Month: March 2024

“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” Deuteronomy 20:4

Through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection, we as believers are granted victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness.

According to the word of God, Jesus’s death on the cross served as the ultimate atonement for humanity’s sins, providing reconciliation between God and man. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have forgiveness of sins and are declared righteous before God. Jesus’ resurrection is seen as the triumph over death, demonstrating His power over sin and confirming His victory over satan. Romans 8:37 affirms this victory: “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

For Christians, acknowledging and embracing this victory means living in the assurance of salvation and the hope of eternal life with God. It also entails living a life transformed by the love and grace of Jesus Christ, as we strive to follow His teachings and example. 1 Corinthians 15:57 states, “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

A Time for Meditation and Reflection:

1. Atonement: Jesus Christ’s death on the cross paid the penalty for humanity’s sins. His shed Blood is understood as the sacrifice necessary to forgive sins and reconcile humanity with God. 1 Peter 2:24.
2. Redemption: Through His sacrificial death, Jesus redeemed humanity from the power of sin and death. Believers are no longer enslaved to sin free to live in righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 1:7-8.
3. Resurrection: The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It signifies His victory over death and the grave, demonstrating His power over sin and offering the hope of eternal life to all who believe in Him. John 11: 25-26.
4. Conquest over Satan: Jesus conquered the powers of darkness, including Satan. Believers are empowered to resist temptation and overcome the influence of evil through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:37.
5. Assurance of Salvation: Victory in Christ Jesus provides believers with the assurance of salvation. When we place our Faith in Him, we can be assured of God’s forgiveness, acceptance, and eternal life. Romans 10:9-10.
6. Transformation: The victory in Christ brings about a transformation in the lives of believers. We are called to live in obedience to Christ, empowered by His Spirit to grow in love, righteousness, and holiness. Romans 12:2.
7. Hope for the Future: We as believers have hope for the future because of the victory won by Christ. We look forward to His return and the culmination of God’s kingdom, where no more suffering, sin, or death will occur. 1 Peter 1:3.

Overall, victory in Christ Jesus through the finished work of the cross is paramount! Providing us as believers the assurance, hope, and motivation to live lives that honor and glorify God.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19.

As we journey through life we will face many challenges and setbacks, but I’m here today to offer you a few words of encouragement. God is the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2. Nothing we do or fall short of doing catches our Heavenly Father by surprise. He is always there and watches over us – the LORD is as close as the shade on our right hand. Psalm 121:5.

When life gives us lemons, we must make lemonade! The Bible offers several principles and teachings that can encourage us to overcome our past and move forward in our lives: Here are some I use to guide me during my meditation:

1. Forgiveness: One of the central themes in the Bible is forgiveness. It encourages us to forgive others who have wronged us, just as God forgives them. This includes forgiving oneself for past mistakes and failures as well.
2. Letting Go: The Bible teaches about letting go of the past and not dwelling on former things. Philippians 3:13-14 says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
3. Renewal of the Mind: Romans 12:2 instructs believers to renew their minds, which involves adjusting their thinking patterns. This will require the help of the Holy Spirit. By focusing on God’s truth and promises, we can overcome negative thought patterns and behaviors from our past.
4. New Identity in Christ: The Bible teaches that we are made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). This means that our past can no longer define us, and we can find our identity and worth in Christ rather than in our past mistakes or experiences.
5. Seeking God’s Help: Through prayer, meditation, and seeking guidance from God, we can find strength and wisdom to overcome the challenges of our past. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength.”
6. Community Support: The Bible emphasizes the importance of community and fellowship with other believers. Being part of a supportive community can provide encouragement, and accountability, and help individuals overcome the effects of their past.

Overall, the Bible teaches that through our faith in God and His grace, we can find the strength and courage necessary to overcome our past and live a more fulfilling life in the present and future.

“If you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows, but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:14

As beautiful as Queen Esther was she was trapped in a marriage to King Xerxes who did not share the same faith or values as Esther. She was part of a haram that took her away from her family and all she was familiar with to become groomed for the life of a queen. But in her uncertainty, we know God still had an undeniable plan! In my own story, I believe God also has a plan to change the trajectory of the marriages in my family. Where there has been adultery, addictions, violence, disrespect, and patterns of constant rebellion against the word and the knowledge of God, concerning marriage. He has raised up a generation, that has said NO MORE! “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” 1Peter 5:10.

Breaking free from past generational cycles of abuse has taken much resilience and strength. Through God’s transformative power, I have gained the courage and determination to face every adversity head-on and declare “I am more than a conqueror!” Roman 8:31. “As for me and my house we shall serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15. Even, when faced with the challenge of serving Him alone. By bravely choosing to leave a narcissistic marriage, I not only liberated myself, but also paved the way for future generations to live free from the shackles of dysfunction, yokes of addictions, and narcissistic abuse.

I believe strongly in the sanctity and dignity of marriage and in the promises of God’s word, which shows that there is hope, even in the darkest of situations, for God to rewrite my story and bring His ultimate plans to pass in my life. Through my courage and unwavering faith to never give up, I hope to provide a beacon of light for my children and grandchildren, offering them a new paradigm of what a healthy and loving relationship should look like. Although years have passed and memories will begin to fade, I pray that the Lord will restore to me the years that the locust, the cankerworm, the caterpillar, and the palmerworm have eaten. Joel 2:25.

My decision to break the cycle of abuse demonstrates that change is possible and that it only takes one person to catalyze a ripple effect of transformation for generations to come. As I dismiss the shame of any failure, refuse to accept the status quo, and denounce any ounce of pride, I will become an agent of change, inspiring others to follow suit and create a brighter future for themselves and their descendants. Deuteronomy 30:19 states “This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”