Pearls of Great Value

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4 ESVi

 

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”” John 16:33 ESVi

 

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:4 ESVi

 

I absolutely love these verses! Today, I needed to be reminded that I am an OVERCOMER. I had to capitalize that so that I could see how huge it is. I can overcome! I can, and it’s not because I just put my head down and stubbornly push through. No, it’s because..there’s this truth living in me. Greater is He who is within me than he that is in this world. 

I have this picture in my mind, of all the stuff, all the trials and temptations that are coming against me. I picture them like a bulldozer or a big Roller. ‘Cause that is exactly their mission: to roll over you and make you conform to their purpose. Yes, I know, that’s a grim picture. But there’s good news! Repeat after me: Greater is He who is in me, than he who is in the world.

 

The world, the enemy, things of the flesh are always going to be coming against us, with pressure and force. It’s a pressure that wants to move you, from belief to unbelief. From hope to fear. From standing strong to falling. It’s why we need to be able to counter it. It’s why we need to be filled with the Word, which is more powerful and stronger than any pressure coming against us. So that when  force and pressure come against you,it will not roll over you and cause destruction. No! He who is in you, is GREATER than he who is in the world!

The word “greater” in Greek is the word “megas” and it’s where we get our word mega from. Just because I can, I’ll list some of the words this word “great” also translates into: •extraordinary •greatest •large in size •intense •weighty •magnificent •powerful •numerous •great in rank and dignity •splendid. These words help me to see my God as MEGA. The One inside me is mega, He is more powerful, more numerous, more intense, more magnificent than he who is in the world. He who is in me, is mega! Extraordinary!

 

So I exert the pressure of my God, of the Word and I roll over anything that comes against me. How do I do that? Just by simply filling up my spiritual gas tank and letting God guide me. Then I can say with Isaiah(54:17), No weapon that is formed against me will prevail. Friends, we live in a natural world, totally surrounded by ungodliness. And we live in a body that is naturally inclined to things of this world. Unless we purposely counter that with unceasing prayer and time in the Word, our body and mind will simply give in to the pressures around us. 

For me, I’m learning to make deliberate decisions to give myself to the things of God. To focus my attention on Him. To surround myself with the Word. I’m learning to Abide. To stay in a position of awareness. This means to acknowledge Jesus in everyday life. Proverbs 3:6 teaches us, to acknowledge Him in ALL my ways and He will direct my paths. Be attentive! Listen for Gods voice in everything and He is a good Father, He’ll lead and guide you in the way you need to go. 

 

This is the fight. This is the fight of Faith. Will you be rolled over by the pressure coming against you today? Or are you so full of the Word that you are a force to be reckoned with? We don’t have to be moved by every wind and every storm that comes along. We aren’t swayed because we are rooted in Christ Jesus. Psalm 1 declares that a man who delights in the Lord is as a tree planted besides streams of water. He bears fruit in every season of his life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous. May you be such a tree! 

 

“But You, O LORD, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. I cried to the LORD with my voice, And He heard me from His holy hill. Selah I lay down and slept; I awoke, for the LORD sustained me. I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people Who have set themselves against me all around. Arise, O LORD; Save me, O my God! For You have struck all my enemies on the cheekbone; You have broken the teeth of the ungodly. Salvation belongs to the LORD. Your blessing is upon Your people. Selah” Psalms‬ ‭3:3-8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬