What, then, are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He did not even spare his own Son but gave him up for us all. How will he not also with him grant us everything? Who can bring an accusation against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies. Who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is the one who died, but even more, has been raised; he also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us. Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
Because of you we are being put to death all day long;
we are counted as sheep to be slaughtered.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:31-39 (CSB)
During my college years, I worked as a counselor at a Bible camp. Each summer I packed up all of my necessary belongings in one gigantic blue plastic tote, loaded the tote and myself into my old red Toyota, and headed north. The camp I worked at was in northern Minnesota, six miles down a dirt road and nestled among pine trees that gave way to an expansive lakeshore. It was a place where the Holy Spirit roamed as free as the campers, filling hearts and opening eyes and giving new life.
We spent our days playing games, studying the Bible, doing arts and crafts, swimming, singing, and laughing. We did so much laughing in that place! I felt closer to the Lord at camp than at any other time or place in my life, and I know I wasn’t the only one. There was room for the Lord to move and an expectancy that He would.
But even more meaningful than the memories of fun and laughter, of Scripture study and crafts, is the memory of how we began each day at camp.
Every single morning, each camper and staff member gathered around a flagpole. (There wasn’t actually a flag on the pole, but it served as a pretty nice gathering spot.) One staffer was appointed to lead each part of the morning opening, which began with a silly song to wake up our bodies. Next was a prayer in which we asked God to bless our day. And finally, a word of Scripture.
This was not simply a Bible reading. What happened was this: the appointed staffer would pray over and choose what we called a decree. A decree was something each of us is because of God, as found in Scripture. We had a full list of these decrees that kept growing throughout the summer, and each morning we would holler one out at the top of our lungs.
I am a child of God!
I am beloved!
I am forgiven!
I am chosen!
I am fearfully and wonderfully made!
Hundreds of kids exclaiming these truths first thing in the morning? It was a powerful and holy way to begin each day. And when it was my turn to lead, I would almost always choose my personal favorite: I am more than a conqueror through Christ!
You don’t have to be a camp counselor or a camper (or be anywhere near a camp) to cry out this truth. Whatever the challenge, whatever the battle, the Lord has promised that we can overcome. We are more than conquerors — equipped and ready to fight whether we feel up to the challenge or not. That’s right. Even if we don’t feel ready, God is for us. God loves us. And nothing can separate us from that love.
No matter what. Full stop.
Friend, walk confidently with your head held high into that battle that scares, accuses, or condemns. God has gone first, and nothing can come between you and His love. Because of His great love, you are more than a conqueror.
Lord, give me the confidence of an early-morning camper. Help me stand on the truth that I am already more than a conqueror, equipped for whatever fight I face. Thank You for Your love, bold and complete. Amen.
REFLECT:
- Is it easy or hard for you to believe you are more than a conqueror? Why do you think that is?
- How can you walk forward boldly with your head held high?
Empowered to Be More Than Conquerors was written by Anna E. Rendell, as published in Empowered: More of Him for All of You.
Empowered: More of Him for All of You, by Mary Carver, Grace P. Cho, and Anna E. Rendell is designed to incorporate the five major components of our being — physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual. The sixty Scripture passages and devotions invite you to see from different angles how God empowers us, and each day ends with prayer and reflection questions to deepen the learning. Empowered: More of Him for All of You is unlike any other book we’ve ever written at (in)courage, and we are SO excited for it to be in your hands.
Join Mary, Grace and Anna each Thursday on the (in)courage podcast as they share more stories and conversations about being empowered through Christ! It’s our prayer that as you read this book, you’ll be empowered in every part of your being to live fully as God created you to be.
Sign up today and we’ll send you five FREE devotions from Empowered!
Listen to today’s article below or on your favorite podcast player, and catch up on the bonus Empowered episodes too!
Leave a Comment
I love today’s reading!!! I have had a lot of pain in my life!!! Chronic disease, a brother that committed a murder of his wife and then suicide. Sexual molestation at a very young age that progressed to rape—you did not talk about those things back then!!!
I did not know if it was right or wrong because my mom never told me about sex, my period, yes–not sex. I loved my mom dearly!
She became my best friend and she realized her short comings. I certainly was not a perfect parent, but I always apologized when i knew I was in the wrong. I had a brother who almost died in a motorcycle accident. I have been through 3 divorces when I was very young. I mistook narcissism for self-confidence and it almost killed me. i thank God for jerking me up by my health and making me see what He had been trying so long to tell me. I believed the Cinderella story! HA! I was a Christian, but not depending on God. Well, He changed all that. I can’t do anything without God now. I an so thankful for that. i am home bound. I live with my oldest son and his family. He converted to a different religion and my grandchildren will grow up learning so many false teachings. I gave them over to God and I pray for my son’s family. My other son now declares he is an atheist. They were raised in a Bible believing and teaching church. My heart is broken–but I know God is working in their hearts because I am praying!!! My Illness has put me through things that would have killed most people. or have driven them to insanity–truly. God directly has intervened more than 20 times to save my life. Yes, I am a Conqueror through Jesus Christ!! Now my illness is very severe–my MD tells me that there is nothing medical science can do for me—that was 4 years ago–I trust in the Great Physician!!!
Wow Betsy, thank you for sharing your story of His faithfulness with us. May God continue leading your heart and life! Love to you today!
fealing powerful
I needed to read this that He has empowered me and because of Him I am more than a conqueror.
All true, Marilyn. All true. Praying it sinks into your soul today and sending love.
Anna,
Scripture is full of people who were more than conquerors through Jesus. Look at David-he with God’s help slayed Goliath. Moses had a speech impediment rescued the Israelites from Egypt. Esther, an orphan, saved her countrymen from annihilation. Both did so with God’s help.
Two good scriptures are: Romans 8:37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Philippians 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. We can do nothing on our own. It is only by God’s help that we can make it through this b battlefield here on Earth. God is always with us. Guiding our paths.
It has become easy to believe I am more than a conqueror. God has gotten me through some tough battles in my life. He is still fighting with & for me. Knowing deep down in my soul that God alone is in control of this spinning planet & He will see His plan worked out fully. That is the way I walk boldly through this life!
Blessings 🙂
I really appreciate that. Thanks
there is various type of behavior. These 2 types of depression are very common in my hometown.
1. Every wrong thing that is going on nowadays. caused by (people).
2. Everything is wrong cuz of me. me. me.
We have to forgive ourselves with the help of god. in both conditions.
Yesterday was one of those days so I didn’t read this until today. I can almost see & hear 100s of campers yelling the day’s decree. The energy is tangible! I’ve encountered my friend group to start today with a decree! Thank you, Anna!
Ruth I love that! I hope your friend group has all the energy of a campful of kids today! 🙂
I too can just hear the campers’ voices shouting those decrees. It’s not so common to shout in worship these days as it was in Bible times. But numerous verses in the Bible tell us to shout, perhaps because joy, confidence, strength, and power are intensified by a group-shout. Whoever began that practice at the camp flag pole was inspired. And I can imagine all the campers who participated are sharing the power of the shout to other–to this day!
Much obliged for sharing this great post . It is significant and exceptionally helpful for us, and the articles are great to impart to everybody. Keep doing awesome! Much obliged to you for the exceptionally educational article.