Greater Is He

Over the weekend I was directed to look at 1 John 4: 4 again, to take a fresh look at what John was saying to those of us who would read it centuries after he wrote it.

He starts by reminding us that we are of God.
Say this after me:
I am of God. I belong to Him.

Then he reminds us that we have already defeated and overcome the agents of antichrist. How is this possible? We are in Jesus Christ, the One Who defeated and overcame the agents of antichrist (devil and demons) and He is in us. Hallelujah! Because of that, we are more than overcomers, more than conquerors through Jesus Christ, He Who loves us so tenderly and dearly.

What is it that is starring you in the face today and defying you? What is it that is shouting that you are defeated? What is it that is yelling that you are not an overcomer? What is it that is trying to steal, kill and destroy you today? Stand up tall, take a deep breath and look that thing in the face and say: I am of God. I belong to Him. I have already defeated and overcome you (and fill in the blank) ________________ because He Who lives in me is greater, mightier than he who is in the world. After saying that the first time, you may not feel any different, but keep saying it, keep saying it. So what if on the 1,120th time you say it, something happens. If you had quit at 1,000, nothing would have happened. Why does it work that way? Why so many times? I truly believe it takes that much to work the doubt and unbelief out of us. Some of us have more of it than others.

I have learned this weekend that there are things in me that only God knows and only God can reveal, so let Him reveal it to you. Don’t blame God for your circumstances. Don’t say it is too hard. He didn’t make it hard. It is we who make it hard with all of our questions and “why’s.” I am learning to rest in Him and trust Him, even when nothing makes sense in the natural. It doesn’t have to make a lick of sense in the natural. What does the Book say? That is what is important. If the Book, the Word of God, the Bible says it, then it is just as true for you as it is for the greatest preacher in the world or the great men and women of faith in the Bible.

Connect 1 John 4:4 with the part of Acts 17:28 that says that in Him we live and move and have our being. In Him, Who is Love; in Him Who is Light; in Him Who is the Word, in Him Who is everything------in Him we live. We dwell, live, abide in Him. That is where we live. Since in Him is the Word and according to Proverbs 4:22 the Word is health and healing to us, then in Him is health. In health we live. That is the place where we live. We move in health. We have our well-being in health.

I am giving you these scriptures and building you up in faith to believe. Don’t wait until a crisis hits before you make a quality decision to believe the Word for yourself. Don’t put off developing your faith in God and His Word. You are too precious to God. None of us must allow the massive taking of our time to rob us of the most wonderful, the most rewarding, the most beautiful relationship in our lives. It is not just about benefits. It is about relationship. Time with Him is the most awesome thing that can happen to us. And the benefits are part of the deal. They are just there because He loves us and wants to bless us. What a deal we have.

Make a quality decision today to take time for the Master. As one of the authors I know titled her book: THE MASTER IS CALLING. Will you answer the call today and every day of the rest of your life? Take time to fellowship with Him around His Word and learn the truth of what He is speaking to you. Put aside your earthly knowledge and understanding. It is a poor substitute for God’s knowledge, wisdom and understanding. Let’s all take Ephesians 1:17-23 and confess it every day concerning Godly understanding. You will live a better life when you walk in the results of believing God’s word.

Don’t wait until a crisis, attempt to believe and then blame God for not answering your prayers.