Contrary To Hope, In Hope, Believe!
by Joni Ames
JONIAMES@aol.com
JONIAMES@aol.com
(Abraham) contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be." (Romans 4:18)The enemy has launched a new version of an old "terrorist attack" on the Body of Christ in recent time. - That which contains a spirit of hopelessness for the future. - To try to cause us to believe that we don't even have a future. Well, the enemy is a liar. - Contrary to whatever the enemy is trying to show you to hope for, believe in the God of all Hope, for He is on your side!
Know this, as it says in Jer. 29:11, God has GOOD plans for you, to GIVE YOU A FUTURE! - A HOPE FILLED FUTURE!
If you are going through a crisis in your life, or are just plain at a crossroads in your faith, you are not alone. Every human being goes through times of anxiety, fear, and concern. But don't give up or give in to a spirit of depression or hopelessness. Like Abraham did, "CONTRARY To Hope, In Hope, BELIEVE!"
The Lord is into miracles. Jesus ruined every funeral He came across! So even if you have received a "death sentence" of some sort, know that YOUR hope is IN THE LORD! - The God of all Hope! - "Now may the God of Hope FILL you with all JOY and PEACE in BELIEVING, that you may ABOUND in HOPE, by the power of the Holy Spirit!" (Romans 15:13)
Afflictions, dramas, traumas, are all a part of life. Because we "go through things" does not mean that we are in some sort of sin or backslidden condition. "Stuff happens." - The Bible says, "It rains on the just and the unjust."
Even if what you are going through is a situation that is "your own fault," God's heart for you in it is refinement and restoration. Don't allow yourself - or others - to flood you with condemnation. Conviction, yes - that is the work of the Holy Spirit. Condemnation is the work of the enemy, who is a liar and the father of lies. - And who the Lord loves, He rebukes, so that you are not "left behind" when it comes to eternity!
If you are walking through a time of false accusation, don't let the enemy make you leave your post! - Stand strong! - "If the spirit of the ruler rises against you, Do not leave your post; For conciliation* pacifies great offenses." (Eccl 10:4) (*to win over; make compatible; reconcile). The Lord will be your advocate and defender. Do NOT let the enemy make you lose your post! Don't quit!
Hold fast what you have! Don't let the enemy steal it from you!:
(10) "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." (11) "Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown." (12) "He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name." (Revelation 3:10-12)
Unfortunately, the old saying, "Whatever doesn't kill us makes us stronger," is true! As our faith is tested and proven, our spiritual muscles are exercised and grow stronger.
Sometimes when we go through things, we think we are "singled out" or "unloved" by God. The truth is, everyone goes through things. Some people are just more vocal about it than others! But, none the less, we all experience "stuff."
(12) Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; (13) but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. (14) If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. (1 Peter 4:12-14)
God never said He would remove us from trials. Rather, that He would be there in the midst of them WITH us. - In our lions' den or in our fiery furnace.
As we watch the news, it seems the whole world around is going crazy and crumbling. When life seems hard even for those of us who know the Lord, it makes you wonder how anyone can go through such things without Him!
Don't let go of your faith in this time! Grab hold of the "horns of the altar" and hold on for dear life! Do NOT let go!
Don't let your mind run amuck! Remember, Jesus shed His blood to rescue you - whether from sin, sickness, disease, or the attacks of the enemy! Colossians 1:21 says, "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled."
"(35) Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. (36) For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise." (Hebrews 10:35-38)
Have you received hostility from others? Jesus did:
"(1) Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, (2) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (3) For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. (4) You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin." (Hebrews 12:1-4 NKJV)
Do you have to "wait?"
(Luke 21:19 NKJV) "By your patience possess your souls."
James 1:2-4 says, "(2) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. (4) But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing."
Have you suffered loss?
"I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ." (Phil. 3:8)
Know that NOTHING can separate you from the Love of God!:
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-39)
I know who I have believed in, and I am persuaded (convinced) that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." (2 Tim. 1:12)
Let it be said of us, as it was said of Abraham, "(20) He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, (21) and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform." (Rom. 4:20-21)
Whatever you are going through, know that Our God is on your side and He loves you and will see you through! No matter HOW it looks - "Contrary To Hope, In Hope, Believe!"
- Joni Ames
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