Hope Victorious

  Last Sunday I woke up tired and discouraged. I had woken suddenly twice earlier in the early morning hours from violent and dark dreams. I was tired from a busy holiday weekend of travel and time in the sun. The fear and oppression of my two bad dreams was occupying my mind as I started my day.  I began thinking of what I needed to do that day and about some of the issues and decisions that are yet unresolved within my family of 6. I felt overwhelmed. Sundays are full, exciting and rewarding days for a pastor. This particular Sunday I was hosting the service, but not preaching. I wanted to arrive early, but wasn’t leading the pre-service prayer time. I do not allow myself to consider the question, “do I feel like going to church today”. I have already decided that I want to be there. While I also have a responsibility and role, I don’t want to go out of obligation or duty. I want to be joyful and expectant, fully present and engaged. If I don’t have hope while there, I hav...

  My favorite dreams are flying dreams Sometimes I find wings have grown out from my arms -         While they are beautiful and painted with shades of vibrant color They are more impressive in strength and ability I soar The winds The heights Perspective and Power   Other times I am as I am -         But my mere arms have discovered new potential My body buoyed and propelled My arms guide my flight I slice through the air Navigating speeds and direction My favorite dreams are when I fly I have flown fast and I have flown slowly I have reached high heights                Looking far down at my home in miniature forms I have flown low Skimming just above the ground or treetops I have flown great distances When I’ve had to rest in the current of wind The force of air holding me up from beneath On...

  Ingredients: Hope – honestly assess my hope level. The amount is not so much the important part, just being honest and having a gauge for where I’m starting. Remind myself that my hope, however small, is not in myself anyway. I can’t generate hope, but I do have access to more!   Do I believe there is a solution? -    If I don’t believe there is a solution, my brain will not look for one. But if I believe change is possible, then I will persist in finding a way to bring it about. Testimonies – remember the times my joy has been restored in the past. Remember the things I enjoy, my victories and times of overcoming adversity.   Faith – Return to Hebrews 11:6 Mark 9, and remember the significance of “enough faith”. Faith is necessary, but even a little is enough. I can bring both my faith and my doubt to Jesus. Remind myself that I have faith that God exists and that He is good to me. That amount of faith IS enough! Steps: The most important thing i...

  We often find ourselves asking this question; in small everyday decisions as well as huge, life-altering situations as well. Those of us who are pursuing God, desire that our decisions be led by His voice and direction. Because we believe that God has a good plan for us and will also lead and equip us along the way, we are looking to Him for the answer to the questions; “where do I go from here?” “What should I choose?”   “What should I do?”   The hard thing is that it is often difficult to discern the answer… I am encouraged by the interaction in scripture recorded in John 14:1-6, where Jesus is talking with His disciples: “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.  2  In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  3  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, ...

  In my recent scripture reading, my attention was captured by an interesting exchange in 2Kings chapter 5. Naaman was a captain of the Aramean army and a valiant warrior, who had leprosy. He hears that a possible solution to his health crisis may be available in Israel. Naaman’s wife has a servant girl who was taken captive during a previous battle with Israel and she tells her mistress that the God of Israel has the power to heal, even leprosy. She wishes her master could see the prophet of Israel to receive prayer and healing. This possibility peaks Naaman’s interest enough to go to the king of Aram and seek permission to go to Israel. The king of Aram grants permission and sends Naaman, the commander of his army to Israel with a letter he wrote to the king of Israel and some gold and silver as payment. The king of Israel is understandably suspicious of this visit and the request from Aram’s king. After all they are enemy countries, and Israel’s king wonders if this is some ki...

  Faith is what you have to protect you from the lies that discourage and destroy. Faith is a shield you hold in front of you. The lies that come against you are the flaming arrows of the enemy that come to “rob, kill and destroy”, as Jesus says in John 10:10. While that is the agenda of the enemy, Jesus says that His purpose is “to bring life, and life to the fullest”. (John 10:10)   Paul uses the analogy of armor to show us how God equips us for victory in the midst of this battle with the enemy.   After explaining that he is not speaking of natural enemies, but spiritual, Paul goes on to describe this “armor of God” that we are equipped with:   “ Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  14  Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,  15  and having...