Tag Archives: hope

The Woman

by

0


I watched a woman drive by me.  With both hands on the wheel, she watched carefully straight ahead.  But the car spoke louder of her character than her attentiveness.  It was a rusty beat up old boat from the eighties.

Obviously, she is trying hard to do the best she can with what she has.

But I wondered about her hope.  Being a born protector, the woman is concerned about her family, children, parents, friends, sickness, stability.  Does she know how intensely greater a protector is the Lord Jesus?

Has she learned to be protected?  Does she have joy inside all that dutiful good habit?

Setting a man on one side, and a woman on the other, consider their characteristic behaviors.  If a man could lay his hands on the father of lies, he would tear and punch and kick and scream venomous violence, as he tried to take down his foe.  How would this woman act in the same environment?

Would she huddle with her children in a darkened corner?  Or with excellent fearless violence, would her face explode with fierce anger as she rushed to dismember this one who has harmed her so; this one who threatens her great instinctual desire?

Would she cower in abject terror, or would she do as Peter has told her: Be fearless!  Believe!  Live your life in Christ with complete peace of heart.  Show no fear, trusting that God is greater than you.

The Sending

by

0


Take your eyes off the things that are broken.  For to ponder these things is sadness without repair. 

Let your ears forget the noise of the crash.  Let your eyes cease to remember the shattered pieces on the floor.

The Fullness of Life stands at the door.  Turn to see how He watches you. 

Send your ears away that they may listen to His words.  Forgive them their duty as your servants.  Let them go and learn, so that when they return they will give you knowledge.

Send your eyes away.  Let them go and see the things the Living God has in His hand.  When they return to you they will not squint at the brilliance of light.  The shadows will no longer be an attraction.

Do not shrink back but become!

The Real Thing

by

0


Temptation is the Christian’s opportunity for glory. 

image

If you fall, get up in “The Faith” of Christ and try it again.

Consider it your opportunity to face the wild animals in the Colosseum.  Rise from the dust by the power of Christ!

Acid to the Body

by

0


Psalm 126 verse 4 has a curious thing to say.  “Bring back our captivity, Oh Lord . . .”

While the nations call for joy, the Lord corrects his people with blazing strength.  While they call for celebration, let the people of God ask for training.

“Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your Word.”  (Psalm 119:67)

“Unless your law had been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.” (Psalm 119: 92)

Do not be like those who revel in wicked abandon.  Do not be like those who “gather” that they may have joy.  Let us be of the Living God’s Holy Son.  Let us train our tongue to love taste of that which is acid to the body, yet sweetness unto eternal life.

Valid Optimism?

by

0


There is an optimistic hope among Christians.  Many say that history proves, when times get evil humanity turns to God.  That can be proven with even an overview of history. 

But in every place of history, the people still had a reverence for God.  What ever variety gods came in, the people held tightly to their beliefs.  At some point the people had enough and turned away from emptiness.

Why do I think today is different?
1. The young people are raised to question even the existence of God.
2. Technology takes the place of independent thinking.
3. Responsible behavior is being eroded by a variety of welfare mentalities.
4. Superstition has become a multi billion dollar corporation (worldwide).
5. Vanity has become the primary motivation of nearly every man, woman and child.
6. Trivia has replaced an educated perspective of history.
7. Immorality has not only become the norm, it is an expected behavior.
8. Greed and aberrant behavior is beginning to find expressions that were previously unheard of.
9. Violence is rising in unprecedented mass.
10. I do not see the people searching for the living God.  I see them searching for peace. (no matter what that means)

These are only 10.  I suspect there’s a hundred subdivisions.  I suspect there’s geographical exclusions.  And I’m not positive that my assumptions are on the money.  But I think there’s enough reason to be rather pessimistic.

Go Down Death

by

0


Every day brings more beauty.  Every day brings another reason to try afresh.

Wintley Phipps has allowed us a glimpse into a faith that is rare.  Come listen to him.  Come be encouraged.  Come and learn to fear the One who made you.  Come and learn what love is.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=gQYrF2g_48o