"These things I have spoken
to you, that in Me you
may have peace. In the world
you will have tribulation; but
be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world."
John 16:33
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Let's begin our time with prayer...
"Heavenly Father, today as we read Your word we will look at what it means to be an overcomer. We will look at what You did for us in overcoming death and this world. Thank You, Lord, for overcoming the world for us. Thank You for the gift that is Your word so that we can have our faith strengthened when the things of this world get us down.
I seek forgiveness of my sins this day. I pray that You will search me and cleanse me of my transgressions against You. I pray that You will wash me clean and fill me this day so that I may serve You.
I lift up each lady reading this study. I pray for her needs. I pray that when she reads this study, she will eb encouraged that she can overcome this world through Christ. I pray that she will earnestly seek You today and that You will come along side her and give her peace.
In Jesus' name...amen."
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Overcomers
In today's verses, we will look at how Christ overcame the world: death. We will read more about how we can be overcomers as well because we are born of God and have Christ within us.
It is important for Christians today to remember that we have our Savior within us and that He has already conquered this world for us. Sometimes it seems as though it is us against the world...but only when we forget what Jesus did for us. When we remember Him and how He conquered death once and for all...for us....then we become empowered to do His good works.
1 John 5:4-5
"For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
In this book, John took tells us that we are of God and that Jesus, who is in us, has overcome the world because He is greater than the one who is in the world.
Please read:
1 John 4:4
John 16:33
It is hard to find peace in these hectic times. The world's view of peace is far different than the Lord's view of peace. The world tells us to meditate, go to a spa, or go on vacation in order to find peace. But God tells us that true peace is in Christ.
Rom 5:1
Is 9:6
Eph 2:14-15
Jesus reminds us that in this world we will have tribulation. If He suffered, then we will suffer. Imagine a world where being a Christian is against the law. A world where you can have your citizenship revoked just by proclaiming faith in Christ. Don't think it can happen? Ask a survivor of the Holocaust if it can happen.
See, the Jewish and Muslim people will be safe because they can claim their religion is also their race. But we Christians cannot claim that. So, one day we will be persecuted for our faith just like Christians in other countries are being persecuted, tortured, and killed for their faith in Christ.
Jesus tells us that these times are coming. They must happen before He comes again just like the birth pains come before the baby.
"but be of good cheer..."
When these times happen, it can cause doubt to the believer. Nothing causes doubt more than being in a prison cell for no reason other than your love of Jesus. But Jesus knows this and tells us that our peace is in Him. Therefore, we can have good cheer when persecuted...when facing death....because He already conquered death for us.
"I have overcome the world."
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"And this is the victory that has overcome the world- our faith."
John reminds us that we have victory already because of our faith in Christ Jesus, who already overcame the world.
It will get ugly in this country. The people will turn away from God and He will reveal more of His wrath on this country a little at a time: floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, then the lawlessness will abound more and more, especially if America abandons Israel. Then, God will turn His back on America for the first time in its history....and we Christians will begin to suffer for our faith.
Will these hard times cause us to doubt? Will seeing our families suffer for our faith cause us to doubt Christ? We have to prepare ourselves now.
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"Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
Jesus promised that if we endure to the end, we will be saved. He has kept all of His promises...and He will not forsake us now.
1 Cor 15:56-57
Our victory is through Christ Jesus. Our faith in Him is what will make us overcomers. John suffered for his faith in Christ. Now he is telling his fellow believers that soon they will too. But he encourages us to remain in that faith. To remain strong even when all things around us are crumbling. That is our calling.
For without Jesus we are nothing. We can do nothing without Him. He has given us no reason to doubt Him.
Rom 7:24-25
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Life Application
A part of me wants Barak Obama to win the presidency of this country because he is what we deserve: an irresponsible inexperienced non-believing politician with extremely Liberal views. I firmly believe that the Iranian president is hoping Obama is elected as our president simply because then he will attack Israel knowing Obama will not retaliate, but stand back and abandon Israel.
In a way, I am happy that will happen because then it means Christ is coming soon. But then again, I am saddened to think what this man and his administration will do to our country and Israel.
But it only reminds me that our time here is short. Therefore, we must be preparing ourselves daily to face that persecution for our faith. Memorize scripture, teach it to your children, pray hard and without ceasing, love the brethren, obey God....but most importantly: have faith.
Yes, it may seem scary at times, but not when we remember that Christ is victorious. And we are victorious in Christ Jesus.
Rev 22:12-13
Oh, come quickly Lord!
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Until next time....
"Let it be considered that we all hope to spend an eternity with the saints in heaven, and in the same work of praising God. There is, it may be, not one of us but who hopes to be a saint in heaven, and there continually to sing praises to God and the Lamb. But how disagreeable will it be with such a hope to live in the neglect of praising God now! We ought now to begin that work which we intend shall be the work of another world; for this life is given us on purpose that therein we might prepare for a future life."
-Jonathan Edwards 1703-1758 (Altogether Lovely, 1997, p.232)
Blessings,
Ruth
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