More Than a Conqueror Devotional #13

Blessed [are] the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God – Matthew 5:9

The Lord Jesus goes by many titles; “…and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). As the prince of peace Jesus inspires a spirit of comfort and serenity in the midst of war and chaos. With Christ we are assured that even when the tempest and billows are at their most fierce we will be able to find stillness. Therefore, if in Christ we can find peace and comfort and the Spirit of Christ lives in us, then we have the ability to usher in a spirit of peace into even the most hostile of environments. As Disciples of Christ the spirit of peace goes with us and as a result we can inspire those around us to live peaceably.

We are more than conquerors today because we inspire cooperation instead of competition. The Lord has promised us that we will become members of his family, called his children when working for peace in this world. There is a blessing in working for peace. The world would encourage us to compete and instigate conflict in order to achieve personal success. However more battles are won with someone is willing to work towards peace and end aggression. Through peace we inspire cooperation, through peace we allow those around us to participate in the building of God’s kingdom. A peaceful atmosphere is a productive environment. When we are equipped with the full armor of God, we walk in peace; “And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). As children of God we walk in peace and everywhere we go we inspire cooperation and community in the Holy Spirit.

More Than a Conqueror Devotional #12

Blessed [are] the pure in heart: for they shall see God – Matthew 5:8

This time of year in the part of the country where I live snow is a regular occurrence. Though I am not a particularly big fan of snow I have to admit watching those beautiful white puffy flakes blanket the ground is a site to behold. All of God’s creation is white and clean; even if it is only a moment, before the first foot print or tire track scars the canvas all the earth is covered in the purity of the snow. However it is fleeting, temporary, it is only a surface covering, a purity that is skin deep and cannot last. Genuine purity comes from within. In the furtherance of his sermon the Lord implores us to strive for internal purity of heart and mind. We will only be able to see God if we are of a pure mind and heart. “…Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart“ (I Samuel 16:7).

We are more than conquerors today because we can avoid the trap of pride and snare of concerning ourselves with issues that are only skin deep. The Lord would have us to care and maintain our earthly bodies; “…know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you” (I Corinthians 6:19). However he would not have us to sacrifice holiness for the purposes of maintaining a pleasing physique; “Bodily exercise profiteth little, but godliness is profitable unto to all things; having the promise of life that now is, and that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:8). As the purity of the snow quickly fades when it falls to the earth so too will a comely appearance and a sculpted figure. Outward appearances will not last always. Fellow Christian the path to heaven starts from within. We are blessed when our inside state of being is more important than our outward appearance. Heaven is reserved for those who are of a pure mind and heart. We will only see God manifest outwardly when we first have the mind and the heart of God inwardly.