Victory
You might be thinking at this point, "Victory? Really? You have no idea what I struggle with." You're absolutely right. I don't, but you don't know what I struggle with, either.

Please understand, I know I'm not a great writer. I just write what I know... what God is teaching me and leading me to share. That's the reason for the title of this series of blog posts, "Baggage, Bondage and Baloney." I'm writing what I know and right now with God's help, I'm beginning to learn to let go of all baggage, bondage and baloney in my own life.

My past is not a pretty picture. Living in rebellion for several years led to many experiences and sinful choices that I wish had never happened. I've been through an abusive marriage, a painful divorce, and cancer twice. There's baggage. There's bondage. There's baloney. In my life and in yours. 

So, what's the answer? How do we get through all of this to victory? Again, you might have some thoughts here. "You're not gonna just throw some scriptures at us are you? That's not gonna help."

You probably already know that the Bible says to give all over to the Lord. You know that Jesus said we should come to Him with our burdens (our baggage) and He will give us rest. You know that true freedom is found only in Christ. You already know that the best way to combat the lies of the enemy is to meditate on God's truth.

Something that has really helped and encouraged me recently is the experiences of the apostle Paul. I've been in that cycle, as maybe some reading this have, where I give it over to the Lord and pick it up again. The baggage and the bondage just seem to call out to me to pick them back up again after I've laid them at His feet.

I think Paul knew that same struggle. In Galatians 2:20, he says, "I am crucified with Christ..." Notice he doesn't say, "I was crucified with Christ." He says, "I am crucified with Christ." See the difference? For Paul, dying to self was a continual process - a daily, moment-by-moment choice.

He also said, "I die daily" (1 Cor 15:31). Paul was a great man of God who achieved great things for God. Yet Paul had the same struggles we do. He was human. He gave it all - his baggage, his bondage, and his baloney - over to the Lord daily.

This is the key to victory over our baggage, bondage and baloney. We might pick it up sometimes, but the key is to keep setting it down, to keep giving it back to the Lord - daily, moment-by-moment. The more we get into the habit of making that choice, the less often we will have to.

As we practice that obedience, it becomes a part of who we are, and that desire to die to self and live instead for Christ will overtake our desire to carry the baggage, walk in bondage and believe the baloney.

Instead, we will begin to walk in freedom and truth, allowing Jesus to carry us and the rocks of our past. We will walk in victory!

“Not fair!” screams the child.

“Stomp! Stomp!” echo the feet.

“Slam! Bang!” goes the door. 


One day, one of my sons had such an outburst and I accused him of shattering the peace in our home and of disturbing my personal sense of peace. His response was to blame his brother, saying, “Well, he made me mad!”

As I began to explain that he was responsible for how he chose to respond to another’s actions, a light went on in my own mind. Realizing that had I done the very same thing I was lecturing him about, I had to apologize to my son for blaming him for my own response.

If my sense of peace was shaken by a few seconds of a teenager’s demonstration of frustration, then perhaps that peace didn’t run very deep to begin with. I can only conclude that rather than enjoying the depths, I had merely dipped a toe in the still waters of God’s peace.

Jesus said, “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” (John 14:27).

The peace the world gives is only a temporary, easily shaken, toe-dampening peace. It isn’t real and it doesn’t last.

We often speak of the depths of God love and sometimes of the depths of His mercy, but seldom think about the depths of His peace.

“The peace of God, which passeth all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), is deep enough for us to jump right in and be completely covered, soothed by the waters of a lasting and refreshing peace.

Psalm 37:7 says we can enjoy “the abundance of peace.” How can we do that?

The way to develop a deeper peace is by spending time with the Prince of Peace, listening to His voice.

“I will hear what God the LORD will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly” (Psalm 85:8).  

God’s Word itself brings peace. David knew this and declared, “Great peace have they which love thy law…” (Psalm 119:165).

A life of peace and of being peaceable is a choice. God has freely given of the great depths of His peace to me and to you. We must choose to live in it, so that whatever interruptions come our way, whether big or small, we will continue in its abundance.

Let’s do more than get our feet wet. Let’s jump in and enjoy the soothing and refreshing waters of God’s eternally abundant peace that restores the soul and gives us rest.



Image: Courtesy Photos8.com

 Far exceeding all human understanding and expectation, God has given us a glimpse of the brightness of His glory, the vastness of His wisdom, and the depths of His love in the Person of His Son.

Knowing this, why does it then surprise us when He uses people or events we do not expect to bring blessing or provision into our lives?

Oh Lord, open my eyes and my heart and fill me with great expectations of Thee. 

‎"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen." -Ephesians 3:20-21
        

Imagine sitting in your house, minding your own business, and suddenly, without warning, you’re lifted out of your comfy chair and carried off to some desert valley in the middle of nowhere. Now that would be a hard story to tell, don’t you think? That’s exactly the story Ezekiel tells in chapter 37 of the book that bears his name. 

 “The hand of the LORD was upon me, and carried me out in the spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley which was full of bones, And caused me to pass by them round about: and, behold, there were very many in the open valley; and, lo, they were very dry.”

Let’s take a walk with Ezekiel and see what he saw in this valley. A valley full of bones. Can you imagine the stench? Imagine how Ezekiel felt, confronted with such an overwhelming presence of death. A valley FULL of bones. Hundreds, perhaps thousands, of bodies had rotted there in the hot sun. No funeral, no memorial, no memory of them whatsoever. All that was left of them was piles and piles of dry bones; dry bones, picked clean by scavengers and laid bare and exposed to the elements for a long time.

After the LORD shows Ezekiel the bones, He asks the prophet a question. “Son of man, can these bones live?”  There was a reason the LORD was asking. As the Omniscient One, He was not looking for an answer, but rather a response. What is the difference? The LORD did not need information. He wanted Ezekiel to respond to Him in faith and understanding.

Ezekiel's response does demonstrate faith in that he knows that the Father knows. He says, “O Lord GOD, thou knowest.” Ezekiel isn’t sure what to say and is careful with his answer. He basically says, “Lord, you know all things. You have all the answers. Only You know.”

Then the LORD says, “Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.”

If the LORD told me to prophesy over some old, dead, dry bones, I think I would wonder why and probably ask something like, “Really, LORD? You want me to do WHAT???” but Ezekiel immediately obeyed without question or hesitation. That speaks of his great faith and devotion to his LORD.

What do the dry, dead bones represent? The rest of the chapter reveals that they depict those who have have been dwelling among the heathen, defiling themselves with idols, living in sin, cut off from living water and the breath of life.

Ezekiel relates what happened next. “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.” The bones grew back to their normal size and position, muscles and ligaments attached in their proper places and skin covered these once dead and dry bones, but there was no life in those bones.

So the LORD says to Ezekiel, “Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live.”

Again, Ezekiel demonstrates his total trust and commitment and carries out the word of the LORD to him without delay, complaint or comment. “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.”

The breath of life was breathed into those bones and they lived!!

The Lord then reveals His purpose to Ezekiel, saying “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.”

All those who are separated from God are lost and without hope, as a pile of dead, dry bones, but God has an answer. He has the remedy. He IS the Giver of Life. Even believers can become dry and choose not to walk in the fulness of life we have been given. We sometimes allow the world to creep in and block out the breath of life.

But God, the Giver of Life, has an answer. He says, “I shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.”

Just above, we were told that the breath of life was breathed into those bones and they lived. Now the LORD is saying, “I shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live.”  

His Spirit is the breath of life that makes dry bones live!!

Those who hear the word of the LORD through that message and respond in faith without hesitation or complaint as Ezekiel did are those who have received the breath of life by the Spirit of the LORD and who live, to enjoy the precious covenant God makes with His own. Listen to this:

“Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for evermore. My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

That promise was given to an Israelite prophet in regard to the people of Israel, but God makes this same covenant with all those who have received the breath of life by His Spirit.

“…To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27)

So, what have we learned on our walk with Ezekiel? Maybe we can best answer that by asking ourselves the following questions:

Are we a pile of dead dry bones? Have we been exposed to the world for so long that our choices and responses have cut us off from living water and the breath of life? Or, have we inhaled the breath of life, strengthened, renewed, living to serve the LORD as a mighty army for the King?

I'm sure you've heard the flippant response, "Stuff happens," many times. "Stuff" does happen. Such is the world in which we live.

Lots of “stuff” happened to Habakkuk. His very name means “to wrestle.” Habakkuk wrestled with many of the same questions we do today, wondering, “If God is so good, why does bad stuff happen?” The world says, "If your God was so good to you, your life wouldn't be so hard."

But my God IS good to me and all suffering (in my life and in yours) has a purpose. Contrary to the popular "feel good" messages thrown at us by some well known church leaders today, "stuff happens" to us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as well.  We were never promised an easy road through this life. Jesus suffered many things for us, so what makes us think we shouldn't suffer any hardship? In fact, the Bible says suffering is a necessary part of the Christian life. Philippians 1:29 says, "For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake..." (See also Rom 8:17, 1 Cor 10:13, 2 Cor 1:6).

God isn't sitting up there on His throne thinking, "Hmm.. what can I do to upset Ann-Louise today? What else can I throw in Ann-Louise's path to trip her up?" Whatever I go through in this life, whatever you go through, it all has a purpose and is designed and/or allowed by a loving God for a specific purpose – for me and for you.

We have quoted it many times and shared it with others many times, but have we fully appreciated and grasped the meaning of Romans 8:28?

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”

What does that verse mean, exactly? Does it mean God has promised to make things easy all the time? Does it mean we’ll have what WE think is good and best for us? Does it really mean that every cloud has a silver lining?

Working things together for good doesn’t necessarily mean making them better in our way of thinking. Sometimes, God uses our suffering itself for our good. For example, if we never suffered, how would we learn to trust? If we never had to wait for an answer how would we learn patience? If we never knew turmoil, how would we know peace? If we never suffered rejection, how would we know true love and acceptance?

Hebrews 4:15 tells us that Jesus has experienced the same things we have and felt the same things we have. He knew what it was to be lonely. He knew hardship and rejection. He knew pain and suffering. How did Jesus respond to difficulties? Did He become angry with God or depressed and feeling sorry for Himself? No, Jesus experienced all that we do, yet without sin. That means He never once wavered in His trust in the Father and never once felt sorry for Himself. Why? Because He knew God has a plan, a purpose and a promise. You and I know that God has a plan, a purpose and a promise. He has made many promises to us. He has promised to never leave us, to supply all our needs and to always love us. Check out some of the wonderful promises He has made to you in His Word.

In the midst of a trial, a loss or hardship, we can’t always see God’s purposes at work. We are so blindsided by what has happened to us, we don’t try to look up and over the obstacle to see God and what He is doing. Habakkuk couldn’t see God at work either. God gave Habakkuk a seemingly simple answer, yet one that has confounded generations ever since. God declares, “..but the just shall live by his faith.”  Even when we can’t see God at work on our behalf, we must respond as God requires – by faith.

At the end of Habakkuk, the prophet finally began to see there was a larger plan at work, brought about by a loving and righteous God who would make things right in His way and His time. He realized the life changing truth that, despite circumstances, faith causes us to rejoice and rejoicing builds our faith. It was then that he was able to declare from this heart filled with faith..

 
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom,
 neither shall fruit be in the vines;
the labour of the olive shall fail,
and the fields shall yield no meat;
the flock shall be cut off from the fold,
and there shall be no herd in the stalls: 

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”
(Hab. 3:17-18)


To paraphrase, we might say,

“Even if stuff happens,
Even if things get really bad,
Even if the bills are piling up,
Even if my health deteriorates,
Even if.. (you fill in the blank)..

Yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

 
“Stuff happens” and most of us are facing some difficulty in our lives. Let’s choose to go forward in faith, rejoice together and joy in the God of our salvation.

Remember: “Stuff happens,” but faith causes us to rejoice and rejoicing builds our faith.

Pondering…

1. Have you ever found yourself in an oppressive situation? How did you respond?

2. Have you ever had to take a stand for what was right? How did God respond?

3. What does God require of us, even in the most difficult trials?

4. Have you ever been in a situation where God brought you some timely and much needed comfort?

5. Think about your life and circumstances today. Is there an area in which you need to, like Daniel in v8, purpose in your heart not to defile yourself?

6. God has made many promises to us, His people.  Which do you treasure in times of difficulty?

Remember: God takes ordinary people, struggling with ordinary things, beyond the ordinary to do extraordinary things.

Verses 11-13. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

This deal Daniel makes with Melzar could easily be overlooked, but there is a lesson in here for us. He was careful with his words for a reason, but made a request. “Prove thy servants...” Think about what he was asking. Melzar probably thought it was a crazy idea. What? You want to eat what? And you think you’ll be healthier than the others by eating that stuff instead of all the bounty from the king’s table?

“Prove thy servants,” Daniel asks. Daniel was not asking Melzar to test him, but to test Daniel’s God. Think about it for a moment. 10 days is a short period of time to see results from any diet. Daniel, according to verse 3 was selected from “certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes.” Daniel was part of the royal family. He wasn’t used to eating a diet so unpalatable or meager, yet this is what he requests in order to keep himself pure. How did Daniel know this would work? How did he know that he and Melzar wouldn’t literally lose their heads? One word - FAITH. Daniel knew the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Daniel knew Him and His promises. Daniel knew that the God of Israel, who keeps covenant and mercy to a thousand generations, has promised to bless obedience. Daniel knew that his God would not forsake him.

Verses 14-16. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.

Daniel’s request was granted and his faith rewarded. Daniel knew the same faithful God that Paul would come to know centuries later, the One “who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Eph. 3:20)” God was faithful to Daniel and always will be so to us. We CAN trust him to fulfill His Word and to keep His promises to us.

Verses 17-21. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.

We see further reward for the obedience of Daniel and his friends. God gave them wisdom and understanding and they outshined all the rest. Not only were they smarter and more capable than the other Jewish boys taken into captivity, the king “found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.” Notice that these 4 boys were not born geniuses. The understanding they had was a direct result of their obedience. AFTER they had made this important stand for the Lord, “God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom.” God does indeed bless obedience.

Go to Points to Ponder from Daniel 1

      Verse 8. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Verse 8 is a challenge to each of us. Daniel was a teenager, faced with persecution and pressure like most of us have never seen. Yet, “Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself...” In the midst of the worst trial he had ever faced, this young man, far from home, far from the eyes of his parents and the eyes of the temple priest, chose to do what was right in God’s eyes. We are not told exactly how many young men were taken from Jerusalem, but we do know that only 4 took a stand – Daniel and his three friends. Can you imagine the peer pressure under those circumstances? The others in the group were likely trying to discourage Daniel.  “Come on, Daniel. Don’t make waves. It was good to keep Torah back home, but it doesn’t apply here. We’re not in Israel any more. Your family will never know. Don’t worry about it. Don’t make waves. Don’t be so uptight.” But Daniel determined to keep himself pure and obey the commandments of the Lord despite what others were doing, despite pressure, despite possible punishment from his captors.

Think about the choice Daniel made here. If offered a choice between a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings and a little bowl of mashed corn, what would you choose?  David knew that the food from the king’s table had been offered to idols. He knew that it would not honor his God, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, if he ate such food. He also knew that it might anger the king if he refused what was offered. The king could have killed him for it.

Verse 9. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.

Think about that statement for a moment. Here was Daniel, snatched away from his family, far from all the comforts of home, and probably lonely and homesick. Do you see what God did? God brought him comfort. Daniel was taken to Babylon around 605 B.C. Fast forward a few centuries to the time of the Apostle Paul who wrote, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation...” (2 Cor. 1:3-4). Both Daniel’s and Paul’s experiences seem so long ago and far away to us, but God has not changed. He is still the God of all comfort. He WILL comfort you in all your troubles, extending love and mercy to you and your situation.

Verse 10. The prince of the eunuchs liked Daniel and wanted to honor his request to keep himself undefiled with food from the king’s table, but was understandably afraid. When he said, “then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king,” it was no exaggeration. If Daniel and his friends had become ill, the king could very well have had this man beheaded for not insisting that his instructions be carried out. Regardless of the outcome, Nebuchadnezzar still may have been angered that his decree was not obeyed. So this man was in a very difficult situation. It is not recorded whether this man turned to the God of Israel or not, but, for us as believers, we need to be aware that there may come a time when we have to make such a choice. 

In America, we know little of persecution. Some of us have experienced negativity from coworkers or even family members because of the stand we have taken for the Lord in some way. But we have never faced real life threatening persecution as our brothers and sisters in places like China and India have. There is coming a day, and perhaps quite soon, when this will be a reality for American Christians who have become too comfortable in our cushioned pews. If it becomes illegal to pray in public, worship together and speak the truth, what will our response be? Will we defy the king to do what we know to be right? Will we obey the King of kings even if it means our life? Something to think about... Go to Part 3

          This study takes a look, verse by verse, at the first chapter of Daniel. Although the study was written using the KJV, please feel free to use your own preferred translation.

Daring to Stand
Daniel Chapter 1, Part 1

Daniel held many roles throughout his lifetime. He was a captive, a student, a leader, a politician, a statesman, a prisoner, a dreamer, and a prophet. Yet, in all these positions, whether of high or low status, he remained constant in his devotion to God. In the first chapter of Daniel, we get a glimpse of his faith, obedience and courage as a young boy faced with wickedness in high places. 

Verse 1. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

At the outset of the Book of Daniel, the situation was pretty grim. It would be easy to overlook the statement in the first verse that Jerusalem was besieged by Nebuchadnezzar, but God put it there for a reason. Think about Jerusalem for a moment. Jerusalem is the place from which David reigned. God said Jerusalem is the place where He dwells, and the place He has chosen to set His Name (Psalm 135:21, 1 Kings 11:36). Jerusalem was and is a holy city, set apart unto God and His people.  A heathen king descended upon the holy city and ‘besieged’ it. The word ‘besieged’ means to surround; to torment with requests; to cause worry and distress. Think how it might feel to have your city surrounded by an enemy. At any moment, they could sweep in and destroy your home, your family and you. Oppression is the word that comes to mind. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we have all experienced oppressive circumstances. Sometimes, that oppression is an attack from the enemy. Other times, it is caused by our own response and lack of faith in the midst of the difficulty.

Verse 2. And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

Not only did this heathen king profane the holy city, he went on to desecrate the temple. He seized objects sanctified for the Lord’s use and carried them off to the treasure house of his pagan god. Imagine the feeling in Israel as this became known. Anger and grief were probably running very high. The priests may have torn their robes as they watched heathens ransack the temple. When holy things are profaned, such as the Name of the Lord, how do you respond?

Verses 3-4. And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

As if trashing the temple and oppressing God's people weren’t enough insult and torment, this wicked king then kidnapped their children. Notice he didn’t take men of learning. He chose the best and the brightest youngsters to use for his own wicked schemes. (Most scholars think they were probably teenagers.) Not only was it Nebuchadnezzar’s intent to train them in sciences and languages, but he also wanted them to serve his pagan gods.

Verses 5-7.  And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

The king changed their names as a reminder that not only did he wish them to serve him, but also his gods. Their Hebrew names were a reminder of the LORD God of Israel. Daniel means ‘God is Judge.’ Hananiah means 'God is gracious' and Mishael means 'Who is like God?’ Their new names were a constant reminder of the pagan deities served by their new masters. Think about how often each day you hear, read, write or speak your own name. The name of some heathen god was invoked over these young men many, many times a day, every day. (We should be careful what names we choose for our children.)

These young men were taught the all the ‘wisdom’ of Babylon for a period of three years. They had been torn from their homes, torn from their families and torn from the study of the scriptures and from worship of the God of Israel. Some may have given in to the pressure and turned to Babylon’s gods, but four did not... Go to Part 2