Living in Hope

Do you ever feel tired, weary, unenthusiastic, depressed? Yeah, I know the feeling. I do not like feeling this way, so I did some studying and found some key points that helped me to get out of this pit of gloom.

Ever since Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, rather than desiring only the fruit from the Tree of Life (Genesis 2:7-9), we humans have a penchant for making poor choices.

We add too many unnecessary stressors to our busy life. We arrive at this undesirable place by our striving to perform, overly committing to too many projects, and poor planning and decision-making. Life weighs us down and throws us off center.

This results in us spinning our wheels, getting into a rut, overcome by a compromised immune system, insomnia, etc. Thankfully, God gives us balance in our life through His Spirit, with the option to surrender our life to His perfect plans for us (Romans 8:9; 1 Corinthians 6:17).

Then, He works in our spirit, body and soul - our thoughts, feelings and choices - to entirely sanctify us (1 Thessalonians 5:23). He gives us His rest for our entire being (Matthew 11:29). We live in hope with faith in His faithfulness.

Our God of peace dependably brings us into complete salvation - in our spirit at salvation, in our soul through sanctification, and eventually in our body through glorification - preserved without any blame at His coming, through Jesus Christ.

We are converted from the kingdom of darkness under Satan's dominion to God's Kingdom of light (Acts 26:18). We go from spiritual death to eternal life. The Spirit of Christ moves into our spirit and we are led and guided by the will of God for us (Romans 8:9).

Worldly concerns no longer weigh us down. We are free of striving after earthly success through Christ in us (John 8:35). We live in union with Christ - two individual entities united as one flesh, similar to the marriage of a man and woman (Ephesians 5:31-32).

Prayer:

Father God, with our mind focused on You, we walk in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). Our deepest affections are reserved just for You. As we live in this life with an eternal perspective, we are only interested in Your intentions, instructions and inclusion of us in Your plans.

Your peace, which transcends all human understanding, fills our heart and mind through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7). We want nothing more than to bask in Your presence and to walk in step with You through each moment of our life. We praise You with every breath we take, and we walk in Your ways with every step we make.

Thought for the Day:

When Jesus was crucified, we were regenerated without sin (1 Corinthians 6:17); when He died, our carnality died with Him and is buried with Him in baptism (Colossians 2:12-14); when He rose from the dead, we rose in new life (2 Corinthians 5:17-21); when He received His glorified body, we know that we will receive our glorified body when we see Him face-to-face (1 Corinthians 15:44).

A Heart of Compassion

God gives us discernment of others to protect us, but we take it one step too far. Suspicions, criticizing, gossiping, and negative judgments of others are a sign that we are expecting perfection from them and from our self.

We feel shame, so we shame others. Feeling shame is inherent in our human nature and is fed by Satan's lies to our mind. He convinces us that we are not "enough"; so we carry around the shame-filled idea that we are lacking what we need.

We believe his distorted facts about our self and others, and we feel defeat before we ever get started with our day. God's truth is that He loved us while we were still sinners (Roman 5:8). He recognizes our humanity, and simply wants our obedience to His Spirit.

Having compassion for our self, and everyone else, will help us to heal. God gives us the courage to be vulnerable, to love others as we love our self (Mark 12:31), and to realize that He loved us enough to take on human form (Philippians 2:7) to save us from our flesh, the world and the devil.

One who has suffered much in life, learns compassion. Hard knocks teach us to rid our mind of apathy, disinterest and unconcern. This way we feel and show love and care for our self and others. We walk in the Spirit and allow Christ in us to minister through us.

Jesus suffered much during his lifetime, and He had compassion on others (Isaiah 53:3; Matthew 14:14, 20:34; Mark 6:34). His example teaches us to be aware of the people around us (Luke 17:12-19; Matthew 9:20). We look at their heart when they speak to us (1 Samuel 16:7).

Their eyes are the windows of their soul (Proverbs 30:17), and their body language is also very telling (Proverbs 16:30). Through a kind and tender heart of compassion, we rejoice with those who rejoice and we mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15; Ephesians 4:32).

Prayer:

Father God, You allow our trials in life to strengthen our character and to teach us compassion, so that You can use us to help others (Luke 22:31-34). Our experiences give us wisdom to share with others. Remind us not to enable others, or to bail them out of their circumstances, but to walk alongside of them in their trials, and to follow Your Spirit's direction as we do.

As You flood our heart with compassion for those lost and headed to an eternity in hell, for those suffering physical and mental and emotional distress, and for those who lack direction and joy in life, we can actually bless them by sharing Your love and concern for them (Matthew 9:35-36; Romans 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:14).

Thought for the Day:

Grace is unearned favor from God for us in our imperfect state and lifestyle; and we share His grace through a compassionate heart, attitude and action toward others; we need God's Holy Spirit to aid us in discerning the need in our own soul and in others, and to give us have the courage to approach them.

- 2 Corinthians 13:14

United with Christ

Salvation bonds us with Christ in a union that is fulfilling and eternal. It opens up for us a whole new life. Neither death nor worldly issues could ever break this everlasting tie. We inherit the victorious, joyful, righteous life of Christ.

As authentic Born Again Believers, we live in Christ, who is our life (Philippians 1:21; Colossians 3:4). The Holy Spirit conforms our soul’s nature to possess all of Christ’s divine character. We live, move and have our being in and through Him and Him in (1 John 5:5; Acts 17:28).

We are renewed and holy; but more than that, God's Spirit actually perfects us in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10). The world sees the reality of Christ through our life as He is formed in our spirit and soul (John 17:23,26; Colossians 1:27; Galatians 4:19).

His life in us is now our real life (Ephesians 1:23). Our fleshly leanings and desires are part of the old, carnal self, which is now dead in Christ (Galatians 2:20). The sum total of our converted life is: Christ in me, and I in Christ (Colossians 2:9-10). He is all we need.

His fullness dwells within us now. We are no longer our own, because Christ bought us with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Our life is so perfectly connected to Christ that people see Him instead of us and are drawn to His glory and love.

It is up to us to surrender our life totally to God’s will, so that Christ is revealed through us to the world in which we live. Do our family members, workmates, community and church see Christ in us; or is our life all about us?

Prayer:

Father God, thank You that we are no longer dead in sin, lost and undone with no hope of eternal life (Ephesians 2:1,5; John 3:18). We used to reject the truth of Your Word, because it sounded like nonsense to us. We had no way to understand these truths, because they were spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14).

Once You reveal Yourself to us, however, we set our hope on the living Lord within us, because Your Spirit of life makes us righteous (John 14:6; Romans 8:10). We pass from spiritual death to eternal life, and You cause the love of Christ to manifest through us (1 John 3:14). We serve at Your pleasure; and we glorify You with our every thought, word and deed.

Thought for the Day:

Our whole spirit, body and soul – our mind, will and emotions – are kept holy and blameless by God's Spirit until Christ returns; and we are competent as ambassadors of God's Kingdom, because of God’s spiritual covenant with mankind.

- 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Corinthians 3:6

The Joy of Our Salvation

God's Word challenges us with every turned page to live as His disciples, mirroring Christ's life in our thoughts, words and deeds. The main recommendation is to take up our cross every day, or we are not worthy of Christ (Mathew 10:38; Luke 14:27).

At Salvation, our old nature literally dies, and God births His life within us (Colossians 3:3-4). We no longer entertain the desire to participate in sinful activities or to dwell on unholy thoughts. Jesus’ holiness fills our heart more each day (Galatians 2:20).

There is a paradox here. If we surrender our life to Christ, we find it more fulfilling and successful than if we continue to attempt to live by our own direction (Matthew 10:39). We no longer dictate to God, but we submit to His will for our life (Ephesians 2:10).

God is love, but He is also righteous, just and holy. He has a standard of living, which He requires from all of us. Of course, He does not expect us to reach this standard by our self. God's Spirit is the one who actually does the work in us (Philippians 2:12-13).

As we take up our cross, He crucifies our old, carnal nature until we walk in His holiness (Luke 9:23). We no longer sit on the throne of our life; but, as we follow the leading of God's Holy Spirit, we yield to His Lordship and wisdom. Sin is no longer a part of our nature.

The more our soul walks in the holiness of His completed work, the more peace and fulfillment we enjoy. We draw near to God, resist Satan and He must flee from us. We live and move and have our being in Jesus Christ, our Lord, Savior, Master and King (Acts 17:28).

Prayer:

Father God, at first, it is hard to understand the concept that we no longer abide in this temporal world, even though we remain in it physically. Yet, as we focus on the eternal, immortal aspects of life in Christ, we find our righteousness, peace and joy in You (John 16:33). We follow Christ as He followed You.

We believe in, trust in and cling to Him for every thought, provision and emotion in our life (2 Corinthians 4:16-17).  We confidently approach Your throne as we greet each new day, and we walk in Your Spirit as we focus on each moment of our day in You (Galatians 5:15-26).

Thought for the Day:

Every authentic Born Again Believer finds the secret to contentment in total surrender to the will of God for our life. 

– Philippians 4:12

Be Careful with Labels

Too many times we are quick to label something according to worldly perspectives, personal preferences, and human logic. We forget to consult the Word of God, and to allow it to serve as our only measuring rod for standards of right and wrong.

Many issues that are politically correct today are called sin according to Biblical Truth. Some expressions of praise, such as musical instruments and lifting holy hands, are labeled as Charismatic, when they are actually Biblically encouraged.

For instance, abortion is now a "woman's right", in contrast to murdering a child (Psalm 139:16-19). Homosexuality is a lifestyle choice, rather than sexual perversion (Romans 1:27). Lifting up holy hands to God is called an "excess", instead of the accepted tradition (1 Timothy 2:8).

Also, drinking is considered a normal social custom, instead of realizing that it is a practice as bad as taking a viper into your own home (Proverbs 23:31-33). Sin is no longer called sin, but is labeled as a "choice" (Romans 1:28-31).

Those who prefer to practice Biblical admonitions are criticized, ostracized and accused of hate crimes and speech. This behavior is increasing as the world rejects God, the Bible and Jesus as the Savior and coming King.

The Believing church allowed worldly customs to lower and to influence our concepts and practice of Biblical standards. We criticize those who adhere to Biblical norms, and exalt those who disapprove of people who follow Biblical examples (Romans 1:32).

Paul, and also Peter, did not flaunt their behavior, but they were not afraid to reap the consequences of their convictions. When they were jailed for preaching the Word of God, an angel came and delivered the two men from prison (Acts 12:5-17, 16:16-40).

Daniel disobeyed the King's new decree, and continued to bow to and pray to Almighty God (Daniel 6:10-28). He was thrown into the lion's den, but God shut the lions' mouths and caused the King to exalt Daniel with a promotion.

Today, many authentic Believers are considered fanatics and jailed for their beliefs. What are we to do in a world such as ours? Paul said it best in Acts 5:29: "It is better to obey God than man."

Prayer:

Father God, You call Your people back to holy living, and You promise to bless us if we are humble enough to walk in Your ways, instead of in the popular worldly culture (2 Chronicles 7:14). You instructed Paul to teach us to consider if our behavior will make someone else stumble (1 Corinthians 8:13).

When called upon by Your Spirit to do so, we are blessed if we obey You (Acts 5:29). We may fear the consequences and repercussions of our behavior, but it is better to honor You, than to be swayed by what people say or to fear what people can do to us (Romans 8:31-39).

Thought for the Day:

God calls us to exalt His Word and to obey Him: obedience is a sign of respect and honoring the Lord; disobedience is consider a sin and idolatry, since it is based on looking good for people and dishonoring God.

- 1 Samuel 15:22

Hidden with Christ in God

When we come to Christ for salvation, His Spirit within us begins sanctifying us of our penchant to sin. We gradually die to self and to sin, until our singular focus in life is to do God's will for us in our home, vocation, church life, hobbies, the use of our talents, etc. (Romans 6:11).

He develops in us a heavenly mindset by crucifying our old nature with Christ on Calvary's cross, and then by providing us with His resurrection life in every area of our existence (Romans 6:5-7; Galatians 2:20). He frees us from slavery to sin (Romans 6:16), and makes us a bond-servant to Jesus (Romans 1:1).

We view our self, not as a sinner, but as one who is dead to sin, and alive to God. The Holy Spirit heals our soul, and breaks the habitual stronghold sin formerly held over us. By the cross of Christ, we are victors even over those areas that still tempt us from time to time (Luke 14:27; Hebrews 12:1).

Freedom from sin, does not guarantee that we will walk in perfection or maintain a heavenly mindset. Sometimes, we fall back into pursuing our own desires, goals and dreams; however, this causes us to spin our wheels and to live in continual frustration.

If we realize that the cross of Christ crucified for us the draw this world has over us (Galatians 6:14); and if we live for Christ instead, we find a peace that transcends any reward we could ever gain from seeking our own pursuits (1 John 2:15).

Once living as obedient followers of the ruler of this world (1 John 3:10), we now, through the grace of God, are free from Satan and sin. We seek holiness and Godliness in our every thought, word and action (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:15, 3:1-2).

Prayer:

Father God, we need Your help in order to choose to die to sin through Christ, and to enjoy our life hidden in You with Him. Remind us that life is not about worldly possessions or preeminence, but about dying to self and living for You (Philippians 1:21). In this world, we will experience tribulation and trials, but Christ in us already overcame every one of them for us.

Teach us meekness so we may inherit a place in Your Kingdom on this earth, and allow patience to have her perfecting work in us (Matthew 5:5; James 1:4-8). We are safe in You, never again fearing what this world or anyone or anything in it may say about us or do to us (John 10:27-29; Psalm 23; 1 Peter 4:4).

Thought for the Day:

We are hidden with Christ in God, enjoying His protection, provision, and productivity for His Kingdom; this fact floods our soul with peace and increases our willingness to serve God in any place or capacity to which He calls us.

God's Abounding Love

My mother's mother passed away when my mom was only three years old. She was raised for the next few years by her Aunt Rose; and was separated from her father and older brothers during that formative time in her life.

My Mommy had four children and loved us dearly. Due to this interruption and trauma in her young life, she was not present to us emotionally. She loved through her deeds, but was unable to connect person-to-person emotionally.

My father was a rage-aholic due to his wartime experiences, which was a trial for us all. He blew up over the slightest infraction in our obedience to Him, which I am sure came from his vocational stress as well. He did work hard to provide for us.

Therefore, I grew up as a distant person and mother, caring for my children physically, but never knowing how to connect emotionally. My Aunt Gen noticed this problem when we visited with her in her home during the four years we spent traveling in evangelism.

She gave me a book about nurturing our children, but I could not relate, because I had never been emotionally nurtured. This started me on a library search about how to be a nurturing parent, and I started by nurturing my own wounded "child" within me.

Then, I branched out and began nurturing the wounded Inner Child in my mother. We grew closer as she turned toward me like a plant that follows the sun coming in the window. The Sonshine of God's love poured out to her through me, and made a difference in the way we related.

The principles I learned also helped me to emotionally connect with my own three children. They were older now, in pre-adolescence; but they too responded well to nurturing, which maybe came a bit too late, and a bit too little in their lives.

Lamentably, my older two children turned away from God, since His existence made no human sense to them. My youngest child, however, came to the saving knowledge of Christ and blossomed in God's love. I thank God daily for His abounding love within me and surrounding me (Ephesians 3:18).

Prayer:
Father God, Your love is the only constant in our life. There is no trial, misery, torment, deprivation, lack, danger, or threat of death that can separate us from Your abounding love. Your love enables us to rise victoriously from the ashes of our life, and to conquer the demonic lies and oppression that attempt to hold us captive.

Whether we live on this earth, or pass on into eternity; regardless of the world's rulers and powers, demonic activity, debilitating circumstances, or anything else we may experience through spiritual or natural causes, they can never separate us from Your love (Romans 8:35-39). You are all we need now and throughout eternity.

Thought for the Day:

With God on our side, we lack no good thing that we need, because He took on human form as our Emmanuel, and by His Spirit birthed His Son to pay the penalty of our sins and to serve as our advocate; there is nothing and no one, not even our own failings, that can separate us from His love, which enables us to victoriously face tomorrow and any unthinkable situation that may try to get between us and our Heavenly Daddy.