Thursday February 01st, 2024
« Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good »
35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?
36 It is exactly as the Scriptures say, “For You we face death all day long. We are like sheep on their way to be butchered.”
37 In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us.
38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love, not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future,
39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!
In today’s Bible reading, Paul list some realities of life that can shake the faith of a believer.
These include tribulation and distress, which manifest themselves today in the form of financial crisis and/or health issues.
Others include covert and open persecution of believers, even in so-called secular nations professing freedom of religion and association.
Nations of the world are also plagued with homelessness, famine and poverty, and we are faced with the peril of firearms and weapons of mass destruction falling into the hands of terrorists.
It takes being emboldened by the Holy Spirit and having the mind of Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah, to hold the fort and lift up the banner of God’s kingdom.
We should not be dismayed by the prevalence of these evil things because our Lord Jesus Christ already told us they would happen. Speaking in John 16:20&33, He said:
« I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to Me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy…. 33 I (Jesus) have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world »
Undergoing trials and tribulations is a part of our faith as Christ's disciples.
The Bible makes this clear to us in 2 Timothy 3:12NIV , which says:
« In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted »
Those who have gone ahead of us also passed through these same things, and some even had to pay the supreme price of their lives while upholding the faith.
To finish strong like they did, we must believe and live by what the Holy Spirit says about us in Romans 8:37, which says:
« In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us »
Are you passing through tough times?
Does it seems the promises of God are not working out for you?
I encourage you to cheer up and be strong.
Don't deny your Master and Lord because of tough times which will soon fade away.
The Lord is speaking to you today through 1 Corinthians 15:58NIV, saying:
« Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. »
Hold on to this word and remain unmovable from the straight and narrow way that leads to life.
I pray that God will continue to strengthen and uphold you in Jesus’ Name.
Prayer focus – Father, please uphold Your Church in these trying period of the end-times, and let me not be numbered among those who will fall away from the truth in Jesus’ Name.
Author – Bishop Enoch. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
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