Hope

(Psa 27:13 KJV)  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

 Hope is essential to faith and courage.  If we lose hope, our faith and courage will fail, we will faint, give up.  The foundation of our hope is our confidence that God is good and that, in time, we will experience His goodness.  No matter how difficult the situation we find our self in, we must continue to believe and trust in the goodness of God.  God’s goodness is not reserved for the life to come, we will experience His goodness in this life, in the land of the living.

Don't repay evil with evil

(Rom 12:17 KJV)  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. (Rom 12:18 KJV)  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

We are instructed to not repay evil with evil. What is one of the first responses we feel when we are done wrong?  We are going to even the score, pay them back.  As Christians we are instructed not to get even, not pay back evil for evil. This passage tells us to “Provide things honest in the sight of all men”, or as another translation renders it, Take thought for what is noble in the sight of all.  We are to make sure the way we respond is fitting of one who takes the name of Christ.  We represent Christ before a watching world.  There is something more important than our own rights; …it is the reputation of Jesus Christ and His salvation. (Rom 12:18 KJV)  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. As much as lieth in you, as much as it depends on you, seek to live at peace with everyone.  Do your part to insure peace and right relationships with everyone.  Let’s show the world the change that salvation brings.

My God shall supply all your needs

(Phil 4:19 KJV)  But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 Paul was thanking the church at Phillipi for remembering him and helping supply his needs. Paul was unable to repay them for their love and care, but he was confident that God wouldn’t overlook what they had done.  The promise was that “My God shall supply all your needs”. This isn’t limited to things spiritual. My God shall supply all your needs, ALL our needs. ALL our needs, all those things we are tempted to worry about. God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. Does God have enough to get the job done?  Enough wealth, enough wisdom, enough love, enough grace? Resist the temptation to worry. Resist the temptation to focus your time and attention on the things of this world. Continue faithful, continue to trust God. My God shall supply all your needs.

Our Father

(2 Cor 6:18 KJV)  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

 God identifies Himself as our Father, the Supreme Being, the Creator of the universe, is our Father.   What more could we ask for?  We have been brought into a special personal relationship with the very creator of the universe.  The One who knows all, sees all, the very Creator of all, has promised to take us as His children.  Is there anything too hard for our Father?  Is there anything beyond His knowledge?   Is there any need too great for His resources?  Trust your Father, He loves and cares for you.  He is truly all we need. 

He will hold our hand

(Isa 41:13 KJV)  For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.

 There are many things in life that can cause us to fear and worry.  The promise of this passage is that we need not fear because God will help us.  Like a parent takes hold of a child’s hand, God takes hold of our hand and says “Fear not, I will help thee.” There is no fear when we have His very presence with us to protect us and to guide us.  There is no fear when He is guiding and directing us.  There is no fear when God is keeping us.  There is no fear though we are in the very midst of danger when our hand is help tightly by His.  Keep reaching up; keep your hand in His.

Pray without ceasing

(1 Th 5:17 KJV)  Pray without ceasing.

 Don’t let anything keep you from maintaining your prayer life.  This is how our relationship and faith grows, by talking to God, by seeking what we need, by seeing God answer our prayers. We are to be consistent in our prayer, and we are also to be continual in our prayer.  By that, I mean we are to learn to live with God throughout the day.  Talk to God all day long as we live out the day, seeking His help in everything.  This is how our relationship grows and how we experience the felt presence of God in a greater way.

First

Mat 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. 25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? 26  Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they? 27  Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature? 28  And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: 29  And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30  Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? 31  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? 32  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 Living a successful Christian life requires that we keep our priorities in order.  The things which pertain to this life only thrust themselves upon us….things like making a living, acquiring things, taking care of our things.  If we are not careful, we can begin to believe that life consist of things and making a living.  Our life can be consumed worrying about material things, and cause us to forget the most important things of life.  Instead of worrying about and pursuing money and things, our spiritual life and the things of God are to be the most important pursuits of our life.  This passage reminds us that God does a good job looking after the needs of His creation.  If He takes such care of the birds and the flowers of the field, how much more can He be depended on to take care of His children.  Don’t let your life be consumed with pursuing material things….this is how those who don’t know the Lord live.  Instead, let’s give priority to the kingdom of God and God can be depended on to supply what we need.  Let’s keep our priorities in order.    

All seeing all knowing God

Luk 12:6  Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? Luk 12:7  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.

 God sees all, knows all.  He sees everything that happens in His creation.  Even the little sparrows, which have little value or significance in this world, are seen of God.  Not one of them falls to the ground without God seeing and caring.  God knows all about us.  He knows more about us than we know about ourselves.  He knows every detail, even insignificant details like the number of hairs on our head.  Jesus reminds us that we need not fear, need not worry.  If God concerns Himself with these lesser things, how much more can He be depended on to take care of His own children.  I pray our faith take in God’s great concern and care, and allow our faith to replace our worries and fears.  

Wait on the Lord

(Psa 130:5 KJV)  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope. (Psa 130:6 KJV)  My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.

 There are times when disappointment and discouragement seem to come in like a flood.  In such times, our hope is in God and in the promises of His Word.  The Psalmist expresses an intense longing for God’s help.  The expectation and intensity is even more than that of those who are waiting for the dark night to pass with the dawning of morning. We share that same longing during times of intense or prolonged trouble and trials.  Notice in this passage that we have more than hope; we have an expectation.  There is an expectant waiting and looking for His help and deliverance.  Stay steady, continue to trust and expectantly wait; God’s help is as certain as the bright morning of a new day after a long night.  

The good life

Pro 15:17  Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.

 How easy it is for us to get our priorities mixed up.  Too often we strive to obtain things, to get ahead, to accumulate money, to live the good life.  However, these are not the things that really make life good and pleasant.  What makes life good and pleasant is the warmth and security of being loved, the joy of an atmosphere of love.  It is better to have fewer of the finer things of life and enjoy love, than to live the “good life” and contend with bitterness and ill will.  Let us strive for the best life, to show love, to promote love, to build those things that make life truly good.  

Hope in God

(Psa 42:11 KJV)  Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

 There are times when we find ourselves mired down in worry, discouragement and restlessness.  As the Psalmist, we need to remind our self of God’s care and faithfulness. We can revive our hope in the midst of our difficulties by knowing that God is our God and will never forsake us.  We can praise Him now for who He is and in confidence that He will once again prove faithful.       

Wait

(Psa 130:5 KJV)  I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.

 Waiting is the hard part.  Waiting for answers to prayer, waiting to see God’s promises fulfilled.  Delays test our faith.  Waiting tests our faith.  This Psalm describes waiting in faith.  The waiting in this passage has expectation, anticipation.  It is like waiting for a bus, with an expectation that it will come.  Waiting in faith has the same expectation…we are waiting, looking and expecting the Lord to come, to answer, to move.  This waiting in faith hopes and expects God to honor His word.  Wait on the Lord in faith, in anticipation, in expectation. Rely on His Word, rely on His promise…..wait on the Lord.

God is faithful

Psa 5:11  But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

Our God is faithful and trustworthy.  He is our provider and our protector.  He can be depended on in every situation, every time.  There is a thrill, a joy that comes from knowing God is watching over you, caring for you, loving you.  There is a deep joy and happiness that comes from knowing God loves us and we love Him in return.  In the midst of difficulty, don’t forget that God still loves you, and He is faithful and trustworthy.  Allow God’s faithfulness to restore the joy of your salvation.

With love

1Co 16:14  Let all your things be done with charity.

 We have many responsibilities in life, duties to our family, to our employer and to our God.  There are many “do’s and don’ts” commanded us.  There are also many opportunities in life, many things to pursue.  In everything we do, both religious and secular, we are to conduct ourselves in love.  Everything we do should be done with love, love for God and love for our brothers and sisters.  It is not enough to just do or not do.  It is essential that we do all things with the right motive, the right intention.  We are to be governed by an overriding spirit of love to God and good will toward our neighbor.   

Our incredible God

1 Ch 29:11  Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.  1Ch 29:12  Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.  1Ch 29:13  Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

 Our God is an incredible God, indescribable in every aspect.  Everything in creation is by Him and for Him.  Every good thing, every mighty thing is from Him.  To Him belongs all glory, honor and praise.  For all that God is, and all that He does, He deserves great praise and thanks.  The glory and greatness of God is beyond compare.  He is worthy of great praise and honor.  He is worthy of a standing ovation, not just a smattering of applause.  May we better take in the enormity of His glory and greatness, and may our hearts well up in praise befitting that greatness.

Everyone called to repentance

Act 17:30  And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Act 17:31  Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

 Christianity isn’t just for Christians.  This is God’s world, all of it.  God was patient until His revelation was complete in the sending of His own Son.  He gave infallible proof of His truth in the sending of Jesus Christ.  Now, God no longer overlooks the unrepentant and unbelieving, but commands everyone to repent. There is a day appointed, already circled on God’s calendar when all people everywhere will be called to account.  For that reason, Christianity is for everyone…in fact it is an absolute necessity. Let’s not be ashamed, but rather be bold in our call for people everywhere to repent and believe the gospel.    

Soft answer

Pro 15:1  A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

 Dealing with anger is a major lesson in life to be learned, both our own anger and anger of others.  Anger is often expressed in words, and also is often provoked by our words.  Part of dealing with anger is learning to control our mouth.  Learning to speak calmly, with reason and kindness, will help to diffuse anger, much like throwing water on a fire.  However, responding with bitter hateful words will lead to more anger, much like throwing gasoline on the fire.  Lets learn to be firemen, quenching the flames of anger by our words.

Be alert

1 Pe 5:8  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

 The idea of a real and living Devil has lost favor in the modern church.  However, we are warned in God’s word that there exists an evil being who is intent on destroying us.  We have one who opposes us and works to see us lost eternally.  For this reason we are to be diligent and alert, on guard for his deception and opposition.  Live a careful life; be aware that we have a dangerous and powerful enemy who is intent on our destruction.

Be wise

Pro 10:8  The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.

 Let us never get so wise that we can’t be instructed.  Those who are truly wise are open to being taught and instructed.  It is a fool who thinks they best that will fall, that will bring harm and loss on themselves.  We need to learn with humility that acknowledges that we don’t know it all, and remain open to instruction, particularly in the things of God.

Make known His faithfulness

Psa 89:1  I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Psa 89:2  For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

God is good, and it is on this foundation of God’s goodness that His mercy and faithfulness builds.  God is faithful, He is worthy of trust. What He has promised He will do.  His faithfulness is as dependable as the sun, moon and stars, steady and fixed in the heavens. This Psalm was written in a difficult time for David.  Yet he recalled God’s mercy and faithfulness, and he then declared that mercy and faithfulness.  When we are struggling, it is a good time to rehearse God’s past mercies and faithfulness, to make them known to those around.  It will strengthen both our and their faith to hold steady in the storm to once again see the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises.