John 16:33

As I was preparing to speak at a prayer leadership meeting the other day, I felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to share some thoughts from John 16:33. This verse of Scripture has gotten my full attention at the beginning of 2009.

In the Amplified Bible it reads, ““I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

John 16:33 first came to my attention this year through an email I received the night before I was scheduled to speak at my home church.  The email included the following quote from E. Stanley Jones…

“"In the world you will have trouble. But courage! The victory is mine; I have conquered the world" (John 16:33 NEB ). I have conquered the world - not will conquer, but I have conquered. So every foe of the Kingdom is a defeated foe before we get to it. When sin and temptation come to bully me I ask them to bend their necks and when they do, I say, "Yes, I thought so. The footprint of the Son of God is on your necks." So I by identification with him become victorious in his victory, strong in his strength, pure in his purity, loving in his love. I work from the victory to the victory.”

There are several things that God has spoken to me through John 16:33 that I believe are pertinent to the year ahead. The first thing is we can be certain that we will face tribulation. This is nothing new. The church of Jesus Christ has been living through tribulation since its birth two-thousand years ago.

The second thing is that Jesus does not want us to place our focus on tribulation, but on Him. Jesus has overcome the world, but if we put our focus on tribulation, the world can easily overcome us with worry, fear and anxiety.

The third and fourth things are huge anchor points for us. Jesus tells us that even though we will have tribulation we can have His perfect peace; He also tells us that we are to be of good cheer. These two things, perfect peace and good cheer, should dominate our thinking, our speech, and our attitudes in the coming year.

Nothing in this world has the power to take from you what Jesus wants to give you. It is Jesus who has conquered darkness and overcome the world. It is Jesus who is on the throne. It is Jesus who is working out His plan for your life and mine. Take Jesus’ peace, He is not worried; take His joy, He is not discouraged; take His rest, He is not uptight; take His victory, He is not defeated; take His life, He is not dead. He alone has all the power, all the peace, and all the good cheer you will ever need.

God Is Faithful

Often, as the New Year approaches, I quiet myself before the Lord and listen to hear if He may have something to say to me about the coming year. This year, as we approached 2009, I sensed God speaking something specific to me through various sources. The words were simple and clear and straight from Scripture, “God is faithful.”

God did not give me a list of Bible prophecies that would be fulfilled in 2009. He did not tell what was going to happen in the stock market, in Israel, or in world events. I have no idea what things will unfold over the next twelve months, however, I am certain of one thing, “God is faithful.”

God does not want me to place my focus on my needs, but on His faithfulness; not on world problems, but on His faithfulness; not on circumstances, but on His faithfulness; not on my feelings or opinions, but on His faithfulness; not on political change, but on His faithfulness.

The truth of God’s faithfulness is something each of us will need to be reminded of many times throughout this year. Our faith needs to rest in His faithfulness; our feet need to stand upon His faithfulness; our heart needs to trust in His faithfulness; our emotions need to celebrate His faithfulness; our mouths need to proclaim His faithfulness.

Here is a little poem that may be a helpful reminder for you in 2009…

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I’ve a word that is clear
It is for the New Year
God is faithful, God is faithful.

Its meaning is dear
It will bring you a tear
God is faithful, God is faithful.

God is faithful it’s true
He will make all things new,
Just trust Him to do
All He’s promised to you.
God is faithful.

It’s a word that brings cheer
It will break every fear
God is faithful, God is faithful.

It will help you draw near
It will bless you to hear
God is faithful, God is faithful.

God is faithful it’s true
He will make all things new,
Just trust Him to do
All He’s promised to you.
God is faithful.

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Deuteronomy 7:9 AMP Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations,

1 Corinthians 1:9 AMP God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); by Him you were called into companionship and participation with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:18 AMP ...God is trustworthy and faithful and means what He says,

Psalm 89:8 NLT O LORD God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O LORD? You are entirely faithful.

Mercy, Peace, Love

May you receive more and more of God's mercy, peace, and love. Jude 1:2 (NLT)

It’s 2009! You have never gone this way before. What you have planned for this year is not what makes it meaningful. What makes it meaningful is that God is in it.

He was in it when you first opened your eyes on January 1. He has sustained you through 2008, greeted you with new mercies at morning’s light, given you the breath of life, and promised to direct your steps until your journey is complete.

Because of God’s mercies you can follow Him with all of your heart this year, assured that there is nothing being held over your head to condemn you; you can take each step with a quiet heart knowing that His peace keeps you steady and sure; you can move ahead with great confidence of faith knowing His love keeps you close to His heart, mindful of His promises, and confident of His care.

Are you tired or weary? Allow God to renew you with His strength.
Are you discouraged or downhearted? Allow God to lift you with His love.
Are you carrying a burden of sin? Allow God’s mercies to restore you.
Are you in need of reassurance? Allow God to hold you in His embrace.
Are you in need of healing? Allow God to mend you with His touch.

Today, you are His child and He is your Father—you belong to Him and He belongs to you; He matters to you and you matter to Him; you are committed to Him and He is committed to you. In 2009, there is mercy, there is peace, and there is love.

2009 Reading List

Here are some great books to add to your reading list for 2009:

The Unshakable Kingdom and the Unchanging Person by E. Stanley Jones
The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence
Hudson Taylor’s Spiritual Secret by Howard Taylor
Bone of His Bone by F.J. Huegel
Victory in Christ by Charles G. Trumbull
Christ in You: The Christ-life and the Self-life by A.B. Simpson