More Than A Conquerer

  "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?...Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." Romans 8:35,37 

   I listened to a woman preacher this morning on television after my morning walk as she spoke about how God's grace is there for us regardless of our shortcomings. She related to stories of Abraham and King David and how their homes and personal lives were laden with dysfunction and sinful acts, yet the grace of God through Christ Jesus was able to cleanse them of all unrighteousness, pull their feet out of the sinking sand and set them up upon a solid rock. When I am reminded of God's grace in such a manner I immediately feel a comfort and assurance that His eye is truly on the sparrow. Whatever uneasiness I am experiencing, whatever despair attempts to shroud my life, whatever loss or pain I have been caused to endure I know that my Lord is able and will deliver me. As in the case of renowned football player, Michael Vick, even when we sin willingly God is able to restore us to our former glory and beyond once we earnestly are sorry for our offenses. So many do not live to realize this because the enemy has robbed them of the ability to forgive themselves; and if we cannot forgive ourselves how then can we look up to God from our despicable state and boldly come before the throne of grace and receive mercy? 

  For so long I was one who was so concerned as to what people thought or said about me. It used to cause me anger, but mostly it drove me to excel in everything I did. When people told me I was too poor to do this or too small to do that I was driven to show them that they were wrong. When I joined the military I came up against the same negativity and it only made me hunger for success even the more. I have learned that my battle against naysayers and haters will never end; for we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness. To look at this in a positive light, just tell yourself that the attacks of the enemy only sharpens your sword. You must be doing something right to be attacked with so much. So let us not be weary in doing what is good and right and honorable and remember that the weapons of our warfare are not made of weak earthly things but, instead, are mighty weapons such as love, joy, peace, long suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance (restraint).  

  Today proposes to be the first day of a new beginning for me. Once again, I feel no fear as I stand in faith. I pray that God will grant me the serenity to rebuild in peace and joy. He has blessed me with a great number of friends who are prayer warriors in their own right and together we touch each other's lives daily. I've just preached myself happy.

I love you all.

Dennis