GOD DOES NOT GIVE US OVERCOMING LIFE.... HE GIVES US LIFE AS WE OVERCOME!

“God whispers to us in pleasure, but shouts to us in pain” (C.S. Lewis). Lewis uses “pain” as a figure of speech for anything unpleasant such as affliction, adversity, trouble, disappointments, difficulties, in a word, anything Bad. It is easy to project the life and attributes of our Savior when we are on the mountain top; it is easy to be happy and joyful while basking in His glory... we may even want to put up tents and stay there. But just as Jesus was called to the valley of His cross, so we are called to our cross daily… our life in the valley.  It is there in submission to His will that God will perfect us,  honing away the sharp edges of “Self” as we learn to lean on Him in trusting dependence, live in His presence, release His love, and experience joy in the fellowship of His suffering. God does not give us overcoming life.... He gives us life as we overcome! Father, You promised strength as the byproduct of our joy of You… our joy in You. So release Your strength as we rejoice in You this day: Spiritual strength to willfully submit to Your Lordship and die to Self. Strength of a renewed mind focused on God above all else. Strength of faith to resist the enemy, rejecting the glittery enticements of this world, and rejoicing in all things. And physical strength to overcome the weaknesses of our body. Our reality is the realization that in the act of rejoicing in You we have already overcome, and we are safe within You our stronghold! Amen... So Be It!!!

EndNote: God does not give us overcoming life... He gives us Life as we overcome. The Life He gives is the Christ-Life released within: “My brothers and sisters in Christ, boast and rejoice when you are surrounded by trials, afflictions and hardships, knowing these pressures of life, which test your faith in God, produce God’s patience.  And God’s patience produces Godly character and Godly character produces hope in God.  And God’s hope graces us, because the love of God is lavishly poured to overflowing in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.  So let God’s patience completely finish its objective, that you will be spiritually mature and completely whole in mind, body and spirit, never wanting anything.” (Rom. 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4 combined, John’s translation)

         “THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH”