Tag Archives: John16:33

Overcoming – Mon – 21-05-03

Daily Spark

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Yesterday, I said that whatever struggles or obstacles you are facing in life, be encouraged by what Jesus said in John 16:33: “Take heart! I have overcome the world.” But what does that look like? Words are easy, but how do you live in the midst of struggles?

Blake Sebring gives us a picture of overcoming in his article entitled “Coach keeps faith as he fights cancer.” The article is about Marc Davidson, the basketball coach at Blackhawk Christian School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Davidson had surgery for cancer last October, removing a kidney. During the season, he learned the cancer had moved to a lung. In April his team won the 2A Indiana state high school championship, their second in three years. Sebring’s words about Davidson illustrate the meaning of overcoming. He wrote that Davidson pleads with God to continue to live, but “that’s as close as Davidson has come to letting his circumstances overwhelm him. He knows God can heal him, but he’s also still praying. Davidson accepts and understands this is an opportunity not about him, not to deal with his own adversity, but to help others with theirs. . . . he still trains most mornings in Blackhawk Christian’s weight room, praise and worship music blaring but loud enough only to enhance his prayers.”*

To overcome, in this case, means to continue to live as a positive influence for others. You really should read the entire article. See the show notes for a link. It will inspire you to overcome as well.

*Blake Sebring, “Coach keeps faith as he fights cancer,” The Journal Gazette, Friday, April 02, 2021, https://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20210402/coach-keeps-faith-as-he-fights-cancer.

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Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock

Overcoming – Sun – 21-05-02

Daily Spark,

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 2:00 — 3.7MB)

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Sometimes life is a struggle. It can be filled with obstacles. We can be confused, discouraged, attacked, in grief. Where do we find the encouragement to overcome a world that seems to be against us?

This was exactly Jesus’ concern the night before his death. He wanted to encourage the apostles. In fact, John’s gospel records several chapters of Jesus’ encouragement, beginning in chapter 13. Jesus knew the apostles would be shocked that one of them would betray him and later the one they thought strongest would deny him three times. Jesus knew they would be scattered and leave him alone. He knew they would be confused. They would weep and mourn at his arrest and death. But he told them their mourning would be turned to joy. Jesus warned them that the world would hate them and persecute them. They would be kicked out of the synagogue. People would attempt to kill them in the name of God. They were facing a troubled future without Jesus walking beside them.

So what would encourage them? The key words are in John 16:33, “Take heart!” Jesus said. “I have overcome the world.” (NIV)

Does it feel like the world is against you? Whatever struggles or obstacles you are facing in life, remember that Jesus has already overcome the world. As Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (NIV) This week, let’s focus on overcoming the struggles we face.

Please provide feedback and suggestions at: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/

Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.