THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE!

"...and if someone asks about your
Christian hope, always be ready
to explain it. " (I Peter 3:15 NLT)

It's been a tough year already and we're only half way through it! If the political campaigns haven't depressed you enough then recent news headlines ought to just about do it!

My heart is saddened that we in America must endure yet another mass shooting!  It doesn't matter that the club was frequented by the LGBTQ community, the outrage for me is that more and more mentally ill people are able to obtain weapons of mass destruction so easily!

But through it all....there is still hope!  The Enemy is trying to drown it out!  Our emotions fight against what we know is Truth!  Yet, Sisters, I'm here to remind you that HOPE is alive and well....all we need to do is fight through the muck and mire of these unpleasant circumstances and get to the OTHER SIDE! 

If  you are a Believer reading this, the following is a gentle but stern reminder not to give into fear, frustration, or anger....God is still in control!  If you're not a Believer....then honey, let me beg you to consider these benefits and place your trust in the Only One in Whom you can find security today (I'll show you how at the end of this post!)

Since it is generally the news media  pushing doom and gloom to everyone, I thought I would show you HOPE manifested in a few under reported news items! 

THE OTHER SIDE OF HOPE:

• Hope Never Disappoints (Romans 5:3-5)  Paul reminds us that suffering can often bring about perseverance!  Patrick Downes, Adrianna Haslet, and Rebekeh Gregory.  All were victims of the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing.  Today each of them have come back from this tragedy, reclaimed their lives and successfully completed the 26 miles with prosthetic (artificial) limbs!  Ms. Haslet, a professional ball room dancer before the bombing is now even dancing again!! 

• Hope Brings Comfort and Encouragement (I Thessalonians 4:13-18)  Paul again tells Christians that as long as we have Christ, we can have hope! In August 2010, thirty-three miners in Copiapo, Chile, became trapped in a copper-gold  mine for 69 days!  For 17 days no one knew if they were dead or alive! In fact, most assumed they were dead.  With only three days worth of emergency food, families had already started the grieving process.  Yet God prevailed--all thirty-three miners were rescued in reasonably good medical condition!

• Hope Helps Us Forgive (Psalms 130:5-7) The Psalmist assures us that if we but "wait" on the Lord there is mercy, redemption, and yes forgiveness! One year ago this month, 23 year old, Dylann Roof, a deranged young man on the pretense of attending Bible study, open fire on innocent men and women, killing nine of them as they studied the Word of God!  At his first meeting with the victims' families, he heard time and time again -I forgive you...may God have mercy on you...you hurt me but I forgive you!  Although many in these families and even strangers are still finding it hard to do so....the love of Christ is healing and helping them get through this loss!

Perhaps these stories have touched you as they have me and shown just how powerful HOPE can be in the life of a Believer!  I invite you now to join us at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ for on the other side is  HOPE and SALVATION! It's simple just...

1.  Admit you are a sinner (Romans 3:23)

2. Believe that there is nothing you can do to save yourself - death is the consequence of all sin (Ephes. 2:8-9; Romans 6:23)

3.  Confess your sins before the Lord (Romans 10:9-10)

4. Accept Jesus Christ as not only as your Savior but your Lord (Acts 16:31)

NOW REST IN THE ASSURANCE OF THIS HOPE:  Psalms 62:5 - Yes, my soul, find rest in the Lord; my hope comes from Him!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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SAY MY NAME! Timeless Truths From Unnamed Women in the Bible, Part Four

I could find no better way to end this series on unnamed women in the bible who were also mothers, than with this one--The Proverbs 31 Woman!  But not the one you're thinking of--the one that inspired her!!

Whether you are a concerned, grieving, vigilant or self-sacrificing mother there's one thing that you've got to have--and that's wisdom!  I know no parent who doesn't want the respect and ear of their child when giving advice.  Especially as it concerns life experiences and the inherent dangers that can follow them for the rest of their lives.

That's the kind of rapport the Proverbs 31 Woman, the mother of King Lemuel had with her son whom some believe may have been the famed King Solomon. If that is the case than the woman speaking would be Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:1-27; 12:1-24; 28-31).  Regardless, there's no denying that this mother knew what she was talking about.

In the last 31 verses of the 31st chapter of Proverbs we find this mother giving counsel to her son, a young prince, coming into his own, shortly taking the throne of a mighty kingdom.   She gives him advice about women from a Mother's Perspective.  And just let me say, modern day moms would do well to do the same for our sons and daughters even today!

Say on, Wise Mother....what would you have us to tell our sons? (In modern day language):

1.  Be careful of the women you hook up with, because some have destroyed kings! (31:2-3)

2. Don't spend your time partying (drinking, drugging, etc.) or you will soon forget your personal and work responsibilities! (31:4-7)

3.  Speak up for the defenseless, the poor and the needy. Be socially responsible! (31:8-9)

4.  Marry a woman with good character rather than a pretty face! (31:10-30)**Note that she uses 20 verses to emphasize this single point.

5. When you find such a woman, praise her and appreciate her! (31:30-31)

IN SUMMARY - In giving counsel to your children a Wise Mother needs to know When to speak, How to speak, and When to Shut up!  In addition to be a proper influence you should - Keep your advice short, Your lives upright, and Your hearts continually open!!! 

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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SAY MY NAME! Timeless Truths From Unnamed Women in the Bible, Part Three

Hear, my son your father's instruction
and forsake not your mother's teaching
Prov. 1:8 (ESV)

The word vigilant means, watchful, discerning and on the alert for possible danger.  This week's unnamed mother is one we can readily identify with.  Her son was born during a time and in a culture very much like ours today--immoral, violent, and spiritually weak!

And sadly, we find her modern-day sisters here too!  They are in cities notoriously known as: Kill-adelphia, Nap-ghanistan, and Chi-raq.  Their tear stained faces flash across our television screen daily. Their haunting presence in criminal court rooms all over America quietly watching and praying for a change!   We know her as...

THE VIGILANT MOTHER ( Judges 13:1-14)

The back story of this well known Bible saga is not generally emphasized in movies about Samson. Usually his relationship with Delilah is the focus.  But read Judges 13-16 and get the rest of the story!  You'll find an incredibly insightful and grateful mom driven to distraction by a strong willed and rebellious son!

 Samson, the Bible hero of Israel was the kind of child that kept his parents up all night wondering what he was up to!  Although he was a Son of Destiny, called from the womb to be a Nazarite (sanctified, set apart for God's use); he was not immune from sin.   

As a young adult, he was wanton, hot tempered, and was known to visit prostitutes.   But get this!  He was raised by a mother who did everything by the book!   She was God-fearing. Although barren for many years, unlike Sarah, she did not use a surrogate to become a mother. She was spiritually discerning.  She knew when God was talking to her and she obeyed without hesitation.  She set a godly example before her child. And in spite of it all, for twenty years she watched her child make mistake after mistake.

She watched, believed, and prayed long enough to see Samson finally fulfill God's destiny for his life!  And you can too!  So let's take a page from the Vigilant Mothers Handbook.  When your children insist on living on the edge and refuses to heed your pleas, here's what you can do!

1.  P.U.S.H. (Pray Until Something Happens) - I Thess. 5:17
2. Keep watching for opportunities to give wise counsel - Prov. 1:8
3. Don't waver in the belief that God will bring good things  out of this - Gal. 6:9
4. Let God's Word keep you encouraged -Ps. 119: 92

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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SAY MY NAME! Timeless Truths From Unnamed Women in the Bible, Part Two

"Do not fear, I have redeemed you.
I have called you by name.  You are
mine."  Isaiah 43:1b ESV)

Some mothers are called by birth and some are women who just had babies!  A true mother, whether she has birthed a child or not is no stranger to a lifetime of selfless love and sacrifice.  There's literally not much she wouldn't do to save her child from a life of pain and destruction!

That's why I guess, this Old Testament story gave me pause!  It's nestled between the accolades of King Solomon and his request for wisdom rather than possessions (I Kings 3:1-15) and the onset of his long prosperous reign in Israel!  But the real story to me, is not in Solomon's wise judgement but in the sacrifice of one incredibly courageous mother! Say her name with me, she is.....

A SACRIFICING MOTHER (I Kings 3:16-28)

There are two unnamed women in this story! Funny how the Bible writers don't tell us their names but didn't forget to mention their profession--they were prostitutes and they were mothers!  Could it be that, God needed to remind us that His grace covers even sinners who could draw a nice pension from the world's oldest profession? 

Again, I encourage you to read the scriptures for yourself, but let me just say to you.  When it came down to a life altering decision to be made; of the two women...only one made the choice of a mother!!!  Here's  a bit of wisdom that we need to share with young women today! 

1. Motherhood is a Spiritual calling (one of the highest)--sacred and life-long!  It is not a burden but a privilege and a place of powerful influence on the world.

It is not a hobby to venture into as trendy, convenient, and if need be, transferable when you want to do your own thing! You don't pick it up and put it down like a toy once you've grown tired of the responsibility. Children are a precious gift from the Lord (Psalms 127:3) no matter how they got here!

2.  Motherhood is a Sacred duty! Mothers are the child's first teachers!  That's why two verses in Proverbs, the book of wisdom, tell us that we should train, even from the womb, the child's personality and behavior toward God's purposes (Prov. 22:6; 15). He has entrusted such to us and the result has been mind blowing! (2 Tim. 1:5-6, Ex. 2:1-10, Luke 2:39-40) To neglect this duty is an embarrassment to the goodness of the Lord!

3. Motherhood is a Selfless priority!  When you bring a child into the world, life is no longer, all about you!  Forget about those so-called rights and cultural privileges and entitlement!  I've known mothers to go without food so their children could eat. (And some mothers who got their nails done instead of grocery shopping!)  Who wore shoes with holes so their children could be clothed. (And some who bought shoes while their children wore holes!)

Who delayed their dreams, so their child could achieve theirs, (And some who let others raise their child, go to their games, and birthday parties, while they finished their degrees!) The sacrificing mothers are in the first bunch and some have never given physical birth.  They are god-mothers, foster mothers, surrogate mothers, spiritual mothers, grand mothers, adopted mothers, etc.  

THANK YOU GOD FOR THESE NAMELESS MOTHERS -THANK YOU THAT THE CHILDREN THAT THEY HAVE NURTURED, AND ARE IN POWERFUL PLACES OF INFLUENCE, CAN NOW RISE UP AND CALL THEM BLESSED!  (Proverbs 31:28)! 

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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SAY MY NAME! Timeless Truths From Unnamed Women in the Bible, Part One

Before I formed you in the belly
I knew thee...(Jer. 1:5)

Recently, I spent five incredible mornings, hosting my church's week day 6:30 am prayer  line!  Meeting with brothers and sisters that early in the morning with praises and prayers in their hearts has been a special delight for me. It has also become a Spiritual life line for many facing incredible challenges ... including myself!

Since Mothers Day was soon approaching, I just had to give a shout out to these paragons of strength and courage, so I turned to God's Word for inspiration! 

Knowing that the virtues of Mary, Hannah, Deborah, Rachel and the like, would find their way over the pulpits on Sunday, I began a search of Unnamed Women!  Women who often get lost between the pages of Holy Writ.  Unsung heroines, with spotty reputations and less than virtuous lives.  Women whose spirits spoke to my spirit, because my life ain't  been no prayer book either! 

 As I turned the pages, they said to me... Say My Name, I'm a Mother too!  I cried, I sacrificed, I nurtured, I counseled...Won't you tell My story? And I said... I will... so for any one willing to read and learn, hear now the voice of:

A CONCERNED MOTHER - The Syro-phonecian Woman - Matthew 15:21-28

Do you have a child hooked on the modern demons of our time: drugs, sex, alcohol and violence? Life styles so horrible and degrading that you can't believe they came from your womb? What would you do to save his or her life? Take a cue from this Mom: alone (we don't know where daddy is?), unchurched, unsophisticated, considered a low-life to some,  willing to step up in the very face of Jesus to ask for help...what gall!  As you read the chronicles, it appears Jesus initially ignores her..He doesn't say a word.  She goes to the disciples, more aggressive in her pleas...they try to get rid of her. Finally they ask Jesus to dismiss her, putting an end to the matter! But nothing will deter her, she doesn't give up!  Call me what you want, just help my child, she cries! Finally, her persistence pays off and her child was not only healed, but her faith was rewarded.  And although she still remains unnamed, her story is forever recorded in the bible to give concerned mothers everywhere hope!

THIS IS WHAT WE'VE LEARNED:

1.  Be Prayerful - Never give up on your child - Ask, Seek, Knock..Matthew 7:7

2. Be Persistent - Delay doesn't mean Denial! - Ephesians 6:18; Luke 18:1-8

3.  Be Humble - Do not be arrogant in your request, God owes you nothing! James 4:6


UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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IN HIS PRESENCE: A Motivation to Keep Praying!

When all around me is in total chaos and fearful thoughts betray the faith that I know I have in God;  I can think of only one place to run and find sweet relief...In His Presence! 

My Sisters, have you been there?  Overwhelmed, discouraged, and confused. Tired of praying to God for a change in your circumstances but seeing none. Tired of the one-sided sacrifice.  Tired of the endless days of joylessness!  Tired of the preaching.  Tired of the same old platitudes of well meaning Saints who assure you that, weeping endures only for a night.....But never telling you how to make it through that ONE night!!   JUST PLAIN TIRED AND READY TO GIVE UP!  

Do me a favor...before you throw in the proverbial towel, find a quiet place, take 10 deep breaths, clear your mind, click the arrow on the video above, listen with your heart to this short song by Sandy Patti. (If you have trouble activating the video, paste this link into your browser:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKbCJJ3fcE0 )

Afterwards, pray a fresh prayer of surrender...placing all your concerns in God's capable hands.  Reinforce your thoughts with the promises He gives in His word...read one of the  passages below each day.  REFOCUS, REFLECT, REPOSITION YOURSELF....In the Presence of Your Heavenly Father!!

IN HIS PRESENCE THERE IS.....

• Power  - (Psalms 68:8; 97:5; 114:7)
• Courage - (Exodus 33:15)
• A Time of Refreshing - (Acts 3:19-20)
• Fullness of joy; pleasures evermore - (Psalms 16:11; I Thess. 2:19)
• Glory and honor -( I Chron. 16:27)
• Protection -( Psalms  17:2; 2 Chron. 20:9)
• Rest - (Ex. 33;14; Mat. 11:28-30)
• Grace - (Heb. 4:16) 
• Healing - (Isaiah 63:9)

CONFIDENCE, ASSURANCE, CLEANSING, HOPE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT, AND MORE WAITS FOR YOU !!!(Hebrews 10:19-25)

KEEP PRAYING, KEEP FAITHING THROUGH IT...COME INTO HIS PRESENCE TODAY!!!!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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A NATION UNDER DIVINE JUDGEMENT?

Judges 21:25

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. 

Wow! seems like a million years since I had to recite this pledge in grade school.  We were taught it meant one thing back then but it sure has a different meaning now!

In theory it sounds very patriotic evoking sentiments that inspired lyrics found in songs like... America the Beautiful and  The National Anthem.  Words like home of the brave, land of the free.  Yet, in practice we have fallen, far, far short of that ideology.

First of all, , which god are you referring to? It's anybody's guess any more.  I thought I knew until the move to take the Ten commandments (a visual reminder of Jehovah's moral and civic laws) off the premises of public schools, government buildings and other public places.  I guess doing so did make room for those metal detectors, in-house police, and security cameras that catch teachers and students, having sex with each other and the underaged! 

This pledge assumes that we are a people unified over important things affecting our country.  Things like national security; the widening economic gap between the rich and poor; the rise of crime, violence and drug use; our failing education system, and the constant threat of a government unable to pay their bills in this wealthy country of ours each year!  We are more divided than ever...not just politically, but socially and morally!

I'm not a political pundit by any means, but like that Turbo Tax, commercial  says...you don't have to be a genius...to know our country is in trouble!!  Big  Trouble!!!

It's got me wondering if we might not be a country under Divine Judgement!!!  It's not the first time this has crossed my mind, but it really hit me when I read the book of Judges, as part of my  Reading through the Bible In A Year  plan.   I know the book well, but chapter 19,  A Levite and His Concubine, shook me to my spiritual core!!!  You could not miss the parallels of the moral and political conditions of  the nation Israel and our country!

I purposely will not recount the story here....I want you to read it for yourself. ( For those of you who like a little edge to your reading, put down your sexual thriller and read this instead!)
Then come back if you will and examine these points of similarities between the two nations:

• A nation in the throes of  moral failure: sexual perversions, and exploitation in the name of personal desires and assumed rights (Romans 1:26-28). 

•  A nation with a growing indifference to human suffering of the innocent, who have no voice in the matter (Judges 19: 24-26).

• Factions and schism existed between governing bodies of the nation. Political and social infighting leading to the point of possible civil warring.

• Prevailing attitude of acceptance or apathy as it involves violence against women 

• Lack of integrity in leadership both secular and religious. Would rather  side with infidelity than defend righteousness.  Everyone doing what is right in their own eyes. Having personal or political agendas (Judges 21:25)

There are so many more examples but this gives you a general idea.  After reading from this book one must ask the question:  How much longer can we survive as a nation before we reach the end of God's Grace?  I pray that Our Nation will come to their senses soon! Don't you?

Hebrews 10:26-39The Message (MSG)

26-31 If we give up and turn our backs on all we’ve learned, all we’ve been given, all the truth we now know, we repudiate Christ’s sacrifice and are left on our own to face the Judgment—and a mighty fierce judgment it will be! If the penalty for breaking the law of Moses is physical death, what do you think will happen if you turn on God’s Son, spit on the sacrifice that made you whole, and insult this most gracious Spirit? This is no light matter. God has warned us that he’ll hold us to account and make us pay. He was quite explicit: “Vengeance is mine, and I won’t overlook a thing” and “God will judge his people.” Nobody’s getting by with anything, believe me.

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

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