Letters of Hope

Dear Ones, 

We recently witnessed some high wire acts by members of the Flying Wallenda Family. They have been famous for their high wire acts for seven generations!  Of the several branches of the family that still perform in separate troups, we saw Tino, his wife Olinka, and daughter Aurilia perform.  During their performance they gave a very positive witness to their faith in Christ, very graphic illustrations of trust in Him, and their desire to glorify Him with the unique talents with which they have been endowed. 

It reminded me of Jean Francois Gravelet, the famous French acrobat and tight-rope walker who lived from 1824 to 1897.  When five years of age he began to train as an acrobat and, after only six months, made his first public appearance as “the Little Wonder.”   In 1861 he appeared in London, at the Crystal Palace, turning somersaults on stilts on a rope stretched across the central transept, 170 feet from the ground!  He especially owed his celebrity and fortune to his fete of crossing Niagara Falls on a tight-rope, 1,100 feet long, 160 ft. above the water!  This he accomplished, first in 1859, a number of times, always with different theatric variations:  blindfolded, in a sack, trundling a wheelbarrow, on stilts, carrying a man on his back, sitting down midway while he made and ate an omelet!  His final performance was given in Belfast in 1896.  He is best known by his professional name – Blondin.  As incredible as all this may sound, it is substantiated by the Encyclopedia Britannica!  (Also, a search of Blondin on the internet will give more details and pictures.) 

According to one of the popular reports, when at Niagara, Blondin challenged the onlookers:  “Do you believe that I can carry a man across on my back?”  By this time, the crowd ecstatically cried, “We believe!  We believe you can do it!”  When he called for a volunteer, who would be willing to trust himself to Blondin’s ability to safely carry him across?   (Evidently, according to the records, there was one who did – his Manager!!)  

This story graphically illustrates the meaning of trust.  To declare one’s belief is one thing;  to commit one’s self to that belief is quite another!  The Scriptures have much to say about trust.  Here are just a few thoughts:- 

COUNSEL TO TRUST IN GOD:- 

“Trust in the Lord God always, for in the Lord Jehovah is your everlasting strength.”  (Isaiah 26:4)
“Trust in Jehovah with all your heart, and lean not upon your own understanding.”  (Prov. 3:5)
“Trust in the Lord, and do good;  dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness”. (Ps. 37:3)
“Commit your way unto the Lord;  trust also in Him, and He will bring it to pass.”  (Ps. 37:5)  

COMMITMENT TO TRUST IN GOD: 

“This I declare, that He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;  He is my God, and I am trusting in Him.”  (Ps. 91:2)
“When I am afraid, I will put my confidence in You.  Yes, I will trust the promises of God…
This one thing I know:  God is for me!  I am trusting in Him.” (Ps. 56:3,4,11)
“Behold, God is my salvation;  I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord is my strength and song.”..  (Isa. 12:2)
“Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;  for in You do I trust.”  (Ps. 143:8)

BENEFITS OF TRUST IN GOD:

BIRTH INTO GOD’S FAMILY:   ”But all who have received Him, to them–that is, to those who trust in His name–He has given the privilege of becoming the children of God.” (John 1:12)

SECURITY & STABILITY:   “They that trust in Jehovah are as Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever.”  (Ps. 125:1)  “(S)he shall not be afraid of evil tidings: Her heart is fixed, trusting in Jehovah.” (Ps. 125:1;  112:7)

LIFE & FULFILMENT:   “But as for me, I am like a green olive tree (full of life and fruit) in the house of God:  I trust in the lovingkindness of God for ever and ever.” (Ps. 52:8)

JOY & CONTENTMENT:   “Happy is the one who trusts in Jehovah, and has made the Lord her hope and confidence.”..(Jer. 17:7)PEACE:   “He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in Him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!”  (Isa 26:3) 

REST:  “For we who have believed (trusted) do enter into rest.”  (Heb. 4:3)

Oh, the rest of simply trusting!  Yielded to my Father’s will;
In His loving arms enfolded, just to trust Him and be still.
Thus ever on through life we find to trust, O Lord, is best;
Who serve You with a quiet mind find in Your service rest.
Their outward troubles may not cease, but this their joy will be -
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee.”  (Isa. 26:3) 

“May GOD, the giver of HOPE,
fill you with continual JOY and PEACE because you TRUST in HIM-
so that you may have abundant HOPE
through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
(Romans 15:13 Weymouth) 

In Agape, Eulene

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Dear Friends, 

“Let  Him (God) have all your worries and cares, for He is ALWAYS thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you.”   (1 Peter 5:7 LB) 

In his admonition, the Apostle Peter seems to be quoting King David who, even in his time, understood this truth:  “Casting the whole of your care – all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all – on Him  for He cares for you affectionately, and cares about you watchfully.  (Psalm 55:22 Amplified Version) 

I want to share a little story that delightfully illustrates the word I have for you this week: 

“A policeman was holding up the busy traffic with his white gloved hands.  The cars and taxis all stood obedient;  the boys on bicycles put one foot to the ground and held on to whatever was nearest to them; all the work of that busy street was stopped.  All the people wondered who could be coming, and many craned their necks to see if it were the Queen of England about to drive through the big gates of the Palace. 

“Then came a surprise indeed!  On the empty street, so carefully guarded and protected, there walked across, looking very proud and clever, a mother duck with her ten little ducklings in single file behind her!  There they waddled – all the little necks on a stretch, all the little beaks a-twitter, all the little eyes wide open.  When they got safely across, the big policeman lowered his arm and the waves of traffic surged on once more.” 

With all of our modern technology, time-saving devices, and speedy travel, our world is becoming increasingly demanding.  I think it is because, in this generation, there is so much more information available, so many more places to go, so many more things to do, and so much more “stuff” to take care of, we just can’t keep up with it all.  That’s when we begin to be “overcharged with…the cares of this life…” resulting in emotional stress and mental tension, overextended physical strength and strained relationships.  (Luke 21:34) 

Jesus warned us to “take heed” lest at any time we should be thus overtaken.  (Luke 21:34)
Jesus also extended the invitation then, as now, “Come unto Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST.  Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find REST unto your SOULS.”  (Matt. 11:28,29)  

It is not always possible to leave our duties and responsibilities, or the place of the press, but we can remain, IN SPIRIT, in the HOLY OF HOLIES with our compassionate Father Who knows and understands all of our needs.  We can be physically very active, yet completely at REST in spirit.  God’s promise:  “In returning and REST shall you be saved;  in QUIETNESS and in CONFIDENCE shall be your STRENGTH.”  Therefore, “REST in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.”  (Isa. 30:15; Ps. 37:7) 

If repetition helps to make you more aware of this truth, then I will repeat it, with a prayer that we all may become more aware of the Love and Compassion of our Heavenly Father. 

To you who are burdened with toil and with care,
And pressures of life drive you near to despair,
The Word of the Lord is so faithful and true:
“IT MATTERS TO HIM ABOUT YOU!!”        

No matter how worried or harried you are,
Be it children, or work, or breakdown of the car,
The Love of the Lord is still faithful and true:
His Word is:  “HE CARETH FOR YOU!”    

O, let Jesus have all your worries and cares
All your anxieties He willingly bears;
The Faith of the Lord is still certain and true:
“HE WATCHFULLY CARES ABOUT YOU!!”   

No matter what version you read of this truth,
It’s equally true in your old age or youth!
The promise of God will forever stand true:
“HE LOVINGLY CARES ABOUT YOU!”         

               – Eulene Hope Moores

“…WE – who HAVE BELIEVED – do – enter into REST.”  (Heb. 4:3) 

“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.”
(Romans 15:13) 

 In Agape, Eulene

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Dear Friends, 

The word “priority” has come to be a well used word in our language, applied in many areas of everyday life.  It simply means that which is of greatest importance;   that which has the preeminence;   the top of the list;   to be given attention first ahead of everything else.  It is not a Biblical word but, if the writers of Scripture were writing today, they would quite possibly make good use of it because the principle of setting priorities is found throughout the Bible.  There are many examples in Scripture of men and women of God setting their priorities in accordance with God’s instructions:- 

ABRAHAM gave priority to God’s calling to a new land, even though he did not know where he was going!  He became the father of many nations, his name is associated with the True and Living Creator God, and he is regarded as the father of faith.  (Heb. 11:8-10) 

JACOB gave priority to God’s blessing though it meant that he was crippled for the rest of his life!  But he was blest beyond measure, given a new name meaning “having power with God,” and is also considered the father of God’s chosen nation, Israel.  (Gen. 32:24-32) 

JOSEPH gave priority to his moral integrity though he ended up spending years as a slave in a foreign country!  He was later elevated from an Egyptian prison to the Egyptian throne, next to the Pharaoh himself.  (Gen. 41:39-45) 

MOSES “chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.”  He gave priority to the promised reward, and “endured, as seeing Him Who is invisible.”  He was given the honor of leading God’s people out of slavery, to the Promised Land, and became the dispenser of God’s law which is still revered in many nations today.  (Heb. 11:24-29) 

ELISHA gave priority to obtaining the double portion of Elijah’s anointing which he so coveted, by following Elijah and never letting him out of his sight until he saw Elijah taken up into heaven, and Elijah’s mantle fell on him.  He became one of the greatest prophets in Israel’s history, working twice as many miracles as his predecessor.  (2 Kings 2:1-15) 

DANIEL and his friends resolved not to defile themselves with the heathen king’s meat, or bow to his idol, giving absolute priority to God’s laws even at the risk of death.  Daniel also gave priority to regular communion with God, though it meant a night in the lions’ den!  He was made Prime Minister, and favored by both Babylonian and Persian kings under whom he lived a long and noble life.  (Dan. 1:8-21; 6:28) 

These people had their priorities in order, and God blest them beyond measure. 

The passage that set me to thinking about priorities is found in Matthew 6:31-33.  Having referred to God’s care of the birds of the air, and the lilies of the field, Jesus tells us to be not anxious about what we will eat, or what we will drink, or what we will wear, for our Heavenly Father knows that we have need of all these things. “But SEEK FIRST the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto (us).”  In other words, we are to give priority to Spiritual things, things concerning the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, things that concern our personal relationship with Him, and He will take care of our material needs. 

The news media is filled these days with reports from the Beijing Olympics, and the incredible achievements of the participating athletes.  These Olympic athletes know what it means to give priority to their chosen sport.  Paul used the analogy in his letter to the Corinthian Church:  “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?  So run in order that you may obtain (that prize).  And every one who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things.”  They go into strict training.  I once read the story of Ekaterina Gordeeva who started training as a skater at the age of four;  when she was eleven she was paired with Sergei Mikhailovich whom she later married.  The pair won the gold medal at the Olympics in Calgary, and a second one in Lillehammer, Norway.  They won the prizes because they put their skating priority first, before everything else.  They literally gave themselves to skating.   “Now,” Paul says, “they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but WE AN INCORRUPTIBLE.”  (1 Cor. 9) 

The exhortation to us, as to Timothy, is “Give diligence (priority) to present yourselves approved to God…”  That means, putting CHRIST FIRST in everything that concerns us – giving priority to His Will and His Word and His Commands…

–In the Church:   loving one another, by love serving one another, and submitting one to another in the fear of God;  (John 15:12; Gal. 5:13; Eph. 5:21);
–In our Marriages:   recognizing the Headship of Christ with a relationship patterned after that of Christ and His Church;  (Eph. 5:23)
–In our Families:   Instructions are given to both parents and children:  “…and these words…you shall teach diligently to your children…”  (Deut. 6:7;  Eph. 6:1-4);
–In our Employment:   with Him as our Chief Executive Officer, conducting our business with diligence and integrity;  (Col. 3:22;  4:1)
–In all of our activities: “whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord…for you serve the Lord Christ.”  “…that in all things He (Christ) might have the preeminence.”  “…and this HOPE never disappoints, because God’s love for us floods our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.”     (Col. 3:23,24;  Col.1:18;  Rom. 5:5) 

“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.”
(Romans 15:13)

In Agape, Eulene

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Dear Ones, 

I love Language!   As Job’s friend said, my “ear tries words as the palate tastes food.”  Language is defined as “the expression and communication of emotions or ideas between human beings by means of speech and hearing…” – a gracious gift from our Creator.   Words are a primary means of such expression.  Words are the expression of our thoughts.  Indeed, “A wise man’s words express deep streams of thought.”  (Job 34:3 LITV; Prov. 18:4 LB) 

There is so much that can be said about words and the Word of God is rife with examples of, and information and instruction about words.  Words can be positive or negative; constructive or destructive; healing or hurtful; loving or loathsome; sweet or bitter; lovely or lewd.  James says “blessing or cursing!”  Jesus said, “By your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt. 12:37) 

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver,” says the Proverb.  King Solomon knew that “pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.”  (Prov. 25:11;  16:24)  Medical research has proven that to be, oh, so true! 

I recently came across a delightful piece of descriptive prose that is a wonderful example of the beauty of language, and the depths of truth which it can express.  I don’t know who the author is, but I would like to share it with you, with the hope that it blesses you as it did me:- 

“If God in Christ can paint the blush on the bud which hangs from the limb of the rose,
   and make the dewdrops of morning tremble like molten diamonds 
      on the virgin-white lip of the lily;
If He can plant the rivers in lines of rippling silver, and
   can cover His valley floors with carpets of softest green,
      tacked down with lovely daisies and laughing daffodils;
If He can scoop out the basin of the seven seas, and
   pile up the great granite of the mountains until they pierce the azure skies;
If He can send a Niagara thundering on a mighty and majestic minstrelsy 
   from century to century;
If He can fuel and refuel the red-throated furnace of a million suns 
   to blaze His universe with light;
If on the lovely looms of heaven, 
   He can weave the delicate tapestry of a rainbow, and
      at eventide fashion a fleece of crimson to curtain the couch of the dying sun, and
         across the black bosom of the night that follows bind a glittering girdle 
            spangled with ten thousand stellar jewels;
Then I do not doubt His power to save and keep us, and 
   to ultimately give us an order of life in which righteousness 
      ‘shall cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.’ “

 In the nineteenth Psalm, David used words beautifully to describe the splendor of Creation and the Law of the Lord:- 

“The heavens are telling the glory of God; they are a marvelous display of His craftsmanship.  Day and night they keep on telling about God…The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it, and moves out across the skies as radiant as a bridegroom going to his wedding, or as joyous as an athlete looking forward to a race!… God’s laws are perfect.  They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light.  God’s laws are pure, eternal, just.  They are more desirable than gold.  They are sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.  For they warn us away from harm and give success to those who obey them… 

“May my spoken words and unspoken thoughts be pleasing even to you, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”   

Father, fill my thoughts with Your Words of Life – Love – Peace – Faith – Joy – Comfort – Beauty -    Assurance – Hope.  In a world where language is becoming increasingly offensive,  teach me to “keep my tongue from evil, and my lips from speaking guile.”  (Ps. 34:13) 
“Let no unwholesome words ever pass my lips, but let all my words be good for benefiting others according to the need…”  (Eph. 4:29) 
“Nourish me in the words of faith.”  (1 Tim. 4:6)
“Pour grace into my lips,”  (Ps. 45:2) and
  “let my heart retain Your words.”  (Prov. 4:4)
“Because Your loving-kindness is better than life, 
   my mouth shall be filled with words of praise.”  (Ps. 63:3)

 In Agape, Eulene

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Dear Friends, 

Because we are (being) made in God’s image, we humans also have the capacity to think, to reason, and to mentally conceive.  When we ‘think’ about it, we are really ‘thinking’ most all the time.  Our thoughts cover everything from one end of the spectrum of life to the other.  Scientists have difficulty understanding the operation by which the human brain processes information received through the senses. 

The truth is, God knows all of our thoughts:  He knows our “downsitting and uprising, and He understands our thoughts afar off.”  I take that to mean that He knows our thoughts before we think them!   “…He that forms the mountains, and creates the wind, and declares unto man what is his thought…Jehovah, the God of hosts, is His name.”  (Ps. 139:2; Amos 4:13) 

God tells us that His thoughts are not our thoughts, neither are His ways our ways.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways, and His thoughts than our thoughts.  (Isa. 55:8,9)  And so we find that, at times, we need to “cast down our imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”   David prayed,  “Search me, O God, and know my heart;  test me, and know my thoughts.”   (2 Cor. 10:5;  Ps. 139:23) 

Then we have the wonderful assurance and admonition in Phil. 4:6-8 which I love in the Weymouth Translation:- “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.” 

This truth became very real to me 43 years ago when our second daughter was born.  She had a slight hare lip and would need surgery to correct it.  When I might have had thoughts of dismay and apprehension, as I read this passage I sensed that “peace of God” surrounding me like a bastion guarding my heart and mind from fear and worry. 

The Living Bible says, “Don’t worry about anything;  instead, pray about everything;  tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.  If you do this you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand.  His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus.”  You know, worry is like a rocking chair;  it will give you something to do, but it will get you nowhere!.  

The Philippians passage continues:   “Finally…whatever is TRUE, whatever wins RESPECT, whatever is JUST, whatever is PURE, whatever is LOVELY, whatever is of GOOD REPUTE – if there is any VIRTUE or anything deemed worthy of PRAISE – cherish the thought of these things.” - or -  “THINK ON THESE THINGS.” 

My favorite is :  “Commit your works unto the Lord, and your thoughts shall be established.” 
Another translation reads:  “Roll your works onto the Lord, and He will set your thoughts in order.”   (Proverbs 16:3)   This really is a very practical and satisfying way to order your days. 

A prayer to this end is earnestly expressed in the following hymn: 

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and pow’r controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His pow’r.

May the peace of God, my Father,
Rule my life in ev’rything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me,
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing -
This is victory.

 Kate B. Wilkinson, 1859-1928 

 ”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.”
(Romans 15:13)

In Agape,  Eulene 

P.S.  Here is a relevant quotation from the well-known poet, Robert Louis Stevenson:-
“Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened,
but go on in fortune or misfortune at their own private pace -
like a clock during a thunderstorm.”

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