“And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col 2:15; KJV). This verse is good news as it tells us that Jesus defeated the power of satan in his victory at the cross. This is confirmed in Hebrews 2:14 where we read that Jesus destroyed the devil and rendered him ineffective. The meaning of the Greek word for destroyed is to make something totally ineffective or powerless.

How can we establish this victory in our lives? It's one thing to know what Jesus did for us but how can we benefit from this? God has given us authority over satan in order to enforce this victory as it says in Luke 9:1, when Jesus gave his disciples: “power and authority over all demons”. Also, when Jesus gave the last commission to his disciples (and to us) in Mark 16:17, he said they (we) would cast out demons: "in his name". James, the brother of Jesus, told us we should: “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you”. The Greek word for resist means to take a bold stand and oppose.

“Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven” (Matt 18:18). We have the authority to loose all the works of the devil from our lives and those of other people and we can bind them far from us.  We need to use our authority, prayer, and God’s promises in his word to: "fight the good fight of faith"(1 Tim 6:7), against the devil and his attacks. Always remember that we are resisting from a point of victory.

 “And every that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3; KJV) God is pure and we are called to purity of heart (2 Tim 2:22) and mind (2 Peter 3:1) and to exemplify purity for others (1 Tim 4:12). In Psalm 73:1 we are told that God is good to those of a pure heart and in Matthews Gospel we read: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matt 5:8). To be pure is to be like God and to draw close to him.

So, what is purity? If you study out the three Greek words for purity in the Bible you see that a person of purity has no blemishes. To be pure is to be clean, morally faultless, undefiled and modest in all areas of life. The pure individual has no hidden motives and no mixture of good and evil. Our purity should be able to stand the test of Sunlight. When our lives are held up to the light of God’s word no flaws should be seen. This seems like a tall order but God is always there to help.

We were given a new spirit at salvation (John 3:3-8) but we are called to purify our souls by obeying the truth which is God’s word (1 Peter 1:22). We need to meditate on things that are pure (Phil 4:8) and wash our minds with the water of the word (Eph 5:26). The Holy Spirit reveals the word to us and works to help us change. (John 14:26; Phil 1:6) Don’t be condemned. Change is always a process that takes time, but the results are wonderful.

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I find it interesting that the first instructions that God gives us on marriage are found in the very first book of the Bible, in the first two chapters. In Genesis 2:24 God gives husbands and wives probably the most important instructions they need. He says: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall become one flesh" (KJV). These same instructions are also given in Matt. 19:5 and Eph. 5:31.

Husbands and wives must re prioritize relationships as they come together to make the new relationship their focus, independent of previous family connections. The meaning of the word cleave, suggests a relationship where husband and wife are cemented together in a permanent covenant or bond. In other words, next to God, our spouse should be more important than anything else in life.

The advantage that Christian marriages have over non-Christians is that Christians can love their spouses with agape love. This is the unconditional love with which God loves us; a love that has been poured into us by the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:5). This is a love of choice which is not dependent on performance. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 the apostle Paul spells that out the characteristics of this love for us. We encourage you to read that chapter of the Bible.

With agape love in operation even the most seemingly impossible problems in marriage can get turned around. Of course, this is not something we can do in our own ability but with God's help and lots of prayer, it is possible.

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When God was ready to take his people Israel into the promised land (Num 13-14), he told Moses to send twelve spy’s first to check things out. Two spies, Caleb and Joshua, brought back a good report and insisted that Israel was more than capable of taking the land. These two men trusted God. Ten spies came back and discouraged the people by describing the fortified cities, giants and the strength of the people. Israel would spend 40 years in the wilderness because of fear and their refusal to enter the promised land (Num 14:34).

If you are feeling overwhelmed by something you have to do today, say to someone or if God is taking you way out of your comfort zone, then remember the following verses. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" (Rom 8:37; KJV). "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us". (Phil 4:13). “Ye might be partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). "Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power" (Col 1:11). “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isa 41:10).   

All these and many more verses talk about the special strength and ability that God gives us as Christians. You may already be familiar with these verses but remind yourself of them and then; do what you have to do, in God's ability.

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Are you a peacemaker or dose strife characterize your relationship with others? Peace in relationships is a state of freedom from strife; a presence of harmony and tranquility; sound good? In Matthew chapter 5, verse 9 it says: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God”. The Psalmist King David exhorted us to; “seek peace and pursue it” (Ps 34:14) and the apostle Paul instructed that, if at all possible, we should live at peace with others (Rom 12:18).

Wow, God must put a high value on peace and those who propagate it. To be blessed is to walk in the fullness and assurance of salvation despite what maybe going on around us. James tells us that: “peacemakers, who sow in peace, raise a harvest of righteousness”. Righteousness is simply right standing with God.

Our God is a God of peace and he causes it to grow in us by the Holy Spirit. (Gal 5:22). Strife is not fun, seek peace with all people and aim to live at peace (Rom 12:17-18; James 3:18). Not everyone will accept your peacemaking (James 3:18; Rom 12:18) but that is their issue. You cooperate with God and let him make you a peacemaker. Walk in Gods peace and blessedness.

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