Asking God to save us, then putting Him in the back seat.

Sorry for not being more diligent in my postings the last few days, but to be quite honest, I haven’t been feeling the best. In addition to that, The stresses of life continue to pile up like the foundation of a brick wall.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining, I’m just kicking back and being faithful. Putting my troubles in God‘s hands and letting Him work them out according to his plans, not mine. Now some people might need to say I need to be more proactive and start attacking the issues I’m facing, but I’ve been trying that for the past year and a half to no avail. It’s suddenly occurred to me that this is where I’ failing, I’m trying to beat God to the rescue.

Why do we ask for help from God and then try to fix it on our own? I know that most people would become irritated if asked to help a friend out of a predicament, then get told to take a back seat while the person who asked tried in vain to fix it themselves. I’m sure we would feel frustrated at the sense of helplessness as we watched the person fumble around, making the same mistake over and over, getting angry at us, when we know how to fix it. but they won’t let us. this  is the situation with us when we ask God to our rescue, but when he arrives to save us, we try to do it on our own. we put Him in the back seat.

I have posted some verses below that have helped me to allow God to rescue me when I ask, instead of asking, then pushing Him away. iassure you that when you allow God to perform CPR in your circumstances, you will pull through. Have an amazing day.

 

1 Chronicles 16:11
Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His face continually.

Psalm 25:9
He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.

Psalm 25:12
Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose.

Psalm 31:3
Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Psalm 32:8
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

Psalm 37:4,7
Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass … Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him

Psalm 37:23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

Psalm 48:14
For this is God, our God forever and ever; He will be our guide even to death.

Psalm 73:24
You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path

Proverbs 1:33
But whoever listens to me will dwell safely, and will be secure, without fear of evil.

Proverbs 2:6-9
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course.

Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 6:22
When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.

Proverbs 11:3
The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.

Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Proverbs 12:26
A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 15:22
Without consultation, plans are frustrated, but with many counselors they succeed.

Proverbs 16:9
A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

Proverbs 24:6
For by wise guidance you will wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.

Isaiah 30:21
Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left’

Isa 50:4
The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him that is weary. Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.

Isaiah 48:17
Thus says the Lord, Your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you to profit, who leads you by the way you should go

Isaiah 58:11
The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong, and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail.

Jeremiah 10:23
O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Matthew 6:33
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Luke 11:9-10
“So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

John 8:12
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

John 14:26
The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.

Romans 14:5
One person regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Each person must be fully convinced in his own mind.

1 Cor. 10:13
…God is faithful and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Philippians 2:13
It is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach.

Here’s a great article called where do you put yourself in your list of priorities….a must read

If you are a Christian, God obviously comes first. Jesus said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). He is the ultimate priority. Until He is first, everything else will seem out of kilter.

Photo courtesy of ©iStockphoto.com/sjlocke

But who comes second. You know, after God? This is where it gets tricky.

If you are just getting started with Evernote, I suggest that you buy Brett Kelly’s remarkably practical e-book, Evernote Essentials, Second Edition. It is worth setting aside a couple hours to work through this brief, 95-page book. It will save you DAYS of learning Evernote on your own.

I believe you come next. That’s where I put myself, and I make no apologies for it. That means before my family, friends, and career. Even before my ministry.

I don’t think this is because I am selfish or ego-centric. Then why do I do it?

Because I can’t take care of anyone else unless I take care of myself.

If you travel much, you have no doubt heard the flight attendant say some version of the following:

In the event of a change in cabin pressure, panels above your head will open revealing oxygen masks. Pull the mask down toward you to activate the flow of oxygen. Cover your nose and mouth with the mask. Place the elastic band around your head and continue to breathe normally. Remember to secure your own mask before assisting others.”

This is how I look at life. I have to attend to myself first (second only to God) in order to be spiritually, emotionally, intellectually, and physically available to others. If you have trouble with the semantics of putting yourself second, think of it as preparation to serve others.

For example,

• If I don’t feed myself spiritually, I don’t have the spiritual resources necessary to share with others. This is why I read the Bible and pray daily.
• If I don’t look after my own health and become sick, I am not much use to my family or my employees. This is why I run and try to eat nutritionally sound food.
• If I don’t make time for reading great books, I don’t have the intellectual resources I need to share with others.
• If I don’t make the effort to work through my own emotional wounds, I end up reacting to others instead of being in a position to minister to them. This is why I think counseling and therapy can be a valuable exercise for most people.
• If I don’t get sufficient rest, I get grumpy. No one wants to be around me. This is why I try to sleep a solid seven hours every night.

In addition, I want to to model how to take care of myself, so that the people under my influence will take care of themselves.

Some Christians insist on putting themselves at the bottom of their priority list. I think this springs from a false—and dangerous—piety. We are in a much better position to serve others when our basic needs are met.

 

Written by Michael Hyatt

The benefit of the doubt…it is a benefit

Benefit of the Doubt (Photo credit: Sweet One)

In 1860, Thomas Inman recommended that his fellow doctors not prescribe a medicine for a cure if they weren’t sure it would work. They were to give the patient “the benefit of our doubts.” This phrase is also a legal term meaning that if a jury has conflicting evidence that makes the jurors doubtful, they are to give the verdict of “not guilty.”

First Corinthians 13:7 says that love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

Maybe as Christians, we can learn from and apply this medical and legal phrase to our relationships. Better yet, we can learn from the Bible about giving the benefit of the doubt to others. First Corinthians 13:7 says that love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” Leon Morris, in the Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, says this about the phrase “believes all things”: “To see the best in others . . . . This does not mean that love is gullible, but that it does not think the worst (as is the way of the world). It retains its faith. Love is not deceived . . . but it is always ready to give the benefit of the doubt.”

When we hear something negative about others or we’re suspicious about the motive for their actions, let’s stop before we judge their intentions as wrong or bad. Let’s give them the benefit of the doubt.

Heavens grocery store

Grocery store sign (Photo credit: Plan for Opportunity)

I was walking down life’s highway a long time ago.
One day I saw a sign that read, “Heaven’s Grocery Store”.
As I got a little closer the door came open wide,
and when I came to myself I was standing inside.
I saw a host of Angels, they were standing everywhere.
One handed me a blanket and said, “My Child shop with care”.
Everything a Christian needs is in that grocery store,
and all you can’t carry, come back the next day for more.

First, I got some Patience, Love was in the same row.
Further down was Understanding, needed everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of Wisdom, a bag or two of Faith,
I just couldn’t miss the Holy Ghost, it was all over the place.
I stopped to get some Strength and Courage to help me run this race,
but then my blanket was getting full, and I remembered I needed Grace.

I didn’t forget Salvation, which like the others was free,
so I tried to get enough of that to save both you and me.
Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill,
for I thought I had everything to do my master’s will.
As I went up the aisle, I saw Prayer and had to put it in,
for I knew when I stepped outside, I would run right into sin.
Peace and Joy were plentiful, they were on the last shelf.
Song and Praises were hanging near, so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the Angel, “How much do I owe”?
The Angel smiled and said, “Just take them everywhere you go.”
Again, I politely asked “How much do I really owe?”
The Angel smiled again and said, “My Child, Jesus Paid Your Bill A Long Time Ago.”

by Ron DeMarco
Copyright 1990
-Used by Permission Only-

Remembering to have a sense of humor during an illness.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)

It’s easy to have a crushed spirit when you live with chronic illness or pain. There is so much that you can’t do. There are so many ways in which you are limited. What Winston Churchill referred to as the “black dog” of depression seems to be ever-lurking around the corner, ready to devour you at any moment. You try to put it off. You try to focus your energy on something else. But it’s so much easier to just give in.

What if you could find humor in the pain?

I read once that someone with chronic fatigue syndrome meets the standard diagnostic criteria for both insomnia and narcolepsy. As I let that sink in, a giggle bubbled up in my throat. How can someone be both prone to staying awake all night and dropping off to sleep without any warning?

In that moment, the ridiculousness of the situation struck me, and I laughed at the pain I experience on a daily basis. It was as if I suddenly realized that I could let this thing defeat me or I could look for ways to keep right on living despite it. It was my choice.

You know what? God wants us to choose life, always. Whether we have to laugh at the silliness, stop and enjoy a sunset, roll our eyes at the pill container every morning, or revel in a nice, hot bath, it’s far better to work to maintain a cheerful heart than it is to keep focused on the hardship.

Let’s face it: the pain and the illness may not be going anywhere this side of Heaven. We don’t know God’s plan. What we do know is that there are thousands of ways in which He blesses us every single day. We just have to keep our eyes open – even if it means turning that “black dog” into a bit of humor that nobody else understands.

The God of comfort

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God – 2 Corinthians 1:4

God gives us comfort in all our tribulation. There is not a sickness, or a loss, or a pain, or a frustration for which God does not provide comfort.

He comforts us in his Word, the Bible. When we read His promises and discover His character, we receive the great comfort that is meant for us in His Word. We are reminded that God is good and that God is sovereign. And we are told that His sovereign goodness is at work in this universe on behalf of believers.

He comforts us with His Spirit. In fact, the Spirit of God is called our Comforter. When no human can understand, when no words can relieve, the Spirit of God is still able to minister to our soul. By pointing us to the finished work of Christ and drawing us to the person of Christ, the Holy Spirit sets our feet on solid ground even when our world is falling apart around us.

But there is another way, Paul tells us, in which God comforts us. The very trials and consolations we have experienced will be used to help others through their personal pains. God’s Word brings comfort to others as we share with others the scriptures that have helped us. The Spirit of God brings comfort as we testify of the sufficiency of Christ even in the midst of our personal agonizing.

An article by Billy Graham on Emotions That Destroy: Anger and Bitterness

Straßenschild Anger (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Every destructive emotion bears its own harvest, but anger’s fruit is the most bitter of all. Uncontrolled anger is a devastating sin, and no one is exempt from its havoc. It shatters friendships and destroys marriages; it causes abuse in families and discord in business; it breeds violence in the community and war between nations. Its recoil, like that of a high-powered rifle, often hurts the one who wields it as well as its target. Anger makes us lash out at others, destroying relationships and revealing our true nature. The history of the human race is largely the history of its anger.

Nor are Christians exempt from anger’s grip. After Jesus’ arrest Peter angrily denied his Lord: “He began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, ‘I don’t know this man you’re talking about”‘ (Mark 14:71). Paul had to urge the Ephesian Christians to “get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice” (Ephesians 4:31). How many churches have been torn apart by someone’s anger? How many people have been turned away from Christ because of a Christian‘s anger? We get angry when others hurt us, both by what they say and what they do.

We get angry too when we don’t get our own way or our plans and dreams are frustrated. Anger may arise in an instant erupting like a volcano and raining destruction on everyone in sight. Often, however, anger simmers just below the surface, sometimes for a lifetime. Like a corrosive acid, this kind of anger eats away at our bodies and souls, yet we may not even be aware of its presence.

Some people are angry at God. Sometimes I get letters from people who have been touched by tragedy—but instead of seeking God’s help, they angrily blame Him for what happened. As a result they cut themselves off from the peace and joy He alone can give us, even when we don’t understand.

Is anger ever justified? Yes—when it is caused by injustice and sin instead of our selfishness or hurt pride. God is angry when His righteousness is scorned; Jesus forcefully drove out from the temple those who were callously making money from God’s people (Matthew 21:12-13). We must be careful, however; sometimes our so-called “righteous indignation” is little more than a cover for lovelessness or self-righteousness.

Anger and bitterness (as well as hatred, jealousy, and resentment, their offspring) aren’t identical, but they are closely related. Bitterness is anger gone sour, an attitude of deep discontent that poisons our souls and destroys our peace. My wife has said that a bitter, sour Christian is one of Satan’s greatest trophies—and she’s right. The Bible says, “See to it…that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many” (Hebrews 12:15). Are anger or bitterness keeping you from becoming the person God wants you to be?

 

 

Conquering Anger

Can we overcome our anger, instead of constantly being overcome by it? Yes—with God’s help. Peter’s anger was channeled into boldness for Christ. Paul’s anger against Christians was replaced with a burning passion to spread the Gospel. The Bible commands us “to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:23-24). Is this your goal?

How should we deal with anger? The answer is decisively! The first step in gaining victory over unjustified anger is to want to get rid of it—and the key to that is to see it for what it is: sin in God’s eyes. Jesus warned, “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:22).

This means we must stop making excuses for our anger or bad temper—blaming it on our parents, for example, or claiming we have every right to be angry because of something that happened to us in the past. We also must face honestly the toll anger and bitterness take on our lives. They are our enemies! The Bible says, “An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins” (Proverbs 29:22). It also says, “Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; …it leads only to evil” (Psalm 37:8). Never underestimate anger’s destructive power.

The second step—as with every other sin—is to confess it to God, and seek His forgiveness and help. On the cross Christ took upon Himself every sin you ever committed—including your anger. God in His love and mercy not only promises to forgive our anger, but to cleanse it from our lives if we will let Him. No matter its cause, commit your anger to God, and ask Him to replace it with the Holy Spirit‘s fruit of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Notice: Anger is the exact opposite of every one of these. Anger flees when the Spirit’s fruit fills our hearts.

 

Then take practical steps to deal with your anger. When are you especially susceptible to anger? Avoid those situations when possible—and when you can’t, pray about them in advance and ask God to help you. When you fail, be quick to seek not only God’s forgiveness, but also the forgiveness of those you hurt. If you have been harboring anger or bitterness or jealousy in your heart toward someone—a parent, an ex-spouse, a boss—hand it over to Christ, and ask Him to help you let it go.

In addition, discover the transforming power of forgiving other. Jesus said, “Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you” (Luke 6:28). You can’t stay angry if you obey this command. Deliberately act toward others the way you should, even if you don’t feel like it; changing our behavior eventually changes our emotions. The Bible says, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

 

Emotions That Destroy: Worry and Fear
Is it any wonder that fear and anxiety have become the hallmarks of our age? Recently I received a letter from a woman living in the heart of one of our most crime-riddled cities. “I have five locks on my door,” she wrote, “but I’m so fearful I can hardly sleep.”

Fear has its place; if we didn’t fear danger, our lives would be constant peril. A small child must be taught to fear the busy street or the unguarded pill bottle. A soldier or policeman knows ever moment’s inattention is dangerous. The Bible says, “A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it” (Proverbs 22:3). We shouldn’t just fear physical danger however most of all we should be on guard against moral and spiritual danger. The Bible says, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

Fear has its place, but fear also can become overwhelming—and then it becomes sin. Why? Because fear causes us to doubt God’s promises and disbelieve His love. Fear can paralyze us and keep us from believing God and stepping out in faith. The devil loves a fearful Christian! God told the ancient Israelites that He would be with them and help them conquer the Promised Land. But fear seized them, and they refused to obey. As a result they were forced to wander in Sinai’s wilderness for forty years (Numbers 14). They allowed fear to paralyze them, and an entire generation missed God’s blessing. This can happen to us.

Most people yearn for one thing more than anything else: inner peace. Without it they have no lasting happiness or security. I’m also convinced, however, that this is exactly what most people are missing—and the main reason is anxiety and fear.

Conquering Our Fears
Can we conquer our anxieties and fears? Or must we spend our lives consumed by worry?

Let me respond with another question: What is the opposite of fear? For the Christian there can be only one answer: The opposite of fear is trust—trust in God and His unchanging love. Once we realize God is in control and He holds us in His loving hands, we can meet life’s dangers and uncertainties with confidence. After all, if we can trust God for our eternal salvation, can’t we also trust Him for our lives right now? The psalmist declared, “The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid” (Psalm 118:6).

Let’s be honest, however: It’s hard to trust God when danger threatens or everything seems to be collapsing around us. Fear comes much easier to us than faith. But never forget: Fear can banish faith, but faith can banish fear. Faith isn’t pretending our problems don’t exist, nor is it simply blind optimism. Faith points us beyond our problems to the hope we have in Christ. True faith involves trust—trust in what Christ has done for us, and trust in God’s goodness and mercy.

How should you deal with anxiety and fear? First, turn them over to Christ. Don’t deny them—and don’t cling to them. Confess them to Christ, and then ask Him to lift them from your shoulders. The psalmist wrote, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall” (Psalm 55:22). Peter echoed this truth: “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

Second, stand firmly on God’s promises. In the Bible God has given us “very great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4)—and every one of them reminds us that we can trust our lives into His hands. You can trust God’s promises, for He cannot lie! God’s promises in the Old Testament are just as applicable and relevant to us today as those in the New Testament, and both Testaments contain God’s principles for life. Fear vanishes when it is exposed to the promises of God’s Word.

What are those promises? One is that God is with you, no matter how difficult or confusing life becomes. He says, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). Jesus declared, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). You are never alone if you know Christ—never. I have never forgotten the familiar words from Psalm 23 my mother taught me as a child: “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (v. 4 KJV). Saturate your mind and heart with the Promises of God’s Word.

God also promises us hope—hope that someday all the evils and injustices of this life will be destroyed. Jesus warned, “In this world you will have trouble.” But He immediately added, “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Everything that makes you fearful or anxious is only temporary, for when Christ returns they will be destroyed.

 

Pray Without Ceasing

Finally, pray diligently and in faith. I’m amazed how easy it is to become anxious over something—but then forget to pray about it. Anxiety and fear are like baby tigers: The more you feed them, the stronger they grow.

But God has another way—the way of prayer. The Bible’s answer to worry couldn’t be clearer: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Then comes God’s promise: “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7, emphasis added).

How should you pray? Pray first of all for strength in the face of whatever you fear, for God helps us hold on in the midst of life’s storms. Pray also for wisdom to deal with whatever is worrying you; some practical steps may change the situation.

Pray as well that God will act to change your circumstances, according to His will. He doesn’t always do what we want Him to—but He knows what’s best for us, and He can be trusted. God is sovereign, and no situation is beyond His control. Over her desk my wife has these words: “Fear not the future; God is already there.”

Emotions enrich our lives, but sometimes they also can overwhelm us or lead us astray. But we can learn to keep them in balance—with God’s help.

Reprinted from “The Journey” by Billy Graham,

more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Health/2006/03/Overcoming-Anger-And-Fear.aspx#ixzz1ykpfIKGI

Bible verses and thoughts about obtaining and holding on to hope

Are you needing to be uplifted and comforted today? These Bible verses about Hope will do just that for you. Take a deep breath and read through them slowly. We all too  often rush through things in life ( I am  guilty of this myself) and miss what God is telling us. God led you to these versestoday for a reason, don’t let them go unread!

Hope of A Future Bible Verses

Proverbs 24:20 for the evil man has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

Proverbs 24:14 Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Hope of Eternal Life and Salvation

Titus 1:1-2 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies,promised before the ages began

Titus 3:7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

1 Corinthians 15:19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18  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, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

1 Peter 1:3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 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,

Hope from the Book of Romans

Romans 5:2-5 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, 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 8:24-25 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

Romans 12:12  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 15:4 For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15:13  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.

Hope in the Midst of a Crisis Verses

Psalm 27:4-5 One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.  For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock.

Mark 5:35-36  While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Reasons To Hope Quotes

Numbers 23:19  God is not man, that he should lie, or a son of man, that he should change his mind. Has he said, and will he not do it? Or has he spoken, and will he not fulfill it?

Zephaniah 3:17 The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

John 4:13-14 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Example of Hope in the Bible

• Job

 Job 13:15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face.

Hope and Faith Bible Verse

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

C.S. Lewis Quotes on Hoping For Something More

“Most people, if they had really learned to look into their own hearts, would know that they do want, and want acutely, something that cannot be had in this world. There are all sorts of things in this world that offer to give it to you, but they never quite keep their promise.

“At present we are on the outside… the wrong side of the door. We discern the freshness and purity of morning, but they do not make us fresh and pure. We cannot mingle with the pleasures we see. But all the pages of the New Testament are rustling with the rumor that it will not always be so. Someday, God willing, we shall get “in”… We will put on glory… that greater glory of which Nature is only the first sketch.

We do not want to merely “see” beauty–though, God knows, even that is bounty enough. We want something else which can hardly be put into words–to be united with the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of it.

http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-hope-20-uplifting-scripture-quotes/

Doormat Theology…Should we allow ourselves to be walked on?

What is doormat theology?

Doormat theology is the term used when referring to the belief that Christians should be totally submissive – never raising a hand in violence for any reason, and not defending themselves against verbal or physical abuse. Most people, in this age, would call that “being a doormat” for people to walk on, thus the term “doormat theology.”

Was Jesus a doormat?

Jesus did ultimately allow Himself to be captured, mocked, tortured and killed, but that was for a very good reason. He came to this earth to die for our sins – so that is a unique situation. That does not mean He was a doormat. Let us not forget how He ran the moneychangers out of the temple when they were being disrespectful to the House of God. He was very assertive in doing the right thing. He knew He was in the right, and so He did what He needed to do. So perhaps Jesus would be an advocate of doing the right thing, whether that means being totally submissive or using violence to defend yourself or someone else. The situation would determine what we should do.

Let’s look at the Old Testament saints. Were they doormats?

Well now, let’s consider David for a moment. We all know who David was; he was the hero child who killed the big giant, Goliath. David did not like the way the giant mocked his people and their God, so he slew the giant. There is no way we can call David a doormat. He later on became a King. He was a hero to his people – but never a doormat.

How about Samson? He was a tremendously strong man, who fought many men – and won. He certainly was not a doormat. He was a fighter for what he believed in.

Were the New Testament apostles doormats?

Let’s look at the apostle Paul for a moment. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-28 it says Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false brothers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.

Wow, Paul sure suffered a lot of abuse, didn’t he? But, that does not mean he was a doormat. After his conversion he lived his life for Christ. He gladly suffered humiliation, hunger and torture for the opportunity to share the gospel with others. It doesn’t say in the above scripture, or any other scripture that Paul did anything to defend himself when he was assaulted. By today’s standards he may certainly qualify as a doormat, but I personally don’t like the term “doormat theology”, and the reason being, it totally puts a negative slant on doing the right thing. I prefer to think that Paul’s behavior was appropriate for one having “good theology.”

Let’s look at the apostle Peter. Was he a doormat? The book of Acts mentions Peter being mocked, harassed, flogged and imprisoned – and according to legend he was eventually crucified upside-down. Why upside-down? He allegedly said he was not good enough to be crucified like his Savior. There is no record of him trying to escape these extremely bad situations, but like Paul, he felt that it was an honor to suffer for Christ. He wanted to tell others about his Savior.

Does God want us to be walked on by the world?

I don’t believe God wants us to let people walk on us. I believe we should counter hate with love, violence with self-defense, but not to the extent of agressive violence.

I believe we should demonstrate forgiveness and love. If we are consistent with this approach I believe we can gain respect from most people, rather than having them walk on us. Mat 5:44 says, but I say to you, love your enemies; bless those cursing you, do well to those hating you; and pray for those abusing and persecuting you…

So, taking all the above into consideration, what then should we do, as Christians, when a wrong is done to us, or someone around us?

I believe the apostle Paul had the right answer for us. In Romans 12:19,20 he said Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him drink; for by doing so you will heap burning coals upon his head.” So, let’s leave the vengeance to God; He knows how to dispense it justly.

I do believe it is entirely appropriate to defend oneself or someone else if necessary, but only if we absolutely have to. It is always preferable to walk away, and pray for the offender if possible. Sure, we may be laughed at, and possibly called a doormat, but Christians should always be willing to do what brings glory to the name of Christ. We should be loving and kind. We should demonstrate forgiveness to the rest of the world.

Getting back to the apostles, Paul and Peter, for a moment, and also let’s refer back to Jesus allowing Himself to be captured, mocked, beaten and crucified. We must understand there was a greater purpose involved in those cases. Their submissiveness was for the glory of God. Jesus needed to die for our sins, that certainly was a noble reason to be submissive, and the apostles were submissive so the gospel could be further preached and more people would learn about the glorious Gospel of God’s Grace. If we can glorify God by being submissive then submissive we should be, but if we need to make a stand to better serve the cause of Christ then we should do that – no matter what the cost.

So what is the final word on the subject?

In each case we should do what best glorifies God. That’s just “good theology.”

Is your glass hakf full or empty? Happy friday.

In order to better understand people’s views of the world, a researcher once placed two children, one a pessimist and the other an optimist, alone in separate rooms.

The pessimist was placed in a colorful room full of all kinds of imaginative toys…the optimist was put in a room filled with horse manure.

The first child played in the room for a little while, but soon came to the door asking to leave because the toys were boring and because they broke too easily.

Likewise, the young optimist soon came to the door…but rather than asking to leave, she asked for a shovel.

Of course, the researcher asked the child why she wanted a shovel.

She replied, “With all this manure around, I know that there must be a pony in here somewhere.”

Bible Verses On OptimismI can do everything through him that gives me strength.
Philippians 4:13 NIV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 KJV

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.
Psalm 31:24 KJV

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
John 15:11 KJV

The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:1 KJV

But if we look forward to something we don’t have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.
Romans 8:25 NLT

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8 KJV