Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Hype versus Hope!

Hello Everyone,

This past week the people on the east coast were bracing for one of the worst disasters they have seen on over ten years. The weather forecasters and government officials were looking at the computer models and preparing everyone for the destruction that was on its way. Now that it was not as bad as was predicted many people are crying fool and claiming that it was all hype and that it was never going to be as bad as predicted. It is sad to see people upset because thousands didn't die and the destruction was less than had been predicted.
I can only imagine and guess at how many prayers were said over the days leading up to the hurricane. I know at our church prayers were said for the people in the path of the storm and would assume that the same thing was done all across the country.

When it comes to hype versus Hope, Hope and prayer will always prevail!

Have a blessed week,
Billy

Matthew 18: 19-21
19 “Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.”

Psalm 107:28-30
8 Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble,
         And He brings them out of their distresses.
 29 He calms the storm,
         So that its waves are still.
 30 Then they are glad because they are quiet;
         So He guides them to their desired haven.

Mark 4:38-40
38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

Saturday, August 20, 2011

There is Hope in the Lord!

Hello Everyone,
Over the last few weeks people in America and across the world have been led to believe that there is no hope. If you listen to one news program they tell you one side is wrong and the other program tells you the other side is wrong. In actuality they are both correct there is no hope if you put your trust in man. I say do not worry or fret because we were told it would be this way. Put your trust in God and do not worry as he is our provider, our protector and our redeemer. Also do not get caught up in the bickering over this, that, or the other as we are ALL children of God no matter what our opinions may be.
Matthew 24:5-7
5 For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.
Philippians 2: 14,15
14 Do all things without complaining and disputing, 15 that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Ephesians 6:11-13
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Philippians 4:8,9
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

I have an exercise for everyone this week. If you want to see what the weather is going to be like check the weather channel, if you want sports news check the newspaper, if you need to know traffic conditions they are given on the top of the hour on all radio stations. This week remove anything negative from your lives. Don't check the market, don't watch FOXNEWS, MSNBC, OR CNN. Rely on the Word of God for guidance. Pass this on to everyone who you know would not be offended as we want this to be a positive change and change can only happen when we embrace it. Next week let's see how our worlds have changed.

Have a blessed week,
Billy

Monday, August 15, 2011

What is Hope?

Hello Everyone,

Over the last few years the word hope has been used in a presidential election as a slogan" Hope and Change" a few years before that in another presidential election as a place" A man from Hope". During the first Iraq war a general used it as a description"Hope is not a strategy". We use it everyday without thought to what it means. "I hope it doesn't rain" or "I hope the Cards make the playoffs".

Merriam's defines it like this:
Noun
1. a feeling that what is wanted is likely to happen; desire accompanied by expectation
2. the things that one has a hope for
3. a reason for hope
4. a person or thing on one may base some hope
5. Archaic, trust reliance
Verb
1. to have hope; want and expect
2. to want very much

Paul had a different definition in Romans 5 and Romans 8
Romans 5:1-5
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we also have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in HOPE in the glory of God. And not only that, but we but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character, and character, HOPE. Now HOPE does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which was given to us.

Romans 8:24,25
24 For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

The word hope has become nothing more than an adjective to describe something. We need to get back to where HOPE is a reverent trust in God our provider, comforter, protector, and loving Father.

Have a blessed week,
Billy