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Hope is more than wishful thinking or pipe dreams. True hope is a realistic expectation of some future event. True hope extends beyond the present circumstances into the future. It reveals to us the reality of what is yet to be. Some say it is a "handle on the future." True hope not only shows us the future, but allows us to touch it in some ways. It gives us reason to plan and prepare for the future, by showing us the reality of what will eventually be realized.
The invention of radar has given us the ability to peek over the horizon and detect the presence of objects that are beyond our normal view. Hope and faith make up our own personal radar. Hope and faith allows us to look beyond the limited view we have of our present circumstances and see that something is there for us just beyond the horizon. Radar works by detecting the echo of the radio signal it sends out. The signal bounces off the distant object and the radar sees something is there. The signal our personal radar of hope and faith sends out is our prayers. God's promises to answer our prayers is the echo our personal radar detects. By this we know that something is there for us even if it is out of sight at the present time. "We live by faith, not by sight." 2 Corithians 5:7 (NIV) "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1(NKJ)
As I looked down into the valley from the peak of Turk Mountain,
I prayed to God. Not a prayer of praise or thanksgiving for the
view before; me but a prayer of questions about what I could not
view. Why could I not see my prayers being answered? Why could I
not see some sign that God hears my prayers?
As I prayed, I felt the Spirit of the Lord guide my gaze
to the valley below; and a question formed within me;
"What do you see?"
"From here everything"; I answered.
Another question came; "And if you were in the valley
what would you see?"
"Only what was within my immediate area"; was my answer.
Then in my heart appeared a truth as beautiful as the
mountainous view that was before my eyes. I could not see
God's answers to my prayers because I was trying to view
His handiwork from the valley of human understanding.
If it were possible for me to stand on the mountain of
God's infinite knowledge and wisdom then I could see
clearly that God was hearing my prayers and busy working
out the answers.
As I thought about this, I realized that it was possible
to stand on such a mountain. That mountain is faith in God
and His Word. Faith in that God does what He says.
He hears our prayers:
"For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and
His ears are open unto their cry"
Psalms 34:15
He answers Our prayers:
"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you;
seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be
opened unto you." Luke 11:9
As I climbed down Turk Mountain that day I climbed up the
Mountain of God. A mountain built on faith in the promises
of God. A mountain from which I have a view more beautiful
than from any earthly mountain.
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While outside one summer evening, I noticed a crow sitting on a power line. I asked God; “Would it be wrong for me to ask for a sign from you? Such as you causing that crow to fly down and land on the ground in front of me?” The first thing that came to my mind was the scripture “An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign“ ( Matthew 12:39) But the Lord did not answer me that way. Instead He said; “Let me ask you a question. If I don’t give you a sign will you stop believing my promises?” I answered “No I would still have hope in your promises.” The Lord replied “Then there is no need for a sign if my word is enough. Besides it is this hope that motivates you to prepare for and work toward receiving blessings from me. This hope also builds faith, patience and endurance. If I were to give you a sign, you then would have no hope. For as Paul said “Hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently." (Romans 8:24,25) God was telling me that my hope in his promises was the only sign I needed to help me wait patiently for his promises to be fulfilled.Return to Contents
The encyclopedia Britannica describes noise as any undesired sound, either one that is in itself objectionable or one that interferes with other sounds that are being listened to. We live in a noisy world. Not just in terms of unwanted sound but in terms of unwanted distractions to the life we desire. Everyone desires peace in their lives; but the demands of modern life forces us to be exposed to undesired and objectionable interferences which come in the form of problems, disappointments, sickness and sin to name just a few. Just as acoustical noise drowns out sounds we should hear, these noises of life submerge the blessings we should enjoy. For when we are busy with the cares of life we are unable to hear the voice of God. As God tells us in His Word; "the worries of this life choke the word (of God), making it unfruitful." (Mark 4:19). And; "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with the anxieties of life." (Luke 21:34) We get away from noise by finding a quite place. Likewise to get away from the cares of this world we need to make time to be quite before the Lord. "Be still, and know that I am God." (Psalms 46:10). And "Be silent. All flesh, before the Lord!" (Zech. 2:13). By doing this we place ourselves in an environment where we can receive all that our loving God desires for us. For God does not shout to us over the noise. The prophet Elijah went to the mountain to meet God. There he experienced the noise of high wind, earthquakes, rocks breaking apart and fire. But God did not speak to him with this noise, but instead spoke in a "still small voice." (1 Kings 19:12). Life requires that we live in a noisy world. But; "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: . . . a time to be silent . . .". (Eccl. 3:1,7). There is a time to be silent, and to be silent before our Lord. If we want true peace from this noisy world we can find it in the quite time we spend with our Lord.
Someone is calling you, calling late at night. While you lie upon your bed, and your spirits quite. He's silenced by the busy day, while you work and play. But in the quietness of the night, listen as you pray. While you seek direction, wondering which way to go. Someone is trying to lead you; let Him touch your soul.
As I walk on the beach I see God's grace written in the sand. Waves wash the beach clean like Christ's blood does for me. Like God's blessings, the grains of sand can't be counted. Waves shape the sand like God's power shapes my life. The sea breeze moves the sand like the Holy Spirit moves me. There is more sand and grace visible during low tide. Much sand makes great beaches, like much grace makes great lives. But there is a point where this comparison fails. A storm can carry away all the sand. But there is no storm that can carry away God's grace.Return to Contents
Computers run the risk of being infected with a computer virus. To combat this, computers use an anti-virus program to search out, find, identify and remove computer viruses. Like the computer the Christian runs the risk of being infected with a virus. A virus of sin. A virus will often go unnoticed until it has done its damage. Viruses spread beyond the initial infected area until the entire host is infected. Viruses also are often spread to others. So it is important for the Christian to cleanse themselves of these viruses daily. An anti-virus program is needed for the Christian as well. The first step in an anti-virus program is to search for a virus infection. The program does the searching not the user of the computer. Likewise the Christian needs to go to God in prayer and ask Him to make the search and find any infection of sin. "Search me, 0 God, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me..." Psalm 139:23-24 When a Christian takes the time to get quite before the Lord, and pray that God will search the heart and mind, He will do it. He will find what the Christian may have overlooked or ignored. The Lord will ". .bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the heart.. ." 1 Corinthians 4:5 The second step in the program is to acknowledge the infection. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins . . ." 1 John 1:9 The third step is the removing of the infection. Again from the verse above "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." I John 1:9 There is a forth thing that a good anti-virus program does. It continuously monitors the computer and all the incoming data to prevent a virus infection. For a Christian's program to do this he/she needs to do as David did. 'Thy word have l hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee(God)' Psalm ll9:11 As a Christian reads and studies God's Word he/she becomes more aware of God's will , power and provision. Sin will lose its power to infect the Christian. There is no reason for a computer to become ineffective or useless because of a virus, when there is an anti-virus program available. Likewise there is no need for the Christian to become ineffective or useless because his/her life has become infected with sin. For God has an anti-sin program that works.Back to the top of this section
At the head of mountain trails are signs warning hikers
to stay on the trails and not to wander from them.
The signs warn that hikers may become lost or injured if
they leave the path.
Christians have a similar warning; "Consider well the
path of your feet, and let your ways be established and
ordered aright. Turn not aside to the right hand or to
the left; remove your foot from evil."
Proverbs 4:26,27 Amplified Version
The mountain trails are marked and posted with warning
signs for the protection of the hikers. The Bible marks
the way and post warning signs to guide Christians safely
along the path of God's perfect will for the Christians'
life. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my
path." Psalm 119:105 NIV
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During a discussion about life, my friend said to me "You can't win!" In Ecclesiastes King Solomon stated a similar view: "I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind." (1) But Ecclesiastes concluded with this statement from Solomon: "... the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear (reverence) God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man." (2) What is the duty of man? "...Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment."(3) Our duty and purpose in life is to have a loving relationship with God. What could be more valuable than to obtain our true purpose in life? True success is not measured by what we obtain, but by the value of what we obtain. The Bible warns us: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (4) Yes we can win! It was won when Christ paid the penalty for our sins by His death, making a loving relationship with God obtainable. ............................................................... 1. Ecclesiastes 1:14 2. Ecclesiastes 12:13 3. Matthew 22:37 4. Matthew 6:20
"Do it now!" What does someone mean when they use the word "now" in that way? With a little imagination we can visualize the letters in the word "now" as standing for the words "No Opportunity Waiting". By expanding that thought farther we can come up with the phrase "No guarantee that another Opportunity will be Waiting." So when someone says "You should do it now" they are saying "You should do it at the present time because you may not have the opportunity to do it later." In the Bible the word "now" is used in this way in reference to our need to response to God's offer of salvation through Christ. "Now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation!" We are warned that God's "Spirit will not contend" with us forever over the issue of salvation. Our time is limited. Therefore we should "Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near." You should do it now!
My Dear Child, good to see you today. I just came by to send a gift your way. Just look into the face of a friend around, and there you will see my gift abound. I've sent you a piece of Heaven from above, by surrounding you with a friend's love.
Below are some Bible verses that are important to me, and an explanation why they mean so much to me.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are
just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things
are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if
there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think
on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
I use this verse as a checklist to help me keep my
thoughts on things that lift up my life.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will
help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand
of my righteousness.
Isaiah 41:10 KJV
From this verse I receive the knowledge that God is
there to make me strong and to give me the aid and support
I need.
Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any
way to do evil.
Psalm 37:8 KJV
Often the Lord must bring this verse to my mind, because
I often have the desire to "get even" or strike back at
someone. This verse has kept me from getting into a lot of
trouble.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9 KJV
This promise from God's word gives me the hope that
when I fail Him, that I can come to Him and receive
forgiveness and be set free of the problem as well.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast,
unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is
not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians 15:58 KJV
This verse encourages me to be strong and
confident in my service to the Lord, because
this service is accomplishing something.
And let us not be weary in well doing,
for in due season we shall reap, if we
faint not.
Galatians 6:9 KJV
This encourages me to be patient and to persevere in
my service to the Lord because it will lead to results
at the right time.
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art
thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for
I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my
countenance, and my God.
Psalm 42:11 KJV
The entire Psalm 42 is a favorite of mine.
It reminds me that God has brought me through every
problem I have ever encountered, and has given me reason
to praise Him and be thankful. Therefore when new problems
come into my life I know the same will be true.
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever.
Isaiah 40:8 NIV
In a world that is constantly changing and where
nothing is permanent, I am encouraged by this verse.
For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that
neither death nor life, nor angels nor
principalities, nor things impending and
threatening nor things to come, nor powers,
Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation will be able to separate us from the
love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38,39 Amplified Version
I know from this verse that my relationship to
the Lord is sure and lasting.