Overcomer

An Ever-Present Help In Trouble

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“God is our refuge and strength,
    an ever-present help in trouble.”

Psalm 46:1 NIV

When you are stuck or in trouble, what do you do?

Who do you look to for help?

God has told us…He is here, He is with us

In every place we go and in all circumstances

Live each day with the knowledge and the comfort of knowing

He is with You and He is an ever-present help in trouble

The door to hope and help can be unlocked from the inside…open it and seek Him

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“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”

Revelation 3:20 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Choose Joy Because We Are Forgiven

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“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

Forgiveness by Matthew West

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“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:8-9 NIV

(This photo was taken at a lake in northwestern Wisconsin)

Do Not Be Overcome

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“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.”

1 John 4:4 NIV

The Bible tells us that we will have trouble in this world and it states clearly that we can persevere through trials and temptations

The Bible also gives us examples of others who lived and suffered and how they interacted with God and lived their lives by faith

At times it wasn’t pretty, they didn’t live lives that were sweet and easy all the time

Read about Abraham and Sarah, read about Joseph in Genesis.  Look through the pages of David’s life in 1 Samuel.  Take time to read about the life of Jesus

Just like them we will have struggles, trials and suffering…yet we need to remember that living a life by faith and trusting in God’s love doesn’t mean these will disappear…

What it does mean is when you believe and live by faith you will receive the courage and the hope to get through the difficult times

Do not be overcome by darkness and evil look to God, pray and you will see hope

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“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21 NIV

(This photo was taken in Mount Rainier National Park in Washington)

No Matter What…

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“But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
2 When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
3 For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;…”

Isaiah 43:1-3 NIV

God is with you…no matter where you go

God is for you…no matter who is against you

God loves you…no matter what happens

Seek Him, believe Him, trust in Him…No matter what

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“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

(This photo was taken while traveling in New Mexico)

Jesus

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“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

What A Beautiful Name by Hillsong

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“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.“

1 John 5:1-5 NIV

(This photo was taken at Temperance State Park along the North Shore of Lake Superior)

Overcomer

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“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Romans 12:21 NIV

Do not give up…do not quit

Yes, you have been knocked down and it hurts

Get back up

Stand on the rock of faith

Fix your eyes on Jesus as your guide

Choose to be an Overcomer

Overcomer by Mandisa

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“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Revelation 3:20-21 NIV

(This photo was taken near Dillon, Colorado)

Believe And Overcome

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“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”

Romans 10:9-10 NIV

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. 2 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.”

1 John 5:1-4 NIV

Believe…God is for you…God is with you

He is the Creator of all and He knows you personally

He knows what you are facing and He will be right by your side and He will carry you through to the otherside

God loves you…trust Him to lead and guide you

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“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.”

1 John 5:5 NIV

(This photo was taken near Winterset, Iowa)

Our Rock…A Firm Foundation

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“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
    my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield[b] and the horn[c] of my salvation, my stronghold.”

Psalm 18:2 NIV

Father God, there is no one besides You.  You are the only One who is holy and worthy of our praise.  Thank You for being our Rock and the firm foundation we can build our lives upon!  We are grateful that You are always faithful, never changing, and the One we can put our trust in.  We love You!  In Jesus name, Amen.

Firm Foundation (He Won’t) by Cody Carnes

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“It is better to take refuge in the Lord
    than to trust in humans.”

Psalms 118:8 NIV

(This photo was taken at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park)

Complete Trust

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“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Father God, when I am afraid, I will put my trust in You.  I will rely on You no matter what comes my way because You are my source of strength and safety.  You guide me and fight for me.  When I draw close to You, I have nothing to fear, because You are in control and You are all I need.  Thank You Father!  I choose to put my complete trust in You.  In Jesus name, Amen.

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“The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
    of whom shall I be afraid?”

Psalm 27:1 NIV

(This photo was taken in a field near Buffalo, Minnesota)

God Is Greater Than _________

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“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.”

1 John 4:4 NIV

No matter what you are facing in life

No matter what circumstances you encounter

No matter how bad the tragedy or trauma that has occurred

No matter what…God is bigger than that ____________

God is greater than anything you will ever encounter in this life

Believe it and put your faith, your hope and your trust in Jesus Christ

What is it in your life you need to remind yourself that God is greater than?

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
    for his compassions never fail.
23 They are new every morning;
    great is your faithfulness.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
    therefore I will wait for him.”

25 The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him,
    to the one who seeks him;
26 it is good to wait quietly
    for the salvation of the Lord.”

Lamentations 3:22-26 NIV

(This photo was taken in Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming)