HOPE

 

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. ....... Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.  For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.  For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope...... For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?  But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:14, 17-20, 24, 28

Today I understand the definition of hope that was mentioned in Hebrew 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things HOPEd for, the evidence of things not seen.

When you have food at home, you don't need to hope that you will eat. But when there's no food at home nor did anyone owe you money, if you can HOPE that you will eat, that's FAITH!

This hope whose evidence is in your faith does not happen to everyone except children of God who are also co-heirs with Christ and are LED by the Spirit of God.

Imagine how Christ felt at the cross before He cried "My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?". Obviously, He was alone and could only HOPE that His agreement with the FAITHFUL GOD who led Him to the cross still stands.

Children of God who are led to a place/person and are passing through sufferings/ challenges for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ should hope that they will also wear the crown of glory because His word said that. "all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose". 

Even if you don't see a solution in sight, if the light at the end of the tunnel is off, you're tired, Jesus was tired and fell, as long as you are a child of God and He led you to where you are (and not your pastor or your greed) let hope be kindled in you because His thoughts towards you is Good and faithful is He that promised.

The parable of the 10 talent said the master left for a long time. But eventually, He came. 

KEEP HOPE ALIVE. HAVE FAITH.

HOLD ON. HE WILL COME. 

Shalom!

DID I HEAR GOD SPEAK?

 In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased." The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Luke 1: 9-13

Jesus baptism experience must have been an exhilarating experience for him but what happened next will make a mortal man question if he actually heard God speak "or was it my imagination?".

God spoke straight from heaven at river Jordan but afterwards, wilderness, satan and wild animals took over. Thank God for the angels.

The angels here means that there will be rays of light, times of refreshing even on that journey of trials so you won't be totally discouraged.

Are you are on that kind of journey currently? If know the voice of your shepherd, please press on. There are days when you will ask The Father... "is this part of the journey or I've digressed?" But, still press on.

This message is for those who recognize the voice of their shepherd and who heard Him clearly. Not those who were told by someone that "God said". 

Don't get me wrong, God can send someone to give you a message but the burden is on you to meet YOUR FATHER to confirm what He said. This confirmation keeps you standing till the end.

Your time might be 40days, 400 days, years, decades. No matter how long, you will overcome and come back rejoicing.

Joy comes in the morning

Shalom!

ARE YOU GIVING LESS?

 

For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money. Matthew 25: 14-18

When we look at the parable of the talents, we took a lesson from the servant that went to bury his talent. Today, I want us to look at another angle that will bring God's anger.

If the servant that brought 10talents back has brought 9 talents, do you think that he will still be praised?

Philippians 4 :13 says we can do ALL things... Not some things, Not most things.

If Jesus had fulfilled part of the prophecy, His assignment will not be called a success. No salvation

If the servants at the wedding in Canaan or Namaan the leper had obeyed partially, we won't have a testimony.

The fig tree showed leaves when he was supposed to show leaves AND fruit... It got cursed.

If God can say in revelation 3:15-16 that you should choose if you want to be hot or cold....No middle ground, then you can be sure that He does not accept partial obedience.

Are you giving your all to the work of God or you are giving a portion? Don't look at the big results from your efforts, e.g. 9talents. Is it your all?

I don't want people to say I am doing too much (Jesus went all the way ), I don't want people to dislike me(Jesus loves you), I don't want others to look bad (they should step up), I don't like to be too tired after church (Jesus died). Don't forget, friendship with the world is enmity with God.

If God can give you His all, why will you give Him less? Maybe that is why your business/career/marriage is not giving 100% either

May we not be cursed in Jesus name

Shalom!