MORE than conquerors

"Many of us crucify ourselves between two thieves- regret for the past and fear of the future." Fulton Oursler

This is the day that the Lord has made and we must rejoice and be glad in it. October 31st is traditionally celebrated by many as Halloween. Though this costume party event was probably well intentioned by its founders in the Celtic culture it has become celebratory of death and fear. Many well intentioned Christians also participate in this event and allow their children to go out "tricker treating" for candy.
However, it is my opinion as a Christian and a believer of the Word of God that we must be reminded that the enemy is cunning and will use subtle means to distract and discourage us thereby causing us to lose our way in the faith. Jesus says "I have come that you might have life and that more abundantly." Abundant life has been given to us and we need not be afraid of our past, our future, nor for death. Jesus has conquered death and the grave so that we can be assured of the promise of abundant life. This promise is not just for when we die. But it is for the life that we are living RIGHT NOW. So TODAY remember that you are more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus and NOTHING will be able to separate you from his love.


ROMANS 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

"I Will Never Leave You"........He PROMISED!

There's an old song that came to mind today which reminded me of my frailty before an omnipotent, all powerful God that calls me friend. The chorus of the song I mentioned says "I can’t even walk without you holding my hand". I remember when my oldest daughter began walking and started taking her first steps of independence and would sometimes fall down in the process. It was unnerving for me at first because I wanted to be there and prevent the bumps and the bruises. But I soon realized that those occurrences were necessary for her to be physically and emotionally conditioned to deal with difficulty. Moreover, during the process I stood right there ensuring that she was not exposed to any real danger; and should any arise I was prepared and well able to defend her cause. Likewise, God allows us to experience the bruises and the growing pains of life even though he is standing close by. This he does to build our faith and trust in him. Rest assured today that he is not only present, but he is quite able to defend your cause should a situation arise. He is Jehovah Shammah, the one who is there. Remember his promise--"I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5 Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said,

“Never will I leave you;
never will I forsake you.”

Which race are you running?

I was fortunate enough to be at a conference this past week at which the theme was "Pursuing The Incorruptible Prize".  The messages and the theme stirred much feelings in me and of course brought me to a comtemplative place.  Certain questions started to arise, for example: Am I running the spiritual race?, Am I chasing Christ?, What are my goals?, Am I training or watching the others train?  After much thought and some tears I came to the understanding that being a "bystander" in life means that I am not running the race.  A bystander does not just mean doing nothing while life is passing, it also means barely participating and making excuses for the outcome of "little work".  Some of us feel that if we do just enough and squeak by in life unnoticed that will be alright. Be very careful, as the word of God reminds us that everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training but they do it for a temporal prize, however our race is for an everlasting crown.  Live your life to its fullest potential, smile a lot, love hard, bear fruit, sweat profusely, grit your teeth, and most importantly live like the King of Kings and Lord of Lords is at the finish line because guess what, He is.


^{1 Corinthians 9: 24} Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

The Greatest Fight of All Time

People fight for and defend what they love. People will stand up for what they believe. They will fiercely defend their ideologies, beliefs and creeds even though their systems of belief may be deemed toxic and a detriment to a peaceful coexistence. Fighting for the one you love and defending the values one hold dear is a natural born instinct.
The faith that was "once delivered to the saints" according to the Apostle Jude is one such precious and priceless commodity. This faith that was secured by the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for all those who would believe is one worth fighting for. In fact, its worth living for and dying for. This faith is not rule driven, its not religion, it is relationship. The Apostle Jude states with unequivocal fervor that the believer must "contend for the faith". This statement is a strong indication that the believer will face challenges, encounter opposition and be tossed with various kinds of turmoil and inner struggle. Yet through it all we must be resolved to hold our ground. Though we experience opposition from without and turmoil from within we must be on guard in identifying the real enemy. Our fight is not against any human element or counterpart. Instead , we battle a fearsome evil and wicked adversary in the spiritual realm. Are you willing to fight for this faith? I am willing to fight for this faith. Moreover, should the defense of the gospel require my life I am ready to lay it down.
If I may, let me quote the secular music artist Dido who sung in her song "White Flag" quote "I will go down with this ship, i wont put my hands up and surrender. There will be no white flag above my door; I'm in love (with my Savior) and always will be."
"This ship" for me is the old ship of Zion, the church, the body of Christ. Of whom Jesus said "And the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it." Stand firm and fight for this faith!

Jude 3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was necessary for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints