Overcomer

The Bible makes it clear that Jesus has overcome death and the grave: “When He had by Himself purged our sins, (He) sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high” (Hebrews 1:3). “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). “Death is swallowed up in victory [from the same Greek root word as ‘overcome’]. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? . . . thanks be to God, Who gives us victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Corinthians 15:54–57). “For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcomes the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (I John 5:4,5). “And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: . . . You are of God, little children, and have overcome: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” (I John 4:3,4).

To the overcomer Jesus says, “I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels” (Revelation 3:5). “For the accuser of our brethren is cast down. . . And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die” (Revelation 12:10,11).

In our business we face many challenges as well. We either choose to rise above the challenge and figure out a way to finish the job (Adapt and Overcome), or we allow ourselves to be beaten. Sometimes, the solution is to ask for help – remember that “all of us are smarter than any one of us.” What happens when we lose focus of our Core Value of overcoming obstacles? Who do we turn to when we feel overwhelmed by circumstance?  (Go around the room)  Please remember that you are never alone — we have each other and we have our God. . . 

Suffering is common for us — you may say it is THE HUMAN CONDITION. God knows suffering:

Anabelle Gillham’s passage on suffering:

There is One who knows our suffering. His understanding is unfathomable.

“Who else but God has gathered the winds in His fist, who else but God has wrapped the waters in His garment. . . ?” (Proverbs 30:4)

“When He speaks in the thunder, the heavens roar with rain. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from His storehouses.” (Jeremiah 10:13)

“And behold, the Veil of the Temple was torn into two from top to bottom and the earth was shaken, and the rocks were split.” (Mathew 27:51)

“And darkness fell over all the land. . . “ (Matthew 27:45)

“His agonized cries of grief shattered the silence of Heaven. . . the people said that it thundered. . . 

He opened His fist and hurled the wind on the frightened earth. He called forth the lightning, illuminating the horror of the scene before Him. The waters trapped in His garment surged forth to drench the bloody hill. He paced the floors of Heaven and flung His arms upwards in agony. . . the people said it was an earthquake. . . 

He shut his eyes, He couldn’t endure the pain and buried His face in His fists. . . the people said that darkness covered the land. . . 

With anguished sobs, He grabbed His robe at the neck and ripped it from top to bottom. . . the Veil in the Holy of Holies was torn. . . 

Wait, be still! Listen. . . words are coming from the blood-caked, parched lips of The One on The Cross. . . Father, please forgive them, for they know not what they do.

He stood quietly then with bowed head, spent, tears streaking His cheeks. He watched as they carried away the body of His Boy. . . It wasn’t easy for God that day, the day He cried, seeing His beloved Son crucified.”

We are J-Bar — we are blessed beyond measure. We love — we are thankful beyond measure. We serve, and in so doing become the leaders that God wants us to be.