THE GOD OF HOPE!

 

Monday, September 28, 2026

 

THE GOD OF HOPE!

 

Rom 15:13

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.

 

          Paul, writing to the Romans, offers multiple views of God. In Romans 15:5, He is the God of patience and consolation. The patience is His and the consolation is ours! Here the word “consolation” is paraklesis and is the same word that is translated “comforter” when Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:16. The word is made more powerful by the use of a definite article making it “THE consolation.” Consolation is in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

          He is the God of peace in Romans 15:33 and the word “peace” is eirene and indicates both quietness and prosperity. It also is preceded by a definite article which makes it “THE peace.” Peace, both quietness and prosperity, is in the person of Jesus Christ.

 

          In our text this morning, He is the God of hope. Here hope is elpis (el-pece’) and means both expectation and confidence. Once again it is forcefully preceded by a definite article. The hope that we have in eternity is an expectant hope. It is like an “expectant” mother large with child. She is confident of delivery but uncertain of the date! Many signs, both visible and known only to her, assure her that her hope is well founded.

 

Dear Father, all around we see signs and evidence of your soon coming. Inside us also there is a confidence that our hope is well founded. Thank you Lord, that our hope, our peace and our consolation is firmly grounded in your person. AMEN

 

OUR FAITH IS ON DISPLAY!

 

Saturday, September 26, 2026

 

OUR FAITH IS ON DISPLAY!

 

1 Thess 1:8

8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.

 

Matt 24:12

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

 

          It is a poorly kept secret that we preachers have a God-given sense regarding your spiritual condition. We can sense whether your faith is growing or just growing cold. It makes us somewhat unpopular at casual gatherings where people would prefer to be themselves instead of who they want their preacher to think they are.

 

          As our relationship with God grows stronger and closer there are telltale signs that can’t be hidden. Moses, when he went up into the mountain to receive the ten commandments, returned to the people with a face that glowed. It frightened them and he was forced to wear a veil to mask the glory. (Exodus 34)

 

          Peter and John represented and reflected Jesus as they ministered in the book of Acts. Some things could not be hidden! They knew they had been with Jesus! (Acts 4:13)

 

          The Psalmist did not trust his own heart but asked God to investigate and reveal any wickedness He found.

 

Ps 139:23-24

23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

Dear Lord, let my faith be of the kind that would not cause me shame if it were revealed openly. AMEN

 

THEN LOOK UP!

 

Friday, September 25, 2026

 

THEN LOOK UP!

 

Luke 21:25-28

25 And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;

26 Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.

27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.

 

          Jesus had just told the disciples that their magnificent Temple would one day fall. They couldn’t believe it – indeed couldn’t imagine it. They asked when would these things be and, as they thought, the end of the world. Jesus answered by describing what I believe to be our current condition.

 

          The word “distress” in verse 25 is sunoche and means anxiety. The global anti-anxiety drug market is projected to grow from about USD 11.9 billion in 2024 to USD 16.95 billion by 2034, at a growth of 3.6%, driven by rising prevalence of anxiety disorders. The word “perplexity” is aporia and means “a state of quandary.” Certainly, our time sees enough of both.

 

          Jesus then gives His disciples and us some good advice. When you see these things BEGIN to come to pass then look up! I think our souls are overwhelmed with anxiety when we fail to look up. It is a matter of focus! We can’t stop the brightness of the sun from hurting our eyes, but we don’t have to stare at it!

 

John 14:27

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

 

Dear Lord, the world offers me no peace. Thank you for the peace that passes understanding. AMEN