Did you ever look at a certain person and say, “They succeeded because they had an unfair advantage”? Perhaps they were born with a natural beauty. Maybe they were born into a rich family. It could have been that they came out of college and immediately got the prestigious, high paying job you wanted. After all, their Daddy owned the company. At one time or another, most of us have said, “It just isn’t fair”.

Did you realize that you, as a true believer in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, have an unfair advantage over every non-believing person on the world? 
Pastor, are you serious? Yes, I am serious. Consider two of many such verses: “The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, dwells in you”. [Romans 8:11 paraphrased] “Christ in you, the hope of glory”.  [Colossians 1:27]

Friend, if you are truly “born again”, the Bible says that you are a living, breathing, walking around, container of Almighty God. He lives in you. Think of the advantage that truth gives you in every area of your life! 

    God in you is wisdom

    God in you is power

    God in you is love

    God in you is righteousness

    God in you is protection

    God in you is overcoming victory

No matter what the situation, you have resources no non-believer has. No wonder Paul could write, “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us”. [Romans 8:37] Consider also, “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strongholds”. [2 Corinthians 10:4]

Please do not let the devil convince you that you are a poor, powerless, worm in the dust. Recognize the truth that Almighty God lives in you. Lift up your head. Live like an overcoming Champion! Use your “unfair advantage” to defeat the devil. Use it as you love others. Use it as you live your daily life.

The devil ought to hate to see you get out of bed each morning. Why? Because he knows that you know who you are in Christ. Also, because he knows that he has no power against you when you resist him in Jesus’ Name, and that the Jesus in you is going to make you, “prosper, and be in health, even as your soul prospers”. [3 John 2]

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS

1. Sunday School at 9:00 am. Also available in the parking lot on 99.1 FM.
2. Morning Worship and Children’s Church at 10:00 am. Also available in the parking lot at 10 and on the website after 12:30 pm.
3. Prayer and Bible Study is Wednesday at 6:30 pm.
4. October 17—Bring the Tee shirts, socks, underwear, and other items you are donating to help needy kids in the Stanly County School System.
5. Samaritan’s Purse shoe boxes are at the church. Instructions naming items that you can place in your box are there also. There is no need to place money in the box. The church has agreed to pay shipping cost. These will be due November 14.
6. Masks are recommended, but optional at all services.
7. Thanks to every person who helped make the Ronnie Lowder Benefit a success
8. Study our Prayer List. We have many in the Church family who are battling serious illnesses and need our prayers.
9. It is with great sadness that we note the death of former Pastor, Rev. Terry Burris. His preaching, singing, and most of all, his friendship, will be missed. He left us far too soon. Continue to remember his family in your prayers.

Stay close to Jesus!

Pastor Ed and Deacons of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church