Tag: hopemas

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Can You Smell It?

At least there is hope for a tree: If it is cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. Its roots may grow old in the ground and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant. – Job 14:7-9, NIV

I had a weird dream awhile back. Sometimes I write my dreams down and sometimes I realize I should make wiser choices of what I eat late at night. This was one I wrote down.

In this dream I was talking to someone who fell away from the faith. I either heard or saw a specific scripture reference. When I woke up I didn’t recognize the reference so I looked it up. It was today’s verses if you haven’t guessed by now.

As I read these three verses I believe God gave me a promise over the person who walked away from the faith but also those who are just plain weary. “At the scent of My Water, at even just the scent of My Spirit and My Presence, the weary will come alive again and the wayward will come back home.”

If you find yourself weary or have been praying for that wayward one and aren’t seeing any results, have hope because a little bit of the Holy Spirit goes a long way.

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I’m No Billy

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. – Ephesians 2:10, NLT

Billy Graham has conducted 417 crusades in 185 countries and territories on six continents. His first in Michigan was attended by 6,000 people. If you’re anything like me, you would be a little freaked out if you were told you were going to preach in front of 6,000 people. In fact you might even consider how you could get out of it short of faking your own death only because there might be more than 6,000 people waiting to hear you preach once word gets out that you rose from the dead. Then there are other people if given the same opportunity to preach in front of 6,000 who would not only love it but would wish for an even larger crowd.

There’s good news for both types of people. God has individualized plans for us. Not only that but He has already or is in the process of preparing you to do those very things. It gives me a lot of hope knowing that my life is not going to be measured against Billy Graham’s calling. I’m also sure Billy Graham feels the same way about not being measured against my calling.

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Down Payment

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. – 2 Corinthians 1:21-22, NIV

A down payment is an initial percentage of the full asking price given as a promise to pay the rest. Anytime you want to buy a big ticket item but can’t or don’t want to pay the full amount up front, you put down a deposit or down payment promising that you are good for the rest. With this in mind, you should have goose bumps when you read the verses and others like them.

The Holy Spirit is a down payment. What does that mean in practical terms? It means every time something supernatural happens in your life or those around you, it’s a reminder that Jesus is real and He’s coming again! It’s a reminder every time you have peace and joy during difficult circumstances. It’s a reminder every time you get a prophetic word of wisdom that encourages you or someone around you. It’s a reminder when you see or experience physical, mental, or emotional healing. It’s a reminder every time you read your Bible and it’s not dry and boring. It’s a reminder every time you have just enough money to pay all your bills but mathematically it just doesn’t add up. These and others like them are reminders that God is picking up the tab but there’s still more to come!

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Little By Little

But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.” – Exodus 4:13, NKJV

When we think of Moses we often think of the great leader who brought Israel out of Egypt with signs and wonders. He may have done those things but he wasn’t always that way. In fact as you read about him, you may see things that remind you of yourself. The thing I want you to see is God did not leave him where he was, but God brought him forward little by little.

Exodus 4 begins with Moses saying why he shouldn’t go because no one will believe him. God gives him two sign to prove he was sent by God (v1-9). Moses then explains how he’s not good at talking so he shouldn’t go. God responds by reminding Moses that He created the mouth (v10-12). Moses still wasn’t convinced and responded with today’s verse. I don’t care, I’m not the person for the job so please pick someone else!

In spite of his response kindling God’s anger (v14), God allows Aaron to be the spokesperson but Moses still needed to relay messages between God and Aaron. This is the first step in God leading Moses little by little. Although he wasn’t the spokesperson, God made sure he was still involved.

A strange thing happens as we continue to read about Moses and the plagues. It starts off as Moses expects. Aaron does all the speaking and shows the miracles. As you keep reading you’ll notice it eventually switches to Moses instead. Moses thought he was just along for the ride but God had something else in mind and He may have something else in mind for you too!

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Power of a Seed

Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds. – John 12:24, NIV

A few years ago my parents’ church closed its doors. The attendance was way down and the average age of those who did attend was rather old. It was a sad day for our family because my brother and I grew up in that church. My grandfather and other family members helped build that church. So although it was a sad day, it was also a joyous day. The day the church closed its doors, it provided a home for a new and thriving church called New Life Church.

To paraphrase what Jesus said in today’s verse, “A seed is just a seed unless it is planted in the ground. Once planted, it becomes way more than just a seed.” Next time you are going through something difficult, remember sometimes you have to let the old pass away no matter how good it may be to make room for something even better.

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Voice of God

The voice of the Lord is over the waters; The God of glory thunders; The Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!” – Psalm 29:3-9, NKJV

The voice of God is powerful. Back in Genesis 1 by merely speaking, God created the universe and everything in it. In Psalm 29, the voice of God is described in many ways. From being everywhere to thundering to shattering trees to causing new birth to occur.

That same voice that can shake the wilderness and strip the forests bare is the same voice that tenderly speaks life into us each and ever day. Make a conscience effort to hear that life breathing voice as you go about your day today.

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While

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8, NKJV

In 2013, Angela and I went to South Dakota for a vacation. It was my first time seeing Mount Rushmore, Badlands National Park, Custer State Park, and other well known attractions the state has to offer. One of the thing I remember most though is praying for a stranger named Trent in Art Alley.

Art Alley is an alley in Rapid City, SD where graffiti is actually encouraged. Artists with varying skills from many walks of life leave their temporary marks on those walls. As we were walking through that alley, we were greeted by a man named Trent. I don’t remember everything Trent said but it was obvious that he was a man who had made several poor choices in life. It was also easy to tell he was very religious but he believed he had already exceeded God’s forgiveness. Before we parted ways, I asked if we could pray for him and he accepted. I really don’t know what I would have done had he said no because I already knew what I needed to pray and he needed to hear it.

Today’s verse was basically my prayer for Trent. Jesus didn’t die for us after we clean ourselves up, Jesus died for us while we were still sinners, when we were at our worst. As much as I believed Trent needed to hear those words, sometimes I think I’m the one who needs to hear them more. The times I creatively find a new way to sin and the situations I find an old boring way to sin, that’s the me Jesus died for.

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Bad Dad

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! – Matthew 7:11, NKJV

My dad is the absolute worst! I can’t even begin to describe how horrible he is! Hold on, I really feel I should clarify before you get the wrong idea. My dad really isn’t bad at all. It’s just when you try to compare my dad with God, my dad gets the short end of the stick.

Prior to today’s verse Jesus says, “What father would give his son a rock instead of bread or a snake instead of a fish?” Any father who isn’t demented would never dream of doing such things. Jesus goes on to say, “Well you know how you would never do that to your sons or daughters, your good and generous gifts are evil in comparison to God’s.” Just let that sink in for a moment.

Next time you are asking, seeking, and knocking, have confidence that God will not only respond but it will be the absolutely perfect response.

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Delighting in Weakness

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. – 2 Corinthians 12:10, NKJV

It’s countercultural to show your weaknesses. Even veiled attempts to find out your weaknesses during job interviews don’t expect complete honesty. If you were truly honest instead of spinning a weakness to be a strength, your interviewer would likely be completely shocked. And yet Paul is bragging about weakness in today’s verse. Why? The answer can be found back in verse 9.

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. – 2 Corinthians 12:9, NKJV

God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness. Why? We can’t take any of the credit if we do something completely outside our ability and strength. Next time you’re in a situation you can’t handle, rejoice because it’s a situation God can display His great power and get all the glory.

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Hidden Treasures

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. – Matthew 13:44, NKJV

Have you ever found yourself whining to God? One day that is exactly where I found myself but to my surprise God responded.

I was reading today’s verse while complaining how it didn’t make sense. I get how I’m the treasure and how You gave up everything. The detail which really bothered me was the man in the parable hid the treasure. God if you’re the man in the parable, why are you hiding the treasure? You’re not so insecure or powerless that you need to hide it. In the midst of my whining and complaining, God responded with His still small voice.

“You’re not the treasure.”

I don’t know what shocked me more that God responded or that I wasn’t the treasure. How am I not the treasure? Look at the parable of the pearl of great price right after this one. How am I not the treasure?

“You’re not the treasure. You are the field. The treasure is your potential, every gift and every talent hidden inside of you. It’s everything that makes you so unique and special. You are the field. There are rocks and trees in the field, things that get in the way but I still bought the field. I bought it all and we’re going to clear the field together.”

I sat in shock realizing I really am more like the field than the treasure in the parable but that’s what gives me hope. God knowing everything good and bad about me, would still choose all of me and He chooses all of you too.