Each New Year brings with it a time of reflection over the last year and a look at the possibilities in the coming year.
Perhaps regrets of wrong decisions and actions, harsh words and reactions of the past weigh us down. Looking into the unknown of all those tomorrows is foreboding.
But right now is what we have and the present is where we are. Now is the perfect time to dwell on who our God is. To be still and know He is God, right now, this day and the next and the next. He is the same. He is the God who laid all our sins on the Perfect Lamb at the cross. The price was paid, is paid and our debt will always be cancelled in the eyes of the Father!
So today, this day, it is time to acknowledge before Him those things that burden us and lay them down never to pick them up again! Today, lay down all our fears of the future!
Picture it.
We timidly walk up to the door of His throne room, slowly open the door and and step over the threshold. We look up and see Him running toward us, arms open wide! Our slate is wiped clean and He slams into us with a fierce love, holds us close and whispers, “what took you so long! I love you and this is where you belong! You are precious in My sight and I have so much to share with you!”
Beloved, let us change our attitude and live victoriously!
There is nothing we can do to earn God’s love. We have it!!!!
He sees us already perfect and mature and rejoices as He watches us grow into His image. He desires persistence and progress not perfection. He understands us better than we know ourselves. He is infinitely patient and waits for us to become the mature child He already sees. He encourages us along the way, blesses us with special surprises and loves us with indescribable love!
Philippians 4:13-14 - But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - always rejoice, always pray and always give thanks no matter the circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Join with me as we strain eagerly toward the goal, forget what is behind and live victoriously in Christ!
Thursday, January 3, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
HOPE
Jesus, our hope of glory . . .Hope does not disappoint . . . God of hope . . .your faith and hope are in God . . .
What is hope? What is the hope we read about in the pages of scripture? What about the hope we speak of freely in saying "I hope so"? These questions set me on a quest recently and the answers have amazed me!
Several definitions of hope are below – popular and not satisfying at all. Both depend on ME, my wishes, my desires, my expectation on my future with my goals in mind.
1. Wikipedia - “Hope is the emotional state which promotes the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life. Hope is the “feeling” that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best or the act of looking forward to something with desire and reasonable confidence or feeling that something desired may happen”
2. Charles Snyder, Ph.D – created a “Hope Theory” – “Hope is the sum of the mental willpower and waypower that you have for your goals” (goals are objects, experiences or outcomes that we imagine and desire in our minds)
These ideas are based on Plato, believe it or not! – Plato contends that hope is the subjective projection of our desires. So if our “wishes” turn out to be unfulfilled in the future, our present mental status is still improved! Is this the hope of Christ???? Not in a million years!!!!
I love words studies!
Hope, therefore, can be defined as:
What is hope? What is the hope we read about in the pages of scripture? What about the hope we speak of freely in saying "I hope so"? These questions set me on a quest recently and the answers have amazed me!
Several definitions of hope are below – popular and not satisfying at all. Both depend on ME, my wishes, my desires, my expectation on my future with my goals in mind.
1. Wikipedia - “Hope is the emotional state which promotes the belief in a positive outcome related to events and circumstances in one’s life. Hope is the “feeling” that what is wanted can be had or that events will turn out for the best or the act of looking forward to something with desire and reasonable confidence or feeling that something desired may happen”
2. Charles Snyder, Ph.D – created a “Hope Theory” – “Hope is the sum of the mental willpower and waypower that you have for your goals” (goals are objects, experiences or outcomes that we imagine and desire in our minds)
These ideas are based on Plato, believe it or not! – Plato contends that hope is the subjective projection of our desires. So if our “wishes” turn out to be unfulfilled in the future, our present mental status is still improved! Is this the hope of Christ???? Not in a million years!!!!
I love words studies!
The Greek word elpis – confident expectation, trust (used by Paul)
Hebrew words in Old Testament all pointing to :
The difference? Our trust, expectation and confidence is in God! The promises of God are directed to each of His children in the community of those that have given their hearts to Him. Hope is not based on our individual psychological state of mind but in God’s purposes and perfect plan for His children collectively. We trust and place our hope in the God who loves us with an infinite love, who will not disappoint us in our future Home and inheritance and will remain with us through life’s joyous moments and heart breaks.trust, wait, look for, expect, confidence, security,refuge, shelter, flee for protection, assurance,to rely on something reliable
Hope, therefore, can be defined as:
confident expectation, regardless of our circumstances, of the continued fulfillment of the promises of God by God Himself in His perfect timing
It’s not about us. Hope is not dependent on us at all, it is about His will, His perfect plan, His doing what He says He will do. We are His children, He loves us so much He sent His only Son to be the payment for our sins. He provided a solution to the separation of sinful man and Holy God. Love, incredible love, infinite love, unlimited love backing His promises to us. 
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