September 11, 2011
Three scriptures to share with you today as we reflect on how our world was rocked ten years ago.
The first is from John 16:33, the words of Jesus. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV) The Message says it this way: “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”
Unshakable. Assured. Deeply at peace. It’s sometime very difficult to find peace when our world is being rocked, isn’t it? Other translations say we are to be courageous in the face of troubles. Courageous… that always sounds to me like running full on into a battle, with war paint on our face and screaming like a warrior… Most times I don’t have that kind of courage. But Jesus does.
Jesus has this promise for us: He has overcome the world. And because He has overcome the world, we are “over comers.”
I love what John writes for us later in Revelation 3:12. “He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name.” Think about the ancient days and the tall, stone pillars outside the temple. Huge! God says that we are pillars! Unmovable. Strong. Something that supports the Church. Something members of the church look up to. That’s you! And, God will write His name on you. You are forever His!
One more scripture, also from John. 1 John 4:4: “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.” (NIV) The “them” John is talking about are false teachers and deceivers. It can also be the Devil himself, our great enemy, who is always on the move seeking to destroy.
When you feel like the walls of your world are tumbling in, when you feel like you are under attack, just as this nation did on September 11, 2001, the enemy is to blame. But… be encouraged. For God, who lives inside you, is greater than the world and all the junk the world has to offer! He will rebuild your life, so that you will have an even greater impact for His Kingdom!
Trust Him today… and you will be one who overcomes.
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