Overcome

Faith as an Overcomer

For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4

One of the fruits of the new birth, is a faith which not only enables its possessor to overcome the sensual and sinful customs, and the carnal maxims and policies by which the profane world is regulated–but also the lying delusions and errors by which the professing world is fatally deceived.

The only thing which will or can “overcome the world” is a God-given–but self-exercised faith.

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Change Requires Choices

Proverbs 2:1-5 NRSV>
My child, if you accept my words
and treasure up my commandments within you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom
and inclining your heart to understanding;

if you indeed cry out for insight,
and raise your voice for understanding;
if you seek it like silver,
and search for it as for hidden treasures —
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.

I was having a discussion with a woman online one day. She was explaining that she had this (sinful) compulsion and had dealt with it over and over again. She wasn’t really distressed about it, just simply saying that this was who she was.

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Hope is an Anchor if We Allow It to Be

Hebrews 6:17-19 NKJV
Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil.

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How to Get Out of the Pit

Return to the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful,
slow to anger, and of great kindness. Joel 2:13

Let me start this week’s devotional with the words to a chorus God gave me when I was in the pit of self-loathing and condemnation:

I remember, Lord, the joy of serving You;
I remember, Lord, when all I knew was You;
Flowing through me, calling to me,
Lord, please use me once again!

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Unraveling Webs

Lurking in shadows a sadness has been,
A moody reminder, paradise lost,
A spoiler that spins thick webs of chagrin,
Bleak sepulchers stinking, “GUILTY” embossed.
And lying therein, with days passing by,
Fading remembrance of transparent skies.

While life continues, bleak baggage and all,
Around sunken anchors water still flows,
Bringing a current of hope, a call
To waken a will ensconced within woes.
Can strength be mustered, chains be breached,
Web be unraveled, surface reached?

In anticipation of life unchained
A door may appear, Heaven disguised?
Hope lives that it leads to a life unstained,
Fear grows that it harbors more joy denied.
Will freedom reward all those who explore,
Or deeper despair, deeply deplored?

To think there’s a chance that Heaven will ope

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Creative decay happens…


Creative decay happens…
A mammoth of the forest falls
A path for sizzling sunlight appears
Tender shoots respond, grow,
Feed on the fallen, recycling the years.

Creative grief looms…
A mountainous emotion zooms
Testing
Arresting the will
But, in the end, stilled
Perseverance crests the hill.

Creative worry calls…
Bottomless stress
Unsettledness
Wall of despair, ball of dismay
A puzzle with pieces missing, mislaid
Much can be gained from the angst, the rune
Humbled, refocused, head bowed, heart tuned.

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Symphony Dawn

The symphony that is dawn
Swells
Magnificence dwells in the birthing sun
All nature is drawn as hymns
Rise
Darkness flies
Hearts warm
Doubting dies.

So what is required of you
The blessed
The honored guests,
What strange request?

You
The witnesses
The dazzled dear
Cast away fears
To radiance cleave
Believe.

Believe in Life beyond the sky
Believe the Light of Truth is nigh
Believe the sight that meets your eye
The Son of Love is waiting…Hie!

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