The Mindset of Victory 

       Is there a mindset of victory? For the scholar I’ve been told there is. The “hell bent for election” politician is a classic example of determination to win. For the soldier, I’ve been told by combat survivors, “we will eat the bugs & rats & snakes, just let us continue to fight.” Look at our national football teams & their “do or die” determination on the gridiron. It appears that many arenas of life have a mindset of victory. What about in one’s faith arena? Specifically, Biblical faith. This essay looks at elements of Victory - for living & dying well, but let’s put the “other side of the coin” first.
      Elements of defeat – Probably atheism is high on the defeat list. Darwin & his Atheist’s bible “On the Origin of Species” has had a profound impact on the human mind. Biblical creation by God is undermined AND humorous when compared to the theories (accepted as fact) of Darwin. From the theories of evolution, we logically dismiss faith which God requires to reach out to Him and be saved/blessed.  Then, of course the scriptures fall from glory to the level of man’s inventions. Then living in any kind of victory is only possible as long as we have human power & youth, and eternal hope is not much of an option. To die is just simply to be done or gone – nothing more. All that commotion from religious folks & the church appears to be a fantasy. Let’s just “eat, drink, & be merry for tomorrow we die.” Isaiah 22:13 Too many of these folks have the common attitude, “who cares, it doesn’t matter, when you are dead, you are just dead.” (See link #79 “Rude Surprises”.) Other less subtle elements of defeat “are plain – immorality, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, selfishness, . . . drunkenness, carousing, and the like.” Galatians 5:19 What a load of negative mindset & defeat.
       Elements of Victory – If we are created by God & have a life beyond earth, the faith dimension should be VERY valuable. And there should be some kind of “instruction manual” to explain common questions & issues of faith & life - if God invented life & has integrity Himself. Enter the scriptures or Word of God (very old stuff here). Whereas the atheists above have created a sophisticated machine & philosophy to bury the Word, the Christian believer holds the Word in high regard. “Forever, O Lord, thy Word is firmly fixed in the heavens. I rejoice at thy Word like one who finds great spoil.” Psalm 119:89, 162 KJV  And I personally find it amazing that J.C. is mysteriously related to It in His Person. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1 (I believe undermining & rejecting the scriptures has to be a fundamental sin on the level of Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.)   A huge element of Victory is tapping into God’s power according to scripture teaching. Too many people of faith try to “make the grade” on their own power & wits but often stagnate. Another element of V. is the presence. (See link #73 “Divine Presence”) Another excellent element is optimism.  Philippians 4:8 sums that up real clearly. 
      Finally, I would say the “Mindset of Victory” should be more valuable to the Christian than to any other people group, if we live on, beyond the grave – which is a clear teaching of the Book. Below are a few scriptures "mentions" of the Victory – and they define it better than I have.
  • Isaiah 40:31 KJV “they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint.”
  • Habakkuk 3:19 KJV “The Lord God is my strength, . . . and he will make me to walk upon mine high places.” (The best version of YOU – the Word does teach health, healing, and general wellness.)   
  • Acts 20:32 “now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”
  • Philippians 4:13 KJV “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
  • 2 Timothy 1:7 KJV “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
The above scripture refs. amount to “the Mindset of Victory”. And I use scripture because I don’t know of a better source of information. If it’s true like God claims, then nothing else comes close. I would say to anyone who desires to win, or live in the victory, Choose Jesus and His Word. They are Alive. And be blessed in the Victory.  See also "Comfort From Above", link 136.

Other interesting Titles: www.gospelnotes.org                                                                         * * F. J. Stone * * 
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