Jesus said that we will have trouble in this world, but to stay happy! Why? How? He overcame everything that could keep you down, sick, weak, or poor! If you’re born again He lives within you, giving you the strength and wisdom you need to overcome in any situation. “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 emphasis mine).

“Reconcile” in the Greek is an accounting term meaning to balance or say the same thing. For us to be reconciled to God, Jesus had to give us His place—His inheritance, His power, His peace, the life of God—everything that He had. This is why we can say along with the Apostle Paul, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”! (Galatians 2:20)

We are equipped with the indwelling Spirit of God to focus on solutions, not problems. We are equipped to speak what we want, not what might be currently happening. We are equipped to experience joy in the expectation of answers, rather than the stress of waiting for them!

If you don’t know God’s vision for you then you’ll be shaped by the vision of others. There are many voices in this world and they all want your attention. But the loudest voice you hear is the voice on the inside of you that speaks what has been fed into your life. It’s the voice that either tells you that you can do amazing things in life, or that you’re doomed to be a victim of circumstance. It directs the trajectory of your life, which is why feeding on God’s Word and His plan for you is the most important thing you can ever do for success in life—both now and in the future!

Righteousness, growing up into Christ and being transformed into His image, is something that is given to us in Christ and already ours! Side by side along with this are the blessings—all of God’s goodness—and Him at work within us, causing us to both want to do and do the things that please Him! (Philippians 2:13)

Say what God says! Reciting His promises and thanking Him for all the amazing things He has done for you in Christ is the heart of true praise and worship. “I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (Psalm 34:1).

Since the fall of Adam the image of God has been distorted little by little, like a photocopy where each copy is a little less clear than the copy before it. Eventually the image is barely recognizable, until fresh toner is installed and the image becomes crisp and clear again. If your walk with God has become faded and lacking clarity, only the Word of God can give you fresh perspective and a clear view of the exciting, limitless life that has been set before you in Christ!

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (Prov. 4:23). Ask yourself, “What is my first reaction to bad news?” The life of God IN you is greater than any circumstance around you. Identify the inspiration-killers that have tried to defeat you, and become trained in God’s Word to walk in victory against them!

You are made in the image and likeness of God. What type of life does that produce? It’s a life full of adventure and expectation of new things every day. The resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s fearless and enthusiastic, greeting God with a childlike, “What’s next, Papa?”

Jesus doesn’t reign in some political system or church denomination, He is reigning in you and me! If you are born again, His peace, righteousness and joy are now a part of your life. There may be darkness all around you, but you are light because the light giver has His home within you. There may be curses all around you but you are blessed! There may be bondage all around you but you are free!