II Corinthians 12:9-10
“…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness…for when I am weak than am I strong.”
The names included in the following profiled have been changed for confidentiality purposes
A couple of months ago my wife and I had the pleasure of visiting with a friend of ours, Margret, who has been battling ovarian cancer for quite some time. She has had her entire uterus removed and is still very ill. This woman is naturally petite, but radiation treatments and experimental drugs have ravished her already diminutive frame. At any rate we went to visit with her because the Lord had put Margret on my heart very strong one Sunday during morning worship service at my church. I heard the Lord speak to me and say that if I went to visit this young woman and pray with her that He would show himself. Well needless to say that was all the motivation I needed. My experience has been that Margret is typically very quiet and reserve, although those that are closer to her see her more expressive side, I haven’t. On this particularly occasion she was rather talkative; trying her best to be a good patient. You know how when someone is really tired and worn-out, but because you are there they put on their best face and try to be responsive, that’s what she was doing. My wife and I could see that she was tired and weak, but Margret remained engaged for our sakes. As we sat in the hospital and shared some small talk with our friend I kept trying to steer the conversation toward Jesus, I was eager to pray for her and see what the Lord would do, however with all the foot traffic in and out of her room; technicians, nurses, specialists, etc, it was all we could do to maintain the small talk, much less move into prayer. However the Lord provided us with a small window and as I started in there was this twinkle in Margret’s eyes and she began to perk up and get energized. It was almost as if she knew where we were going and immediately started to share one of the most profound testimonies I had ever heard. You see my wife and one Margret’s friends, Lucy were very close, and when my wife came to Christ she invited Lucy to our church. Lucy started to grow in the Lord and found her own church home to attend. In turn Lucy started witnessing and sharing Christ with Margret. And so for the last several months this small woman who has been battling cancer came to know the Lord in the midst of her war. She said with a smile that right now at this point in time in her life she has more peace than she has ever had. Even now I find myself still getting chocked up. She hadn’t been healed, the Lord didn’t spare her from this terrible disease, yet in the face of all that she had been through she could smile because in her weakness she found true strength in Christ.
We are more than conquerors today because real strength lies in our weakness. Our friend Margret found peace in Christ because she could not be strong on her own, she found her strength in Christ and it is that complete and utterance dependence on the Lord that has given her a peace that exceeds beyond what anyone could understand or imagine. II Corinthians 12:9-10 has been my favorite passage of scripture for a long time. The idea of being able to rejoice in the midst of pain and hurt and despair, recognizing that real strength comes from Christ and not from me and that those occasion when my natural strength has abated me I can be strong in Christ. This is what a relationship with Christ is all about understand that without Him I am lost and weak and hopeless, but with Him all things are possible and I can have real strength. Not measured by how much I can lift or how fast I can run, but by what I am able to withstand in the face of overwhelming adversity I can stand because of Christ in me.
The last report I received was that Margret was doing better, she just celebrated her 30th birthday a couple of weeks ago and the doctors did not expect her to make it to see Christmas. I praise Jesus for showing himself to us that day. He did not heal her cancer yet, but we learned what real strength looks like and that day the Lord showed Himself inside our friend.
More Than A Conqueror Devotional #16
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1
Having been raised in the Pentecostal church as a disciple of Christ under the teachings of the apostles I have read and heard this particular passage of scripture taught and preached exhaustively. I myself have had the pleasure to teach and preach from this text of numerous occasions and found myself having to teach from it again recently, however this time the Lord showed me something completely different. I asked the students in the combined Sunday school class to tell me what stood out to them about this particular passage, what resonated with them. As you can image a number of people commented on the second half of the passage the references sight. As I have many times before I always think about faith as a condition of not being able to see or perceive my deliverance. Faith is product of the invisible; “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” (Hebrews 1:3 and Colossians 1:15) Faith exists beyond our comprehension, which is to say beyond our visual perception and many times beyond our ability to understand the workings of our Lord. Yet on this particular day the Lord drew my attention to the first half of the verse and caused me to examine closer the words that have always been there that I so often over look; “the substance of things hoped for…” There it was, Hope, as simply and as plainly as it has been for generations, hope. Faith cannot exist without hope. As fundamental as invisibility is to faith so is hope. We must have something to hope for in order for faith to be present. “And where is now my hope as for my hope, who shall see it? Knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience and experience, hope.” (Job 17:15 and Romans 5:3-4) If we were able to supply our own needs if we were able to serve as the source of our own fulfillment, if we never had a need or desire beyond our own scope than there would be no need for us to hope for anything and therefore no need for faith. Faith is the result of our hope coupling with a circumstance for which we cannot resolve of our own accord.
We are more than conquerors today because we have an assurance that as long as we have cause to hope we have fuel for faith. Paul wrote to the church in Rome to glorify in tribulation because that tribulation will ultimately work its way into hope. As a result faith is born when the impossible must be made possible for us. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
Having been raised in the Pentecostal church as a disciple of Christ under the teachings of the apostles I have read and heard this particular passage of scripture taught and preached exhaustively. I myself have had the pleasure to teach and preach from this text of numerous occasions and found myself having to teach from it again recently, however this time the Lord showed me something completely different. I asked the students in the combined Sunday school class to tell me what stood out to them about this particular passage, what resonated with them. As you can image a number of people commented on the second half of the passage the references sight. As I have many times before I always think about faith as a condition of not being able to see or perceive my deliverance. Faith is product of the invisible; “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.” (Hebrews 1:3 and Colossians 1:15) Faith exists beyond our comprehension, which is to say beyond our visual perception and many times beyond our ability to understand the workings of our Lord. Yet on this particular day the Lord drew my attention to the first half of the verse and caused me to examine closer the words that have always been there that I so often over look; “the substance of things hoped for…” There it was, Hope, as simply and as plainly as it has been for generations, hope. Faith cannot exist without hope. As fundamental as invisibility is to faith so is hope. We must have something to hope for in order for faith to be present. “And where is now my hope as for my hope, who shall see it? Knowing that tribulation worketh patience and patience, experience and experience, hope.” (Job 17:15 and Romans 5:3-4) If we were able to supply our own needs if we were able to serve as the source of our own fulfillment, if we never had a need or desire beyond our own scope than there would be no need for us to hope for anything and therefore no need for faith. Faith is the result of our hope coupling with a circumstance for which we cannot resolve of our own accord.
We are more than conquerors today because we have an assurance that as long as we have cause to hope we have fuel for faith. Paul wrote to the church in Rome to glorify in tribulation because that tribulation will ultimately work its way into hope. As a result faith is born when the impossible must be made possible for us. “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” (Luke 18:27)
More Than A Conqueror Devotional #15
Blessed are ye, when [men] shall revile you, and persecute [you], and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great [is] your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you – Matthew 5:11-12
For many western Christians the idea of persecution is a foreign concept. We cannot relate to the persecution the early church suffered at the hands of the Roman Empire. We have a hard time identifying with martyrs that were tortured and brutally murdered because they would not renounce the name of Christ. For many of us the extent of our persecution goes no further than a couple of off color jokes and the occasional quip about how hypocritical the church is and that religion is the bastion for the intellectually weak and easily duped masses. Those of us blessed enough to call the United States of American home enjoy the liberty afforded us by the First Amendment of the Constitution; Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Especially for those of us born post-Civil War, we have never had to worry about the government imprisoning us because we held a religious service during which the name of Jesus was worshiped. We may have had to suffer persecution from the government for other things, perhaps being an immigrant, former slave, woman, born with a disability, but worshipping Jesus has never been a crime in this country. Yet persecution is assured us so long as we continue to lift of the name of the king of kings and the lord of lords. Christ is very clear in this regard, not only will persecution come, but in fact we should expect it and celebrate it because Heaven looks down and rejoices when the enemies of God attack us on account of our belief in Christ. Paul said it this way in his letter to the Philippians; That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (Philippians 3:10).
We are more than conquerors today because though we may suffer as the body of Christ; our suffering brings Christ more glory. You may never face the threat of death for your beliefs; you may never be imprisoned, tortured or abandoned because you worship the Lord Jesus, but then again you may. Our ancestors in the faith, the prophets and believers of old suffered great affliction on behalf of the gospel and we must ready our hearts to bear similar affliction. It may not come in the form of a death squad, but we may have to stand strong in the face of overwhelming public sentiment that goes against what we know is right. We may never be threatened with prison, but we may have to suffer in isolation and restricted opportunities because we are not willing to cut corners or shame our God. In whatever form the persecution comes, know this that it will come and that when it does our Heavenly Father and the great hosts of angels will be watching to see us triumphantly bear the persecution just as those that came before us; For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
For many western Christians the idea of persecution is a foreign concept. We cannot relate to the persecution the early church suffered at the hands of the Roman Empire. We have a hard time identifying with martyrs that were tortured and brutally murdered because they would not renounce the name of Christ. For many of us the extent of our persecution goes no further than a couple of off color jokes and the occasional quip about how hypocritical the church is and that religion is the bastion for the intellectually weak and easily duped masses. Those of us blessed enough to call the United States of American home enjoy the liberty afforded us by the First Amendment of the Constitution; Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Especially for those of us born post-Civil War, we have never had to worry about the government imprisoning us because we held a religious service during which the name of Jesus was worshiped. We may have had to suffer persecution from the government for other things, perhaps being an immigrant, former slave, woman, born with a disability, but worshipping Jesus has never been a crime in this country. Yet persecution is assured us so long as we continue to lift of the name of the king of kings and the lord of lords. Christ is very clear in this regard, not only will persecution come, but in fact we should expect it and celebrate it because Heaven looks down and rejoices when the enemies of God attack us on account of our belief in Christ. Paul said it this way in his letter to the Philippians; That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death (Philippians 3:10).
We are more than conquerors today because though we may suffer as the body of Christ; our suffering brings Christ more glory. You may never face the threat of death for your beliefs; you may never be imprisoned, tortured or abandoned because you worship the Lord Jesus, but then again you may. Our ancestors in the faith, the prophets and believers of old suffered great affliction on behalf of the gospel and we must ready our hearts to bear similar affliction. It may not come in the form of a death squad, but we may have to stand strong in the face of overwhelming public sentiment that goes against what we know is right. We may never be threatened with prison, but we may have to suffer in isolation and restricted opportunities because we are not willing to cut corners or shame our God. In whatever form the persecution comes, know this that it will come and that when it does our Heavenly Father and the great hosts of angels will be watching to see us triumphantly bear the persecution just as those that came before us; For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain.
More Than a Conqueror Devotional #14
Blessed [are] they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven – Matthew 5:10
The Lord Jesus tells his disciples in the gospel according to John chapter 15 verse 18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you”. Even at the beginning of his ministry Jesus knew that he would not be received by the world because his teaching would turn the world upside and challenge the establishment that had been in effect for centuries. To that end Christ wanted to be clear with his disciples that the question of persecution was not if it would happen, but rather when it would happen. In fact persecution is a perquisite for being a follower Christ and as a result our Lord promises that when the persecution and suffering of this world comes upon us we will be blessed as a result.
We are more than conquerors today because we are blessed when our devotion and dedication to Christ causes others to hate, conspire against us and provoke us to do wrong because it is during those instances of persecution and suffering that we get closer to God and in turn get closer to his kingdom. Faint not dearly beloved for Christ has not left us without hope or strength. The Holy Spirit has come to be our comforter. Rejoice when your life of humility and kindness, when your commitment to Christ invokes the fiery darts of the adversary because you have a blessed assurance that if you with stand the persecution you shall be comforted by God.
The Lord Jesus tells his disciples in the gospel according to John chapter 15 verse 18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you”. Even at the beginning of his ministry Jesus knew that he would not be received by the world because his teaching would turn the world upside and challenge the establishment that had been in effect for centuries. To that end Christ wanted to be clear with his disciples that the question of persecution was not if it would happen, but rather when it would happen. In fact persecution is a perquisite for being a follower Christ and as a result our Lord promises that when the persecution and suffering of this world comes upon us we will be blessed as a result.
We are more than conquerors today because we are blessed when our devotion and dedication to Christ causes others to hate, conspire against us and provoke us to do wrong because it is during those instances of persecution and suffering that we get closer to God and in turn get closer to his kingdom. Faint not dearly beloved for Christ has not left us without hope or strength. The Holy Spirit has come to be our comforter. Rejoice when your life of humility and kindness, when your commitment to Christ invokes the fiery darts of the adversary because you have a blessed assurance that if you with stand the persecution you shall be comforted by God.
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.
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.
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.
More Than a Conqueror Devotional #11
Blessed [are] the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy – Matthew 5:7
It seems unavoidable in times of crisis and turmoil to turn inward and act in the interest of self preservation. Human nature dictates that we build our own individual silo, a bomb shelter that will protect us from the outside influences. We cut ourselves off from family, friends, even God. We just want to survive and hang on; we do just enough to make it through the next day. We think that by cutting ourselves off we can be protected, if we mind our own business and don’t stick our neck outs we will survive, but in fact the exact opposite is true. Christ continues his sermon on the mount with a lesson how we can obtain care and consideration. We are blessed when we invest our time and energy into caring for others because when we give care, we when show and share love then God express that affection back to us.
We are more than conquerors today because when we stop being careless and self focused and more careful and focused on God and others then we will experience the full measure of care that comes from the Lord. Our natural inclination is to be so focused on ourselves and meeting our own needs that we do not have time for, or an interest in others, however Christ is looking for more. The Lord cannot bless those who are determined to bless themselves. When we are not careful for others we send a clear message to the Lord that we no longer need his assistance. It is only by helping and caring for others that we earn the assistance of the Heavenly Father. Brothers and sisters in the Lord you will do well to remember that mercy can only be received when it is given. Place your cares and concerns on another today; by giving of yourself you leave room for the Lord to add what you have subtracted.
It seems unavoidable in times of crisis and turmoil to turn inward and act in the interest of self preservation. Human nature dictates that we build our own individual silo, a bomb shelter that will protect us from the outside influences. We cut ourselves off from family, friends, even God. We just want to survive and hang on; we do just enough to make it through the next day. We think that by cutting ourselves off we can be protected, if we mind our own business and don’t stick our neck outs we will survive, but in fact the exact opposite is true. Christ continues his sermon on the mount with a lesson how we can obtain care and consideration. We are blessed when we invest our time and energy into caring for others because when we give care, we when show and share love then God express that affection back to us.
We are more than conquerors today because when we stop being careless and self focused and more careful and focused on God and others then we will experience the full measure of care that comes from the Lord. Our natural inclination is to be so focused on ourselves and meeting our own needs that we do not have time for, or an interest in others, however Christ is looking for more. The Lord cannot bless those who are determined to bless themselves. When we are not careful for others we send a clear message to the Lord that we no longer need his assistance. It is only by helping and caring for others that we earn the assistance of the Heavenly Father. Brothers and sisters in the Lord you will do well to remember that mercy can only be received when it is given. Place your cares and concerns on another today; by giving of yourself you leave room for the Lord to add what you have subtracted.
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