House of Hope

Have you ever wondered what you would name your house?  Would it be called Crazy House, House of Sadness, or maybe The Disaster Area?  I’m thinking all of us believers can name our houses The House of Hope!  Doesn’t that sound exciting and comforting?  What enables us to carry such a nametag for our homes?

In our society today hope is sort of a half-hearted wishing, not sure of the basis.  There is no anchor…or the anchor of the hope is a marriage, a job, children, or money….the list of “things” our world puts its hope in goes on.

Our hope has an anchor…our Rock…JESUS.  We live in the light…the confidence…the joy… of God’s promises and provisions.  Christians never have to live in the “between”…hovering between hope and doubt.

Our hope is based in the Word of God that we know to be true.  Titus 2:13 (NLT) … while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.

The basis of our hope is the confident expectation of Christ’s return.  This confidence is the foundation for the believer’s response to all of God’s promises.  In other words, every area of our lives is touched by the promises of God and therefore, every area of our lives is lived in hope and joy and peace.

Here are some Biblical truths that establish our hope:

One – Failure Doesn’t Eliminate Our Hope. Remember Peter?  Jesus told Peter that he was getting ready to fail and deny His Lord before the rooster crowed the morning’s beginning. 

Luke 22:33-34 (NLT)
³³ Peter said, “Lord, I am ready to go to prison with you, and even to die with you.”
³⁴ But Jesus said, “Peter, let me tell you something. Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.”

Luke 22:56-58 (NLT)
⁵⁶ A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him. Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”
⁵⁷ But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”
⁵⁸ After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!” “No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

John 21:15 (NLT)
¹⁵ After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

Peter found himself forgiven and trusted.  For Peter and for us personal failure does not eliminate us from our personal relationship with the Lord or from serving Him.  The promise of God that gives us hope is the truth that God is in the business of restoration

    Two– Mistakes We Make Are Not Permanent.  Yes, there are consequences that do not change in this earthly world, yet hope and joy result from our response to any to any mistakes we have made.  Peter gives us another example for living with our mistakes with hope and confidence, Luke 22:62 (NLT) And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

Peter was broken hearted over the sin he had committed…and it is godly sorrow that brings us to repentance and changed life…this Biblical truth is what gives us hope and confidence

  Three – We Can Make Good Choices.  God has given us the ability to make responsible decisions.  Through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives God gives us His strength to live in a godly way and that gives us hope and confidence.

    Four – GOD IS GOOD.  Our hope is based in the knowledge that God’s goodness is at work in all our circumstances. Hold on to these Scriptures:

1 Peter 1:3-6 (NLT)
³ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation,
⁴ and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
⁵ And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
⁶ So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.

Romans 8:28 (NLT)
²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

When life seems to scream, "Look how bad it is!" God replies, "Look how good I am!"

How good is He? Good enough to make us like Jesus. Romans 8:29 (NLT)
²⁹ For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

God’s plan is for all believers to become just like Jesus….what could be better than this?  Hope is our byword …we know whose we are and who we are becoming!!

    Five – FOCUS ON THE ETERNAL THINGS.  Our life with God in Christ is permanent and eternal…this is the under-girding of our hope.  Keep your perspective on your journey’s end.  Our hope lies in our future. God gives us the journey and He gives us hope for the journey – rest in Him.

Romans 15:4 (NLT) Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

Name your house…The House of Hope!

Joyfully,

Yvonne

Page by Page

I really like reading biographies….they always make me ponder how my biography would read.  We are all telling a story – and as a Christian believer my life story – my biography – is really His Story in me.

The Prologue of my story is simply growing up in a Christian home and a Christian church.  The story really begins when at the age of 11, I accepted Jesus as my Savior and asked Him into my heart.  Since I am now 70 my book has a lot of chapters.  Each day more is added to my story and I love the fact, that although I know the wonderful ending of my biography, there is always something happening as Jesus writes His Story on my life pages.  Ever-changing, always continuing…this is a terrific book!

    He is a gatherer of fragments, a cobbler of pieces.  Piece by piece he tells a story without end, for in the time of this world no end can come.  It is the story of eternity’s shining… (This Day byWendell Berry)

In My Wake

I was watching a “Hallmark” movie this morning and the actress said, “you never know what kind of wake you will leave behind you”.  She was talking about sailing, but you know that is a true statement about our lives isn’t it?

What kind of wake is trailing behind you?  One definition of wake is the series of ridges that move across the surface of the water after a boat passes. Most boaters have no idea what kind of wake they are creating – it just happens.

Then, another definition of wake is the aftermath or consequence of an event.  That’s what I’m thinking about this morning….being aware of the aftermath of our lives on this earthly planet.  We should not be going through life like a sailboat captain unaware of what the water looks like behind us.  No, we should be very conscious that the life we live – day by day – leaves a footprint – effects others who meet us casually and those who know us intimately. 

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT)
¹⁴ “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.
¹⁵ No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
¹⁶ In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

A Lot or A Little?

I've been thinking about contentment.  I've been hoping that my life mirrors Paul's when he says,
Philippians 4:11-13 (NLT) Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. ¹² I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.
¹³ For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

The lesson God gave me today is this - learning to be content with a lot or a little is a matter of perspective.  Either I look at my life circumstances from my own perspective or from God's. You see I'm truly content with downsizing into a garden home, but where would my faith be if I downsized into a studio apartment?  PERSPECTIVE....looking at life from God's point of view. 

Made me realize...my "little" is a lot for so many.... one car/no car; fixed income/no income; family not close by/no family that cares....Get the picture?  Thank you God for Your lesson on perspective!

Perk Up The Wardrobe

My niece graciously sent me two fun scarfs to spiffy up my wardrobe...got me to thinking about my spiritual attire.  Am I dressing stylishly...is Jesus looking on my spiritual wardrobe and smiling?  Glad God gives us a wardrobe plumb line to evaluate our Christian journey.

Colossians 3:12 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Hmmm... I might need to a little "dry cleaning" on some of the things I'm wearing!

Willpower, Is That the Answer?

I am struggling with living a healthier lifestyle … food seems to call my name (those little M and M men sit on my shoulder…and now there are sooo  many flavors!) and I can’t seem to hear the call of the treadmill.  So, I’m thinking I have no WILLPOWER.

It got me to thinking, why do I want or need willpower…perhaps it is not a good thing.  Seems to me that willpower can be defined with this acronym:

W ishful thinking

 I  njecting my wisdom

 L iking my plan

 L ifting up my own power

 P ride

 O penly telling God I’m doing it my way

 War of wills…mine or God’s

 E xcuses ruling each day

 R eign of compromise in my life.

Here’s what I’m thinking. The only way a Christian can make needed changes, mature, and grow is to keep focused on Jesus….the things of Christ… day by day, moment by moment; when we do that, the Holy Spirit draws us to spiritual things and away from the flesh and the material things.  I will never become spiritually mature if I depend on me and my willpower…on what I can accomplish.

What is the opposite of me exercising my willpower?  Me depending on God – Me looking to God for guidance and power – Me recognizing my weaknesses and limitations.

I need HIS POWER not mine. HIS WILL not mine.  HIS WISDOM not mine.   My struggles make me realize that my surrender, trust, and commitment to my Almighty God lead to growth and needed change in my life.

Galatians 3:3 (NLT) How foolish can you be? After starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?

 Joyfully,

Yvonne

Pondering the Psalms

Want to quit worrying about your life's concerns? Psalms 37 gives us four practical steps to take:
1. Trust in the Lord... He is sufficient to take care of you and your needs and concerns

2.    Delight in the Lord.... Get to know Him more and more and ENJOY the relationship you have with Him

3.    Commit Everything You Do to the Lord.... Yes, surrender every word, every thought, and every action to His will

4.   Be still and Wait Patiently for the Lord to Act....Remembering God is Sovereign and has perfect timing!

No more worrying just experiencing joy and peace!

Contentment

As a Christian I am learning to be content with my life - AS IS!  I love learning  to be satisfied with my life's circumstances.   I realize that contentment is not the result of being able to add to my list of wants but of being able to subtract from them. 

Just Give me Jesus!

The news about the death of Robin Williams has touched a lot of lives.  Sadly his suicide reminds me that possessions, money, success, talent… none of these last forever and they do not sustain our earthly lives, especially when illness is involved.  What does sustain us in daily living? For me, my answer is this: JUST GIVE ME JESUS!

We are to live in HIS FULLNESS daily. We are upheld, nourished, supported, assisted ,sustained, and guided by the completeness of our Lord Jesus. 

Colossians 1:19 (NLT)  For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ,

When we are filled with Jesus, we are able to keep everything else in our lives in a realistic perspective.  It is Jesus who gives every day living significance and richness.

John 1:16 (NLT)  From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another.

Jesus gives a life full of joy and peace in spite of any circumstances we are experiencing.

John 15:11 (NLT)  I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

John 16:33 (NLT) I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

We live in the fullness of Jesus as His nature is developed in us by the Holy Spirit.   All that Christ is, the very fullness of His being, is given to us who believe—all His "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). We are complete in Him.

We are able to be filled with Jesus Himself and live in His fullness by living in The Basics.  We are Filled When:
First – We Immerse Our Self in His Word.  Read Scripture; read devotionals; listen to sermons. Read and listen to God’s word with a desire to understand and meditate on it.  Don’t have a “got to get this done” attitude.  Look at these suggestions – maybe pick one :

·         Read through the Bible in a Year (no, you do not have to wait ‘til Jan.)

·         Read one of Paul’s letters per month by reading one chapter a day.

·         Read through the Gospels over and over ….keeps Jesus’ time on this earth close to your heart

·         Keep a journal…lessons learned; questions to ask; blessings you are receiving

Second – Accept God’s Word as Absolute Truth. Spiritual truth can only come from the Word of God – no other teachings will bring you into a closer, personal relationship with God Almighty.

Third – Obey what you read and hear from God’s Word. Just knowing God’s Word without application is worthless…oooh, does that hurt to hear? Listen to Paul, 1 Corinthians 8:1 (NIV) …. We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.   It’s application which brings us fullness.

Fourth – Spend Time in Prayer. We cannot consistently do the first three …read, listen, apply… unless we stay in a constant state of prayer.
I repeat, for me, JUST GIVE ME JESUS!

Psalm 34:10 (NLT)  Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.

Joyfully,

Yvonne

Isaiah 50:4 (NLT)
⁴ The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.

If you and I are going to have tongues that delight, rather than condenm, control, consume, corrupt and compromise ….then we must meet with the Lord each day and learn from Him. We must get our "spiritual roots" deep into His Word. We must pray and meditate and permit the Spirit of God to fill our hearts with God's love and truth.

Let me suggest that we start using the "Twelve Words That Can Transform Your Life." (Warren Wiersbe) If you use these words and sincerely mean what you say from your heart, you will find that God will use you to be a blessing and encouragement to others. There are only twelve of them, but they work.
"Please" and "Thank you." When you use these three words, you are treating others like people and not things. You are showing appreciation.
"I'm sorry." These two words have a way of breaking down walls and building bridges.
"I love you." Too many people read "romance" into these words, but they go much deeper man that. As Christians, we should love the brethren and even love our enemies. "I love you" is a statement that can carry tremendous power.
"I'm praying for you." And be sure that you are. When you talk to God about people, then you can talk to people about God. Of course, we never say "I'm praying for you" in a boastful way, as though we are more spiritual than others. We say it in an encouraging way, to let others know that we care enough for them to meet them at the throne of grace.

God can use our tongues to direct others into the way of life, and to delight them in the trials of life. The tongue is a little member, but it has great power.
Give God your tongue and your heart each day and ask Him to use you to be a blessing to others.

Hot weather and humidity...reminders that I'm so glad my ultimate destination is not HELL!  Thank you Lord for reminders ... it's good to remember where I am headed!