Sunday, April 7.2002 "Devotions"

"THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR VICTORY"
I Cor. 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

There is no substitute for victory. You cannot have a half of victory, or you cannot share your victory with others, You must have the full victory over sin your self, or you will not or cannot share it with others. and when you share it with others your are not giving them any part of the victory you have in Christ Jesus. Born Again, you must be all the way or not at all. You did not come into this world half born, and you will not go to Heaven Half born again. you are either born again or you are not born again.
For the next few weeks we are going to talk about being born again and knowing it. There are a lot of question on peoples minds about being born again, and a lot of DOUBT in the minds of Christians who say they are born again.
Listen with your heart as we try to answer some of the questions that pelage our Christian community. The Bible says you can be born again and you can know beyond any shadow of doubt that you are going to Heaven when you die.
Of all the battles, trials, tribulations, dark valleys, winding tunnels and long days of wishing and hoping: Nothing seems so discouragingly helpless and hopeless as when all the amalgamated forces of Hell come crushing in upon us, saying we are not saved.
It is like a horrible nightmare. Your heart is bursting just to know that beyond a shadow of doubt you are saved..... That the Lord Jesus Christ has redeemed you...... That your name is written in the Lamb's book of Life.
When you go to church you see others so happy, relaxed, and resting in that blessed assurance of being saved. And you long for that blessed assurance in your own life, (You don't know all their Hearts). You cry to your self "I would give anything just to know that I am saved.
Day and night on the job, at home, on the road, wherever you are, there is that unrelenting longing and desire, "Oh if I just knew that Jesus has saved me" I believe I would shout forever if I just knew he had saved me. ... I have prayed, fasted, and done everything I know to do, and still I fight with horrible doubts. If only the questions of Salvation could be answered.
1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Please someone help me. I have prayed confessed my sins, received Christ as my Saviour, and with all my heart I want to serve Him. BUT, this constant nagging of not knowing for sure, keeps me defeated and discouraged. Is there a scriptural answer for me.
In order to help you know from God's word that you are saved, let me ask a few questions, and try to answer them for you from the scripture, to help you know that you are eternally saved. Yes, Gloriously saved. Read and study the following questions. I believe you will find the answers to your questions in these next few weeks of study.
Question #1: This one has to be almost the first and foremost in your mind, as it is in the minds of others.
EVERY SERMON I HEAR MAKES ME FEEL LOST AGAIN. WHY IS THIS???

I believe every child of God has this felling or experience when he hears true sincere preaching; It is because his heart is tender towards God. and the fear of not being saved, or of his grieving God frightens him to the extent he has these feelings. It has nothing to do with your being saved. In fact it is good evidence that you are saved. and that you do belong to the Lord at least the Spirit of God is talking to you. Because of your earnest desire to serve Him, to love him, and not in any way to grieve Him. I Peter 4:12, "Behold, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as thought some strange thing happened to you." Ephesians 6:16" Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked"
These feelings that make you feel lost, when you hear the man of God preach the Word of God, are nothing more than the fiery darts of the wicked one seeking to take your joy and assurance from you. Just think, before you asked the Lord to save you, did you have these feeling then, You knew you were lost and so did Satan, and he never bothered you, Now that you are saved, he is out steal your joy and upset the wonderful new life you have in Christ Jesus. Remember dearly beloved, the verse in 1Co 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
Remember the next time this happens to you and thank God you are saved or these feeling would not be happening to you.
The Potter's Clay
Jim Haga