God is teaching me a lot these days, and I felt the Spirit moving me to share it. I feel as though we overspiritualize things sometimes and forget the truths we know. We sing "Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever." We think our victory is future rather than know what it means to live in it in the present.
Many of us have read Ephesians 1 and used it to separate us Christians as far as theology goes. I'd like to explore another possibility. I believe Paul's context and God's intention was to give us a gratefulness of our salvation covering our past, a hope for the future, and an enjoyment of the present. We talk a lot about suffering as though we should be exempt as Christians, but it creates more of a dependence on God. This equals a good thing obviously. I think we think comfort and blessings are the signs of God's love but ignore that suffering, trials, and difficulties are as well.
If God sent His Son to save us from sin and eternal death, which we deserve, then He moves us to worship, glorify, and bring others to Him. That is our purpose and only purpose. Did we forget that our fulfillment comes from Him as well? Did we forget to allow ourselves to be happy in our salvation and our Lord? This means living in victory. Some would twist this to mean an entitlement to blessings, happiness, and no trouble whatsoever. Christ died so that we may live in victory...are we living with as much victory as He died to give us? Are we thankful for every moment and using it for Him? I know I don't always do this, and it's so easy to lose sight of why we are here. But we must allow ourselves to enjoy our life that is rooted in Christ. This isn't out of selfish comfort and desires of our heart but of a renewed mind and new heart. We have been given God himself as a replacement for sins and as a guide in our hearts. We already know the outcome of this world...so why don't we live like we do? The reason is the darkness we face in this world.
I find a lot of hope and encouragement, which I know I desperately need in wise counsel. That wise counsel today was my mother and Joyce Meyer. I thank my Mom for living in victory in spite of difficult circumstances, not letting those circumstances become the focus of her life but allow herself to enjoy it in Christ and the life she has in Him. I think the world of my parents and thank them for always being a light and hopeful even when things were hard. My dad is a wonderful example of this as well as he has lead the family and youth through the years no matter how hard his life got.
I will finish with some words I got from Joyce Meyer, "A renewed mind is stronger than false feelings. You'll never have victory in your life until what you KNOW overrides how you FEEL. Don't sit around empty-headed. You're a sitting duck for an attack from Satan. The more Scripture and positive thoughts, the less you dwell on the bad ones." This is practical advice to me to overcome what so easily entangles us as women...our emotions. They are God-given for good, but Satan can use them for evil.
If you are not a Christian and reading this blog, please know there is grace for your past, hope for your future, and victory for today if you will surrender your life to God, allow Him to be the boss of your life, and turn from your selfish ways. The more holy we view God and get a realistic glimpse of Him and His character, we immediately realize we deserve nothing but death and despair. Praise be to God for His love, compassion, and providence over everything that happens to us!
My best friend, Elizabeth, got married right around my birthday...the same day as the Royal Wedding to be exact! It wa
s a great time with friends. 
