Skip to main content

Because He Lives, I Can Move

I’m currently in one of those places where you lay out all the options and then you make the best decision. It seems, however, like none of the choices are fair or attractive. I know God will help me in my situation because I desire His guidance. I’m clinging to His Word which promises that ALL things work together for good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28.

I heard a great teaching this week about seeking God’s will and all the freedom that surrender brings. We can know that God is bringing about a victory if we trust Him with each and every decision. The speaker illustrated his point with a famous painting.





The painting depicts a look of despair on the chess player’s face. He’s playing Satan and his soul is at stake. It looks like Satan is winning. Checkmate! When Paul Morphy saw this painting back in the 1800’s, he set up a chess board and aligned the pieces to reflect the painting. Being a world champion, he studied the board. His conclusion was that this painting should not have been titled “Checkmate.” Morphy found a last move setting the man free!

I’m praising God for Jesus. He defeated Satan when He died on the cross. He is going to show me the winning move and deliver me from checkmate. The game is not over as Satan wants me to think.

Spiritual Sundays is a great place to be built up in the Word and praise. Many thanks to Charlotte and Ginger for hosting this meeting place of inspiration as well as fellowship.

Comments

  1. Nikki (Sarah)March 26, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    I'm an avid chess player and now when playing the game...will remember your illustration :)...great post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 26, 2011 at 6:29 PM

    Mary,
    So true. He is our Hope, our Source.
    And He keeps us.
    God bless and guide your every move, my friend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. JudyMarch 26, 2011 at 6:32 PM

    Loved your post! It gave me a lift as I wait for God to lead, guide and deliver me from a certain situation in my life.

    Blessings,
    judy

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lisa notes...March 26, 2011 at 6:33 PM

    You're so right - the game is not over! And when it is, you win anyway, thanks to Jesus.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ginger~~Enchanting CottageMarch 27, 2011 at 6:18 AM

    I always pray that God will help me with each and every move. This is a wonderful post,thank-you.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

    ReplyDelete
  6. PamelaMarch 27, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    I love this! The devil laughs with glee when he thinks we lost our wiggle room. He should know by know that "with God all things are possible" -- Including wiggle room!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Linda JacksonMarch 27, 2011 at 2:25 PM

    Romans 8 is what our study scripture in church today. Blessings and God's very best!!! Linda J.

    ReplyDelete
  8. RCUBEsMarch 27, 2011 at 4:52 PM

    I'm in that place too where I don't even know if I have any options with this trial I'm in. Yet, I only know of one thing that the Lord had given me victory no matter what sides I look at! So thanks be to God!

    Thank you sister for your prayers and I appreciate them. God bless you and protect you all always. Love you sister!

    ReplyDelete
  9. CathyMarch 27, 2011 at 6:08 PM

    Praying God will lead, guide and direct you to the right choice, Dear. We have victory in Him. Hugs ~

    ReplyDelete
  10. Janis Van KeurenMarch 27, 2011 at 10:30 PM

    cynthia Heald covered that same point about surrender bringing true freedom. We covered it a couple of chapters ago in her Bible Study, "On Becoming a Woman of Simplicity." Gaining little truths from it.

    And your Ann Voskamp book is packed to be mailed tomorrow :)

    Blessings,
    Janis

    ReplyDelete
  11. MTJMarch 28, 2011 at 5:24 PM

    Hi Mary,

    As I read this beautiful analogy of salvation, faith, and deliverance, I pictured Paul Morphy as a type of Christ, intervening on my behalf because I cannot compete against spiritual demonic forces in this frail human body that houses my life. Christ has become my Advocate and His blood has set me free and achieved a checkmate against my oppressor in one move. Praise God!

    I will be remembering you in my prayers, agreeing with you that, our Lord is going to show you the winning move and deliver you from checkmate.

    Blessings and peace.

    MTJ

    ReplyDelete
  12. PeggyMarch 28, 2011 at 6:09 PM

    It's so true that God gives us victory when we trust Him with our decisions. I pray He'll give you wisdom in all the decisions you will be making.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Deborah AnnMarch 29, 2011 at 1:14 PM

    Praying for your family, Mary. Stand firm! I have seen God's hand move in this same kind of situation, and His answer was true and faithful, and could not have been pinpointed beforehand. His ways are mysterious, and His answer is YES!

    ReplyDelete
  14. CharlotteMarch 31, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    I've always loved that painting. Satan would like for us to believe we've lost the battle, but we need to keep reminding each other who the real winners are. Thank you for doing that.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

    ReplyDelete
  15. SharonMarch 31, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    Thank goodness for the ultimate Checkmate - a move played out on a lonely hill - the Champion on a cross.

    The game is over in some ways - because the victory is already won. We just have to recognize the truth of that...

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
  16. http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/April 1, 2011 at 5:56 PM

    Mary my friend...

    just trust me when I tell you that I NEEDED this hearty laugh today!!!

    xo

    ReplyDelete
  17. Next Gen DentistryMay 17, 2024 at 12:58 AM

    Thanks for sharing helpful info.
    pediatric dentist chula vista ca

    ReplyDelete
  18. Top Rated Blogs in North AmericaMarch 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM

    His Word

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Memorial Day Reflection

  Memorial Day is always noteworthy for me and my girls.  Next Thursday marks the third year of missing their father, my husband. So many thoughts  run through my mind.  The journey of loss takes on various emotions.  The strongest feeling, at first, was emptiness.  In a split second, I would forget he departed forever.  I imagined things I needed to talk to him about when he got back home.  My mind is realistic now.  He's not coming back.  There will be no more times of sitting on the porch swing together on the front deck staring at the moon and the stars.  He would tell me all he knew about the majestic night sky. I have so much I wish I could tell him, like the excitement of seeing our oldest grandchild make a decision to follow Jesus and get baptized on Mother's Day!  And our little Amy, 11 years old, I wish he could have seen her on stage receiving her induction to the National Honor Society. Our daughters have their own ...
21 comments
Read more

Abba's Lap

I noticed a behavior pattern in little Amy, twenty months old, that I want to imitate.  She moves fast engaging in one toddler activity after another spinning like a whirlwind from one room to another.  Yet, she pauses,  intermittently , long enough to get refreshed.   I want to be like this grandchild of mine because she knows where to go and how to get comforted. Amy moves at record speed, putting more miles on a pedometer in one hour than my accumulated weekly workouts at the gym.  She can build a skyscraper so tall, I wonder why those bright pink Lego’s don’t topple to the ground as she continues to stack just one more piece on top. I learned never to leave the room to get another cup of coffee.  Once, when I returned, I found her climbing past the couch with hands and feet reaching for the living room drapes. She has a consistent habit that I admire.  In the midst of her activities, as she moves robustly from one play...
51 comments
Read more

Crisis Turned Blessing

“ I wasn’t worried when I rode in the ambulance because I knew you were praying for me .”  These are the words my husband whispered to me after facing a medical crises a few weeks ago. Complications set in a few days after Tom’s surgeon performed a procedure at the hospital.   He returned home, but lost so much blood due to an artery punctured during surgery.  His blood pressure dropped to 79/49 and we headed to the ER at the VA in Prescott where they then transferred him by ambulance to the civilian hospital and surgeon who performed the surgery.   It turned out to be an easy fix, but if he had waited a few more hours he would not have survived. Terrific blessings came our way.  I can’t wait to list them all because every time I think of that week in October, I want to cry.  My heart is full of thanksgiving. *Tom received immediate care in both emergency rooms without a wait!  He was given the best treatment and a comforta...
39 comments
Read more