. How does faith, I wondered, do battle for us against the world? And what does it mean to win against the world? Why are we at war?

I found that “the world” refers to spiritual rulers, not earth itself or the people who live here. The spiritual forces of evil that war against God also war against mankind. They’ve been at work since the Garden of Eden trying to take us captive to sin and imprison us in destructive lifestyles. What better way to hurt the Creator than to torture and pervert His beloved children and convince us He either doesn’t exist, or has no power or desire to save us.

Having faith brings us back into right relationship. We can’t get victory over addiction, pornography, same sex attraction, gambling, gossip, stealing, lying, pride, selfishness, greed, ingratitude, or any other worldly passion without faith. Anything else is just legalism and self-help programs. Those can only give a certain degree of success. They might curb our outward behavior, but they cannot change our heart, and that’s where true victory takes place.

We can only get victory when we believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and then live our lives accordingly. In other words, stop trying to be our own gods (as if we’ve done such a great job of it), and let Him lead. If we say we believe He is God, but continue to do whatever we want, we deny our own claim. Do we really believe He loves us; that His plan is good; that He knows what’s best for us? If we do, and act on it, our faith will be the victory.