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The Gift of Hope

December 9, 2021 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

(This post about the Gift of Hope is the second in our new series on Unwrapping Christmas: Gifts From Jesus.)

Hope. It’s a word we often see at Christmastime on decorations, ornaments, and in Christmas cards. We hear it in Christmas songs and hymns. And this Christmas– almost two years into this new life with Covid— it stands out as a special, treasured, and even coveted promise of God.

We hope. And we long for hope.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…. (Ephesians 1:3)

Like this verse mentions, and Cheli said in the introduction to this series, Jesus has given us innumerable blessings. One of those blessings is hope.

Let’s unwrap that.

What Is Hope?

Years ago, I did a study on the English word hope. I found that some researchers say, etymologically speaking, that the word is closely tied to the word “hop.” The idea is that hope makes one lean forward expectantly, moving forward with a leap of certain belief, toward something positive and wonderful. Hope. Hop. As a visual person who loves words, this image made total sense to me. I never saw the word hope the same way!

Look closely at the idea of what hope entails:

It is expectant
It moves forward
It takes leaps (a mark of trust)
With certainty
With belief (both from the head and the heart)
Toward something positive and wonderful (God)

Easton’s Bible Dictionary expounds on hope, saying: “Hope is an essential and fundamental element of Christian life, so essential indeed, that, like faith and love, it can itself designate the essence of Christianity.”

“So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)

I love the words above from Easton. He refers to the three Christian virtues mentioned in the verse from 1 Corinthians – faith, hope, and love. These three are so fundamental to Christianity, that if you stripped them away what’s left would be unrecognizable. After all, what on earth would our religion (our relationship with Christ) look like if we didn’t have hope? Hope is tied so closely to faith, I might propose that if you loosened the knot of hope, the string of faith would unravel.

Have you seen someone lose all hope? And then lose their faith? (Of course, one could argue that they might not have had true saving faith in the first place, but that is another discussion.)

Hope is crucial to a forward movement. Without it, we would spiritually stall and wither.

There’s something beautiful about hope; like faith and love, hope can grow. As we use it, practice it, rely on God through it, it strengthens and develops. (Because He works that growth in us!)

How Is Hope “Spiritual?”

Though it isn’t listed as a “spiritual gift,” hope is indeed a gift that is given to us by God. We were “saved in hope:”

²³Not only this, but we ourselves also, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves while we await eagerly our adoption, the redemption of our body. ²⁴For in hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, for who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, we await it eagerly with patient endurance. (Romans 8:23-25)

And God Himself is the God of hope:

“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)

We have the power to hope when there seems to be no hope. Through this miraculous gift of hope, God gives us comfort. Hope is founded on truth and gives us confidence – because it affirms what we know in our heads and enables us to feel that knowledge in our hearts.

When I was in labor with my youngest child, I was told to walk for one hour. And so I did. My contractions became increasingly powerful but the hour wasn’t up, so I kept walking. When labor grew so intense that I could barely continue, I forced myself to think “One foot in front of the other… one foot in front of the other…” And somehow, I kept moving.

This experience reminds me a bit of the way hope works. When life is at its hardest, hope propels us forward in faith as we remind ourselves that God is safe to hope in. Then, He helps us to put one foot in front of the other and keep going.

3 And not only this, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces patient endurance, 4 and patient endurance, proven character, and proven character, hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3–5)

What Hope Isn’t

Biblical hope isn’t merely a wish. We definitely can misuse the word. As in, “Mommy, I hope I get a pony for Christmas!” But that is the expression of a wish, and that isn’t what hope is. Instead, hope is planted in what’s real and true. (A’hem… Jesus.)

Hope also isn’t a simplistic, unrealistic frivolity that doesn’t take things seriously. No, hope can see exactly how bad the finances are, how serious the health issue, how dangerous the condition, how daunting the task, how impossible the circumstances… and yet still believe and trust in the God who can handle it all.

Hope doesn’t put faith in the things of this world. Hope knows that what’s most important is the unseen God who is working for His glory and our eternal good. Hope looks far forward, past the diagnosis, through the crisis, over the mess, and beyond the fear.

Hope doesn’t go it alone. If all this hope sounds too good to be true, it’s because it is… almost. We can only have hope because of Christ. And as Believers, we have Christ’s Holy Spirit in our hearts. That means He’s with us. We aren’t alone– and He can enable us to hope when hope seems impossible! (See? That hope really is too good, but it’s true.)

Who is the Object of our Hope?

I’ve hinted at this throughout, but true hope isn’t necessarily something we can have apart from God.

As Christians, we place our hope for salvation in Jesus Christ alone. (Remember, we hope confidently, being completely assured of our salvation– as I’ve explained above, this is more than a wish or an uncertainty!)

Yes, we hope in our mighty and loving God for our deliverance, future, provision, and care.

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?” (Romans 8:24)

What’s the Result of Hope?

Hope increases and sustains our faith. As we are sustained in our faith through hope, we continue to look for God’s activity. As we look, we find. And when we see Him working in our lives (or in the lives of those we love and pray for), our faith is strengthened. That makes us hope more! It becomes a cycle with a snowball effect— round and round, growing and growing.

Seeing God at work makes us confident we will see Him work again. We see evidence that He is trustworthy which increases our hope of His work in the future. This matures our faith.

Hope Trusts, Regardless

But what about when we hope for something that doesn’t happen? Or when the prayers don’t get answered in the way we want? What about when we hope for a healing, provision, job, reconciliation, or what have you, and it just doesn’t come?

Hope trusts God, regardless. And that’s when things get hard. Or actually, maybe a better way to look at it would be this: that’s when it gets simple. (Admittedly that doesn’t mean it’s easy.)

Sometimes it’s hard to hope in God– when things don’t go like we planned, or like we wanted. But the simple thing to do is to trust God anyway. Hope is realistic, remember? That means that a true, biblical hope keeps in mind that God knows best. Even when God chooses differently than what we’d like. (If you struggle with this, read Job chapters 39-42. It’ll help your perspective.)

In other words? A hopeful heart is a submissive heart.

Yahweh takes pleasure in those who fear him, the ones who hope for his loyal love. (Psalm 147:11)

Reflecting on Hope

As you reflect on this year, or even the past couple of years, what would you say God has taught you about hope? Has He given you special opportunities to practice it? To rely on Him through it? Thank Him for that.

As we spend the rest of the month focusing on Christmas, I challenge you to remember the fullness of the hope that came those two-thousand years ago. Each time you see a nativity, let it be a reminder to stop and praise God for His innumerable blessings! Praise God for sending His Son, Jesus— the gift of hope to the world!

Merry Christmas,

Ali

His Word Proves True

December 8, 2020 by Jaime Hilton Leave a Comment

Christmas is the only time of year I fancy myself a baker. Almost any other time of year I can acknowledge my own limitations and go with the store-bought goodies. But something about the holiday season calls me to the kitchen to try my hand at homemade treats.

Baking is an interesting challenge, equal parts art, and science. Bread, in particular, fascinates me. When done well, there are few accomplishments as satisfying and delicious as a well-baked bread. However, it can be a huge disappointment if even one small element goes wrong. The most accomplished bakers are brought to their knees by the difficulty of baking a perfect loaf. I’ve watched a lot of the Great British Baking Show, so I know what I’m talking about!

I used to think it all came down to the yeast. A tiny bit of yeast used properly and the dough will double in size. Yeast has to be kneaded; coaxed through and broken down so it will work through the dough.

Yeast makes for an interesting little metaphor. It is used throughout Scripture as a picture of how quickly and thoroughly influence – good or bad – can spread. Jesus taught his disciples that the kingdom of heaven was like leaven (yeast) hidden (or mixed) into three measures of flour (Matthew 13:33) but he also warned them about the “leaven of the Pharisees”:

“How is it that you fail to understand that I did not speak about bread? Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Then they understood that he did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Matthew 16:11-12

“This Bread Will Change Your Life”, She Said

A few years ago I found a recipe for Stir and Pour Bread. It was so simple, the blogger’s three-year-old could make it. I watched him do it on the video. Amazing! I gave it a try and managed to make, not one – not two – but three loaves of bread! Each one was perfect and delicious. Sweet success!

But what about the kneading and the yeast? What about the spiritual analogy??

I don’t know exactly why the Stir and Pour bread works so well. But I know bread, once it’s mixed with the yeast, needs time. That’s the trick. Leaving it alone in the proving drawer for the right amount of time. Unlike other recipes that can be tweaked along the way, once the bread is in the drawer, it’s done. There is nothing you can do to fix it. It either rises correctly or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t rise… well, I suppose there’s always next year!

Give It Time

This has been a long year of waiting. In chapter 18, verse 30, the Psalmist writes “This God — his way is perfect. The word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”

Like bread in a proving drawer (or sitting on the shelf of your counter, like in my house) God’s Word is actively working, even in moments of stillness, to bring about his perfect purpose.

Like bread in a proving drawer, God’s Word is always actively working, even in moments of stillness, to bring about his perfect purpose. #ChristmasTeaClick To Tweet

Christmas is a time when we remember God as the Keeper of Promises. From the very beginning when Adam and Eve disobeyed, bringing sin into the world, God had a plan for redemption and restoration. As He cursed them, He spoke of the rescue plan that was already in motion. “I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15)

But it was thousands of years before this prophecy came true! The people of Israel had to be born, formed into a nation, given a homeland, go through the trials of having a king, and the whole cycle of provision, disobedience, discipline, obedience, and rescue, over and over again. At every step, God reminded them that a permanent solution was coming. His promise would not fail.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;

and the government shall be upon[fn] his shoulder,

and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Then for hundreds of years, the people of Israel waited for the Messiah in silence. No more prophecies came until at last, a barren, elderly couple and a young, unmarried woman, heard good news from an angel. Jesus was born and God’s Word proved true. “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you” Romans 16:20

Simple Stir and Pour Bread

Here is the recipe I use to bake bread (it’s from The Heavenly Homemaker) Whether you’re an awesome baker or a mess in the kitchen like me, I hope your baked goods remind you that God keeps His promises!

Ingredients

4 cups whole wheat flour (I use freshly ground hard white wheat)
2 teaspoons active rise yeast
2 Tablespoons sucanat or sugar or honey
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 egg (optional)
¼ cup heavy cream (optional)
2 cups warm water

Instructions

Stir all ingredients together.
Cover and allow it to sit for 30 minutes.
Pour contents into a well-buttered cake pan or 1 well-buttered 9″ loaf pan.
Bake in a 425° oven for 20-25 minutes (cake pan) or in a 350° oven for 45-60 minutes (loaf pan) or until evenly browned.

Notes – If you have egg or dairy allergies, skip the egg and cream and you’ll still turn out a great bread.

Anchored by Hope: Series Wrap-Up

August 28, 2020 by Jennifer Hong Leave a Comment

This month on Do Not Depart, we have been considering what it means to be Anchored by Hope, to have our hope planted in the character of God and the truth of the Gospel rather than our ever changing circumstances.

We began the month asking, “What do you hope in?” and looking at the image of an anchor, designed to protect a boat from drifting away or from crashing into danger. A well-designed anchor becomes set firm when it is pulled against, just as our hope, when anchored in Christ instead of our circumstances, will hold true.

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 6:19-20)

With a look at Esther’s story, Ali reminded us of God’s sovereignty. “Even in the most dire situations, and even when our limited human perspective just can’t see it, God is working His good and perfect plan!”

Jaime showed us that, “like Joseph, we are looking forward with hope. Not in the dreams God has placed on our hearts, but in God himself, who never leaves us.”

When we see God’s faithfulness and goodness in our past, we can relax in the present and look to the future with hope. Lisa pointed us to the last verse of Psalm 23:

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23:6)

In a beautiful depiction of hope bursting through despair, Cheli said, “in his darkest hour, Jeremiah remembers God’s enduring presence, unfailing love, and abiding faithfulness.”

Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
(Lamentations 3:21-23, NIV)

God, making all things new, brings new mercies and refreshing provisions when they are most needed. His transformative grace is renewing us, to worship in the fullness we were created to.

That grace is our hope for both forgiveness for our sins but also victory over sin. As Kelli shared, “We can either 1) focus on ourselves and our sin (setting our minds on things of the flesh) or 2) focus on Jesus and all that He has done on our behalf (setting our minds on things of the Spirit).”

He Will Deliver Us

As my husband and I talked about stories of hope in the Bible, he reminded me of the hope held by Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When confronted by King Nebuchadnezzar over their refusal to worship idols and threatened with death in a furnace, they answered,

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. (Daniel 3:16-17)

They were confident in His deliverance, and yet their faith extended even further, beyond the specific outcome for which they hoped.

“But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:19)

May our hope be likewise deeply grounded in the goodness, sovereignty, and faithfulness of our God who is the giver of all good things.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

Hope for Overcoming Sin

August 25, 2020 by Kelli LaFram Leave a Comment

Fed up, tired, ashamed, hopeless — these are just a few of the emotions I experience when I’m dealing with this one nagging sin that I can’t seem to kick to the curb. We all have one, right? One sin (maybe more than one if we’re honest) that we just can’t seem to get a handle on. A sin that rears its ugly head every time we think things are going well. A sin that reminds us how weak and inadequate we are.

For me, one of these sins is gluttony. My particular “lust of the flesh” comes in the form of my desire to over indulge my taste buds — to completely refuse to exercise any self-control and eat until my belly hurts and my head is hanging in regret. Food: it’s the addiction I don’t know how to quit.

Now, before you start to think this post is about my sinful relationship with calories, let me make it clear that it is not. This post is about our struggle with sin and the hope that we have to overcome it. And let me give you a little hint in how we overcome it: the hope is not found in ourselves, it’s found in Jesus.

We are Death-bound Sinners

Romans 3:23 says “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. We also know that we can’t keep God’s law, because “whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it” (James 2:10). On our own, we are down-right, good-for-nothing sinners. It’s been part of our human-nature ever since Adam and Eve chose to eat the forbidden fruit. We can’t help it. Apart from Jesus, we are each a slave to our sins (John 8:34).

And because we are sinners we deserve punishment. Not just a small punishment either. The Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a). According to BlueLetterBible.org, the original Greek word for death can be defined as “death comprising all the miseries arising from sin, as well physical death as the loss of a life consecrated to God and blessed in him on earth, to be followed by wretchedness in hell.” In other words, death is eternal, everlasting separation from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The Good, Good News

But that isn’t the end of the story. Did you notice the ellipses, the three little periods at the end of the verse I just quoted? The entire verse says “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23, emphasis added). Yes, we filthy sinners deserve death, but God offers us eternal life through — and only through — His son Jesus.

But God showed his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~Romans 5:8

Here is the good, good news: even though each and every one of us deserve hell we don’t have to end up there. There is nothing we can do to save ourselves from sin, but God has provided us with the free gift of salvation — His son living a perfect life, dying our death, and rising again to justify us. All because He chooses to love us.

But We Still Sin

But we still sin, don’t we? Yes, we are forgiven and justified, but we still sin! Struggling with sin is nothing new. Paul wrote about it extensively in Romans 7. He says “For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do” (v 15). In other words, Paul is saying no matter how hard he wants to stop sinning he can’t. Even though he knows the law of God, he can not keep it. And because he can not keep it, he sins time and time again.

Oh, I can relate! Can’t you?

Hope in His Faithfulness

But there is hope! If you take the time to read Romans 7 you might notice that Paul continually uses the pronoun I. The focus of that chapter is himself and his ability (or inability) to keep the law. It is through this focus on self that Paul teaches us that when we rely on our ability to overcome sin we will fail every single time.

Every. Single. Time.

Instead we need to focus, rely, and trust in Jesus.

After Paul confesses that he can not keep from sinning he writes:

“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” (Romans 8:3-5)

Paul is making it clear that we have a choice to make. We can either 1) focus on ourselves and our sin (setting our minds on things of the flesh) or 2) focus on Jesus and all that He has done on our behalf (setting our minds on things of the Spirit).

Let me explain it another way. I’m a food glutton and when I think about all the food I should not be eating, guess what? My craving for those earthly things increases. When I repeatedly rely on my own ability to exercise self-control and deny my cravings, my cravings grow stronger and my self-control buckles under the weight of my desire. This is me setting my mind on things of the flesh.

However, if I choose to set my mind on things of the Spirit it’s a different story. When I focus on Jesus I find strength and satisfaction in Him, not in food. My desire to be a glutton diminishes and my desire to be like Christ flourishes.

There is one verse that I am constantly repeating to myself. It reminds me that the struggle with sin will not last forever. The verse is 1 John 1:9. It says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

What a promise!

Yes, we will sin, but if we confess our sin we can rest and take hope in the promise that Jesus will forgive and cleanse us completely.

Lord in Heaven, you are more good than I can fathom. Your promises are more hope giving than anything I can find on this earth. Thank you for not expecting me to take care of my own sin. Thank you for meeting me in my struggle, forgiving me, and promising to make me clean. Help me to rest and trust in all that you have done and continue to do. Amen.

All Things New

August 20, 2020 by Jennifer Hong 1 Comment

Continuing our series Anchored By Hope, today we consider the hope in God’s promise of restoration as He makes all things new.

Upon returning from our honeymoon, we unpacked our wedding gifts and began to fill our home. I opened some nice knives and filled the knife block. Once I began cooking with those brand-new kitchen knives, it was amazing! They chopped so easily, cut so smoothly. When I used my mother’s well-worn knives again, the difference was marked. My new, sharp knives were one of my favorite parts of my kitchen.

It’s been nearly fifteen years now — fifteen good, and also humbling, years. If a newlywed with her own brand-new knives visited my kitchen, she might be dismayed at the state of my once-sharp knives. I try to sharpen them occasionally, but I have largely given up on adequately sharpening them myself. I had just found a place to take them when the pandemic hit. Soon, I keep telling myself, I will take my knives to the knife-sharpening guy, and they will be returned to me renewed, restored, working just as they were intended to!

New things are nice. They work just as they were made to, and they are full of potential. The Bible is also full of joy over newness — newness with far more significance than kitchen convenience.

In Mercy, the Lord Makes a New Way

We see in the Old Testament that the Lord brings refreshment when the way is weary and surrounded by wilderness and desert. He brings a change, needed provisions, and rest — renewed hope.

Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:16-19)

In Christ, We are Made New

Oh, what hope! Not only does the Lord inject His mercy into our circumstances and our path, but His grace is completely transformative.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. (2 Corinthians 4:16-17)

In salvation, we ourselves are re-created anew and indwelt with His Spirit.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

In His Presence, All Things Will be Made New

God’s renewal and restoration far exceeds our path and our selves. In the penultimate chapter of the Bible, John describes Heaven:

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (Revelations 21:3)

This beautiful description is the ultimate restoration, our unending peace in the eternal presence of God. Read that phrase again: “the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God.” This is the deepest peace, and it seems that union drives the healing and restoration that follow.

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelations 21:4-5)

Death defeated, life eternal, and all things new. The Creator of all we see and all we that don’t is redeeming it all.

Hope to Worship as We Were Made To

When I read these passages together, I am filled with hope. I see that the Lord is active in my life and my day, bringing new mercies each morning (Lamentations 3:21-24). He is restoring me, restoring His Church, restoring broken relationships, broken people, and broken lands.

When I finally get my kitchen knives sharpened, it’ll be glorious. They will cut easily and chop smoothly and work just as they were made to. Life in the kitchen will be just a bit better. Imagine what it means when we are restored, when we are just as we were made to be. In the heaviness that may surround us today, do not lose heart. “Our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). Renewed and restored, we, too, work just as we were created to. We worship, we love, and we forgive.

We are being made new. All things are being made new. Thank you, God, for that Hope.

3 Ways to Hope in God’s Goodness

August 13, 2020 by Lisa Burgess 20 Comments

I know she’ll be here soon. I purposely set one chocolate kiss in the glass candy dish in my kitchen. She’ll look there.

I want to be a good grandmother. When my 2-year-old granddaughter comes to my house, I want to give her treats and make her happy. For her, that includes chocolate. (Chocolate makes me happy too.)

But I also don’t want to ruin her appetite for real food or make her sick from too much junk food.

What is actually good?

When Things Look Bad

2020 has good things in it, to be sure. God is still here, still with us.

But by most measures, 2020 is one of our craziest years. It’s been easy to lose hope from week to week.

We can’t feel totally safe from the coronavirus even in our previously good activities.
We can’t talk sanely about sensitive issues with some of the good people we once talked with.
We can’t even trust ourselves to not occasionally lash out in frustration or to not give up in hopelessness.

None of us can live up to always being “good” (Psalm 14:3).

What about God? Is God angry at us this year? Is He holding out?

We once knew the right answer to this call-and-response:

“God is good all the time. And all the time __________.”

But what about now? Is God still good?

3 Ways to Hope in God’s Goodness Again

1. LOOK TO THE PAST

When we get confused in the present, one way to reorient ourselves is to look back to the past. Who has God been to you in the past? God is not an unknown factor.

God reveals Himself to us again and again in good ways. And His character never changes.

If we’ve ever had anything good happen in our lives, we can be assured of its source: God.

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”
James 1:17

If you’ve ever found forgiveness, received grace, been blessed, you’ve seen God.

Remember God’s goodness in your past.

2. RELAX IN THE PRESENT

When we remember that God is goodness itself, it changes our narrative about the present. Regardless of what is happening to us right now, while maybe not always pleasant, we are still safe in the hands of the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).

It doesn’t mean there won’t be problems. It doesn’t mean there won’t be pain.

But God gives the needed sunshine and replenishing rain to all of us; He doesn’t play favorites (Matthew 5:45).

“The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.”
Psalm 145:9

When we believe God is always good, never bad, we can more easily relax in the present. We can depend on God’s goodness, not our circumstances, other people, or ourselves, to give us what we need. We can trust God will always provide the best for us (Matthew 6:33-34).

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:11

It’s who He is.

3. HOPE FOR THE FUTURE

Maybe we can’t see the path yet for a bright future or a successful ending to a saga we’re in. But God can.

And because God is good, we can safely get our hopes up.

“Surely there is a future, and your hope will not be cut off.”
Proverbs 23:18

One verse never to forget is the final verse of Psalm 23. Perhaps you memorized it as a child or an adult. If not, memorize it now to cling to in hard times:

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23:6

It was true in King David’s lifetime; it is true in our lifetime.

We will eventually move past the hard time we’re in, even if it takes awhile. God’s goodness assures it.

God’s goodness has been with us in the past, is with us now, and will be with us forever.

Good Things Always Come

After my granddaughter ate her chocolate kiss after lunch (okay, technically it was after breakfast), I had to leave the bowl empty for awhile. It was for her own good. She checked back periodically. Still empty.

But the next day? I had added another chocolate kiss to the bowl. I want her to trust that good things will always come, just maybe not as quickly as she may want them. I also want her to count on my goodness both for her well-being (not TOO much chocolate) as well as for her delight.

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!”
Psalm 34:8

We too can keep looking for God’s goodness around us. We will find it. God wants and has planned good things for us (Jeremiah 29:11). God is good all the time.

And all the time, God is good.

Don’t lose hope.

Don’t lose hope. Keep looking for God’s goodness around you. Good things always come. #AnchoredbyHope

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How has God been good to you even in 2020? Please share your thoughts in the comments.

For more hope in God’s goodness:

• 3 Ways to Find the Good in God [Article]

Has God been good to you? Here are 3 things you can do to find out.

• God’s Promises [Infographic]

Sometimes we forget to hope because we forget God’s promises. God’s promises for us are good. Here’s an infographic to remind you of His goodness.

Hope in God’s Good Purpose

August 11, 2020 by Jaime Hilton 1 Comment

I had a really clear picture of what this year was going to look like. Projects were lined up. Wheels were in motion. My long held dream of working as a director was coming true.

Then everything shut down.

Rehearsals were cancelled. Shows postponed. We held our breath waiting for normal to return. I cried with my children over our broken dreams. We prayed and talked about God and how He is good. About how he brings good from the bad and beauty from ashes. How He is our rock, the anchor holding us fast through the storms of life. Things started to open up again. We made some plans. Then everything shut down again and our dreams were dashed a second time.

Now Joseph had a dream…

Joseph was the 11th and favorite son of Jacob (whom God named Israel). Genesis 37 tells us that Joseph tattled on his brothers and that his father gave him a robe of many colors, a very costly gift. Neither even endeared Joseph to his older brothers. In fact, verse 4 says, “they hated him and could not speak peacefully to him.”

In this context, Joseph has his first dream.

“Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more. He said to them, ‘Hear this dream that I have dreamed: Behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and behold, my sheaf arose and stood upright. And behold, your sheaves gathered around it and bowed down to my sheaf.’ His brothers said to him, ‘Are you indeed to reign over us? Or are you indeed to rule over us?’ So they hated him even more for his dreams and for his words.” (Genesis 37:5-8)

I can’t help but notice, Joseph shares his dream, but it is his brothers who do the interpreting.

The Bible doesn’t tell us at this point if Joseph knows what his dream is about, but it’s not hard to imagine what a 17 year old shepherd might expect his life to look like. His family is wealthy, and though by birth order he is next to last, perhaps he will take his father’s place as head of the family some day. Not a bad future to look forward to.

His brothers had a different idea. They threw him in a pit and sold him into slavery. What was going through that young boy’s mind as he made the long journey from his home to Egypt? Did he watch his dreams fade away with the landscape and grieve over what would have been? Could he hope in the future he’d been promised when his present looked so bleak?

Interpretations Belong to God

In chapter 39, the Bible picks up Joseph’s story again. He is a slave in the household of Potiphar, an important government official, and he is doing very well.

“The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master.” (Genesis 39:2)

A few years have gone by and the young shepherd enjoys the trust and favor of his boss. Here we get a glimpse of Joseph growing in maturity as a man of integrity and faith. The lady of the house tempts him, but Joseph resists, both out of respect for the man who has been kind to him and honoring the God of his people. Potiphar’s wife accuses him and he is thrown in prison, but again, God is with him.

But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. (v. 21)

After a time, two of Pharaoh’s officials are thrown into prison with Joseph and each have troubling dreams.

At this point in his life, Joseph could not be further from the dreams he had as a boy. There might have been a chance to return home, as a successful, favored servant of an important government official. But not now. Not from prison. But Joseph is not bitter or broken. He recognizes God as the author and interpreter of dreams. “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell them to me.” (Genesis 40:8)

He has learned that though his own dreams have not yet come to fruition, God has never left him.

Joseph remembers the dream

Years pass. Joseph is eventually remembered by the cupbearer, and is given an opportunity to interpret Pharaoh’s dream, which is a warning of the famine coming to the land. Pharaoh elevates him to governor and gives him a wife because he sees that Joseph is filled with the Spirit of God (Genesis 41:37). Joseph sets to work again, storing up grain, planning for the future. He gives his two sons Hebrew names, showing that he has not forgotten God or his people.

The famine reaches Canaan and Joseph’s brothers travel to Egypt to buy grain. As they kneel before the great leader, second only to Pharaoh, unrecognizable from the brother they sold into slavery so many years ago, Joseph remembers his dream (Genesis 42:9).

I doubt very much that 17 year old Joseph knew all along that he was going to rise to power in Egypt. There must have been moments along the way where he wondered what it was all about it. But over the course of his life, the many ups and downs, from the pit in Canaan to the palace in Egypt, Joseph learned to trust in God, not the dream.

God’s Good Purpose

“But Joseph said to them, ‘Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today’.” Genesis 50:19-20

Summer is in full swing but fall is quickly approaching. Our community is opening slowly, and like Joseph, we are looking forward with hope. Not in the dreams God has placed on our hearts, but in God himself, who never leaves us.

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present 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 in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

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Hoping in God’s Sovereignty

August 7, 2020 by Ali Shaw 1 Comment

What does it mean to be Anchored By Hope because God is Sovereign? This post explores the hope found in the sovereignty of God.

“God Is Sovereign.”

Once, during a moment of very deep personal grief, a friend said those words to me. Tears welled in my eyes, threatening to run, yet again, hot, down my cheeks.

“Yes, God is sovereign,” I echoed.

Those words brought me comfort… but why? Why can God’s sovereignty anchor us in the hope of Christ Jesus?

The easiest way to define God’s sovereignty is that, ultimately, He is in charge. He has the right to do whatever He decides is best, and He has the power to accomplish His will.

Knowing that He is always good, and that He is love, helps us see that whatever He decides is best is best— for our eternal good and for His glory. And even when things are hard (or even terrible), knowing that we are in good, loving, and capable hands brings comfort. Even in the most dire situations, and even when our limited human perspective just can’t see it, God is working His good and perfect plan!

Esther’s Story (In Fast Mode)

There are so many beautiful stories of God’s sovereignty in the Bible. The heroes of the faith all lived out displays of God’s perfect and knowing sovereign love.

But it’s Esther’s story (and the story of her people) that I always think of when I’m reflecting on God’s sovereign nature.

If you’re familiar with the Book of Esther, you remember that Esther was elevated into the position of Queen (but with no real ruling rights) in the Persian Empire, some time after the Jews who’d been held in captivity there were set free to return home. Yet, many stayed behind; Esther and her uncle, Mordecai, did just that.

Long story (very) short, the arrogant, controlling, and temperamental king, Xerxes (under the influence of his evil official, Haman), made an edict to eradicate all the Jews in his empire — which were effectively all the Jews. This would have wiped out the hope of the coming Savior: Jesus Christ! (No Jews, no Mary, no Jospeh, no census, no trip to Bethlehem… you get the idea.)

After fasting, which (Biblically) implies the seeking of God through prayer, Esther courageously approached the king at the risk of her own life.

Esther could have hidden her Jewishness and sided with the Persian world around her. She could have escaped with her life while her people were destroyed. But, she chose her side and then made it known. She identified herself as a child of God and revealed her true Jewish identity to Xerxes.

In nothing short of a miracle, God used an ordinary girl to stand as a mediator for her people… allowing the Jews to live and the true enemy, evil Haman, to be defeated. Because all the Jews were not wiped out, the line of the Savior was protected and Jesus would later be born.

At many points in this story things looked bad. Horrible, actually! For God’s children, there seemed to be absolutely no hope and no escape from the world around them. They were controlled and surrounded by an evil, invincible, dominating power. The Persian kingdom was vain and foolish, and it was incredibly dangerous.

No hope, no escape? Vain? Foolish? Dangerous? Hmmm… those things don’t necessarily sound like only ancient history, do they?

God is Sovereign

Esther’s story is remarkable, not only because she was so brave (which she absolutely was– let me give credit!), but also because of the main character in the story– the One who is never even mentioned in the book: God!

The Book of Esther reveals a powerful, loving God working actively behind the scenes. Yes, Esther was brave, but God’s mighty hand of Providence was orchestrating all the details to save and give victory to His people through her obedience.

Esther’s story serves as a reminder to us, living in the modern world. Our world may be a mess– it may be hard, sad, unjust, confusing, and dangerous– but God is good. And He is working behind the scenes to orchestrate just the right details to give eternal victory to His children.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Our good and loving Father is so patient with us. He wishes for none to perish, but for all to come to know Jesus as Lord. And interestingly, the confusion and pain experienced in this world presents us with a unique opportunity to point others to the hope and victory found in Christ alone.

Just as God worked in Esther’s story to bring about His good and perfect will, He will work in our lives.

The deep and very personal grief we experience? He is sovereign.

Our hurts and pains? He is sovereign.

The uncertainty that makes the way seem impossible? He is sovereign!

There is nothing too big for our God to handle!

Yes, God is sovereign. And because of that, because he is working “all things… together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” we can be anchored by hope! (See Romans 8:28)

How does knowing that He is sovereign give you hope today?

How does the fact that God is Sovereign give us hope and comfort? Just as God worked in Esther’s story to bring about His good and perfect will, He will work in our lives. #AnchoredByHope #HopingInGodsSovereignty

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In Him,
Ali

Anchored By Hope

August 4, 2020 by Jennifer Hong 4 Comments

In the midst of a year characterized by uncertainty, let’s take the month of August to anchor ourselves in a hope that does not disappoint. Our circumstances may ebb and flow or may completely rock us, but in Christ we are securely anchored by hope.

A few years ago I was listening to a friend of mine give a sermon on the topic of hope. I was sitting in the cry room with a toddler messing about at my feet and an active infant in my lap. My preschooler was in the sanctuary with my husband, but he had spotted me through the cry room window and was clearly negotiating to join me there. Given the chaos around me, I will admit I now recall few details of that sermon. But one moment stands out. While straining to listen over the babbling of the children literally crawling over me, I heard my friend Brandon pause and ask directly, “What do you hope in?” No joke, clear as a bell something in me responded, “Bedtime. My hope is in bedtime.”

True Hope

I chuckled, outloud, because it was somewhat true. I would find myself multiple times a day with frayed nerves thinking, “It’s all going to be okay. In a few hours, they will go to bed, and I will be okay.” I was in the thick of the “short years / long days” season, and though I actually missed the kids when they were sleeping soundly, I also desperately needed the quiet time to collect myself. And yet, on the way home from Church that morning, I knew there was more to it than an introvert’s need for a few minutes of silence.

“When all feels chaotic, when I am afraid that I am failing them at every turn, when I am not sure how to comfort three of them at once,” I asked myself, “is my hope in bedtime? Or am I resting right then in the blessed assurance that the God of the Universe is right here with me? He knows exactly what is needed.” Am I missing the opportunity to be securely anchored by a true hope?

Grounded

Am I white-knuckled clinging to my to-do list? Or am I looking to the Holy Spirit for in-the-moment guidance? Am I holding my breath until the circumstances change? Or am I abiding in the life-giving breath of God, Who calms the storms and stills the winds? This summer, is my sense of hope tied to my confidence in our leaders, to graphs of reported data, or to the One who reigns forever?

As people, our hope can easily become tied to the ever-changing circumstances around us. But as Believers, our hope is rightly grounded in Who God is. It flourishes when we focus our hearts on Him. He is good, righteous, sovereign, and faithful. Our hope rests in the knowledge that He is making all things new. He is making us into the likeness of Christ and reconciling us to one another in the Spirit.

Anchored, Firm and Secure

The author of Hebrews tells us that we may be encouraged because, “we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19a, NIV). We have this anchor of hope, he says, because Christ entered behind the temple curtain into the Most Holy Place ushering those washed in His blood into the presence of God (Hebrews 6:19-20, Hebrews 9:1-14, Matthew 27:50-51). That’s the game-changer. His blood and righteousness mean I have access to the throne of God. That’s hope.

Do you know how an anchor works? An anchor is substantial, heavy and solid, sinking into the seabed. It becomes even more effective when resistance is applied. When a force pulls against the anchor, it is designed to dig deeper, becoming more secure. Thus grounded, an anchor protects a boat from drifting away or from crashing into nearby rocks.

Friends, I may have read more news in the past five months than I did in the previous decade. And it certainly is prudent to know what’s happening around us. Let’s check our anchor, though. Where is our hope? I love this sentence from a boating article titled “How to Anchor Securely:” “We know of no way to ensure that your anchor will hold other than by pulling on it hard.” Pull hard, and be assured. Hope anchored in Christ holds true. Join us in a month-long blog series as we explore what it means to be Anchored by Hope.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

May the God of Hope Fill You

February 20, 2020 by Jennifer Hong 2 Comments

This month, we are studying Benedictions of the Bible. Today, we’ll look at Paul’s words of blessing to the Roman church: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13).

A friend recently asked for suggestions for a lecture on chronic disease. My first thought was, “Hope. Tell them hope is a huge part of healing.” The 9 years since I developed frequent migraine headaches have been punctuated by seasons of hope and seasons of discouragement. Over the years, my source of hope has shifted.

The Unexpected Relationship Between Suffering and Hope

A few years into this journey, I read about Elisabeth Leseur, who spent her life in physical pain. I was captivated by the sanctifying effect of her suffering. I began frantically flipping through my Bible, finding my way to the fifth chapter of Romans.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

While I had long believed that this season of multiple migraines a week would be limited, my hope began to grow new, deeper roots. There was much goodness to be had in this season of awaiting full healing, and it would mine. “God, may I not escape this season of pain without abundant blessings of spiritual fruit that come through suffering.”

My soul was fed by the promise that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). My hope gathered more strength from the promise that my pain would be redeemed than by the anticipation of its cessation.

Deeply Rooted Hope

When the seven-year mark passed, I grieved that little had substantially changed with respect to my migraines. Spiritually, I found myself drawn to the compassion of Christ towards those who sought healing (Matthew 14:14), and I was awed by the promises Christ makes about prayer (John 14:13).

I never imagined I would still be dealing with this pain nine years later. But over nine years, I have seen hope grow, rather than wither. The roots of my hope, initially fed by “this will surely pass,” deepened into the richer soil of “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). The focus of my hope grew from “I hope this pain stops soon,” to “I expect this will not last. Irrespective of how I feel today, I am confident that my path is in the hands of God, entirely sovereign and entirely good, full of compassion and grace. The difficulty of today is a part of something good.”

God of Hope

As Paul expresses in his letter to the Romans, our God is the God of hope, and hope flourishes by the power of the Holy Spirit.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Romans 15:13

Today, I have not had a migraine in seven weeks. That’s a dramatic change from three headaches a week. I’m reeling in wonder. To step into bright sunshine without the repercussion of pain is a joyful novelty. This new freedom also feels a bit vulnerable. “What if the relief does not last? What if the migraines return?”

In a dry spell last summer, I lost new plants I had added to our landscaping in the spring. Their roots were still superficial, dependent on frequent showers. They had not yet grown sufficiently deep to sustain them through drier periods. My hope is in part fed by superficial roots that feed upon favorable circumstances. Such roots are vulnerable to seasons of drought. However, when the roots of hope reach deeper down to living water from the God of Hope, our hope is not vulnerable to circumstances. That hope flourishes regardless of circumstance.

Irrespective of how I feel tomorrow, I am confident that my path is in the hands of God, entirely sovereign and entirely good, full of compassion and grace. Our God redeems pain.

Does your hope run dry? Receive the joy and peace that God has in store for you.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” (Romans 15:13)

Christmas Carols: Joyous Truths and Adoration

December 19, 2019 by Jennifer Hong Leave a Comment

This post continues our series Symbols of Christmas, a look at the symbols that point us to the Biblical truths of Christmas.

The Christmas Eve service is my escape into wonder. Familiar carols and Scripture usher me away from the flurry of festivities and into quiet adoration. “Gloria in excelsis Deo,” my heart joins in worship, “Glory to God in the highest.” Even then, reflective moments are fleeting for this mom of four as my preschooler begs to “help” hold the candle. I send up prayers between verses, “Please God, don’t let us catch the church on fire.”

Hymns for my Harried Heart

In the midst of busy days, hymns and songs of worship are my year-round tool of choice for taking captive my anxious thoughts and focusing my heart on that which is lovely (2 Corinthians 10:5, Philippians 4:8). I turn to hymns like Come Thou Fount to tune my heart to Biblical truth and to lead me into worship.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Christmas carols do the same, declaring truth and inviting us into wonder and adoration. The distractions of this season are so many and so loud. Of all our Christmas traditions, it is the carols that I reach for when I feel my anxiety rising as life spills over with gift lists and holiday events. In the Advent weeks preceding Christmas, I lean into songs to bring my heart back into focus on our Savior. For the Advent season of anticipation and preparation, my favorite hymn is “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”

Light in the Darkness

As Ali discussed earlier this month, Christmas is the story of light piercing the darkness.

“In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:4-5)

“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” acknowledges the darkness in which we await the light with hope. In contrast to the airy melodies of many Christmas carols, the minor key of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” embodies the weight of its lyrics.

I read a few verses aloud this week and invited my children to hear the elements of both sadness and happiness in each verse.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here,
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Jesus is Emmanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23). Not only with us in eternal glory, He was born into our world and comes to us now, in the midst of our loneliness.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory o’er the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.

Jesus is the Rod of Jesse, the living shoot from Jesse’s family tree when it was but a stump, no longer with a king on Israel’s throne (Isaiah 11:1). He is victorious over death, triumphantly redeeming his own (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Where all appears lost and dead, Christ brings life.

Each verse names Jesus as our salvation from darkness and then breaks from its yearning melody into bright exclamation, “Rejoice!” While solemn, the hymn is defined by hope, inviting us to rejoice with expectant hope for the promised Savior.

Redeeming Grace

In a few days, our voices will join across heaven and earth, proclaiming the arrival of the Light that dispels all darkness, declaring, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let Earth receive her king!” In the candle-lit sanctuary, between hushed negotiations over who holds the candle, the eyes of my heart will fix upon Jesus, “Son of God, love’s pure light.” His birth, indeed, marks the dawn of redeeming grace. Redeeming grace — that is the story of Christmas.

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
radiant beams from Thy holy face
with the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!
Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth!

What Christmas carol are you most drawn to right now?

Which carol speaks needed truth to you?

Play or sing a carol as you fix your eyes on Jesus today. Here’s a list to get you started.

Christmas carols declare truth and invite us into wonder and adoration. They can bring our hearts back into focus on our Savior. #SymbolsOfChristmas

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Draw Near, Hold Fast, and Take Care (Hebrews 10:19-25)

July 31, 2019 by Patti Brown Leave a Comment

Today we come to our final verses in the passage from Hebrews 10 we have been studying all month. And boy are these verses packed!

We start with a little look back over our shoulders at what Jesus has done for us, then we move on to the future – how ought we to respond as followers of Christ who have been blessed so abundantly?

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus, by the new and living way that he opened for us through the curtain, that is, through his flesh, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. – Hebrews 10:19-25

Since We Have…

The beginning of Hebrews 10:19-25 reflects back on the themes the author of Hebrews has already been addressing in chapter 10. It’s as if he is saying, “Hey guys, remember we discussed that we have…”

Confidence to face God! Jesus’ death on the cross allows us to no longer need a human intermediary offering sacrifices, but instead we can go straight to God Himself.
A great high priest! The Greek word used in this verse is sightly different from the word used for high priest in most passages. This word might even be translated “kingly priest.” Jesus is the ultimate high priest, the Lord of all the high priests, the fulfillment of all priestly roles.

We have received these precious gifts, now the question is, how shall we respond? The author of Hebrews gives the answer using three “let us” verses.

Let Us Draw Near

Unlike Old Testament times, God’s people no longer need to keep their distance from Him! We are called to draw near…

… with a true heart in full assurance of faith – A true heart is a sincere heart, nothing put on for show. John said “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth” (John 4:21). This is the kind of sincerity God is looking for. We can be sincere because we are confident in God, like a little child who is confident her father can help her with anything she asks.
… with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience – Like the sprinkling of blood on Levitical priests to purify them (Exodus 29:21), we have had our hearts “sprinkled” with the purifying blood of Jesus Christ. Our consciences can be clear. “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” (Hebrews 9:14)
… and our bodies washed with pure water – There are multiple levels to this: an allusion to the ritual washings of Old Testament law, and to baptism, but on a visceral level I think we can understand this easily. We have been refreshed and cleansed, inside and out, by the power of Jesus’ sacrifice. We have been purified, and offered a new life!

Let Us Hold Fast

“hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” – Hebrews 10:23

Hope is a funny thing – it can be easy to lose can’t it? Perhaps that’s why the author of Hebrews gets descriptive for us. We are to hold fast, and not waver in our hope. I picture myself holding on white-knuckled, because indeed, that has been my reality in certain seasons. The world, and people in my life, have sought to disrupt my hope. But God has been abundantly faithful to me. He has never disappointed me, and my hope in Him has never yet been shown to be misplaced.

As W. Robertson Nicoll says, “The promises of God are necessarily the ground of hope (Hebrews 6:12.) These promises cannot fail, because God cannot lie. (Hebrews 6:18.)”

Let Us Stir Up One Another

We draw close into God (draw near), we hold on tight (hold fast), and finally we are asked to remember and encourage each other.

“let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works” – God uses brothers and sisters in Christ to grow one another. Some versions translate “stir up” as “provoke” and I am sure we can all recall a time when we felt provoked in church! But passion does not have to come from negativity. As Believers we can’t just look to meet our needs by drawing close to God, we must also look outward, loving and serving those around us, and helping each other persevere in service.
“not neglecting to meet together” – We were created to be a family, children of the living God. It is part of our personal growth, and our call to love and serve, that we must continue to fellowship with other Believers regularly
“encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” – Everyone needs encouragement. It is our responsibility to be the source of that encouragement for our brothers and sisters in Christ. Knowing that Jesus will return is not the reason we do it, it is merely a reminder that we may not be complacent in this!

As we conclude our study of Hebrews 10 this month, today’s passage provides us a lovely and simple thought to meditate upon: Draw near to God, hold tight, and take care of those around you. It is our drawing near that gives us the strength to care for others.

And it is only because of Jesus’ once for all sacrifice that we can even begin. Without His gift to us, we could not draw near to God, and none of the rest would matter. Praise His holy name!

Draw near to God, hold tight, and take care. That’s Hebrews 10:19-25 in a nutshell. #OnceForAll

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Field Tested: Lessons on Living in the Kingdom of Heaven

March 14, 2019 by Cheli Sigler Leave a Comment

Self-righteousness, shallow understanding, sinful abandon— common among sin-sick humanity; detested by God. In a series of parables, Jesus, the Master Storyteller, equates these characteristics with fruitless trees, barren soil, and weeds. Over the next three days, Jesus will teach us field-tested lessons about bearing fruit, cultivating fertile soil, and preparing for harvest as participants in the kingdom of heaven.

Day 8: Repent

Read Luke 13:6-9.

Frustrated with Israel’s pursuit of fruitless, works-based religion, Jesus tells a parable about the need for repentance. The fig tree in the story represents Israel. God, the vineyard owner, is ready to cut down the tree and be done with them. Out of His lovingkindness and because there is no guarantee of tomorrow for humanity, Jesus, the gardener, asks the Father for more time to bring the wayward people to repentance.

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. (Matthew 3:8)

Bible commentator, David Guzik, writes, “We can’t come to the kingdom of heaven unless we leave our sin and the self-life.” Repentance, turning away from sin to run toward God and His purpose, leads us into the arms of the Savior. Jesus greets us with grace and clothes us in His righteousness. Repentance yields a manifest Christ-life. For a moment, put yourself in place of the tree in this parable. Is there any fruit? What do you need to turn to God for today? Don’t wait for tomorrow.

Day 9: Receive the Word

Read Matthew 13:3-8 and Matthew 13:18-23.

Soil conditions are the focus of The Parable of the Sower, our reading today. Good soil, in the kingdom of heaven, is found in a Believer who submits to the working of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit in his/her life. In this good soil, God’s Word grows deep roots, and produces much fruit. Taking nineteenth century preacher, Charles Spurgeon’s suggestion that every Christian needs a soil test, here is a brief soil assessment based on David Guzik’s commentary on this parable:

1. Is there room in our lives for God’s Word? If not, Satan is more than glad to keep us out of God’s Word.
2. Do we approach the Word with eagerness, only to become indifferent? It is possible for God’s Word to get established with little understanding and faith, but eventually the lack of depth will cause it to wilt away.
3. Do we try to engage in the Word while being distracted by worldly pursuits? Jesus makes it clear we can’t do both; we can’t be fruitful for God while trying to please the flesh.
4. Is your pursuit of God’s will and purpose in accordance with His Word evident in your life? If so, you have good soil for faith to grow deep and take root.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly. . . . (Colossians 3:16a)

In this season of spiritual reflection, may you honor God by allowing His Word to inhabit every area of your life.

Day 10: Persevere in Hope

Read Matthew 13:24-30 and Matthew 13:36-43.

Jesus says, “this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3) Eternity begins when we say “yes” to God and our Savior, Jesus. This being true, Believers participate in the kingdom of heaven while on earth. In today’s parable the children of God (wheat) live alongside the sons darkness (weeds) until Christ returns for His Church.

Knowing this, how should we live? In writing to the Ephesians, Paul answers,

. . . for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true). . . . (Ephesians 5:8-9)

In our struggle with the world, we must continue in good works motivated by love and prompted by faith, tether ourselves to God’s Word, and persevere because our hope is in the Lord. Take confidence in this: God will administer justice to those who belong to darkness, He will harvest His own, and “the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father” (Matthew 13:43).

Lenten Reflection

May God bless you and keep you through His Word and His Spirit during these 40 Days with the Storyteller. As you sit at the feet of The Storyteller, what are you learning about living in the kingdom of heaven? Please share in the comments.

As you sit at the feet of The Storyteller, what are you learning about living in the kingdom of heaven? #LentReadings #40DaysWithTheStoryteller

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New Creations {Wrap-Up}

January 31, 2019 by Patti Brown 1 Comment

This month, in our series “New Creations”, we peeked into the lives of a few of the men and women in the Bible who were transformed when they accepted Jesus.

Beyond the well-known stories of Peter changing from a prideful, impulsive man to a humble, eloquent speaker, and Paul making a 180° life turn from violent anti-Christian crusader to Christian missionary, we find smaller, yet just as significant, caterpillar-to-butterfly stories that inspire.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

Stories like that of Jairus’ daughter, who was literally brought back from the dead to a new life. “When there seems no way possible, Jesus steps in and creates newness. He reaches out to us, His beloved children, and says to us, ‘Child, arise!'”

We can follow the example of Lois and Eunice, whom God used to nurture faith, disciple believers, and spur others on as they followed God’s call.

Nicodemus was humble enough to learn new lessons and accept fresh revelations, even though he was an established Pharisee leader, and most of his peers opposed Jesus.

Just like in Lydia, the transforming work of Jesus Christ in our lives grows in us open hearts, open ears, and open hands.

And Martha, who when she took her feelings about her birther and sister to Jesus, encountered the Truth of who Jesus is, and it changed her heart.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 1:6

As a follower of Christ, you don’t have to rely on your own strength to make changes in your life. God is faithful and loves you, and He will see His work to completion! You, beloved child of God, are a new creation!

God is faithful and will see His work to completion in you! #NewCreations

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Read all the posts in our #NewCreations series!

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Hope for a New Outlook

January 29, 2019 by Jaime Hilton 2 Comments

Sometimes I just want things to be different. I have struggled with my health and self image for so many years that I finally stopped making New Year’s Resolutions about it. After all, what’s the point? I think, maybe, if we lived in a different house…had a better kitchen, a neighborhood with a sidewalk, more time, (fill in the blank with whatever excuses fit the moment)…then change could happen. But deep down I know the problem is not with my home. It’s with my heart.

Change is hard. It’s not a thirty second movie montage set to upbeat music. It’s difficult and painful and it takes so much time!

But there is hope in daily time with Jesus. According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3

Martha, Martha, Martha

Are you familiar with the story of Mary and Martha? Maybe you recall something about having a Mary heart? Growing up I always heard that it was better to be like Mary (which suited me fine – I’m not much of a housekeeper!)

The story goes like this (you can read it in Luke 10:38-42): Jesus and his disciples come to town and stay at Martha’s house. Mary, Martha’s sister, sits at the Lord’s feet (like a disciple – scandal alert!) and listens to his teaching. But Martha is busy making preparations for the thirteen men and who knows how many others, and she calls her sister out.

and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.”

But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

That’s it. End scene.

But then I found out there’s more to the story!

Who is Martha?

Four simple verses give us a taste of who these women are. Martha, the hostess, represents us in the busyness of our lives. She is doing good things, serving, showing hospitality, and so on, but she is distracted by them. Her heart is not in the right place.

Thankfully the story does not end there. The sisters show up again in John’s gospel (John 11:1-46). They send word to Jesus, asking him to come and intervene in their brother’s illness. But he delays and Lazarus dies.

But when Jesus heard it he said, “This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.” (v.4)

So many beautiful things we could unpack in this rich story, but let’s focus on Martha. She’s not the distracted housekeeper in this scene, but a grieving sister who shows tremendous faith in face of tragedy.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

As the scene unfolds, Jesus weeps with his friends and then brings Lazarus back to life!

I love Martha’s response when Jesus tells them to open the tomb. She’s already declared that he is the Son of God who can do anything, but she protests saying, “Lord, there will be a smell!!”

A Martha Heart

The last time we see Martha in Scripture is the next chapter of John.

So they gave a dinner for him there. Martha served, and Lazarus was one of those reclining with him at table. John 12:2

I can’t help but notice the difference between this verse and Luke 10:40, “but Martha was distracted with much serving”.

She is still the hostess, serving a massive amount of people, and by the way, Mary still isn’t helping. But I wonder if she sees things differently, now that she has seen the glory of God (John 11:40).

In both cases, the horrible pain of her brother’s death and the mundane frustration with her sister’s choices, Martha took her feelings to Jesus. She may not have found what she was expecting, but she encountered the Truth of who Jesus is, and it changed her heart.

Martha took her pain to Jesus. What do you need to give him today? #NewCreationsClick To Tweet

Jesus is there, going through the stuff – whatever it may be – making things new (Revelation 21:5). I’ll leave you with this prayer from Ephesians.

I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places. Ephesians 1:16-20

What do you need to take to Jesus today?

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