the thrill of victory

If you are my age or older, you most likely remember the sports commercial that talked about the "thrill of victory and the agony of defeat". (check it out here.) When I think about victory and defeat, I have a lifetime, almost 40 years, of experience with both of them. maybe more of defeat. Yet what is bigger in my mind is the fact that God has changed my definitions of victory and success.

You don't always have to win to be successful. Another real thought is this: you cannot win unless you compete. God tells us that success and victory are tied to us following and trusting God. When God blesses us, we will know the truth of what victory looks like, feels like and how it makes a difference inside of us.

God is building us to be people who are thrilled with victory. Read these God thoughts:

Psalm 92:4 (NLT)
You thrill me, Lord, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.

Proverbs 8:14 (NLT)
Common sense and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine.

Matthew 25:21 (NASB)
"His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.'

The world says that victory has to do with the accumulation of wealth and trophies and such. God says that success and victory come when we walk into the arms of Jesus in Heaven hearing Him say "well done".

Tomorrow morning 26 of our folks from The Community Fellowship leave for South Dakota to serve on a mission trip. I am excited to see first hand what God does in the lives of our students and their leaders. I am especially excited about and praying for my girls who are on this trip to experience a move of God that will change their lives forever.

When we experience and trust God for the thrill of victory, our lives will never be the same. Victory may be the ARK (act of random kindness) you so for someone or the sacrifice you make to serve another person. Success may be in stopping what you are doing and spending some extra time with Jesus so you can do what He says it right. The thrill of victory is all about what God wants for us, His kids. The agony of defeat is simply this: when I do things without God.

I don't know about you but I am ready for the thrill of victory!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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