Family: Marriage Part II

Posted on May 5, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might. For there is no work, reasoning, knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave where you are going.      Ecclesiastes 9:10 (HN)

Jody and I started our publishing company in 2004 by buying out all the books published by Pacesetter Bible School at the time. Since then we’ve had to learn a number of lessons about how the process of producing books works. Many of those lessons are the same as you’d learn in any business.

We’ve learned that you have to focus, something that we’ve only really learned over the last year or so. That’s why you won’t find us involved in so many things. Our business is our ministry, and we’re practicing keeping our eye on the ball.

We’ve learned that the idea of people with various gifts working together isn’t just for the church. The 1 Corinthians 12 model is quite important in business as well.

But there’s something that I have learned over the years that has only been reinforced by our experience in the book business: You never get anywhere looking for what you can get by with. You have to be looking for the best way to do each thing.

This is a lesson that seems obvious once it’s stated, but we often don’t apply it in our relationships. If you look for what you can get by with in your relationship to God, you’re going to find that your relationship is slipping away. If you look for what you can get by with in your marriage, you’re going to find your marriage slipping away. Come to think of it, if you look for what you can get by with anywhere in your family, such as with your children, you’re going to find things going downhill fast.

But let’s look at the way we talk about marriage in the church. Isn’t our approach often to ask what we can get by with? What is an acceptable excuse for divorce? Where does scripture say I can’t do ______? Does scripture actually command me to _________?

I don’t know about you, but in my experience, most conversations about marriage center around questions that are phrased that way. We’re asking what we can get by with, not what the ideal is that God has for us.

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will cling to his wife, and the two of them will become one person.      Genesis 2:24 (HN)

There’s your ideal. How close is your marriage to making you and your spouse one person? That’s a mildly loose translation of the Hebrew one flesh, but that’s what it means. There’s no your money and my money because you’re one person.

Now I doubt few, if any, of us manage this ideal. But can we be satisfied with getting by rather than taking aim at the ideal?

I do want to say something to the folks out there who are in bad marriages. It takes two to make a marriage. If you’re in an abusive situation, then someone is not pursuing that ideal of one flesh. Don’t settle for a perversion of God’s ideal by staying in such an ungodly situation. When we try to preserve such a ‘marriage’ we’re doing a disservice to the ideal of God’s love. Jody and I were watching Fireproof (movie starring Kirk Cameron) the other day, and at one point the father of the lead character starts talking about God’s love and how that should be reflected in his marriage. God loves him even though he doesn’t earn or deserve it. Even though his wife isn’t responding, he should continue to love her. But there’s a reverse of this. Our love for one another should be a demonstration for others of what God’s grace means in action. When we model an abusive marriage, we pervert this witness to God’s love.

Because YHWH loved you and because he was keeping the oath he swore to your ancestors, to bring you out with a strong hand and to ransom you from slavery, from the power of Pharaoh, king of Egypt.       Deuteronomy 7:8 (HN, my emphasis)

Finally, as someone who lived many years single, and then got married in middle age, let me say something to single people. Whether you are a man or a woman, you are Christ’s bride. You are joined to God. There is provision in scripture for those who are not married. There are even moments when singleness is mentioned very positively (1 Corinthians 7:8-16).

Remember this: God is not hindered in his work by our circumstances. Singles, especially women, are often seen as particularly vulnerable to the devil. But if you are following God’s plan for your life, and if you cling to Christ, you are as safe as anyone. The ideal in that case is your covenant with God. Don’t neglect it!

Let marriage be honored by everyone …         Hebrews 13:4a (HN)

Posted in Deuteronomy, Ecclesiastes, Genesis, Hebrews | 1 Comment

Family: Marriage

Posted on May 4, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Pharisees came to him, testing him, and saying, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

He answered, “Haven’t you read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female and said, ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall join to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh? So that they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, don’t let man tear apart.”

They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a bill of divorce, and divorce her?”

He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so.      Matthew 19:3-8 (WEB)

For me, marriage is a covenant between a man and woman and God. Once God makes a commitment to a covenant, He doesn’t change His mind. It’s the other two parties who have to work at it.

I have been through a divorce. I was married almost 20 years. Our marriage failed because we did not make our covenant with God. We did not understand that we could not make a marriage work by ourselves. We took God for granted; relegating Him to the ‘library’ of our life. We could take Him out when we thought we needed Him. We were good people and went to church. That was enough. Not. When communication became difficult and outside forces added pressure and we found ourselves on different paths, we had no knowledge of Who to call and how to allow His love to heal us. And we were in the church.

Very often it seems that marriages fail inside the Church because both the husband and wife are not committed to their own relationship to God and they are not committed to their marriage. Both are essential. How often I have heard one of the covenant parties explain what the other person has done to bring about the demise of the marriage. It wasn’t until I owned up to what I had and had not done that I could live with the divorce the rest of my life. No matter what has happened and what the circumstances there is a sense of failure that never leaves you when you have gone through divorce. It is in personal repentance that I found peace that does pass my understanding.

In the last 11 years, I have found what it is like to live in a covenant marriage. On the one hand there is that assurance that all three parties are committed to the promises they have made. That does not mean that there has not been problems in communication or that outside forces have not launched attacks on Henry and me but we know Who to call! We have prayed even when we did not feel like praying and God is faithful to clear the way for His truth and His love to cover what we are unable to do for ourselves.

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body. But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly; because we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones. “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.” This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly. Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.     Ephesians 5:22-33 (WEB)

Oh, how often this passage is quoted in pieces and parts to suit the one quoting! It cannot be said unless there is commitment from both parties. That commitment grows trust that joins to produce the fruit of respect and love. It can never be a one way gift and be a growing relationship. Just as my relationship with Jesus grows when I put into it (because I know Jesus will!) so my relationship with Henry grows when I put into it because I know that Henry will. We both give without keeping a ledger. We also both forgive without keeping a ledger!

Marriage is work. It must be tended with care and commitment every day. It is a covenant relationship in which I am #2 in my husband’s life and he is #2 in my life. We encourage each other’s relationship with Jesus. We walk out that relationship most importantly with each other.

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Family: The Alpha

Posted on May 3, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be strengthened to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to him be the glory in the assembly and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.       Ephesians 3:14-21 (WEB)

Some days God speaks to me in my devotion time and I know it is just for me. Other days what God says is for me first and then I am to share that with you. Most days I do not second guess and it is just like transcribing what I hear. And then there are days like today when I have peace about writing it down but it does feel like I am out on a limb.

I doubt there is anyone reading this today who does not have a prayer in their heart for their family. Marriages are under attack and crumbling under the pressure from all directions. Children are navigating through turbulent waters that have threatened generations before them but at the same time are uniquely treacherous to them. Parents are alternately buying into allowing their children the freedom to “be themselves” and pulling in the reins so tight, thinking that if they can just do everything “right” that their children will be “all right”. Adult children are struggling with parents who are living longer and government support (Medicare and Social Security) – it’s not looking good, is it?

It is not surprising that statistically the families that are individually and as a group committed to their relationship with Jesus are the ones who are thriving. Why is that? I believe that it is because when I accept Jesus’ free gift of love, my heart receives this new and bigger capacity to love. The ‘conditions’ that I may have put on love changes, even disappears.

Priorities change. And when the family members become ‘Jesus servants’, to each other and those outside their family circle, the family discovers their ‘calling’ as a family. As they grow and mature, their calling may draw them away from their unit but they will always support each other and encourage each other.

As we study what God says about family this week, let us stand together in prayer for each other. God knows each one of us. God knows each of our needs.

Lord, I lift up the families of those who are represented here. You know each one of us,Lord, by name and every hair on our heads. We need You, Lord. We need Your love; Your protection; Your strength; and wisdom and faith to seek You in all that we do. We thank You, Lord. We thank You that before we even call, Lord, You are already answering. It is because of Jesus that I pray. Amen.

Posted in Ephesians | 2 Comments

How Was Your Week?

Posted on April 30, 2010 by Jody Neufeld
I will lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from?
My help comes from Yahweh, who made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:1-2  (WEB)

How was your week?  I’m going to be honest.  There were parts of my week that were tough.  I had no crisis.  My children and grandchildren are well.  My husband is healthy and despite some of the stresses of the week, our relationship is probably better than it was when we married in 1999.

This was an average week.  But spiritually it wasn’t easy.  Have you ever struggled spiritually through an “average week”?  I think it was the average-ness of it that made it difficult.  I had to look for the blessings.  I had to look for God in my week.  It was the sameness; the tedium of the week.  I had to keep doing what I have been doing.  I felt discouraged that I was still doing ‘it’!!!

Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation! How long will I be with you? How long will I bear with you?       Matthew 17:17 (WEB)

When I read the gospels it seems like Jesus led such an exciting and eventful three years.  But from His perspective Jesus could have felt He was going over and over and over the same ‘stuff’ and that the twelve guys with Him were just not getting it!  I don’t know that He felt ‘tedium’ – because Jesus got ‘it’!

In every day, God blesses me.  He blesses me more than I can ask or imagine.  He blesses me with opportunities.  He blesses me with His words.  He blesses me with His presence.

To receive these blessings, I have to…open up my eyes, ears, heart and receive the blessings!  That goes back to something that I talk about frequently in these devotions.  (That means God is talking frequently to me about it!)  And that is TIME.  Making God the top priority in my life and spending time with Him every day!!!  If I only gave my husband a 10 minute, fly-by conversation every day our relationship would take a nose dive, wouldn’t it?  If I only spend 10 minutes on my personal hygiene every day—not many people would want to stand next to me!!!  So giving God 10 minutes sounds – ridiculous, doesn’t it?  (sigh)

But I will sing of your strength.. Yes, I will sing aloud of your loving kindness in the morning.

For you have been my high tower, a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16-17 (WEB)

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Peace and Unity

Posted on April 29, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. Always be ready to give an answer when someone asks you about your hope.  Give a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear.  This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ.     1 Peter 3:15-16  (CEV)

Honor Christ and let him be the Lord of your life. What does that mean to me?  When I say, “I love Jesus”, what does that mean to me?  There are so many songs that I sing in worship that speak about my love for Jesus.  Do I think about what I am singing?  Is my heart true to Jesus?  Is there anything that I love more than Him?  If I love Jesus most then He would be first priority in my life. How I spend my time, money, and gifts He has given me would reflect that “first love”.

Living my life like I have the Hope of Jesus is living my life with eyes that see into the promised future.  When someone asks how I can “get through” or “survive” hardship, then I am prepared with an answer about my Hope because I have spent time with my Savior.  I know His Presence is real!

Peter, the one who is known to have led with his mouth ‘way before his mind kicked in to filter, is warning me to always share my Hope in Jesus with “a kind and respectful answer”.  I want to represent Jesus with truth but also with compassion and love.  And Peter’s remark about ‘clear conscience’ is about my motives, my agenda, my heart when I speak about my Hope in Jesus.

One of the ‘perks’ to being married to Henry Neufeld is that I have met and become friends with people that I probably would not have met except through Henry.  Such friends are Elgin Hushbeck and Alden Thompson.  It is AWESOME to listen to these three men discuss a point about God.  (Discuss it for a much longer time than I could have imagined!)  As I quietly sit back and listen, it is their passion about their relationship with their Father and Savior that I hear over the points of theology.  It is exciting to see their respect for each other and mutual love for Jesus and because of Jesus!

…and if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. [or me!]      Philippians 3:15 (NIV, comment mine)

There are so many ‘things’ that could be covered in any conversation I might have with these wise words that Paul spoke.  It could cover a group that wanted to work together to reach out to the poor in our community – even if the group members belonged to different churches! What a concept!  It could be a Sunday School class or small group that comes together to study God’s word and find a point of disagreement.  Does the time become a ‘battle’ to convince each other about who is right?  Or is it an opportunity to learn?

Each day is an opportunity to allow God’s Holy Spirit to go through my heart and examine me.  As He shines a light in every corner I bow and let Jesus be the Lord of my life and give Him the honor and glory for all that the day brings.

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10  (WEB)

Posted in 1 Peter, Philippians, Psalms | Comments Off on Peace and Unity

Are Ye Able?

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

All who sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him [Stephen], saw his face like it was the face of an angel.     Acts 6:15 (WEB, my paraphrase)

They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He knelt down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep [died].       Acts 7:59-60 (WEB, my paraphrase)

Now about that time, King Herod stretched out his hands to oppress some of the assembly. He killed James, the brother of John, with the sword. When he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also.      Acts 12:1-3 (WEB)

I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. Yesterday I experienced several snapshots of what that statement really means.

In the morning I went to my Bible study group. I love that time with these awesome women! We are using Stormie Omartian’s book, Power of the Praying Parent, as our ‘jumping off point’ for our study, discussion, and prayer. These times of fellowship with Believers are vital to my spiritual growth. I have learned a lot from these women. I have felt tempered in their flame.

Next my husband and I spent several hours with a couple that we have known for several years who are missionaries. I cannot tell you which country they are in as it would be dangerous. They are following in Jesus’ footsteps, building relationships, walking out their lives with people who are seeing Jesus for the first time…in them. There is a small fellowship of Believers that they also co-pastor. It is the only Christian fellowship for 6-8 hours in any direction. They are trusting God for so much, not the least of which is their financial support. When I asked what they needed, do you know what their immediate answer was? It wasn’t money. It was encouragement. The darkness of the country in which they serve is so oppressively dark that dis-couragement usually breaks down a missionary in two years. I am praying about how God wants me to answer this request.

We know another couple who take missionaries trips twice a year to another country that I cannot name because it was also be dangerous. That is not overstating or exaggerating. A few days after one of their trips, their translator was killed. (He was a Believer.) He knew by agreeing to be a translator to a Christian teacher that he was in danger. Several days later, he was intentionally hunted down and murdered. He is a disciple of Jesus Christ. He is now in heaven.

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ is no less than signing up for military service. It is acknowledging that you are accepting all the rights and responsibilities of a soldier in the Army of God. You have a Commander. You are provided with all equipment that you will require to successfully complete any mission you are given. And you are also aware that you may be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice.

But these things don’t count; nor do I hold my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to fully testify to the Good News of the grace of God.       Acts 20:24 (WEB)

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Church: Alive or Dead: Part II

Posted on April 27, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Now awe came upon every person, because many miracles and signs were accomplished through the ministry of the apostles. 44All the believers were in unity and had there possessions in common. 45They sold their possessions and assets and divided among all those who needed them. 46Every day they went faithfully to the temple, they broke bread in their various houses, receiving their food with rejoicing and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and being gracious to all the people. And the Lord added daily those who were being saved               (Acts 2:43-47 TFBV)

– Henry Neufeld

Let’s look at some individual elements of the five principles given in this passage of Scripture.
Continuing “power” ministry — the necessary elements of “power” ministry are the infilling of the congregation, as a group, with the Holy Spirit, the empowering of the members with the gifts of the Spirit, and releasing all the membership to do ministry.  Not all of these elements are specified in Acts, but they can be supported scripturally through 1 Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4:9-16, and Romans 12:3-8.  But they can also be established logically.  If only the pastor or a small leadership group carry out the ministry, very little can be accomplished.  The goal clearly must be to have everyone acting together.

Unity and mutual support — Logically, the need for unity and common support follows.  If the entire body is to work together, it must be healthy.  Too often we work with numbers and percentages, assuming that if a portion of the body is in good shape, we can just ignore the rest.  I would add a note on the church owning everything in common.  That seems to me something that was practical and appropriate in Jerusalem, but not so practical now.  But there is a principle that should be applied today.  We should be ashamed that there are people in our churches who are in need and are not receiving care.  The resources exist for us to make sure people receive proper care, and we should consider this a responsibility of the church, not just an option.

Faithful common worship — This is an essential of maintaining unity.  Our common times of worship must offer us the opportunity to worship, but also an opportunity to fellowship–to worship together and to bond as the body of Christ.  This fellowship involves encouragement and accountability.  We encourage one another in our discipleship and ministry, and we hold one another accountable for what God expects of us.

Worship beyond the worship center (homes, small groups) — At the same time, the larger the church, the less of the encouragement and accountability can take place in a large, common worship service.  We have the need of smaller groups to provide this additional needed fellowship.  Such small groups also provide additional opportunities for mission.

This fellowship will include at least the following elements:

a.    Bible study In a living congregation the members knows why they are doing what they are doing.  They will be aware of their basic doctrines, and they will be able to study these things for themselves.  This does not mean that “doctrinal purity” is a primary essential of a living church.  It does mean that Biblical and doctrinal awareness is important so that members know why they are doing what they are doing  (see Acts 2:42 and 17:11).  There are some basic essentials that are important, and we should learn to distinguish the essential from the non-essential.  (See the Participatory Study Series pamphlet Understanding Christian Apologetics.)
b.    Prayer is communion or conversation with God.  This is an essential part of keeping the body breathing.  The Holy Spirit is the breath in the body of Christ, and we receive it in communion with God.  (See I Want to Pray! pamphlet and book.)
c.    Grace We are recipients of God’s grace, and if we understand that, it will motivate us to have grace ourselves. Many people believe that having more rules and better enforcement is the way to go, but people don’t come to church to find out what the rules are.  Most people know the basics of behavior.  What they are looking for is the motivation and the ability to put that knowledge into action.
d.    Action If a new member does not find a way to get active, they will not remain in the church.  Some may continue to attend out of habit, but they become dead weight.  It may be risky to have everyone active–some of them will make mistakes, but it’s the only way to go.

And finally, God-powered outreach brings us full circle.  We are not called to do what we can do; we are called to do what God can do–through us.

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Church: Alive or Dead: Part I

Posted on April 26, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

Now awe came upon every person, because many miracles and signs were accomplished through the ministry of the apostles. 44All the believers were in unity and had there possessions in common. 45They sold their possessions and assets and divided among all those who needed them. 46Every day they went faithfully to the temple, they broke bread in their various houses, receiving their food with rejoicing and simplicity of heart, 47praising God and being gracious to all the people. And the Lord added daily those who were being saved           (Acts 2:43-47 TFBV)

– Henry Neufeld

When Paul says, “You are the body of Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:27) he introduces a powerful metaphor for use all around the Church.  One of these applications is the question of life.  A live body has breath, blood flow, and most importantly doesn’t have substantial dead pieces falling off of it.  (I’m aware of dead skin and hair cells.)  Visitors to a church will often say something like, “This congregation is really alive,” or “This congregation is totally dead.”  They don’t mean, of course, that the members of the one are physically alive and of the other physically dead.  They mean that there is a spiritual life of the whole body, collectively, that can be seen, felt, and experienced.

So what makes a church alive?

I find the definition in the passage from Acts that I quoted above.  I’m not one of those people who want us to closely imitate the early church in every detail.  I believe that there can be a wide variety of ways in which a church can work in a community.  I live in Pensacola, FL, and I don’t expect every little detail of the church in 1st century Jerusalem to be the same as it is for my church in 21st century Florida.  But I do think the principles will be the same.

From this passage about the early church, I see several principles:

1.    Continuing “power” ministry
2.    Unity and mutual support
3.    Faithful common worship
4.    Worship that extends beyond the worship center (homes, small groups)
5.    Continuing “God-powered” outreach

I believe I can summarize these points with the word “discipleship.”  It’s important to note that discipleship is closely related to mission.  In fact, one cannot exist without the other.  A church may have different specific missions, and various emphases, but at some point in all churches there must be the two elements of following Jesus (discipleship) and mission (reaching out to others).  Try operating without the element of mission, and you get an ethical club.  Without the element of discipleship, you have a simple social service organization.  (Either option may be alright under appropriate circumstances, but they do not constitute a church.)

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Revelation: Remember Who Wins

Posted on April 23, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.”

He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.” He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give freely to him who is thirsty from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.”                            Revelation 21:1-7 (WEB)

These are the verses I was reading to my son when at the age of 17 he left this earth to live with Jesus. As I read, his breathing labored, his eyes widened and he smiled just a bit and his breathing ceased. Did he see that which I spoke? I don’t know but it seems…possible. His race was done. His reward was a promise fulfilled.

I hope you take the time to read the whole of Revelation. John seems to write with a perspective that speaks of great human and supernatural evil. Many modern theologians do not agree. John believes that evil will be conquered through God’s great grace and power not human nature or our noble struggle. Each of us must seek God’s truth in this strange but intriguing book.

While much remains a mystery to me at this time, I do hear God telling me that time is short. Maybe He means my time or that in the great scheme of time that I have little of it to complete the race He has given me. In any case, I do find that my ears are straining to hear and my priorities reflect my desire to take each step of every day in obedience to His word. I am moving on a path that does not always make sense in my flesh. And yet I have peace in this path while the struggle is sometimes fierce. I recognize that I am in a war. There are so many who do not even realize that they are the ‘spoils of the war’. Their very souls are what the enemy desires to lock away in his cage. But the One who is the Good Shepherd continues to seek the strays of His flock. He is using me to testify and woo them back into His fold.

He showed me a river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb, in the middle of its street. On this side of the river and on that was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruits, yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. There will be no curse any more. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no night, and they need no lamp light; for the Lord God will illuminate them. They will reign forever and ever.

He said to me, “These words are faithful and true. The Lord God of the spirits of the prophets sent his angel to show to his bondservants the things which must happen soon.”

“Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”                   Revelation 22:1-6 (WEB, my emphasis)

“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness…”              Matthew 6:33 (NIV)

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Revelation: Remember Who are Overcomers

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Jody Neufeld

I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, the power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ has come; for the accuser of our brothers [satan, Job 1-2, Zechariah 3] has been thrown down, who accuses them before our God day and night. They overcame him because of the Lamb’s blood, and because of the word of their testimony. They didn’t love their life, even to death. Therefore rejoice, heavens, and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and to the sea, because the devil has gone down to you, having great wrath,[satan is really ticked!] knowing that he has but a short time.”       Revelation 12:10-12 (WEB, my emphasis and notes)

If that doesn’t make you give a resounding “Amen!”, check your pulse. I may be still studying and meditating over chapters 6-11, but I get this passage in chapter 12.

Jesus, the Messiah, has completed the mission He was given and, in His own words, He has received:

“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.”       Matthew 28:18 (WEB) and

“I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have oppression; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”     John 16:33 (WEB)

I am an overcomer because I have been cleaned and reconciled thru Jesus’ Blood. This free gift is the first sword thrust into the enemy. He hates it when unconditional love is involved! Jesus gave without conditions. Jesus forgave without conditions. He did it as an example; a testimony.

I am an overcomer because I testify to what Jesus has done and how He has changed my life. This is the second sword thrust into the enemy. He hates it when I talk about my life with Jesus to others because he knows the power of that testimony. He hates it when Believers get together in unity in worship whether that is in a sanctuary or at a table with tacos in fellowship and communion.

I am an overcomer because I have no fear of death. I have been blessed by the testimony of many who have gone on to the reward they have been promised. I have seen the joy in their faces as they have left and felt the peace of their spirits. Jesus said not to fear anyone who could kill my body. The only fear would be if I had no assurance. Jesus said if I believe in Him I will live with Him forever. Simple., free gift. There is nothing to fear in death. And this is another thrust into the enemy. What is his response when he knows that I am firmly assured of my life with Jesus? He is filled with rage. If only satan can turn me with doubt and ‘yammer’ in my head with accusations! I do not dwell on when Jesus is coming back. I do not wonder how much time satan has to torment. I just figured he has been here longer than he has left! And so I am ready. I am eager to go but I am also eager to do more for God here. I guess I know a bit about how Paul felt. (Philippians 1:18-26)

This passage of Revelation is powerful and, yet, sobering to remember that I am in a war. There are no innocent bystanders in this war. I am a soldier in Jesus’ army. That is being over dramatic. That is reality. The enemy does not take prisoners. He destroys. (John 10:10) I am no longer a victim. I am an overcomer.

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