Being More Than a Conqueror

It’s taken me a lifetime to fully understand what it means and how to live the victorious life Jesus died to give us as believers. I remember my growing-up-spiritually years. I was a whiny kid and a less-than-confident teenager, a young wife and mother learning the ropes of responsibility. I was a good-doer attending church faithfully and really loved God with all my heart. But, I didn’t have a “conqueror” mindset. As I grew in my personal relationship with Christ, studying His Word and making every effort possible to serve Him wholeheartedly, I came to understand what it means to be “more than a conqueror”. Romans 8:37 says Christians are “more than conquerors” in this world. Maybe that's far from how you feel today, but in Christ, that's who we can be. We certainly need to get that indelibly imprinted on our hearts so that we get it, understand it and become it.

That verse is in response to the Apostle Paul's questions before saying we are “more than conquerors”: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35). And, then he replies in Romans 8:37: “NO, in all these things we are MORE than conquerors through Him Who loved us.” Sounds to me like Paul could have been right here with us during our situations today. He tells us we can be more than conquerors in the midst of hardships and right in the middle of a trial. Paul certainly proved it is possible. Being more than a conqueror means whatever the enemy uses to take us out, he fails every time.

It means we stop naming ourselves “forgotten, loser, mess-up, mistreated, etc.” It means we persevere to the other side of the trial and wait, expectantly, for our new name, “more than a conqueror”. When we keep our old names, identifying with our old stories, we make the name-changing process about us. Yet this overcoming process is not about us; it’s about God revealing His name to the world.

When we fully understand that Jesus came to give each of us a life of abundance (John 10:10), then we'll see ourselves as more than a conqueror through Him. All the enemy wants to do is kill, steal and destroy what God wants us to have. He wants to diminish us – make us small-minded and small in spirit so we’ll live a small, frustrated life. Whatever your situation is today, God knows about it. He sees you and hears the cry of your heart. Welcome His overcoming love, grace and power. Live it. Own it. After all, you ARE more than a conqueror through Christ.

Love in any Language Fluently Spoken Here

"Love in any LanIn the 70s, my husband was Vice-President of International Faith Bible College and we were the “chosen ones” to lead a missions trip to Mexico which consisted of college students and our two young children….in a school bus. That was our introduction to missions as a family, and it would prove to be the seed that launched our family's love for missions. That first trip to Monterrey, Mexico made for a very long journey, as the bus had mechanical issues along the way, the seats were uncomfortable, and we were a weary group…..but that didn’t squelch our zeal and determination for what was before us. We were excited that we were on our way to make a difference in some precious people’s lives. We were coming with our American-style of worship, praise and ministry to help those dear people. As it turned out, we were the ones who were most blessed and impacted as we witnessed their all-out love for God and their uncomplaining attitudes as they walked for miles just to get to church to worship God. Their love wasn't based on what they could get from God. It was based on their love for the ONE Who gave His all for them.

The message is loud and clear that we are all people who love and need to be loved. Back when my kids played with the little kids in Mexico -- language was no barrier. And I saw that in the photos and reports from Payton Wallace and Alexia Wallace while on their missions trip to Guatemala last week.

We were able to be a small part of that trip because of the free "WhatsApp" technology that kept us in touch with them, despite where they were. WhatsApp is a free app you can download on your phone and wherever you may be, you can stay connected to friends and family via texting and photos. That's exactly what we were able to do with Payton and Alexia. We loved seeing the photos of the kids, along with the quick text messages. They gave skits in costumes and messages that conveyed God's love to the kids and people there. One of their text messages: "Over 300 kids just gave their lives to Christ". Another message from Payton: "I just gave the altar call and it was amazing. Almost all of them accepted Christ." Another message, another night: "The numbers for the message was 79 people showed up; 40+ accepted Christ." Overall, over 3,000 people received Christ because of a group of American kids loved enough to share their love of Christ to them.

What is it that we have in common with people regardless of language, religion and culture barriers? Love knows no bounds. Whether we're in Mexico, Guatemala, Tibet or right smack dab in the middle of our home towns, love conquers all. An arm around the shoulder of someone, a smile, a handshake, and a hug -- are all "I love you's".

I cherish and share the words of Payton and Alexia's proud Mom, Staci, today:
"As I see my kids living the legacy that was set by their grandfather and their great-grandfather, I know that the greatest gift I will ever give them is not a bank account of riches but a legacy of love and a heart for missions. Thank you, Jesus, for this precious opportunity to pour into our children and see them carry-on the greater things of life. We are about advancing the Kingdom of God and I feel so blessed in knowing that my children have fallen in love with the message of Christ and are dedicated to using their lives to making Him known."

Love in any language, straight from the heart
Pulls us all together, never apart
And once we learn to speak it, all the world will hear
Love in any language, fluently spoken here