Lady of Victory® Little Wisdoms®

Author: Admin (Page 2 of 2)

Lady of Victory® Little Wisdoms®

Opening God’s Valentine sent to YOU.

FTV_2pts_Val_2-2015

February, a month set aside for romance of the heart. A time to show those you care for that they are loved. But what after the candy has been eaten, flowers fade and thrown away? When cards are tucked away in the keep-sake-box?

What if you still feel empty? Even a little lonely if we were to be honest with ourselves. Oh, it’s just this gray ol’ cold winter, we may say.

The focus of this February, From The VINE™ Blog post is a focus on what the Valentine that God has sent your way means. Jesus said, “Behold, I (Jesus) stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20 KJV)

What does John 3:16, the widely memorized scripture, really saying to YOU? Father God, Creator of all (Colossians 1:16 KJV), sent His own Son Jesus Christ to earth in the body of flesh and blood, to take our place, to receive in our stead the very physical, gruesome beatings and nails through both hands and feet, shedding real blood to take the penalty we deserve.

Why was this necessary? Because of the fall of man, the sin nature. Without going deep in this post: Man required a Savior. Man is sort of in the middle of a great war. Jesus Christ came and saved us from the eternal damnation intended for Satan and those fallen angels who sided with him (Revelation 12:9 KJV). Thus entered Satan’s deception the fall of man and mans need of a Savior.

But the point I want to make in this post is that long after any trinket, candy, or flowers others may give to us on February 14th, God’s love never changes. (Hebrews 13:8 KJV) It lasts for eternity for those who will open their hearts and accept God’s gift, Jesus Christ and the finished work He completed at Calvary’s Cross. (John 19:30 KJV) Jesus Christ and all that His shed blood makes possible to us. Even if other’s change and walk away, we have His promise, ” I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5 KJV)

A far better Valentine. Have you opened yours sent by God yet?

 

http://ladyvictory.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/FTV_ScriptureForPost_LG.jpg

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 (KJV)

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)

How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! Isaiah 14:12 (KJV)

And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. Revelation 9:1 (KJV)

And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Revelation 12:9 (KJV)

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, He said, It is finished: and He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. John 19:30 (KJV)

God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall he not make it good? Numbers 23:19 (KJV)

We love Him, because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (KJV)

“… the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5 (KJV)

” I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5(KJV)

New Year, New Beginning

cropped-LV_FromTheVine_1024x340.jpg

Happy-New-Year-2015

STGW_NewYear_2015

Happy New Year.

We are several days into the New Year at the time of this post.

So, … how is it working for you? Fallen away from your New Year’s resolution? Feeling as the dieter does who proclaimed to diet tomorrow while yet full from an overstuffed dinner?

It is OK to reset the clock. Give yourself some slack. Get up and start again. Remember: “His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:21-23).

Regret

Let’s talk about regret. How it eats away, nagging in those self thoughts. Tell yourself, STOP and then begin again as often as it takes. The smallest steps, smallest victories are still motion(s) in the correct direction.

Don’t quit. Don’t give up. Encourage yourself as David did, he “encouraged himself” (1 Samuel 30:6). Be your own cheerleader if need be.

You see, you don’t have to believe all those negative, discouraging words or thoughts directed at your accomplishing a new (or old) goal.

Do what you can now, today. You have heard it, I am sure, some sort of statement like, the only failure is the failure to try. So, … fail. But get up again.

Count it as a credit if you take the steps instead of the elevator. Then grow upon that. If you only read one paragraph of the Bible, that is one more paragraph read then if you hadn’t. Those read through in a year plans, or the daily devotions books for every day of the year, before you know it’s July and your book mark is back in January. OK, so last year’s New Year’s resolution had to be rolled over for “another” year. Take the pressure off, forget time limitations.

The word picture often used: if you fall off your horse (bike) get back up in the saddle and try again. Forgive yourself so you don’t stay stuck. My word picture for this concept has always been: “You can move a mountain with a spoon, if you keep at it and don’t quit. Slow, seemingly impossible, yet if diligent, a spoon can move a mountain like a bucket load, only in smaller amounts requiring not being “wearied in well doing” (Galatians 6:9).

Do you need to adjust your goal? Maybe the goal to lose one pound in a year lacks real commitment, setting your goal too high … wait … This is beginning to sound like a motivational speech. We have enough how to succeed with the battle of the bulge.

Nor did Jesus give His disciples the 7 steps to a feel good life. What He did do was go to the Cross because we could not overcome in our own strength. He took our place, He paid the price. Why do we think we must do everything beyond salvation in our own strength? In Matthew 11:28 He said, ” Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

So when, not if, you slip from your “New Year resolution” or in any area of your life where you are trying to overcome, go to Him in prayer asking for His help. “… Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord ….”  Zechariah 4:6 (KJV) Then rest in Him, get up and begin again (Lamentations 3:21-23).

http://ladyvictory.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/FTV_ScriptureForPost_LG.jpg

Lamentations 3:21-23 (KJV)
21 This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
22 It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

1 Samuel 30:6 (KJV)
And David was greatly distressed; …: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God.

Galatians 6:9 (KJV)
And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Zechariah 4:6 (KJV)
Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

Galatians 2:16 (KJV)
Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

The Holidays


LV_FromTheVINE_Head


FTV_Holidays


Yep, it’s the Holiday Season and for most, more activity is crammed into already over booked schedules. Not to mention over taxed budget.

The Holidays require of us more than we may have. Gifts exchanged, meeting with friends for lunch or dinner more often than the monthly budget can afford? With last year yet on the charge account(s), the still small voice from within begs for your attention with the message, “some day is today”, you can’t continue to support this/these habits? … Please don’t ask me how I know.

Do I have the answer? I know Who does. Jesus Christ. Meet with Him in your prayer closet. Perhaps you don’t have a dedicated space to physically shut out the noise of the world and/or those pulling at you this and thus, but if you can find a quiet place, a restroom stall on a lunch break if nowhere else, close your eyes and let your heart seek the KING of kings. I like the saying, “Wise men still seek Him”.

In Him you will find a sustainable schedule and/or the strength to face … perhaps family who hurt you in the past, or any number of reason(s) why the relationship is on a, … strictly Holiday or as needed basis?

Perhaps you are on the other end. Invited but not warmly embraced? … Are you the one who invites yet give a chill with your greeting?

In Him, He can help to warm up those chilly embrace(s) or shield from the chill if need be.

You see, we all know the story, half minded grant lip service to “the reason for the season”, but do you really?

How is it playing out today, on your New Year’s resolution list? … Again?

The reason for the season is for a spring holiday, so to speak, and I’m not referring to furry critters with a basket of chocolate and eggs. Before we break into the basket of goodies, we lose out if we skip over the black days of the Cross. Yet without that gruesome event, the brighter day with an empty tomb would not be. So, what does all of that have to do with this Holiday? Everything. Everything was done, “it is finished” (John 19:30 ) We can study this meaning for a lifetime and still not grasp the depth of the Father’s love to have “sent His only begotten Son” (John 3:16).

If you have known me over the years you have heard me say, “Because of Christmas we have Easter, and because of Easter” … [fill in the blank of your need, be it to see a beloved (believer) in eternal life or any other need we may have].

Another such saying or prayer my friends may have heard is a prayer for our LORD to protect/heal your heart from pain. For the Holy Spirit to minister [word picture] like medicine sprayed on a painful burn. Your medicine cabinet is your prayer room.

We cannot be all things to all people. We can’t fix their issues by anything we can say, do, or purchase. We can however go to HIM, the Giver of gifts for whatever we need to get through a day.

We cannot do it in our own strength. (Zechariah 4:6) Why would we want to anyway?

Come to His banquet and partake what you need for each given day. Give yourself the gift HE has provided for you. You personally, this Holiday Season, please don’t miss the most important “gift” of your life. The “gift” of HIS life that you may receive the gift(s) He went to the Cross to make a way to Him.

Spend time with “the reason for the season”. He loves YOU so. (1 John 4:19)


http://ladyvictory.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/FTV_ScriptureForPost_LG.jpg

John 19:30 (KJV)
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

John 3:16 (KJV)
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes  in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Zechariah 4:6 (KJV)
… Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.

1 John 4:19 (KJV)
We love Him, because He first loved us.

Complete in Him … He can provide. Be not afraid.

FTV_In-Him_All-Needs-Met

http://ladyvictory.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/FTV_ScriptureForPost_LG.jpg

Colossians 2:9-10 (KJV)
For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
And you are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power:

John 14:1 (KJV)
Let not your heart be troubled: you believe in God, believe also in Me (Jesus Christ).

John 14:27 (KJV)
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Be not afraid.” In the words of Jesus: “Let not your heart be troubled“.
He does not want you to worry or be in fear.

You see, He loves YOU, very much. He would that you come to Him and let your fears, worries, troubles at the foot of the Cross where He paid the price, cleansing us from all with the Blood He shed at Calvary.

HE is the answer. All you have need of you will find in Him.

Daily reminder:
We are complete in Christ our Lord and Savior.
He already knows our needs, our hurts, sorrow not, fret not.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27b (KJV)

Graffiti on God’s temple?


LV_FromTheVINE_Head


LadyVictory_LittleWisdoms_Tattoo_2014

Please don’t take offense. Just a thought when reading the Word.


FTV_ScriptureForPost_LG

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

… from such turn away. … Take comfort from:


LV_FromTheVINE_Head


FTV_ScriptureForPost_LGII Timothy 3 (KJV)

3 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as their’s also was.

10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,

11 Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.

12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works …

 

The Word tells us in verse 5, …from such turn away.    This is hard to do. Walking away from something or someone is too difficult for us to do in our own strength.

Take comfort in the following:

John 14:1-3 (KJV)

1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

 

John 14:15-21 (KJV)

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.

16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;

17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also.

20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you.

21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

When should we NOT repay?


LV_FromTheVINE_Head


FTV_ScriptureForPost_LG

1 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

1 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.

The one time we may feel like repaying is the time the Word of God tells us not to. Instead, the Word tells us not to return a wrong done unto us, or an insult when insulted. Another verse that comes to mind is:

Luke 6:31 (KJV)
And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

These two verses often come to mind when emotional reactions rise and the mind fills with an unadvised reply. They have stopped poor reactions and when ignored, reinforced why it is better not to repay evil for evil.

What the Bible says about Hell.


LV_FromTheVINE_Head

Hell-is-Real_LadyVictory_LittleWisdoms_2014


FTV_ScriptureForPost_LG

What the Bible says about Hell:

Ezekiel 32:18 (KJV)
Son of man, wail for the multitude of Egypt, and cast them down, even her, and the daughters of the famous nations, unto the nether parts of the earth, with them that go down into the pit.

Ezekiel 32:27 (KJV)
27 And they shall not lie with the mighty that are fallen of the uncircumcised, which are gone down to hell with their weapons of war: and they have laid their swords under their heads, but their iniquities shall be upon their bones, though they were the terror of the mighty in the land of the living.

Ezekiel 31:16-17 (KJV)
16 I made the nations to shake at the sound of his fall, when I cast him down to hell with them that descend into the pit: and all the trees of Eden, the choice and best of Lebanon, all that drink water, shall be comforted in the nether parts of the earth.
17 They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.

Isaiah 14:15 (KJV)
15 Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Revelation 1:18 (KJV)
18 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Revelation 20:13, 14 (KJV)
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.

Matthew 5:22 (KJV)
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire
.

Matthew 5:29 (KJV)
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Matthew 5:22 (KJV)
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Matthew 5:29 (KJV)
29 And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy
whole body should be cast into hell.

Matthew 10:28 (KJV)
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Matthew 11:23 (KJV)
23 And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.

Matthew 16:18 (KJV)
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Proverbs 9:18 (KJV)
18 But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.

Proverbs 15:24 (KJV)
24 The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.

Proverbs 23:14 (KJV)
14 Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell.

Psalms 55:15 (KJV)
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.

Psalms 139:8 (KJV)
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.

Isaiah 5:14 (KJV)
14 Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.

Habakkuk 2:5 (KJV)
Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

Deuteronomy 32:22 (KJV)
22 For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

Amos 9:2 (KJV)
Though they dig into hell, thence shall mine hand take them; though they climb up to heaven, thence will I bring them down:

Welcome


LV_FromTheVINE_Head


Welcome to From The VINE™ Blog / Devotions.


From The VINE™ Blog has been birth out of From The VINE Devotions™.

The official Blog/Devotions of Lady of Victory® Little Wisdoms®.

Newer posts »