Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – January 21, 2015
My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. John 17:15
Most days I am exposed, vulnerable to the elements of the world. The media seeks to proselytize my mind toward a secular thought process. Digital images incessantly infiltrate my spiritual instincts and try to capture my imagination. Yes, in this world I am exposed to evil. Evil people. Evil entertainment. Evil geniuses. Evil empires. Evil intentions. Evil spirits. Not surprisingly, those who embrace evil, call it good and call good—evil. Fortunately, even if engulfed by evil—I am guarded by God. Like the Hebrew children (Daniel 3:25)—I am secure with Jesus.
Christ knew His followers needed eternal energy to overcome the evil one. Satan would try to lure them off the Lord’s path to preach the gospel. Evil people would attempt to discredit their faith as foolish and far fetched. After all, the skeptics declared, did Jesus really rise from the dead? But God gave them courage to faithfully proclaim what they had witnessed. Christ’s death and resurrection was real, because they experienced His very real presence. Evil motivations melt away in the heat of a heart enflamed by Christ. God empowers His own to overcome evil.
“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
What evil influences interest you? What area of your life needs to overcome the evil one? Your loving heavenly Father has you in the palm of His hand—ever vigilant with His protection. If you have been lured by lust’s illusions—tell a trusted friend and know Christ in you, and He is greater than the evil in the world. Overeating may have robbed you of the energy to engage with people. Ask the Holy Spirit to decrease your appetite for food and increase your appetite for relationships. Smaller portions of food can lead to larger love for the Lord. Feed your soul first.
Furthermore, we can face the evil one every day in the power of the Holy Spirit. Those of us who: believe in Jesus, love Jesus and obey Jesus can live our lives in Jesus’ name. In Christ we have already conquered the world. By God’s grace we can initiate righteous ways in place of the world’s ways. Be on the offensive for Jesus, not on the defensive against the devil. We live life from a position of strength in the Lord, not in the weakness of the world. As a child of God we have the right last name. Because we are guarded by God, we can be guardians of His grace.
“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that in Christ I have victory over the world.
Related Readings: Exodus 23:20; Isaiah 52:12; Malachi 2:15-16; Romans 8:37; 2 Peter 2:20; Revelation 2:7, 11
Post/Tweet this today: Be on the offensive for Jesus, not on the defensive against the devil. #guardedbyGod #wisdomhunters
Additional Resource: 4 minute music video, Newsboys: God’s Not Dead
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