4/20/05
Encouragement for Today
“Triumphal Procession”
Proverbs 31 Speaker Team Member
Key Verse:
2 Corinthians 2:14, “But thanks be to God, who always leads us to triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.” (NIV)
Devotion:
Can you hear it? Read today’s key Scripture again. Now, can you hear it? It is the sound of heaven’s pipe organ playing Here Comes the Bride. Your groom is leading you to the Father. You are adorned in white from head to toe. Sequins cover your dress and veil. You are wearing a crown full of the finest jewels. Finally, you made it. Victory is yours.
I love to imagine what it will be like to meet my Bridegroom. The visual imagery that I see overwhelms me. Though my sins were of scarlet, they are now washed white as snow. The trials of life will be over. My time to live in complete and total victory is at hand. The vision is so awesome, but what I have come realize as I grow in my faith, is that God wants me to walk in triumphal procession everyday.
Walking in victory is not something saved only for heaven. It is not His plan for His children to live in defeat and bondage. He wants His children to experience victorious abundant living while we are on earth. This life is possible only through obedience and submission to the Father.
By following the principals outlined in this Scripture we can experience triumphal procession every day:
I must follow the leader. Victory can only be found in Jesus, not in the world or by going our own way.
I must give Him thanks. Thanking Him before the victory strengthens our faith.
I must have knowledge of Him. Spending time getting to know the Leader makes the following easier.
I must be willing to walk. Following is an action. We cannot sit around and wait for victory to come to us.
I must be willing to go wherever He leads. Scripture uses the word, “lead” everywhere.
It sounds too simple doesn’t it? Life’s battles are hard – there is even blood shed sometimes – but if we keep our eyes on the Leader we can sing the victory chant everyday of our lives - war wounds and all.
My Prayer for Today:
My Champion, my Lord, my Leader, it is my desire to follow You. I know that Your Word tells me I am victorious because of You. Now help me believe it. Help me live my life like I believe You.
Application Steps:
In what areas are you currently experiencing defeat?
Identify which principal, outlined in today’s devotion, is missing from your life.
Decide to be victorious and tell God aloud about your decision.
Tell the enemy aloud that under NO circumstances can he have victory over any area of your life anymore. (The enemy cannot read your mind, but he can hear your voice.)
Reflection Points:
What is keeping me from singing the victory chant?
Is there somewhere I am not willing to go? If so, why?
What am I doing to have a deeper knowledge of Him?
Power Verses:
Romans 15:4, “For everything that was written in the past was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (NIV)
Ephesians 6:12, “For your struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (NIV)
Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and the He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (NIV)
Additional Resources:
Coming Out of the Dark, by Mary Southerland
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/outofdark.html
Radically Obedient, Radically Blessed, by Lysa TerKeurst
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/radical.html
Becoming a Woman Who Listens to God, by Sharon Jaynes
http://www.gospelcom.net/p31/resources/womanlistens.html
Originally published Wednesday, 20 April 2005.
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