BRIGHT HOPE

Hebrews 6:13-15
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

God’s Promises Bring Hope

13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

14 “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.


Read your Bible. It if filled with God’s promises. He has promised to supply our needs; heal our sicknesses; comfort our broken hearts; protect us from our enemies. Most importantly, God has promised to forgive our sins and save our souls.

There is bright hope in the God of the Bible. Read it … follow it … and plug into the promises made in it. All the promises are available when you enter a relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ.

FEELING OVERWHELMED

Zechariah 4:6
New International Version (NIV) Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

So he said to me, "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.


Unlike when Solomon originally built the Temple, Zerubbabel faced this daunting task with limited physical resources and a discouraged workforce. Solomon had all he needed. It seemed to Zerubbabel that he had nothing he needed.

The LORD sent Zerubbabel a message via the prophet Zechariah. To paraphrase … “King, the only thing you really need is God’s Spirit.”

When faced with an overwhelming situation, don’t look to things … don’t look to people. Look to “…my Spirit, says the LORD Almighty.”

CHOOSING WHO TO TRUST

Jeremiah 17:5-8
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Wisdom from the Lord

5 This is what the Lord says:
“Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. 6 They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land.

7 “But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 8 They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit.


If you believe God’s Word, the choice is easy.

Trusting in humans, either self or others, is a path to disappointment, bitterness or destruction.

Trusting God is a path to fruitfulness; that is success, prosperity, joy and a secure future.

“…choose you this day whom ye will serve; … as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15

DEPENDING ON GOD

Lamentations 3:22-26
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance;
therefore, I will hope in him!”
25 The Lord is good to those who depend on him,
to those who search for him. 26 So it is good to wait quietly
for salvation from the Lord.


The prophet Jeremiah wrote these verses when the backdrop of the times was the complete destruction of Jerusalem at the hands of the Babylonians. His view of God’s character was unchanged in the light of his circumstances. God was and is faithful … merciful … loving … dependable … the source of salvation. Viewing your circumstances in the light of God’s character keeps your focus on the One who is good.

You can depend on God!

Prayer Request: Unspoken for a dear friend on the forefront of the economic meltdown. May he see God’s unchanging, dependable character overshadowing the backdrop of destruction.

DON’T WORRY

Matthew 6:25-27, 34
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

25 “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 27 Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? …

34 “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.


Bobby McFarrin popularized the lyric in his song “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” but Jesus, centuries before, had already taught the lesson.

When we trust the Father … when we have faith in Him … when we place our lives in His hands, there is no need for worry. God is able to handle any trouble that comes our way.

When you try to handle your problems without relying on the Father is when worry finds a foothold … when it becomes a stronghold in your life.

Read Matthew 6:25-34 for the full context of Jesus teaching and don’t worry!

NOT FOR A MINUTE

John 2:13-17
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jesus Clears the Temple

13 It was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration, so Jesus went to Jerusalem. 14 In the Temple area he saw merchants selling cattle, sheep, and doves for sacrifices; he also saw dealers at tables exchanging foreign money. 15 Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He drove out the sheep and cattle, scattered the money changers’ coins over the floor, and turned over their tables. 16 Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”

17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”


Jesus didn’t give it a second thought.

Risking confrontation with the con-artists, antagonizing the religious leaders and being misunderstood by the masses, Jesus cleared the temple of those turning His “Father’s house into a marketplace.” The Messiah felt a deep passion for the house of God. He didn’t delay ... not for a minute. He had to express that passion regardless of the risk.

Does God present you with opportunities to take risk … make a stand for Him … in the face of opposition? Who are the con-artists … religious leaders … masses … you have to confront for God? How great is your passion for your Father’s business?

MORE HIGHLY

Ezekiel 28:1-5; 17; 19
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

A Message for Tyre’s King

1 Then this message came to me from the Lord: 2 “Son of man, give the prince of Tyre this message from the Sovereign Lord:
“In your great pride you claim, ‘I am a god! I sit on a divine throne in the heart of the sea.’ But you are only a man and not a god, though you boast that you are a god. 3 You regard yourself as wiser than Daniel and think no secret is hidden from you. 4 With your wisdom and understanding you have amassed great wealth—gold and silver for your treasuries. 5 Yes, your wisdom has made you very rich, and your riches have made you very proud…

17 Your heart was filled with pride because of all your beauty. Your wisdom was corrupted by your love of splendor. So I threw you to the ground and exposed you to the curious gaze of kings….

19 All who knew you are appalled at your fate. You have come to a terrible end, and you will exist no more.”


Read Ezekiel 27 and 28 for the full context of this prophesy. The highly successful, but flawed, King of Tyre could have done well to have heard the Apostle Paul’s advice.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. – Romans 12:3.

For the King of Tyre, he had Ezekiel’s message. We have Paul’s. Heed his words. They are a message from the Lord.

CHOICES

Numbers 14:1-10
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The People Rebel

1 Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. 6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. 7 They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”

10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.

Sometimes, the choices we make, have disastrous results. First, the Israelites murmured about their provisions. Then they murmured about their leaders. Ultimately, they murmured about God and decided they could no longer trust the LORD. As a result of no longer trusting the LORD, the generation of the exodus was consigned to thirty-years of wandering in the wilderness. That generation died, wandering in the desert and their children were then permitted to possess the promised land.

Resisting God … His Word … His precepts … His Spirit … results in stunted growth, a lack of progress (Hebrews 4:2). God asks His people to trust in His presence and walk in faith (Joshua 1:9). He has no desire for us to wander in the wilderness.

GOD’S PROMISE

Hebrews 6:13-20
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

God’s Promises Bring Hope

13 For example, there was God’s promise to Abraham. Since there was no one greater to swear by, God took an oath in his own name, saying:

14 “I will certainly bless you, and I will multiply your descendants beyond number.”

15 Then Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised.


God’s promise to the believer is salvation through His Son, Jesus Christ. Our hope is based on the unchangeable character of God … He cannot lie … and the strong evidence of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A lie cannot stand. It will crumble under the test of time. The tomb was and is empty.

Based on God’s sovereign nature and divine will, we can put our trust in His promise. There is no risk in putting all our hope in Him.

Where else … in who or what else … can you have that kind of hope?

JOSHUA GEMS

Joshua 1:1-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The Lord’s Charge to Joshua

1 After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

6 “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”


When God passed the leadership of the Israelites to Joshua, he gave him three gems of encouragement.

1. His promise – “I promise you…” – vs. 3
2. His Word – “Study this Book of Instruction…” – vs. 8
3. His presence – “…the LORD your God is with you…” – vs. 9

Whatever the calling God has placed in your heart, these same gems are also available to you. Let these gems give you encouragement, strength and wisdom!

THE CROSS BEARER

Matthew 16:24-26
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?


Jesus encourages us to be fully committed to the Christian walk. Following Jesus requires sacrifice. There are things we will have to give up … places we will stop going … words we will stop saying … ways in which we will no longer behave … when we become a disciple.

You may ask, “Is that a price too high to pay?”

I love Jesus’ answer. You see He answers, even before you ask. “Is anything worth more than your soul?”

The next time you feel your cross is too heavy to bear, be reminded of the value of your soul to God. He sent His Son to die on the Cross for your soul.

TRUST LEVEL

Habakkuk 3:17-18
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Habakkuk’s Prayer

17 Even though the fig trees have no blossoms,
and there are no grapes on the vines;
even though the olive crop fails,
and the fields lie empty and barren;
even though the flocks die in the fields,
and the cattle barns are empty,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord!
I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!


We can’t open a newspaper, pull up a website or tune into a news broadcast without being reminded of the depth of the economic crisis. It would seem that the economics in the prophet Habakkuk’s day were pretty bad as well. Yet Habakkuk trusted the LORD. Though the stock market (flocks, cattle…) reports were bleak, he still had joy.

Here is the question. Does your joy come from your bank balance, 401K performance or employment outlook? Or do you have joy because of your relationship with God through Jesus Christ?

I’ve got joy, down in my heart;
Deep, deep down in my heart.
Jesus put it there and nothing can destroy…
I’ve got joy, down in my heart;
Deep, deep down in my heart.

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE

Joshua 24:14-16; 27
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Never Turn Back

14 “So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. 15 But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

16 The people replied, “We would never abandon the Lord and serve other gods. …

27 Joshua said to all the people, “This stone has heard everything the Lord said to us. It will be a witness to testify against you if you go back on your word to God.”


As Joshua spoke to the people, the choice was not whether to serve but whom to serve. We will serve someone. Would the people under Joshua’s guidance choose to serve the false gods of their ancestors or the Amorites; or would the choose to serve the one true God?

The choice you and I have to make is similar. Only the names have changed. Do you choose to serve the gods of success, position or possessions? God forbid. Make the right choice, as Joshua did. Choose to serve the LORD.

And when you choose the LORD, don’t turn back. Don’t let the rocks cry out as witnesses against you.

THE NEW COVENANT

Jeremiah 31:33-34
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

The New Covenant

33 “But this is the new covenant I will make with the people of Israel on that day,” says the Lord. “I will put my instructions deep within them, and I will write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. 34 And they will not need to teach their neighbors, nor will they need to teach their relatives, saying, ‘You should know the Lord.’ For everyone, from the least to the greatest, will know me already,” says the Lord. “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”


The Old Testament prophet Isaiah spoke to Israel about the new covenant God was going to establish. It would replace the old covenant. It would not be like the Law. The rules and regulations which had guided the people … which had to be taught … learned … would be replaced by a covenant which would be placed in the hearts of men and women. No longer head knowledge but relationship. To ‘know’ in Biblical terms denotes intimacy and the place of this knowing is in the heart … not just in the head.

This new covenant is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. When you invite Jesus Christ into your heart, your salvation is sure … your eternity is set. The Lord said, “I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.”

‘Know’ God today through your personal relationship with His Son.

MAKE THE COMMITMENT

Romans 12:1-2
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

A Living Sacrifice to God

1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.


The Apostle Paul draws a conclusion … “And so…” Because of what he has said in the first eleven chapters, Paul urges us, in light of God’s mercy, justification, sanctification and coming glorification, to commit ourselves to be living sacrifices for Him. We should allow God’s mercy to continue in our lives. We should let it bring us to the point of absolute commitment.

When we commit ourselves to God’s will, our talents and gifts become surrendered to the purpose He created us for in the first place.

If you have never committed yourself to Christ, now would be a good time to do that. If you have made this commitment already, today would be a good day for renewal.

“And so…” What conclusion have you drawn? What commitment have you made?

THE MENTORING LEADER

Philippians 4:8-9
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Words of Encouragement

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. 9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.


The qualities of a leader have a direct connection to his or her character qualities. Each Christian, either intentionally or unintentionally, is a leader, for the mission given all Christians is to lead others to Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20). The Apostle Paul references this mentoring role when he tells the Church at Philippi to “Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard and saw me doing.”

Ask yourself, “Who am I leading? Who do I have a mentoring relationship with? What do they see when they watch my life? What character qualities am I demonstrating?”

The bottom line … Is God pleased with me as a mentor/leader?

ON SHAKY GROUND

Genesis 31:44-49
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jacob’s Treaty with Laban

44 So come, let’s make a covenant, you and I, and it will be a witness to our commitment.”

45 So Jacob took a stone and set it up as a monument. 46 Then he told his family members, “Gather some stones.” So they gathered stones and piled them in a heap. Then Jacob and Laban sat down beside the pile of stones to eat a covenant meal. 47 To commemorate the event, Laban called the place Jegar-sahadutha (which means “witness pile” in Aramaic), and Jacob called it Galeed (which means “witness pile” in Hebrew).

48 Then Laban declared, “This pile of stones will stand as a witness to remind us of the covenant we have made today.” This explains why it was called Galeed—“Witness Pile.” 49 But it was also called Mizpah (which means “watchtower”), for Laban said, “May the Lord keep watch between us to make sure that we keep this covenant when we are out of each other’s sight.


Your word should be enough. When you make a promise, those whom you promise must be able to trust that you will do what you say.

This was not the case with Jacob and Laban. For years they had been deceitful with one another. When they sat and made covenant with each other, their past relationship and poor character tainted the covenant. Because of their distrust of each other, their failure to keep their word, they needed God to keep watch between them.

Can those you have relationships with, business … family … friends, trust you to keep your word? Or must they trust God, regarding you, when they turn their back?

“…let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” – James 5:12

NO QUICK FIX

Deuteronomy 5:32-33
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

32 So Moses told the people, “You must be careful to obey all the commands of the Lord your God, following his instructions in every detail. 33 Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives in the land you are about to enter and occupy.


We live in a fast paced age, an instant society. We want things right now. Fast food … instant messaging … immediate response time … even short, quick devotions (smile). A two-day train ride has been replaced with a two-hour flight (with no scenery out the window). The family dinner hour has been squeezed down to ten minutes of microwaved something (with little or no conversation).

There is no quick fix for building Godly character, integrity, wisdom, honesty, dedication, experience and self-discipline into one’s life. It takes steady and consistent study of God’s revelation which will ultimately build in you a reverential fear of God. That high awe of God will control your thoughts and actions.

Take the time necessary to grasp God’s “…instructions in every detail.” That’s time which will guide you to a “…long and prosperous…” life.

WILLING AND CAPABLE

Judges 9:7-9, 14-15
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Jotham’s Parable

7 When Jotham heard about this, he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted,

“Listen to me, citizens of Shechem!
Listen to me if you want God to listen to you!
8 Once upon a time the trees decided to elect a king.
First they said to the olive tree,
‘Be our king!’
9 But the olive tree refused, saying,
‘Should I quit producing the olive oil
that blesses both God and people,
just to wave back and forth over the trees?’

14 “Then all the trees finally turned to the thornbush and said,
‘Come, you be our king!’
15 And the thornbush replied to the trees,
‘If you truly want to make me your king,
come and take shelter in my shade.
If not, let fire come out from me
and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’”


In kingdom building work, God desires those who are both willing and capable to serve. The olive tree is an example of one capable but unwilling. The thornbush represents the willing but incapable.

Ask God to give you a willing heart and grow your character so that you will become the servant, both willing and capable, who is pleasing in God’s sight.

NEVER STOP GROWING

2 Peter 1:8-11
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Growing in Faith

8 The more you grow like this (2nd Peter 1:5-7), the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

10 So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. 11 Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.


Growing in faith is a process that we don’t complete on this side of heaven. In submission to the Holy Spirit, our growth in faith continues with every new day, every new circumstance, every new challenge, we encounter. Peter encourages us to embrace this process, never looking back or falling away.

The reward for holding on is the grand celebration we will experience in ‘the eternal Kingdom.’ I look forward to meeting you there. Even more … I look forward to worshipping at Jesus feet.