Letters of Hope

Dear Friends,

“Grace be unto you, and PEACE, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Cor. 1:3)

In John’s Gospel, five chapters are devoted to many things that Jesus had to say during the last few hours with His disciples before going to the cross.  It includes some of the most wonder-full truths and assurances of His great love.  Knowing He was about to leave this world to return to His Father, it says that, “having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.”  Jesus displayed His humility by washing the feet of His friends;  He emphasized the importance of loving one another;  He assured them of a place being prepared for them so they could be where He is;  He promised the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, Who would teach them, lead them into Truth, and empower them to live it;  He gave to them, not only fullness of joy, but also HIS PEACE..

“Peace I leave with you,” Jesus said.  “My own Peace I give to you.  Not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid…These things I have spoken unto you that in Me you might have Peace.  In the world you shall have tribulation, but be of good cheer – I have overcome the world.”    It is not only a question of Peace – but of “MY OWN PEACE.”    It is not only that God gives us Peace, but it is the very PEACE OF GOD Himself that keeps our hearts and minds. (John 14:27;  16:33;  Phil. 4:7)

The latter passage became very meaningful to me on May 7, 1960!  I remember the date because it was the day our Eunice Mae was born.  She had a very slight deformity which would need some corrective surgery.  As I lay in my hospital bed considering the problem, I found myself wondering why I was not more concerned or anxious about it.  I picked up my Weymouth New Testament from my bedside table and happened upon this chapter in Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi:  “Do not be anxious about anything, but by prayer and earnest pleading together with thanksgiving let your requests be unreservedly made known before God.  So will the Peace of God, which surpasses all power of thought, be a garrison to guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6,7 Weymouth)

The PEACE OF GOD will be a GARRISON (a fortress, a stronghold) for our hearts – and our minds!   And that is just how it felt:  a protective wall around my heart and mind that prevented the arrows of worry, anxiety and doubt from troubling me.   It means that a foe must first break through the Garrison to reach us.  The Fortress must be overcome before our hearts can be touched.  So we can dare to be as peaceful as God, for the Peace of God – that Peace which is keeping God – is keeping us!

Isaiah knew about the Peace of God – that God will keep in perfect Peace the one whose mind is stayed on Him.   The Psalmist knew about the Peace of God – that the Lord would give strength unto His people, and bless them with Peace.  and those who love His law would have great Peace.  (Isa. 26:3;  Ps. 29:11; 119:165)

One of the wonderful fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5 is Peace.  And so we are admonished to “Let the PEACE OF GOD rule in your hearts, to which you are called in one body, and be thankful.”   And then, for sure, “You shall go out with JOY, and be led forth with PEACE;  the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”   What a beautiful word picture of the result of JOY and PEACE ruling in our hearts.  (Col. 3:15;  Isa. 55:12)

The Peace of God is the subject of so many lovely hymns – like this one:-

            There comes to my heart one sweet strain,
            A glad and a joyous refrain;
            I sing it again and again -
            Sweet Peace, the gift of God’s love.

            Thru Christ on the cross Peace was made,
            My debt by His death was all paid;
            No other foundation is laid
            For Peace, the gift of God’s love.

            When Jesus as Lord I had crowned,
            My heart with this Peace did abound;
            In Him the rich blessing I found -
            Sweet Peace, the gift of God’s love.

            In Jesus for Peace I abide,
            And as I keep close to His side,
            There’s nothing but peace can betide -
            Sweet Peace, the gift of God’s love.      

          (Peter P. Bilhorn (1865-1936)

“Now the God of all HOPE fill you with all JOY and PEACE in the believing, that you may abound in HOPE, through the power of the Holy Spirit.”  And  “The LORD OF PEACE Himself give you PEACE – always – by all means.  The Lord be with you all.”  (Rom. 15:13;  2 Thess. 3:16)

In Agape, Eulene

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Greetings!

Continuing on the subject of JOY (and these two letters deal only with the highlights of all the Scriptures have to say about JOY), it may be difficult to always understand how it is possible to reJOYce in the midst of difficulties and distresses, adversities and afflictions?   How can we find JOY in the midst of pain?  ReJOYcing in the midst of insurmountable problems?  Where does the JOY come from?  There is no way that we can manufacture it.  If we don’t have it, we just don’t have it, and we know it.

God’s answer is to live by the JOY of JESUS.  He said, “These things have I spoken unto you that MY JOY might REMAIN IN YOU, and that YOUR JOY may be FULL.”  And again, John said in his first letter, “…these things we write unto you that YOUR JOY may be FULL.”   “FULL JOY” in the midst of pain and suffering?   No, not surface gaiety, merriment or joviality;  but a deep-down-in-the-spirit exultation in the knowledge that we have a great “High Priest Who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities” and participates in all our pain, imparting to us His strength, grace, and JOY.  (John 15:11;  1 John 1:4;  Heb. 4:15)

The Psalmist declared that “in His Presence is FULLNESS OF JOY, and at His right hand there are pleasures forevermore.“  Furthermore, Nehemiah declares that “the JOY of the LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.”  (Ps. 16:11;  Neh. 8:10)

HIS JOY is OUR JOY!  We just need to learn to LIVE by that JOY.  When we are tempted to be discouraged, disheartened and depressed, we should ask, “Has the Lord lost His joy today?”  Only if He has, may we be justified in our joylessness, for it is not a question of OUR joy, but HIS!  Even in the face of persecution and rejection, Jesus tells us to “Rejoyce…and leap for JOY for, behold, your reward is great in heaven…”  David the Psalmist offered “sacrifices of JOY” and determined to sing, regardless of all his adversities (and they were many).  JOY in the midst of sorrow and pain is one of the many paradoxes in our Spiritual walk with God.  (Luke 6:23;  Ps. 27:6)  

Have you noticed the adjectives that are applied to JOY?  “all” JOY, “full” JOY,  “fullness” of JOY. “exceeding” JOY.   And then we have Peter’s superlative:  “JOY unspeakable and full of glory!”  (again, “leaping for joy”)

It seems evident that, if we are to experience that fullness of JOY and strength, we must be abiding in the awareness of His Presence, feeding on His Word, and drawing from His Strength.  We do need to live by His Joy, in His Presence.  Thankfully, this is not an unattainable, nebulous, and obscure state.  It is a matter of acknowledging His continuing Presence with us and in us, and then being aware of Him with an “inner knowing.” 

Two verses of an old song come to mind that I think the very singing of them brings joy:-

I have found that HOPE so bright and clear,
Living in the realm of Grace;
Oh, the Savior’s Presence is so near,
I can see His smiling face.

I have found the JOY no tongue can tell,
How its waves of Glory roll!
It is like a great o’erflowing well
Springing up within my soul.

It is JOY UNSPEAKABLE and full of Glory…
Oh, the half has never yet been told!

When we visited England a number of years ago, we stood outside Buckingham Palace in London.  Looking up, we saw the Queen’s Ensign waving above the palace, telling us all that she was at home – in residence.  And we did see her on the balcony as she traditionally appears on the day of The Trooping of the Color.  This is a perfect allegory of the King of kings “in residence.”

So we also sing, “JOY is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart, for the King is in residence there!”  If He is indeed residing in your heart, you may fly your “JOY Flag” with abandon!

“Let all those who put their trust in You REJOYCE;  let them ever shout for JOY, because You defend them.  Let them also that love Your Name be JOY-FULL in You.” (Ps. 5:11)

“Now the God of ALL HOPE FILL you with ALL JOY and peace in the believing, that you may abound in HOPE, through the power of the Holy Spirit.”  And, “unto Him Who is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the Presence of His Glory with EXCEEDING JOY, to the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.  Amen!” (Rom. 15:13; 1 Peter 4:13;  Jude 1:24)

In Agape, Eulene

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Dear Friends, 

In writing this letter, I would like to take the liberty of changing the spelling of some words!  My ‘spell-checker’ won’t like it, but I rather think these may have been the original spellings (changed only through time and usage), and most likely the original intent of their meanings.  I might also add that the word “rejoice” has its roots in Old French, and the precise meaning is to “be thoroughly joyous again!”

It all began in ancient times in the Heavenlies “when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for JOY.”  There is yet much “JOY in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents.”. (Job 38:7; Luke 15:10)

All of nature is described as being full of JOY:  “The Lord reigns, let the earth REJOYCE;  Let the multitude of isles be glad…The little hills REJOYCE on every side… Let the heavens REJOYCE, and let the earth be GLAD:  let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof.  Let the field be JOY-FULL, and all that is therein;  then shall all the trees of the wood REJOYCE.”  (Ps. 97:1;  65:12;  96:11,12)

JOY is a Divine word, an attribute of God, and a fruit of His Spirit!  It must be defined as something quite different than mere merriment, gaiety, delight, happiness, and other such words that are often considered synonyms;  these are so dependent upon happenings and circumstances.  JOY is something else entirely, greatly emphasized in the Word of God, and not much in the world, because the world does not know the Source of JOY.  And true JOY persists deep in the spirit even in the midst of adversities and afflictions, as well as prosperity and well-being.

At times when we have been beset by adversities, naturally frustrating, or worrying, or heart-rending, perturbed by wonderment and questioning, this precious word came to us:-  “JOY is the one thing most evident in those who have been caught by the heavenly way and purpose of life.  They have learned to live in the Strength and Source of JOY – Himself!  As our Lord Jesus – our Forerunner in the race – ran with JOY, so we see Paul, and today’s Triumphant Christians experience JOY in all three tenses:  past, present and future.  We are called to JOY…the Mark of Maturity…True JOY has its source in God, and flows through those who have learned an abiding union with Him.”  (DeVern Fromke in The Ultimate Intention.

Though He truly was a “man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,” I believe that Jesus was JOY-FULL with the inner JOY of knowing what the cross was all about.  He, “for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,” and, as the writer to the Hebrews declares, is now “set down at the right hand of the Throne of God.”  Jesus had his eyes, not on the pathway, but on the Goal. (Isa. 53:3;  Heb. 12:2)

Even during His last hours with His friends, Jesus talked about JOY.  He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that MY JOY might remain in you, and that YOUR JOY might be full!…You now therefore have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart shall REJOYCE, and your JOY no one can take from you…”  These words were meant for all those who would believe in Jesus – from then, until now!  By Him, “we have access by faith into this Grace wherein we stand;  and REJOYCE in HOPE of the Glory of God…” (John 15:11;  16:22;  Rom. 5:2)

Peter understood this when he wrote, “…you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Wherein you greatly REJOYCE, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through many and various temptations, that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ, Whom having not seen, you love;  in Whom, though now you see not, yet believing, you REJOYCE with JOY UNSPEAKABLE and full of glory…But REJOYCE, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings that, when His glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with EXCEEDING JOY.” (1 Peter 1:5-8;  4:13)

James also encouraged us to “count it ALL JOY” whenever we face trials of many kinds, knowing that the trying of our faith works patience, and patience must have her perfect work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  (James 1:2)

John wrote, “And these things we write to you, that your JOY may be FULL!” (1 John 1:4)

Paul urges us to “Rejoyce in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoyce” and  “Rejoyce evermore!”  (Phil. 4:4;  1 Thess. 5:16)

Reviewing all these wonderful affirmations from God’s Word, our adversities tend to diminish in size and importance.  Knowing that the JOY of the Lord is our strength, we may choose to REJOYCE in the Lord always.

“Now the God of ALL HOPE FILL you with ALL JOY and peace in the believing, that you may abound in HOPE, through the power of the Holy Spirit.”  So, “Be glad in the Lord, and REJOYCE, you righteous;  and shout for JOY, all you that are upright in heart.”   “Let all those who put their trust in You REJOYCE;  let them ever shout for JOY, because You defend them.  Let them also that love Your Name be JOY-FULL in You.”  (Rom. 15:13;  Ps. 32:11;  5:11)

In Agape, Eulene

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Greetings!

Counted among our friends of past years was a precious Dutch lady (now “with the Lord”) whose mouth was always filled with praises for and to her Lord.  I marveled at her constant positive attitude, always encouraging and blessing.  It was she who gave us the idea of Heavenly T.V. – straight from the Scriptures!  Here it is:

“Now thanks be unto God Who always causes us to TRIUMPH in Christ…”  (2 Cor. 2:14)
“But thanks be to God Who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (1 Cor. 15:57)

In all the years since we have known this dear lady, these verses have stayed with me.  They are cross-referenced in my Bible.

Triumph and Victory are assured for all those who put their trust wholly in our Triumphant, Victorious God.  He is the Almighty, All-powerful Creator of all that is.  “The mighty God, even Jehovah, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.”    We join with the Psalmist in his injunction to:  “Clap your hands, all you people;  shout unto God with the voice of Triumph.”  (Ps. 50:1; 47:1)

Jesus, in the glorious work of the cross, “spoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly, Triumphing over them in it.”  He consequently holds the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, as well as the keys of the grave and of death.  (Col. 2:15;  Matt. 16:19;  Rev. 1:18)

Our God is a Triumphant God – Victorious in carrying out all of His purposes.  The Psalmist enjoins us to “Sing unto the Lord a new song,  for He has done marvelous things,  His right hand and His holy arm have gotten Him the Victory.”  (Psalm 98:1)

I think it is fairly easy for most of us to think of God as being Triumphant and Victorious in everything He undertakes to do.  However, notice that this Heavenly T.V. refers not only to our mighty God.  This thanksgiving of the Apostle Paul is to give thanks to God Who always causes US to Triumph in Christ.  And to give thanks to God who gives US the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Look at these opening statements again, phrase by phrase, this time from the Greek Interlinear: “But thanks be to God, the One – always – leading US – in Triumph – in Christ…” 
“But thanks be to God, the One – giving to US – the Victory – through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Whether it was Paul’s concern for the welfare and conduct of the believers, or death, sin and the law, or threats of adversities like “tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, or sword…” he could declare with confidence:  “Yet – amid all these things – WE – are more than Conquerors – through Him Who has loved us.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which rests upon us in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  (Rom. 8:37-39) 

Learning to trust in the Captain of the Army of the Lord, as did Joshua, defeat and failure will become a thing of the past, and we will go forward in confidence and assurance that He will fight our battles for us and, in Him, we will be Triumphant and Victorious – “more than Conquerors.”

“Now may the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in the believing, that you may abound in Hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.”  (Rom. 15:13)

In Agape, Eulene 

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Dear Friends,

At last, after being off-line for nearly three weeks, I am back at the computer.  It really is quite interesting to note how dependent we become on technology and modern inventions as they apply to everyday living.  Our grandparents would be astounded with our level of communication, transportation, information, and the way we go about our daily activities. . .

Those of you who are familiar with computers will know that the computer definition of “default” is “information that a program uses unless you specify otherwise.”  (The Internet for Dummies)

I have been thinking of this in light of my own mind.  The operation of the human brain so far exceeds the most advanced computer technology that it is out of sight!  And I’m wondering:  do we have a “default setting” on our “personal computers?”

I think we do.  It can be “set” for continual complaining, constant criticism, incessant self-pity and/or forever fault-finding;  OR it can be, as the Psalmist proclaimed, for Praise, Blessing and Thanksgiving. 

As we go about our daily activities, our thoughts and attention are given to whatever it is that we are doing.  That is necessary and good.  But what is the “default” mode when the pressure is lifted and that special attention is no longer required?  What about our leisure moments when our minds are free from immediate external demands? 

More and more I find Praise and Thanksgiving “continually in my mouth.”  That is a work of the Holy Spirit because I know it would not be the bent of my old nature.  It is the “default setting” of the New Creation nature.  Given a free moment, in my heart I am speaking the Word, praising the Lord, or giving Thanks.  At times, of course, it also becomes a verbal declaration.

“I will bless the Lord at all times;  His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make her boast in the Lord;  the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.  O, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”  (Ps. 34:1-3)

“Through Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name.”  (Heb. 13:15)

I wonder if this is the New Covenant fulfillment of the type found in the “continual burnt offerings” of the Old Covenant?  (see esp. Numbers 28 & 29)  Peter tells us that we are an “Holy Priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”  (1 Peter 2:5)  If we follow Paul’s entreaty, we will “present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,” which is our reasonable, or spiritual, service.  (Rom. 12:1)  In which case, I believe the Holy Spirit will re-set our “default” to Praise, Blessing and Thanksgiving.

“Let all those who seek Thee rejoice and be glad in Thee;  let such as love Thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.”  (Psalm 40:16;  70:4)

“Now the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in the believing, that you may abound in Hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.“  (Heb. 15:13)

In Agape, Eulene

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