You are a Winner
The Greek word “hupernikao” is a combination of “Huper” and “Nikos”. “Huper” means over, above and beyond, while “Nikos” means conqueror. Put these two words together as “hupernikao”, and we have scripture telling us that we are enormous, overwhelming conquerors!
The love of God has given us a hyper-victory, causing us to completely triumph over every obstacle! This is who you are in Christ! A masterful champion who is unrivaled against anything that tries to come against you.
Today, know that you are a victor in Christ. The power of the One who lives inside you cannot be parallel or rivaled by any other force in existence. God’s extravagant love for you has already secured a spot for you in the winner’s circle.
Wherever you go, He is with you and empowering you with His love, so that no matter what enemy you face, you are empowered to conquer it!
Nothing Can Separate Us From His love
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
How do you respond to sudden changes in circumstances that did not result to your advantage? Examples such as when your car suddenly breaks down, your vacation leave does not get approved, your kids get sick the day you had something planned or you lose your cell phone. I have found that there are two main reactions we can have:
God, I am so sorry. I will seek You now. What do You want from me?
God, what did I do wrong? I thought You loved me.
Both cover each end of the spectrum. If we don’t walk with the Lord daily, we blame the incident on ourselves and feel guilty. If we do walk with the Lord, we feel abandoned by Him and question His character.
Jesus told us that the rain falls on the just and the unjust alike, meaning that a change in circumstances can happen to all of us. However, the problem comes when we choose to lose our perspective of who God is in the process. God wants us to love Him and enjoy His fellowship. He never stops loving us. We can face any change in circumstance better if we include the Lord in the problem, instead of blaming Him for the problem. Next time something suddenly changes pray, “Lord, help me to stick with You through this and please cause this to work together for good.” Nothing can separate us from His love so we shouldn’t separate ourselves from Him.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 3:23-24
Playing in Concert
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith. (Romans 12:5-6)
During our granddaughter’s school band concert, I was impressed by how well this group of 11- and 12-year-olds played together. If each of them had wanted to be a solo performer, they could not have achieved individually what the band did collectively. The woodwinds, brass, and percussion sections all played their parts and the result was beautiful music!
To the followers of Jesus in Rome, Paul wrote, “So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith” (Rom. 12:5–6). Among the gifts Paul mentioned are prophecy, service, teaching, encouragement, giving, leadership, and mercy (vv. 7–8). Each gift is to be exercised freely for the good of all (1 Cor. 12:7).
One definition of in concert is “agreement in design or plan; combined action; harmony or accord.” That’s the Lord’s plan for us as His children through faith in Jesus Christ. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another” (v. 10). The goal is cooperation, not competition.
In a sense, we are “on stage” before a watching and listening world every day. There are no soloists in God’s concert band, but every instrument is essential. The music is best when we each play our part in unity with others.
Lord, You are the Conductor of our lives. We want to play Your song of love and grace in concert with Your children today. Amen.
This blessed me when I read it. What a fantastic way to describe being one body in Christ and the importance, the music is indeed best when we each play our part in unity with others.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 12:3-8
God’s Gift
God has given us more than we deserve through Christ. We deserve death because of our sin (Rom. 3:23). Yet, “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). We were unworthy, yet Jesus—sinless and holy—gave up His life so we could escape the penalty for our sin and one day live forever in heaven.
Eternal life is a gift from God. It’s not something we earn by working for it. We are saved by God’s grace, through faith in Christ (Eph. 2:8–9).