THE GOD OF HOPE!

Monday, December 31, 2018

THE GOD OF HOPE!

Rom 15:12-13

12 And again, Esaias saith, There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

           Dr. Warren Wiersbe says: “The word "trust" at the end of Rom 15:12 is actually the word "hope." At one time the Gentiles were "without hope" (Eph 2:12, NIV), but now in Christ they have hope. Not only do believers have hope, but they also have joy and peace and power (Rom 15:13). The Holy Spirit of God shares these blessings with them as they yield to Him.

           Adam Clarke also connects verse thirteen, which is a benediction, with verse twelve which gives the foundation for hope. He says: "May the God of this hope"-that God who caused both Jews and Gentiles to hope that the gracious promises which He made to them should be fulfilled; and who, accordingly, has fulfilled them in the most punctual and circumstantial manner …”

           On this last day of the year, let us who believe in Jesus cling to this glorious hope.

1 Peter 1:3-4

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.

Dear Lord, thank you for such a glorious hope that is anchored in your promise and sealed with your sacrifice. AMEN

THE SHEPHERD’S THOUGHTS!

Sunday, December 30, 2018

THE SHEPHERD’S THOUGHTS!

Ps 10:4

4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Isa 55:7-9

7 Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

           It is early morning and I struggle to gather my thoughts. The smell of strong coffee helps a bit and the sound of a train passing through our town sets the mood. It is quiet and I wait for God to speak to my spirit.

           I am a shepherd first of all and I mentally count my sheep. I think of the vast majority of the flock who manage to navigate from pasture to pasture. I think of the sick and long to pour into their wounds oil and wine. I think of those who are entangled in the briars and long to set them free and brush the brambles from their fleece. Mentally I embrace them and sniff the sweet aroma of sheep. I pray for green pastures and sweet waters where my flock might find rest. This is the shepherd’s life and I am born to it and love it. I am reminded of the shepherding thoughts of the Great Shepherd and I am greatly comforted for the day.

Jer 29:11

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Dear Shepherd of my soul let my thoughts agree with yours today. AMEN

CELEBRATION AND UNCERTAINTY!

Saturday, December 29, 2018

CELEBRATION AND UNCERTAINTY!

Deut 28:67

67 In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

           I don’t celebrate New Year’s Eve like others do. The countdown in New York finds Australia already busy sweeping the trash from their streets. No, I mark the occasion with reflection and I ponder the prospects of the coming year.

           Our text describes the condition of a people who were blessed by a God they would not acknowledge nor honor. This brought curses upon them. If we read the context we see a long list of woes. Their children were cursed, their crops failed, they suffered mental and emotional instability, and their plans were disappointed. These were not accidents. These were messages from God.

           Perhaps our celebration should be replaced with a candlelight prayer vigil. A sigh of relief that one year is over and a new opportunity lays before us seems more reasonable than drinking, noise making, and debauchery.

Ps 32:8

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Dear Lord, I do not know what this next year will bring except that it will bring me closer to you. AMEN

AN EVERLASTING LOVE!

Friday, December 28, 2018

AN EVERLASTING LOVE!

Jer 31:3

3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

           The word “everlasting” here is a very interesting word. It is the Hebrew word ‘owlam and it means “from or to the vanishing point; time out of mind (past or future); always”!

           God loves you. Not with that sticky, syrupy, gushy love of dime store novels but the solid, stable, and dependable love. Stretch your imagination as far into the past as you can. God loved you there and then. Now cast your mind as far into the future as you can reasonably see. God loves you there as well. Oh, and God loves you now.

           The word “therefore” is not a translated word. English is such a complex language that it is inferred. The original shows us the motivation and the result. The word “therefore” connects the two.

           Such love requires and demands action and action was taken. God draws us to Himself for our benefit because of His kindness like one would rescue a wounded animal. Slowly so as to not startle us, tenderly to reassure us, and gently because we are already wounded. Then he binds us up like the Good Samaritan bound up the assaulted traveler. He deposits us in a safe place with sufficient supplies for our needs and then promises to return to complete the process.

           There are only two responses possible to being drawn. One is to run away in fear and confusion and the other is to come. Timidly at first until trust is established and then fully like a rescued lap dog.

Rev 22:17

17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

Dear Lord, Thank you for your everlasting love and patience. AMEN

HE BRINGS ORDER OUT OF CHAOS!

Thursday, December 27, 2018

HE BRINGS ORDER OUT OF CHAOS!

1 Cor 14:33

33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

           The context of this verse is set in the midst of instructions regarding the proper use of the temporary gift of previously unlearned languages to transmit God’s word to the churches. The Bible had not yet been completed and, in fact, was still being lived out. Truth was transmitted by way of special messengers who would give that message in a language they did not know. Another in the church would be gifted with the interpretation and answer. The Corinthians were abusing this and Satan was counterfeiting it. The result was confusion and clamor. However, for our purposes, we will pull out the principle and let it stand alone. God is not the author of confusion.

           The opposite of confusion (akatastasia) is not clarity but peace (eirene)! Peace is possible even when things are not yet perfectly clear! Many strands of a knotty problem may yet need to be unraveled but the spirit is at peace. Isn’t that what we want when we pray? We ask God to make things clear to us when what we really want is peace. We want to know that those confusing things will eventually work out. We need to know that God is in control; working things out for good.

           Creation shows God’s handiwork in bringing order out of chaos. We are alarmed to read that “earth was without form and void and darkness was upon the face of the deep.” Many have tried to make much of that statement without any satisfactory conclusion. I think it simply can be explained by watching a potter. His first order of business is to scoop up a batch of mud. It has no form or function. That is the job of the potter.

           The demoniac of Gadara was so out of control that he was chained naked amongst the tombs. He was in constant torment and cried out. Later, in Luke 8:35, he was seen sitting by Jesus clothed and in his right mind! The change was so dramatic that it made the disciples afraid. Since the demoniac was no problem for Jesus, certainly we can bring our chaos to Him.

Dear Lord, I bring you my confusion. Please give me your peace! AMEN