I sometimes just say, “Lord Jesus, lovely Lord Jesus” over and over and over slowly, there is nothing better or more healing …There hath not failed one word of all His good promises. All the promises of God are “yea” and “amen,” and that’s enough right there to go on. —Dottie, my mother-in-law
Life on this planet can be tough. Jesus never promised otherwise:
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)
John recorded that in his Gospel, but he didn’t leave it there. In his first letter, John puts it in perspective for those who are born again:
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. (1 John 5:3-5)
The commandments to love, to trust, to live in Him, and to rest in Him give us victory. John says it’s one of the “signs” that we are born of God. Personally, I know of no one whose life spoke as loudly to this as my mother-in-law. When my wife was born, Dottie’s life was a complete mess, ravaged by brokenness. Now some fifty years later, she’s gone home to be with her Savior. Yet listen to some of the words she wrote in one of her last letters to us:
- “It’s all about Him. I take care of His business. He takes care of my business.”
- “LORD, it’s your body. If this is what you want for it, be my guest!”
- “Every word that comes out of the mouth of God matters.”
- “He is alive and real in me. Mercifully, He and I are inseparable.”
Yes, MY mother-in-law was an “unburdened overcomer” of the world—one of the true signs we’ve been born again.
Jesus, be the only true reality in my life. I release my worldly burdens to You. I take on Your commands which are not burdensome at all, when I allow You to live them through me in Your strength. Amen