There is Hope

Matthew 7:28-8:4 (NIV)  When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching,  because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

As a child, movies were one of my escapes.  I loved to attend the Sunday afternoon matinee at the Brin Theater in Menasha, WI. When I saw a movie I loved, usually a musical, I felt drawn in; I felt a part of it like I could sing and dance like the actors. I also felt there was hope because of all the difficulties the actors just experienced and yet it all ended up with everyone singing and smiling.

Every once in a while we have the privilege of hearing a great speaker; one who teaches as they motivate; one who can touch our mind and our heart at the same time.  They are able to convict us to continue on and move forward no matter the odds. Much like the movie experiences I mentioned above; in the midst of sadness or big trouble there was a happy ending just over the horizon.

Can you just imagine what it must have been like to hear Jesus teach? Can you even fathom how captivating His words would have been? The people, who were oppressed by the Romans and beaten down by the Pharisees, were hearing a new message.  They were being told of a great hope, of a chance to experience Living Water. And they were hearing it from the mouth of the Savior.

We can sit at the feet of the Master and hear Him teach also. We have His words of motivation and encouragement at our fingertips.  While we can't hear his Words from His lips, we can read them and get the same sense of something amazing. There is comfort and such hope found in Scripture; we just need to open the book and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to us what we need for our daily motivation.

Matthew 7:28-8:4

The Race is On

Scripture tells us that in times of persecution, even strong believers will find it difficult to be loyal.  This is a frightening thought, but one I have considered time and again.  When reading the Left Behind series years ago, many of us considered what it would be like if we among those who were still alive when the end drew near.

As we study scripture and try to understand various passages like the one we are reading today, it is scary to think what we might have to endure if we do not bow to evil. I have never considered myself to be brave and don't know if I would have the courage of my convictions when suffering closed in on me or those I love.

It is for this very reason I find it important to study God's Word and learn to live it every day. It is reassuring to know that the Bible teaches us that when Jesus' returns there will be no doubt.  If you have to be told that the Messiah has come, then he hasn't. Christ's coming will be obvious to everyone. "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be." (Matthew 24:27 NASB)

There will come a time when false teaching will be all around us.  Some question if that time has not already begun. So much that is happening today does make us question if God is not preparing us for the end.  The answer is yes. Everyday we draw breath, God is preparing us for the end -- the end of either this world, or life as we know it.  Each day we wake up we are one step closer to our last day.

God has been preparing us for our final days since our first day. Every trial and tribulation is meant to strengthen and fortify our faith; to mold our character. "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1 (NASB)  




Matthew 24:15-28

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

If everyone was courteous and considerate in everything, would there be any problems in the world?  This scenario seems to be the answer to all the conflict and skirmishes in life.  "Love your neighbor as yourself" - the second greatest command would be second nature in a world that was courteous and considerate in everything.

We are sinful, so this is not going to happen in this lifetime, but it is something to strive for.  Practice makes perfect and by the time God welcomes us to His kingdom we will be ready for perfection and righteousness. When we get to Heaven we will bring love with us, but I was reminded that we will also bring our memories, experiences and our scars.  Isn't that an interesting thought?  How does that make you feel?

The more I think about this the more I feel like Heaven is going to be so exciting, wonderful and explosive.  I think that I will be me, not some unreal being who is starting all over again now that I have reached Heaven.  I think that I will now be able to move forward and not get hung up on things this world calls ' acceptable'.  Love is the magic word and it is peppered throughout Scripture.  Every lesson has something to do with love.

"Be courteous and considerate in everything." (1 Corinthians 14:40)

Read the 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 text here.  Listen to an audio reading of 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 here.