To prevail against an enemy is a great feeling. World War II, which commenced six years and one day after Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, marked the 20th century's second global conflict. By the time it concluded on the deck of an American warship on September 2, 1945, World War II had claimed the lives of an estimated 60 - 80 million individuals, representing approximately three percent of the world's population.
Tragically, the vast majority of those who perished in history's deadliest war were civilians including the horrific six million Jews who were systematically murdered in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. When WWII was finally over, the feeling in our world was . . . relief. Finally, the great battle has been won and life can return . . . if at all possible, to what it once was.
Here's the reality, life after a major war never returns to what it once was. Battles, wars, conflicts leave scares. Some scars are visible. Others are not seen with the human eye, but are felt by the human spirit. There was a time in history when Jesus stood at a location where He uttered the following concept, "And I say also unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. - Matthew 16:18, KJV
The context of this passage states that Jesus may have said this in Caesarea Philippi, a pagan city dedicated to Zeus and built near Mount Hermosa, where the divine sons of God descended from heaven. In this spiritual war we find ourselves in . . . where our scars are many . . . Jesus makes us the victor. Through His power and presence in our lives, we are able to prevail where we would often fail.
Today, we are to witness the outward expression of the inward reality of four precious lives that have decided to commit their lives to the Master Jesus Christ. The gates of Hell have tried to prevail in their lives, but with God IT SHALL NEVER PREVAIL against His children. That feeling of prevailing against the enemy can be yours to experience. How? By placing your trust and life in the hands of the Great and Mighty God.
If you are interested in baptism and being a baptized member of the Milton Adventist Church, reach out! Let us know! We are happy to help you grow into the person God has designed for you to be!
So, until the next time, this is pastor Tello reminding you that thoughts do change lives!
Pastor Howard Tello.