THE GOD OF HOPE!

 

Sunday, July 12, 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 using 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 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

 

MADE SIN FOR US!

 

Saturday, July 11, 2026

 

MADE SIN FOR US!

 

2 Cor 5:21

21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

 

          Scholars see in this verse much to argue about but, I suppose, that is the nature of scholars. One is furious that anyone should think that Jesus might be considered the greatest of sinners because of our sins. Another marvels that the Son of God was made completely sin. For me it is simpler than all that. I, the sinner, became righteous while He, the righteous, bore the punishment!

 

          Perhaps we should listen carefully to the comment of Christ Himself when he looked up into the face of God and said: “My God, My God, Why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) For the first time ever, Jesus felt abandoned by the Father because either [1] the Father could not countenance sin or [2] He could not look upon the punishment being borne by His Son. Either way works for me and perhaps it is for both reasons.

 

          I think we argue these points so that we don’t have to focus on the truth that we are sinners. Our most horrible sin was laid on Jesus. Now it no longer rests on us. Not only have we been wiped clean, but we have been deep cleaned. It’s not fair now and it wasn’t fair then.

 

          Jesus was just what John said he was. He was the Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world. Think of it! A world of sin!

 

Nothing But The Blood

 

For my pardon, this I see,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus;
For my cleansing this my plea,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

 

Father, we dare not sanitize religion by ignoring the very blood that saves us. Thank you for becoming my sin offering. AMEN

 

A SIMPLE KEY TO SUCCESS!

 

Friday, July 10, 2026

 

A SIMPLE KEY TO SUCCESS!

 

Josh 1:8

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

 

          Success is universally desired so why is there so much failure? Perhaps it’s because many do not have the key that unlocks success in so many ventures. In our text above, The Lord gives Joshua a golden key to success as he leads Israel after the death of Moses. This key is the Bible.

 

          Read it! In fact, the clear indication is that it should be read aloud! God says that “it shall not depart out of thy mouth.” When we read out loud the words enter the eye gate, swirl around the mind, exit the mouth and then re-enter through the ear gate and lodge in the mind.

 

          Meditate! Quietly contemplate the spiritual truths presented when you read the Word of God. Mull it over until it makes sense and forms a plan of action for the day – or night.

 

          Do! Act on the wise instructions found in the Law of God. There are 31 chapters in the book of Proverbs. You can read one chapter every day and finish the book within a month. Plan your day, your job, your home, and your life by these instructions.

 

          Prosper! Watch God produce gains because of your wise obedience to His Word. 1 Sam 2:30 says: “them that honor me I will honor.”

 

          Succeed! Give your plans to the God you are honoring. Success is the Hebrew word sakal and simply means “to make intelligent decisions.” Now that you have that golden key, go find some locks!

 

Dear Lord, let me quietly contemplate the truths of your Word. Let me act upon the wise counsel you give. AMEN