Hope Stored Up In Heaven

 

“We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,

 because we have heard of your faith in Jesus Christ and of the love 

you have for all saints-the faith and love that springs from the hope 

that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard

about in the word of truth the gospel that has come to you.”

Colossians 1:3-5 (NIV)

“We always thank God. . .” Paul writes to the Colossian believers that he and his ministry team express their thanks to the Father of us all. He wrote them to combat the false teaching that had infiltrated the church.

 

“. . . the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ . . .”He affirms the relationship of God and His Son, Jesus.

 “. . . when we pray for you . . .” The apostle tells them that the ministry team prays for them. Can you imagine how honored that made the people feel? I decided a long time ago that the nicest thing a person could say to another was, “I’ll pray for you.” Or even, “May I pray for you?” 

“ . . we have heard of your faith in Jesus Christ. . .” People heard of deeds the believers performed because of their faith in Jesus. Do we exhibit our faith to others? Can those around us see our faith as we work, minister, or in our leisure?

“. . . of the love you have for all saints. . .” Word of their love for others traveled to Rome, where Paul was in prison. People were impressed with the Colossian church and the way they were received.

“. . . faith and love that springs from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven. . .” Paul recognizes that the motivation of the Colossian believers is faith and love. He claims the basis of this love and faith is hope that is stored up for them in heaven. Do all our actions grow out of our faith and love for Jesus and our fellow humans? Does our hope in heaven keep us strong and able to meet our trials head on?

 “ . . already heard about in the word of truth the gospel that has come to you.” The Colossian believers applied what they had heard from Paul through the teachings of Epapharas, who had heard Paul’s preaching and was among those converted by him. Do we apply what we learn through Bible studies and sermons we hear to our hearts and carry out the messages we receive?

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both graphics from annebender.blogspot.com

Set Your Hope On His Grace

“Therefore prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.

 1 Peter 1:13 (NIV)

Peter advises those reading his 

letter to train their minds for sharpness. He admonishes them to also be restrained in their attitudes. Peter told the 1st Century believers to set their expectation of future good on the love of Jesus that they will see when He returns to earth.

As a college coed, I was somewhat nervous when my boyfriend came to visit in my home one summer. I didn't realize my dad noticed it.

A few days after my beau had returned to his home, my mother told me about Dad noticing I became worried when the guy was a bit late in arriving.

As a young adult, I found myself feeling ‘let down’ by events. Some of them were less exciting than I thought. Others did not happen or I couldn't participate in. I finally recognized this feeling as a mild form of depression. To keep myself from falling into this quagmire of defeat, I more or less stopped looking forward to things. I went to activities and I enjoyed them.

I heard a pastor say, “People will let you down; I will let you down. But Jesus will never let you down. I realized that I had been looking at the happenings of my life from a worldly point of view. I began to grow closer to the Lord because of this conversation. 


*Graphic from writespassage.blogspot.com

Hope in Us

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not been made known.

 But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

 Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.’

1 John 3:2-3 (NIV)

“ . . now we are children of God. . .” We become God’s spiritual children when we ask Him into our hearts. We give Him full reign over every part of our lives.

“. . . what we will be has not been made known.” God makes us into the person He wants us to be. The transformation of our attitudes, our minds, and our hearts is in His hands.

“But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him. . .” As we await Jesus’ return to earth, we who follow His teaching become more like Him. He makes us into His image. We grow closer to Him. We adopt His attitude, taking all our needs before Him.

“. . . for we shall see him as he is.” We shall see God. We shall know Him.

“Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself. . .” When we have Jesus in our hearts, we allow ourselves to be purified by our heavenly Father through Jesus Christ. We yield ourselves to Him.

“. . . just as he is pure.” When god calls us home, our transition is complete. Our souls longer mimic the world but reflect God.  


* graphic from: www.corkhope.com

Intercession--RJD April 2013

--

Journal Entry April 1, 1997

“A Christian fellowship lives and exists by the intercession of its members for one another, or it collapses.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

Bonhoeffer says some very meaty things in the passage that he gives that he gives with the above quote. I liked the entire passage back on March 19, 1997 when l began this section.

One does not know, really know, another person until they have prayed for or with each other. I sometimes seek out certain people to pray for me about situations that I seem caught in. I do this because they have experienced the same circumstances in their lives and dealt with the problems in a Christ-like way.

Ezekiel 22:30 defines intercession for me: “standing in the gap.” The verse ends on a sad note: “. . . but I found none.” I desire to be one who intercedes for my Christian brothers and sisters.

UPDATE:

I look at this passage and I know Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke the truth in these words .Since I found this statement, I have heard of churches closing their doors. I wish every Christian believer could experience having another person pray for them. For every Christina fellowship to grow certain things have to be evident. 1.) The Holy Spirit has to be present. 2.) The people have to pray for each other.

Linking with Dawn @beneaththesurface.

More about Susan Reinhardt and The Moses Conspiracy

We are still enjoying our time with  Susan Reinhardt, a fellow blogger. She was one of the first bloggers who chose to follow me.   Her blog site is called Christian-Reader Writer Connection.

Susan J. Reinhardt's journey to publication began as a non-fiction writer. Her appreciation for using fiction techniques inspired her to use novels as a vehicle for truth. She's been published in The Rev Writer Resource, Devotions Magazine, A Secret Place, Vista, Live, and numerous other compilations and periodicals.

A widow, stepmom, and active church member, Susan enjoys reading, couponing, gardening, and searching for small treasures in antique shops.She also does sign language.

Last month, Susan published her debut e-book, The Moses Conspiracy. What follows is a recap of the story:

The Moses Conspiracy by Susan J. Reinhardt

A trip to post-terrorized Washington, D.C. in 2025 and a buggy accident in Bird-in-Hand, PA set in motion events that expose a diabolical plan to destroy the Christian community. Ellie and John Zimmerman find themselves embroiled in a life-threatening investigation, fighting a shadowy enemy.

Convinced it's now safe to visit D.C., Ellie and her firstborn, 8-year-old Peter, travel to the nation's capital. Both mother and child make an effort to enjoy the sights, but they're unprepared for the challenges they face. Her nightmares come true when she and Peter are separated.

Back home, John witnesses a neighbor's buggy accident. The suspicious circumstances and law enforcement's refusal to take them seriously prompt him to take on the role of detective. He and a tenacious reporter band together and vow to find out what's happening in Bird-in-Hand.

Extended family squabbles erupt when John's sister, Annaliese, faces off with Ellie for blowing her D.C. experiences out of proportion. She'd rather ignore the warnings than deal with the growing danger.

John and Ellie can't decide whether her trip and his involvement with the accident were such a good idea. People are getting hurt, and their own family receives ominous warnings. Turning back the clock is not an option, but going forward could initiate more violence.

The small community is shattered when the unthinkable occurs. Will family, friends, and neighbors band together or allow fear to prevent them from taking action?

Caught between strained family relationships and a faceless enemy, the couple relies on God for wisdom and protection. Little do they know that He's working on their behalf each step of the way.

The scabs of a past tragedy get ripped open, and the truth of their second child's death is revealed. While they may expose the culprits, will they survive the heartache it brings?

Meet Susan Reinhardt- Author

Hello, today we will be talking with Susan J. Reinhardt. I am excited to have her stop here on her blog tour for her first e-book, The Moses Conspiracy. Susan hails from the Keystone state, Pennsylvania.

1. What inspired you to write The Moses Conspiracy?

My late husband and I visited Gettysburg prior to Christmas in 2004. While standing in the old town square, surrounded by history, I could "hear" the forefathers' voices. However, they were like fading echoes.

After several failed attempts to write non-fiction pieces, I put it on the back burner and prayed for direction. In August 2005, my husband and I were talking about "the Gettysburg experience," and he said, "That's it!  That's your book! And you'll write it in 4 months and call it Ghosts of the Past."

I thought he was crazy, but caught the vision. The name changed to Echoes of the Past and later to The Moses Conspiracy. When I sat down at the computer, I had no clue what I was going to write. By Christmas 2005, I had 55,000 words.

2. How long did it take you to write the book? Was it an easy journey?

The first draft took 4 months, but then I had to learn how to write fiction. I cut my writing teeth on this book. There were multiple re-writes while I shopped it around. It took 8 years to write, get a contract, and an agent.

The journey was far from easy. From 2006-2007, I wrote very little due to my husband's battle with leukemia, death, and subsequent challenges. When I came through the grief process, I knew I had to finish the book both in his memory and because I felt the Lord had directed me to write it.

3. What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

There are several messages, including the faithfulness of God during difficult times, the importance of protecting our freedoms, and building strong family relationships.

4. What genre is your book?

I loosely define The Moses Conspiracy as Christian Speculative Fiction because it takes place in 2025. Although it takes place in the near future, I've avoided a lot of techno-babble. One take-away I wanted for the reader was the possibility this or something similar could happen.

5 Tell us a little about your writing background.

I've written for many years, but only started my publishing journey 10 years ago. Non-fiction is my first love, and I'd still like to produce a devotional or other non-fiction book down the road. I digress. I've had numerous devotions, short pieces, and a few compilation stories published along the way.

Fiction has always interested me, but I never pursued it until a visit to Gettysburg in 2004 stuck in my mind.

Mary's Discovery

Ma

noamish.vgh.no2010/10/23

Mary asked the man, "Where have you taken Him?" Then she heard her name. She looked up and saw Jesus. She ran into town and told all she met, "HE'S ALIVE." 

Study this picture. Mary is joyful that her Master lives. We are to be joyful that our Master lives

.He Lives

Because He Lives

My wish for you, my readers is that you have a glorious Resurrection Sunday, May God richly bless you and yours.