PLANT, WATER, OR HARVEST? WHAT'S YOUR ROLE TODAY?

                Chinese bamboo is fascinating.  To grow Chinese bamboo, you first plant a seed.  Then you water and fertilize it.  At the end of the first year, nothing happens.  During the second year, those nurturing the bamboo seeds continue to water and fertilize the soil, but still nothing happens.  The third year, they water and fertilize the soil, with the same results.  This pattern continues through the fourth year.  It’s not until the fifth year that, sometime during the ongoing watering and fertilizing process, a shoot of bamboo will pierce the soil.  In just six weeks, a Chinese bamboo tree will grow to nearly ninety feet tall. 

 

                My grandmother died at 105 years of age.  In all those years she lived she was adamantly against becoming a Christian.  If someone brought up the subject, she’d quickly change it.  But one day while visiting my family in Oregon, the Lord told me, ‘Today is the day of salvation for your grandmother.’  Obediently, I went to the elderly home to see my grandmother and I had the pleasure of leading her to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ that day. She shared with me that day that when she was a child she used to listen to Billy Graham on the radio.  In the days and weeks that followed she talked openly of Jesus, and when she died we all knew she was with her King.

 

                After my Grandma had prayed to receive Jesus as her Savior, I asked her why she’d always resisted Him.  She put her head down in shame and answered, “I never thought I was good enough to deserve Him.”  I happily explained to her that none of us deserve salvation, but it was Jesus’ perfect sacrifice that makes it possible for us to become children of God.

 

                My Grandmother was like that Chinese bamboo.  Billy Graham’s radio program planted seeds (among others I’m sure), and other’s watered or fertilized it, the Lord shone the Son on that seed, and I had the pleasure of harvest – after 105 years of care! 

 

                We never know what seeds have been planted before us, but one thing is sure, we are all called to participate in the process in the lives of other people through prayer, witness, sharing, and yes, harvesting.  Sometimes we just focus on the harvest, but the care of the seed is just as important, if not more important. 

 

 

***On a side note, whenever I tell people that my Grandmother died at 105 years of age, I inevitably get asked, “What did she die from?” Since sarcasm runs through my veins like blood, I can’t help but say something like, “Well, she was down at Mardi Gra collecting beads to hang around the mirror of her Corvette when….She died of old age for Pete’s sake!”  What would you say to that question?

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

                Over the past several years it has been popular to wear a little rubber bracelet that has the letters W.W.J.D. on them, followed by a question mark. The continual use of the jewelry is to remind the believer wearing it to question their every word and action and ask themselves, “What would Jesus do” in any given situation.   The answer to this seemingly obscure question is simple:  He’d do exactly what the Father told Him to do.  Matter-of-fact, do you know that Jesus did absolutely nothing on His own accord?  Read through these verses in John about what Jesus said regarding His purpose on earth.

 

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”  John 5:19

 

“By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.” John 5:30

 

“For I  have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.”  John 6:38

 

“My teaching is not my own.  It comes from him who sent me.”  John 7:16

 

“I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught me.  The one who sent me is with me; he has not left me alone, for I always do what pleases him.” John 8:28, 29

 

                Jesus, as part of the Trinity, knows the heart of God and therefore carries out that which pleases His Father.  Equally so, that should be our desire, to do the will of the Father in all things.  I love my children even when they don’t do what I know is right, but I am pleased with them when they walk in righteousness.  God’s love for us never wavers, however, when we are disobedient and sin, He is disappointed in our behavior.

 

                My four year old daughter is learning independence and has become fond of the word, “No!”  As much as I hate giving her consequences for her disobedience, I know that as a parent my role is to set my children up for success – ultimately spiritual success, so I correct her behavior in love, knowing that it’s vital that she learn to be obedient to me. If she doesn’t learn to do what I say is right, she will struggle in her relationships with both the Lord and others as she grows up.  I know a lot of adults who have never learned that lesson and have difficulty holding jobs, getting along with others, maturing in Christ and coping with life.  They feel entitled, like the rules don’t apply to them, and that the world should accommodate them, but that’s just not how life works.

 

                In closing, allow me to encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him what the Father would have you do in any given situation that you may be dealing with in life.   Often, we think we know the answer to be the most logical one, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes God has plans for us that are different from ours and they require utter dependence upon Him.  As our example, Jesus said and did nothing apart from what He saw and heard His Father saying and doing.  Let us pause in life and learn to see and hear so that we can do the same. 

TWARTING OFF TEMPTATION

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  All this I will give you,” he said, “IF you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan!  For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God,

and serve him only.”   Matthew 4:8

 

                1 John 2:16 tells us that there are three major areas in our life where we are susceptible to sin; the lust of the flesh; the pride of life; and, the lust of the eyes.  In just a short time Jesus had been tempted by Satan with all three, the last one likely being the most difficult to withstand:  The  Deceiver offers Jesus the power and glory of all the kingdoms of the world.  He said he possessed these things and could give them to whoever he desired.  But Satan is a liar and frequently gives only half-truths, laced with deception (John 8:44).  

 

                2 Corinthians 4:4 states that Satan is the god of this world, and while he certainly holds influence through sin, his control is temporary because ultimately all things are under God’s control.  The only thing the Devil could have offered Jesus was temporary power and control.  In exchange, Jesus would have had to bow down and worship Satan, and in short, be willing to give up His eternal identity, power, control, and His mission to die for the sins of the world.  Satan was offering Jesus power and control over a dying world, but He would have had to abandon His role as our Savior.  The very idea of the Deceiver’s plan offended Jesus.

 

                Jesus said to him, “Away from me Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.”

 

                Lost in the Greek translation is the passion and anger in Jesus’ words; ‘Away’ actually means, ‘Get out of here!’ ‘Go away!’ or ‘Be Gone!’  Jesus was livid!  We too must become as excitable when we are tempted by the enemy of our souls.

 

                Jesus was able to overcome all three temptations because He knew a secret of the Bible found in Ephesians 6 that we so often forget:  we fight not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  He recognized who He was fighting against and used the only thing powerful enough to deflect the fiery darts of hell: the Word of God.  Jesus also realized that the battle at hand was temporary and that its consequences would be eternal.  And finally, he took the trials at hand seriously, never flirting with the offers on the table, instead, rejecting them immediately.  He did this because there was more of God’s Word in His heart than His own pride and will.  The only way that’s possible is for God’s Word to become the light unto your feet and the light unto your path. 

 

                Brothers and sisters, I am a prayer warrior and I minister daily to people who are suicidal and struggling with tremendous strongholds. I frequently lead the lost, the lonely and the hurting to the saving knowledge of Christ. That being said, the enemy has been on a full-frontal attack of me, my family and my ministry for years.  However, I do several things to combat the enemy; I flank myself with the armor of the Lord daily (Ephesians 6); the Bible, the Word of God is spoken in my house by recording twenty-four hours a day; praise and worship play for hours in my home every day; and aside from my quiet time in the early morning of the day, I pray continually, asking, among other things, that the Lord put a hedge of protection and encamp warring angels around me, my family and home.  Additionally, I work hard at taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and to practice the presence of Christ at all times.  It takes work, effort and time to do these things, but I have learned that when I cling to God and His promises, praise and worship His name throughout my day, and offer up prayers continually, it is easier to keep my eyes on the Prize and my feet on the Rock.  It makes me a conquer in Christ Jesus. That is not to say I don’t sometimes waver or sin, because I do, but when that happens, I run to the throne room of God to repent for I want nothing to stand between me and my First Love.

 

                Today, consider where you have been defeated when confronted by the enemy of your soul in your day-to-day life and ask the Lord in prayer to remind you of Scripture when you are face-to-face with temptation.  To be reminded of something, you have to know it, so take time out of your day to read the Word of God and memorize key verses to help you stand against the evil one, who, according to 1 Peter 5:8 “…prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”  Continually keep in mind that Satan’s goal is to “steal, kill and destroy,” and think of ways to stand against the fiery darts of the enemy. I’ve listed some of the ways I do so above. Pray that a hedge of protection will be around you and your family that the Holy Spirit will be quick to convict you when you sin, and for the strength to overcome, remembering that He who is in you is stronger than he who is in the world.  Don’t even flirt with sin and its hollow promises of pleasure and freedom that actually leads to slavery and imprisonment, and most of all, cling to the Lord, allowing Him to shelter and protect you under the shadow of His wings as His child.  Let Him be your Strength, your Fortress, your Shelter, your Ever-present Help in time of need. He is faithful, and as Jeremiah 29:12-14 says, “Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.” 

               

*Leslie Montgomery has written two books on spiritual warfare to help those who want to learn ways to stand against and combat the enemy of their souls; Engaging the Enemy: A Christian Woman’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare and A Parent’s Guide to Spiritual Warfare. If you would like a copy of either, please contact Leslie’s ministry at lesliemontgomery@itctel.com or her website at lesliemontgomery.com. 

THE INCREDIBLE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus said that he had to depart in order for the Holy Spirit to come (John 16:7).  And when the Spirit of God did come, he was given to the church as a promised gift or down payment to confirm to us that Jesus Christ will return (Luke 24:49; John 14:16; Acts 1:5).  Believers don’t all agree on how or when we receive the Holy Spirit, but the fact remains that he indwells and is accessible to all who have faith.

 

                When we pray and ask the Lord to show us what to do in any specific situation, we are also asking the Holy Spirit to be with us, guide us, and teach us.  Scripture tells us that the Spirit of the Lord is evident in a believer’s life when:

 

•             The power of sin is no longer in control (Romans 8:2-6),

•             Self-control is displayed (Galatians 5:22-23),

•             Prompting or leading is given to the believer (Acts 8:29; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:16,25),

•             Talents/gifts are manifested in a person’s life (1 Cor 12:4-11),

•             The strength and power to witness is evident (Acts 1:8; 4:31),

•             The conviction of sin occurs (John 16:8),

•             Comfort through difficult times/trials is experienced (John 14:16,27),

•             We have a teachable heart (1 John 2:27),

•             God’s character traits are manifested in the believer’s life (Galatians 5:22-23), and

•             Inner strength is given (Ephesians 3:16).

 

 

                Interestingly enough, it was the Holy Spirit who led Jesus into the desert where the Spirit knew he would be tempted by Satan (Matthew 4:1).  Does it seem logical that God’s Holy Spirit would do the same in our lives?  If Christ is our example, then the answer is yes, and for the same reason – so that we may glorify God.  Additionally, difficulty in life increases our faith and helps us grow in spiritual maturity, both of which are evidence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.  Through the Holy Spirit the believer is controlled by God’s desires and is equipped to do all he has called him to do, including the endurance of suffering (Ephesians 5:18-21; Romans 12).

 

                We read in Acts that after Jesus was taken up into heaven, the early Christians were suffering tremendous grief over their loss.  But Jesus had promised them a Comforter, and sure enough, at Pentecost the received that comfort through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The predominant role of the Holy Spirit is the same now as it was for the early believers – to soothe our grief, fill and control us, and remind us all of Christ’s teachings.

 

                There may be times when we must wait patiently for the fulfillment of a promise.  We must cling to what God has told us despite external evidence that may seem to indicate that God has forsaken us.  There may be a moment in time when we begin to believe the lie that God doesn’t care, has deserted us, or is not invested in our agony, when in fact he has promised the Comforter who will come.  There is sometimes a moment of time (that feels like eternity) between our loss or grief and the fulfillment of a promise.  Even Jesus experienced this when he cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

 

                The apostle Paul tells us in Acts 20 that the Holy Spirit warned him that he would face prison and other hardships.  His response?  “I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus” (v. 24).  The “ministry” he spoke of was that of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace, which is always sufficient when needed.

 

                Suffering is a part of every believer’s life at one point or another and as such is inevitable.  How we handle it depend on whether or not we have faith in God. I pray daily for those who are suffering and often  wonder where God is in the midst of the heartache of others. Many of you have shared such feelings.  I’ve felt that way before too.  But faith tells us that He will never leave us nor forsake us, nor will He allow us to endure anything He does not believe will strengthen our faith.  Some of my deepest struggles in life have been accompanied with tremendous spiritual growth.

 

                In closing, I encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and ask Him to help you keep your eyes on the prize before you so that you can run the race with confidence and surety that He is with you and guiding your every step.  He is faithful even when we are faithless.  He is ever-loving even when we doubt His love, and He is always ready to apply the balm of Gilead on our wounds when we will ask and allow Him to do so.   You are in my thoughts and prayers. 

SPIRITUAL WARFARE 201

I’ve received several positive e-mails and requests to write more on spiritual warfare, so at your prompting I’ll cover more on the basics.  Scripture clearly tells us that we are born into a spiritual battleground (Rev 12;  Eph 6:10-20).   We are called to be soldiers for our Commander, God, to fight for the Kingdom of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20;  Eph 6:19-20).  This is why it’s vital for the believer to be aware of the battle that surrounds us.   It is in the Commander’s presence that we learn to fight and protect ourselves, our families, and our friends.   As long as man is on earth, a spiritual battle will ensue.      

 

                There are numerous enemies in this battle we call life.  One is the world:  the world is at enmity with God (James 4:-1-4).   The world is composed of a body of individuals just as the body of Christ is.     Another enemy is the flesh: the flesh for the lusts of men (1 Peter 4:1-4).   The flesh pursues its own will, as opposed to God’s.  There’s also the Devil: the devil walks about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8), as well as Fallen Angels.  We wrestle against.....principalities, against powers....rulers of darkness...spiritual hosts of wickedness (Eph. 6:12).

 

                The purpose of a demon is to dwell in  a man, woman, or child (Matthew 9:32, 17:17-18;  Luke 8:2, Mark 7:25-30) and to inflict physical and mental harm on them (Matthew. 8:28;  9:32-33;  12:22, Luke 9:42).  They are able to acquire entrance into a person  through a variety of sources  including,  but not limited to, immoral sexual unions, music, books, movies, occult practices, drugs and alcohol, as well as what one sees and hears.    The law of  sowing and reaping is evident in these kinds of practices. 

  

                Demons know who Jesus is (Mark 1:24), they know God’s plan for salvation, (James 2:19), and they are aware of their future when Christ returns (Matthew 8:9).   They are superior to humans in intellect (Mark 1:24) and strength (Luke 8:29), but through Jesus Christ, we are given the power to cast them out and renounce our involvement with them.  We do this verbally through repentance. 

 

                Jesus said, “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own place, his goods are in place.  But when a stronger one than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils.”   (Matt. 12:29).

 

                Satan is stronger than we are.  All of us are helpless victims of satanic control apart from Jesus.  He is the ruler of the world  (John 12:31;  14:30), the god of this world (2 Cor. 4:4), and the ruler of the Kingdom of the Air (Eph 2:2).    But even though  Satan’s purpose is to destroy God’s work (John 8:44), Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8).   

 

                Satan is a fallen angel (Is. 14:12-15).  He was created by God, but not equal to Him.  Though Satan is superior to man in intellect and strength, he is but inferior to God in every way.  Some people say Satan is the opposite of God, but  God has no opposite.   Nothing is remotely comparable to Him.   We often assign Satan so much more power in our minds and hearts than he actually has,  and we allow that falsehood to intimidate us.

  

                Scripture refers to believers as soldiers in Christ (2 Timothy 2:3).  In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul compares spiritual conflict to war, using terms like armor, struggle, battle, fighting, and soldier.   Paul is not referring to a battle that occurs occasionally, but a daily battle for our mind, emotions, body, and spirit. 

 

                The Bible tells us to put on armor so we can be strong against the devil’s schemes.  In the Greek, “scheme”  (methadeia)  means method. Satan has a PhD in methodology.    On a larger scale, Satan’s plan of attack is to disrupt the body of Christ on an individual basis.   Although it often seems as if his battle is personal, we are in essence just one small segment of an entire unit under attack.  Satan hates everyone who resembles Christ.

 

                Satan’s war tactics are generally subtle, but methodical.  Like many of the historical commanders in armies of the past, the number one objective is to destroy communication amongst the troops.    In war, if one side can demolish interaction between the commander and his soldiers, all hope is virtually gone.

 

                Believers have a direct line of unlimited contact with our Commander twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, but  sin is the culprit that breaks down our communication with God.  When this occurs, it is critical that we seek the wisdom, forgiveness, and strength of Almighty God.   Prayer is more than just a dialogue between a believer and God ~ it is an avenue that brings intimacy into the relationship.  It is a place of give and take, learning to be honest and transparent to an all-knowing God.  

 

                Scripture tells us to pray without ceasing.  Man made prayer a ritual by getting on our knees, folding our palms together, bowing our head, and closing our eyes. Though these practices do promote reverence, consistency, and honor to God, it is not the only way to pray.  We can pray to God standing, with eyes open, hands raised, whispering, or crying out loud.  We can still honor Him by praying while we sit, doing dishes, working on our car, driving to work, or shopping.  There are no limits when it comes to communicating with God.   He is with us at all times.  We should talk to Him, praise Him, sing to Him, thank Him, confess our sins to Him.  Whatever we do, we shouldn’t stop communicating with our Heavenly Father. 

 

                Hymn writer James Montgomery said, “Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed, the motion of a hidden fire that trembles in the breast.”    Montgomery is describing a passion for something that burns deep inside a person to express their uttermost desires, pain, and need. There is One, and only One that we can do this with completely and without even a hint of judgment and condemnation and that is Christ Jesus!

SUFFERING AND SALVATION

Scripture teaches us in Matthew 8:17 that Jesus himself took our infirmities and bore our illnesses on the cross.  Matthew was quoting Isaiah 53:4, which also assures us that Christ carried our sorrows.  And Luke 4:18 tells us he came to “heal the brokenhearted.”  We know that all God’s words are true.  So why do we continue to face trials in our lives?  How do we share in the cup of suffering and sorrow and walk in the knowledge that Jesus bore our infirmities, sickness, and grief?  Why do we still experience pain if Christ Jesus took it upon himself thousands of years ago?  If sin was conquered on the cross, why do we battle against it continually?  Shouldn’t we be totally relieved from sin and suffering once we receive Christ as our Savior?

                There is an unavoidable sense of frustration and tension that we have to learn to live with while we walk in this life centered around one crucial truth:  Not everybody that is prayed for is healed, we will suffer, we will grapple with sin on a daily basis and we will die.  It seems contradictive to what we know to be true:  Jesus died for our sin, suffering and conquering death.

                There are times when we pray and our prayers are answered promptly, miraculously, and without hesitance on God’s part, while other times it may seem like our prayers were never heard at all, or at best, the answer is being delayed.

                The truth is that Jesus did defeat all of the powers of evil, once and for all on the cross and in his resurrection.  By his stripes we are healed.  Because he was pierced for our transgressions, we are free.  Because he dealt with the chastisement of our sin, we have peace.  He conquered death so we could have life.

                Jesus came and preached that “the kingdom of God” had arrived in his coming to earth, and he was equally adamant that the kingdom was coming more fully in the future (John 1:12; Luke 4:18-21; Matthew 19:28).  Hence we live in the tension of a “now and not yet” world.

                Jesus defeated the power of evil completely, but we still grapple with the onslaught of evil daily.  In that, there is an acute awareness that the ultimate victory of God will not see its final completion until Christ comes again.  Thus life is lived in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation where sin, suffering, and pain are the norm.  We are called to live not as citizens of this evil world, but as citizens of heaven.  We are called to accept by faith that we are adopted as God’s children by the blood shed by Jesus, but we are also told to work out our salvation with fear and trembling.  These seemingly contradictive statements are all true.

                In essence, we are caught between two governments.  In America when a new president is elected, a team of people is put in place for the purpose of initiating the transfer of power from the old administration to the new.  Although the victor is not president until the inauguration, the effect of the election is already at work in the transition.  The outgoing president is basically a lame duck no matter what he tries to accomplish because the newly appointed president has the ultimate veto power to override his decisions.  Thus the center of focus is on the incoming president and policies, although the old administration appears to be in charge.

                This gives us insight to the current situation we find ourselves in today.  The church is in effect a transition team.  Transition between an administration where there is no room for God, which describes the true sense of the world we inhabit, and one where God is the center of everything, which describes the reality of the coming kingdom.  We live in a world where suffering and pain are prominent.  However, there are times when the new administration exercises the ultimate veto power over what the old world seeks to bring against us, and intervenes in what we would refer to as a miracle.  As we are told in Scripture, we are citizens of the new world while we physically operate in the old.

                I grapple with a personal illness that I’ve prayed God to heal for over ten years to no avail.  My body’s physical state due to other spiritual practices like fasting adds to the discomfort of my illness, but I know that the Lord is the Lord whether I ever get healing on this earth during my lifetime or not.  One of the great things about suffering is it makes you long for the day when we are in heaven and we have new bodies; without sickness, pain and suffering.  Yet, as my physical body grows older and will one day turn back to dust, my soul and spirit are given more life and will someday live eternally in heaven with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit!  I will be given a new body and it will be without flaws, pain, agony or age.   

                My prayer for you is that whatever you are grappling with you will understand and know that Jesus has been clearly established as the victor through his work on the cross and in the resurrection. We need to continue to seek Him in prayer and ask for healing believing in faith it will come; if not on earth, than in heaven. He is Jehovah-Rapha, our Healer and the lover of our souls.  Seek Him now, and cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.   

RESTORING THE PASSION

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.  I wish you were either one or the other!  So, because you are lukewarm – neither hot nor cold – I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Revelations 3:15

                In this verse, Jesus is talking to the Church in Laodicea, a wealthy city about forty-five miles southeast of Philadelphia and about one hundred miles due east of Ephesus, placing it in the fertile Lycus valley.  The great Roman road ran straight through its center, making Laodicea an important center of trade and communication.  Its wealth came from the production of a fine quality of famous glossy black wool.  In addition, the city also had a huge banking industry.  Laodicea was so wealthy that after a great earthquake in A.D. 17, the people refused imperial help in rebuilding the city, choosing rather to do it entirely by themselves. That would be like the city of New Orleans refusing government assistance after Hurricane Katrina, and rebuilding out of personal wealth.

 

                Laodicea had a famous school of medicine near the temple of a special god associated with healing (Men Karou), and was a market for trading all sorts of goods.  Zeus, the supreme god was also worshipped in the city.  Amongst these false gods was a church of believers who had learned to compromise and accommodate themselves to the needs and wishes of others; they did not zealously stand for anything – especially faith in God that had at one time ruled their lives. Evaluating their current state of spiritual usefulness and zeal, Jesus said, “I wish you were either spiritual cold (literally, ‘unsaved’ or ‘hostile’) or spiritually hot (literally, ‘alive’ and ‘fervent’).  He is saying that they were useless to Him because they were complacent, self-satisfied, and indifferent to the real issues of faith in Him and of discipleship.

 

                The deeper problem in the Laodicean church existed along side of their indifference.  It was their ignorance of their real condition:  “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’”  This indictment is related to the general condition of the populace at large – rich in material possessions and self-sufficient.  The spirit of the surrounding culture had crept into the congregation and paralyzed their spiritual life.  The Laodiceans interpreted their material wealth as a blessing from God and thus were self-deceived as to their true spiritual state.

 

                Christ’s revelation of the Laodiceans’ actual situation shatters their illusions and calls them to repentance:  “But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”  Even though the state of the Laodicean Church verges on spiritual disaster, Jesus goes on to tell them that if they repent and turn back to Him, not all will be lost.  “I rebuke and disciple those I love” (Pr 3:12; 1 Co 11:32; Heb 12:6).  He spits out those who remain complacent and “rebukes” and “disciplines” those who hear His voice and repent.  The difference between the expelled and the disciplined lies in their response.

 

                “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.  To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on His throne.  He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” 

 

                As I write this I can’t help but examine where in my own personal relationship with the Lord I’ve become complacent and lazy or conformed to the world around me.  Sometimes it’s so much easier to say nothing and fit in than it is to stand for truth and process through the rebuttals or rejection.  Becoming politically correct has become fashionable for many believers.  We may not be “the type” to stand on the picket lines proclaiming Christ on the grand scale, but we can’t make excuses for not doing so in our day-to-day decisions that affect our personal life and our relationship with Him – not to mention affecting others around us.

 

                My prayer for you this day is that you will examine your own heart and motives and find where in life you’ve lost the passion for Christ and replaced it with the world’s theology and perspective.  Further, where have you become complacent in your walk with the Lord and become luke-warm in your stance?  There is no middle ground.  We cannot serve two masters, nor can we be anything more than hot or cold, lest the Lord will spew us out of His mouth.  Pray and ask the Lord to restore the love and passion for your First Love and He will hear you and answer you when you call on Him with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:12, 13).

RESTORING YOUR LIFE

I recently met with a woman for counseling who has a real anger issue.  During our time together she confessed that she’s read multiple self-help books, tried several different medications, and even gone to secular counseling, all to no avail.  She went on to say what while some of these solutions served as band aids to a bleeding wound, none brought complete healing or restoration in her life and she was really disappointed.  She was so relieved when I told her that none of those things she tried had to power to bring healing or real change, that only Christ had that power.  I continued to share with her that God may use these tools as the vessel, but none of them, within their own right, can heal anyone of anything. 

 

                Pretend for a moment that I have a glass of water, and I drop it to the floor and it shatters.    Suppose I want to restore it to its full potential so that I can drink from it again.  At first I may try duct tape.  If the tape begins to peel at the first sign of liquid, I try super glue.   While I can probably do an adequate job at gluing the pieces back together again with great effort, time, and concentration, my repair job would be obvious and it would probably leak.   At that point, I may attempt to repair the glass with yet another adhesive which will also eventually fail. To re-establish the glass to its original form, I will need to take it to the manufacturer for restoration.

 

                But before I decide to fix the glass, I must consider its value.    A $.99 cup will most likely be swept up and thrown into a wastebasket.   If it is precious because it was given as a gift or if it had great monetary value, then I will want to repair it.  Once I determine that the glass is worth the repair, I will take it to the glassblower who would have complete control over the restoration.   I would trust that he knew what he was doing, since he created the glass.    

 

                In glassblowing, the vessel being designed or restored must be reheated in order to strengthen it to remove dirt that has attached itself to the glass.  This process also makes the glass most flexible and moldable for the artist’s expression.     The glassblower has what is called the “Glory-Hole,” an opening in the furnace used for reheating the vessel while working with the glass.  The temperature in the “Glory-Hole” is extremely high.  It is only under this intense pressure and heat that the glass can melt and be reformed into the image the glassblower has in mind. 

 

                With a limited understanding of glassblowing, the glass can crack after it’s removed from the heat, or even after it cools.  This process in glassblowing can be seen as a metaphor for the manner in which God restores the unbeliever to Himself.  He allows the world to break us.  We try to heal ourselves but we fail, limping through life looking for vitality.   Most people, unfortunately, do not know that this can only be found in Christ.     

       

                Just as the cells in our body carry a complete blueprint for their replication, so does our soul.   It yearns for intimacy with God. “ As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God”  (Psalm  42:1,2).    It cries out for complete fulfillment from our Creator.  It remembers and knows that something is missing and that there is One that can make it whole again. This sense of “void,” so often described by unbelievers is the cry of the soul when it was separated from the Holy Spirit, a cry that seeks restoration.  

 

                Unfortunately, many of us have managed to silence its cries by stuffing it with worldly goods and earthly treasures – even as believers.  Many failed marriages are the result of one or both partners attempting to “fill the void” that their mate can’t satisfy.      It is not uncommon for such marriage partners to realize that their mate has not filled their emptiness, and thus fall into adultery in search of one who will.    Divorce is often the result, with or without infidelity.   Babies are born, and then resented when they don’t complete the parent.   Some individuals go from job to job.   But God never intended for anything or anyone to take His place.  The unbeliever will never be happy until Christ fills the void.  Any attempt to put anyone or anything else in His place is as worthless and frustrating as trying to put a square block in a round hole.

 

                  We hush the cries of our soul by feeding it an imitation, or manipulating our emotions to try to fill the emptiness.  It silences us temporarily, but soon the internal sobs start again and our spirit becomes restless.  Refusing to be comforted by the world, our  cries become internal demands for wholeness.    But God loves His chosen too much to allow us to live in desperation, separated from Him.    He allows circumstances to change our lives, such as our marriage, job, etc., where we are forced to “see,” “smell,” “touch” or “taste” His redeeming power. 

               

                What is God doing in your life right now?  What is He trying to teach you in regards to your souls cry at this time in life?  Are you satisfied with your relationship with Christ and that cry is one of worship, or is the cry of your soul one of desperation and a desire to be filled by the Holy Spirit?  There is One and One only that can satisfy you, that can restore your soul and bring complete healing.  His Name is Jesus and He is awaiting you to invite you in and allow Him to do the necessary healing for you to become like Him.  Will you let Him into the heart of your life or continue to silence the cries with imitations? 

OVERCOMING SUFFERING IN LIFE

On a night over two thousand years ago our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, journeyed into a garden with several companions.  This was no ordinary garden.  There was an olive press, surrounded by gnarled olive trees, but it would not be the tender fruit that would be crushed that night, but the spirit of the Son of God.  He would not just suffer but would agonize over the mission at hand, the horrific events yet to come, and the torture that his spirit, mind, emotions, and body would endure.

 

                The overwhelming load of all of humanity’s sins were upon Him.  It would be one of hell’s most triumphant hours, appearing to be a victory to all those who witnessed it in both the human and spirit realms.  Humanity would join in the hellish celebration, destroying the flesh of our Savior, mocking His royalty, and scorning His power.  When Jesus died, by all external evidence the bad guy had won the battle.  But that was not the end of the story.

 

                Jesus endured, persevered, and overcame the agony of the Garden and of his death (which lasted for only a short time) for the glory of the cross, which we know is eternal.  When we received Christ as our Savior, we made a vow, a covenant, to become one with Him and His sufferings.  In essence, when we accepted Jesus as our Savior we said the very thing the apostle Paul said in Philippians 3:10: “I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death.”

 

                Nowhere does the Bible teach that Christians are to be exempt from suffering.  As a matter of fact, Jesus told His disciples that the world would hate the, that they would be “as sheep in the midst of wolves” (Matt 10:16). They would be arrested, scourged, brought before governors and kings, and accused falsely.  Even their loved ones would persecute them.  The apostle Paul had a lot to say about believers’ suffering.  He made it crystal-clear that being a child of God means that we will endure difficulty on earth.  In Romans 817 he tells us, “Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory.”

 

                Paul was not a sadomasochist.  He knew the secret to suffering; that suffering on earth is only for a season and that believers will join Jesus’ glory, promise and resurrection for eternity.  He also knew what Jesus proclaimed time and time again through His life on earth – that when we die to ourselves and our own will, we enjoy eternal life on earth; that in the midst of turmoil and heart-wrenching chaos, we can attain God’s peace; that when we are faced with physical death, we receive eternal life and that in the midst of grappling with sorrow, we find intimacy with God.  These seemingly contradictory statements are complex to the finite mind and offensive to those who are perishing spiritually but are soothing to believers.  We have comfort, rest, and hope in Christ regardless of our circumstances.

 

                When I think of about suffering and the Bible, I think about Job, who was delivered into the hands of Satan to prove he was not serving God simply because God had blessed him (Job 1:8-12; 2:3-6).  Consider for a moment what Job went through:  Satan accused Job before God (1:9-11), took his worldly wealth (1:12-17), and killed all his children (1:18-19).  He struck Job with boils and sores (2:7) and caused the shedding of bleached skin, fever, and chills (30:30), intolerable itching, swollen limbs, ulcers that bred maggots (7:5), halitosis (19:17), choking, corroding bones, diarrhea, feelings of panic (21:6), depression, and terrifying nightmares that led to insomnia.  Job’s wife ridiculed him and encouraged him to curse God (2:9), and his friends accused him of sin that he had not committed (4:8).  In response to all of this, Scripture tells us that Job prayed (10:2), praised God (10:8), and prayed some more (13:20).  He hoped in the Lord (13:15), trusted in his Redeemer (19:25), and proclaimed God’s righteousness (Job 23).

 

                I’ve received numerous e-mails and comments about these blogs and I always enjoy hearing from you.  I’ve noticed that the number one issue you’ve been reaching out to me with is prayer for a difficult circumstance you’re going through; a broken heart, a past that haunts you, the loss of a loved one, a husband steeped in pornography, and alcohol abuse are just a few of your struggles.  I want to encourage you do that which Job did; pray, praise, and pray some more; hope in the Lord, trust in Him and proclaim His righteousness, and like Job, you will be called righteous.  Rest now in the comfort of God’s wings and call out to Him, for He is listening...and yes, I am praying. 

METAMORPHOSIS: GOD'S GIFT OF TRANSFORMATION

When we hear the word “metamorphosis” we often think about butterflies, but did you know that its meaning comes from the Greek word morphoo, which means “the inward and real formation of the essential nature of a person”?  Entomologists, scientists who specialize in insects, recognize two basic forms of metamorphosis:  complete and incomplete. 

 

In the complete metamorphosis, an insect travels through all stages of growth, starting with conception, on into adulthood, and finally becoming a butterfly.  During this process, it is not unusual for an insect to undergo multiple changes in physical form ~ both inside and out, but initially always from within.  In a complete metamorphosis, the function of the newborn insect is to eat and grow until it becomes an adult and can reproduce. 

 

                In an incomplete metamorphosis, the insect develops only partially, never realizing its full potential.   Extending this metaphor to Christianity can be helpful.  Without Christ as our Savior, we can never develop to our full potential because that can not happen until we evolve into  the image of Christ.  We can’t do that if our sins are not covered by the blood  He shed on the cross. 

 

                There is a parallel biblical comparison to incomplete metamorphosis called ‘metaschematizo’, which means ‘to change one’s outward form’.  ‘Metaschematizo,’ however, does not alter a person internally.  The Key Word Study Bible describes the difference between morphoo and metaschematizo in this way:

 

If one were to change a Dutch garden into an Italian one, this would be metaschematizo.  But if one were to transform a garden  into something wholly different, as into a baseball field, it is ‘morphoo’ ~ to change in complete form.

 

                ‘Metaschematizo’ is most commonly observed in modern medicine’s approach to  healing.    There are many tools, techniques, and books utilized for the purpose of healing and transformation, but they are merely band aids to a dying world.    They cover the wound, but the wound only heals on the surface, while the festering continues underneath.  Complete and perfect healing, as well as transformation, comes from one place:  the cross of Jesus.

 

                In his book, Winning the Daily Battle with Satan,  Ray Stedman (1917-1992) makes a very important point about the world’s attempt to change individuals:

 

“What are the usual methods of human reform?  ...they are legislation, education, and an improved environment.   Every problem we face is usually approached by  using one of these reforms, if not all three combined.  Legislation is law ~ the attempt to control the behavior of the outward man.  Law alone can do nothing to alter the inward man.  It does not change the basic nature of man but merely restricts him under certain conditions.

                “Education is one of the worst so-called remedies.  Education does not change the core of a man or woman ~ it only makes him or her more clever, and potentially more destructive. 

                “An improved environment does not change a person either.  When you take a man out of the slums, for example, and put him into a nicer environment, you do absolutely nothing to the man himself.  In a little while he’ll make that new environment the slum as well.

                “This is not to say that these reforms have no value.  But let’s not make the mistake of thinking that these reforms will lead us to...transform human nature and the inner human being.”

 

                I spent years in therapy as a result of childhood abuse and self-inflicted abuse as an adolescent and young adult.    I’ve read  many self-help books and attended hundreds of secular seminars on how to attain healing, peace, and joy.  In doing so, I eventually functioned in a  somewhat healthy manner in a dysfunctional world.  Nothing I tried, however, brought even a glimpse of complete healing in any area of my life.   Metaphorically speaking, I  even moved  from a Dutch garden to an Italian garden, but I sensed there was something more ~ I just didn’t know what.

 

                When I became a believer on November 2, 1993, construction began from within  and continues  today, transforming a garden overrun by weeds into a temple where the Holy Spirit  resides.  Although the remodeling  is not yet complete, the Holy Spirit is the contractor that oversees every step of the building process.  The goal is that the temple within will ultimately reflect the image of Christ.

 

                There is one place we can find true transformation and that is at the foot of the cross in prayer.  Metamorphosis does not occur on its own; we must pursue God’s will by pursuing Him. Who better can bring about real, lasting change than the One who created you in your mother’s womb for such a time as this, who set you apart for a specific and special purpose, and knows the will He wants to accomplish in your life?

 

MADE IN GOD'S IMAGE

My family’s roots on my mother’s side are from the South; specifically, Tennessee.  In the backwoods of that beautiful state you’ll commonly hear the phrase, “Why, he’s the spittin’ image of his daddy!”   It’s a term used to identify similarities such as characteristics, looks, or personality between the child and a parent.  ‘Back in the day,’ as my son Paul likes to say, the original term was ‘spirit and image’, because people believed that when a child was born the parents lived on through them (Deuteronomy 28:4;  Psalm 128:3).  This is one reason why children in biblical times were considered such a blessing.

                Genesis 1:26 tells us that God made us in His image, which  is why there is so much value placed on life in the Scriptures.  When someone murders another, or aborts an unborn fetus, he is killing an image that God created.  In definition, the word ‘image’ signifies a spiritual, intellectual, and moral likeness.  In the Old Testament, the word image does not signify an exact duplicate, but only the shadow of the original, representing the prototype in an imprecise manner and lacking the essential characteristics of the original.  So, while God created us in His image, we are not an exact duplicate of Him.  We are absent from  the essential characteristics that would require us to be a ‘mirror image.’    In Cor. 4:4, we are told that Christ is the image of God.  Indeed, in this instance, they are one in the same.   God’s image is not reflected in physical form, but in Spirit, or breath.  Jesus reflected the Spirit of God, and Scripture admonishes us to be like Jesus.

                It is amazing that we possess, regardless of our surroundings,  childhoods, or influences,  and a natural sense of  right and  wrong.  We also have an innate curiosity to know where we came from and to understand who God is.  These intuitions are given to us by God as He shaped us in Him image before birth.

                We are like God in many ways;  we communicate and can bless or curse (James 3:9); we are creative, which gives us joy and satisfaction (Proverbs 31:13-22); we experience emotions and feelings and long for relationship and fellowship (Psalm 16:11); we can discern  right from wrong (Is. 6:5); we act and are responsible for our actions (John 3:18); and we long to pursue Him (Luke 10:42).  

                Conversely, we adapt to the world’s image when we partake of its morals, intellect, and religions.   We assume the image of that which we worship.  The word ‘image’ means to ‘mirror something.’   If you’ve ever been to a circus or carnival and stood in front of a ‘fun mirror,’ you’ll see a distorted view of yourself.  It’s always reassuring to look into a real mirror afterwards and  see that you really aren’t as tall or wide as the carnival mirrors make you look.  Similarly, the world will give us a distorted view of who we are and who we  need to be.  It will tell us that success, money, status, and honor make a man.   But that is not the truth.  The Word of God will give you a clear image of who you are in Christ by the pure reflection of Jesus (2 Cor. 3:18). 

                I have worked for years as a counselor for abused children.  It has always fascinated me that regardless of the abuse that biological parents  impose upon their child, and regardless of how perfect the foster or adopted parents are, most children still want to have a relationship with their biological parents.  It is normal and natural to want to gain knowledge and understanding of one’s background.  It helps us understand who we are and who we aren’t. 

                The problem is, we forget who we are in Christ and repeatedly return  to the ‘fun mirror’ image provided by the enemy.  When we attempt to become like that distorted image, we fail and are miserable.   The issue is that we are seeking an identity in the wrong mirror.    Our roots, identity, and genealogy are located  in the Bible.   If we want to know more about who we are as well as who we are trying to become, we need to get in the Word and seek out who we are through Christ Jesus.  

                If we are to reflect the image of Christ we need to learn more about His character, His behavior, and His expectations of us through His example while on earth.  There are two prime places to go to learn these life-changing characteristics; in the Bible and in His presence through prayer.  Remember that we take on the image of that which we worship.  Consider for a moment what you and your life say about who or what you worship.  Becoming Christ-like or reflecting the image of Jesus come by denying the world and self and accepting or receiving that which is of the Lord.  It is only then that we will be truly happy and others will be drawn to us. 

JESUS, OUR PROTECTOR

I’ve been counseling individuals and working with the judicial system for almost twenty years.  In the courts in the event of abuse or divorce, when there are questions about what’s in the best interest for a child, a Guardian Ad Litem is often appointed.  The job of the Guardian Ad Litem is to get all the facts together in a case by interviewing everyone involved and make a petition to the judge in regards to the child in question.  This role often reminds me of Jesus, who, sitting at the right hand of God, makes intercession for us.

                Romans 8:34 says, “…Christ Jesus, who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”   Like a Guardian Ad Litem, Jesus advocates for our best interest, always praying God’s will in our lives, but the truth is, He does even more than that.  Not only does He pray for God’s best in our lives, He died for our lives, setting us free so we could fulfill His will.

                Have you ever wondered what specifically Jesus’ will is and what He prays for us?  The Bible gives us some indication.  In John 17 Jesus prayed for four things for His disciples.

                First, Jesus prayed for their protection.  He said, “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name…” (v. 11).  He prays protection for us because He knows we battle against our flesh, the world, and the enemy of our souls.

                Next, Jesus asked God to, “…sanctify them by the truth, your Word is truth” (v.17).  To sanctify is to “set apart for a special purpose”.  We are set apart by the truths found in God’s Word.

                Then, our Savior asked for unity amongst the body of Christ.  He said, “May they be brought into complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (v.23).  Our unity as the Body of Christ is a testament to the unsaved of His love.

                Finally, Jesus wanted us to be one with Him, feeling His presence and seeing His glory.  In verse 24, He said, “I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me.”  This sentence is a beautiful example of the intimacy Christ desires of us; to be One with Him, to see and experience His glory  through our relationship with Him.

                What joy it is to know that on this journey of life we have a King that not only died for us, His servants, but continues to intervene for each of us twenty-four hours each day of the week; when we are weary, when we are strong, when we sin and when we are tempted, when our walk is cold or when it is hot, and more. 

                Christ Jesus is the ultimate Guardian Ad Litem, intervening and interceding for our best interest without fail.  Bask in that truth and thank Him for crying out for you when you are too busy  to do so, when you are too prideful to ask, when you are full of shame and are afraid, or when you are in pain and sorrow and can’t. He is faithful and always interceding for our best interest, which is always God’s will. 

INTIMACY WITH GOD

When I speak at women’s conferences throughout the year I’m often asked about intimacy with God; what it consists of, how to attain it, and how to retain it.  To understand how intimacy is formed, let’s first look at Webster’s definition of the word:  ‘a close, familiar, affectionate and loving personal relationship with another person.’

                To have an intimate relationship with anyone, Dr. Neil Clark Warren, founder of the popular dating site, E-Harmony, states you need three things:

1.            Knowledge of one’s own inner life,

2.            A strong desire to know the other person, and

3.            The existence of shared emotions and experiences.

 

                Knowledge of one’s own inner life can be attained by doing a daily spiritual inventory and being honest about your strengths and weaknesses.  You need to have the ability to be authentic because any time you are anything but yourself, you are a hypocrite, which in the Greek means, ‘to act’.  If you go before the Lord and are not the real you, you’re doing so in vain.  Equally so, when you spend time asking for things and not taking the necessary time to listen, confess and repent from your sins, or give thanksgiving, then you’re only sharing a portion of who you are with God.

                The Bible says that God is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him.  We are told that because once you push through the basics of prayer and really seek God there’s something miraculous that occurs; a closeness and peace that surpasses all understanding.  You can’t find that intimacy and serenity anywhere else in the world but in His presence. 

                During some of the most difficult times in my life when I’ve had to cling to God are times I’ve grown the closest to Him.  They were times that the world (or my flesh) had failed me in some way and I had nowhere else to turn and cling, but to Him.  Mother Theresa once said, “Jesus is not all you need until He’s all you have.”  When Jesus is all you have are times we should long for, because the truth is, most of us wouldn’t pursue that level of intimacy with God without those difficulties.

                Research shows that intimacy is most likely to occur in a relationship when:

 

1.            Plenty of time is available,

2.            You are away from routine,

3.            In times of crisis and pain, and

4.            When you are regularly involved in reflection and introspection.

 

                The Hebrew word for intimacy is paga. It means, ‘to meet’.  In order for you to attain a closeness that we all desire with God we must meet with Him and take the time to know Him and His character.  Aside from prayer, there are other ways we can get to know God:

 

1.            Past experiences with Him,

2.            His Word,

3.            The testimony of others,

4.            The Holy Spirit (revelation), and

5.            History of Saints of old (He’s the same yesterday, today and forever…).

 

                Overall, to do any of the above, we must take the time to spend with God.  I’ve heard many people say that they don’t have time to spend with God, but the truth is that we make time for things that are important to us.  We are important to God and He desires ‘to meet’ and have intimacy with us.  Seek Him now and ask Him to direct you and your prayers so that you can have a closer relationship with Him – there is no greater treasure. 

FINDING MISPLACED HOPE

“…those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31

 

                I recently spent four days in Iowa teaching at a women’s conference.  While I was there, I met an array of women who were run down, tired, beat up by the world, and frustrated with their life as they knew it.  Many of them had been walking in spiritual defeat for years.  While each of these women’s stories was different, there seemed to be a common thread throughout:  each one had either lost hope in Christ or misplaced it with someone or something else.

 

                There’s an old English Proverb that says, “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”  That motto seemed to echo throughout the conference.  Many women felt as though they were just waiting for the other shoe to drop in relation to their lives, but that is the modern or worldly perspective to hope:  “to wish for something, or to expect something, but without certainty of its fulfillment”.   Knowing that the world cannot give us the fulfillment we so desire in our hearts, why do we so adamantly seek it?

 

                Ephesians 2:12 talks about a time when we were absent of hope as unbelievers.  It says, “…remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world.”

 

                Unbelievers are continually disappointed because they put their hope in people, themselves, money, worldly possessions their careers and other “things” that have no ability to satisfy the soul (Job 31:24).  Because these things can perish, they cannot sustain hope, but let us down time and time again.

 

                Believers, on the other hand, are told to put our hope in things that will bring eternal peace such as eternity in Heaven, Christ’s Second Coming, and the fulfillment of God’s 40,000 promises in the Bible.  Furthermore, God promises to give us a hope and a future, strength in times of weakness, to carry our burdens for us, and more. 

 

                Because we all sin, we are all guilty of placing our hope in things other than Christ Jesus our Savior.  Matter-of-fact, every time we sin we are putting our hope in something else other than Christ Jesus our Lord.   Proverbs 33:17 tells us that if we put our hope in anything apart from God we do so in vain.  Did you know God has vowed to destroy anything we put our hope in above Him? 

 

                In Scripture, both the Hebrew and Greek translations of the word hope are a clear indication of certainty.  Hope in the Bible means, “a strong and confident expectation.”  Hope is akin to trusting God and confident expectation, and is synonymous with faith.  When hope is spoken of in the Bible it is as a “lively, living hope; not frail and perishable, but having a perennial life”.  Faith (trust + belief) is crucial in regards to hope.  Romans 8:24-25 says that hope that is seen is no hope at all.

 

                In closing, believers are encouraged that Biblical hope gives rewards and blessings: 

 

1.            It gives us joy and peace (Ro 15:13; Ro 5:2),

2.            It gives us protection (Psalm 33:18),

3.            It gives us strength, courage and boldness (Psalm 31:24),

4.            It gives us endurance, comfort, confidence in the face of death (1 Thess 4:13), and

5.            It gives us confidence in ministry (1 Tim 4:10)

 

                So how can you restore the hope you’ve lost or misplaced?  Scripture tells us hope can be regained and restored through the following:

 

1.            Knowing the Word of God (Romans 15:4),

2.            Knowing and resting in God’s Grace (2 Thess 2:16), and

3.            Though the Spirit-filled life:  (Romans 15:13; 1 Peter 1:13)

 

                If you’ve misplaced or lost your faith confess it now to God in prayer and ask that He restore your hope in Him.  In doing so you will immediately feel a burden of hopelessness leave you and be replaced with the truth which has power through Christ Jesus to renew your strength (Isaiah 40:31).  After all, if given the chance, who wouldn’t want to soar on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, or walk and not be faint?  Run to Christ Jesus now and exchange your hopelessness in the world with surety in Him. 

HOLDING GOD TO HIS WORD

Many believers are really good at taking Scripture out of context.  They pick a verse that they assume fits their situation and claim it as theirs.  However, to really understand God’s Word, we must learn to let Scripture interpret Scripture, and not allow our desires or laziness to delve into the Bible.  One of the verses frequently taken out of proper use is James 4:2, which says, “You do not have because you do not ask God.”

                I’ve heard believer after believer use that small verse to justify praying and asking God for a lot of ungodly or unnecessary things such as a Mercedes, winning the lottery, or even another person’s mate!  The truth is we could take hundreds of verses in the Bible out of context to justify just about any behavior, desire or sin if we wanted to.  However, if our hearts desires are really in the right place and we don’t want to be gravely disappointed, we must look for the real meaning behind that simple verse by looking at the verses that surround it. 

                “What causes fights and quarrels among you?  Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it.  You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want.  You quarrel and fight.  You do not have because you do not ask God” (v. 1-2).

                Revelation of these two verses tells us that quarrels and fights occur because our expectations are of people to meet our needs opposed to asking God to do so.  It’s in no way a license to ask God for any and everything our hearts want on a whim.  Ephesians 6 supports this verse by telling us that we do not fight against flesh and blood (one another), but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of the dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil (Satan and his co-horts).  So why do we fight and quarrel so much with other people?

                Disappointment is always measured by expectation.  For example, when you expect a believer to act like the Bible defines a believer to behave and they fall short, your disappointment is huge because your expectation was that they’d be perfect.  However, if you tell yourself that believers all fall short and sin (including yourself), then your life doesn’t fall apart when someone fails you.  This is not a reason to lower expectations, but simply an example of expectation and disappointment.  When you realize that all things come from God, your expectations of your mate, children, employer and friends change and you no longer expect them to meet your needs, but God.  It is possible that God will use people to fulfill your needs, but we must first go to Him and ask Him to provide for our emotional, mental, spiritual and physical needs and desires and wait to see how He does so.

                Another reason we don’t get what we want is found on the other side of verse two in James 4:3:  “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”  A lot of believers mistakenly believed when they got saved that life was going to be a piece of cake from that point forward, and that life would be filled with flowers, balloons and ponies for the rest of their days, but Scripture tells us the opposite is true, that life will include suffering and heartache – specifically regarding our faith.  This Scripture clearly says that life is not about “me” and the fulfillment of my pleasures.  Does God want us to be happy? Yes.  Does He really want to give us the desires of our hearts?  Yes.  However, Father knows best and He wants us to have that which is His will, glorifies Him, and matures us into the likeness of Christ Jesus. So much for the name-it-and-claim-it gospel. 

                In closing, I want to encourage you to make sure that when you repeat a verse that you are using it properly and not out of context because I want you to understand the truth and mature in Christ.  Furthermore, I don’t want you to be deceived by your desires or the world’s theology that happiness is found in pleasure, because that’s a lie straight from the pit of hell.  Always use God’s Word to interpret a verses meaning so that you can stand on the truth and walk in both righteousness and freedom, and so that your expectations are in line with God’s desires for you and you’ll never be let down.  God’s Word promises that if we put our faith in Him instead of things or others we will always walk in truth.