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The Ultimate Place of Victory!

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  “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11, NIV The Ultimate Place of Victory it’s interesting that the last place Jesus appeared to His disciples before He ascended to heaven was the Mount of Olives. That’s where the Garden of Gethsemane is located. Forty days earlier, He spent the night in the garden in agony, in great distress, as He faced the coming suffering on the cross and death for our sins. Now He’s at that very place, but He’s victorious over death and the enemy, alive forevermore, with the keys of death and hell. He’s not suffering but reigning, not in agony but in victory, not in great distress but clothed with all power. All that suffering was a setup for a resurrection. It was all a part of God’s plan that would launch Jesus into His purpose. You may go through some Gethsemanes, but like Jesus, you’re go...

He is Our Defense!

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  He is Our Defense Scripture: Proverbs 30:5, ESV “ Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. ” (Proverbs 30:5, ESV) We are influenced by both the world we see and the unseen spiritual world: “ For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. ” (Ephesians 6:12–13, ESV) Many times what we see in this world is the result of spiritual battles being fought in the unseen world. The Psalmist prayed, “ My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be moved. ” (Psalm 62:5–6, NKJV) Scripture makes it clear that all power belongs to God: “ God has spoken once, twice I have heard t...

The Fellowship of His Suffering!

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  …that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death. Philippians 3:10, NKJV The Fellowship of His Sufferings For Jesus to reach His destiny of the resurrection, He had to go through suffering in Gethsemane and the agony of the cross. The apostle Paul says that if we want to know the power of His resurrection, it involves enduring some suffering. You have to have a strong will, a made-up mind, a warrior mentality. “I will not give up and start complaining, blaming, doubting, or worrying. I know that on the other side of this suffering is the power of the resurrection.” On the other side, there’s healing, abundance, divine connections, new levels. The suffering is not permanent. It’s for a season. It’s designed for you to pass through it so you can come into the power, the fullness, the abundance that God has in store. The fact that you feel distressed by adversity is a sign that a resurrection is coming, that y...

The Lord’s Return!

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The Lord’s Return Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, NKJV “ For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. ” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, NKJV) Yes, the Lord is going to return to this world. Count on it. Just as there were many prophecies in the Old Testament regarding the first coming of Jesus Christ, there are many passages like the one above stating how Jesus Christ is going to return to this world to set up his Kingdom. We are told to watch, and to be prepared for this event. This world is not our home. In fact, we become more uncomfortable in it as we see more of the previews of coming attractions recorded in the book of Revelation: “ For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, ...

Mathew 28:1-20!

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  Introduction Matthew 28:1–20: An angel rolls the stone from the tomb, revealing that Jesus has been raised to life. The women are the first to hear this good news and rush to tell the disciples; and on the way, they meet the risen Christ. Later, Jesus appears to his disciples on a hill in Galilee, commissioning them to go and make disciples of all nations. Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 28:20b GNT [Jesus said], “And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.” Read 28 After the Sabbath, as Sunday morning was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  2  Suddenly there was a violent earthquake; an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled the stone away, and sat on it.  3  His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  4  The guards were so afraid that they trembled and became like dead men. 5  The angel spoke to the women. “You must not be afraid,” he said. “I know you are looking ...

The Path to Personal Peace, Part 1

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  The Path to Personal Peace, Part 1 Scripture: Philippians 4:9, NIV “ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. ” (Philippians 4:9, NIV) What an example to follow! How many people could make that statement about themselves? Just put into practice what you have seen and heard from Jesus, and you will experience peace. Peace is a rare commodity. People spend billions to find peace through drugs, alcohol, pleasure, and other experiences. Paul shows us the only way to true peace. Peace is sourced in the person of Jesus Christ. Peace comes from God: “ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. ” (John 14:27, NIV) Paul, who experienced much tribulation, shows us how to tap into the source of this peace. Only people who have a personal relationship with Christ can experience what he is telling us. So w...

Mathew 27:57-66!

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  Introduction Matthew 27:57–66: Joseph of Arimathea buries Jesus’s body, and Mary Magdalene and the other Mary keep watch at the tomb. Pilate sends soldiers to guard the tomb as well, to prevent Jesus’s disciples from stealing his body and claiming he had been raised from the dead. Today’s Key Verse: Matthew 27:59–60a GNT So Joseph took [the body of Jesus], wrapped it in a new linen sheet, and placed it in his own tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock. Read 57  When it was evening, a rich man from Arimathea arrived; his name was Joseph, and he also was a disciple of Jesus.  58  He went into the presence of Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate gave orders for the body to be given to Joseph.  59  So Joseph took it, wrapped it in a new linen sheet,  60  and placed it in his own tomb, which he had just recently dug out of solid rock. Then he rolled a large stone across the entrance to the tomb and went away.  61  ...