Victory in Jesus
Today, Stephanie and McKenzie returned to Atlanta. We left for Denver this morning and went by to see Christian and then stopped at Fort Logan National Cemetery to visit the grave of Elmer and Isla Kercher (Debbie’s parents) and then met my mother for lunch.
We got Stephanie to the airport in plenty of time for her afternoon flight and I returned to Fort Collins by 3 p.m. After running an errand later this afternoon, I returned home and Debbie was home from work. We now find the house much more quiet, but are thankful for the past few days we had with family.
I feel like I am doing better getting around depending on my walker. Stephanie insisted on driving today until we got to the airport so I would be well rested for the trip back to Fort Collins. She was very attentive and said, “I don’t want you falling on my watch!” I hope to make a trip to Atlanta sometime in January.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.” Revelation 12:11,12
The old gospel hymn declares there is, “victory in Jesus…” Revelation 12 declares the reality of that victory. It is a victory over Satan, fear and death. The chapter begins with John seeing a great war in heaven, “the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world…” (Rev. 12:9) Satan being thrown down to the earth begins his time of deception of the nations as never before, but those who hold to their faith in Christ are victors and over-comers.
How is this possible against such a formidable foe? It is possible through Christ and because of Christ. It is because of the finished work of Christ (His blood shed on Calvary) that defeats sin and provides eternal life for all who place their faith in Christ. Because of that there is freedom from holding onto life, in this life, because the “sting of death” is removed. (1 Cor. 15:56)
They conquer by the “blood of the lamb and the word of their testimony.” The “testimony” of believers is a powerful tool. It is so because it speaks of a personal encounter and a changed life. The blind man said, “once I was blind, but now I see…” (John 9:25) The woman Jesus met at the well said, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” (John 4:29) Paul the apostle retells his story repeatedly through the Book of Acts. How Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus and his life was changed.
It is said that the “person with an argument is at the mercy of a person with an experience.” All of these individuals above and many more in scripture and many more throughout time have their own encounter with the living Lord; one that changed their life and set them on a new course, a new life and a new destiny. Each one can say, “I once was….but now….” What is your “once was, but now” story? That is your testimony to the power of Christ to change lives and that power is greater than anything spiritual darkness has at its disposal. All evil can do is to “steal, kill and destroy” only Jesus can give life. (John 10:10) And the life that Jesus gives lasts for all eternity.