"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33
I was recently reminded of this verse in my bible study. And though I've heard it many times, it seemed to penetrate deeper this time. I started to think, "What if you truly believed in this verse and lived each day holding on to this truth?" Imagine it! Current events such as terrorism, war, political unrest, etc. wouldn't even cause you to flinch.
"Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler. For the time will surely come when I will punish the idols of Babylon (enter any enemy here since our God is the same God of Jeremiah and He never changes!); her whole land will be disgraced and her slain will all lie fallen within her." Jeremiah 51:46-47
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." Matthew 24:6
The fact that someone is against you wouldn't phase you in the least -
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." John 15:18-19
You'd never worry where your next meal came from, or how you were going to make ends meet this month -
(Jesus reminds his disciples how God cares for things in nature so how much more does He cares for us...then says...)
"And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well." Luke 12:29-31
You would no longer feel like a failure-
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:14
Many more promises are in the bible that affirms that Jesus has indeed "overcome the world." Perhaps what this verse means most is that although we are like sheep to be slaughtered, Jesus has rescued us through His sacrificial death. Still, He is very much concerned about our daily needs, big and little. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31 If we live fully believing this, we would live as Paul did. He defined his life like this (as further described in that famous Phil. 4:13 verse), "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11
BELIEVE (No matter who wins the next presidential election, no matter who doesn't like you, no matter if you have enough money to pay off debts, no matter how many times you've failed in the past, Jesus has overcome the world......).
I was recently reminded of this verse in my bible study. And though I've heard it many times, it seemed to penetrate deeper this time. I started to think, "What if you truly believed in this verse and lived each day holding on to this truth?" Imagine it! Current events such as terrorism, war, political unrest, etc. wouldn't even cause you to flinch.
"Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler. For the time will surely come when I will punish the idols of Babylon (enter any enemy here since our God is the same God of Jeremiah and He never changes!); her whole land will be disgraced and her slain will all lie fallen within her." Jeremiah 51:46-47
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come." Matthew 24:6
The fact that someone is against you wouldn't phase you in the least -
"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you." John 15:18-19
You'd never worry where your next meal came from, or how you were going to make ends meet this month -
(Jesus reminds his disciples how God cares for things in nature so how much more does He cares for us...then says...)
"And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom and these things will be given to you as well." Luke 12:29-31
You would no longer feel like a failure-
"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:14
Many more promises are in the bible that affirms that Jesus has indeed "overcome the world." Perhaps what this verse means most is that although we are like sheep to be slaughtered, Jesus has rescued us through His sacrificial death. Still, He is very much concerned about our daily needs, big and little. "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Matthew 10:29-31 If we live fully believing this, we would live as Paul did. He defined his life like this (as further described in that famous Phil. 4:13 verse), "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:11
BELIEVE (No matter who wins the next presidential election, no matter who doesn't like you, no matter if you have enough money to pay off debts, no matter how many times you've failed in the past, Jesus has overcome the world......).
1 comment:
Hi Lynn,
I think I shoud read this entry each and every day - the way I worry and worry about exactly what you've written.
Thank you for the reminder.
You're the BEST!!
Love, Jamie
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