VALOR VICTORIOUS

The truest test of bravery comes not by being the strongest or the most well-trained, or sharpest shooter on the field.
The results of the true test of bravery comes through what would appear the weakest and least prepared of soldiers.
And we know all about judging books by covers or rather the warning not too, all know the story of Samuel being sent to Jesse, to complete the task of anointing a new king, and we know that in the family opinion, David’s kingly attribute’s were so, how shall we say… um, lacking, nada, zilch, not even gonna happen, that they didn’t even bother to call him in.

But it was this boy, who had that little something extra, tucked away so deep on the inside that no one could even see it, but he would be chosen, because God saw it, because God had placed it there.

Gideon, another who had fearfully hid from his enemies to get food for his family, and even when he was angelically informed that the enemies demise was gonna be his job, he needed reassurance that this was God’s plan, not his.

I had actually heard Gideon referred to as a “sissy” by a Bible teacher once, I’m like thinking, oh, I don’t think I’d be saying that because we know what we judge another for we often end up in that same dilemma to teach us a little it about walking a mile in their shoes.
Gideon was wise, he could have died by the hand of his enemies and been fine, but to fall into the hands of  the Living God is a very different, very terrifying fate!

Mary, the consummate story of having a table prepared in the presence of your enemies!
She knew what these guys thought of her, but she had to go into the house of her enemy and pour out her soul, and in the presence of her enemies, she washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair, which at this time, hair was considered a lady’s glory and to use it is in such a display of absolute humility, not to be confused with humiliation, was unheard of, but oh, what had been laid out on that table!

There are so many today, who just do not know yet, the full power of what is living right there inside of you, that courage to pour yourself out, the courage to share your pain and sorrows and lay down at the master’s feet for all the world to see.

Sometimes our spiritual battles could be best compared to wounded creatures, when they are hurt and so desperately need treatment and those who try to intervene are met with growls and a display of teeth, sometimes those wounds are so painful that we don’t want anyone seeing them or touching them, but it is in those wounds and allowing the healing of them that true valor and courage are shown to others.

Sometimes in the church world there can be a lack of empathy, I once heard a man years and years ago say something, and I am not bashing him, I actually like him and I know this was based on sheer lack of empathy, it in was in context of joy, and he made the reference of giving the devil too much credit and that a lady had said he just didn’t know what the devil had put her through, his answer was don’t give credit to the devil.

He had no idea what she may have been through, people have often suffered abuses that they are just not comfortable telling a roomful of people and it could have been something that he could not have possibly understood.

Standing in faith with her and praying for her when she felt that she could no longer stand and assuring that she did not stand alone would have served much better than reprimanding her for feeling.

And this guaranteed no one else who was listening would ever chance showing their pain for fear of being rejected as “weak”.
I also love another oldie, really prevalent with the old school crew (And yes, I love them too, just using examples here), about people “coming in looking like they’ve been sucking on lemons” and “How can God’s people lack joy?”

It is not that they lack joy, obviously if they have survived thus far, they have a better foundation with God, then some would think.

There are snares, traps, and schemes from then enemy but sometimes people have problems and wounds that take time to heal!

I heard a minister say the coolest thing ever once, I am quoting him, because I do not have his name or otherwise I would give it, but he said when you ask someone how they are and they reply “fine” this usually means “Fractured, Injured, Neurotic, and Empty”!

But that pressure to be whole, groovy, problem free Christians doesn’t really send out a safety beacon to those who don’t necessarily feel that  same way!

I am sincerely happy for the ones who have it together and have reached that place we strive to, the place of perfect love, blessing your enemies, joying in persecutions and we truly must attempt to reach that, but for those who haven’t and those in the world, struggling to keep their heads up out of the water, another warrior is sometimes needed to stand with them in that battle.

Broken, broken people have no connection to others who profess to never, ever have a care in the world, or have never made a mistake and treat others tears with disgust.
True courage and true valor are found in the honesty of someone admitting they are not perfect, that they struggle but that they never surrender in that battle and that is what acts as that beacon of hope, the love and light of Jesus, shining through that once broken vessel, for the world to see, his light reflecting through as rays of hope on the black, deathly violent waging sea of this world.

David, through the name of the Lord ,which was his high tower, defeated a giant that everyone else dared not tangle with, what is often forgotten about this story, they planned to take Isareal as slaves!
So this wasn’t just a victory for David, it was God using him to prevent the enslavement of them all!

Gideon’ sword backed by the sword of the Lord defeated the enemies that had held them virtual prisoners in their own land, God even subtracting the army numbers down to three hundred to ensure to all would know that it was truly he who fought this battle!

Mary, who was quite accustomed to being treated like an object was completely vindicated when Jesus heard the thoughts in Simon’s head concerning her and lined him out at Simon’s own dinner, in front of all his guests, that he knew who she was!

And Mary never would have been invited to the dinner table of a Pharisee but blessed she never left the table of the Lord, she went on to follow him and she was the first he appeared to after his resurrection.  

Simon was half right, only out of context with his judgmental thinking, Jesus did know exactly who it was touching Him, it was his messed up, wounded daughter who came to be healed.

He knew Mary’s soul, something none of us can ever know about another.
So be strong, be of good courage, don’t be afraid to show others all your scars from the wounds Jesus has healed, let them see and then they won’t be so afraid to let Him see the wounds of their own soul because he wants to heal them but they have to be willing to let Him look at all those bloody places in their souls.

Revelation 2:7: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

Revelation 2:11: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”

Revelation 2:17: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

Revelation 2:26: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”

Revelation 3:5: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”

Revelation 3:12: “Him that overcometh, I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

Revelation 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

These are his promises to you!

All things made new, all the labels gone, new names, and forever be in the presence of him!
He also told us to “Let no man take your crown”, scriptural meaning humans, male or female, that let’s you know you gotta fight!
So how do you do that?
You fight with courage, and valor, and vigor just like Mary and the others and not care who sees, or what they think and you worship your God!

And as others try to give you a hard time, remember this verse, and remind yourself that it is truly the power of the enemy that is attacking because he is the accuser he just uses others as his messengers.

Revelation 12:10 “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and of the power of his Christ: For the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.” 

When someone tries to remind you of your past, you remind them who they are, agents of Satan, accusing you because they are filled with him.
Take this sword, keep it and your mind sharp to the power of it:

Revelation 12:11
“And they overcame him ( the devil) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and that they loved not their lives into the death.”

The union between heaven and earth, first the surrendering into His blood and then your own testimony of what the blood of the Lamb has changed in your life and not loving your “friends” or lifestyle, or worldly image more!
Ponder it today and so many of you, are here for this time on earth, to be that light on behalf of Jesus. 

Let no one stop you, and never lose your crown or your guts!
Φλογιζω/ all rights reserved. nbj 2015 ***Archive post, original post date 08/05/2015*** REVISTED 08/12/2021 Praying this will be an encouragement today!

 

VALOR VICTORIOUS

 

The truest test of bravery comes not by being the strongest,the most well-trained, or sharpest shooter on the field.
The results of the true test of bravery comes through what would appear the weakest and least prepared of soldiers.
And we know all about judging books by covers or rather the warning not too, all know the story of Samuel being sent to Jesse, to complete the task of anointing a new king, and we know that in the family opinion, David’s kingly attribute’s were so, how shall we say… um, lacking, nada, zilch, not even gonna happen, that they didn’t even bother to call him in.

BUT it was this boy, who had that little something extra, tucked away so deep on the inside that NO ONE could even see it, but he would be chosen, because GOD saw it, because God had placed it there.

Gideon, another who FEARFULLY HID from his enemies to get food for his family, and even when he was angelically informed that the enemies demise was gonna be his job, he NEEDED reassurance that this was GOD’S ideal not his, I had actually heard Gideon referred to as a “sissy” by a Bible teacher once, I’m like thinking, oh, I don’t think I’d be saying that because we know what we judge another for we often end up in that same dilemma to teach us a little it about walking a mile in their shoes.
Gideon was WISE, he could have died by the hand of his enemies and been fine, but to fall into the hands of  the Living God is a very different, very terrifying fate!

Mary, the consummate story of having a table prepared in the presence of your enemies!
She KNEW what these guys thought of her, BUT she had to go into the HOUSE OF HER ENEMY and pour out her soul, (IN THEIR PRESENCE) and wash Jesus’ feet with her tears and dry them with her hair, which at this time, hair was considered a lady’s glory and to use it is in such a display of absolute humility (NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH HUMILIATION!) was unheard of, but oh, what had been laid out on that table!

There are so many today, who just do not know YET, the full power of what is living right there inside of you, that courage to pour yourself out, the courage to share your pain and sorrows and lay down at the master’s feet for all the world to see.
Sometimes our spiritual battles could be best compared to wounded creatures, when they are hurt and so desperately need treatment and those who try to intervene are met with growls and a display of teeth, sometimes those wounds are so painful that we don’t want anyone seeing them or touching them, BUT it is in those wounds and allowing the healing of them that true valor and courage are shown to others.

Sometimes in the church world there can be a lack of empathy, I once heard a man years and years ago say something, and I am not bashing him, I actually like him and I know this was based on sheer lack of empathy, it in was in context of joy, and he made the reference of giving the devil too much credit and that a lady had said he just didn’t know what the devil had put her through, his answer was don’t give credit to the devil.

He had no idea what she may have been through, people have often suffered abuses that they are just not comfortable telling a roomful of people and it could have been something that he could not have possibly understood.

Standing in faith with her and praying for her when she felt that she could no longer stand and assuring that she did not stand alone would have served much better than reprimanding her for feeling.

And this guaranteed no one else who was listening would ever chance showing their pain for fear of being rejected as “weak”.
I also love another oldie, really prevalent with the old school crew (And yes, I love them too, just using examples here), about people “coming in looking like they’ve been sucking on lemons” and “How can God’s people lack joy?”
It is not that they lack joy, obviously if they have survived thus far, they have a better foundation with God, then some would think.

There are snares, traps, and schemes from then enemy BUT sometimes people have problems and wounds that TAKE TIME TO HEAL!

I heard a minister say the coolest thing ever once, I am quoting him, because I do not have his name or otherwise I would give it, but he said when you ask someone how they are and they reply “fine” this usually means “Fractured, Injured, Neurotic, and Empty”!
But that pressure to be whole, groovy, problem free Christians doesn’t really send out a safety beacon to those who don’t necessarily feel that  same way!
I am sincerely happy for the ones who have it together and have reached that place we strive to, the place of perfect love, blessing your enemies, joying in persecutions and WE TRULY MUST attempt to reach that, but for those who haven’t and those in the world, struggling to keep their heads up out of the water, another warrior is sometimes needed to stand with them in that battle.

Broken, broken people have no connection to others who profess to never, ever have a care in the world, or have never made a mistake and treat others tears with disgust.
True courage and true valor are found in the honesty of someone admitting they are not perfect, that they struggle but that they never surrender in that battle and THAT is what acts as that beacon of hope, the love and light of Jesus, shining through that once broken vessel, for the world to see, his light reflecting through as rays of hope on the black, deathly violent waging sea of this world.

David, through the NAME of the Lord (which was HIS high tower) defeated a GIANT that EVERYONE ELSE dared not tangle with, what is often forgotten about this story, THEY PLANNED TO TAKE ALL ISRAEL AS SLAVES!
So this wasn’t just a victory for David, it was God using him to prevent the enslavement of them all!

Gideon’ sword backed by the SWORD of the Lord defeated the enemies that had held them virtual prisoners in their own land, God even subtracting the army numbers down to three hundred to ensure to ALL would know that it was truly He who fought this battle!

Mary, who was quite accustomed to being treated like an object was completely vindicated when Jesus HEARD THE THOUGHTS in Simon’s head concerning her and lined him out at Simon’s own dinner, in front of all his guests, that HE KNEW WHO SHE WAS!

And Mary never would have been invited to the dinner table of a Pharisee but blessed she never left the table of the Lord, she went on to follow him and she was the first he appeared to after his resurrection.  

Simon was half right, only out of context with his judgmental thinking, JESUS DID KNOW exactly who it was touching Him, it was his messed up, wounded daughter who came to be healed, He knew Mary’s soul, something none of us can ever know about another.
So be strong, be of good courage, don’t be afraid to show others all your scars from the wounds Jesus has healed, let them see and then they won’t be so afraid to let Him see the wounds of their own soul because HE WANTS TO HEAL THEM but they have to be willing to let Him look at all those bloody places in their souls.

Revelation 2:7: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.”

Revelation 2:11: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.”

Revelation 2:17: “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

Revelation 2:26: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations.”

Revelation 3:5: “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.”

Revelation 3:12: “Him that overcometh, I will make a pillar in the temple of my God, and the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”

Revelation 3:21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

These are HIS promises to you!

All things made new, all the labels gone, new names, and forever be in the presence of Him!
He also told us to “Let NO MAN take your crown” (scriptural meaning humans, male or female) that let’s you know you gotta fight!
So how do you do that?
You fight with courage, and valor, and vigor just like Mary and the others and NOT care who sees, or what they think and you worship your God!

And as others try to give you a hard time, remember this verse, and remind yourself that it is truly the power of the enemy that is attacking because he is the accuser he just uses others as his messengers.

Revelation 12:10 “And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and of the power of his Christ: FOR THE ACCUSER of our brethren is cast down, WHICH ACCUSED THEM BEFORE OUR GOD DAY AND NIGHT.”

When someone tries to remind you of your past, you remind them who they are, agents of Satan, accusing you because they are filled with him.
Take this sword, keep it and your mind sharp to the power of it:

Revelation 12:11
“And THEY OVERCAME HIM (devil) BY THE BLOOD OF THE LAMB, and THE WORD OF THEIR TESTIMONY; AND THAT THEY LOVED NOT THEIR LIVES UNTO THE DEATH.”

The union between heaven and earth, first the surrendering into His blood and then your own testimony of what the blood of the Lamb has changed in your life and not loving your “friends” or lifestyle, or worldly image more!
Ponder it today and so many of you, are here for this time on earth, to be THAT light on behalf of Jesus. 

Let NO ONE stop you, and never lose your crown or your guts!
Φλογιζω/ all rights reserved. nbj 2015 ***Archive post, original post date 08/05/2015***Repost