Alive at 5: Victory in Retrospect, Volume 2

Special Thanks

As you might imagine, writing any book of substance requires persistent and deliberate effort. It is very easy to get sidetracked. The goal I set for myself for writing these two volumes simultaneously was almost ridiculous. The blessing is that the Lord was able to accomplish it through me, in spite of the truly incredible odds.

I am constrained to first thank the Lord. He has been wonderful to me. Everything I have ever written concerning Him was done only by His grace. He has been patient with me as I tried desperately to hear His voice, while struggling with my humanness, at the same time. I am certain that I have not always followed His will perfectly, which is why I praise Him. He could have chosen to foreclose on my breath, but He didn’t. He could have allowed the enemy to take complete advantage of me, but He didn’t. He could have arrested my progress as I pressed forward writing these books, but He didn’t. For this and much more, I am eternally grateful. Above all, I praise Him for giving me the gift of salvation, free of charge. Jesus paid it all!

There are many people that have been a blessing to me as I wrote these volumes. I kept a faithful record of the names, but it is possible that I omitted some. If you know that you prayed for me, or otherwise supported me, and I neglected to mention you by name, please choose to think the best and not the worst. I did not intend to forget you. The Lord in heaven has the faithful record and your contribution to the blessing of perhaps millions of souls through this work, will not go unrewarded.

My wife Simone is the best woman I could possibly have married. She has been loving, kind, and supportive. Although it was not an easy process, she gave me the freedom to rearrange the daily schedule of our family worship and quiet times to accommodate my writing schedule. She never complained about the times that I spent eight or more hours sometimes in my office working to get this project completed. I could say more, but let me simply say this; I love you Simone!

My mom has been more supportive of all of my ministries than any person can imagine. I am certain, based on the ways she expresses herself, even nonverbally, that I do not even know the half. She has been the most responsible, practically speaking, for me becoming a published writer/author. Her ministry of prayer and love has been a blessing. For this, I am thankful.

My sister Lisa has been a great, upbeat friend. She has encouraged me in the way of getting the word out about the Lord and these volumes. I know that I could not possibly afford a better morale booster, publicist, cheerleader, or marketing person than her. She’s the best!

My brother-in-law, Nigel has been the absolute most influential person when it comes to my writing. Nobody has been more steadfast and determined to see me use this special gift. He has counseled me for years to stop chasing all of the other ideas I have had to produce a better lifestyle for myself, and now my family. Gently and patiently, he has stayed in my corner, just waiting for the day that I would finally see what he saw for many years. When I finally realized that I must begin writing books, he was the first person I called. Accordingly, I dedicate this book first to Christ, but secondly, to Nigel S. Quailey. Thanks for not giving up on me like so many others have. Thank you for being the most consistent male in my life besides my late uncle, Chester G. Sparks. I love you bro.

Here is a list of the others that have been a great blessing to me: Ron and Deria Gadsden, Anthony and Lisa Reeves, Rosalie Van Putten Daryl and Nevea Davis, Harold and Debbie Sanford, Randy Preston, Jermaine and LaJoya Assent, Ed and JoAnn Crosby, Carolyn Harraway, Al and Jeanette Joyner, Gary Nelson and Loretta LaMar-Nelson, Sylvia Williams, Harry Walker, Pam Smith, Terry-Ann Walters, Dieter and Tia Montgomery, Ralph and Delores Rhyne, Bro. and Sis. Steele, James and Judy Lovick, Margo Haskins, Frank and Michell Baker, Bro. and Sis. Belmo, Kieth and Jennifer Bramble, Carol Wright, Wesley Sadler, Carlsen Griffith, Eric and Judith Desarme, Noralyn Wilson, Aeisha Thomas, Karen Hart, Jewell Elliott, Chris Sealey, Jimmy and Maribel Sanders, and Forest Hayes. May the Lord bless you all!

Preface

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most influential story ever told. It is an eternal, panoramic movie projected on a universe-sized monitor for all generations to see. God loved us so much that He could not stand the prospect of living without us. Since sin drove a seemingly impregnable wall between us and God, He had to implement His plan of salvation.

Jesus was the gift God chose to give us in order to release us from the bondage of sin that would certainly end in eternal separation from God. He could not endure the prospect of losing His prized creation to the cold hands of eternal ruin. Jesus assumed human flesh and lived in absolute submission to the will of His Father. He brought to view, in living color, the many facets of redemption. In order to begin understanding God’s love for us, we need to look no further than to Jesus Christ. His perfect life, sacrifice, resurrection, and heavenly ministry have transformed the impossibility of our survival into an oasis of prosperity. He has transformed the dismal prospect of damnation into a utopia of relationship with the Creator of the universe.

Alive at 5 – Victory in Retrospect - Volume 2 is an eclectic compilation of New Testament daily devotional entries covering six months that highlight many facets of God’s grace. Within its pages, one may find entries varying in length, focused on the great news of Jesus Christ.

The inspiration behind the title is based on our need to live victorious lives. In the United States, the traditional working day is eight hours, beginning at nine in the morning and ending by five in the evening. Most people with jobs work many more that eight hours per day, but people understand what is meant by the phrase, nine to five. Also, in the American culture, many television news programs are aired at five in the evening. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the latest breaking news for your life everyday was how you lived triumphantly over self, sin, and the devil? Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the telecast highlighted the method you used daily to enjoy this success?

This devotional is intended to be used as a catalyst for victorious living; one day at a time. It is not a how-to-book per se. It does not have a certain set formula for people to follow, but there is an underlying spiritual principle subtly inferred. When we begin our days with deep spiritual emphasis, meditation, and prayer, we are planted on a firm foundation to meet the struggles that we will invariably face. When the day ends, we should be able to reflect on our experiences and know that our victory was jumpstarted by an early morning encounter with God, which ignited a zeal to live like Jesus all day long.

You will find the subject matter in many cases quite filling, yet digestible. It is a blessing to have devotional readings that inspire diligent Bible study. Written on the pages of this book, you will find truths gently incorporated into a readable format, with astounding last-day implications. The intent of this devotional is to give a slightly meatier focus on Christ and the Bible, but not to be a quick substitute for individual study. This point must be clear. The Lord often blesses us with good spiritual aids that we sometimes use to replace personal quiet time with Him, and our own reasoning abilities become weakened. Our experience is limited by that of another. Please use this devotional resource as a catalyst for change, evangelistic tool, springboard for spiritual growth, inspiration to find Jesus, but never as a shortcut, quick fix, or replacement for intimate encounters with God. The Lord has revealed too much in His word for us to settle for few hundred word thoughts from someone else’s point of view.

I pray that you will find peace, joy, and better understanding of God by reading this devotional. I pray that God’s prosperity, love, and eternal rewards will begin to overtake you. I pray most of all, that reading this book will lead you to a refreshing, effervescent, and contagious relationship with God. It is by presently and continually experiencing God for ourselves that we can be His witnesses and make disciple makers for Christ. How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:15b.

Let the reading begin…

God is still with us

Matthew 1:23

Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

It is a comforting thought to consider that while the world seems to be completely out of control, and trouble is increasing everywhere we look, that God is still with us. The comfort for those who do not know Him is that this idea suggests that they still have a chance to meet Him. He is still in the business of revealing Himself through His people so that unbelievers may believe through their words (John 17:20). It is encouraging to believers, because it lets us know that God has not forgotten us although the second coming is delayed.

The God of the Old Testament revealed Himself to His people as the One who was with them. In Genesis, part of the reason Eve sinned against the Lord was because the devil was successful at blurring her vision of that aspect of God, and focused her attention on the God who was powerful and way up in heaven. Had she stayed focused on the characteristic of God that loves to dwell with His people as redeemer and friend, she would have remained faithful.

Until this day, the devil wants us to think of God as some distant tyrant who is uninterested in our earthly affairs except to punish us when we make mistakes. The gospel story assures us that the same God, who told Moses to have a tabernacle built that He may dwell among them, is the God who sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Jesus, the One who is equal to God, surrendered His life in order to give us the chance of a lifetime. His purpose was to give us the gift of salvation, and through those who believe, continue giving the gift.

Let your meditation today be on the Lord who desires to be close to you, and tenderly reveal more of Himself so you may have life more abundantly. Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10.

Plunged Deep

Matthew 3:16, 17

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

It was no ordinary day. Although the birds sang much the same as they usually did, and the sun shone upon the earth as it always had, something was different. The voice of John Baptist was heard with tones of urgency, as always, and people came to be baptized of him in the Jordan. The scene would change and all who witnessed it would be changed forever.

As many came to the Jordan to be baptized with the baptism or repentance, lives were renewed in hope. They dedicated themselves to God in love and service. What a joy it must have been to be baptized by the same John that had the Holy Ghost in the womb. Malachi prophesied about the ministry John the Baptist as the one who would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children toward the fathers.

The time had come. The providence of God would be witnessed by all present. As John continued baptizing, he was struck by a vision of beauty. It was not a prophetic vision. He looked up and in the distance caught a glimpse of Jesus, the Righteous One. John said, Look! The Lamb of God is coming! He is the One whose sandals I am not worthy to unlatch. He is the One who came after me, but existed before me. He will take away the sins of the world. I can almost feel the great joy and reverence that actuated John at that moment as Jesus approached Him. Then it happened. Jesus asked John to baptize Him in order to fulfill all righteousness. But John forbade him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Matthew 3:14-17. Jesus was plunged beneath the surface of the water signifying the death to sin that every human must suffer in order to be saved. He came forth from the water accepted publicly, and signified by the pronouncement from heaven, and the descent of the Holy Ghost anointing Him to do a special work on the earth. This signified for us the victory over sin that we would experience as we receive the power of Jesus’ resurrection. He would raise us up to live holy lives of service, after we first died to self. It is our privilege to be plunged deep into the rejuvenating waters of God’s grace to be renewed by the power of His quickening Spirit. Thank God for the opportunity.

Aspirations

Matthew 3:17

And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

John the Baptist was baptizing in the Jordan River as he did so many times. Crowds of people gathered to witness others giving their lives to God. Jesus came to John, and expected to be baptized by him. Sensing the awesomeness of the Messiah, John shrank, and could not imagine it. He believed that Jesus should have baptized him. Jesus said to him, let it be so, in order for all righteousness to be fulfilled, and John complied.

The sign that John anticipated in order to validate Jesus’ identity and ministry was clearly seen. And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:16,17. John heard the voice of God from heaven, he saw the Holy Spirit descend upon Jesus like a dove, and there was no question in his mind who he had just baptized.

The incredible aspect of this experience that many overlook is, the announcement from heaven. God the Father proclaimed for all to hear, that Jesus pleased Him. This was no small matter. Many aspire, in these days, to please, mommy, daddy, teachers, and themselves. Are there as many seeking to please God? He is the One who sustains life. He is the One who protects and provides for us. God is the One to whom we owe an immeasurable debt of gratitude. In all of our aspirations, we should seek to please God.

How can we please God? But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6. When we allow the Lord to increase our faith to the point that we live in a saving relationship with Him, we please Him. With this perspective in mind, we can accomplish all that we attempt. When we seek degrees of higher learning, it should be done by faith. When we aspire to higher positions on our jobs, it should be done by faith. When we seek to be better spouses, it should be done by faith. When we minister to others, it should be done by faith. All that the Lord puts in our hands to do should be done by faith.

Whatever we do, we must hold on firmly to God, and with the faith He has given us, we please Him. Let our highest, most passionate aspiration be, pleasing God by faith.

Presumption

Matthew 4:5, 6

Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Jesus’ face-to-face encounter with His archenemy continues. At the point when Jesus is weak, hungry, and pressed in on every side by the weight of His mission, the devil tempts Him further. As a relentless predator, he stalks his prey. With supernatural powers, Satan takes Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and begins with a statement of doubt. With the same method he used to tempt Eve, he continues his barrage with Christ. If thou be, he says, the Son of God, then prove it by jumping from this temple. After all God did promise that He would give His angels charge over you, right?

Invariably, and in every age, the tempter tries to entice people to take God’s protection for granted. He tries to entice people who claim to love the Lord to take unnecessary risks. He tries to entice people to go clubs, bars, unacceptable movies, and other places, declaring that they are God’s children; therefore, the enemy’s influence will have no effect. He wants God’s people, especially, to spend all hours of the night with people of the opposite gender to whom we are not married in the name of doing positive things, knowing that eventually, inhibitions will drift into oblivion and temptation will run its course. He passes all of this off as a way to prove that we are indeed God’s children.

Jesus had a clear and pointed response for the tempter. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Matthew 4:7. In this response, Jesus taught us that presumption is a dangerous thing. We can only expect the Lord’s protection, whether temporal or eternal, as we cooperate with Him according to His will. When we deliberately go against His revealed will, how can we expect that He will keep His promises? He is under no obligation in that case, because we do not meet the conditions. It is true that the Lord extends His grace to us when we deliberately put ourselves into precarious situations, but this should not be taken for granted. It is better to follow the Lord wherever He leads, than to run out ahead of Him and hope that He catches up when we get in trouble.

Now You’ve Gone too Far

Matthew 4:8, 9

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

Cunningly, and relentlessly, the devil continued to attack the Savior of the world. He was certain that forty days of fasting would so weaken Jesus as to make Him prone to sin. The devil thought that the Savior’s spiritual immune system was weak enough to make Him catch the virus of sin. Such was not the case. When the enemy tried to get Jesus to doubt His own origin, he failed. When the devil tried to get Jesus to doubt His Father’s word, he failed. When the devil tried to get Jesus to exercise supernatural powers to indulge appetite, he failed. When the devil tried to get Jesus to presume upon the protection of the Father, he failed. Satan failed miserably at every attempt to cause Jesus to lose focus and sin. Through this struggle, Jesus, though physically weak, had a firm hold upon His Father.

This was the devil’s last chance. He pressed in upon the Son of God one more time in a desperate attempt to gain the victory over Him. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. I can almost feel the indignation well up within Jesus’ bosom. Just who does Satan think he is? It was bad enough that He approached the holiness of Jesus. Now he shows what his real intention was from the beginning. He wanted the worship that only God was worthy of. As it was when he lived in the heavenly courts, Satan wanted to be like the Most High (Isaiah 14:14).

The Godness of Christ recoiled as the proud devil blasphemed. His holiness was repulsed by the overt disregard for Jesus’ position. Satan had to go. Jesus would tolerate his shenanigans no longer. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him. Matthew 4:10, 11. The devil had no choice but to leave. As he learned when he had his first encounter with the power and authority of Christ in heaven, there was no place found for him in His presence (Revelation 12:8).

Jesus came victoriously through the fiercest of temptations on our behalf. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15.

He who defeated the devil in the wilderness of temptation is available today to give us the same victory. As we grow in relationship with Him, the more like Him we become. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7.

Appetite

Matthew 4:9

And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.

John had just baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. The sign that validated His ministry was seen and heard by those who could discern them. The voice of God rang from heaven saying, that Jesus was His Son who pleased Him well. The Holy Spirit descended upon Christ in the form of a dove, perhaps signifying the peace that Jesus would make between God and humankind. By being baptized as our example, Jesus truly fulfilled all righteousness. He embarked upon His ministry in the full power of the Holy Spirit.

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. Matthew 4:1, 2. As soon as Jesus had become physically weakened from the lack of food, the devil appeared to Him to tempt and destroy. There is no doubt that Satan thought he could overcome Jesus because Jesus was clothed in humanity, but there is one thing he had not bargained for. He did not understand the vital connection that Jesus had with the Father. Jesus would not be overthrown by Satan’s appeals.

The first temptation was geared to Jesus’ immediate need, food. Jesus was obviously hungry and the devil tried to exploit the fact. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. Matthew 4:3. Immediately, Satan tried to cause Jesus to either doubt His own identity or prove it by a method that no regular human could. He also wanted Jesus to indulge appetite as most have in the past, including Adam and Eve. Jesus was determined to be victorious in the same area of appetite, failed by the first two humans. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4.

In this victory, the Lord wanted to show us that it is not only possible, but necessary to exercise self-control. When the Lord is in control of our lives, we will posses the fruit of the Spirit called temperance. Jesus also wanted us to understand that while temporal food is necessary for sustenance and nutrition, God’s word is necessary for everlasting life. Had Jesus chosen to perform a miracle to satiate His own hunger, we would be led to believe that the physical life takes precedence over our spiritual lives. This is not the case. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12.

Many lessons can be learned from Jesus’ victory over appetite, but one thing stands out. It is more important to follow every word of God as He gives us strength, than to indulge the flesh. I thank God that Jesus did not fail, because it lets