Love Has Won

"Who can stop the Lord Almighty? Our God is the Lion, the Lion of Judah! He's roaring with power and fighting our battles! And every knee will bow before Him. Our God is the Lamb, the Lamb that was slain for the sin of the world. His blood breaks the chains! And every knee will bow before the Lion and the Lamb!" --Big Daddy Weave, "The Lion and the Lamb"

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him Who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35, 37-39

Who can stop the Lord Almighty? NO ONE and NOTHING!! Why? 1 John 4 tells us that God is love. And the first part of 1 Corinthians 13:8 tells us, "Love never fails."

Stop living as though you are defeated! He is risen! If He has conquered death (and He has!) He can handle whatever you are going through. Let go and let God have it! He never fails! He has already won! Rest in your victory in Christ Jesus!

Praise Him in the Storm

"I was sure by now, God, You would have reached down and wiped our tears away, stepped in and saved the day. But once again, I say amen, and it's still raining. But as the thunder rolls, I barely hear You whisper through the rain, 'I'm with you.' And as the thunder rolls, I'll raise my hands and praise the God Who gives and takes away." --Casting Crowns, Praise You in this Storm

We will face trials. Jesus told us that plainly in John 16:33. And the storms of life can test us severely. But Psalm 23:4 says, "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me." (NIV)

Where do you look when you go through darkness? Do you seek help at all? You should! And you should first look to God. "I lift up my eyes to the hills--where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV) While others may be able to help you a little bit, it will never compare to the help God can give you, "for the help of man is worthless." (Psalm 108:12b)

Don't get me wrong. You should definitely draw strength from your brothers and sisters in Christ. But don't stop there, and don't put them ahead of God. The psalmist continues on in verse 13 to say, "With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies." Our victory is found in Him!

Jesus knows what you're going through. Nothing that happens to you is a surprise to Him. Knowing that, it may then be a natural response to turn against Him. But such a tendency is of the flesh. Live instead in the Spirit! When you learn to lean on Him and trust in Him, your battles will be a lot easier to handle, because you will then realize that He is with you! In Hebrews 13:5, we are told that God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (NIV) Also remember, "the battle is not yours, but God's." (See 2 Chronicles 20:15.)

God does not expect you to fight on your own. Time and time again in His Word we are told to trust in Him. Sometimes, we try to do too much, when we should actually be still. Exodus 14:14 tells us, "'The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'" (NIV) Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth." (NIV) Seek Him. Ask Him for help and guidance. Then, proceed with the direction of the Holy Spirit.

And always remember, even in the trouble: Praise Him! There is always something to be thankful for, and thus, a reason to praise Him!

Pray this prayer: Father, help me through my trials. I hold onto Your promises. I cannot do this alone. I need Your help. Guide and direct me. Strengthen me in You. Be with me, as You have promised in Your word to do. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Remember: God is good, all the time. And all the time...God is good!

God bless you!

--Michael