“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
                                                                                      1 John 4:4 (KJV)
 
     Have you ever heard it said, “We are the Smiths and the Smith family doesn’t give up” or something like that?  I have seen it in movies.  There is something empowering about knowing and appreciating your roots.  Maybe this is why the Bible is big on showing lineage, even though the names are so difficult to pronounce and the people lived long, long ago.  It is reassuring to know where you come from and know where you belong.
     The first four words of this verse are powerful; “Ye are of God.”  Yes, God thought you up, formed you, and created you, giving you life.  It wasn’t the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, or even your parents who gave you life.  It was God! God created you with all your unique qualities. 
     However, the deeper meaning in the verse comes later; “…because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  We are not only of God, but also in the family of Christian believers.  We seek and listen to the Holy Spirit who lives within us. 
     This whole verse is meant as encouragement.  We are children of God!  Yay!  We don’t have stickers on us saying we were made in this country or that country.  God, himself, made us from heaven.  He made us uniquely with our special talents, features, body, spirit, skills, strengths, weaknesses, and outlooks on life.  We may or may not understand why we are made the way we are, but suffice it to say that it is all for God’s glory and he loves us.
     God knew there would be days when we would be frightened, worried, overwhelmed, discouraged, and depressed.  This verse is meant to reassure us that no matter what Satan is doing in the world, no matter what the antichrist is trying to tell you, no matter how many negative people around your or negative thoughts in your mind try to bring you down, the voice of the Holy Spirit within you is stronger than any voice you may hear in your mind or in the world around you.  So…. let’s all say, “Praise God!”
      

     Hi everyone!  It has been a while.  Recently, I started writing devotions again.  I thought I would share with you my latest devotion.  Please, feel free to let me know what you think.  I do appreciate any and all feedback.  Thank you.  God bless!  <3



  “Be not overcome of evil, but               overcome evil with good.”
                                              Romans 12:21 (KJV)
 
     There is so much evil and unkindness in the world today.  It is tempting to push back when someone pushes you, hurt back when someone hurts you.  Sometimes our emotions get the better of us and that is exactly what we do.  We strike back.  Or, if we have been hurt time and time again, we might try playing the bully and hurting others before they get a chance to hurt us.
     However, we are called to replace that hurt with kindness.  We are called to remember our ultimate role model, Jesus, and treat people the way he did.  Jesus never struck anyone. He always showed kindness to others, even as others were not kind to him.  Jesus, the Son of God, in the form of man, taught us how to treat others and how to overcome evil.
     There may be many reasons for this request.  First of all, who wants more violence or evil in the world?  If we can replace evil or overcome it with good, that is wonderful.  The world will be a better place.  Yet, it goes beyond that.  We want to be saved.  We want to spend everlasting life with God.  We want to honor and thank God for saving us, so we want to be as like Jesus as we possibly can.  This is one way to show it.  Although, I think it even goes further than that.  I think we are called to overcome evil with good, so that others can see Jesus’ example and God within us, so that they can desire to do the same.
     I think it is important to realize that what we do, say, and believe have a rippling effect to many others.  We might not even know all those that an action or inaction may effect.  We are called to send out a rippling of prayer, encouragement, kindness, understanding, and love to others.
 
Heavenly Father,
     Thank you for showing me how to act, feel, pray, give, serve, and love through the example of your Son, Jesus.  Help me to follow his holy example and overcome evil with good.  Help me to turn the other cheek on the evil that is done to me and to others.  Give me the courage and knowledge to be a role model of your love and your word in all that I do.  I ask you this through your Son, Jesus.  Amen.