Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘hope’

Day by Day

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , , , , , , on August 6, 2011 | 2 Comments »


Dear Friends,

“…..we do not lose heart; but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen;  for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.  ”   (2 Cor. 4:16-18 NASB)

The following hymn is both a testimony and a prayer, inspired by this passage of Scripture.

May it bless you as it has me over the years:-

Day by day and with each passing moment,
Strength I find to meet my trials here;
Trusting in my Father’s wise bestowment,
I’ve no cause for worry or for fear.
He whose heart is kind beyond all measure
Gives unto each day what He deems best –
Lovingly, its part of pain and pleasure,
Mingling toil with peace and rest.

Ev’ry day the Lord Himself is near me
With a special mercy for each hour;
All my cares He wants to bear, and cheer me,
He whose name is Counselor and Pow’r.
The protection of His child and treasure
Is a charge that on Himself He laid;
“As your days, your strength shall be in measure,”
This the pledge to me He made.

Help me then in ev’ry tribulation
So to trust Your promises, O Lord,
That I lose not faith’s sweet consolation
Offered me within Your holy word.
Help me, Lord, when toil and trouble meeting,
E’er to take as from a father’s hand,
One by one, the days, the moments fleeting,
Till I reach the Promised Land.

Lina Sandell Berg, 1821-1903

Trans. By Andrew L. Skoog, 1856-1934


I pray that God, who gives HOPE,
will bless you with complete happiness and peace
because of your faith.
And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with HOPE.

(Romans 15:13 Contemporary English Version)

 

In Agape, Eulene

Read Full Post »

Rooted and Grounded

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , , on April 26, 2011 | 2 Comments »


Dear Friends,

There is an interesting reference in Hosea where the Lord says, “I will be as the dew unto Israel.  He shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.”  (Hosea 14:5)

Though said primarily of Israel, these words also describe the beginning of everything in the experience of God’s children.  Dewfall is altogether vital to the life and growth of trees and flowers, and to us the Lord Himself promises to be “as the dew.”  Everything in our life as believers comes to us from Christ as our source.  He is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, holiness;  He has given us all things that have to do with His Life and His Likeness;  He has given to us exceeding great and precious promises, enabling us to partake of His Divine Nature.  Yes, everything!  (1 Cor. 1:30;  2 Peter 1:3)

“I will be as the dew,” He affirms, and in the latter part of the verse Hosea shows how life, with this as its supply, takes on a mysterious dual character.  In it the blossom of the Lily is wonderfully linked with the roots of the Cedar:  frail beauty and massive strength united in a single plant!  Such miracles are wrought by Heaven’s ‘dewfall’ alone.  Here, united in the child of God, are two contrasting characteristics.  Above ground, as it were, is the simple life of trust and faith represented by the Lily. That is what people see.  Yet buried deep down out of sight, giving to this frail plant a wholly unsuspected strength, are the massive roots of the Cedar.  Here surely is the paradox of a life in which the Cross is known.  Outwardly it appears fragile as the Lily blooming on the earth, but secretly there is much more hidden in the soil.  How much of our lives is seen?  When others look on the surface, do they see all there is?  Or is there something more?  Do we have in the unseen a secret history with God?  Others take account only of the Lily blooming in its weakness.  God is concerned with the roots, that they shall be Cedar-like in strength.  (Adapted from Watchman Nee)

Roots are essential to the life of a plant.  Most roots grow underground, anchoring the plant in the soil.  They also absorb water and minerals that the plant needs to grow.  In addition, many roots store food for later use by the plant.

This is another picture the Bible uses to help us understand the workings of God in our lives.  Remember the blessed one whose TRUST and HOPE is in the Lord, described by Jeremiah?    The Prophet goes on to describe him thus:  “…he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, that spreads out her ROOTS by the river.   He shall not fear when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green;  he shall not be anxious in the year of drought, nor cease from yielding fruit.”  A Proverb assures us that “the root of the righteous shall not be moved.”

(Ps. 1:3 & Jer. 17:7, 8;  Prov. 12:3)

The Apostle Paul found this to be a very appropriate analogy when he admonishes us in his letter to the Colossian Church:  “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in Him, ROOTED and built up IN HIM, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”  And again, to the Ephesian Church, praying “that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that you, being ROOTED and GROUNDED IN LOVE, may be strong to apprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and to experience the Love of Christ which passes knowledge…”

(Col. 2:6,7; Eph. 3:17-19)

Isaiah used an interesting prophetic phrase concerning Judah, but nonetheless appropriate to our subject:-  They shall “take root downward, and bear fruit upward.” (Isa. 37:31)

As the believer’s spiritual ‘roots’ grow ever deeper in the Life and Love of God, drawing sustenance from His Word and strength from His Spirit, the life flows upward to produce the beautiful ‘blossoms’ or flavorful ‘fruit.’   Through the Holy Spirit the Lord provides all things necessary for our growth, development, maturity and fruitfulness.

Rooted in the Love of God,
And grounded in His Word,
Drawing Life from richest sod;
Agape from the Lord.

Anchored in Amazing Grace,
And in His Word secure,
Held in His Divine Embrace,
Safe from the world’s allure.

Settled in the Peace of God;
Fixed in His Faith made mine;
Strengthened by His Guiding Rod;
Kept by His Pow’r Divine.

(c) Eulene Hope Moores

As we place our TRUST and our HOPE in the Lord, we shall be like that tree planted by the waters of Life, rooted and grounded by the river of God, and we shall not fear whate’er may come.  (Jer. 17:7)

In Agape, Eulene

Read Full Post »

Some Better Thing

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , , , , on March 6, 2011 | 1 Comment »


Dear Friends,

In my last Letter, I recalled a number of examples of troubles and trials working together for good, the Valley of A’chor representing not only ‘trouble’ but also a ‘door of Hope.’  “And what shall I more say?  For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae, of David also, and Samuel, and the prophets, who through faith
  subdued kingdoms,
    wrought righteousness,
      obtained promises,
        stopped the mouths of lions,
          quenched the violence of fire,
            escaped the edge of the sword,
              waxed valiant in fight,
                turned to flight the armies of the aliens,
                  women received their dead raised to life again.”

The world was not worthy of such people of faith.  (Heb. 11:32-35a)

However, the author of the book of Hebrews continues on to recount also the list of those who, though they “obtained a good report through faith, did NOT receive the promise!”

“Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance…..and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yes, moreover of bonds and imprisonment.  They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword.  They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated.  They wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Heb. 11:35b-38) We think of Jeremiah, Obadiah, Elijah, Stephen, and Paul.

These all had witness borne to them of faith, but the promise to them was that they might obtain a “better resurrection…They received not the promise, God providing some better thing for us, that they, without us, should not be made perfect.” (Heb. 11:35, 39-40)

Not all were rewarded in this life, but they were “looking for that blessed HOPE, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a people for His own possession, zealous of good works.” (Titus 2:13,14)

Job, though he received great blessing during his lifetime, is typical of the Old Testament saints who died, not having received the ultimate promise, but Job knew his day would come:  “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth, and…in my flesh shall I see God.” (Job 19:25,26)

The Apostle John, writing in his Revelation, encouraged all of those going through tribulation:

“Fear none of those things which you shall suffer.  Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison that you may be tried;  and you shall have tribulation ten days.  Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.” (Rev. 2:10)

Peter, Paul and James, as well as John, all described crowns awaiting all faithful believers:

James assures, “Blessed is the one who endures temptation, for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to them that love Him.” (James 1:12)

Paul proclaimed, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.” (2 Tim. 4:7,8)

Peter promised that “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, you shall receive a crown of glory that would not fade away.” (1 Peter 5:4)

Peter also referred to a glorious inheritance. Read these wonderful opening words in his first letter addressed to the Believers then scattered throughout Asia minor:

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who, according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a living Hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.  Wherein you greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold 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 Him not, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls…..Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 1:3-9,13)

“If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.  But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. (1 Cor. 15:19,20)

As for ourselves?  “…let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith (and Who is our supreme Example), Who, for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

So we continue “looking for that blessed HOPE (confident expectation), and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior, Jesus Christ….” (Heb. 12:1, 2; Titus 2:13, 14)

In Agape,

Eulene

Read Full Post »

Door of Hope

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , on January 29, 2011 | Leave a Comment »


Dear Friends,

My attention has been drawn inexplicably to some references in the Scriptures to the Valley of A’chor.  From what I can determine, it was a valley, or deep ravine, south of Jericho on the northern boundary of Judah.  That would be just near the North-West coast of the Dead Sea.

It was there that Achan was stoned because of his deliberate defiance of the Lord’s instruction, in stealing and hiding some of the banned treasures, thus resulting in defeat and humiliation for Israel in the battle at Ai.  After Achan’s sin was discovered and dealt with, Israel continued the victorious take-over of the Promised Land.  (Josh. 7:24-26)

In view of the trouble that Achan (his name means ‘trouble’) brought upon his people and upon himself, the place assumed a typical character, symbolizing an accursed desolation, and it was because of this that the place was called the Valley of A’chor (also meaning ‘trouble’ or ‘troubling’).

However, it would not always remain so.  Such desolation would be redeemed at the coming of Messiah.

The prophet Isaiah spoke of a time when “Sharon shall be a fold of flocks, and the valley of A’chor a place for the herds to lie down in, for my people that have sought me.” (Isa. 65:10)

Also Hosea prophesied a time when God would give Israel the Valley of A’chor for a “door of Hope.” (Hosea 2:15)

We are reminded that all of these things recorded in the Old Testament were written for our admonition, and there is a truth hidden in this story that can encourage us today.

Our life’s experiences sometimes take us through the ‘Valley of Trouble’ but, as the Holy Spirit “makes intercession for us according to the will of God,” we know that He makes all things (even our troubles) work together for good, giving us a Hope and confident expectation of the outworking of good.  Instead of the picture of death and desolation, Isaiah gives us the picture of peace and tranquility, and Hosea a “door of Hope,” so we find Hope and expectation of that which is good.

The Apostle Paul, in writing to the Church at Rome, reminds us that “All things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”

(Rom. 8:27,28) Even ‘troubles’ can work together for Hope and confident expectation of good.  There in the valley of A’chor, the place of our deepest wounds or worst failures, the Lord has placed for us a door of Hope.

One of the most outstanding Scriptural examples of troubling circumstances resulting in much good and blessing is the story of Joseph.  As we follow him through the betrayal by his brothers, the years of servitude in the foreign Egyptian court of Pharoah, the seduction and betrayal by his master’s wife, and the consequent years of imprisonment in an Egyptian dungeon, we wonder what his end could possibly be?!

“But God works in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform!” In the working out of His purpose, Pharoah’s favor was gained, Joseph was promoted to Prime Minister, and the whole nation of Israel was saved from the terrible famine that decimated the land!

We have other examples of troublesome experiences working ultimately for good, such as Esther, an innocent Jewish girl taken captive with her people to Babylon, being made a member of the King’s harem, but eventually becoming the Queen of the Persian Empire, wielding a great influence in effecting the deliverance of her people, and thereby carrying them further along the path of God’s purpose for them.

Then what about Job’s years of loss upon loss?  But God blessed his latter end more than his beginning, and he regained double all that he had lost.  He was able to say, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; but now my eye sees You.” We have David, the lowly shepherd boy, scorned by his brothers, but exalted by the Lord to rule over Israel.  And consider the three Hebrew Children, taken as captives to Babylon, served as slaves in the king’s palace, but ultimately promoted to high Government positions.

The Apostle Paul, after suffering beatings, stoning, shipwreck, and perils of every kind, as well as lengthy imprisonment in a Roman prison, could say, “I would have you understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the Gospel…for I know that this shall turn to my salvation through your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ…so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death.  For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (2 Cor. 11; Phil. 1)

“When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back:
this I know, for God is for me.
In God will I praise His Word;
in the Lord will I praise His Word.
In God have I put my trust;
I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.”
“The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear:  what can man do unto me?”

(Psa. 56:9-11; 118:6)

In Agape, Eulene

Read Full Post »

Precious Promises

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , , , on December 14, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


Referring again to a quotation in my last letter from 2 Peter 1:4 & 5, a further thought stood out to me concerning God’s “precious and wondrous promises” which He has given to us.  The phrase “in order that” explains the purpose for these wondrous promises.  They are given in order that-  through them – we might participate in the very nature of God. We do well to seriously consider these precious promises.

“And this is the promise that He has promised us, even eternal life.”  ”Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law…that we might receive the Promise of the Spirit through faith.” Having trusted in Christ, after hearing the Word of Truth – the Good News of salvation – and believing, God has sealed us with the promised Holy Spirit, that Spirit being a pledge and a foretaste of future blessing.

(1 John 2:25;  Gal. 3:14;  Eph. 1:13)

The context of Paul’s “Therefore, having these promises…” in his letter to the Corinthian believers, reviews the incredible truth that we are “a temple of the living God;  as God has said, ‘I will dwell in them, and they shall be My people’…’and I will be a Father unto you, and you shall be My sons and daughters…’ ” (2 Cor. 6:16; 7:1)

There is a multitude of promises concerning our Heavenly Father’s loving care, supply of our needs for spirit, soul and body, the impartation of faith, peace, joy, and love.  Then there is “the living HOPE by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” that we, too, shall not sleep in death, but “shall be changed…”   “Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.”

(1 Cor. 15:51;  1 John 3:1-3)

In her Sincerely Yours devotionals, Ann Mainse reminds us of a fascinating story first told by Ken Taylor.  In Communist Russia, in the 1930′s, there was a great deal of persecution of the Christian believers.  Stalin had ordered that all Bibles be confiscated and the Christian citizens sent to prison camps.   Many of them died as “enemies of the state.”

In 1994, after the fall of Communism and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a Christian missions team arrived in the now-liberated town of Stavropol.  They had arranged for a shipment of Bibles to distribute in that town, but it had been delayed at customs.  Someone told them about a warehouse outside of town where some of the confiscated Bibles which had escaped destruction were still stored.  Having received permission to take and distribute them, they hired several local Russian workers to help load their trucks with the dusty Bibles.

One young man, a cynical and bitter individual, agreed to help, but he assured them it was only for the pay he would receive.  After a while, it was noticed that the angry young man had disappeared.  Much later, he was discovered in the corner of the warehouse, weeping uncontrollably, with an open Bible in his hands.  He had intended to steal it and later sell it, but when he opened the cover, he discovered on the fly-leaf his own grandmother’s signature!   As he read the life-changing words of that Book, his heart began to change and he was remarkably transformed by the very Bible for which his grandmother had been persecuted!

Endless stories can be told of how, throughout the ages, the inspired Scriptures with their Precious Promises have revolutionized countless millions of people the world over.

Your Word is like a garden, Lord, with flowers bright and fair;
And everyone who seeks may pluck a lovely cluster there.
Your Word is like a deep, deep mine, and jewels rich and rare
Are hidden in its mighty depths for every searcher there.

Your Word is like a starry host – a thousand rays of light
Are seen to guide the traveler, and make his pathway bright.
Your Word is like an armory where soldiers may repair
And find, for life’s long battle-day, all needful weapons there.

O, may I love Your precious Word, may I explore the mine;
May I its fragrant flowers glean; may light upon me shine.
My faith be settled in the PRECIOUS PROMISES of God;
His faithfulness my blessèd HOPE as on through life I plod.

Edwin Hodder, 1837-1904                            (The last two lines altered)

 

“For ALL THE PROMISES OF GOD, whatever their number,
have their confirmation IN HIM;
and for this reason through Him also OUR AMEN
acknowledges their truth
and promotes the glory of God through our faith.”
“Let us hold firmly to an unflinching avowal of our HOPE,
for HE WHO GAVE US THE PROMISES IS FAITHFUL!”

(Heb. 10:23;  2 Cor. 1:20 Weymouth)

In Agape,

Eulene

Read Full Post »

Grace Great Enough

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , , on November 13, 2010 | 1 Comment »


Having mothered six children, been involved with our own business, and having been active in our local Church for many years, I know what it’s like to be overwhelmed with daily activities.   I can relate to some of my readers who are ‘stressed out’ with modern day pressures and demands.

Over the last number of years, the revelation of Galatians 2:20 has come to me one phrase at a time:-  “I am crucified with Christ. . . . .Nevertheless I live. . . . .yet not I – but Christ lives in me. . . . .” For the believer, this is a most wondrous discovery.

Standing at the kitchen sink one day, feeling frustrated because of the constantly repetitive and seemingly thankless tasks that are thrust upon us daily, I began to talk to the Lord about it:-  “When there are important things that we are supposed to be doing, like praying, reading the Word, waiting on God, etc., why do we have to spend so much time washing dishes so we can dirty them again, making beds so we can mess them up again, laundering clothes to be soiled again, etc.  Maybe we should just go back to mud huts and banana leaves…!? “

Then the answer came loud and clear in the next two phrases of the verse:-  “and the LIFE that I NOW LIVE, I LIVE BY THE FAITH OF THE SON OF GOD!” It became so real to me that I have rested ever since, just knowing that He is living His life in me and expressing Himself through me in the every day vicissitudes of life.  And I realized that it is in the daily experiences and interactions that the most valuable lessons of life are learned, and opportunities presented for overcoming.  It is in these times of need that we experience the “marvelous Grace of our loving Lord” – Grace that is ‘sufficient’ for our weakest times.  It is in these times that our Faith grows and our Strength increases.  (2 Cor. 12:9; Isa. 40:29)

I love this verse by Annie Johnson Flint:-

His Grace is great enough to meet the great things,
The crashing waves that overwhelm the soul,
The roaring winds that leave us stunned and breathless,
The sudden storms beyond our life’s control.

His Grace is great enough to meet the small things,
The little pin-prick troubles that annoy,
The insect worries, buzzing and persistent,
The squeaking wheels that grate upon our joy.

Romans 5:1-5 ties together all the attributes of FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, GRACE and PEACE:-

“Therefore, being justified by FAITH, we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by Whom also we have access by FAITH into this GRACE wherein we stand, and rejoice in HOPE of the glory of God.  And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also, knowing that tribulation works patience, and patience, experience, and experience, HOPE;  and HOPE makes not ashamed because the LOVE OF GOD is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.” (KJV)

Weymouth gives us this version:  “Acquitted then as the result of FAITH, let us enjoy PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have been brought by FAITH into the position of favor in which we stand, and we exult in HOPE of seeing God’s glory.  And not only so;  we also exult in our afflictions, knowing as we do that affliction produces endurance;  endurance, ripeness of character;  and ripeness of character, HOPE;  and that this HOPE never disappoints, because God’s LOVE for us floods our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.”

Another expression by Phillips:  “Since then it is by FAITH that we are justified, let us grasp the fact that we have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Through Him we have confidently entered into this new relationship of GRACE, and here we take our stand, in happy certainty of the glorious things He has for us in the future.  This doesn’t mean, of course, that we have only a HOPE of future joys – we can be full of JOY here and now even in our trials and troubles.  These very things will give us patient endurance;  this in turn will develop a mature character, and a character of this sort produces a steady HOPE, an expectation that will never disappoint us.  Already we have the LOVE of God flooding through our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us.”

Perhaps these three renderings will help to impress on our minds the glorious truth which they express.

Eugenia Price gives us an interesting definition of Faith:  “Faith is being one with God!” The “life that I now live” I live by His faith as He lives His life in me.  He is fully acquainted with our modern culture, the time in which we live, the place of our abode, the modern technology which has become so much a part of every day life:  travel, communication, machinery, technology.  He knows how to deal with every situation.   So we can trust Him for all things.

Since Christ reconciled us to God by dying for us,

surely now we may be perfectly certain of our salvation

through His living in us.

(Rom. 5:10)

 

In Agape, Eulene

Read Full Post »

The Greatest of These

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , on October 21, 2010 | 2 Comments »


Dear Friends,

“And now abides FAITH, HOPE, LOVE, these three;  but the greatest of these is LOVE.”

(1 Cor. 13:13)

The context of this reassuring declaration is that, for the present, we have only limited sight, seeing things as if in a mirror dimly.  And the knowledge we have is very limited and imperfect.  But the day will come when we shall see clearly; and we shall know fully, even as we are fully known.

While we do not see or understand the whys and wherefores of all of life’s experiences, we do have HOPE and FAITH which abide in spite of circumstances and appearances.

The admonition of Titus to the elderly men I think would be very appropriate for anyone of any age:-that we be “…sober, grave, temperate, sound in FAITH, in LOVE, in patient HOPE.” (Titus 2:2)

As part of the whole armor of God, we are encouraged to put on the helmet of HOPE (protecting the mind) and the breastplate of FAITH and LOVE (protecting the heart and lungs).  (1 Thess. 5:8)

There are three lessons I would write, three words as with a golden pen,
In tracings of eternal light, upon the hearts of men.
HAVE FAITH.  Where’er your bark is driven – the calm’s disport, the tempest’s mirth –
Know this:  God rules the host of heaven, the inhabitants of earth.
HAVE HOPE.  Though clouds enshroud you round, and Gladness hides her face in scorn,
Just put the shadows from your brow – no night but has its morn…
HAVE LOVE.  Not human love alone, but God’s own love your heart to fill,
And flow out, like the circling sun, o’er every vale and hill.
Thus grave these words upon your soul – FAITH, HOPE and LOVE – and you shall find
Strength when life’s surges maddest roll, Light when you else were blind.

Johann von Schiller (1759–1805)

Following that wonder-full Love chapter of 1st Corinthians (13), Paul exhorts us to “follow after Love.” Other translations give “pursue Love,” “Be eager in your pursuit of this Love,” “Make Love your aim.” The Amplified Version confirms the urgency of this pursuit of LOVE:-  “Eagerly pursue and seek to acquire [this] Love – make it your aim, your great quest.” And from the Message, “Go after a life of Love as if your life depended on it – because it does!”

Indeed, why would we not?  Since following after Agapè means following after God, for “GOD IS LOVE and he who dwells in LOVE dwells in GOD, and GOD in him,” how could we ask – or even think – of anything of greater value?  Or more to be desired?  (1 John 4:16)

The following poem is a repeat from about three years ago, but the message is appropriate:-

MAKE LOVE YOUR AIM!

Make Love your aim – your highest goal;
The greatest questing of your soul!
Reach up – until God’s Love you know;
Until you’re filled – and overflow!
Reach out – until that Love is spread
To all around, and to self dead!

Press on!  Stretch forth to lay hold on
The victory that Christ has won!
The victory that Christ has won
To give you Life – make you His son!

His son and heir to rule and reign;
His plan for you:  His goal to gain!
Faith, Hope and Love – these three remain
Love’s the greatest; make it your aim!

Faith, Hope and Love – these three abide
Until the earth is covered wide
With all the Glory of the Lord
And the whole world is one accord!

God will be all, and all in God;
Creation all His Love applaud!

© Eulene H. Moores, March, 2003

 


“We give thanks to God always for you all,
making mention of you in our prayers,
Remembering without ceasing your
work of FAITH, and
labor of LOVE, and
patience of HOPE
in our Lord Jesus Christ,
in the sight of God and our Father…”

(1 Thess. 1:2,3 KJV)

 

In Agapè, Eulene

Read Full Post »

Have Faith in God

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , on September 30, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


Dear Friends,

FAITH is the first of the triad of that which “abides,” and is very closely related to HOPE and LOVE.

In my last letter regarding our HOPE in God, I stated that “Biblical hope is inseparable from Faith in God.  It is not merely a wish or a want but, rather, a confident expectation.”  (1 Cor. 13:13)

I find that words often roll off our lips without our thinking of the depth of meaning which they convey.  So, concerning FAITH, I decided to confirm the official definition of that word also.  The dictionary comes close:  “1.  Confidence in, or dependence on a person, statement, or thing as trustworthy;  trust.  2.  Belief without need of certain proof.  3. Belief in God or in testimony about God as recorded in Scriptures.”

Of course, we have God’s own definition given in Heb. 11:1-6: “Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…..Through Faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” In other words, Faith is the assurance of the things we hope for, being convinced of the reality of the things we cannot see.  And it is through Faith that we understand that the worlds were prepared by the Word of God, so that what we can see was not made out of things which are visible.

Abraham, we know, is a foremost Biblical example of one who understood and exercised great Faith.   God called him to leave his ancestral home to travel to a strange country about which he knew nothing – no maps or travelogues, or pictures to arouse his interest!   He simply obeyed, and went out, not knowing where he was going.  Even after arriving in the “land of promise” he lived by Faith “as in a strange country.” It took active Faith in a Faithful God for Sarah to conceive and give birth to a son when well past the child-bearing age.  “..building on hope in spite of hopeless circumstances, he (Abraham) had faith…” (Rom. 4:18 Williams Trans.) Then, a number of years later, Abraham again exhibited outstanding Faith when he obediently offered that beloved son to God on the altar of sacrifice, “accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead!” Not much wonder that Abraham is considered the “Father of  Faith!”  (Heb. 11:8-11;  17-19)

And just as Abraham put his Faith in God and it was credited to him as right standing with God, all those who are of Faith are considered his children.  We are assured that Christ has redeemed us by His sacrificial death at Calvary that the blessing of Abraham might come through Him, and that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through Faith.  (Gal. 3:6-9,13,14)

How do we receive this Faith?  The Apostle Paul tells us that Faith comes from hearing a rhema (Gr.) declaration of Christ.  That is understood to be the revealed Word of God, as an utterance from God to the heart of the reader through the Holy Spirit.  As Jesus explained it  “…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 14:26)

Faith is clearly one of the most important concepts in the New Testament.  It is a basic requirement for “without Faith it is impossible to please God.  For he that comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” (Heb. 11:6)

Faith means believing in the infallible Word of God as it is quickened to one’s spirit.

Faith implies complete reliance on God and full obedience to Him.

Faith means abandoning trust in our own resources and casting ourselves wholly on the mercy of God.

Faith means laying hold on the promises of God in Christ, relying entirely on the finished work of Christ for salvation, and on the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit of God for daily strength.

It is by Faith we stand, not in human wisdom, but in the power of God. (1 Cor. 2:5)

It is by Faith, believing that Jesus is the Son of God, that enables us to overcome the world. (1 John 5:4,5)

It is reassuring to know that Faith is not involved with works on our part.  We simply believe and receive it as a Gift from God.  We look unto Jesus, the Initiator and the Perfecter of our Faith.  We are justified, or made righteous, by the Faith of Jesus Christ, and we live by the Faith of the Son of God, Who loved us and gave Himself for us.  Through Him we believe God Who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that our FAITH and HOPE may rest in God.

(Eph. 2:8;  Heb. 12:2;  Gal. 2:20, 16;  1 Pet. 1:18-21)

(You) by (Christ) do believe in God,
Who raised Him up from the dead, and gave Him glory;
that your FAITH and HOPE
might be in GOD.”

(1 Peter 1:21)

In Agape, Eulene

Read Full Post »

Hope Thou in God

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , on August 26, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


“Why art thou cast down, O my soul?  And why art thou disquieted within me?  HOPE THOU IN

GOD:  for I shall yet praise Him who is the health of my countenance, and my God.”

In one of our recent devotional readings, I was very much inspired by this phrase and determined to see

what all I could find about it in the Scriptures.  And what a lot I found!

This encouraging directive given by the Psalmist through Divine inspiration is repeated three times in    Psalm 42:5;  42:11; and 43:5  To express it in our very modern English, we might say to ourselves, “O, my soul!  Why are you so depressed?  Why so stressed out?  YOU PUT YOUR HOPE IN GOD, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”

To begin, I decided to confirm the official definition of the word “HOPE” (which just happens to be my middle name!)  As a verb, it means “to desire with expectation of fulfillment; to place confidence; rely.”

As a noun, it means “desire accompanied by expectation of fulfillment; confidence; trust.”  Biblical hope is not a matter of temperament, nor is it conditioned by prevailing circumstances or any human possibilities.  It does not depend upon what a man possesses, upon what he may be able to do for himself, nor upon what any other human being may do for him.  For example, there was nothing in the situation in which Abraham found himself to justify his hope that Sarah would give birth to a son, but because he believed in God, he could ‘against hope believe in hope.” Or, “building on hope in spite of hopeless circumstances, he had faith…” (Rom. 4:18 Williams Trans.) Biblical hope is therefore inseparable from faith in God.  It is not merely a wish or a want but, rather, a confident expectation.  “For in You, O Lord, do I HOPE:  You will hear, O Lord my God.” (Ps. 38:15)

As one commentator stated, “Hope is not a kite at the mercy of the changing winds, but an “anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast” penetrating deep into the invisible eternal world.”  (Heb. 6:19)

Many times David expressed his hope in the Lord:  “Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you that HOPE in the Lord.”   “You are my hiding place and my shield; I HOPE in Your word.” (Ps. 31:24; 119:114)

The prophet, Jeremiah, declared that the one whose hope was the Lord was a blest one indeed.  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose HOPE the Lord is.  For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreads out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat comes, but her leaf shall be green;  and shall not be anxious in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” (Jer. 17:7,8)

Even in his lamentations, Jeremiah emphasized the hope he had in God:  “This I recall to my mind, therefore I have HOPE.  It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning;  great is Your faithfulness.  The Lord is my portion, says my soul;  therefore will I HOPE in Him.  The Lord is good unto them who wait for Him, to the soul that seeks Him.  It is good that a man should both HOPE and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord.” (Lam. 3:21-26)

There are many answers to the question, “For what do we hope?”  Considering it in the light of Spiritual realities, we all hope for Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness of Sin, Deliverance, Restoration, Help, Eternal Life, Return of Christ and Resurrection, Heavenly Inheritance, to be perfected in the image of Christ.

Turning to the New Testament, the Apostle Paul averred that “We are saved by HOPE; but HOPE that is seen is not HOPE; for what a man sees, why does he yet HOPE for? But if we HOPE for what we do not see, then do we with patience wait for it.” To the Church at Galatia he wrote: “for we through the Spirit wait for the HOPE of righteousness by faith.’ (Rom. 8:24,25; Gal. 5:5)

Paul wanted us to know the “HOPE of eternal life which God, Who cannot lie, promised before the ages…..That, being justified by His grace, we should be made heirs according to the HOPE of eternal life.” (Titus 1:2; 3:7)

He wanted us to know the “HOPE of our calling;” to have our “faith grounded and settled in the HOPE of the Gospel;” to be aware of the Hope of the Resurrection;  the Hope which is laid up for us in heaven. “Looking for that blessed HOPE and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us…” and “…set your HOPE perfectly on the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”

(Eph. 1:17-19;  4:4; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; Col. 1:5; Titus 2:13; 1 Pet. 1:13)

Jesus Christ Himself is our Hope, the “HOPE of Glory” Who dwells in all who, having received Him, have become the children of God.  “Beloved, now we are the children of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.  And every man who has this HOPE in him purifies himself, even as He is pure.” (1 Tim. 1:1; John 1:12; 1 John 3:2,3)

We are constantly encouraged to continue to put our hope and trust in our Heavenly Father Who loves, cares, and provides for His children, and to maintain that “confident expectation” of the fulfillment of all of His gracious promises.  “HOPE THOU IN GOD!”

“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

Read Full Post »

Amazing Grace!

Posted in Spiritual, tagged , , , on July 13, 2010 | Leave a Comment »


Greetings!

We hear the words of this old, very well-known hymn played and sung everywhere, sung by Christian congregations the world around, at funerals of both believers and unbelievers, and piped by the Scottish pipe bands at military memorials.  There is an interesting story behind the writing of the hymn.

The author was John Newton who was born in London, England and lived from 1725 to 1807.  At the tender age of eleven, he went to sea with his father who was a commander of a merchant ship which sailed the Mediterranean.  He was later pressed into service on a ‘man-of-war.’  Finding conditions there intolerable, he deserted, but was soon recaptured, publicly flogged and demoted from midshipman to common seaman.  At his own request he was exchanged into service on a slave ship, which took him to the coast of Sierra Leone in Africa.  He then became the servant of a slave trader and was brutally abused.  Ultimately John Newton became captain of his own ship with which he continued in the slave trade.

He had had some early spiritual guidance from his beloved mother, instilling in his young mind a love of the great hymns of the Church.  When he was yet a child, his mother died, and, following his occupation in the slave trade, he soon gave up any religious convictions.  Rather, he gained a reputation for profanity, coarseness and debauchery, earning the name of “The Great Blasphemer.”  However, on a homeward voyage in May of 1748, while he was attempting to steer the ship through a violent storm, he experienced what he called his “great deliverance.”  His journal records that when all seemed lost and the ship would surely sink, he cried out, “Lord, have mercy upon us.”  Later in his cabin he reflected on what he had said and began to believe that God had addressed him through the storm and that God’s “Amazing Grace” had begun a work in him.

The slaves, imprisoned in the belly of the ship would often sing a haunting five-note melody of what is known as the pentatonic scale (the five black keys on the piano keyboard).  It is believed that Newton wrote the words to fit the melody.

He eventually became a minister of the Gospel and wrote many treasured hymns of the Church.   “Amazing Grace” is without doubt the most well-known and best loved of Newton’s hymns, having endured and thrived for two-and-a-half centuries.  Included here are some not-so-well known verses:-

AMAZING GRACE!   How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost, but now am found;  was blind, but now I see!

‘Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear – and Grace my fears relieved;
How precious did that Grace appear the hour I first believed.

Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come;
‘Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me Home.

The Lord has promised good to me, His word my HOPE secures;
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, the sun forbear to shine;
But God, Who called me here below, will be forever mine.

When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we’d first begun.”

GRACE! What a lovely word.  It has been defined by some as “unmerited favor.”  It denotes forgiveness and mercy to the repentant sinner.  By Grace the sinner is justified.  That is, God, in His Grace, treats him, though guilty, as if he had never sinned.

Having been “saved by Grace through faith,” Grace continues to be an integral part of our spiritual experience.   When the Apostle Paul beseeched God for deliverance from his “thorn in the flesh” God’s reply was “My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” (Eph. 2:8; 2 Cor. 12:9)

Ah, yes!  God’s Grace is sufficient for every need.  It is “All Sufficient Grace” – which I have entitled this poem:-

The Lord is all in all to those
Who place their trust in Him,
When Life has brought its deepest woes
And dreams and hopes grow dim.

A Husband to the widow lone;
A Father to the child;
A Shelter for the family
When storms are blowing wild.

A Welcome for the wayward son,
His wasted years restored;
A Healing for the wounded heart
With balm of Love outpoured.

The one whose trust is in the Lord
And looks to Him for Grace,
Will find His all sufficiency
In Love’s Divine Embrace.

Psalm 46

(c) Eulene Hope Moores

May the God of your HOPE
so fill you with all joy and peace in believing –
through the experience of your faith -
that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound
and be overflowing (bubbling over) with HOPE

(Romans 15:13 Amplified)

In Agape, Eulene

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.