The Winning Heart: 7 Heart Expressions to Become a Winner on the Field and in LifeSmakprov

Heart Expression Seven: Victory

When a team wins a championship, they celebrate with award ceremonies, parades, and other festivities and reap the reward for all their hard work and sacrifice. Yet, the fans express the most joy during the celebrations. These fans watched and possibly attended the games but physically didn’t contribute to the team. Still, they share as much in the celebration as the players. These fans chose to share in the team’s victory. In our personal life, Jesus has won the victory over sin, and He invites you to join Him in His victory.

When God establishes a “Winning Heart” in us through His son Jesus, the final step is to CHOOSE Jesus’ victory in our lives every day. We must recognize Jesus is the source and power for the victories we want in our lives. At the end of Mark’s Gospel, we see the story of the first people to discover that Jesus rose from the dead. Some women who knew Jesus go to the tomb of Jesus to anoint and care for His body, but upon arrival, they discover that the tomb is empty and Jesus’ body is missing. Then, an angel appeared in the tomb, telling them that they could rejoice because Jesus is ALIVE! Mark ends the story with the disciples leaving the tomb, processing what they experienced and how to tell the news to others.

Jesus rose from the dead and IS alive. Jesus defeated death, addiction, war, violence, suffering, pain, loneliness, fear, and all the other sins in this world. Now, it is up to you to decide what you are going to do with this incredible news. When we choose to have faith in Jesus, we also choose to accept his victory. This unites us with Him and His triumph.

Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 15:56-57 “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

When we choose Jesus’ victory for our life, an exchange happens; God takes ALL our sin that brings death and replaces it with eternal life with Him. Jesus paid the price for us to have victory, and all we have to do is choose it. Revelation 21:7-8 says that those who choose to accept Jesus’ victory will inherit eternal life; we live with God free of pain and suffering, living life to its fullest. Yet those who reject Jesus’ victory in their life will live separate from God and experience a second death in a fiery lake of burning sulfur. God gives us the choice, and don’t let today end until you have chosen Jesus’ victory.

Today, CHOOSE to have victory and live with a Winning Heart. As we conclude our study on the heart, we invite you to choose a path of victory today from one of the next steps below. I urge you to take a moment each day and choose one of these steps, living into victory every day. When you choose any of these, you choose to live in Jesus’ victory. After you choose to live in victory, be like the disciples and share this victory with others in your life.

If you are not a follower of Jesus, turn to God, ask for forgiveness of your sins, and accept Jesus as the savior of your life.

If you are a follower of Jesus but have been distant from God, rededicate your life to Jesus and turn back to him.

If you feel stuck in sin, ask God for forgiveness and break the sin struggle or addiction in your life. Connect with a local church and surround yourself with other Christians who can keep you accountable.

If you are hurting from your past, surrender the hurt and pain to God and receive God’s healing over the past wound or hurt. Choose to be a part of Soul Care, a class designed to help you experience God’s healing power in your soul.

If you want to grow closer to God, be in God’s presence through silent prayer and allow Him to love you.

Visit www.discoverypathway.com for practical steps to connect with God every day.