Tag: devotion

Victim or Victor?

A communion message I prepared using cut & paste from studies & adding my own opinions a few years back.

Life priciples.

As children of a sovereign God, we are never victims of our circumstances. Life is not simple. We face many bumps and turns along the way. The race is real, the battle continuous, and the painful experiences may pierce our hearts. However, our circumstances should not define who we are or how we react. Rather, as believers our behavior in every situation should honor the Lord Jesus, and our identity should always be based on the salvation He’s provided for us. God knows the Christian life isn’t easy. When you received the Lord Jesus as your Savior, He set you on your course. As your sovereign Lord, He mapped out all the bumps, turns, detours, hills, and valleys. He knew all the difficulties you’d face. He understood that you would continually clash with the world, the flesh, and the devil until you were home with Him. Yet He didn’t merely set you on the path, hoping you would find your way. He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell you, guide you, and encourage you. Endurance requires something that doesn’t come easily—trust in your unseen, sovereign God. However, with the Holy Spirit to remind you of His faithfulness and power, John 14:26,27 says, But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. & then you can remain committed to Him. When the going gets rough—and it will—you can’t run away. You can’t quit. The longer you faithfully obey the Lord, regardless of the circumstances, the stronger your faith becomes. You’re prepared for greater service and expanded ministry. You become strong, stalwart, and steadfast. The One who endured the cross lives in you, so you’re fully equipped for anything He calls you to do. Therefore, ask Him to infuse you with His power and wisdom, then obey anything He commands of you. Remember, you are never a victim of your circumstances, for your sovereign God can use everything that happens to you for your blessing and His glory. You ask, what’s this to do with the Lord’s Supper? Well that last piece, The One who endured the cross lives in you, so you’re fully equipped for anything He calls you to do. Therefore, ask Him to infuse you with His power and wisdom, then obey anything He commands of you. Remember, you are never a victim of your circumstances, for your sovereign God can use everything that happens to you for your blessing and His glory. That bit says it all, without the Cross…. without the Cross we would live life without percussion, without our values and morals being questioned, without our our friends and colleagues teasing us for doing, or not doing certain things like praying over our meals or always smiling or not having that extra beer after work. Wouldn’t life be so much easier?

But…. Without the Cross….., we wouldn’t have that deep relationship with God, we wouldn’t have that inner peace, nor that integraty that sets us apart from the rest of the world and yes possibility from some in this room, we wouldn’t have that guarantee that we will be in heaven with our Lord and King forever & ever in the future. As we bow our heads to Jesus Christ let us tgank Him for being our One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, let us thank Him that He chose to take on the world for our sins, the sins that we have committed and are about to commit, because yes, we are still fallen men & women.

Lord Jesus Christ we thank You for the Cross, for enduring the pain and turmoil, so that we as believers can place our hope in You and Your sacrifice for us. And, Lord Jesus Christ as we partake in Your cup may we remember that this emblem represents not just Your death and burial but, also Your resurrection to glory where we will be with You one day because You love each and every one of us here today. As we bring this time of remembrance to a close we also remember that You gave Your life for us yet but the sinners that we are.

You didn’t wait for us to become new first. Amen