Hope In The Word Of God

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

 Beloved, the  main purpose of the written Word of God is build our hope, so let us meditate on it day and night.

• But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31)

•  Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Galatians 6:9-10)
• We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19)

• The LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. (Psalm 147:11)
• God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10)

May the God of hope fill you with all 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)

Hope Protects Us From Shame

"No one who hopes in You will ever be put to shame" (Psalm 25:3)

Shame - a painful emotion caused by consciousness of guilt, shortcoming, disappointment. 

Hope - to expect with confidence.

When our hope is in anything or anyone besides the Lord there is a possibility that we can be disappointed. Isaiah 49:23  promises us that “Those who hopefully wait for Me will not be put to shame.”

"And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."(Rom 5:5)

This hope does not depend upon, our love and obedience for God; but the love of God for us. Beloved knowing that God loves us will keep us hopeful that God is working things out for the best. Let us continue to hope in the Lord because we will NEVER be ashamed.

There Is Hope For Your Future

"There is hope for your future," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 31:17)

Despair, depression, and fear cannot reign in our lives beloved, God has declared that there is hope in our
future.

When we have hope, we can confidently expect positive outcomes in the circumstances of our lives.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."( Jer 29:11)

Beloved, God has a plan for us and a future and a hope is part of that plan.We do have something to look forward to, things will turn out for the best.Surely our expectations will not be cut off.

Bible Study: The Wise and Foolish Builders (Part 1)

Key Scripture:

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:  and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.” (Matthew 7:24-27)

The wise man builds his house on the rock while the foolish man build his house on sand. When the wise man hears the word; he combines it with faith and builds his life on it, he is resistant to the elements (winds, rains, floods). The elements (wind blew) beat against the house seeking for it to fall.Things and people who come to oppose you are simply looking for you to fall, but when your foundation is on Rock will not fall.

What makes a wise man wise?
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What is wisdom?
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There are 3 basic types of rocks:

Igneous Rocks
 Igneous rocks are crystalline solids which form directly from the cooling of magma. This is an exothermic process (it loses heat) and involves a phase change from the liquid to the solid state. Igneous rocks are given names based upon two things: composition (what they are made of) and texture (how big the crystals are).

Sedimentary Rocks
In most places on the surface, the igneous rocks which make up the majority of the crust are covered by a thin veneer of loose sediment, and the rock which is made as layers of this debris get compacted and cemented together. Sedimentary rocks are called secondary, because they are often the result of the accumulation of small pieces broken off of pre-existing rocks.
 
Metamorphic Rocks
Metamorphic eocks get their name from the words "meta" (change) and "morph" (form). Any rock can become a metamorphic rock. All that is required is for the rock to be moved into an environment in which the minerals which make up the rock become unstable and out of equilibrium with the new environmental conditions. In most cases, this involves burial which leads to a rise in temperature and pressure. The metamorphic changes in the minerals always move in a direction designed to restore equilibrium. Common metamorphic rocks include slate, schist, gneiss, and marble.

After reading the character of each rock, let us see how we can fit it in the parable.

Igneous people - lose their fire or passion when the heat (trials, challenges) come.
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Sedimentary people-  build with the opinions of others (rubbish), not the truth of the Word.      
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Metamorphic people - can withstand pressure, are flexible and become better because of the challenges they face.
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We can conclude that we just don't build on any type of rock. In any building the foundation is the most important part, it must not be cracked.

1 Corinthians 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16:17-And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also to you, That you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Jesus declares "I will build my church" you must allow Jesus (The Word of God) to build you.

The Word comes to build and strengthen us.We are His temple. How will you apply this lesson to your life?
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                                                     TO BE CONTINUED

What Do You See?

“The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.”(Jer 1:11)

The Lord wanted to know what Jeremiah was looking at naturally and spiritually, so he checked Jeremiah’s focus to see if any adjustment was needed. Jeremiah, however, had the right focus, he was seeing the branch which represents Jesus Christ.

“Looking to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith”(Heb 12:2).

Since we tend to go in the direction we are looking, what we focus on is important.Therefore instead of focusing on setbacks, trials and challenges, let us keep our eyes on Jesus.

Beloved let us SEE:

•  The promises of God coming to fruition in our lives.
•  Our-self  whole.
• The provision of God.
• The power of God.
• That all is well.

Who Told You That?

And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” (Gen 3:11).

When Adam told God that “He  was naked”; God knew immediately that Adam was listening to another voice. The serpent had talked them into disobeying God, so they hid from the Presence of the Lord.

Do not be deceived beloved,who you listen to do influence your behavior, so pick your sphere of influence carefully. Words are creative, so they can shape the course of life in a negative or positive direction.

I ask you beloved:-
Who told you that you can’t make it?
Who told you that you are beautiful and smart?
Whose voice is shaping your destiny?

Beloved let the Word of God be the most influential voice in your life and allow it to order your steps.
“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.”(Ps 119:133)

Where Are You?

“But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?”(Gen 3:9)

When God asked the question “Where are you?” it was not because God could not find Adam but God wanted Adam to locate himself and be aware of where he was. God wanted to help him.

 When you know where you are, then you will be able to get directions to where you need to be. For Example, if I am lost and call for help I must be able to say I am at XYZ Street between ABC Avenue. In order to get the necessary help I need otherwise I will spend my life wandering aimlessly.

 I ask you beloved:

Where are you emotionally?

Where are you financially

Where are you spiritually?

Where are you physically?

Beloved, not only does God sees where we are, but He sees where we can be.

What Is It?

“When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the LORD has given you to eat.”(Ex 16:15)

Before eating the substance that fell from the sky, the Children of Israel inquired what is it? hence the name Manna which means what is it?

“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Col 2:8). Paul admonishes us that we should allow anyone to stuff their opinion and philosophy down our throats unless it is proven as truth in the word of God.

Before swallowing opinions, philosophy, doctrine, revelation or anything unfamiliar we should inquire, what is it?

We should always inquire of the Lord; never just assume we know the answer. God did not mind telling them that it was bread for them to eat.
^" My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” ( Hosea 4:6) Beloved, God’s desire is for us to have knowledge, so we should not be afraid to ask; what is it?

What’s Wrong With You?

The angel of God called to Hagar from heaven. He asked her, “What’s wrong with you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid, because God has heard the voice of the youth where he is.”
 (Gen 21:17 ISV)

Hagar was so despondent when she ran out of the water and bread that Abraham supplied, she absolutely broke down. Abraham had been her source so long she was unaware of the True Bread and Water.

God revealed Himself  as El Roi which means ” God who sees me” He asked what is the matter, what is bothering you, what’s wrong? God was saying that He was her source and she has no reason to be afraid.

God revealed Himself to her and then opened her eyes to see the water that was already provided. Hagar was refreshed after this and realized there was no need for her worry. El Roi is in control.

Beloved, nothing should cause us to worry because we serve a God who not only see us but He hears our cries.
Jesus asked “Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matt 6:27)

What If?

“What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?” (Gen 18:24)

Abraham asked a merciful God  if  He would sweep away a city. Abraham’s “‘what ifs” kept getting smaller and smaller as he interceded; God could have saved every single person in Sodom. We should not allow what we can envision to limit our possibilities because all things are possible with God.

‘What if ” is a question we often ask ourselves but most of the time it is always something negative. Today, let us practice to make “what if” a positive thought. For example, if you have a dream to open a business don’t  allow fear to tell you what if it fails? Instead let faith say what if the business is so successful that I could open a franchise and hire more people?

Beloved we serve a limitless God, so let us take the limits off and THINK BIG!

When Shall My Time Come?

“…When shall I come and appear before God?” Psalms 42:2

  God has given us dreams and promises, but He does not tell us exactly about the timing, so we often wonder when will the promises of God come to pass.When God’s timing is taking too long we are tempted to become frustrated, depressed, disappointed, and impatient.

David was wondering; when will his time come. He wanted an opportunity to ask God some questions about his life. David became downcast and depressed because he stopped hoping and trusting in the timing of God. He was leaning on his own understanding.

 David said, “I trusted in, relied on, and was confident in You, O Lord; I said, You are my God. My times are in Your hands.” (Ps 31:14-15) David began to trust and rely on God, he realized that God is the owner our times and our seasons. David was no longer wondering “When? When? When?” because he placed his time in God’s hands.

Beloved, do not lean on your own understanding, but trust in the Lord; “when we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God, in due time, He will exalt us.” (1Pet 5:6)

“Due time” is God’s time, it is when God is ready, not when we think we’re ready. The sooner we understand this,the quicker God can work His plan in our lives.

 Beloved, instead of focusing on when will this? Or when will that? Let us trust God and His timing.