May 4

TODAY'S BIBLE VERSE

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:4
 
​Memorize this Verse: (Cover the verse text and using just the first letters of each word try to recite the entire passage.)
​4. F W I B O G O T W A T I T V T O T W E O F

Notes on verse:

“Overcometh”: John clearly defines who these overcomers are; they are all who believe that Jesus is God’s Son, and all that means. The overcomers are believers, all of them (2:13). The word for “overcomes” or overcomer” comes from a Greek word meaning “to conquer,” or “to have victory,”or “to have superiority” or “conquering power.” The word reflects a genuine superiority that leads to over-whelming success.

The victory is demonstrable; it involves over throwing an enemy so that the victory is seen by all. Jesus also used this word to describe Himself (John 16:33). Because of believers’ union with Christ, they too partake in His victory (Rom. 8:37; 2 Cor. 2:14). The word “overcomes” in the original language conveys the idea that the believer has continual victory over the world.

We know that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Look with me, at the definition of what faith is.

Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”

We live in a “show me” generation. To please God, we must believe in our heart in the love of God, which we cannot see with our physical eye. The love of God, even though we cannot see it with our physical eye, is more real than anything else.

Our very life is determined by believing in salvation through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When we bury our flesh in water baptism, and rise to new life in Jesus, we have been born of the Spirit. We are no longer flesh, but spirit.

The victory over this world is when the world becomes unimportant in our life, and we are living to the day when we can go home to heaven and be with Jesus. Christians are in this world, but not of this world. We are dead to fleshly desires of this world, and are putting our faith and trust in Jesus.

TODAY'S BIBLE READING

May 4
Today's Bible Reading Plan selections can be found below. If you don't have a Bible with you, just click the references to read each passage online:

Old Testament
1 Samuel 9-10  —  8.5 minutes
Psalms 98  —  2.0 minutes

New Testament
Mark 10:35-52  —  4.5 minutes
2 Corinthians 3  —  4.0 minutes

Total Average Read Time — 19.0 minutes