Privileged

1 John 5: 4

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world-our faith.

We are born of God as his dear children. Jesus’ sacrifice purchased our lives from death and bondage and we have been translated into the Kingdom of Christ. Because of Jesus, because of who he is in us, we overcome the world. We have the ability and capacity in Him to overcome every trial, every obstacle. It is our faith in Him that has made us overcomers. We do not have to live as the world does. We do not have to be victims to all that is in the world including economic depression or terrorist activity because we are born of God through Christ Jesus. Much more happened to us when we were born again than just our eternal salvation. We were adopted into the family of God and into the Kingdom of His dear son. That has given us certain privileges and protections. Imagine yourself as the child of the President of the United States. What protections and privileges would you have? Expand that many times over because God is more than a president, more than a king, more even than the king of the world. He is the almighty majesty of the universe. All things are under him and he is your Dad.

Big Brother

1 John 4: 4

You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

We are God’s little children and precious in his sight. He cares for us as any good parent would look after their small children. He is protection to us as well as leadership, guidance and even correction when necessary. It was out of his great love that he sent his son in the first place. Jesus is the perfect big brother. He has fought the bully who has tried to pick on the younger, smaller siblings. When we were defenseless, he arrived on the scene to overcome all manner of torment and aggression. He defeated the devil and all of his cronies and purchased our freedom from the tyranny of our former bondage. Now, in the freedom that Jesus purchased for us, we are overcomers because he lives in us and greater is he who lives in us than all of the problems, demons and challenges of this world. Greater is Christ in us than anything the devil can throw at us. When he tries to overcome us, even if by a horde of his devilment, we just shout the name of our big brother and He comes to our side and sets the bully into fearful flight.

Enough is Enough

Psalm 88: 2-3

Let my prayer come before Thee; incline Thine ear to my cry! For my soul has had enough troubles.

I suppose most everyone has felt like the psalmist here at one time or another. Have you ever felt that you have had enough troubles? Well, the good news is that God is there at your cry. When your soul is overburdened and over wrought, then empty it of all of its care by calling upon the name of the Lord. Sometimes we need to get to the end of our rope before we will give all our care and worry to the Lord. When we do, He is faithful to carry those burdens for us. Do not wait until you cannot bear up any longer. Empty your mind and emotions to Him in his throne room and allow Him to care for you as a loving father. It is his desire to care for you anyway. You do not have to do it all on your own. Are you tired; weary? Call upon His name and allow him to help you.

Right Guard

Exodus 23: 20

Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way, and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.

God has a plan for you. He has planned for your welfare and he has prepared a good place for you. He has good plans for your life. And he is leading you into that good place. What’s more, he has sent his angel to guard you along the way even as he, himself, leads you. His angel goes in front of you, preparing the path before you. When you get to a segment of the path that was damaged or bumpy, the angel has already been there and smoothed it out for you. God has not only prepared good things for you, but he is also at work to see that you arrive at that good place. He has made preparations for bringing you into the place that he has planned for you. Just keep following him. He is marking the trail for you and leading you along the best course for you to arrive at your destination.

Overcoming Peace

John 16: 33

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.

Jesus says to us, in this passage, that we can have peace “in” Him. He has already overcome the world and all of its tribulation and trouble. Being “in Him” means we do not have to participate in that tribulation. Yes, there are always bumps in the road but because He has already overcome, we can keep our peace. We do not have to get all upset and worried. Really we should not. He came so that we might have life in abundance (John 10:10). As we roll all of our care onto him; putting our full trust in Him and in His victory, then we do not have to suffer the emotional turmoil that the world is tortured with. Jesus is with us every day and we are everyday learning to draw closer and closer to Him and into His peace. He is, after all, the Prince of Peace.

Perfect Peace

John 14: 27

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.

Jesus left his peace here with us. Jesus was able to walk through this world and remain in peace. He did not let all of the nay-sayers get him down or steal his peace. We don’t see him getting all riled up, except when the people used his father’s house as a farmers’ market. Then he cleaned house. He was called names; people tried to stone him and criticized his ministry. Jesus was able to walk on through it all, though, and maintain his peace and his purpose. When he left the earth He left his peace with us. He said that He doesn’t give as the world does. He gives as only a true love can. He left his own peace, the best of His peace. He didn’t leave anything out. His peace is a supernatural peace rather than a worldly peace. His has the power to soothe and comfort you even when circumstances are against you. Even in your darkest hour, His peace is enough to calm and console you. Don’t fear anything. His peace has been given to you so that you can endure all without fainting.

Peace and Unity

Psalm 133: 1

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!

We have opportunities everyday to get offended and/or get in strife. God is looking for people who can hang on to their peace even when things challenge them. This is no easy task in today’s world. Just driving to the grocery store and back can be enough to steal every bit of peace you have; not to mention the time you spend in the store waiting in line, etc. There is no shortage of chances to let your emotions get wrought up. What can we do to stay in peace in the midst of the daily turmoil? We have to rise above it. We ask the Holy Spirit to help us be at peace and maintain our peace. We are not going to change every driver out there so we must get Jesus to help us. Not all of our co-workers, family members or even church members are going to walk in a manner that makes it easy for us to stay out of strife. None the less, Jesus said that he gave us his peace (John 14: 27). We must refuse to let the devil hop up and down on our buttons and cause us to get stirred up. Only by yielding to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to do a work in us are we going to be able to walk in this world but not be of it. Jesus has within himself the power to overcome these obstacles to our love walk. He told us that he has overcome the world so by and through him we are overcomers too. Hold on to your peace. Follow peace. Don’t let others get you into strife and dissention. Let us exemplify Christ in our unity and communion with others.