Chaplain Corner Submissions - Ben Caudill Chaplain's Corner

I Shall Overcome

Revelation 2:7 (KJV)
7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.

Revelation 2:11 (KJV)
11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

Revelation 2:17 (KJV)
17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.
Revelation 2:26-29 (KJV)
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
28 And I will give him the morning star.
29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:5 (KJV)
5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

Revelation 3:12-13 (KJV)
12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 3:21-22 (KJV)
21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

These scriptures are precious promises to those who are in Christ and filled with the Holy Spirit, who have fought the good fight of faith and have overcome sin, the world system, and the temptations of the devil. But what does it mean to overcome and how do we accomplish it? To overcome is to conquer; to vanquish; to subdue; as to overcome enemies in battle. To surmount; to get the better of; as, to overcome difficulties or obstacles. I have given you the dictionary definition of what overcoming is, but it is also the practical definition. We all face difficulties in our walk with God and in life in general, but if we are truly born again we have been given the tools, indeed the weapons to win the battles. We are surrounded by great opposition and rebellion, but as overcomers we must refuse to conform to the world and to any ungodliness whether it be in our culture or even in the church. Overcomers hear and respond to what the Spirit says to the churches and remain faithful to Jesus Christ to the very end. We accept only God's standard revealed in His Holy Word!
Revelation 3:8 (KJV)
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

Before Jesus went into the wilderness to be tempted by satan, He was baptized by John and filled with the Holy Spirit. He went into the wilderness hungry and tired, in a weakened state according to the flesh. He was equipped with the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Satan tried to tempt Him with all the same temptations we face on a daily basis, but Jesus, filled with the Holy Spirit, used the scriptures to overcome. The scriptures tell us that He was tempted like as we are, but without sin. Only after He had overcome did the angels come and minister to Him. This is our example for overcoming sin and rebellion in our own lives.

Our culture has become extremely coarse and unGodly. Our churches have become weak and effeminate. We have compromised with the world at large and it shows in the ineffectiveness of the church to influence the culture. In order for us to be victorious in this present world we must be strong in our faith and uncompromising in our convictions. We must live what we profess even when it is not convenient or comfortable. To be sure, we will be tried and tempted. We will have suffering and affliction and all manner of trials just like those in the world, but we have the promises of God that He will see us through the trials with a peace that passes all understanding. Only by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God can we be assured of victory. We were never promised deliverance from every trial, but we are promised peace in the storms of life.

Our hope is not in this world, but in the world to come. Jesus went to the cross to secure our forgiveness from sin and when He rose from the grave He secured the victory over death and the grave. Satan is a defeated foe and has no power over the born-again child of God. We must live the victory that has already been won for us at Calvary and bring glory to Almighty God!
Revelation 21:1-8 (KJV)
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.
8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
2 Timothy 1:7-10 (KJV)
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:

Mark 13:13 (KJV)
¹³And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Merciful and gracious Heavenly Father, I offer you praise and thanksgiving for your many precious promises to those who have answered your call to this glorious salvation. We know by your Word that none can come to Jesus unless you call them. I pray that those who are being called by your Holy Spirit will answer and receive that precious gift of saving grace. I pray, Lord, for all those who are afflicted with the many diseases such as cancer and heart disease that you will bring healing where it is your will and comfort where it is not. Lord, please bring healing to our nations' spiritual afflictions and send us Godly leaders in our government and especially in our churches. Lord help us to live soberly, righteously, and Godly in this present world, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. Forgive us of our sins O Lord and help us to recognize that we have sinned against you and you only and that we must repent and follow that narrow path that leads to life everlasting. Lord to you be all glory and praise and honour! In the Holy and Righteous Name of Jesus I pray, Amen In the service of our Lord Jesus Christ, William McKiven, the Celtic Chaplain