daily IMPACT by selahV today

Living Life Victoriously

How in the world do we do that?

One thing is certain--we cannot do it alone.  Oh, people can be successful by following their own regimens to meet a goal, to master a portion of their lives-- to rid themselves of a bad habit, or solidify a good habit. But to actually live victoriously in the face of defeat and woefully frightening circumstances? people need more.

We need more than a close friend, a wise counselor, a tutor, a physician, a financial advisor.  We need God-- the Omnipotent all-powerful, Omniscient all-knowing God.  In Him and through Him we live life victoriously.  He is enough to meet our every need for victorious living. Thus it is important that we:

"Be still and know that I am God". Psalm 46:10

Be still; be still; be still. Stop thinking about your pressures, your anxieties, your problems, your difficulties. Take a few minutes and be still.  Center your mind on God.  Know that He is, has, and always will be God.  We aren't.  Our ideas of what life should be is not necessarily how God knows it to be, nor how He wants us to see life. Even when the things we do are seemingly "good" things. God still may have a different path on which He expects us to walk.  We may not understand it, but our responsibility is to walk as He walks and where He wants us to walk.

"Lean not to your own understanding"...instead-- "in all your ways acknowledge-- [receive, give recognition to, obey and yield to]-- Him and He shall direct your path."  Cease your struggling. Cease questioning. Cease resisting. Cease pulling and pushing and shoving and grappling. Cease. Be still and know. Cease believing in your own wit, wisdom, and winsome ways.  Cease and desist--halt what you're doing and do not take it up again.  INSTEAD...

Seize God and ingest Him--consume, take in and rest in Him-- no matter what waves break upon your shorelines.  Trust Him--bathe your mind in what you know in Him to be true as you are "still" before His throne of mercy, love and grace.  Remember God doesn't want us to do anything apart from Him. Remember what Jesus told his disciples after He was crucified? Wait until the Spirit comes and indwells you and empowers you. Victorious living is not struggling-- it is resting in Him and His ability-- not our own. Be still and know. God is and always will be God with you.   selahV

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So here we are... another day to glorify the LORD... what will I do with today?  Will I use it up on myself?  Or will I abandon everything as an offering to the LORD?  Is it all about me, or is it all about HIM?

May the Holy Spirit help us each to discern our part in eternity today...whether we rest in utter contentment and revel in His comfort...or we agonize and partake of our Lord's sufferings--let us rest in Him.

When we fully trust in Him, we cease to struggle.  We let go and let God have His way with us.  A drowning man can be saved when he relaxes against the lifeguard, but when he struggles and fights he can take down his strongest support into the depths with him.  Panic cannot see its way free, but a mind held captive in Christ's can move mountains with faith.

"Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you:  But rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy."    1 Peter 4:13

 

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OVERCOME WITH IT ALL

Various fungus-born plants grow beneath the surface of Bermuda grass in our lawn and burst through the earth creating tangles of hard stems which poke our bare and tender feet.  Here and there dandelions and thistles sprout and dot the yard and threaten to take over the flowerbeds. To overcome the invasion of stubborn broad-leaf grass takes vigilance, perseverance and work.  Much work. Sometimes I am overcome with it all.

Just as these things threaten a healthy lawn, so do things we allow into our lives that strangle our hope and rob us of strength to keep growing and going. There are things people do and say that attack our faith to stand when others falter, to walk when others faint.  We must set our sights on the goal to follow Christ's commands...to resist cultural pressures and tolerance for sin, as society attack own families.

As time nears for our Lord's return, we may get discouraged, and falter in our steadfast walk to keep "the works" set before us from our Savior. Yet, we cannot let the world and its ways overcome us.  We must cling to the promises of God.  We must rest in the promises of God.  We must understand and trust the promises of God.  We must keep going.  Walking, talking, teaching, and encouraging one another. For in our walk, we do not walk alone.  We have our Savior's hand.  We have His Holy Spirit as our guide and comforter.

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:  And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers; even as I received of my Father.  And I will give him the morning star." Revelation 2:26-28 

"power over the nations?"  I don't know about you, but I cannot imagine having power over much more than my own emotions and desires when I think of being perfected in heaven.  Christ may give me power someday, but I will be happy just to hear Him say, "well done, my good and faithful servant."  Won't you?  selahV

When terror fills your heart

The bear cub rolled playfully in the sunshine of the mountain meadow.  Life was good.  In the distance a mountain lion lurked.  It licked its face in anticipation of breakfast; its jaws opened, wide.  A warning growl alerted the cub of the lion's presence.  The cub jumped up and ran frantically. The lion chased the frightened cub.  Across the boulder-strewn meadow, the cub raced to the edge of a cliff and onto a fallen tree stretched out over a roaring river.  Undeterred, the lion followed.  The terrified cub clung to the tip of the tree till his weight broke the end of the branch.  In the white rifts of water, the cub struggled to find solid ground.  When he did, the lion pounced to the cub's side.  The giant cat extended his claws and drew blood from the cub's nose.  The cub stood tall and began to roar.  The lion backed down and stopped slapping the cub.  Standing behind the roaring cub, a few yards away, a huge mother bear's roar joins her cub's wails.  The lion ran away.

We may relate well to that cub.  We do not live in a perfect world.  Troubles abound.  Threats are real.  Life roars and hearts race wildly with fear.  Circumstances so grip us, we run for exits, seek safety nets, or cower in corners.  Perhaps you've been there.  Maybe you are there now.  You feel helpless; but running is not an option.  There is no where to run.  What should you do?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Joshua faced many fears in his lifetime.  He stood firm.  When he did, he found he was not alone.  Threats are nothing to God.  He stands behind us and joins us in our battles--wherever we go.  He commands us to be strong and courageous.  Of course we will have fears as a result of threats to our well-being.  But God tells us not to be terrified, and don't be discouraged.  God is with us.  In darkness, in storms, in unseen threats, and visible enemies.  Courage stands up like the cub in the face of his fear.  It stops running, it stands and roars in the strength of God protection and watchcare.  selahV

WHEN I AM DRY...

I'm thirsty.  I long for the refreshment of a cold drink.  Milkshakes won't do.  Softdrinks don't suffice.  I need water.  In fact, when I'm really dry, even lukewarm water is better than drinking other things.

"My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God.  When shall I come and behold the face of God?" Psalm 42:2

I do not want another's opinion.  I do not want another's idea of God.  I do not want my image of God.  I want God.  Nothing and no one can satisfy the longing in my soul.  Sometimes the storms of life drench me with His flow of strength.  Sometimes the streams fill me with His bubbling of everpresent joy.  Sometimes the quiet pools reflect His grace and peace.  But God is who I seek in the midst of all and God is who satisfies.  The living God, alone.  selahV

[© SelahV Today, hariette petersen, 2008]

LET GOD STOMP YOUR ADVERSARIES

Do you know your adversaries?

You may not think you have any.  But we all have adversaries.  We battle not against flesh and blood, my friends.  Our adversaries come cloaked in fear, temptation, despair, discouragement and depression.  They beat upon our minds with guilt.  They tear apart our peace with anger, bitterness and spite.  We have adversaries.  They are the devil's helpers. 

"O give us help against the adversary, for vain (ineffectual and to no purpose) is the help or salvation of man.  Through God we shall do valiantly, for He it is Who shall tread down our adversaries." Psalm 60:11,12.

Jesus crushed the head of Satan when He canceled out all sin on the cross.  The sting of death was destroyed.  His resurrection brushed life with Eternal breath.  He tread down our adversaries.  He stomped them in the ground.  Today He says, "Fear not.  Rest.  Trust.  Rejoice."  What better way to rid ourselves of those things which seek to plunder our spirits.  Praise His holy name!  selahV

[© SelahV Today, Hariette Petersen, 2008]