Scripture of The Day
April 8 , 2021
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
By Ed Henderson ( 2017)
In 2017 Albany, GA was hit by some devastating tornadoes. The following was Ed’s devotional for that day. The loss of homes and property would be overwhelming if you did not realize this one fact. The earth that we presently live in is not our home. We are strangers and aliens here in this world of crisis and our real home is in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. John 18:36 says, Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders.
But my Kingdom is not of this world.” Our kingdom (The Kingdom of God) is not of this world. You must understand, that although this godless world is always in crisis, the Kingdom of God is never in crisis. If you claim citizenship in the Kingdom of God, you have a way to overcome every crisis. The overcomer lives in you. We, as citizens of Heaven, have the ability to stand, and when we have done all, to stand therefore (Ephesians 6:13-14).
John 16:33 in the Amplified Bible says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”
The Message Bible says, “I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.” I like what the Message Bible says there; in this godless world we will continue to experience difficulties.
But the good news for believers is that we are not of this world. I Peter 2:11 in the New American Standard Bible says, ”Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.” Ephesians 2:6 says, “And He raised us up together with Him and made us sit down together [giving us joint seating with Him] in the heavenly sphere [by virtue of our being] in Christ Jesus (the Messiah, the Anointed One).” Romans 8:11 in the New International Version says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.” No matter what you are facing, or what comes your way, the same overcoming Spirit of God lives in you and He will show you what to do because He loves you more than you love yourself.
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