These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:33

 

The reason Jesus gave us this command to be of good cheer is because He wants to help us in times of trouble, but His only access to us is joy in our heart.

 

Worry interferes with God’s Spirit in our life. When our heart is anxious and sad, we have opened the door to satan, the enemy of our soul whose aim is to put us in prison and keep us in bondage.

 

Apostle Paul instructs us in Philippians 4:4 to rejoice always. This is because our access to God is a free spirit. Our spirit can only be free when we allow the Word in the midst of our heart. That is why Jesus has given us a special weapon that the enemy of our soul cannot withstand – the Word of God.

 

You were created as a vessel for God to use. But God cannot use a discouraged servant. We have to overcome such attitude as Christians. How? By saying about ourselves what the Bible says about us. What does the Bible say? 
• Are you sick? The Bible says in Isaiah 53:5 that by His wounds, we are healed.
 
• Are you weak? The Bible says in Psalm 27:1 that God is the strength of my life.
 
• Are you experiencing failure? The Bible says in Romans 8:37 that we are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. Are you feeling trapped that you can’t get yourself free? The Bible says in John 8:36 that when the Son sets you free, you are free indeed.
 
• Are you in lack? The Bible says in Philippians 4:19 that God shall supply all my needs according to His riches and glory.

 

Decide today to say no to sadness and stop satan’s access to your soul. Real joy is a fruit of faith and as a believer in Christ, that is your conquering power, because it is Jesus’ access to your heart.

WHAT BELONGS TO GOD

This instruction of Jesus reminds us that whatever we do in this earth, whatever we encounter and whatever comes our way, nothing should take our heart from God. Different responsibilities, challenges and pressures may fight for our attention but nothing should take the place of God in our heart, because our heart belongs to Him.

ALLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT TO LEAD YOU

When we pay attention to the Word of God, seeing it not as an ordinary word but the Word of God, then our mind will be renewed and our heart will begin to desire the things from above. We must be spiritually inclined to discover spiritual things.

THE GARDEN OF DECISION

In the garden of Eden, a place of pleasure, a place of abundance, a place of intimacy with God, Adam disobeyed.
In the garden of Gethsemane, a place of pain, a place of sorrow, a place of suffering where before Him was the weight of the sins of the world and rejection from God, Jesus obeyed.