"Your are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." (1 John 4:4)
Life is a strange reality of ups, downs, ecstasy, depression, joy, sorrow. The key to dealing with this is our decisions. Every person has his own way of dealing, some just pathetic, others deceptively alluring. Yet in the midst of life "stands" the One Whom our text declares is, "in us." The one, "in the world," is the one referred to in the Scriptures as, "the Destroyer." He is like so many medications today; the side affects can kill you------ in this case, will! The One, "in us," who are Followers of Jesus Christ is none other than Jesus Christ Himself, no "side affects," other than, "joy unspeakable and full of glory."
What separates, "the faith of Jesus," from other religions and philosophies is Jesus Christ in the Believer. Luther once said that our righteousness is "an alien righteousness." Indeed, but only until we respond to His invitation, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone...opens the door, I will come in to him...." Then our help is no longer a help outside us, "he walks with me," talking to us, giving examples, cheering us on, and just personifying the right way. My abilities now are His "abilities," my power are now His Power, my wisdom, His Life my life. The deception religions and philosophies of the world tell people to look within themselves. Well, when they do, they find nothing but a literal dead-end. When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, however, He comes into our very being. Now the looking in is not to ourselves ruled by the, "one who is in the world," but to our self ruled by Him Who is the, "Greater Than."
Father, in Jesus' Name, in these increasingly deceptive times, grant me the grace to have only one dependency---------- You. Amen.
*******************************
New, Commentary: www.apf327.blogspot.com
Prophetic Video: www.antipasprayerforce2.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Life is a strange reality of ups, downs, ecstasy, depression, joy, sorrow. The key to dealing with this is our decisions. Every person has his own way of dealing, some just pathetic, others deceptively alluring. Yet in the midst of life "stands" the One Whom our text declares is, "in us." The one, "in the world," is the one referred to in the Scriptures as, "the Destroyer." He is like so many medications today; the side affects can kill you------ in this case, will! The One, "in us," who are Followers of Jesus Christ is none other than Jesus Christ Himself, no "side affects," other than, "joy unspeakable and full of glory."
What separates, "the faith of Jesus," from other religions and philosophies is Jesus Christ in the Believer. Luther once said that our righteousness is "an alien righteousness." Indeed, but only until we respond to His invitation, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone...opens the door, I will come in to him...." Then our help is no longer a help outside us, "he walks with me," talking to us, giving examples, cheering us on, and just personifying the right way. My abilities now are His "abilities," my power are now His Power, my wisdom, His Life my life. The deception religions and philosophies of the world tell people to look within themselves. Well, when they do, they find nothing but a literal dead-end. When we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ, however, He comes into our very being. Now the looking in is not to ourselves ruled by the, "one who is in the world," but to our self ruled by Him Who is the, "Greater Than."
Father, in Jesus' Name, in these increasingly deceptive times, grant me the grace to have only one dependency---------- You. Amen.
*******************************
New, Commentary: www.apf327.blogspot.com
Prophetic Video: www.antipasprayerforce2.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
