May 2nd, 2025
by Steve Marshall
by Steve Marshall
Church Family:
The world has feelings for you. The world either loves you, or it hates you. Jesus said, “if you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but if you are not of the world, the world will hate you” (John 15:19). Here, Jesus refers to the world system that is opposed to God. He speaks of human society that is hostile to God under the control of the evil one (John 12:31). Do you feel the world hating you or loving you? Are you overcoming the world…or are you overcome by it?
God calls you to come out, rise above and be separate from the world, so that you will stand victorious as you avoid its ways and stand apart. “Not being of the world” is challenging and demands an unceasing battle effort spiritually, mentally and physically. During this long battle you will likely be at odds with some of your family, friends, and neighbors and will find that offense, ridicule, and persecution come into your life.
Standing solid as a rock in the battle, God promises us victory in our battle against the world. “This is the victory that overcomes the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). This means that faith is much more than something we do. Instead faith itself is a powerful, sovereign gift from God that He works within us. Paul calls God’s gift of faith a “shield that extinguishes all the flaming darts of the wicked one” (Eph. 6:14). When you take up God’s powerful shield of faith, Satan can cast all the slurs, slanders, doubt and dismay he wants, but all will be extinguished by faith.
Our faith—of which Christ is “the author and perfecter” (Heb. 12:2)—is the sovereign eternal shield that will never be defeated by the world. Faith is the power that you have from God to be victorious over the world and Satan. Faith is the power that enables you to live in a way that pleases God. It empowers you to overcome temptation, endure hardship, and persevere in the face of adversity. Faith’s power is the assurance (or substance) of things hoped for. Faith powerfully gives you a solid confidence and certainty about the promises of God, even before they are fulfilled. Faith is not wishful thinking, but a trust that what God has said will come to pass. Faith is a powerful conviction (or evidence) of things not seen. Faith is being convinced about realities that are invisible—God’s presence, His promises, spiritual truths, and the future fulfillment of His Word, even when there is no physical proof yet. Faith powerfully gives you a confident trust. Faith rests on the reliability of God’s character and Word. Faith is forward-looking as it hopes in God’s future promises, even when they are not yet visible. Faith is an active response that leads to obedience. Faith “sees” what is unseen and eternal, not just what is tangible and temporary (2 Cor. 4:18). Faith, “believing that Jesus is the son of God” (1 John 5:5), is your victory over the world! Where do you need faith to do its powerful work in your life to bring victory over the world?
See you Sunday victorious: Steve
The world has feelings for you. The world either loves you, or it hates you. Jesus said, “if you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but if you are not of the world, the world will hate you” (John 15:19). Here, Jesus refers to the world system that is opposed to God. He speaks of human society that is hostile to God under the control of the evil one (John 12:31). Do you feel the world hating you or loving you? Are you overcoming the world…or are you overcome by it?
God calls you to come out, rise above and be separate from the world, so that you will stand victorious as you avoid its ways and stand apart. “Not being of the world” is challenging and demands an unceasing battle effort spiritually, mentally and physically. During this long battle you will likely be at odds with some of your family, friends, and neighbors and will find that offense, ridicule, and persecution come into your life.
Standing solid as a rock in the battle, God promises us victory in our battle against the world. “This is the victory that overcomes the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4). This means that faith is much more than something we do. Instead faith itself is a powerful, sovereign gift from God that He works within us. Paul calls God’s gift of faith a “shield that extinguishes all the flaming darts of the wicked one” (Eph. 6:14). When you take up God’s powerful shield of faith, Satan can cast all the slurs, slanders, doubt and dismay he wants, but all will be extinguished by faith.
Our faith—of which Christ is “the author and perfecter” (Heb. 12:2)—is the sovereign eternal shield that will never be defeated by the world. Faith is the power that you have from God to be victorious over the world and Satan. Faith is the power that enables you to live in a way that pleases God. It empowers you to overcome temptation, endure hardship, and persevere in the face of adversity. Faith’s power is the assurance (or substance) of things hoped for. Faith powerfully gives you a solid confidence and certainty about the promises of God, even before they are fulfilled. Faith is not wishful thinking, but a trust that what God has said will come to pass. Faith is a powerful conviction (or evidence) of things not seen. Faith is being convinced about realities that are invisible—God’s presence, His promises, spiritual truths, and the future fulfillment of His Word, even when there is no physical proof yet. Faith powerfully gives you a confident trust. Faith rests on the reliability of God’s character and Word. Faith is forward-looking as it hopes in God’s future promises, even when they are not yet visible. Faith is an active response that leads to obedience. Faith “sees” what is unseen and eternal, not just what is tangible and temporary (2 Cor. 4:18). Faith, “believing that Jesus is the son of God” (1 John 5:5), is your victory over the world! Where do you need faith to do its powerful work in your life to bring victory over the world?
See you Sunday victorious: Steve
Recent
Archive
2025
January
February
April
2024
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
2023
March
Fit for the Kingdom of GodFaithful Prayer brings Faithful Power - God's power.Remembering the Good in Good Friday - Good Friday TimelineFind God's Glory in Every StoryDenying Self Remains Our Call Even During a PandemicCome together in Prayer and Fasting - Wednesday evening to Thursday evening5:13pm Daily - Powerfully Praying TogetherHave you noticed? Can you see it?None of this is meaningless!Grace Community Church's Mitigation Strategy for COVID-19Do not fear; Only believe!Why Demons... today? For God's greatness to be seen more clearly everyday.Having Faith vs. Engaging FaithWhat does your heart hear? - With a hardness, shallowness, thorniness or goodness?Know Your Sins - Know His ForgivenessDoubt your doubts... not Jesus.Compassion Costs Us Something - Invest Your CompassionWonder twin powers - activate! Faith and The Word of GodHoliness is something we are to do because of what we already are - Holy.Boasting in our arrogance in 2020 vs. Resting in God's Providence in 2020Does the start of 2020 find you spiritually renewed or spiritually sleepy?Satan never saw it coming... the IncarnationWhen do you forgive someone's grievous sin against you?Are you a Peacemaker or a Peacefaker?What does gratitude look like today?We Grieve with HopeFear wants to be your boss. God says, nope...What does your anger look like? What is your anger saying?
Categories
no categories
Tags
no tags
No Comments