Don't Let the World Intimidate You

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

I John 4:4 

First, a few thoughts on the greatness of God...

I know that the Lord is great,
   that our Lord is greater than all gods.
The Lord does whatever pleases him,
   in the heavens and on the earth,
   in the seas and all their depths.
Psalms 135:5-6 (NIV) 
God does what he wants, as he sees fit. Some people think they will call God to account for the evil and injustice in the world. According to the Bible God is the Judge and we will all answer to him. The evil and injustice in the world is the result of mankind's rejection of God and rebellion to his Sovereignty. 

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 
John 10:29 (NIV)
God is greater than all. All what? All everything, all anything. No person, no government, no belief will overpower or out think God. Every knee will bow, even those who impetuously deny and blame him.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.
2 Chronicles 32:7-8 (NIV)
Sometimes all we will be able to see is the vastness of those who oppose us and our God. It may, at this time, look like the God haters are winning, but remember that the devil thought he won a great victory when Christ was crucified. But when Christ rose from the dead, conquering both sin and death, God forever revealed that he is greater than sin, it's sting which is death and Satan the accuser.  

  
The time we live in is definitely anti-Christ. One political party wanted to take the name of God of their platform during the last election. That can be intimidating, but greater is he that is in us than he that is in the world.

Father, reveal yourself and your greatness to us as we seek to trust in you in this wicked world. May we shine like lights in the darkness! Praise be to you in us today!

Clutter of the Mind

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)

There is a difference between being hungry for food that your body needs to run the way God created you to run and desiring something in a consuming unnatural way.  When the Apostle John talks about the world in these verses he is not talking about the mere physical world that we must operate within on a daily basis. 

John describes the world as "the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes and the boastings of what he has and does". I saw a bumper sticker once that read, "He who has the most toys wins." The world seeks status by what they have, not necessarily by who they are. This unnatural mixture, which the world sees as natural and normal, craves and lusts for fulfillment and seeks it in ever increasing amounts. The catch is that enough is never enough. 

Have you seen one of those "reality" shows on hoarding? It's alarming because the attachment to what most people would consider junk is imperative. They just get more stuff and it clutters up their homes and lives. But, how many things do we hold on to in our hearts and minds that clutter up our hearts and minds? I am talking about cravings and lusts (not just sex) that take us away from faith in Christ. God did give us desires, strong desires. God will give us wisdom if we ask (James 1:5). Seeking what the world wants is temporary, at best. Seeking the will of God and enjoying what he provides is truly fulfilling and will lead to eternal joy. 

Father, help us to seek your will and enjoy what you have given us. Praise be to you in us today!