Hope Victorious

  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...

  Embrace I have found an embrace that ends the shame that settled over me Like a clearing sky – the clouds of guilt have gone Every slender grasping finger of shame Has been removed from holding me Captive no more I have found an embrace that silences the voices of shame   -   Accusing me for years I have heard the words of love that heal and comfort I have been held tightly in the embrace of life Light shining brightly, has exposed the darkness  -  And banished it from me Freedom  -   Life I am unashamed For I have been embraced by God I Love You! Love is like a fire Burning bright inside of me I love you fiercely Sometimes it hurts   So hot and huge at the start And yet it grows and deepens I did not know I could love like this I have exceeded myself   You are becoming less mine and more your own I couldn’t be more proud My love still increases The fierceness of it burns away my worries and concerns A...

There is an ember Bright and hot Beneath the ash of a fire that once burned bright.   You fear the fire has gone out There are no more flames You no longer feel the heat. The flames that once were bright and dancing, slowly turned wood to ash Filling the night with light Shadows of flames dancing, crackling and sparkling fire Heat enough to warm you Even moving you back because the intensity was too much Now the wood is gone Consumed by flames how with hunger A bed of coals: red-hot Sparkling like treasure – they endured for awhile A deeper heat: impressive and beautiful Slowly the coals too began to cool Gray ash and black coal remember the shape of the logs that burned Closer you draw, but cannot discern the heat There is no fire here Gentle breezes blow the ash Only gray, white powder covers the hunky black memory of wood Wispy clouds of ashes swirl   Dig down beneath the ash that has gown cool Deeper still You will be surprised to find -  there remains and ember Hidde...

  Trusting in God’s timing can be difficult. Often when we hear a promise or word from God, we want to see instant changes and results. We love the testimonies in scripture of times when God acted “suddenly”, and circumstances were radically altered in an instant. Whether it is a situation of physical healing, emotional healing, provision, addiction, etc. we love the times where we hear of God doing an instantaneous miracle of transformation. What we don’t like nearly as much is waiting for the promise to manifest. Why does God tell us He is going to do something if it is going to take a long time before it is evident? I think there’s a strategy that is good for us and actually benefits our relationship with God. The writer of Hebrews says that followers of Jesus must demonstrate faith in order to please God.   “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.”   God will always require faith!   Waiting requires faith.   I came across this scripture today in H...