1 John 5:4-5 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the Victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
Happy New Year from all of us here at Betts Ministries in Caney, Oklahoma. Yesterday, we received a word of encouragement and exhortation. It is the Words written by the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians. And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the Will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise Prophecies. Test all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:12-22)
These words are instructions on how to live our lives pleasing to God. Yes, it is a short list of do’s and don’ts but in reality, it is far more than that. This Passage of Scripture is an outline for how to live the Christian lifestyle. Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with the Son of the Living God that comes ONLY by faith in Who He is and What He accomplished on the Cross.
The fruit of that relationship is our ability to live our lives free from sin, shame, guilt, pride, and fear. The fruit is also our willingness to minister to others and conduct ourselves in a way that is pleasing to God all the time.
Some may argue that this is not possible but the Word of God says it is possible! While none of us will ever be perfect by any stretch of the imagination, when we lay ourselves down as a sacrifice to the Lord and welcome the Holy Spirit to guide, lead, teach, counsel, and admonish us, we can live our lives pleasing to God the Father.
The only way to accomplish any of this is by maintaining our faith in the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross of Calvary. Satan wants to destroy us. He works hard to rob us of our faith. His ultimate goal is to kill us. He does all this by planting thoughts in our minds that lead to sin.
Jesus IS God’s answer for sin in this world. He paid the price with His Blood for ALL THE SIN IN THE WHOLE WORLD. He also paid the price to defeat the power of Satan in our lives now. (Colossians 2:15) Therefore, we CAN live our lives as overcomers! John the Beloved wrote For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the Victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)
On this, the first day of the year 2024, let us pray for increased faith in the Finished Work of Christ on the Cross where Jesus shed His Perfect Blood to abolish the power of Satan in the lives of all born-again believers.
Jesus died to……….turn the tide……….in your life!
All you have to do is believe it. Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
