TODAY’S SCRIPTURE Romans 8:31-39

More. The word seems to tug at the heart in anticipation, calling us to wonder just exactly what could that more be? “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). We’re tempted to live life on the side of defeat, beaten down and counted out at every turn. But the truth is, we are “more.” We are more than able to win; we will win. We are more than able to stand; we will stand. We are more than able to conquer…but what’s more than a conqueror?

“In all these things” we are more. Just about every conceivable circumstance in life is thrown out as a challenge we can conquer, because we are more. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised — who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:33-35).

You know “the one” — yes, that one, who brought a charge against you. You know the place, the time, the moment, and the smell of the air when it happened. You know the upwelling of emotion when you heard the charge. You know the feeling of being innocent but accused of being guilty. You know the feeling of being right, but held accountable as if you were wrong. You know the defeat of accusations. But in the end, the false lies of others or the opinions of the ignorant cannot define you. For, “It is God who justifies.” In the moment you think you’re beaten, you remember you are “more.”

Today, I will…focus on the “more” done for me through Jesus Christ, so that I can share more with others who need the grace of Jesus Christ. Make a list of those you can encourage with a prayer, a postcard, and a personal visit.