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!

The Greek word elpis – confident expectation, trust (used by Paul)

Hebrew words in Old Testament all pointing to :

trust, wait, look for, expect, confidence, security,

refuge, shelter, flee for protection, assurance,

to rely on something reliable

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.

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. 

A Father's Heart

A Stable? Really? Yet it felt right . . .

The smell of animal is strong - constant rustling of hooves and sounds of cattle and goats fill the spaces between May's soft moaning. The torch flickers in the cool breeze, casting shadows along the wooden boards of the stalls. The cave walls radiate some heat from the day and the warmth for the animals give comfort.

The sky is lit up by so many stars tonight. I notice each night lately has been a bit more bright - tonight I can see easily around me.

"Joseph!"

"I'm here, Mary."

I walk over quickly to where my beloved is laying, propped up by sweet smelling hay and grasses - covered with some blankets we brought from home.

"Joseph - it hurts so" Mary whispered. "I'm know, Mary, I won't leave you."

I look up, "Lord, help us - show me what to do! Deliver Mary quickly and keep precious Jesus - Your Son, safe!"

Peace filled both our hearts - a smile on Mary's lips revealed promises kept and God's immediate help here.

She struggle still with the pain, trying to relax, holding tightly to my hand. I brushed the hair from her face and wiped the tears from her cheeks, "It will be over soon" I said softly.

Mary pointed to a bundle close by and I rose to get it. Inside I found fresh clothes for her, clean strips of cloth for the baby and soft blankets to wrap Him in. She had everything prepared.

I changed the straw beneath her and propped Mary up more so she could more easily bear down. Oh how I wish I could give her my strength!

Mary looked at me suddenly - "Joseph - the baby- now" she pants.

I move to her side and gently hold the baby's emerging head in my hand. Soft,wet curls spilled onto my palm.

I feel a hand on my shouder - giving me strength and confidence, helping me.

Slowly the baby's head is delivered, then one shoulder after the other. He looks at me! Is that a "thank you" I see, a glimpse of eternity and glory? I feel the hand on my shoulder give a gently squeeze. I dry him quickly, wrap him in a blanket and place him in Mary's arms.

Tears of joy drip onto my shirt as I sit there watching Mary tenderly look this wonderful baby over - counting finger and toes - running her hand along his back, his arms, his legs. He squirms and protests loudly!. Hungry? Cold?  Mary gently wraps him in the strips of cloth and guides him to her breast. I lean over and cover them both carefully with my cloak.

Mary looks at me and we smile through our tears. Lifting our gaze upwards we praise God for His strength, safety, provision and Emmanuel - God, with us!

Frightening glimpses through the fog!

We live in a world filled with sickness, death, evil and trouble. 

We are in this world.

We don’t think “bad” things will happen to us.

We live in a complacent fog. 

We catch glimpses of the true battle clashing around us when occasionally the fog lifts and we see the results of evil. 

We see godlessness, the raw wickedness of the heart and mind of man controlled by Satan.

In the shifting vapors we see the suffering that occurs daily in many parts of the world – areas where God is forsaken and evil rules blatantly and openly.

I find it appalling that “horror” shows depicting bloody killings, torture and darkness are welcomed into our theaters and homes through Internet and TV.  As we sit numbly watching “entertainment” these very atrocities are taking place in far off and not so far off countries against men and women, little boys and girls, many of whom are brothers and sisters in Christ. They are beaten, imprisoned, tortured, and killed. Children witnessing unspeakable acts not reported in the States.

God, in His mercy, allows us to be safe and secure – but for how much longer? Our country has turned her back on Him and worships the god of self and materialism. 

The war is in full swing around us – a spiritual battle full of hatred directed toward us and our children.

Man’s laws allow us to live, work and play in relative safety and security. BUT man’s heart is desperately wicked. Satan knows his time is short and is stepping up the attack. We are in the way – may our eyes be opened to see through the fog! We must read and know the Play Book and its’ Author! We must stay on our knees before our God!

Will we be touched by evil? YES

Will it defeat us? NO

Our hope is Christ, the victory is already won by Christ at the cross and empty tomb, our peace and security is in Christ.

May the God of hope, fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit         (Romans 15:13)

 

It is through our hope in God, our trust in Christ, our joy and peace given to us by our Father during the battle, enduring the suffering, in the midst of disappointment, tearful in grief, stunned by tragedy and picking up the pieces of shattered dreams that others see Christ.  

They see and are drawn to:

the Prince of Peace

Our Emmanuel!!!!

When angels dance and sing!

I just read a story of lost and found.

In a countryside filled with green pastures and sloping hills a shepherd stands straight and tall. Leaning on his staff, he looks out over HIS precious herd making sure the little ones are close to their Mamas, the older sheep are well and walking without difficulty, the herd as a whole is happy and content, feeding off the bountiful grass he has led them to. As a matter of habit he begins to count the sheep, smiling at the antics of the lambs jumping and chasing each other. Then he stops smiling and frowns. He slowly and carefully counts again. 

One is missing!

He sounds the alarm to his friends and neighbors and the search begins.

He scans the area. He moves swiftly and carefully along outcroppings and drop-offs. He calls the missing  sheep by name. He does not stop for food or rest. He quickly walks around the area, calling, listening, looking. Then he hears, of in the distance, a lonely bleat, a cry for help. Running, the shepherd arrives to find a frightened, dusty little lamb and gathers it gently in his arms, carefully wiping off the dust from the lamb’s face and holding it close as he softly probes with his loving fingers for cuts and bruises. The shepherd moves slowly back to the herd, murmuring loving words quietly to the little one. He places the lamb down by it’s mother and smiles as it hungrily feeds.

His friends and neighbors gather around the shepherd, celebrating and rejoicing with him. The lost lamb is back in the fold with the herd. The precious lost has been found.

Wow!

Jesus then went on to say, “there is more rejoicing in Heaven” when one of His creation comes to Him and accepts Him as the Savior.

 We made the angels dance and sing when we wrapped our arms around our Lord and asked Him to live in our hearts at the foot of the cross! The trumpets blasted, the music swelled and the angels sang songs of praise and joy when we became part of our Lord’s family.

 And the incredible reality is,  He is still smiling! And I believe the celebration is still going on and will continue till we join it and our loved ones to dance with Jesus and sing His praises with the angels! 

We are HIS!

Emmanuel, God is with us - Part 2

 EMMANUEL 

GOD is WITH US

Are we truly grasping this reality? Can our minds wrap around the FACT He is beside us and in us . . . always? Our wonderful God who loves us infinitely with outspread  arms ready to wrap them around us, who sings over us at night while we are sleeping, who calls us precious and never takes His eyes off of us or stops listening for our voices. The God who knows our name, who provides for us, protects us, dances with us in joy and comforts us  in sorrow . . .

 HE IS WITH US!

Let’s look at this from a different perspective:

As we drive to our work, run errands, shop –

 God is with us

As we brush our teeth, do the dishes, make the bed, fix the car, do the yard work –

 God is with us

As we care for our children, our aging parents, our sick loved ones –

 God is with us

As we walk the dog, clean the litter box, change a diaper –

God is with us

As we go give a hug, hold a hand, wipe a tear –

 God is with us

As we watch TV, look at a movie, listen to music, read a book, play a game –

God is with us

As we think a thought, speak a word, reach with our hand, react to others – 

God is with us

As we face our fears, bear our grief, feel overwhelmed, feel alone – 

God is with us

When others fail us and we are betrayed, hurt and in pain -
God is with us 

When we don't know which way to turn, there's no way out -
God is with us
 

Does this change:

What I look at?
   God is with me

What I listen to?
 God is with me

Where I choose to go?
 God is with me

How I react?
 God is with me

How I speak and what I say? 
 God is with me 

How I do my “jobs”?
 God is with me

How I rest in Him?  
 God is with me

GOD is WITH ME

EMMANUEL

Emmanuel, where You are is holy ground,

and You are HERE!

Emmanuel, God with us! Part 1

What a special time of year!

A time when God, the Father, fulfilled multiple scriptures in sending the Perfect Lamb to walk among us and be our Redeemer and Savior.

The Lord provides so many promises in His Word regarding “God with us”, here are just a few:  

• And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age - (Matthew 28:20)

• . . . He (the Father) will give you another Counselor - to be with you forever -  He lives with you and in you - (John 14:16)

• (Because I live - v 19) you will realize that I am in the Father and you are in Me and I am in you! (John 14:20)

• Be strong and courageous . . . for the Lord, you God, goes with you; He will never leave you or forsake you – (Deuteronomy 31:6)  

•  Were I to count them (the thoughts the Lord has concerning me), they would out number the grains of sand, when I awake – I am still with You (Psalm 139:18)
• Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you (Joshua 1:9)

• Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5) 

•  Since you are precious and honored in My sight – and because I love you, do not be afraid for  I am with you – (Isa 43:4-5)

•  You hem me in, behind and before, You have laid Your hand upon me (Psalm 139:5) 
  
• . . . though he stumble, he will not fall for the Lord upholds him with His hand (Psalm 37:24)
  
• . . . when you pass through the waters I will be with you . . . (Isaiah 43:2)
  
  

  EMMANUEL

  
  

  GOD IS WITH US

  
  

   Where you are is holy ground

  and you are HERE!   

  
  
  

  

  
  
  

Clean out our INBOX!

I am sitting here looking at my Inbox and shaking my head.

How did 11 pages of stuff accumulate so quickly? 
 
Why did I leave these e-mails sitting here taking up space, serving no purpose except to make it so hard to find those special ones I want to read and remember.

Ephesians 2: 1-10 compares and contrasts a life before Christ and a life in Christ.

Verse 2 is particularly intriguing; “You HE made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world."

There is a continual tug of war occurring around us -  subtle, deceptive and relentless. Our standards and beliefs are constantly bombarded with compromise and erosion. We are told what is good and bad. We are instructed as to what to wear, eat, listen to, watch, read, and even think. We are inundated with ideas and changing values, Satan inspired philosophies and constantly evolving morality.

Reminds me of waves that I used to watch rolling in on the beaches of Florida. In some areas the rolling waters quietly removed layers of sand while in others , the swells deposited blankets of sand to reform the entire beach.

If we are not watchful, if we are not diligent, our thinking will, as in verse 2, follow the "course of this world'. Layers of opinions and eroding ideas will bury God's principles and twist His truth in our minds.

Our faith, our values based on His Word are given in order to protect us as we walk through the waves of ungodly bias crashing in on us and shield our minds from the disintegration of our culture’s philosophies.

Solution?

Delete the junk and trash and clean out our mind’s Inbox by holding to the truth (1 Thes 3:21-22)

Daily reading, studying, memorizing and meditating on God's Word (Romans 12:2)

Diligently, excitedly and purposefully seek to know Him (Exodus 33:12b-13)

Depend on the Holy Spirit to teach us and Christ to fight for us! (1 Corinthians 2:10-11, 1 Samuel 17:47)