January 29 Living as an OVERCOMER Romans 7:18
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” (Romans 7:18)
Many years ago, I was with my Daddy as we canvased the community, and visited with various individuals. We happened upon a certain home and the man that dwelled there, had not been to church in many weeks. As we approached the door, Daddy turned to me and said, “Start Praying, right now!” “Pray for what?” I asked. “Pray for the Holy Spirit’s intervention!” Daddy knocked on the door, and the man opened the door, and as he saw who was knocking, he began to cry. Oh no! Daddy obviously knew something about this man that he had not shared with me! Through his tears, he invited us into his home and we each took a seat in the ”Front” room. There was a lull in the conversation, and it seemed like an eternity before anyone spoke. This young man spoke through his sobbing, and said, “I knew you would come by, and I have dreaded it!” “Preacher, I am struggling, and I don’t seem to be able to break out of the issues that seem to control me!” Daddy moved over to the sofa, where the man was seated, and gently placed his arm around him and said those amazing words of comfort and concern, “Tell me about it, Brother.” He began to share the struggles and challenges that he had been dealing with, and, the more he shared, the more intense was his sobbing. He shared that those things that he knew that he should be doing, he didn’t do, and the things that he knew that he shouldn’t do, he was doing! Daddy said to this man, “I know what you are saying, and I understand your pain! I have been right where you are, and let me share with you how God allowed me to adjust, re-focus and recover!” Daddy shared Romans 7:18, then he quoted Romans 7:24-25 (O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.) Daddy remined this man that this is the very reason that Jesus came! Daddy prayed with this man and he instructed him to double down on his prayer time and to double down on his Bible reading and to recite this scripture when life’s challenges present themselves! As we got back in the truck, headed home, Daddy asked a question! “What did you learn from this experience?” (I didn’t know there was going to be a “pop test!”) I responded, after some thought, that everyone of us struggle with the “old” nature, yet God’s Power, Through the Holy Spirit, provides the opportunity to Overcome the Challenges! In our humanity, we are weak, yet, in HIS POWER, we are Strong! Daddy smiled… before we pulled in the driveway, he looked over at me and said some beautiful and encouraging words… “You Go Boy!!” FACT: Every one of us face the same challenges, in living, that this young man faced, and we all have the reality of the Power of the Holy Spirit, to guide, correct, and encourage us in our ever growing and changing relationship with the Father, through the Son! Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS ABSOLUTELY AND ASSUREDLY YET TO BE!!!