Tag Archives: Hope

A changed life – Caroline

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image“I just went through life feeling like something was missing,” says Caroline, recently baptized at Niddrie Community Church. “My biggest fear was death. And my only release was cannabis.”

 

But that has changed.

 

“I have realized that I need to repent and put my trust in Jesus. I knew he was the only one who could change my life.”

 

“I’m learning to deal with my anger. And death isn’t as scary as I thought it was. I can’t thank the Lord enough for saving me. And now I’ve found that thing that was missing: Jesus.”

 

GLOW is involved with ministries across the globe that are focused on being a light to help others discover God’s best for them: Hope and grace, and power for victorious living. Caroline’s life was influenced by workers with 20Schemes. 20Schemes is a ministry to the poorest of poor in Scotland who live in housing projects (schemes). Following the model showed us by Jesus, they make disciples who make disciples. Caroline has expressed interest in becoming a 20Schemes intern, working at the church office and plans to start a new access course at the Edinburgh Theological Seminary.

 

Would you pray for Caroline and countless other women in Scotland’s housing schemes who not only need to hear the gospel of Christ but be discipled and encouraged to live purposeful and joyful lives.  This is one way you can partner with GLOW to bring hope and fulfillment to people across the world.

 

 

Where is your confidence?

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Confidence is not based on having everything you need to take care of yourself. Confidence is based on the truth that our great God is faithful!

 

Would you best be described as confident or shy? Perhaps we all carry some of both characteristics depending on the setting. Sometimes we might take confidence in our natural abilities. In other times we might rely on what we have learned from teachers, books, or experiences. We might try to take confidence in our finances, our families, or our friends. But which of these give us confidence to approach Almighty God? By what means do we have the right to enter His presence?

 

Jesus said, “I am the way” (John 14:6). He is the living way God opened for us to come directly to Him. He is the way for hearts to be cleansed and to be filled with the confidence and assurance that faith brings.

 

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.” (Hebrews 10:19-22)

 

How do we respond to such a profound and gracious gift? With a half-hearted, luke-warm heart that occasionally offers perfunctory sacrifices when it is convenient? No. Recognizing the supreme value of such a gift would reduce the most ardent of believers to fall face down in worship and to devote their lives humbly and completely to their God, holding ever so firmly to the faith that draws them closer to Him.

 

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)

 

What hope do you profess? Is it a hope that you can hold to unswervingly? Hope in our own efforts and smarts and hope in everything of this world disappoints. But there is a hope that we can hold unswervingly to. It is hope offered by the one who promised and is faithful, the one who never ever abandons you. It is the hope that brings a ‘new and living way’ to live beyond yourself, to encourage others and spur them also on toward love and good deeds.

 

In the depths of your despair, in the darkness of your pain and sorrow, in the confusion of your anxiety, cling unswervingly to the hope that God your Father offers to His children. Accept the way Jesus offers into the presence of God right now.  And hold on to the confidence that is based on the truth that God is faithful.

 

 

Moving toward maturity

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Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity…”

 

Parents delight in newborn babies in all their innocence and fresh opportunities before them.  We celebrate a young person’s graduation milestone, recognizing their transition toward adulthood. We plant gardens and trees in the expectation and hope for what they will produce. While we sometimes wish we could pause time and remain in that special beginning moment, who would really want things to remain that way forever? A child who never moves on to forge his or her own life, a garden that doesn’t grow and produce food, flowers that never mature to bloom, a tree that produces no shade or fruit?

 

So it is in our lives, that we should continue to mature in the ways of life, the caring for others, and our mission which reaches way beyond ourselves. Paul encourages us to ‘move beyond the elementary teachings of Christ and be taken to maturity.’ Have you ever noticed that it is often easier to learn an elementary principle than how to consistently apply that toward a worthwhile outcome? Have you observed this in your own spiritual life, that you have learned the basics about Jesus but fail to find victory over life’s struggles? So it was also in Paul’s day. His students had learned facts about the Christian life but not how to apply the gospel toward living a mature life. (Hebrews 5:12).

 

Isn’t that true in our lives too? Just as rain falls on the land and produces both weeds and fruit (and veggies!) so God’s truth and grace falls freely on us so that we can mature in faith, experience victory over life’s trials, and bear fruit for His kingdom. Mature believers press on toward producing beneficial fruit while those who feel trapped by life’s circumstances produce weeds that choke out life.

 

But wait; there is hope! Paul says (Heb. 6:9), “Beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you.” Yes, we may have lived a careless, undisciplined, unfocused life up until now. We may have let circumstances govern too many of our responses. But it is not too late! Keep the hope (v11) that by God’s daily outpouring of compassion we will not be consumed by this world, but will find our way to move on toward a mature, purposeful life that counts for all time. This hope anchors us and holds our lives firm and secure in the midst of life’s most terrifying storms (v19).

 

Let us press on toward maturity. It is indeed granted by God’s provident grace (v3) but it does not occur at all without our intentional efforts to draw close to Him throughout each day.

 

 

Hope for today

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Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. – Hebrews 11:1

We’ve commented before that true hope is more than a wish that things will go well. Wishing is a bit like saying, “Good luck.” I don’t know about you but I don’t want to pin my most precious hopes on wishes or luck.

 

We say we have real hope when we have a real sense of conviction that something will turn out well in our life. More than a wish, our hope is a conviction based on what WILL happen.

 

Vaclav Havel, the first democratically elected president of Czechoslovakia, describes hope as the certainty that something makes sense, regardless of how it turns out. Havel’s views were not based on a Christian belief but more so in a type of ‘karma.’ I’ve heard even Christians state this belief, “If it’s meant to happen it will.”  The problem is, there are a lot of things that happen that are truly tragic and senseless, and not meant to be.

 

Personally, I don’t believe in the idea of karma. But I do believe in a sovereign God who allows us free will and yet whose overall plan will not be thwarted. God allows humans to make all kinds of bad decisions and He allows a degenerating earth to wreak all kinds of havoc. . . for a time.  But regardless of the circumstances that may confront us, His plan will prevail in the end.  We often see this life as all there is and we are quick to judge events as “fair” or unfair” from our viewpoint. On this side of heaven, we may never make sense of things from our limited perspective.

 

But things WILL make sense, perfect sense, when our eyes are fully opened to see the full reality that is presently obscured by our temporal vision.

 

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 

 

For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12

 

 

Tired of being robbed?

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The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. – Jesus, John 10:10

 

When I was a teenager, our house was broken into. The thief didn’t take much except my jar of quarters, set aside for my college fund. It wasn’t nearly so bad as those who have been robbed of much more, but to me it was a raw deal. Why would anyone take a kid’s money?

 

Perhaps you’ve had something stolen from you too, maybe something a lot more valuable than a jar full of quarters. In fact, we all have been robbed, and sometimes it is our own fault. We might lock the door to our house but what about the door to our life? The articles we read, the things we choose to look at, the movies we watch, the company we keep, the thoughts we think, even our private ambitions – all open the door to our life and can steal from us the very essence of an abundant life.

 

The enemy, a thief, comes to steal, kill, and destroy. How does he do this? He connives and lies in such a way that it sounds believable, even desirable. And what do we lose in this robbery? Joy, confidence, security, sometimes faith and hope. And so often, we are the ones who let the thief into our house…our life.

 

Perhaps you can reflect back on decisions you made that went poorly and resulted in turmoil for you and others. It’s said that the train of sin will take you farther than you wanted to go and charge you more than you wanted to pay. There are consequences to robberies, including the ones we choose to allow. All decisions can be forgiven, but some bring consequences we can’t control.

 

But wait. There is good news. Jesus tells us that He has come to bring abundant life. He offers renewed joy, restored hope, and redeemed value. The thief tries to break in and steal our joy and our hope. But the Son of God offers a full life, that cannot be stolen away. You can lose all your money but still be rich. You can lose all your property and still have a home in His kingdom. Your name can be tarnished, but it cannot be wiped from the Book of Life. Your body may be robbed of pleasure but your soul will survive. Your relationships may be torn asunder but your relationship with God is not threatened. Every circumstance may point to darkness and despair, but God’s light in you cannot be extinguished – it always shines hope.

 

Are you tired of being robbed? Turn to Jesus right now, and accept His free gift of a life that is abundant.

 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus, in John 10:10

 

 

Be steadfast – stand firm

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Pushed against the wall, seemingly oppressed on every side, exhausted and yet we so often automatically look to what strategy we can employ to resolve the problem. But often the strategy that bests serves us is not to dive forward, not to launch a new attack in our own effort, but to remain steadfast and stand firm.

 

“Stand firm,” we are told, once we are fully protected by God’s armor (Ephesians 6:10+). “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong (1 Corinthian 16:13). “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58). “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10).

 

What does it mean to remain steadfast in the middle of a battle? To be steadfast is to be a different kind of victor. Using dictionary terms a steadfast victor is loyal, faithful, dependable, steady, true, constant and trustworthy. S/he is determined, resolute, relentless, single-minded, unwavering, unhesitating, unfaltering, unyielding, and uncompromising.

 

This is our job, to have the courage to stand firm and remain steadfast in the face of seemingly overwhelming odds. Great courage is born out of great hope. And great hope is placed in a great, powerful, and faithful God.

 

“Be strong and of good courage. Do not fear or be afraid…for the Lord your God, He is the one who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

 

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” Ephesians 1:18-21

 

 

Patience – Perseverance – Prayer

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We all want to be patient, but we want it right now! Folks have probably warned you, “Don’t pray for patience because God will give you trials to bring it about!” Trials can be an effective way to bring us to consider patience, but how many times in your life do they bring grumbling and resentment instead?

 

The truth is, our life was not designed to be one of self-indulgence and comfort. This short span on earth, relative to all eternity, is full of trials. Read through the New Testament and find that every book  deals with some aspect of trials, suffering, or other woes! Beyond just a learning experience, it is part of our call to follow Jesus:  “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.” 1 Peter 2:21

 

But that doesn’t leave us to despair, but to hope, because when we are squeezed by all sorts of trials, it brings the opportunity for God’s power to be revealed in us. That is James’ encouragement to us in chapter five. We’re called to be patient. Not just to wait until we get what we want, but to be patient for the Lord’s coming, when our trials and sorrows end.

 

We’re called to patient with each other. It is how we express our love to God Himself. Jesus said our purpose in life is to love God and love others, that others will know we are His disciples if we love one another.  And so James confirms this: “Don’t grumble against one another.”

 

Patience and perseverance are twin sisters. We can persevere because we practice patience. Likewise persevering helps us to be patient – with ourselves and with others.  Perseverance keeps on loving, keeps on hoping, keeps on waiting with expectation. Hope is for the future but faith is revealed in the moment. Perseverance reflects our real faith.

 

Where do we get such a persevering, patient faith?  We pray. If your prayer seems like a waste of time or a mundane routine to be endured, don’t believe it. The prayer of one fully committed to God, is effective. Ask for wisdom, strength, and courage to draw closer to Him so you can persevere. He will show you the way, one trial at a time, one moment at a time.  It’s a daily cycle: pursue patience, perseverance, and effective prayer.

 

“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:7-11 (excerpts)

An overcomer has hope

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Got hope?

 

Say it with me:

 

I am an overcomer and more than a conqueror.

 

I have nothing to fear.

 

God is with me so who can be against me?

 

I am a child of the one and only true King who loves me with an everlasting love.

 

I can press on and have hope because my God is always faithful.

 

 

 

 

 

God will heal your heart

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The size of your wounds doesn’t matter… God can restore your soul.

 

We had driven a thousand miles to visit with her. Over the course of a number of days we helped her unpack a lifetime of sorrows, wounds that had festered for most of a lifetime. We read together scripture affirming who she was as a new creation, of forgiveness that was freely offered. But she said wounds – and her sins – were too great…that there was no way God could love someone like her. In the end, she chose to keep her pain. Have you ever known someone like that? Or maybe there was a time you felt that way yourself?

The weight of life sometimes wears so heavily on us that we can’t see anything but our own pain and sorrow. Though we see a helping hand outstretched to us, we somehow can’t believe that hope is possible. When you are well and in a right thinking frame of mind it is ludicrous to remain in a dark place of torture when freedom is a step away. But sometimes the choice to cling to the familiar – even though it hurts – seems easier than stepping out into the sunshine and experiencing peace.

Surgeons know that before they close a wound, they have to make sure it is clear of any debris that might cause an infection. It has to be clean before it can be healed. And yet some people cling to their wounds insisting that it not be touched or cared for. Fearing further pain of having it probed, they prefer to tend to it themselves. And tend to it they do indeed, even as it festers and damages the surrounding tissue. Not properly cared for, the infection will spread until all of life is eaten up. Time will not heal all wounds, especially wounds of the heart.

Regardless of what we have convinced ourselves, no wound is too big for God. Every broken heart can be mended, if you turn it over to His healing hand.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
Psalm 147:3

Strength when you are weak

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Remaining in God’s presence renews us and leaves us refreshed.

 

The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights. Habakkuk 3:19

 

Trying to help Marcia with a bit of yard work, I find myself so easily tired. I ‘work’ for five minutes and then sit down and rest for 5-10 minutes. I am constantly aware of my weakness; it is part of the leukemia landscape. How about you? Do you struggle with things that seem beyond your strength to endure? It might be a physical weakness, or maybe an emotional one. Or perhaps there is a weak chink in your spiritual armor and it seems that you are not strong enough to protect yourself from the temptation of doubt, fear, greed, gossip, anger, or any number of self-defeating and Spirit-grieving habits.

 

Here’s the bad news. You aren’t strong enough. .. On your own. Your self-reliant strength will never be enough to endure all that will confront you. You weren’t created to have super powers in all areas of life. The good news is that there is a Sovereign God whose strength IS sufficient. In fact, it is magnified and perfected in your weakness. Although we hate the feeling of being weak, that is precisely where we are able to find God’s strength. Author Sarah Young reminds us the key to accessing this strength is to connect with God; that in this moment by moment connection we are able to receive either the partial strength he gives us for the moment or the full abundant strength of God intends for us.

 

Entering into the presence of God refreshes and rejuvenates us. It allows us to hear the whispers of God as He speaks to us in our state of weakness. And so, we should not be discouraged by our weakness, but encouraged because it leads us into the presence of our Sovereign God whose grace is sufficient and strength is made perfect in our weakness. We are His temple, His sanctuary. Let His strength and glory reside in you.

 

Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and glory are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. Psalm 96:6-7