My photograph above could simply symbolize a beautiful day at the beach. It could also mean a walk with Jesus, if you remember the poem "Footprints In The Sand" which was made popular many years ago. The most touching verse of that poem was Jesus saying, "When you saw only one set of footprints in the sand, it was then that I carried you."
This article will be about how, with Jesus' help, we can lead a victorious life. First, we must be born again. We must have been truly converted and have put our faith and hope in Christ as the Savior and to believe with all of our heart that His death at Calvary....His shed blood there.... can wash our sins away if we have true faith in Him and believe in His resurrection.
One must also sincerely repent of his sins and not continue to live a sinful life. One needs to pray for forgiveness and surrender his life to Jesus.
One must also sincerely repent of his sins and not continue to live a sinful life. One needs to pray for forgiveness and surrender his life to Jesus.
Romans 10:9,10, 13 tells us: "(9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Salvation is not a big list of do's and don'ts or works to be performed. Salvation is by faith.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9
What originally inspired me to write today was a quote I ran across by a Danish poet, theologian, and religious author that lived from 1813 to 1855. His name was Soren Kierkegaard and he is quoted as saying, "Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards."
How true ! I have quite a few years on me now (I am a great grandmother!) I can look back on many years ago, before I was born again, and see how emotional I was: quick to anger, self-centered, self-willed, and not really understanding what life was all about. So I regret the person I was during those past years, but now that the Lord has touched my heart and taught me to live for His will, I can understand more now what life is all about (it is all about Him). I do not live in the past, but I have learned from past mistakes. I am now free to "live life forwards", as Kierkegaard said.
Back to modern times, Philip Yancey has said something that is great food for thought: "I have learned that faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse."
"The heart of the Christian faith is found at the intersection of our brokenness and God's goodness, mercy, and love." - Tripp Prince
Faith.
The Christian who has a victorious life is one that is rooted and grounded in faith. You can live victoriously ! You can triumph over this wicked world! If you live for Jesus, you have no need to fear anything.
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." - Jesus at John 14:27
"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God." - 1 John 5:4-5
"Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us." - Romans 8:37
So how do we live victoriously? How do we gain faith?
Read your Bible daily; it is God's love letter to us; His instruction manual for us to follow. When you pour over God's Holy Word, it is like God speaking to you. The Word has life and power! It can draw you to God, and you begin to learn about His attributes and your love and appreciation for Jesus will grow. Your faith will also grow.
Pray more than once a day. Pray with importunity and with a heart totally focused on the good Lord. You cannot come to know anyone intimately unless you communicate with them. Tell God all of your fears, all of your worries, and ask Him for guidance in daily living. Talk to Him as if you were talking to a beloved Father, for that He is. The more you pray, the more your faith will grow. Especially as you see your prayers being answered.
But remember, in your prayers and in your Bible reading you must take time to listen to what the Lord says. Pause and be silent and see if you do not "hear" His still, small voice whisper words of encouragement and love to your heart. It is the Holy Spirit working to guide you and encourage you when you most need it. He may send you a reminder of a certain Scripture which will manifest itself when you are in prayer.
Following is a short 4 minute audio video by J.R. Miller concerning the secret to victorious living.
And following is a 45 minute video sermon by Charles Spurgeon on "The Victory of Faith". I pray that you will take the time to listen to the full, inspiring sermon.
Have a blessed and Christ centered weekend...... and life !
