Thursday, September 29, 2011

He Who Is In You Is Greater

March 2011

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”
-- I John 4:4

I think we sometimes give the enemy too much credit. I am not saying he is not out there trying to trick us, trip us, and cause trouble for us. I’m saying The Word says he has already been defeated. (John 16:33)

The Word states that when the enemy tempts us that God gives a way out. (I Corinthians 10:13)

The Word states that, “the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (I John 4:4)

The Word states that we overcome the accuser “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of” our testimony. (Revelation 12:11)

The Word states that, “He gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(I Corinthians 15:57)

We do not need to give in to a defeatist attitude of, “I’ll never get out of this.” Or, “I’ll always be this way.” No! We have a choice. We have a way out! By His help we can overcome.

There is not a person among us that has not at some time faltered and failed but listen to this with your ears as you read:

“My heart and my flesh may fall, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” – Psalm 73:26

Hallelujah! Forever He is with us! Forever He is faithful!

Bottom Line: May we come to a complete understanding of the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.

Love in Christ,

MG

Saturday, September 24, 2011

"... he who humbles himself ..."

October 2011

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. – Luke 14:11

What we are talking about, in a sense, is bragging about how good we are –- at anything. We are good at building ourselves up. In 1992 a popular shoe company ran a series of ads leading up to the 1992 Summer Olympics. The ads featured two men, Dan and Dave (Dan O’Brien and Dave Johnson). They were touted to be the next Gold and Silver winners of the Decathlon event in the Olympics. However, Dan never qualified and Dave came in third to win the Bronze. Exalting ourselves can have some devastating effects.

Moses was a very humble man (Numbers 12:3). He never wanted a position of leadership over God’s people. But, God saw a humble man and exalted Moses to a position of leading the Israelites out of Egypt and toward the Promise Land.

Paul thought of himself as a very important man. He had letters from the high priest that would allow him to arrest anyone “who belonged to the Way.” (Acts 9:2). God humbled Paul on the road to Damascus and Paul accepted it. He then became a believer and worked tirelessly the rest of His life for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

It does us no good to exalt our self. God can and will humble us. If we accept it and accept our weaknesses and not promote our self --- God, in His timing will come and exalt us. And, where we are weak – His power comes through. (I Corinthians 12:9).

Bottom Line: Do not exalt yourself in anything. Be humble and let God exalt you in His timing.

Love in Christ,

MG


P.S. In 1996 Dan O’Brien won the Gold for the Decathlon in the Summer Olympics. Makes you wonder if being humbled fours years before played a part in his Gold Medal win.