The God Of Hope

God’s Light

“God is light,” says 1 John 1:15. Light is a common metaphor in the Bible. Proverbs 4:18 symbolizes righteousness as the “morning sun.” Philippians 2:15 likens God’s children who are blameless and pure to shining stars in the sky. Jesus used light as a picture of good works: “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds.

The fact that God is light sets up a natural contrast with darkness. If light is a metaphor for righteousness and goodness, then darkness signifies evil and sin. 1 John 1:6 says that “if we claim to have fellowship with God and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.“ Verse 5 says, God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all. We are not told that God is a light but that He is light. Light is part of His essence, as in love. The message is that God is completely unreserved, absolutely holy, with no admixture of sin, no taint of iniquity, and no hint of injustice.

If we do not have light, we do not know God. Those who know God, who walk with Him, are of the light and walk in the light. They are made partakers of God’s Divine nature, “having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

God is light, and so is His Son, Jersaud, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have light of life. To walk is to make progress. Therefore, we can infer through John 8:12 that Christ are meant to grow in holiness and to mature in faith as they follow Jesus. (2 Peter 3:18)

God is light, and it is His plan that believers shine forth His light, becoming more like Christ every day, “You are are children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness.”(1 Thessalonians 5:5) God is the creator of physical light as well as the Giver of Spiritual light by which is hidden in darkness; it shows things as the really are. To walk in the light means to know God, understand the trutgm and live in righteousness.

Believers in Christ must confess any darkness within themselves – their sins and transgressions – and allow God to shine His light through them.

Christians cannot sit idly by and watch others conduit the darkness is sin, knowing that those in darkness are destined for eternal separation from God. The light of the world desires to banish the darkness and bestow His wisdom in everything. In taking the light of the gospel to the world, we must by necessity reveal things about people that they would rather leave hidden. Light is uncomfortable to those accustomed to the dark. (John 3:20)

Jesus, the sinless Son of God, not the “true light” (John 1:9) As adopted sons and daughters of God, we are to reflect His light into a world of darkness by sin. Our goal is witnessing to the undated is “to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God.” (Acts 26:28)

Hallowed Be Thy Name

The Lords Prayer

Our Father who art in Heaven hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive others who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9

What should be our first request, as Jesus here teaches us to pray? “Hallowed be your name.”

Hallowed means to keep holy and set apart. We might ask, “Isn’t God’s name already holy! And most certainly it is. What then do we ask of the Lord God when we ask that His name be holy?

We ask that His name be kept holy among us and in our lives. We ask God to let all we think, say and do bring glory and honor to Hid holy name. We ask theta we would live in such a way that we do not dishonor His holy name and drag it down with us into the mud of sin.

It brings God glory and hallow His name when we humbly believe His Word, acknowledge our sinfulness and trust His Son, Jesus as our savior. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

Isaiah the prophet wrote (Isaiah 8:23, “The Lord of hosts. Him you shall hallow; let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.

Instead of looking to ourselves, other gods and other people or things for help, we are to look to the Lord God and place our trust in Him.

God Himself says to us in Psalm 50:15: “ call upon Me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.’

The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 28:28, 32, “ The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has my word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? Says the Lord… “Behold, I am against the prophets ,” says the Lord, who use their tongues and say, He says.’

God teaches us that it brings honor to the name of the Lord God when we are faithful to His Holy Word in our teaching, preaching and in our witness for Him. It dishonors the Lord when we preach our own words, ideas and opinions and attribute them to Him.

We pray the Lord’s Prayer that all we think, speak, and do may bring glory to our Father in heaven – that His name would indeed be kept holy among us.

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

May we bring Him glory!

Our dear Father in heaven, Your name is indeed holy in itself. Grant that we keep it holy among us also and not misuse it. Let us bring glory to You and Your holy name by acknowledging our sin and trusting in Your Son and our Savior, Jesus, for forgiveness and life everlasting. And grant that we might live for You here in this with the world until we join You in heaven in Christ’s eternal kingdom. Amen,

The God Of Hope

Life is unpredictable. None of us except the sudden circumstances that can bring about division, disappointment and loss. Who could have guessed a pandemic would force us into isolation, and upend our plans throw us into turmoil band leave us longing for hope.

Life can change in a moment and it deals blows we don’t expect, it’s so easy to find ourselves in a place of disparity longing for some type of comfort. Romans 15;23 is a wonderful prayer that Paul wants every believer to experience as a response to these types of circumstances.

Hope is the focus in Pauls’s prayer. Particularly that the God of hope would cause us to overflow with hope. Hope is mentioned not once but twice in this verse. The first mention refers to God as the origin of hope. We anticipate a favorable outcome not based on principles, but on His person. No matter how difficult our circumstances, we can have hope because of who God is: powerful, wise and good.

The second mention of hope refers to us as the recipients. God pours hope into us when we choose to believe He is who He says He is and that He always keeps His promises. When we do this. He gives us neither optimism not hype, but a rock-solid assurance that a favorable outcome will come our way.

Because we are people living among others desperately seeking hope. God wants our lives to spill over and release what we have received to those around us, creating in then a deeper curiosity to know the source of our peace. We can not concoct or create this hope in our own strength. God makes hope possible by the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.

But the more we meditate on Romans 15:7-13 and a final prayer, the more God heals our hurting hearts. We can hold onto hope knowing that someday, Jesus will return and set things right. One dstm He will wipe every tear from our eyes. As we wait, we call live in hope because the source of hope lives in us,

Meanwhile, we can look at the small miracles that happen every day. If we take a moment to look, close enough we can see. I know this brings me hope as I wait on God’s return.

Faith -vs- Works

There is a theological debate over the question of whether salvation is by faith or by works that has caused the denominations of the churches to disagree for centuries. Differences of opinion are still among many believers today. Some even say the Bible contradicts itself on the matter of faith and works.

Here are some questions about faith and works:

Is justification for salvation accomplished by faith or by works, or both?

Does a person need faith in Jesus and also a holy lifestyle and good deeds in order to enter the kingdom of God!

If only faith matters for salvation how does works fit in?

Justified By Faith Alone

The Apostle Paul stated clearly that man is justified not by keeping the law, or works, but solely by faith in Christ. Here are just two of many Bible Verses that solidly back up the belief.

Romans 3:20, “For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight.“

Ephesians 2:8, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.’

Faith Plus Works?

Interestingly, the book of June’s seems to say something different. James asserts that a person is justified by works, and not by faith alone.

James 2:24-26,

You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified you works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also Faith apart from works is dead.

Reconciling Faith And Works

The key to reconciling the doctrines of faith and works is understanding the full context of these verses in James. Let’s look at the entire passage, which covers the relationship between faith and works:

James 2:14-26

What good is it, my brothers if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to the, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith and I have works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe - and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you a foolish person, have faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the alter?
You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness - and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by a another way! For as the body apart from the Spirit is dead, so also Faith apart from works in dead.

In this passage, James is comparing two different types of faith; genuine faith which leads to good works, and empty faith which is not really faith at all. True faith is alive and backed up by works. False faith that has nothing to show for itself is dead.

Abraham’s faith was not merely an empty confession but a principle of action. He showed his faith through willingness to offer Isaac. The same is true of Rahab who demonstrated her faith by helping the spies. Faith and works cannot exist separately or alone. They must go together. As one commentator put it, “ Faith and works are as inseparable as the sun and sunlight. Faith is the sun; good works are the rays.”

Both faith and works are important in salvation. However, believers are justified, or declared righteous before God, solely by faith. Christ is the only One who deserves credit for doing the work of salvation. Christians are saved by grace by God’s grace through faith alone.

Works, on the other hand, are the evidence of genuine salvation. They are proof in the pudding,” so to speak. Good works demonstrate the truth of one’s faith. They are the obvious, visible result of being justified by faith. Authentic “saving faith” reveals itself through works.

Encourage Yourself In The Lord

In first Samual 30:6 it says, And David was greatly distressed; for the people spoke of stoning him; because the soul of all people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters; but David encouraged himself in the Lord His God.

It’s natural and normal to go from high to low in life, based on what comes our way, what we’re experiencing, and so forth. Many Believers move from mountain top to mountain top, so to speak, to the valley, as we all it, and then hope to make their way back up to the mountain top.

The first part of my Christian life was like a roller coaster, up down, down up, and often I was stuck in the valley. People who are born again often go through what is called the honeymoon stage of Christianity. I personally had an amazing born-again experience in 2008. I felt wonderful to be part of a church and I was excited to be a follower of God. But, I mistakenly thought my life would begin to turn around suddenly. That was not the case.

It begs a new life for me and i had stumbled into a world that I didn’t know existed before. No everyone has the same born again experience. Yet, I was still excited to be saved.

When the church got together for camp outs and other events, I wanted to talk about God and sing song’s around the campfire and do stuff like that. While we did some of that. Their were church members who didn’t want that.

They would look at my enthusiasm and say. Oh ‘Your just a baby Christian. Give it awhile you’ll calm down. I always thought what a shame they are saying that. Like their was something wrong with me being excited about God. While I calmed down a bit, I knew I needed spiritual food if I was going to say encouraged in the Lord.

I was hungry for something I didn’t have. But, I the same time I knew I had to be healed from my past life. I would read my Bible as much as I could even though I didn’t have much Biblical foundation to work with. I would call my pastor to get the answers I need if I had a question.

It took me four-years to break the chain of my past and start living in Christ. I went to every church meeting, Bible study I could. I have to admit I wasn’t much of a joy to people that knew me before. But it was the only way I knew to change my life. And it worked, I learned more about God in those four-years Thani ever have.

I realized that there was more to the Bible that just the message of salvation, though that’s a great message, a message that’s needed to get us into His Kingdom. But if that’s the only message you ever get, you don’t grow very far beyond that place.

Back in those days, the first couple of years of my Christian walk I heard a couple of teachings that helped me overcome that roller coaster experience of being on the Mount top and then in the valley, and back again.

It was about how David encouraged himself in the Lord. And the other was about learning who we are in Christ. Those two messages coupled together made it a lot easier for me to stay on the mountain top. You see, it’s in Christ that we’re saved. We have redemption, we are made new creatures.

2 Corinthians 5:27, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.

They verse alone is enough to stir you up. Who am I ? I’m a new creature in Christ Jesus. Old things have passed away. All things have become new in my life. Glory to God!

It’s in Him that we are made righteous. The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21…

2 Corinthians 5:21, 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.

In Him I an the righteousness of God, and so are you. Am I saying that you’ve arrived, that you’re perfect? No, I’m not saying that. I’ve been in this thing for 14 years, and I haven’t arrived at perfection yet. And I haven’t met anyone who has. Have you? I don’t think so.

I am merely agreeing with what the Bible says about anyone who is in Christ Jesus. He is a new creature and He is on the righteousness of God. I’ve tried so hard to be righteous and several years and failed miserably. I worked at it so hard. I read my Bible , I pray on a regular basis, I go to my church every time the doors are open. I want to feel like I’m righteous, but the devil was always there to remind me of my issues and problems, no matter how hard I try.

But once I discovered that the Bible says I’m the righteousness of God in Christ, thin I had some ammunition to use against the devil. When that feeling of unrighteousness and unworthiness would come over me, I could just close my eyes and say…

Father, I thank you that I am a new creature in Christ. That this old life passed away, and all thing have become new for me. Thank you Father, that You made Jesus to be sin for me, so that I could be made the righteousness of God in Him. And Father, according to Colossians 1:23 I have been made fit and worthy to be a partaken of the inheritance of the Saints in light. I am in Christ and I am righteous in Him. Amen

When we do that we may start off feeling down in the dumps, so to speak, but then the good feelings come, as we speak these things. This is a form of prayer. Some people would call that confessing the word. I’m ok with that, but I call it a prayer of encouragement. This is how we encourage ourselves in the Lord. And it’s something we ought to do every single day of our life,

David was greatly distressed. He wasn’t feeling very good about things. He was no-where near the mountain top. This was one of the lowest points of his life. The people blamed him for their wives and church being taken. Fear was trying to close in on him. But what did he do?

It says that he encouraged himself in the Lord his God. He stirred himself up in God’s faithfulness. Sometimes we’re the only ones available to encourage us. And after he did that he was able to make some good decisions that turned the situation around.

We have to get ourselves out of the place sometimes, the place where we can’t think straight, and into a place of peace. How do we do that? We have to encourage ourselves in the Lord our God. In His word, in His promises. This is also the method by which we walk and live by faith. Are you in a low place right now?

Are you in the valley? Find out who you are in Christ, and use that to get back up to the mountain top.

If we stay are this path and follow Gods way, we will not allow the devil to speak into our lives.