CHRISTMAS WITH CORRIE TEN BOOM

UNDEFEATED FAITH
Christmas from Voices Past #2
Rebekah Clanton
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

HISTORY:
Born in Haarlem, Netherlands. Most famous for the book the Hiding Place. She worked with the Dutch underground and in hiding and helped rescue hundreds of Jews and disabled individuals that would have been killed by the Nazi’s during WWII. Corrie is best known as the writer and inspiration for the movies, “The Hiding Place” and “Tramp for the Lord.” She wrote many devotional and inspirational works. Corrie lived a life of undefeated faith. Her faith in God was her anchor in the most horrible of circumstances.

“There is no pit so deep that He [God] is not deeper still” -Betsie ten Boom

It would be understandable in the human terms for her circumstance to lead to depression, fear and defeat. Instead, Corrie wrote such things as, “Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible” and “Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Where did she find such deep anchor for her faith?

1. THE ANCHOR OF PRAYER

A. Prayer is the guard of your heart

(Philippians 4:6-7) “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

B. Prayer is God’s realm

(Matthew 6:6) “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” 

“The wonderful thing about praying is that you leave a world of not being able to do something, and enter God’s realm where everything is possible. He specializes in the impossible. Nothing is too great for His almighty power. Nothing is too small for His love.” -Corrie ten Boom

When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles, When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devils shouts for joy.

2. THE ANCHOR OF FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness unlocks doors.

“Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the door of resentment and the handcuffs of hatred. It is a power that breaks the chains of bitterness and the shackles of selfishness.”  -Corrie ten Boom

A. All of us need forgiveness

(Romans 3:23) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

B. All of us need to forgive

(Colossians 3:13) “…Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

3. THE ANCHOR OF ACTION

(1 Corinthians 15:58) “Therefore, my brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

“Trying to do the Lord’s work in your own strength is the most confusing, exhausting, and tedious of all work. But when you are filled with the Holy Spirit, then the ministry of Jesus just flows out of you.”  -Corrie ten Boom

4. THE ANCHOR OF MOTIVATION

(Colossians 3:23) “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human master.”

Understand God’s perfection.

“You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.”  -Corrie ten Boom

1. The perfect motivation is that God so loved the world.

2. The perfect gift is that He gave his only son.

3. The perfect requirement is that you believe.

4. The perfect reward is eternal life.

“Eternal life does not start when we go to heaven. It starts the moment you reach out to Jesus. He never turns His back on anyone. And He is waiting for you.”  -Corrie ten Boom

How will you respond to God?

• Thomas: He said, “I will believe it when I see it.”

(John 20:25) “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”

• The rich young ruler: He went away heavy of heart.

(Mark 10:22) “But he was deeply dismayed by these words, and he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much.”

• Mary: She was in total surrender to God.

(Luke 1:38) “I’m here! The Lord’s servant! Let it happen for me just as you have said!”