Where is Your Hope?

As I reflect on the very recent past presidential election, viewing, listening and processing all that is being communicated relating to the out come of the election, one question comes to mind, Where is your hope?  So many have placed their hope in an imperfect man, not attributing this statement to any particular candidate but rather a fallible human being. Psalm 118:8 (NKJV) "It is better to trust in the Lord, than to put confidence in man."  and yet with this election many are behaving as if our very lives depend on the elected president. Yes, one who sits in the position of president has some power, but indeed not all power, and isn't sovereign of all America, for the word of God says in Proverbs 21:1(NKJV) "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, like rivers of water, He turns it wherever He wishes."  The Lord God, is the only one sovereign over America, and all of the earth. Have we become so desperate that we've now misplaced our hope? Hope, which according to Websters Intermediate Dictionary is: 1. to desire something and expect that it will happen or be obtained, 2a. desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment b. someone or something on which hopes are centered c. something hoped for.  Have we become so desperate that we dare to give a man that type of power concerning us?  Where is your hope?  In the place of the much expressed anger, disappointment, and fear, which are evidence of the misplaced hope, noted in Romans 5:5 (NKJV)  opening with; "Now hope does not disappoint..." have we made the president our hope for a life of abundance, and we are now disappointed?  My hope is that we will take a pause to see in whom or what we have placed our hope, and it is also that we will come to a place of repentance and to our knees, praying.  Psalm 71:4&5 (NKJV)  "Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man 5. For you are my hope, O Lord God, You are my trust from my youth."  Let us put our trust in our only true hope, which will never disappoint, The Lord our God, who is faithful forever & ever.

The Beginning of Wisdom

Today as I ponder the bible scripture Proverbs 9:10 (NKJV) "The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." one of the attributes of God comes to mind, omniscient. God is omniscient; all knowing, there is NOTHING he doesn't know, how absolutely amazing. When I think on this truth allowing it to soak deep into the fibers of my being I get goosebumps. God knew from the beginning what to create, how to create, why he would create, and for what period of time his creations would last. There isn't a question that we could ask him, which he couldn't give an answer to.  I find myself in complete awe thinking of his greatness, and that fear of him is only the beginning of wisdom. This is a reverential fear of his all mighty power, knowledge, and presence, that makes me want to come closer and learn more of him. This is the beginning of learning how to relate to and with God through diligently seeking him. The closer I come to God the more his wisdom is poured out onto me. Romans 11:34 " For who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? His wisdom is not that of books, a teacher, school or training, but simply who he is, and he is wisdom. When we take hold of this truth we will have come to the beginning of Wisdom."

Revering God

 Have you thought about how hectic your schedule can be? Sometimes your
schedule is so hectic you barely get a chance to eat, at least not a nutritious and satisfying meal. At the end of those busy days you're either so tired you simply want a bath and a bed to relax in, or you're yet in motion preparing to do it all again tomorrow.
To accommodate your hectic life, you've grown accustom to things such as: fast food,  instant coffee, speed dating, speed walking, fast travel, speedy information and so on. Have you also grown accustom to speedy or instant Christianity? Do you feel the need to get in and out of church service fast? or quickly run off a routine prayer without any thought? Do you take time to pray over that fast food or are you to much in a rush to take time and thank the Lord for your meal and ask his blessing over it?  I'd like if you'd ponder these questions a while. Take a Selah moment.
Have you allowed for your life to become too busy for God?  Maybe it's your job, your friends, hobbies, fashion sense & the love of shopping or your social life that has consumed your life, so much so that you take the time to truly think about the goodness of God, and all that he has done for you. Maybe thinking about his goodness concerning your whole life would take to much of your precious time, but how about meditating on his goodness towards  you today alone.  Maybe there were some tragedies or accidents he allowed you to avoid today, or a bacteria floating in the atmosphere that he didn't allow it to attach itself to you, maybe he protected your loved one whom you love dearly and would be devastated to hear of hurt or harm coming to them, maybe your employer had a list of employees to lay off, but the Lord moved on their heart not to put your name on that list; as he granted you favor with your employer, or could it be possible he allowed for that layoff so that you could step into a more rewarding position?  I don't know what wonderful things the Lord has done for you today, but one of the most wonderful thing he has ever done for us ALL is, John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life."  God the Father sent his only begotten (Holy)Son, into this wicked, sinful world to save us.  It is this awesome truth which you and I need to take hold of and sit with from time to time, that shall bring us to a place of truly revering the Lord God Almighty. Proverbs 9:10 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Might it be, that if we did this more we could discover and understand of how to rest in him, putting aside the day to day rat race?

Whose Report Will You Believe?

We have so many varying reports in our life time. We have reports from teachers 1Corinthians 2:16 "For who has the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? but we have the mind of Christ."

regarding school performance which at times result in believing  we are not smart enough, or were unable to learn therefore should not expect a promising future, but God's report says in
We get a report from our doctor saying that we are sick and with that, the doctor may say "there is nothing more that can be done." which is contrary to God's report written in Isaiah 53:5 "but he was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed." Whose report will you believe?  We have the news reports, telling us we rank  number one, two, three and so on as the murder capital in the nation, their report says we are doomed unless the right president or other government officals are voted in office who will bring us a plan of rescue from destruction. God's report says in 2Chronicles 7:14 "if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." The system of this world which operates under the sway of the God of this world who is the Father of lies and in whom there is no truth, will always give false reports. So it is again that I ask you, whose report will you believe? Will you believe the report of faultering, selfserving men under the sway of the God of this world? or will you believe the report of one who loves you with an everlasting love, who has invested everything in you? John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever beieves on him shall not perish but have everlasting life."  I tell you the truth, God's report is so much more appealing than the worlds, and his report is true. Romans 3:4 "...let God be true and every man a liar..."  I pray that we shall stand saying in agreement, " We shall believe the report of the Lord!

Remember Who You Are

Often times you go through, days, weeks, months, years, life, with busyness, while operating from a place of defeat instead of victory which is part of your inheritance. It is written in Ephesians 2:6 "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus." It is in him that you have victory over every situation and circumstance you face. You are not under any circumstance nor at its level,  you are always above. Do you not know or remember God's promises to his children? The problems, difficulties,and trials you may face are allowed by God to produce something  good. James 1:2-4 says "My Brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials.3)knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4)but let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." Don't allow yourself to be so busy that you forget who you are,who you belong to and the promises to you, his child. You are seated in Christ in the heavenly realms of victory. and no weapon formed against you shall prosper. Remember to live like a victor not a victim.

In The Light

The world is seeking answers to the chaos, turmoil, and anger that rages among the nations. There are programs and more programs, added and removed. There are old laws and new ones being added, new government officials, new science, new studies, and research going on each day, and yet the nations rage.
Psalm 2:1-5 "Why do the nations rage and people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, ""Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us."" He who sits in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in his wrath, and distress them in his deep displeasure."
All of the newness has not brought much positive change to a rapidly deteriorating society. Will it be the next president or government leaders and officials who will fix all of the brokenness of our society? or maybe the next program, the next march for justice, or the next riot?
What is sadder still, is that the answer is right in front of us,in plain view all about us. The answer being so simple and yet human logic cannot comprehend it. The world gropes in darkness for the answers which can only be found in the light.
John 8:12 "Then Jesus spoke to them again saying, ""I am the light of the world, He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."" 
It is ONLY in the light that we shall discover the answers we so desperately need and search for, but for now the nations continue to rage, as we cast away the cords, drifting further and further from the light.

Sunshine and Rain

Just as the sunshine and rain are part of the changing seasons of nature on the earth. They too are apart of the changing seasons in our spiritual dwelling.
The sunshine and rain work together bringing growth in the natural and spiritual. When there is too much rain, it drowns the crops, causing them to die.Psalm 147:8 "Who covers the heavens with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, Who makes grass to grow on the mountains."  In like manner when exposed to too much sun the crop becomes scorched, wither and die. Praise God! for his providing proper balance of both. In this we learn to appreciate the sunshine and rain.
If things always went well just as you planned for your life. You would more than likely become very comfortable and complacent with your situations, not having need or desire for anything more, giving no thought to God. As the saying goes "out of sight, out of mind." The truth is, God is never really out of sight. It is simply that you ignore his presence. Romans 1:20 & 21 "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21)because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened."
It is often life's storms with the pouring of rain which send you crying out and running to God for shelter and safety, just as a young child seeking the safety of it's parent(s)  Proverbs 18 :10 "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous run to it and are safe."   If not the rainy storms of life, then the extreme intense heat that sends you seeking refuge from  exhausting, extreme discomfort, which drains your life, leaving you dry, unproductive, and as a corpse. Matthews 13:6 "but when the sun was us they were scorched, and because they had not root they withered away."  Hopefully this will shift your perspective regarding the weather changes you endure. Leaving you to appreciate more the changing weather conditions, praising God for the sunshine and the rain in both natural and spiritual seasons.