DAILY VIDEO DEVOTIONAL
“Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” (1 John 5:5)
It was incredible that we were standing together as brothers in Christ. From such different backgrounds, we should have had nothing in common. But an indescribable bond made us one.
My friend comes from a country that persecutes Christians severely. Many have died for their faith in that nation. I can’t mention his name or the name of his country because of the danger it would pose to his life. I’ll call him Paul.
Paul was raised in the home of a devout, strict Muslim cleric. In contrast, I grew up in a very secular environment. He was raised in a country that hates Christianity. I grew up in a place with a great Christian heritage. Until he was a university student, he knew nothing about Jesus. While I knew much about Jesus, I didn’t really know Jesus until I was a university student.
Paul and I were so different, but something made us one. We both had come to know Jesus as our Lord and Savior. But even before that, there was something very similar about our lives. Paul found himself frustrated and defeated because he couldn’t live up to the standards of the laws of Islam. I was frustrated and defeated because I couldn’t live up to the standards of the Bible. Paul tried to do right, but just couldn’t. I also wanted to live the right kind of life, but found it impossible. We both hid secret sins in our hearts. We had both wanted to die because we couldn’t live the way we knew we should.
One day Paul was invited to see a film on the life of Jesus. After viewing it, he knew he needed to know Jesus. He prayed and placed his faith in Jesus as the Son of God. I was invited one day to hear a man speak about Jesus. At the close of his message, I knew I needed Jesus in my heart and life. That night I placed my faith in Jesus as the Son of God.
It wasn’t just a one-time experience that made us so alike. We both believed in Jesus as much more than a prophet or a great religious leader. We placed our faith in Jesus as the Son of God — and since that day, neither of us has ever been the same. We found victory in the Son of God. We couldn’t live up to the standards of the law of Islam or Christianity. But Jesus, the Son of God, gave us power to overcome everything evil in this world. He became our victory.
The apostle John wrote of this incredible truth. He said, “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God” (1 John 5:5). Our victory isn’t in our ability or our willpower. Our victory becomes reality as we trust in Jesus — that He’s more than a good religious leader or prophet. Our victory comes as we believe He’s the Son of God. If Jesus is truly who He said He is, then there’s nothing too difficult for Him. When His Spirit is dwelling in our hearts, we’re more than conquerors. He’s our victory — the One whose name is “Son of God.”
A man from the Middle East and a man from America — they have so much in common. We’ve both met the Son of God. There’s no greater bond on Earth, and no greater source of victory.
1 John : Chapter 5
1) 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. 6) This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. 7) For there are three that testify: 8) the[a] Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. 9) We accept human testimony, but God’s testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. 10) Whoever believes in the Son of God accepts this testimony. Whoever does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because they have not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. 11) And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12) Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. Concluding Affirmations 13) I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Book of the Month
Sammy Tippit told his fiancée, “I can’t promise we’ll be rich, but life won’t be boring.”
Sammy had no idea what an understatement that would become. Beginning in the bars of Baton Rouge and the nightclubs of Chicago, Tippit has shared the news of life-changing faith in Christ all over the world – including in the middle of a revolution in Romania, the aftermath of genocide in Rwanda, and war in Burundi and the Congo.
Sammy’s lifelong adventure has come at a great price. He’s been cursed, threatened, arrested, deported, and blacklisted. He’s also been personally broken, ravaged with illness, and devastated by grief.
Yet he continues to preach to in stadiums, in open fields, and via satellite technology to hundreds of thousands around the globe. For all other books…
About Sammy Tippit Ministries
STM has been providing inspiration and help around the world for nearly 50 years. Sammy Tippit, founder and president, is a world renowned counselor, teacher and evangelist with experience serving and helping people in over 80 countries. Sammy provides materials that help people tackle a broad array of social, societal, psychological and spiritual issues. He is particularly passionate about making materials accessible to other countries around the world. Sammy is married to Debara “Tex” Tippit, and they have two children and five grandchildren.
Sammy Tippit Ministries is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization.
Contact: info@sammytippit.org
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