Victory to Jesus.

I wonder how the early church looked at 'conversion'? Would they have seen person's coming to know the Lord as another tally mark on the chalkboard, a personal or corporate achievement or 'victory'?
When I think back to Peter's confession of Christ in the bible (Matthew 16) it seems that Jesus is absolutely delighted with Peter's declaration and revelation from the Father in heaven.
Could it be that this 'victory' is actually found within the context of a relationship with God and that a relationship with God is found in the victory of Christ's expiation or atonement of our muck ups?
The fact of the matter is this. We wold not be in a relationship with the Father/Spirit if it were not for Jesus' sacrifice. Yet we know that this is not a stagnant victory in our lives, but one of action and change. Dare I say, one of victory? The truth is we all look at our lives and see how we miss the ideal/best. But there is good news! Within relationship with the Spirit we can become more like the person we want to be. Personally, I have found that more often than not the person I want to be looks a heck of a lot like Jesus.
You know, maybe Jesus does rejoice at the liberation and victory in our lives. However, I believe that this rejoicing & pleasure is completely rooted in His delight in the Father's best. He knows that every time we, even slightly, incline our hearts towards the ways of God, we are becoming more like what we were originally created to be, not out of any egotistical self-achievement.
This slant on what may be called 'victory for God' can only be viewed from within an organic, living & submissive relationship with the Spirit of God (that is literal, God's Spirit!). Then, what was once seen as a revival of death to eternal life becomes the beginning of change and transformation, something that no man or woman is able to boast in. When we submit our lives to God we are essentially saying "God, I need help to be better, will you make me better. Make me more like you" Even this transition into a more 'godly', 'kingdom' or moral way of living is the outworking of His gracious Spirit in our lives in conjunction with our free will to choose Him. It is His work in our lives. In fact, one hip-hop artist, Precise, calls it 'His Story, my shoes.'
The truth is the gospel stands on it's own two feet & we, being changed and given betterness (holiness) by Jesus, respond with our lives. We essentially change our ways out of adoration and thanks for the crucified Christ. Man, has no place to take credit for any part in bringing others to know 'the man who saves the world' i.e. Jesus, because without Jesus we would not have a message to share.
We of course play some role, placing our free will into the cause of sharing Jesus and becoming more like Him. However my motive is not to highlight myself, but to exaggerate the powerful message of salvation & transformation through Jesus.
Just as our response to the message of redemption and eternal love was WORSHIP (submission, adoration & devotion) in our initial commitment to the Lord, so should it be in our constant transformation and when we have the privilege of partnering in another person's salvation.

Our response in this time of victory should be one of WORSHIP, ADORATION, RE-COMMITTING, PRAISE, LOVE, HOPE AND HUMILITY.

A Touch From Within.

Well... me.
I am doing pretty good to be honest.
I am wanting more intimacy with the Father, more and more, which is awesome because I have been praying for a genuine desire for Him (Thank you Holy Spirit for you working in me). However, I need more persistence in order to actually press in and hear the voice of the Father and then courage to heed His voice. Just want to feel His decisive & intimate direction on things really.
All this communication with others is amazing (friends from YWAM around the world & friends here too) But there is nothing like a friend that meets your needs from within. I want to cultivate this prayerful atmosphere somehow. First I need to live it, in order to draw others into it.
Sacrifice...

Perhaps this it?

Justly treating the unjust oppressor.

You know that there is a really cool thing about God's anger at injustice and that is that it comes out of His heart for the one hurt. Only when we get a glimpse of God's heart for injustice/justice we quite often try to FIGHT on behalf of the afflicted, setting out to afflict the oppressor (whether intentionally or unintentionally). In doing so, we become partial & biased. We are hypocrites eh? It is a good thing that God is impartial. You and I have a similar journey to walk at the moment. I am trying to suss out what God has lined up for me, when my heart is fascinated and angered by injustice. However, in order to act in a righteous manner I need God's loving & compassionate heart for Justice.
Help us Spirit of Jesus... Please.

Slumdog Missionary

A man becomes a missionary to the "Slumdog's".