"Those Who Know, Celebrate!" by Nancy Dufresne
Colossians 2:15 tells us, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it (the Cross).”
Second Corinthians 2:14 reads, “Now thanks be unto God, which ALWAYS causeth us to TRIUMPH in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”
I especially appreciate the Conybeare translation of this verse: “But thanks be to God who leads me on from place to place in the train of His triumph, to CELEBRATE His victory over the enemies of Christ.” (These enemies are demons – not people.)
In the face of our defeated foe, we aren’t to fear and tremble – we are to CELEBRATE!
In the face of opposing circumstances, we are to celebrate the victory Jesus already won for us! Those who know...celebrate!
An emphasis of the New Testament is that we would “know and see” who we are, what we have, and what we can do because we are in Christ – rather than trying to get God to do something for us. Those who “know and see” the most...celebrate the most!
When our minds are renewed to these great truths, we celebrate!
Rejoicing, praising, and singing are all expressions of joyous celebration. And through these, we are to release our faith. Our faith must be attached to these expressions of celebration.
One minister stated, “When I need finances, I go into my office and start dancing – and the money always comes.” He didn’t say that he would go into his office and start making prayer requests. There is a time for that, but when you know what the Word says, knowing that God has already made all things yours, you realize that all that is left to do is to rejoice and thank Him for it.
As a young man, Dr. Lester Sumrall asked Smith Wigglesworth, “How do you get up in the morning?”
Wigglesworth replied, “I jump out of bed and dance for 10 minutes!” Why did he do that? He was choosing his flow – he was CELEBRATING! We must choose to celebrate because we may not always feel like it!
Because Jesus has already defeated and stripped the enemy, victory is already ours, even before any opposition shows up.
Fear, depression, grief, and worry are all indicators that you have a further privilege of greater renewing of the mind to the truth that God always causes us to triumph because we are in Christ.
Philippians 1:28 instructs us, “And do not [for a moment] be frightened or intimidated in anything by your opponents and adversaries, for such [constancy and fearlessness] will be a clear sign (proof and seal) to them of [their impending] destruction, but [a sure token and evidence] of your deliverance and salvation, and that from God” (AMPC).
When we are opposed, to be fearful or intimidated is always the wrong response. Instead, we are to CELEBRATE – celebrate the victory that Jesus has already won for us. That victory is just waiting for our faith to show up. Our faith in what He has already done activates our victory.
Our healing manifests when we celebrate our Healer and the healing He provided. Prosperity flows when we celebrate our Provider and the provision He provided. Peace and joy flow, even in the face of opposition, when we celebrate.
Who knew that victory over every test is as easy as celebrating? We know it!