Friday, January 11, 2019

Our Hope Is in Christ



 Surely a man goes about as a shadow!
Surely for nothing, they are in turmoil;
 man heaps up wealth and does not know
who will gather! And now, O Lord, for what do I wait?
My hope is in you.
Psalm 39:7 (ESV)

At first, David paints a dismal word picture. Then he speaks that he relies on God. Why does he say this? Earlier in the chapter he tells the Lord that he was silent but it was no use. (v.2)

At times believers have experiences when God has directed them to remain silent in light of surrounding circumstances that were not pleasing. When we hear stories that upset and offend us, we may find ourselves becoming depressed. However, if we remain obedient to the LORD, we will rise above the circumstance and will ultimately stand for the LORD.

Those with Seasonal Affective Disorder have a difficult time through the winter months when the sky is cloudy almost 100% of the time. Their brain needs to have light in order to keep them from deep depression.

However, we have a LORD who will guide us through those sensitive times where we might be offended by thoughts or words that come to our ears. When we read the Psalms, we see King David express his depressive thoughts and, a few verses later, and express his hope in God.

David placed his Hope in God. We have to do the same. This is a new year. Let’s all aim to place our hope in God in 2019.


Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Waiting for Hope

https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com


For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.
Titus 2:11-13

Paul writes these words to Titus, whom Paul describes as my true child in a common faith.

Paul gives Titus and us a picture here of God’s working in our lives and the reason for each of those steps He takes on our behalf.

Through God’s grace for us, his children He:
 
*brings salvation for all people,
                God saves us from our sin. Jesus took all our sin onto Himself when He went to Calvary.

*trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,
                God, through His word and the Holy Spirit, shows us what He finds unacceptable to Him.

*trains us to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives now,
                When we allow the Holy Spirit to have control of our lives, we possess self-control. When we have self-control, we lead upright lives that please God.

God does all these things as we await the hope of seeing the risen Christ appear in all His glory.


God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...