Our Hope Comes From Him

My hope comes from him.   Psalm 62:5

So often we simply neglect to look for the answers
to what we have asked, which shows the lack of
earnestness in our petitions. A farmer is never con-
tent until he reaps a harvest; a marksman observes
whether or not his bullet has hit the target; and a
physician examines the effect of the medicine he
prescribes. Should a Christian be any less careful
regarding the effect of his labor in prayer?

Every prayer of the Christian whether for temporal
or spiritual blessings, will be fully answered if it
meets certain biblical requirements. It must be
prayed in faith and in accordance with God's will.
It must rely on God's promise, be offered up in the
name of Jesus Christ, and be prayed under the in-
fluence of the Holy Spirit.

God always answers the general intent of His
people's prayers. He does so not only to reveal His
own glory but also to provide for the Christian's
spiritual and eternal welfare. Since we see in Scrip-
ture that Jesus Christ never rejected even a single
petitioner who came to Him, we can believe that no
prayer made in His name will be in vain.

The answer to our prayer may be coming, although
we may not discern its approach. A seed that is under-
ground during winter, although hidden and seemingly
dead and lost, is nevertheless taking root for a later
spring and harvest. Bickersteth

Delayed answers to prayer are not only trials of faith;
they also give us opportunities to honor God through
our steadfast confidence in Him even when facing
the apparent denial of our request.  Spurgeon

Reader, there is a petition that is now decades old,
but what is so wonderful is that the longer I wait,
the more excited I am at what God is going to do!
It has gone from despair to expectancy.

Faith in Action

I have prayed for you...that your faith may not fail.
Luke 22:32

Dear Christian, remember to take good care of your
faith, for faith is the only way to obtain God's
blessings. Prayer alone cannot bring answers down 
from His throne, because it is the earnest prayer of
one who believes that leads to answers.

Faith is the communication link between heaven and
earth. It is on this link of faith that God's messages
of love travel so quickly that even before we ask, He
answers. And while we are still speaking, 'He hears
us.'  (1John 5:14) So when the connection of faith is
broken, how will we obtain His promises?

Am I in trouble? I can receive help by expressing
faith. Am I being battered by the Enemy? My soul
will find refuge by leaning in faith upon God. But
without faith, I call to Him in vain, for faith is the
only road between my soul and heaven. If the road 
is blocked, how can I communicate with the great 
King? 

Faith links me to Holy God and clothes me with 
the power of Jehovah. Faith insures me that each
of His attributes will be used in my defense, help-
ing me to defy the hosts of hell. It causes me to
march triumphantly over the necks of my enemies.
So without faith, how can I receive anything from 
the Lord?

Therefore, O Christian, carefully watch your faith.
'Everything is possible for him who believes.'
Mark 9:23        Charles Spurgeon

Reader, 'Faith honors God, and God honors faith.'

Resting

My peace I give you.  John 14:27

Two painters were once asked to paint a picture illustra
ting his own idea of rest. The first chose for his scene a
quiet, lonely lake, nestled among mountains far away.
The second, using swift broad strokes on his canvas,
painted a thundering waterfall. Beneath the falls grew
a fragile birch tree, bending over the foam. On its
branch, nearly wet with the spray, sat a robin on her nest.

The first painting was simply a picture of stagnation and
inactivity. The second, however, depicted rest.

Outwardly, Christ endured one of the most troubled lives
ever lived. Storms and turmoil, turmoil and storms--wave
after wave broke over Him until His worn body was laid
in a the tomb. Yet His inner life was as smooth as a sea
of glass, and a great calm was always there.

Anyone could have gone to Him at any time and found
rest. Even as the human bloodhounds were dogging Him
in the streets of Jerusalem, He turned to His disciples,
offering them a final legacy: 'My peace.'

Rest is not a holy feeling that comes upon us in church.
It is a state of calm rising from a heart deeply and firmly
established in God.   Henry Drummond

Reader, the whole verse above says this:
'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as
the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be
troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27

The disciples were about to enter into the most troubled
period of their lives. Jesus Himself is facing His greatest
test. The world is now on the brink of great upheaval--
and we are part of it. John 14:27 is a promise from the
One who stills the waves.

Pray for the people in Houston.

The Revelation 12 Sign

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman
clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and
upon her head a crown of twelve stars. Rev 12:1

If you google 'Revelation 12 sign' you will discover that
this is the most popular search right now! Many are expec-
ting the rapture on this date. What if this verse has nothing
to do with the rapture? Lots of people will be very disap-
pointed to the point of 'throwing the baby out with the bath
water.' Jesus said, 'Verily I say unto you, This generation 
shall not not pass, till all be fulfilled...But of that day and 
hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but 
my Father only. Matt 24:34,26

So, what do we know? We know that a generation is 70 or
80 years--Psalm 90. If you read Matt 24 carefully you will
notice that Jesus was speaking of the generation that saw
Israel who became a nation in 1948. I am in that generation!
So, we know we are in the ball park, but it is a mistake to
pin down the exact day or hour of his coming.

This afternoon I listened to a very good discussion on the
Revelation 12 sign. You might want to check it out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lw-zq0GLzNg

Weariness

He said, 'This is the resting place, let the weary rest,'
and, 'This is the place of repose'--but they would not
listen. Isaiah 28:12

Why do you worry? What possible use does your
worrying serve? You are aboard such a large ship
that you would be unable to steer even if your Cap-
tain placed you at the helm. You would not even be
able to adjust the sails, yet you worry as if you were
helmsman of the vessel. Be quiet, dear soul--God
is the Master!

Do you think that all the commotion and uproar of
this life is evidence that God has left His throne has
left His throne? He has not! His mighty steeds rush
furiously ahead, and His chariots are the storms
themselves. But the horses need bridles, and it is
God who holds the reins, guiding the chariots as He
wills.

Our God Jehovah is still the Master! Believe this and
you will have peace. "Don't be afraid"  Matt 14:27
Charles H Spurgeon

Reader, I opened my Bible this morning to the verse
at the top. God definitely has a message in these
perilous times.

For those who are interested, here is the latest blog for
Informed Christians. We are so close to going HOME.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=992D6sVN_vQ

Disillusionment

Jesus did not commit Himself unto them...for 
He knew what was in man.  John 2:24-25

The refusal to be disillusioned is the cause of much
of the suffering in human life. It works in this way--
if we love a human being and do not love God, we 
demand of him every perfection and every rectitude,
and when we do not get it we become cruel and
vindictive; we are demanding of a human being that
which he or she cannot give. There is only one 
Being Who can satisfy the last aching abyss of the
human heart, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Why
our Lord is apparently so severe regarding every
human relationship not based on loyalty to Him-
self is because He knows that every relationship
not based on loyalty to Himself will end in disaster.
Our Lord trusted no man, yet He was never sus-
picious, never bitter. Our Lord's confidence in God
and in what His grace could do for any man, was
so perfect that He despaired of no one. If our trust
is placed in human beings, we shall end in despair-
ing of everyone.  Oswald Chambers

Reader, this is such a good reminder to me of how
easy it is to expect a particular behavior and become
disappointed. It is our confidence in God that puts all
of our relationships into a place of peace.

Don't Wrestle, Nestle

I will not let you go unless you bless me...Then he 
blessed him there. Genesis 32:26,29

Jacob won the victory and the blessing here not by
wrestling but by clinging. His hip was out of joint
and he could struggle no longer, but he would not
let go. Unable to wrestle further, he locked his arms
around the neck of his mysterious opponent, help-
lessly resting all his weight upon him, until he won
at last.

We too will not win the victory in prayer until we 
cease our struggling. We must give up our own will 
and throw our arms around our Father's neck in 
clinging faith.

What can our feeble human strength take by force from 
the hand of omnipotence? Are we able to wrestle bles
sings from God by force? Strong-willed violence on 
our part will never prevail with Him. What wins bles-
sings and victories is the strength of clinging faith.

It is not applying pressure or insisting upon our own 
will that brings victory. It is won when humility and 
trust unite in saying, 
"Not my will, but yours be done."
(Luke 22:42)

In this verse, John tells us that even in heaven there 
will be a song that will only be sung by those 
"who have been redeemed from the earth." 
It is undoubtedly a song of triumph--and a hymn of 
victory to the christ who set us free. Yet the sense of 
triumph and freedom will be born from the memory 
of our past bondage. 

Your Father is training you for a part that the angels 
cannot sing, and His conservatory is the school of 
sorrows. Others have said that He sends sorrow to test 
you, yet this is not the case. He sends sorrow to edu-
cate you, thereby providing you with the proper training 
for His heavenly choir.

In the darkest night He is composing your song. In the 
valley He is running your voice. In the storm clouds
He is deepening your range. In the rain showers He is
sweetening your melody. In the cold He is giving your
notes expression. And as you pass at times from hope
to fear, He is perfecting the message of your lyrics.

O dear soul, do not despise your school of sorrows.
It is bestowing on you a unique part in the heavenly
song.   George Matheson

Reader, I am disappointed that we remain here instead
of being caught up to be with Him. His timing is perfect
and it will all fit together in the end. I have begun to sing,
"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in 
Christ Jesus concerning you." 
Make up your own tune and sing it whenever life leaves
you breathless. It will change you.