MareBearHitstheRoad Blogger - Webster's online dictionary defines Hope: 1. to cherish a desire with anticipation; 2. (archaic): Trust. As a transitive verb: 1. to desire with expectation of obtainment; 2. to expect with confidence: Trust. In Hebrews 11:1 (ASV) "Now faith is assurance of (things) hoped for, a conviction of things not seen". This is my life verse. I am assured because the word tells me so, that GOD promises it over and over in the bible that through Faith, Hope and Love, I can not only develop a deeper relationship and understanding of God and His will for my life, our lives, but also that I can TRUST that.
When was the last time you truly trusted (hoped in ernest) in something so much that you chanced all things that are comfortable and secure in your life, on the HOPE of something better? This is an important question for all of us to examine and reflect on. When we put our hopes into something, we are trusting that we will attain or receive what we expect. Sometimes out hopes are in things of this world. Things like power, albeit through wealth and position; or in what we do or don't have or how much of it we have. A lot of times we put our hope in others and inevitably we are disappointed time and again, until one day, we feel hopeLESS. And when that happens we lose faith (trust) in what we can see, what is tangible or intangible. When this happens, and it does to all of us - at some time or another, we begin to shut down, we begin to put up barriers and build castles around ourselves to protect us from something that is invisible, but very real - our fear of being hurt, used, abandoned and destroyed.
As I begin to watch the clock, experience the sense of bittersweet sadness of what I am leaving behind me...I have great HOPE in what lay ahead of me. I will not be successful in all things, but I can hope to be. I may not always make the right choice or do and say the right thing, but I hope I will and can. I may fail completely - my friends and family, but I choose to HOPE that I will not.
The bible, Jesus' ministry is founded on the principals of Faith, Hope and Love - all of which in their archaic translations point to the same definition - one of trust. Without Trust, this basic tenant of Christianity could not be - it would be meaningless and futile. We are asked over and over again throughout scripture to have faith, use hope and always love as God loves us. Without whom life is really meaningless. The pursuit of worldly things; of all that glitters - that is not a treasure that I see as truly tangible. What I see is that whenever I share my faith, have hope and love always - I am blessed a 1000 times greater than I would be if I got some great new promotion, more money, a fancy house or a really nice car. At the end of the day, when I give of myself and to others, with unconditional love I send a message that brings Hope to someone else, develops Trust where none exists or where it has been abused.
So as I spend these last days in this beautiful wonderful place called OREGUN not OREGONE - I rest in Hebrews 11:1 - my life verse that even at my darkest moments, and these have been many, I KNOW that God's promises will come to pass regardless of whether or not I believe, because He is the Hope, He became our Hope, and He will always be the Hope that not just binds us together, but fills us up when our cups are empty even if we don't see it that way.
So tonight, as I wind down and rest and wonder about what tomorrow brings I just close my eyes, rest in Him, and know that regardless I will always have lemonade!
Blessings,
marebear
The Journey for Breiter Futures Foundation....Transforming the lives of our youth through Faith, Hope & Love...
4 comments:
Mary-Marebear, you are a treasure. The longer I know you, the more I read from you, the more I see and recognize your painful experiences in life which also tells me more about the devil's schemes against you, BUT, the important thing is it also tells me more about God's plan for your life and how God operates in and for you. GLORY TO GOD!!
Remember, those who KNOW their God shall be STRONG and DO EXPLOITS!! Hang on to those promises even when you don't feel like it. Especially when you don't feel it. :)
The scripture that comes to mind for you right this moment is John 10:3 "He calls his own sheep by name…"
Mary, often times you've felt like you are just a face in a crowd. OF course the way the world's system is today, we're just a number in a system. You are identified by your social security number. I use to go with a friend to his Dr. appointments at the VA. Everybody was identified by their last four digits of the Social Security Number. The worlds system trys to depersonalize and dehumanize everybody. That is exactly how the devil wants you to feel—that you do not matter much to anyone, especially to God.
Mary, I know recently in the past few months maybe you've been on a spiritual high. The important thing is to stay fixed on God's Word and promises when that high starts to come down, be it this past week, today, tomorrow or next week.
When painful issues are screaming at you, you MUST STOP and remember this "YOU MATTER TO GOD!" He calls YOU, MARY, by name. He knows exactly what you are going through and where you are hurting. He sees you and cares for you, just as He cared for the people when He first walked on earth.
My friend, He will do for you what He did for the woman in Samaria. If you notice as you read the gospels, there was a shorter route
from Judea to Galilee, but the Bible says in John 4:4 that "He (JESUS) needed to go through Samaria."
In other words, Jesus deliberately took a longer route, so that He could stop by Samaria to speak to the woman who had been searching for something in her life to satisfy her.
This woman had had five husbands and the man she was living with was not her husband. Clearly, things had not been going right in her life. She was probably looking for answers and fulfillment, and must have felt ashamed about her failed marriages and current lifestyle.
Yet, in spite of all this, she mattered to Jesus and Jesus needed to go to her to minister to her. And indeed, after she met Jesus, the perfect Man, she was transformed. She was no longer ashamed, and went into the city to tell the people about Him. (John 4:28–29.)
Girlfriend,Jesus came a long way from heaven for you. You certainly matter to Him. He came to give you life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10.) So often we read the part that says "satan comes to steal, kill and destroy" from John 10:10 and that is vitally important so we know who it is that's causing destruction in our lives and stop blaming it on God. But, we often forget to take hold of the rest of the scripture that tells us "Jesus comes to give us life and not only life but an abundant life." I'm not sure how that makes you feel, but It makes me want to dance and shout and laugh in the devil's face. LOL
Sweetie, You are not just a face in a crowd or a number. No, He knows you by name and has a personal love for you. And in spite of the mess you may have been in. Actually, in spite of the mess you might be in even today, He wants to meet your every need and make your life beautiful!
So, my encouragment for you today and everyday is: YOU DO MATTER TO GOD!! He knows what you are going through and wants to meet your every need.
Here it is nearly 5:00 AM Sunday morning and rather than getting my beauty sleep, I've had you on my mind and praying for you. This is something God put on my heart as I was writing. PLEASE, receive it from the Lord as a Special Word for You, because IT TRUELY IS!!
Love, Hugs and Prayers!
The first time I tryed to send it, it told me it was TOOOOOO LONG!! Imagine that! LOL.
All I took off was my original greeting and the final ending. I deleted the final ending but copied the beginning so I could resend it to you. Here it is:
My Dear New Friend,
I know one of these days I have to stop calling you "New" Friend. Some reason it just comes up out of my spirit when I address you because you're like a new gift that God has recently given to me and I am still so proud of you that I'm still telling people and showing off my "NEW" gift/friend.
My ending went kind of like this:
See you in about 5 hours.
Smooches, Donna :)
P.S. By the way if you ever want to delete any of my silly stuff from your blog to keep it a bit more professional, feel free, it won't hurt my feelings. :)
My precious sister and friend
In the short time we have known each other I have been blessed abundantly by you. What you have written is beautiful and meaningful. I will be praying and meditating over this and try to receive it as intended...as a reminder. I am curious as to why God would put this particular scripture on ur heart but I know that His purpose will be revealed.
I love all your posts and am not in the least concerned about leaving it. I have learned that all my significance comes from God and not things of this world which is how easy it is for me to say it's just stuff. I also know in my heart that no matter what if in keep eyes and heart fixed upward that His promises will always be before me.
Thank u so much for all your encouragement. I love you ... Big huge hugs.
Marebear
The entire message written explains why God gave me this scripture, starting with "When painful issues are screaming at you, you MUST STOP and remember this "YOU MATTER TO GOD!" He calls YOU, MARY, by name. He knows exactly what you are going through and where you are hurting. He sees you and cares for you, just as He cared for the people when He first walked on earth." "Jesus came a long way from heaven for you. You certainly matter to Him. He came to give you life and life more abundantly." "Sweetie, You are not just a face in a crowd or a number. No, He knows you by name and has a personal love for you. And in spite of the mess you may have been in. Actually, in spite of the mess you might be in even today, He wants to meet your every need and make your life beautiful!"
It's all about how important you are to God, no matter how what your past has been or how you feel from day to day, YOU ARE IMPORTANT TO GOD!"
That's what this scripture is for. :)
Love and Hugs,
Donna
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