August 5, 2012 – Pastor Tim – “The Greater One in Us” – Click to download
As children, many of us were happy. Even if we didn’t have much, it didn’t matter. We found things to do, even if it was playing in a cardboard box. We were happy because we didn’t have a lot of stress or cares. As we got older, things started becoming a big deal and got tough. Why? Because we started looking at them from a different perspective.
We can’t afford to lose our child-like trust in God. Jesus said in Luke 18:17 (NLT), “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” Whatever our circumstances, we need to look at them from God’s perspective. When we do, we’ll be able to receive the help and deliverance He wants to give us.
Have you ever noticed how sometimes the smallest thing can set you off and cause you to stress out? For Christians, there shouldn’t be any reason for us to lose our peace. Remember, no matter what we are facing Ephesians 3:20, , “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us.” He can turn any situation around. We should be looking inwardly for our external power. Because 1 John 4:4, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” Our ability to cope, to have mercy, to love and show grace comes from within us where Christ is residing.
Philippians 4:7, “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” For that peace to dwell in our hearts, we have to decide that we are going to let God reign in every situation we face. When we do this, adversity will quit being a trial and become an opportunity to display His glory.
Let’s think about it, since the Bible says we are more than conquerors (Romans 8:37, “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”) and that we always triumph in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14, “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.”), nothing should be trying for us.
After all, the Greater One lives inside us. We are the temple of the living God. 1 Corinthians 3:16, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” Wherever we go, He goes with us. Wherever we are, He is there. He promised to never leave us or forsake us. Hebrews 13:5b, For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” But all too often, many Christians only “feel” His presence when they go to church and begin singing songs of praise during the worship service.
2 Timothy 1:6 says, “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Paul is telling Timothy, and now us, to constantly stir in our remembrance Who is in us and everything that is available to us.
Everything that God is dwells in us. We can, therefore, tap into God’s wisdom and knowledge, as well as His strength and peace. 2 Timothy 1:7 says “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” We have love, power, and a sound mind dwelling inside us. God has provided us with health, healing and prosperity.
He wants us to live life and have it more abundantly. John 10:10 (Amp), “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).”
We have so much inside us, but often we do so little with it. Sometimes I think God becomes frustrated whenever we try to do it in our own wisdom and strength.
With God in us, we should never let the devil cause us to have a bad day. Anytime we’re facing tests and trials, we can choose not to worry or stress about it. If anyone in the world should be happy, it should be us! Because our joy and happiness are powered by an internal presence—Christ living in us—and not external circumstances.
Life will be tough at times. We live in a real world with a real devil. But we have to learn not to look at our circumstances. When things are tough, instead of focusing on what is surrounding us, we need to close our eyes and look inside.
James, the brother of Jesus, shows us how to stand strong during adversity. James 1:2-7, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 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. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;”
“Temptation” in this passage of scripture can mean trials, adverse circumstance, or any bad thing. James is giving us a reality check. He is letting us know that the devil will attack us. We should never think that we are too “spiritual” to escape his attacks.
But God did not leave us defenseless against Satan’s schemes. When we don’t know what to do, we just have to ask for wisdom. We have a direct power connection with the King of Kings, the creator of the universe. And He promises us that whenever we ask Him for wisdom, He will give it liberally.
Think about it, how do you react to adversity? Do you trust God to deliver you? Or do you waver between confidence and doubt? What can you do to always stand strong on God’s Word?
Where many Christians mess up is that they waver. They go to God, but then they begin to wonder if He will really help them. They’ve forgotten that God is not a man that He should lie. Numbers 23:19, “God is not a man, that He should lie,
Nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?
In fact, it is impossible for Him to lie. Hebrews 6:18 (NLT), “So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.” So anytime we need help, we can be confident that He will help us when we ask.
Then when the attacks come, we can stand strong, because we know with complete assurance that God will see us through. That’s why we can “count it all joy.” We’re not looking at the adversity in front of us—we’re looking to the Greater One in us. And we’re expecting the victorious outcome that God has promised us.
Scripture verses are quoted in New King James Version unless other wise noted
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