I want to ask you a question. Who are you? Besides your career, your education, your family, Strip all of you down. Again, who are you?
If we go to the book of Ephesians 1 and 2, being a believer and having the faith. It tells you who you really are. So, today, we know we are victorious and we are grateful. 1. Ephesians 1:3-God has given us every spiritual blessing in heaven.
4 In Christ, he chose me before the world was made. He chose me in love to be his holy people—people who could stand before him without any fault.
5 And before the world was made, God decided to make me his own child through Jesus Christ.
This was what God wanted, and it pleased him to do it.
6 And this brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to me freely. He gave us that grace in Christ, the one he loves.
7 In Christ I am made free by his blood sacrifice. I am forgiveness of sins because of God’s rich grace.
8 God gave me that grace fully and freely. With full wisdom and understanding
9 he let me know his secret plan. This was what God wanted, and he planned to do it through Christ.
10 God’s goal was to finish his plan when the right time came. He planned that all things in heaven and on earth be joined together with Christ as the head.
11 In Christ i am chosen to be God’s people. God had already planned for me to be his people, because that is what he wanted. And he is the one who makes everything agree with what he decides and wants.
13 I am saved. Ive been given the good news. The true message. About the way God saved me. I believe in Christ. And in Christ, God put his special mark on me by giving me the Holy Spirit that he promised.
14 The Spirit is the first payment that guarantees that I get all that God has for me. Then I will enjoy complete freedom as people who belong to him. The goal for me is the praise of God in all his glory....
This month is about being grateful and through Jesus, we have the victory. John 1:1 is a foundational New Testament verse that introduces Jesus Christ as the eternal "Word" (Logos) who existed with God from the beginning and was God, establishing His divinity and role in creation, stating: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (ESV). This verse connects Jesus (the Word) to God's presence and revelation, showing He is both distinct from God (with God) and divine in nature (was God), a key concept in Christian theology. ...
In essence, The Greek term Logos refers to God's divine expression, reason, and active presence, used by philosophers but redefined by John as a personal being, Jesus.
Eternity: "In the beginning" points to a time before creation, indicating the Word's eternal pre-existence.
Divinity & Relationship: The Word was with God (distinct) and was God (sharing the same divine nature), a cornerstone for the doctrine of the Trinity (God in three persons).
Creator: Following verses (John 1:3) explain that all things were made through Him, solidifying His role in creation.
In essence, John 1:1 declares Jesus' eternal, divine nature, identifying Him as God's ultimate revelation and the source of all creation, long before He became flesh (John 1:14). ..
This past week the spiritual devotion to us to a place of realizing that all that we've been going through is much bigger than us. 1 John 4:4..
My dear children, you belong to God, so you have already defeated these false prophets. That’s because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
In otherwords, ARE YOU OF GOD????, LISTEN UP, YOU ALREADY HAVE THE VICTORY: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.Greater is he that is in me.
We fear NOONE. WHY? Because we CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST THAT STRENGTHENS US, AS WE BELIEVE IN JESUS.(Philippines 4:13)
I was looking at "Ready To Love"yesterday and one of the ladies went down to the bottom thus facing elimination because of her disconnecting of Jesus from God; she doesn't believe in the Trinity and the men have concerns as they should.
"Why go into the house when at the door there's problems?"
HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM!
If God is for me,WHO can be against me?
Throughout this year, The TRIUNE God has given us so much to victory. God's power is greater than any force that could possibly oppose you.
Throughout this year, The TRIUNE God has been our defender. We've faced challenges.. they cannot succeed against us because God is your defender.
Throughout this year, we've had and still are having security in Christ. Meaning, as believers we are in a righteous standing with God, offering unshakeable confidence.
Someone told another person that they were more righteous than the other person because that other person was going through a challenging time. In retrospect, that person was grieving the death of their parent. ..
Thuroughout this year, its been God's ultimate support making any opposition irrelevant, offering us, believers confidence that nothing—not even hardship, death, or evil—this cannot separate us, believers from His love and cause us ultimate defeat...
Throughout this year, we're
more than a conqueror.. (Romans 8:37) Meaning, we've achieve total, overwhelming victory in Christ, turning ALL OF THE struggles into triumphs by making ALL OPPOSITION SERVE GOD'S PURPOSE, NOT JUST DEFEATING THEM.
EVER THING WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH HAS A PURPOSE, SO WE HAVE THE VICTORY.
Challenges build character, bring glory to God, and ultimately lead to spiritual triumph through Jesus Christ, turning suffering into a greater purpose, even when things seem difficult.
Thuroughout this year, The TRIUNE God works through hardship, assuring a final victory over sin and trials.
Difficult times aren't meaningless; The TRIUNE God uses them for growth, refining faith, and drawing people either to him or back to Him..THIS IS YOUR RECONCILIATION. JUST COME ON HOME AND CHANGE YOUR WAYS. All that Joseph in the Bible went through, he didn’t retaliate, he turned the other cheek. If you think over you're life from the past year, you've probably had to do the same. The TRIUNE God took on your battle. There's probably been some emotional and spiritual intelligence in there for you too.
Let's be grateful for all of that GRACE AND MERCY that's extended our way...Lets pause and thank the TRIUNE God for that.
Let us all say, Amen.
So, rise up today, may total victory be yours. In the new year, we may have to go through the puddles, make some stops, rest a bit, listen carefully to and reflective on, turn around, sit down, slow up, go up, go over, and over and over, go under and through with the Red Sea before us and Pharaoh’s army behind us...it's okay because. THE TRIUNE GOD IS AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE.
As we close out this year, "Stillwaters run deep."
Things just don't happen.Romans 8:28, which states that God works all things for good for those who love Him.
Proverbs 16:9, which says the Lord establishes our steps even as we plan our way.
Today, as we RIZE, this is a call to progress and growth, emphasizing that the future is built on forward momentum, not by getting stuck in the past. It means you should learn from past experiences but not let them hold you back, constantly pushing yourself to be better, embrace change, and move forward with a forward-looking mentality.
Focus on the future: Instead of dwelling on past disappointments, use the lessons learned as a foundation for growth and a springboard to a more meaningful future.
Embrace change and risk: Standing still can lead to stagnation, so it's crucial to embrace change and take risks to achieve more and live a more dynamic life.
Maintain momentum: Life has a natural forward-moving direction, and it's important to keep up with it, even if that means taking small steps or sometimes moving backward briefly to regain your footing for a stronger next step.
Be authentic: Don't let other people's words or judgments push you back. Stay true to who you are and what you want to achieve in life.
Accept adversity: Sometimes, setbacks are not the end of the story. They can be new paths to explore. The key is to accept the situation and then find new ways to move forward and thrive.
Areatha Franklin's lyrics say it best...Some days you'll be down and out...some days you'll be on the street...Jesus says that when evening falls SO HARD, Jesus says He'll comfort you. In fact when darkness comes, He'll take your part. When pain is all around, Jesus will be that bridge over your troubled waters. Jesus will lay himself down and when he lays himself down for you, NOW WE HAVE DIVINE INTERVENTION.
This year, we've had to call on, pray to and get insight from. That's great.
Don't listen to the skeptics saying, “What? Christ was there in the beginning? Do you really believe that?” But not only was Christ there in the beginning, Christ then came from Heaven, took the form of a baby, and grew up just like everyone else. He wasn’t born into a rich family, but He has made all who believe in Him wealthy. He didn’t have medical degrees, but He is still the best healer the world has known. He never took a psychology class but many call him Counselor. The world has never had a greater Educator. And without stellar looks, Instagram, or Facebook, Christ has maintained an obscene number of followers; 2.3 billion to be exact according to research.
Wow!!! We are grateful and we have victory because of the Greatest of All Time... now sounds like an understatement.
Not only did Christ take human form, but He lived a sinless life for 33 years experiencing EVERYTHING humans experience He was also God. Can’t you hear the skeptics saying, “GOD? You think Jesus is Jesus and God? You think, Jesus is God the Father and God the Son?” Of course, the answer is a resounding YES!!!! Great is just not a strong enough word to describe Jesus; yet He is indeed the Greatest of all Time. He is indeed God in the flesh. We already have John 1:1 and John 1:14 as proof but before John, Matthew 1:23 says, that a virgin will give birth to a son and His name will be called Emmanuel which means God with us. That should be enough.
However, Jesus said, Before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58) and Jesus told us that He and the Father are one in John 10:30.
Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. ...If you have known Me, you would have known My Father also, and from now on you know Him and have seen Him (John 14: 6&7).
We have victory and are grateful...Thank you for the confidence, peace, and purpose. You've turned challenges into opportunities to experience YOUR strength and share with others YOUR love. I AM GRATEFUL TO Jesus's triumph and the promise of eternal life.
On that diabolical day when just before Judas sold-out Jesus... Jesus Jesus' crucifixion story begins in the Garden of Gethsemane.
For us...after the Last Supper, where He prayed in intense agony, accepting His Father's will to endure suffering and take on the sins of the world.
Jesus took on our stuff.
Let's take gratitude for Jesus carrying burdens, providing rest, and offering strength.
Matthew 11:28 ("Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest")
1 Peter 5:7 ("Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you").
These should be our prayer of thanks for divine help with life's struggles, worries, and needs, acknowledging His constant support and grace.
Today, as we close this message, let's thank Jesus for taking on "our stuff" .. He helps carry heavy loads, pain, and troubles, as promised in the Bible.
Thank you for ongoing Provision & Protection and guidance through difficult times.
Thank you for ongoing Grace & Unworthiness...for blessings received despite personal shortcomings; your unconditional love.
I accept your Call to Trust. I surrender my worries and trust YOU to handle what feels overwhelming.
TODAY, because of YOU, I FIND YOUR presence, strength, and hope OUR lives, WE FIND peace by casting their cares on JESUS.
Let's acknowledge our calling on Jesus this year...travel with me...
Savior/Redeemer: Saves from sin and death, provides eternal life.
Christ/Messiah: The Anointed One, King.
King of Kings/Lord of Lords: Supreme ruler.
The Victorious One: One who overcomes all challenges.
Immanuel/God with Us: God's presence guarantees victory.
Lamb of God: Sacrificed for victory over sin.
The Word (Logos): The creative and powerful expression of God.
Power in His Name
Authority: "At the name of Jesus every knee should bow".
Power over Evil: Demons flee from His name, granting believers authority.
Source of Strength: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).
Gift of God: Victory over sin and death is a free gift through Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57).
Through Jesus, we're Living the Victory
Confession: Jesus as Lord to experience His victory now.
Faith: Trusting in Him brings strength to face life's battles.
May we pray and live in His name bringing change and power.
1John 5:5
"5 It is our faith that has won the victory against the world. So who wins against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God"
