Hope

Hope Is A Gift

Praise Jesus that He gives us hope! "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word" (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17).

After I finished high school I came to believe that I was in the most blessed generation in all of history. We were war-time and post-war babies. We had everything in front of us. The terrible devastations of World War I (1914-1918), the Great Depression (which began in 1929), and World War II (1939-1945) were past.

The powerful influences which had made the Western democracies such great places to live were being reinforced:

•  Freedom of speech

•  Freedom of conscience

•  Freedom of association

•  Freedom of religion

•  Freedom to own property and businesses

•  The precious value of every person

•  The equality of every person, and

•  The certainty that the people should always have more power and influence than governments and their officials, "the State" ..

These principles were regarded as cornerstones of our cultures, our national identities, and of our lives.

At the same time economies were coming to life after years of focus on war. New and recent inventions promised unprecedented increases in productivity and standards of living. We saw full employment. Every school leaver could choose his or her occupation and was free to pursue that field. I was able to support myself full-time at university with just my savings from working summer breaks in factories or harvest gangs. There appeared to be no limits.

We knew that there would never be another Holocaust; the lessons of recent history could never be forgotten.

But the record shows that the kinds of cruelty which were needed for the WWII Holocaust were already present before that war, and are with us still, somewhere in the world. Right through the Twentieth Century leaders of nations were ordering the killing of their own people; more that 100,000,000 died in this way. It seems that history continues to repeat itself.

And now we see reverses against our Christianity, our freedoms and our culture. 2000 years ago Jesus warned His disciples: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Despite the loveliness and power of Christian life, the spirit of the world is vigorously at work in the world as it once was in each of us: "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience" (Ephesians 2:1-2, also see John 12:31, 14:30, 16:11).

Today we see many results of the "work of the sons of disobedience" particularly in the Western democracies and the Middle East. But always we can hope when we remember that " .. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil" (1 John 3:8b).

Hope Overcomes Difficulties

And we remember that "God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work" (2 Corinthians 9:8). Doing work with Jesus gives us testimony which helps to sustain and encourage us and build us up; we see miracles, we see people change and grow as we pray for them as we follow Jesus. "Now may the God of peace .. equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen" (Hebrews 13:20-21).

I believe that I hope because I can. To me, hope is a kind of manifestation of Jesus in the world. I look up with my eyes of hope and see Jesus' hands on people and on events. Almost all the people I know are Christian; we share a Christian worldview; we look at the world through Holy Spirit filled eyes. We see love and kindness, indeed all the fruits of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law" (Galatians 5:22).

But Christians are now a minority in many countries where previously they shaped the laws and the culture. We are becoming a remnant; persecution is increasing. Thankfully we have clear Scripture telling us how to live, even if we are attacked or jailed. Paul's letters are so compelling because he writes with clear testimony; he does not mince words. The ministry Jesus gave to him was costly. We may talk about being an overcomer, implying that this will lead to victories and "success", but Paul seems to have overcome one great hardship just in time to be faced with the next one!

"Are they servants of Christ? (I am out of my mind to talk like this). I am more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have laboured and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.  Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches.  Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?" (2 Corinthians 11:23-29).

As we read Paul's letters it becomes clear that he never lost hope, hope was an essential part of him. I'm beginning to believe that life for active, truth-speaking Christians may soon become like his ..

Bright Future

We may live as a remnant in a lost world, but, like Paul, we know where we are going, and we know who will accompany us on our journey: Jesus says "And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). 

We are eternally safe with Jesus who saved us from death and sin; He paid the full price and justified us: "Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies .. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?" (Romans 8:33,35).

I believe that faith, hope and love are becoming more important than food. Our identifying with Jesus is vital .. as we read accounts of persecuted Christians we see that this is true: it is those who are able to really hold fast to Jesus who will endure to the end and know the peace of the Lord:

" .. Barnabas arrived in Antioch and saw what grace (favour) God was bestowing upon them, he was full of joy; and he continuously exhorted (warned, urged, and encouraged) them all to cleave unto and remain faithful to and devoted to the Lord with resolute and steadfast purpose of heart" (Acts 11:22-23 Amplified).

"These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb" (Revelation 7:14).

"And they have conquered [the accuser, Satan], by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death" (Revelation 12:11).

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

As I approach the end of my days I am so grateful for the hope Jesus gives me. The thought of some day living with Him thrills me and keeps me vital ..  I'm able to persevere and to press on because I know by faith that there is something breathtakingly wonderful up ahead. And beyond all of this; Jesus has work on the Earth for me, for each of His people, He has plans for us to share in His work among all humankind ..

"We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

"For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10).

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing .." (John 14:12).

" .. the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.  To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:25-27).

In this biblical context "hope" is about a future certainty; it is not just wishful thinking. "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not yet seen" (Hebrews 11:1).

How do I hope? I have faith. Abba Father, and Jesus, and Holy Spirit have all revealed themselves to me time and time again. Over these past decades they have given me hundreds, perhaps thousands of testimonies of the glorious Creation and their life and work in the Universe. Their Word says "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13).

I believe that faith, hope and love belong together. Out of the mess that was my life before I was saved, Jesus has grown these qualities in me, slowly but inexorably. I now have a strong faith; for a long time it was Jesus' faith in me that kept me going. Now all those years of His patient effort are bearing much fruit. "For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:6 NASB).

Hope Builds Heroes

Last year Trish and I were praying for Robert, the husband of one of Trish's teaching colleagues, Grace. Robert was still quite young and led a very healthy lifestyle. I began to pray when I learned that he was rapidly deteriorating from motor neuron disease, a nervous system disease that weakens muscles and impacts physical function, and for which medicine has no cure.

Throughout his illness Robert and Grace prayed, they were filled with faith and the belief that Jesus heals, even today, and that He would heal Robert. They studied the Bible as it discusses healing, and attended Christian healing seminars and meetings. But his body continued to decline and he died.

Robert started to keep a diary and Grace published excerpts from it and gave them out at his funeral. Robert's diary is beautiful; it shows a man who knows his God and fully trusts Him. He was constantly seeking ways to grow in Christ, and to love more .. Here is a man filled with Jesus' hope. Robert has become one of my Christian heroes; his undying hope adds even more certainty to my own hope!

We cannot live without hope, knowing Jesus leads to hope, and hope sustains: "And what is faith? Faith gives substance to our hopes, and makes us certain of realities we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1 NEB).

Praise Jesus  .. Amen.

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Great blessings.

Suddenly

The Suddenlys of Life

My friend Peter died just a few days before Christmas. It was sudden.

A few months previously we had all celebrated his 60th birthday; a very happy occasion. A year previously Peter had come through a major heart operation with flying colours. He and Deborah, the love of his life and his best friend, had just settled into their new "downsize" house for their final years, they were also first-time grandparents and new parents-in-law for the second time.

Peter was driving, visiting a young man he mentored; they think something happened with his heart, his foot went down on the accelerator and his car crashed into a tree. Suddenly. So unexpected.

Trish and I were camping down South when we received an SMS message from Deb. I went into shock at the news; a very heavy sense of loss overcame me, this stayed with me for many days and still fills me from time to time. When I'd visited Peter a few days previously he was so full of life and was busy working out priorities for the year to come. Peter and Deb's Christmas newsletter had not long been mailed out, it was full of thankfulness and glory to God for the richness, abundance and hope in their lives; most of this was in everyday things like family and friends .. relationships .. and having worth-while things to do, including things to do for Jesus.

It was the suddenness of Peter's passing which has brought me to see that we have many "suddenlys" in our lives. No matter how carefully we plan, or how hard we work, or how carefully we save and invest our resources, we can never guarantee any outcome. Surprising things impact us and can change everything in a heartbeat!

Two weeks after Peter's passing, just a few days after Christmas, Western Australia had a terrible "suddenly" 120 kilometres, (about 75 miles), south of Perth, our capital. Lightening started a bushfire which spread rapidly; the country town of Yarloop was in one of the paths of the fire and was very badly hit. Two people were killed and others injured.

More than 160 homes were destroyed and many properties too, but more than that, because the damage was so widespread the whole community was shattered .. many people lost their place-in-the-world as well as their home and possessions. There is possibly not enough left there for the remaining people to carry on as a town.

All around me people were shocked by this event so close to home .. just think how it is for the Parisians and others whose cities have seen Islamic terror. We cannot prepare .. it is all so sudden ..

In The Beginning Was The Word

Thinking about all this got me to focus again on "faith, hope, and love", a theme of the New Testament, (1 Corinthians 13:13, Colossians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:8).

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction or the reality of things not yet seen" (Hebrews 11:1). 

So long as we have hope, faith can fill our heart and bring us peace: "Now faith is the assurance, the confirmation, the certain knowledge, of the things we hope for, it is the proof of things we do not see and the conviction of their reality; faith perceiving as real what is presently only revealed to our spirit".

Scripture testifies that we can hang onto faith, hope and love when everything else seems to be stripped; faith and hope and love are on our insides, part of that essence of who we are, beyond the dictates of our society, or "trending", or the lies of "political correctness" or what our shallow "news" people say.

As the practical realities of our lives change, our faith and hope and love can be diminished; I know that this is true for me. Yet there's always something, a remnant, hanging on, clinging to hope, certain in it's rightness and true belonging. To me this is ultimate faith, and ultimately we can rest on the "faith, hope, and love" Jesus has built up in us. After a very trying event when I've been stretched to the limit, I can look back in gratitude that Jesus never let me go, that He was there right through this "suddenly" event, ready to help me pick up the pieces when it was over, and carry on with life in all it's beauty and variety and learning and success and failure.

Bless Jesus! He stands firm! My friend Peter was a mature man when he  found Jesus, as was I, (really, Jesus found us)! In each case our coming to Him was a series of "suddenly" events, revelations and leaps forward. A decade earlier we would probably have thought that our becoming a "born again" committed Christian was a very silly idea, impossible.

"The lines of purpose in your lives never grow slack, tightly tied as they are to your future in heaven, kept taut by hope. The Gospel message is as true among you today as when you first heard it. It doesn't diminish or weaken over time" (Colossians 1:5 Message).

I began to make a list of "suddenlys" in my life, starting in my childhood. I wrote down many events that were setbacks, embarrassments, mistakes - you know, negatives. Then I reminded myself that there have also been many positive "suddenlys"; and these were mostly to do with relationships .. Sure coming second in a national rowing race was wonderful, as was climbing a very high mountain or being able to attend a whole season of the London Proms concerts. But it's the people moments in my life which add the colour, the great significant times with loved ones are "suddenlys" which bring a lasting glow.

My Best "Suddenly"

On my first trip to New York I saved up Greenwich village and the jazz bars until Saturday night. The first place I went had great music. Soon after I got there I saw a tall, slim, beauty come in the door with a tall, handsome, young man. Wow. A long story .. we got talking, the guy was her brother, and she was Trish! I fell in love with her across the room. "Suddenly!" I still feel the same all these years later; we have six gorgeous children and such vibrant grand-kids! And also such lovely daughters-in-law and special ones. Trish and I found Jesus together, I'm sure that without that "suddenly" with her, Jesus may not have found my heart softened enough that He could approach me ..

And A Long Tough "Suddenly"

When we had just four children I worked on a ground-breaking IT project in New York. I used to visit the IT labs in the city where these unbelievably smart people were stretching technology. My project was one of the first in the world to use CDs; they weren't even called CDs yet, the international committees were still deciding on names, formats and protocols, and each shiny disk came in its own plastic case (like a floppy disk) and held more than 700 megabytes of data; (the biggest PC hard drives at that time held 100 megabytes and cost $US 7000!) It was the most exciting work I had ever done; I was successful and highly regarded and in New York!

"Suddenly" I went from this heady, very well paid work to long term unemployment when we came back to Australia. We had savings .. and then suddenly they were gone! It was very hard. Four children under 9 years .. then 6 under 11!

"Now you're the one trapped in terror, paralysed by fear. Suddenly the tables have turned!  How do you like living in the dark, sightless, and up to your neck in flood waters?  "You agree, don't you, that God is in charge? He runs the universe - just look at the stars" (Job 22:10-12  Message).

Ever Blessed In Jesus

But, although that time was very hard, we were also so very blessed. Jesus had drawn both Trish and me to Himself. We learned how to be very "other". Without a job Western men are quite out of step with normal life. Besides having to make do with very little family income, men without a job feel inadequate, impotent and adrift. I grieved that my wife and family suddenly could not do all the things the families around us were doing. I became very frustrated at the apparent uselessness of my existence, at my inability to achieve anything of significance in life or work or fortune.

Jesus The Anchor

Slowly faith, hope and love became anchors in my life; I took a very long time to mature as a Christian but I knew to hang on to God. I remember the word "cleave" which was in one of the old songs we sang. "Cleave" means to stick like superglue; to never let go. "Cleave" is like perseverance, a big Bible word and a great favourite of mine! Over the years many people have told me that they saw "cleave" and "perseverance" in me, and saw it as precious. Cleaving to our Lord! Persevering in His way!

Faith, hope and love are gifts from a loving Father and a very sacrificial Saviour by their Holy Spirit. They are spiritual gifts! This is not to say that my relationship with God was all sweetness and light; I was often angry, I felt rejected and that I had been made a second class citizen of His Kingdom, and I could see no reason for it. It felt to me that God's hand towards me was closed; Scripture makes it clear that He is joyfully generous towards His people, but I believed that this did not apply to me, and my family was paying a big price. (This is still a mystery to me). But I believe Trish and I grew in character during those tough years and that our family is now very close, because we needed to be then to survive that long time.

"You, Lord, keep my lamp burning". My God turns my darkness into light.  "With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall" (Psalm 18:28-29).

Jesus tells us that we'll have trouble in this world, and we do (John 16:33). I try to remind myself to be kind to others, and to remember all my blessings (Psalm 103:1-5), and to give thanks in all things (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

 

So I thank you Jesus that you gave me Peter as a friend, and gave him to Deb too as a husband and life companion. Thank you that you gave Trish and I to each other and blessed us so wonderfully with our children and now with their growing families. Thank you for my great love for the Creation, which you made for us, and for my love of cooking and food, and music, and fellowship with your people. Most of all, thank you for coming to Trish and I and bringing faith, hope and love into our lives. And thank you for today.

Amen.

Favourite Bible Verses

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love (1 Corinthians 13:13).

.. the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel (Colossians 1:5) .

We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:3) .

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet (1 Thessalonians 5:8) .

Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, who else can we go to? You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68).

"And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

Praise the Lord, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.  Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,  who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,  who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's (Psalm 103:1-5 of David).

Amen.

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Praise Jesus.

In Jesus' Hands Day 12

Jesus Heals - 30 Days in His Hands

On 28th September 2010 I threw myself into Jesus' hands. For 30 days I'm trusting that Jesus will fully heal me of all illnesses and diseases, some long lived (1 Peter 2:24). I am sick of being sick. I feel led to take none of the 6 medications prescribed for me, nor see any health professionals. I believe I'll become healthy, rested, alert, mobile, vigorous and of sound spirit, mind, soul and body.

Jesus' Grace Towards Me

(John 1:16 NASB) For of his fullness we all received, and grace upon grace.

My translation: (John 1:16) "Every one of us has abundantly received the free gift of grace, and grace added to grace like waves coming onto the sea shore. Grace, so great a gift, so rich, so precious; we have received no less than grace; this is a gift to be spoken of with awe. Grace comes from Jesus' inexhaustible fullness (from Him who is all in all (Ephesians 1:23)). Jesus pours out blessing because He wants to. This is what He does. This is Jesus' witness in the world. God is love (1 John 4:8)".

A Long Walk

We talk of being on our Christian "walk". This is a good word because it implies movement and makes clear that we are on our way to a place which is not here. This is true for me. It is such a relief and a blessing that I'm no longer where I was! In the 60s, 70, and 80s, before I met Trish and then Jesus, I was pretty hedonistic. Definitely a sinner. By the time I fell head over heels for Trish I'd about had enough of that life, and saw marriage, kids, and an interesting job as being good things to pursue; monogamous marriage, with love, commitment and meaning. Really, I had no idea how I could ever adapt to such a life, but from what I had seen I knew that these were good things.

Soon after we married, Trish encountered Jesus through some loving and fulfilled Christian women. Intercessors. Some little time later He also drew me to Himself. I wanted to change my life to be worthy of His interest and love.

Well, talk about hard! Did you ever try to do this? You'll know what I mean. It's much like making wine out of water; there are so many essential ingredients that you just do not have. Besides, wine has those subtle "extras" that make one wine better than another. Such a struggle, such feelings of inadequacy . .

Now, more than 25 years later, I see Jesus' plans for me, for Trish, our marriage, our family, and His Kingdom, all working out. There was never no progress. But it was always Jesus' progress. It is His plan, He equips and makes ready in His own time. We grow in Jesus by His grace. I have been growing, and I grow still.

Jesus Speaks

A while ago a lovely older man of God spoke to me: he told me that Our Lord was opening a door for me, and that I was to study grace, specifically "grace upon grace".

Then the knee which I had believed to have been miraculously healed mushroomed in size and became very painful. I began to limp again. What I had often testified as my "miracle knee" turned out to be a fairly typical worn and arthritic joint. (see In Jesus Hands: Day 5). This was devastating to me.

Where to from here? There is only one place. Into the arms of Jesus. Prayer, meditating on His Word. Seeking Him.

Now here I am. Being fully restored? I believe so. I have now put my whole trust in Jesus.

Favourite Bible Verses:

(John 1:16) For of his fullness we all received, and grace upon grace.

(1 Corinthians 13:13) But now faith, hope, and love remain - these three. The greatest of these is love.

(1 John 4:10) In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

Praise Jesus.

Amen.

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"In Jesus' Hands: Day 12" is now a podcast on Spotify under PsalmsOfJohn

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Blessings.