The Full Assurance Of Hope

When we think about hope, it’s very often “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I hope it happens.” The full assurance and hope is not a finger crossing wish- it is described in Hebrews 6:11 as a “full assurance of hope.”

God desires for each one of us to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end. That our hopes are replaced with the hope that is found in Jesus.

The Christmas season is one that is filled with a message of hope that is found in Christ Jesus, the Savior of the world! Yet, for many this time of year it’s only a magnification of the hopelessness and despair they feel inside. Whether this hopelessness comes from the loss of a loved one or a commercial life view of Christmas, the Bible has the truths about this matter. Here are a few things the Bible says about hope:

1. Hope is Never Lost

Hope is crying out to be heard, seen, and experienced

Sometimes it’s difficult to see hope in a situation. But, the Bible says that true hope is unseen. And if we can only be hopeful for one thing, such as our salvation, which is also unseen, Then we can be hopeful for other things too. It’s just that simple.

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes what they already have?

Romans 8:24

2. We can be Confident in Hope

We can find rest when we confidently hope on the Lord

We have now understood that hope is unseen. But if it’s unseen, can we trust it? After all, we can trust and care we sit in or the mug for our coffee into because it’s something we can see. Likewise, there are things that we can trust without seeing. We can crush that our insurance company will cover a certain amount of losses or that baking cookies will leave a wonderful aroma in our kitchen. We are confident in the end because these are legal and natural laws. In the same way, although we can’t see it, we can be full hope. Hope assured us that we can be confident in it because it is the law of God.

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

Hebrews 11:1

3. True Hope comes from God

True hope comes from God. He is the Creator of all things, including Hope

Sometimes we hope for things in which there is no hope. A car can’t bring through hope, but it can bring a feeling of contentment and exhilaration, but not real hope. Financial stability can’t bring through hope, it can bring security and a level of ease, but not true hope. A spouse can’t bring through hope because of spouses abilities are limited on what he or she can control. True hope comes from the One who created hope: God. True hope comes by trusting God even when circumstances are difficult. One way to know whether you are trusting God is whether you are both obeying his Word. Trust produces obedience, which produces hope, which results in joy and peace and that is the power of the Holy Spirit.

May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

4. Hope is a Gift

A wonderful result in hope is delivered by the Holy Spirit of God. He gives us the power to help and that is a demonstration of God’s love for us. Hope given by him works together to give us confidence, joy, peace, power and love. That is a true gift.

And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love – poured out into the hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

Romans 5:5

5. Hope Endures All

Hoping God will never lead us into despair, because He has a plan for all of us who look to Him. He has a future that is full of hope.

There is surely a future and a hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off

Proverbs 24:18

Utterly Exhausted

No one I know began this year on a full tank. Given the viciousness of the last two years most of us dragged ourselves across the finish line of 2022, many were frazzled, spent and running on adrenaline fumes.

In the new year we were still carrying the trauma, grief, shock, heaviness, and disbelief of the last two years. Whether we have processed the last years we have been put under more pressure, more stress, trying to catch up in all departments… every single one whether it be work, school, sports, relationships and life in general.

Though we may be aware, most of us are busier than we have been in years and we don’t stop to undo this emotions entanglement and trying to permanently wipe away the scarring wounds of the past two years. Whether emotional or physical. Our nervous systems have gotten used to being on high alert. While we are still trying to find a balance we are utterly exhausted our bodies and our souls are trying to get used to this new normal. No one is exempt including children and teens.

Despite it all we are still going, there will be days we will stumble and find ourselves struggling. We must be able to understand and be compassionate with others.

We all need a little tender loving care these days. Instead of trying to run to the finish line this year, tread gently and go slowly.

Amid the chaos, find small pockets of silence. Allow healing to come to your anxious soul. And most of all be kind. There’s no human being on earth who couldn’t use a little bit more kindness and compassion.

Who Is The Beast In Revelation 13, And Have We Met Him Yet?

According to Revelation 13:1 the beast has seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns are ten crowns, which has the name of blasphemy. It represents the world wide political system.

It has authority, power, and a throne, which points to its being a political entity. -Revelation 13:2.

It rules over “every tribe and people and tongue and nation,” so it is greater than a single national government. – Revelation 13:7.

It combines features of the four beasts described in the prophecy in Daniel 7:2-8, including the appearance of a leopard, the feet of a bear, a lion’s mouth, and ten horns. The beasts in Daniel’s prophecy are identified as specific kings, or political kingdoms, that rule in succession over empires (Daniel 7:17,23). The wild beast of Revelation 13 represents a composite of a political organization.

It ascends “out of the sea,” that is, from the turbulent masses of mankind that are the source of human governments. -Revelation 13:1; Isaiah 17:12,13.

The Bible says that the number, or name of the beast 666 is “a man’s number.” – Revelation 13:17,18. That expression indicates that the beast in Revelation 13 is a human entity, not a spirit or a demon entity.

Even though nations may agree on few things, they unite in their determination to maintain their authority rather that submit to the rule of God’s Kingdom. -Psalm 2:2. They will also join forces to battle God’s armies commanded by Christ Jesus at Armageddon, but this war will result in the nations being destroyed- Revelation 16:14,16; 19:19-20.

“Ten horns and seven heads”

Certain numbers are used symbolically in the Bible. For example seven and ten represent completeness. The key to understanding the specific meaning of the “ten horns and seven heads” of the beast in Revelation is an “image of the wild beast” which is later identified in Revelation- a bright red beast that had seven heads and ten horns – Revelation 13:1, 14, 15; 17:3. The Bible says that the seven heads of this red beast mean “seven kings,” or governments – Revelation 17:9,10.

Likewise, the seven heads of the beast represent seven governments, which are the primary powers that have dominated throughout history and have taken the lead in oppressing God’s people which are now Egypt, Southwestern Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Greece, Rome, and England. If we conclude that the ten horns represent all sovereign states, small and large, then the crown, on each horn shows that each nation rules concurrently with the primary political power of the time. So, we know the beast will come from somewhere in the Middle East.

Revelation 13 tells us that we must be willing to suffer, to give our all for Christ to persevere until the end on order to obtain the final reward. Revelation 20:4 says, that people who do not take the mark of the beast will die by beheading as a testimony of Jesus.

Over 2000 Bible Prophecies have come true and it is said that there are 500 more that will come to pass. I have not researched this so I don’t know this 100%.

Learning To Listen

Have you ever been in a conversation with someone and you realize that you have checked out? You see their mouth moving, but you aren’t engaged. Situation like this make me think.

  • Why is it so difficult to stay in the present?
  • How can I remain engaged when in a conversation?
  • How can I become a better listener?

We live in a technological age where people really do just one thing at a time. I just realized the other day that it is possible for a person to be talking on the phone and texting someone else. That just seems crazy to me. No wonder I have two sometimes repeat things and phone conversations. The world moves fast, and we are tempted to hold on while riding at breakneck speed no matter what the cost.

People need to start reconnecting. We live in an age where people are meeting together less and less. Isolation, depression, and loneliness abound. People long for a human connection, but we are really finding poor substitutes for online communities. We need to make a concrete effort to make connection when you given any opportunity.

Have you noticed but when you’re at a register at the store the cashier doesn’t seem to make eye contact? I always ask the cashier how their day is going looking them straight in the eyes for a few moments. Sometimes all it takes is a simple question, “So has it been busy today?” People are dying to talk to someone. The problem is that no one is really listening.

Sometimes it’s easy to go about our day thinking they are insignificant, that each encounter we have with someone is simply a chance encounter. But somesometimes it’s easy to go about our days thinking they are insignificant, that each encounter we have with someone is simply a chance encounter. But Psalm 139:2-3 says, “You know when I sit and when I rise, you perceive my thoughts from afar. You just turn my going out and my laying down, you are familiar with my ways.”

The God of the universe is aware what you do day in and day existence. We make our plans, but God knows how it will turn out. We sometimes forget that we make plans. We get a false sense that we are in control, and then we try to retain that control when in reality God is in control.

When we keep our mind on the people we meet every day. God places opportunity to engage with others and we must learn to recognize them. Listening matters because the person in front of us is someone God loves, someone God values. And we could ask God for his eyes to see people the way He sees them. I have a nasty habit when I’m busy going through my daily duties to be on automatic pilot and not notice anything that is going on around me. But I know I must focus on the people around me, if I’m going to make a difference. If I focus on the person in front of me then I will see how God values them.

Those who know God personally are filled with the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:25 says, “ since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. God can lead our conversation, when we remember that God is with us every step of the way. If we don’t know what to say God will tell us what to say, and when to keep silent. Being in step with the Holy Spirit means we are open to His leading, therefore we are not in the driver’s seat. When we are controlling things, we are calling the shots and are tempted to make each conversation about us and our experiences. Even if the other person cares, we get our next point ready, formulating our thoughts so they come our right.

When we are in step with the Holy Spirit, we patiently wait for the other person to communicate. we are in tune with the Holy Spirit when we realize we are not the reason our listener is being blessed, refreshed, or encouraged. God is the source, and sometimes we get the privilege of being used in the process.

James1:19, states “ my dear brothers and sisters take note of this: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” We should apply this verse and learn to be better listeners. Everyone has a basic need to be heard. God provides opportunity to practice listening every day. Seeing the opportunity as from God helps us have a better perspective.

How different our interactions would be if we were quick to listen instead of quick to speak. I grew up where I always fought to be heard. Being told I could speak definitively took a toll on me. Sometimes I can be really quiet and other times I speak loudly so people won’t ignore me.

You often in conversation, we respond prematurely, frustrating our conversation partners because their message was not heard and our message was not heard. And we walk away really frustrated.

The Lifter Of My Head

In the Bible we hear David in Psalm 3:3, “But You O’ Lord you are a shield around me, my glory and the lifter of my head.”

King David wrote this Psalm during one of his darkest seasons of his life. It is a prayer to God to deliver him from his many enemies. If you know anything about David’s history, then you know his ascent to the throne of Israel was filled with difficulty. However, the Lord fulfilled His promise to him.

Many years later David’s adult son, Absalom, wanted his father’s crown and mounts a rebellion to assassinate him. Betrayed and heartbroken by his son’s actions David is forced to flee Jerusalem, the City of David. This Psalm is a plea for the Lord to save him from the rebellious army.

But, what lesson should we learn in this Psalm? We can learn how to face dark season of our own lives by studying Scripture. David is quite the example for believers today to help us trust in the Lord with all our hearts,

Let’s break down this scripture word by word.

“But You, O’ Lord”

Immediately David tells us where his confidence is. When I read this it causes me to ask if my life is that centered on the Lord the way it should be. Is my confidence solely in God and his ability to work situations out in my life?l

Ask yourself these questions:

Where is your confidence? A good way we can test this is to notice when we pray to the Lord for His help and strength. Is God someone you have a daily dependency on? Do you feel that you need God every day? I’ve heard people say that God is just a crutch for week people.

Well, I would not call my relationship with God a crutch. I have learned to accept my weaknesses and will gladly confess how frail and feeble I am sometimes. But rather than saying God is a crutch I prefer David’s description in Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn to my salvation, my stronghold.”

“Are A Shield Around Me“

Notice where David says in verse 1, O” Lord, how many are my foes! Many are rising up against me.” Absalom had created an entire army against his father. Overwhelmed, David cries out to the Lord as he calculates how many are against him.

There are many times we feel this way, we know the sharp pain of betrayal. Rather that focusing on his enemies, David instead focuses on God after saying “But You, O’ Lord, he then reminds God the He is a shield around him.

What an interesting way to pray. David wad a man of war. He was well acquainted with the battle field. He describes God’s protection as a shield.

Shields were very large in ancient warfare. They were made of solid wood, typically weighing 40 pounds. They were the size of doors and strapped in leather. Some shields were so large men could hide underneath them. What a incredible metaphor for God’s protection.

Have you ever realized that we face a far stronger enemy that Absalom? Our enemy is far greater and far more dangerous. The Apostle Paul paints a vivid picture in Ephesians 6:11-13, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not fight against flesh and blood but against rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”

Our enemy is fierce. He is strong. But Gos promises us that He is our shield of defense. We may be surrounded by a godless culture (this present darkness), we may be bombarded by temptations, tested by trials and pressed down by an enemy whose sole objective is to steal, kill, and destroy us. But the Lord is a shield around us. He protects us from every side. Above, around, and beneath. He is our shield. But we have the choice to accept or deny this shield.

“My Glory”

What did David mean when he said “My glory?” Can you and I say the same of God? I believe we can, it was God who took David from a lowly shepherd boy to mighty King of Israel. Do you know David’s story. The Prophet Samuel came to David’s house in 1 Samuel 16. When the Prophet arrives, David’s father, Jesse lines up all his sons. David is missing because he is tending the sheep in the fields. When Samuel examines each son, he has to ask Jesse if he had any other sons. Jesse, his own father forgot about David.

David was lowly. He was humble. He was a shepherd boy. But this shepherd boy knew the Great Shepherd. The prophet asked about the youngest son, saying Send and get him, when David was there the God told the Prophet “Arise! Anoint him for this is he.” David will be the next King of Israel.

When David calls God, “My glory,” David is acknowledging that all he has comes from God is the source of any honor or glory David possess. Can you and I say the same?

Just as David glory was that God chose him to be King, our glory is that God had chosen us to be a great salvation. Hebrews 7:25 says, “Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, seeing that he lives forever make intercession for them.”

In Ephesians 1:4-5 is says, “Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should by holy and blameless before Him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, according to His will.”

Can you see how Gods our glory because He has lifted us from the pits of sin into His kingdom? 1 Peter 2:9 is very fitting, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.”

“And The Lifter Of My Head”

Lastly, David calls God, “The lifter of my head.” This is one of my favorite phrases in the Bible. It is a phrase I often use when praying. Think of the sorrow David felt as his own son tried to assassinate him. Think of the shame he felt leaving his own city to flee this new army.

What is the natural position of depression and sorrow? It is to lower our head. David penned in Psalm 38:6, “I am pained and bow down greatly. I go mourning all the day.” Have you experienced this? When in your life do you remember bowing your head in despair and depression?

God is the “God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3). It is the “joy of the Lord that is your strength” ( Nehemiah 8:10). God has the ability to lift your head! He will come to your rescue. He will not fail. He will be the shield around you. And He knows how to deliver His people.