Overcomers - 2

What do we need to overcome in this world – in our everyday life?

We need to overcome our flesh(which produces sin), the world(which corrupts our soul) and the Devil(who ultimately aims to make us fall) – just as Jesus overcame each of these when Satan tried to tempt Him.

Galatians 5: 16-18
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Romans 8:13
For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

There is a constant battle in us – between our flesh and our spirit – to gain control over us – our soul. The spirit has communion with the Holy Spirit and the flesh has contact with the corrupt world. When we exercise our God given "free will", we either give our flesh the control or surrender to the Holy Spirit. Whatever proceeds from the flesh produces sin and death, but whatever proceeds from the Holy Spirit within us produces the working of the perfect will of God in our lives. The flesh has to be slain in order for the Spirit to have dominion over us. Only the Holy Spirit knows and can teach us the right thing to do, the right thing to say – at every moment. But if we want to listen to and obey the gentle words of the Holy Spirit, our noisy flesh (or our “Self”) has to be put to death. The working of the ‘cross’ in us, puts our flesh to death, and makes us die to our ’self’ and gives the Holy Spirit the control of our lives.

Jesus said,
“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” - Matthew 16:24

Why do we need to die to self?

Only when we die to ’Self’, can the Holy Spirit work is us enabling us to:
Overcome the lusts of the eyes and the flesh (Galatians 5:19,20)
To be uninfluenced by the passions of the world (To be in the world, but not of the world)
Resist the Devil (Only the Holy Spirit can help us use the right weapon in the armor of God to battle the Devil)
Please God in whatever we do
Carry out the Perfect will of God (for the “free will” has now been surrendered to the control of the Holy Spirit)
Be Sanctified and continuously pursue the Holiness of God (Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!)
Pay the price for the Kingdom of God and to take up the cross daily
Bear the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5: 22-23)
Paul makes it very clear that the will of God for our lives is that we should be Overcomers, sanctified continuously through the Holy Spirit.

I Thessalonians 4:3-8:
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

What exactly is “Dying to self”?

Dying to self is to allow the moulding of the Potter – accepting those times of crushing, those disappointments that crush our ego, those uncomfortable circumstances that conflict our self interests, those times of rejection from the world, those times of patient endurance during trials – which denies our self of its own will, which shapes us more into His Image everyday. Dying to self is also to invite the Holy Spirit everyday and asking Him to slay our flesh whenever it raises its sinful ugly head. Dying to self is not a one time thing – it is a continuous process of surrendering of our selves to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-25

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Remember we are to walk in Spirit – which suggests that “Dying to Self” , which is nothing but “Being an Overcomer” is not a one time process, but a continuous walk with God (just like Enoch) through the leading of the Holy Spirit, which transforms our sinful souls each day into the likeness of Christ. Amen!

As a side note, being an “Overcomer” is not trusting on “deeds” rather than Grace, but in fact, it is just the opposite! Doing NOTHING of our own (through the flesh), but denying our Self and surrendering to the leading of the Holy Spirit and through the Grace of Jesus, we “Overcome” the flesh, the world and the Devil. Salvation is a one time process, that is by Grace through Faith in Jesus and His work on the cross. Sanctification, on the other hand, is a continuous process, through the work of the Holy Spirit. Bottom line is, we need to “walk in the Spirit” that slays the “works” of the flesh, to be an Overcomer and a true disciple of Jesus Christ!

Overcomers - 1

Revelation 3: 21
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
Jesus was an Overcomer and He wants each one of us to be the Over-comers of this world.  To be an “Overcomer", it simply means that we need to overcome the lusts and passions of the world, just the way He did, so that the world (or more precisely the prince of the world – the Devil) cannot have a dominion or control over us.

Why do we need to overcome?

We have a constant battle with the evil spirits (even though we may not be aware of it!), which try to trap us into the clutches of this sinful world and stop us getting nearer to God. We are so vulnerable to these attacks (on an everyday basis!) that it is impossible to claim the victory over Satan without fighting it the way Jesus did.

If we do not overcome the world, in no time we would be enslaved by the Devil and we would be steadily heading to Hell even without we knowing it. We cannot please God in our actions if we of not overcome the world.

Are you an overcomer?

If we are constantly following the pattern of this world, being easily influenced by worldly advice, giving into temptations of sin, fearing the world (or in other words, pleasing the people), falling prey to the deadly sin of pride – it is a serious alarm that we are in a great danger!! We may be living in a great deception if we live worldly lives and still believe we live for God. An Overcomer has the world under his heels (never allows the world or worldly systems to influence/control him) – remember that Jesus crushed the head of Satan, the prince of the world, by his heel and so should we, Amen!

You are not an overcomer if,

• You give in to the temptations of sin
• Your focus is in the worldly systems such as education, job/career, entertainment, politics
• You fear the world and constantly try to please the people in your life instead of pleasing God
• You are easily influenced by the patterns of this sickening world – Fashion, trends
• You have worldly heroes/role models (Anything we adore apart from God, is an idol)
• You are overburdened with the cares of the future or the guilt of the past
• You live a life with no thought of Heaven

Prayer:
Father God, I thank You for this beautiful day. Analyze my life, my intentions and my inclinations to see if it pleases You. I want to be not just an ordinary believer, but an “Overcomer”, following the example of Your Son, Jesus Christ. If I am held captive by the clutches of the world today, please reveal it to me and convict me by Your Holy Spirit and help me be an “Overcomer”. I pray in the mighty Name of Jesus, Amen.

Battling with Divine Authority

Luke 10: 19

Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.

When we face the problems of our life, we turn to God and pray. Often, we may find that we do not get complete deliverance. I believe that it is because we do not deal with the problem correctly and that we need to identify the root of the problems first. If the problems are because of our "Self" and our sinful "flesh", we need to keep praying and believing God till we get complete deliverance, because we cannot overcome our "Self" or "flesh" by our own efforts. God will slay our "Self" by chiseling and pruning us through various trials. But if the problems are brought by the devil, clearly, we need to use the battle strategy here! God has already given us the authority to not only resist but also fight against the devil. When it becomes clear that it is the enemy who has paralyzed us, hurt us, keeping us ineffective and unproductive, we need to overcome it by exercising the authority that is in the Name of Jesus and by claiming the power that is in the precious blood of Jesus.

  Now, how do we understand or identify the root of our problems? With our mind? With our rational thinking? Absolutely not! Only the HOLY Spirit can enlighten us with the real source of the problems. It is therefore important, that we rely on the HOLY spirit every day, for understanding the strategy that we need to opt, for overcoming the problems that we face; for only HE can help us understand the root of the problems and the effective way to deal with them. In Matthew chapter 17 verse 21, Jesus talks about another way of battling against devil. He says, "However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting". So Let us invite the HOLY Spirit - who is the Spirit of truth, the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of power - into our hearts everyday - and HE will help us overcome the devil and to live a victorious life in the Name of Jesus. Amen.

He gives Wisdom

James 1: 5, 6
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

  

  God loves to give. He is a Giver of all good things. Although God knows what we need, HE always expects that we ask HIM what we need and receive it, so that we can know by experience, how Good our God is. Another reason may be that whenever we ask something to someone, we acknowledge the fact that we lack something and we humble ourselves, to ask, what we lack. When we acknowledge our lacking and humbly ask God to fill us with HIS wisdom, we understand the significance of GOD'S grace. Otherwise, if God provided us with HIS wisdom even before we asked for it, we would take it for granted and will fall into pride.

  Whatever we may be in need of today, we just have to ask HIM and God will pour it out on us. For a fruitful spiritual life, we need wisdom to choose the right things, the wisdom to always trust in God, the wisdom to love God and the wisdom to know God. God specifically promises to grant wisdom - But only to the one who asks! Apart from asking, the verse says that we need to believe that we would receive what we ask for. When we ask God, God answers us from Heaven for sure and our answer starts its journey towards us, but it takes Faith (on our part) to receive that answer from God. So let us acknowledge our lacking, humble ourselves and ask God for HIS spirit of wisdom and believe with no doubt, that God will send down HIS HOLY spirit (The spirit of wisdom) who will lead us in the right way and teach us what we need to do today. Amen.

Faith with Actions

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

The Bible gives a beautiful and an apt definition of what Faith is. Faith is the substance (or the core and significant matter) of things hoped for. What do we hope for? God has given us wonderful promises and has also planted unique dreams, gifts and talents in each one of us. Knowingly or unknowingly, these dreams are manifested as the desires of our hearts, the things that we hope for. We may hope for restoration, for increase, for promotion, for improvement, for security, for limitless peace, for abounding joy, or for true and perfect love – Unless and until we have “Faith” that is proved by actions – these remain mere dreams. The main solid base for all the things we hope for is "Faith" - which has its roots in GOD'S Word.

 Someone has beautifully illustrated faith with this simple story. Once upon a time, in a small village, there was no rain for many years and as a result, the people suffered in drought. The villagers, decided to pray for rain. The next day they all gathered for prayer and only one child came with an umbrella. That's faith. The story ends there but I believe that the village was blessed with rain thereafter, and the faith of the little child should've been the reason behind that blessing. God is not moved when we just pray for the things that we hope for. God expects that the "substance" and the "proof" of Hope has to be shown by us. Science may need proof of things that are. But God wants us to show the evidence and proof of things that are not – that are yet to be; that evidence is named as "Faith".

James chapter 2 verse 17 says, "Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead". Let us demonstrate a live faith and God is pleased when we demonstrate our faith, just like that child, which proves that we simply believe in HIM and NOT the circumstances. Faith believes that no matter what happens, GOD'S Word will never fail and that our prayers made in the center of GOD'S will can never go in vain. We may not have seen GOD'S best in our lives yet, but Faith is the evidence and proof - that we have deep in our hearts - of all the things that God has in store for us. Amen.

The Power of Brokenness

John 12: 24
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.

   Jesus laid before us the perfect example of a God centered life, teaching us how to Please God and how to do the will of God. We see that Jesus was full of faith, hope, love, gentleness, kindness, compassion and all the  fruits of the HOLY spirit. He performed miracles and wonders that glorified God. There were so many times in Jesus' life when GOD'S power was revealed and HIS name glorified. This was the "Son of God" experience of Jesus. But, this strong man of faith, this strong peaceful and kind person, cries out in the cross, "My God, My God, Why have You forsaken me?". This statement doesn't mean that Jesus lost HIS faith. He did believe the verse that says, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you".

    But when the presence of God was taken away from HIM, HE cried out as HE could no longer bear the ultimate spiritual brokenness. This was one of the instances when God allowed Jesus, to go through the "Son of Man" phase - where there is mere suffering. As glorious and wonderful the "Son of God" experiences are, because GOD'S mighty hand rests on us, equally humiliating, sorrowful and painful are the experience of "cross" where we (as a "Son of Man") are deprived of GOD'S presence - which is the worst punishment and suffering anyone could go through. Jesus had to go through this, so that the divine will of God be fulfilled. In this "Son of Man" experience, there is no faith, that can work its way out of the problem; there is no comforting, that can bring hope and peace. There is only tears. These experiences are a confirmation that we are on God's straight and narrow path, that we are following the footprints of Christ and that we are perfectly in the center of GOD'S will.

    Why does God allow these experiences? I believe that these experiences give way to GOD'S great plans to be executed, the powers of Satan to be defeated and gives way for a resurrected life that brings blessings to one and all. It is a checkpoint in our life - to let us know that we are entirely in the center of GOD'S perfect will. When we face the Gethsemanes of our lives, when there's no hope nor comfort nor peace, but only tears and blood sweats, let us cry out to God just as Jesus did; although it might seem like God is too far and is not listening, it will just be a matter of time, when we will triumph, in the battle against devil and GOD'S perfect-Will will be accomplished.

God always uses broken vessels. Vance Havner says, "God uses broken things. It takes broken soil to produce a crop, broken clouds to give rain, broken grain to give bread, broken bread to give strength. It is the broken alabaster box that gives forth perfume". It took a broken Jesus to redeem the whole world, it took a broken Joseph to feed many during the drought, it took a broken Moses to lead a nation into Canaan, it took a broken David to establish the successful nation of Israel. It took a broken Paul, to lead many into Christ. It will take a broken you and me to accomplish GOD'S will in this world today! God believes in this principle - break, bless and make it a blessing to others. That's why Jesus broke the bread, asked God to bless it and it became a blessing, satisfying thousands of people! Let us graciously accept our brokenness just like Jesus, as HE said, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."; because God can use the broken vessels in a way we can never even imagine, for a greater victory and a greater glory! Amen.

Forget NOT - His Blessings, His Grace!

Psalm 103: 2-4
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies.

      Often, we need to remind ourselves about the goodness of our God, which has led us thus far. That's Why the Psalmist speaks to his own soul, and reminds it to praise the LORD and not to forget all the Good things HE has done. What are the wonderful things that God has done for us? We were sinners condemned, and destined to hell, but God has graciously redeemed us with the precious blood of HIS SON, so that we can rejoice in Heaven with HIM for eternity. There are innumerable diseases out there and many medical conditions for which neither the cause nor the remedy has been found, even though we claim that we have made tremendous medical advancements. Praise God that HE has kept us protected, from all those problems and diseases! Even if we do suffer now from certain disease or pain, do not be discouraged, for HE is our HEALER. Verse 4 says that HE is our Redeemer. In this world which is prone to destructive hazards, God is standing right beside us, to protect and safeguard us from all mishaps. And finally God crowns us with HIS LOVE and surrounds us with HIS unlimited mercies and grace, to honor and bless us every single day! What more do we need? He gave us forgiveness so that we can enjoy eternity with HIM, He gives us protection and health, He safeguards us and provides for all our needs. If we have Jesus, we have everything - a Healer, a Redeemer, a Savior, a Friend, a Father, a caretaker, a well-wisher and a God – who is simply in love with us! Let us remember everything, which we’ve received through grace and praise HIM today; for HE alone is worthy of praise, for HE alone, is God Almighty.