VICTORY AND TRIUMPH, 1

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV)

[The writer of Hebrews applies this Psalm to the authority of Christ Jesus] My heart overflows with a pleasing theme; I address my verses to the king; my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe. You are the most handsome of the sons of men; grace is poured upon your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever. Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty! In your majesty ride out victoriously for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness; let your right hand teach you awesome deeds! Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you. Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness; you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions; your robes are all fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments make you glad. (Psalm 45:1-8 ESV)

            There are two important terms connected to faith in God – victory and triumph. This article gives attention to victory, the next to triumph.

            Much of my writing is done using Microsoft Word, which is able to detect misspelled words. Whenever a spelling is incorrect, the word is underlined in red and, by the push of a button, the software provides a list of correctly spelt words.

            Having a mental lapse, I wanted the word “embarrassed” but wrote “embaraced.” Receiving the error indicator the program gave the suggestion “embraced.” I tried other spellings, hoping to produce the right word but nothing helped. I ended up asking my wife, an excellent speller, and was steered in the right direction.

            How do you spell victory? May I suggest some are having a mental block and live as a victim instead of in victory? Using the two words as acrostics, they show the difference between two distinct ways of living.

Living as a “victim”

            V – vacillate, meaning to “waver, totter, stagger, fluctuate.” Victims fluctuate up and down spiritually. Their life is an emotional roller coaster. People never know what to expect when approaching them. Many times they are avoided, leading to hurt feelings and greater confusion.

            I – immature. They are big crybabies, upset when not getting their way. A friend served on a committee with highly successful leaders. One member became impassionate about their opinion and angry with the group. No one person had exclusive rights to the final outcome; everyone was asked to cooperate. The sulking person was eventually sent a box of disposable diapers. The illustrated message registered. Do you need a box sent to you?

            C – complain. Nothing is right, everything is wrong. When asked what the problem is they respond, “Nothing!” yet moan and groan to others in the absence of leaders. They are not honest enough to acknowledge a problem exists to the appropriate parties.

            T – turmoil. They focus on trouble and end up living a tumultuous life. Some are not happy unless something is wrong. No trouble is troublesome to them. They search for anything that hints of being a problem and make a bigger difficulty out of it. They seem miserable when things go smoothly and act like things work best in a constant state of tension.

            I – information. They have no peace of mind without complete information. If issues are not understood to their satisfaction, if circumstances appear unjust or unfair, the uncertainty festers in their soul.

            “Why do good things happen to bad people?

            “Why do bad things happen to good people?

            “Why does God allow wicked people to exist at all?”

            “Why doesn’t God heal me (or a loved one or friend)?”

            “Why doesn’t God intervene in my situation?”

            Without suitable answers they do not allow themselves peace of mind. Some things in life have no satisfactory explanations.

            M – murmuring. Grumbling and gossip are a chronic way of life. Do you give an audience or create an environment where they can continue committing this wrong? You may need to confront them instead.

            These serve as clues of someone living a victim lifestyle.

Walking in “victory”

            V – vision. They see Jesus in the midst of life’s storms. They embrace the Scriptural promise that everything works together for good to those loving God and living a purposeful life.

            I – intimacy. They have an intimate relationship with God. They treasure Scripture reading, prayer, worship and gathering with other believers. They recognize these activities are blessings that develop a closer walk with Jesus.

            C – confession. They readily acknowledge personal sin and quickly ask for forgiveness. They seek from God a fresh washing from sin and a cleansing from all unrighteousness. They do not justify their foolishness to others and see every wayward act as a relationship barrier. They do not defend stupidity and humbly depend on grace.

            T – thoughts. They regularly mediate on Scripture and spiritual truths. Great themes of the Bible captivate them: The love of God, the grace of God, the mercy of God, the goodness of God, the kindness of God and the holiness of God. Another word that applies to “T” is “trust.” They trust Jesus and other believers, regardless of circumstances.

            O – offerings. They faithfully and joyfully give tithes and offerings. They live with an understanding that their assets belong to the Lord. They see personal possessions as stewardship.

            R – ready. They avoid living selfishly and readily look for the second coming of the Lord. They anticipate His imminent return and live accordingly.

            Y – yielded. They yield to the workings of the Holy Spirit. With an ambition to be led by the Spirit, walk in the Spirit and live in the Spirit, they come to God daily for a fresh infilling of His Spirit. The fruit and gifts of the Spirit are clearly evident, reflecting the image of the Savior.

How are you spelling “victory?”

            Are you making a mistake and spelling victim? Ask help from the Lord who loves you and wants to steer you in the right direction. Live victoriously in Jesus – overcome the victim lifestyle.

MY FAMILY'S SALVATION

            I wrote an article entitled “I believe my family will be saved” out of a desire to see my parents and siblings follow Jesus. (Pentecostal Evangel, May 8, 1983) Raised in a home that did not attend church, I made a decision for Christ at sixteen. In the Air Force during the Vietnam War came a call into fulltime ministry. I attended college close to where I grew up. The family was seeing my personal transformation yet showed no interest in placing faith in God.

            While waiting their decision for salvation, I learned you cannot personally save them, be authentic about Jesus at all times, someone else may lead them to God, and never give up praying for them. I longed for each family member to experience the joy, peace and love associated with knowing the Lord.

            In January, 1986 the phone rang early one morning. A nurse explained my father had an acute heart attack in the middle of the night while traveling home from visiting my sister in San Diego. One of my heroes died leaving us with no assurance of his eternal destiny. My wife and I returned to Seattle to officiate his funeral.

            In November, 1993, the day before Thanksgiving, my sister-in-law explained my brother was being rushed to the hospital in a coma. People in their forties are too young to die. My brother, my roommate for the first sixteen years of my life, died leaving us with no assurance of his eternal destiny. He requested no memorial service.

            In December, 1998 the phone rang at my office late one afternoon. My mother had an acute heart attack at her home while reading in a favorite chair. A great mom died leaving us with no assurance of her eternal destiny. We flew back to Seattle to officiate her memorial service.

            In October, 2008, my brother-in-law informed me my sister past away after a prolonged battle with cancer. A wonderful, caring and kind woman left this life leaving us with no assurance of her eternal destiny. My wife and I flew to her home to officiate her memorial service.

            As the last surviving member of the family, would I be the only one in heaven? My father, mother, sister and brother may have made a last minute decision but there was no assurance. Regularly attending church was not practiced and lifestyles gave little evidence of behavior influenced by the Holy Spirit.

            I hope for the best but live with the worst.

            Prayers for the family have regularly continued through the years, including brother-in-law, sister-in-laws, nephews, nieces, and cousins. I am thankful my own children made a decision to follow Jesus. Seeing them and their families finding purpose and fulfillment actively involved in the cause of Christ is exciting. They love God and we have assurance of spending eternity together.

            My brother raised two biological and two adopted children. I knew very little about them before he died and even less afterwards. I heard his biological children had joined the military but knew nothing about the adopted children. I regularly prayed for each one by name and asked for someone to reveal Jesus to them. I hoped their heart would be receptive to the Holy Spirit and each would make a personal decision for Christ.

            My wife and I made plans to attend a national convention in Denver. When I told my sister, she mentioned receiving a Christmas card with a Denver postmark coming from our brother’s daughter Mercedes. She wrote of being married and having a little girl. I had not seen or heard from her in approximately seventeen years. We made contact and decided to meet.

            She and her family joined us at a restaurant. She looked and acted like a family member but behaved differently. She encouraged prayer over the meal, something my family would not have considered. She made mention of church. Could my niece be a follower of Jesus? She was interested in stories about her father and learning more about his childhood and teenage years. At the end of dinner she asked us to come to her house before leaving town. In her home it became apparent she had faith in God.

            Mercedes told her story. She always believed in God but did not understand what it meant to follow Jesus. She had been a Marine, serving as an Embassy guard. After discharge she attended college, having definite career plans. She was independent, carefree and liked to party. She wanted a highly successful career and lots of money, regularly working two or three jobs. The future looked promising but she confessed having no peace of mind.

            She met someone, fell in love and made plans to marry. A Christian home became important to her and they started visiting churches. A guest evangelist spoke in a church they were attending and she came forward to receive Christ. She was 28 years old and has followed Jesus ever since. Many things changed in her life. Her behavior became Biblically based. She now has peace and goals have changed from wanting lots of money to helping people experience eternal life. Besides being an active church member, she helped the homeless through the Denver Rescue Mission, preparing sack lunches for people on the streets. She also assisted making breakfast at her church for the down-and-out.

            I am no longer the only member of the extended family following Jesus. Previously I wrote, “While I agonize over their fate, I also have a deep-seated peace because God does all things well. I have committed them to God with a clear conscience, and continually pray on their behalf. By His grace, someday I will see my family join me in His kingdom.” The Lord answers prayer, sometimes in unexpected ways!

            Never let time or circumstances discourage you. God is working, whether or not you witness what is happening. Something powerful takes place every time you pray.

GIVING,2: THE RESULT

2 Corinthians 9:6 – Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.

            Years ago I wrote the article, “Giving to Get – Getting to Give.” (Pentecostal Evangel, January 24, 1982) At the time a lot of emphasis was being placed on having faith for material wealth. Some readers wrote and gave me their opinion. The responses reprimanded me for failing to highlight the harvest that comes from “seed-faith.” I am grateful God has graciously given me a heart full of compassion, made out of leather.

            Second Corinthians 9:6 wonderfully gives attention to the liberality of God. The Greek word for “generously” is rooted in blessings. People who sow “with blessings” reap “with blessings.”

            Other Scripture verses also give attention to sowing and reaping:

“Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” (Psalms 126:5-6)

“He who sows wickedness reaps trouble, and the rod of his fury will be destroyed. A generous man will himself be blessed, for he shares his food with the poor.” (Proverbs 22:8-9)

Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” (Luke 6:38)

 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” (Galatians 6:7-10)

The promise of a harvest has two sides.

You get back what you dish out

After leaving Egypt, Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. The faithless generation would not be able to enter God’s promise. Why 40 years? Why not immediately remove those without faith?

“That night all the people of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert! ... So tell them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very things I heard you say: In this desert your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me….  For forty years—one year for each of the forty days you explored the land—you will suffer for your sins and know what it is like to have me against you.’” (Numbers 14:1-2, 28-29, 34)

Rejection always follows “belly-aching.” Grumbling usually gives-way to grabbling. They got back what they dished out.

King David wanted to build a temple for God but discovered sowing “the sword” denies the ability to fulfill deep-seated desires. Too much conflict and turmoil prevents opportunity. Some things cannot be done when there is “blood on your hands.”

When the Jewish nation was divided between Judah and Israel, the northern kingdom fell captive over a hundred years before the southern kingdom. The difference was the south had a few kings who sowed righteousness while the north had none.

Ezekiel declares the reason for Israel and Judah’s captivity: “So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done…. But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign LORD.” (Ezekiel 9:10; 11:21)

Job 4:8 states, “As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it.”

The Psalmist wrote, “The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming. The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright. But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.” (Psalms 37:12-15)

If people sow discord it works against them. True character becomes exposed in troubling situations and one who plots evil ultimately looses. Corruption is never hidden from God and circumstances will work unfortunate consequences.

Beware of troublemakers, regardless their so-called noble intentions. When motives are not pure they get back what is dished out.

Sometimes churches go through disturbing moments. Occasionally a new church gets started. Any unwholesome germ that causes rift often keeps the propensity to split up alive.

Years ago a pastor was in constant struggle with a church member. The member made many unfounded accusations against him and the deacons. His conclusions were inaccurate and the church was in continuous confusion. Contention became a way of life in the congregation and inappropriate behavior kept them deprived of the abundance of God.

The Pastor grieved for the Christian brother, knowing the turmoil would come back to him. The man’s son eventually entered pastoral ministry. Before long the son spoke to his parents about chronic troubles plaguing his efforts. The father taught his home dissension and dissension never left his house.

The subject of sowing and reaping cannot be fully addressed without acknowledging, “The one who sows in his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption.”

The unpleasant side of sowing and reaping is getting back what is dished out.

You receive dividends from what you invest

The blessing of giving honorably is linked to the investment; the “doing good” of Galatians 6:9 returns with great abundance.

While enlisted in the Air Force, a church I attended needed painting. I gave every spare moment to help with the project. On one occasion the pastor and I were the only ones on the job. Suspended in air, swinging a brush, he said, “Bob, you will receive a reward for what you are doing today.”

Years later, when overseeing a small church, the building desperately needed a coat of paint. One person from the congregation faithfully helped me do the job. The pastor’s comment came to mind: I was receiving the reward from my investment of years earlier.

Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly and whoever sows “with blessing” will reap “with blessing” applies to all of life. When someone puts energy, resources and ability into what needs to be done they benefit bountifully in return.

God occasionally blesses in ways not fully understood. When preparing for vocational ministry the Lord miraculously provided essential employment in the midst of an extreme economic downturn. God rewarded the commitment to serve Him and helped me pay for college without loans, lifting a financial burden from plaguing the early days of ministry.

Between ministry assignments the Lord provided a place to live when things appeared hopeless. Throughout the years many household appliances exceeded their useful life. Various pieces of equipment kept working, way beyond normal. The list is endless of times when God reminded us, “Here is a reward for endeavoring to do good and not growing weary.”

You are not asked to give what you do not have, but to invest with what has been entrusted to you. God’s blessing is reaped when you invest.

The pleasant side of sowing and reaping is receiving dividends.

Sow to bless

Biblical sowing and reaping means you either get back what you dish out or you receive dividends from what you invest. The challenge of the harvest is to be careful on one hand and liberal on the other.

            “The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8)

            Consequences and rewards are connected to giving. What is reaped is dependent upon the nature of the gift: trouble gives back trouble and blessing gives back blessing; sin gives back shame and Spirit gives back serenity.

GIVING, 1: THE GIFT

2 Corinthians 9 – “¹There is no need for me to write to you about this service to the saints. ²For I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting about it to the Macedonians, telling them that since last year you in Achaia were ready to give; and your enthusiasm has stirred most of them to action. ³But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove hollow, but that you may be ready, as I said you would be. ⁴For if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say anything about you—would be ashamed of having been so confident. ⁵So I thought it necessary to urge the brothers to visit you in advance and finish the arrangements for the generous gift you had promised. Then it will be ready as a generous gift, not as one grudgingly given. ⁶Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. ⁷Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ⁸And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. ⁹As it is written: “He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever.” ¹⁰Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. ¹¹You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. ¹²This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. ¹³Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else. ¹⁴And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you. ¹⁵Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!

Second Corinthians 9 is about God-honoring giving.  For sake of clarity the topic starts at the end and moves to the beginning of the chapter.

The indescribable gift (V. 15)

According to the dictionary a gift is “something turned over to someone without exchange,” yet something always comes back in return. You give a gift to someone and the person becomes kinder. You give a gift and they are more receptive to you.

There is reaping in a gift and the greater the gift, the greater the reaping. Gifts of any size are appreciated but large gifts seem overwhelming and lead to greater responses. God gave the Ten Commandments and reaped a holy nation. He gave His Son and reaped multitudes of transformed lives from every nation. By giving His greatest gift, He is reaping the greatest results.

      Nothing compares to God giving eternal life to those who love and serve Him. Describing the magnitude of His gift is unimaginable. An incomprehensible gift!

What does this mean to your efforts at giving? Simply this: God is your standard-bearer. Your giving is never based solely on the request but is an expression of a meaningful relationship with Him. People who love much give much; people who love little give little.

Some give to impress others. In comparison to what God has done, no gift is impressive. The focus of giving is not the monetary amount. He has outdone anything you can possibly do.

Ananias and Sapphira gave to impress the church. (Act 4:36-5:11) The couple was fixated with the recognition Barnabas received. God saw their actions as “lying to the Holy Spirit,” costing them their lives. People are losing their soul over similar attempts. Those who give to impress others end up unhappy when the response does not meet their expectations.

God’s indescribable gift is the measurement of giving.

The obedient gift (V. 13)

 “Men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ.” Love’s expression is submission.

An obedient gift is seen in the Lord’s tithe, faithfully giving ten percent of your earnings. The Bible describes tithing as something owed to God, even adding twenty percent interest when borrowing from it. It is financially wiser to borrow from a bank than to fail giving the Lord’s tithe. Unfortunately some are only willing to give God credit for salvation and reluctant to give cash by obedience.

An obedient gift is a thanks gift. “Your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (V.11) Edwin A. Robinson wrote, “There are two kinds of gratitude: the sudden kind we feel for what we take and the larger kind we feel for what we give.”

Genesis 14 records Abram (Abraham) defeating King Kedorlaomer on a single occasion and expressing his gratitude to God by giving a tenth of the spoils. The enemy of your soul has been defeated forever at Mount Calvary and tithing expresses thanksgiving for the ongoing victory over sin.

Throughout numerous years of overseeing churches, I have noticed that moral failure does not normally happen by people who tithed. The obedient gift expresses a depth of satisfying love that upholds a divine standard for living.

The cheerful gift (V. 7)

People are generally obsessed with money, hoarding what little they have. This is consistent with the sinful nature. You never have to teach children to hoard but must always teach them to share. Genuine freedom occurs when not dominated by money. Giving frees people from a life of bondage.

One of the most critical positions in a church involves those who administer the assets. Financial administrators oversee funds and know giving-habits. Managing church accounts and knowing how people give can greatly impact their spiritual life. They can become overly possessive of church money, treating it as personal treasury, and overly cynical of the financial stewardship of people.

In a church where I served the Deacons wanted a sizable amount of money to go toward a much-needed project. The financial administrator, a great guy, became highly stressed over the decision. He was beside himself at what this would do to the church account, his personal treasury. The action of the board seemed to be leading to a personal stroke. As he privately and anxiously talked to me about the decision I looked at him and said, “Thus saith the Lord, let My money go.” He thought for a moment and laughed. The phrase became a regular part of his vocabulary and he became free from the stress of financial burdens.

The more you give, the more you live. There is nothing more exhilarating than giving. The word “exhilarating” comes from the root word, “hilarious.” The word hilarious is from the Greek word “hilarios,” translated in the Bible as “cheerful.” Cheerful giving lifts and frees your heart. God loves a hilarious giver, someone free from bondage.

The generous gift (V. 5)

The word “generous” is the Greek word for “blessing.” Giving is a blessing and is to bless others. Ephesians 4:8 states the purpose of employment includes helping others with their needs.

Some advocate giving to receive a blessing but Scripture states to give to be a blessing. Oswald Chambers wrote, “Have no other motive in giving than to please God. In modern philanthropy we are ‘egged on’ with other motives; it will do them good, they need the help, they deserve it. Jesus Christ never brings out that aspect in His teaching. He allows no other motive in giving than to please God.”

In various Chicago locations, during the Christmas season, the Salvation Army has received gold coins in their buckets without pretense; no tax-deductible receipt and no name recognition. The only motive was to bless, the nature of a generous gift. Give to be a blessing.

The most unblessed people on earth are misers.

Faithfully give

A gift is something turned over to someone without exchange. A gift is an expression of your heart condition. The reward of a gift is thankfulness, freedom and blessing. His indescribable gift is your standard, the obedient gift is your thanksgiving, the cheerful gift is your freedom and the generous gift is your blessing. Express love to God by giving.

The next article is exclusively devoted to the great principle stated in verse six: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”