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Conquest
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Be Blessed by Embracing God’s Values and Relating with Him through the Lord’s Appointed Times of Trumpets
TRUTH AND PURPOSE
A primary purpose of Trumpets was to call the people to do battle against the enemy of the soul—sin. Believers in Christ, though, have more reason to be vigilant and engage in spiritual warfare against Satan, the adversary, who "walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The good news is we have the opportunity to live in unity with God and victoriously in the love and triumph of Christ.
RELEVANCE
Messiah Jesus is the eternal “horn of salvation.” Triumphant over the devil through His death and resurrection, He overcame the power over sin and death; rescinding the devil’s authority, limiting his power.
And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:13-16 NKJV)
Paul, like David, experienced the full spectrum of pain and joy. He knew suffering and shame, yet also knew the sweet taste of victory. He knew that experiencing victory and defeat worked to build character. He knew that in the LORD—either way—he lived in victory!
I know what it is to be in want, and I know what it is to have more than enough — in everything and in every way I have learned the secret of being full and being hungry, of having abundance and being in need. 13 I can do all things through him who gives me power. (Philippians. 4:12-13 JNT)
Embrace his exhortation regarding our triumph in the LORD.
No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39 NLT)
As we realize His victories in our life, we mature in Christ and have the opportunity to allow the Holy Spirit to bring our character and nature into alignment—or congruency with Christ.
Congruency is important because it measures our integrity, or state of wholeness in Christ. The more we are congruent with Christ, the more our character corresponds, or lines up with Christ, reflecting the one molded. This in essence is what being like Christ is all about. It relates to how God sees us; how our inner spirit aligns with His Holy Spirit. It also relates to how open and willing our conscience is to aligning with God’s ways and will.
As we grow in trusting faith and character, we become less double-minded and more congruent or in sync with the LORD. This is why Elijah brought up the issue of being of two opinions; and James explained how being double-minded restrains God from answering prayers. Being imperfect beings, through GRACE, however, the LORD showers us with LOVINGKINDNESS and covers us in MERCY.
REFLECTION, REALITY AND RESPONSE
In what real ways do you think you can appropriate the LORD’s victory?
Generally speaking, do you feel that you are living a victorious life, or is life overcoming you?
In what additional ways could you perhaps receive His victory?
Have you asked God what it will take for you to gain victory in the areas you need victory?
In what areas might you still be double-minded; or need to settle the issue with God and/or in your heart and mind?
REFERENCES
Romans 8:18-39; 2 Corinthians 2:14-17; 9:6-8; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58; 1 John 5:1-5; 2 Timothy 3:12; 1 Peter 2:18-21; 3:13-17; Colossians 2:13-16; Exodus 17:8-16; Psalm 16; 98; 108; 129; 1 Kings 18:21; James 1:2-8
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