KNOWING YOU ARE VICTORIOUS - WOW!

KNOWING YOU ARE VICTORIOUS  -  WOW!

When I saw this picture - I said, "WOW!" A million things ran through my head about these men,

and the honor they represent for our country, the battles that they've won, and the camaraderie between soldiers. Plus, their personal  victories. I also saw how these same principals can be applied to living a victorious life. I saw physical battles, and spiritual battles that were won, and

can be won. I'd like to share with you what I saw, and how you can apply it to your life. Some

people might look at this picture, and think, "Oh - they are just standing in the rain - what's the

big deal about that!" But, I see so much more! SO MUCH MORE!

These men were not just standing up against the storm - they were standing in the storm, and the battle has already been won! These soldiers were able to stand there because the battle has already be won. They didn't look to the right or to the left. The were stead fast, and strong, they were courageous because of who they are, and they knew who they were before they even went into battle. But, how did they get to that point of courage, strength, and victory? I'm going to use some Bible scriptures to help me get my point across.

FIRST - THE CHOISE TO BATTLE FOR VICTORY - AT ALL COST

These soldiers didn't just wake up one morning to see themselves victorious soldiers, and all the battles won! They knew what the battle was, and they could see their enemy right in front of them! But, no battle is won, and no victory to claim until you fight for it. But, before that could happen, they had to decide that they were going to go into the battle, and most importantly they were going to go into battle to win the battle at all cost. Even if it cost them their lives! 

Jesus did the same thing. He had to decide He was going to go into the biggest battle ever to be overcome by any man for mankind. It was the battle He was chosen for that only He could fight, and only He could win -  destined to be won only by God himself. Jesus made that decision when He was praying in the Garden Of Gethsemane - (Matthew 26:39 - And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as  thou wilt.) Jesus prayed this prayer three times! The moment Jesus prayed "Not as I will, but as thou wilt." He made the decision to fight the battle, and to win even though He knew what he was about to go through. IT WAS HIS DESTINY TO FIGHT, AND HIS DESTINY TO WIN!  

THE ULTIMATE CHOICE

I made a choice 40 years ago to turn away from drugs, and alcohol. I never looked back! But, I couldn't have done it unless I made the ultimate choice - to accept Jesus as my Lord, and Savior. Then came the power of God's might when I decided to wear the Full Armour of God so

I can stay victorious. (John 3:16-17 - 16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ever lasting life. 17) For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through him might be saved.)

(1 John 5:4 - For whatsoever is born of God overometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world even our faith.) (Isiah 25:8 - He will swallow up death in victory;...) (Matthew 11:28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.) WOW! What words to stand on! WHAT POWER!     

PREPARE FOR BATTLE

As with any soldier he has to prepare for battle . He must arm himself with the weaponry needed to win. He puts on a helmet, a bullet proof vest, a sword or gun that gives him power, and other ammunition to protect himself, and boots for his journey. Most importantly is his shield of confidence or faith in himself knowing that he's entering a battle to win. - AND HE DOESN'T QUIT!

Jesus had to wear special armour too! Jesus not only had to fight what was here in the natural realm, by the hands of sadistic men that had been influenced by the same demonic forces of sin since the fall of Adam, and Eve - that wanted to steal the spirits, and souls of every man. Jesus fought, and won the battle over Satan, and all his demonic forces that enslaved mankind. His armor was The Full Armour of God - (Ephesians 6:10-18 - in verse 10) It says "Finely, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.) Then it describes in verses 11-18 what God's power of His might is. JESUS IS PROOF OF GOD'S POWER!

When you put on the Full Armour of God you are putting on God's power of His might - God's strength! In verse 13) it says, "Wherefore take unto you the WHOLE armour of God, that ye me be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Every part of the armour of God is an attribute of God's strength, and His power. Now, in verse 18) it tells us how to keep God's armour on. NEVER TAKE IT OFF! It says in verse 18) "Praying always with all prayer, and supplication in the  Spir'it, and  watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints;") Praying always, and praying for all the saints is what keeps the full armour of God on, and keeps us in victory. Being victorious is ever present. 

I tried to pull certain scriptures from Ephesians: 10-18, to bring my point across. But, the truth of the matter - I can't pull out certain scriptures without diminishing from God's word. There isn't one part of the Full Armour of God that doesn't work without the all the parts in tact, and it only works if you have Jesus in your heart. A soldier or warrior doesn't wear parts of his armour - he wears all of it.

THE FULL ARMOUR OF GOD

Ephesians 6: 10-18:  10) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might. 11) Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13) Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14) Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15) And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 

16) Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17) And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spir'it, which is the word of God: 18) Praying slways with all prayer and supplication in the Spir'it, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints:...

A soldier or warrior for God PLUNGES into battle with one purpose in mind TO WIN! (Proverbs 4:27 says, "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove they foot from evil." Just like these soldiers in the picture. They didn't turn their heads to the right or to the left. They plunged into battle, and they kept their eyes on the battle that has already been won. Also, remove thy foot from evil. Don't go out in the areas where you will be tempted to sin. LOOK NOT TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. Keep your eyes on the victory! 

RUN!

When you resist the devil you are already victorious. The devil can't touch you! (James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.) Just because you are tempted doesn't mean you have sinned! When you recognize that you are being tempted stop, and RUN the other way - PLUNGE into victory! If you will resist the devil he will flee. He becomes powerless. He knows he has lost the battle. In Deuteronomy 6:5 - It says, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God withal thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they might.") (Jeremiah 1:12 It says " Then Said the Lord unto me, Thou hast well seen: for I will hasten my word to perform it.) God watches over His word to perform it. God stands behind His word. He will not leave you alone for you to fight your battles on your own. But, you do have to do your part.

SOME  PRACTICLE SUGGESTIONS

I know I have mentioned some of these suggestions in the past on how you can avoid temptation, but I stand by them. So, I will repeat them, and add some more.

STAY AWAY  - At all cost stay away from any thing or any one that does any thing that you can be tempted with. Be practical, and smart!
DON'T - Don't go looking for your temptations - recognize what triggers you might have, and stay away from those triggers. If one creeps up, just turn around , and physically walk the other way or RUN! Don't put yourself in a situation that will lead you into temptation.
DO NOT - I recommend not making any decisions when you are being tempted. It is very easy to feel spontaneous when you are being tempted - you want instant gratification to feel relief instead of overcoming your weakness. (Especially financial decisions!) You think you are resisting, but all you are doing is escaping. You have to confront your weakness to be victorious. Now confronting your weakness is not the same thing as putting yourself in harms way. It simply means BEING ON  GUARD! Always keeping your eye's open to recognize temptation before it strikes, and escaping is not the same thing as running away from your temptation. 
STAY OUT -  If you are single stay out of any relationships. I know, this is a very difficult one, but - I highly recommend it. When you are trying to overcome drugs, alcohol or depression there is a tendency to want human comfort. Chances are you will end up in a bad relationship. Sometimes you can end up in a relationship with someone that has the same weakness' you have - then it becomes the blind leading the blind. I would rather not be in a relationship at all, and be alone than to be in the wrong relationship that could be disastrous. 
FELLOWSHIP - You have to have a strong support system. There is strength in numbers. If you are overcoming drugs - go to a Narcotics Annominous (N.A.) meetings. If you are overcoming alcohol - go to a Alcoholics Annominous (A.A.) meetings. But, don't date any body from your meetings when you are struggling with temptation. It will only lead to more temptation. Also, finding a good church to go to.

FINAL QUESTION

To become a warrior over your own battles - to  overcome drugs, and alcohol, you have to fight, and fight hard - with all your might. You are fighting for your life. You have to decide to stop going down that dark, and dreary road that will only lead to death. Let Jesus show you how He has already fought that battle for you. Jesus has made that way for you to be victorious.

So, I leave you with a final question! Do you want to live a victorious life free from drugs, and alcohol?