Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Hope Moment: Certain Hope In Uncertain Times
(June 27, 2018)

People today, like never before, need hope. Our world is facing some serious issues. Terrorism, the failing global economy, the threat of war, the loss of our freedoms... gross perversion of Biblical truths, and the list goes on and on. individually, we are facing discouraging personal issues in our jobs, families, and relationships - all of which leave us feeling fearful, anxious and overwhelmed. At some point we might wonder, "What’s the world coming to?"

The question is, how do we cope when we’re faced with so many discouraging issues both in the world and in our own lives? And where do we find hope - real hope when we are surrounded so much uncertainty - especially when our tendency is to only focus on our current circumstances and hardships? 

The Disciple John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote the book of Revelation to a specific people who, like us, were living in very difficult times. Many were in danger of losing hope and struggling with faith. For John, it was also the most discouraging time in his life. 

He was old, all alone, exiled to the island of Patmos, all his friends had been killed, and the Roman Emperor was heavily persecuting the Christian church. 

Struggling and ready to give up, John badly needed some hope and reassurance. Many of us have probably felt similar to John, who was so confused and alone he probably felt like God had left him. So Jesus offered a much-needed message of hope to John and to the church (that’s you and me). 

I believe you could sum up Jesus’ message in Revelation in two short: "Don’t be discouraged. I am in control."

Jesus is our hope; therefore, we can be hopeful first of all about:

  • Our future -- Jesus is coming back as the righteous and perfect judge and everyone will know Him. Our future with Him is certain. "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7 

  • His provision -- Jesus is our hope and peace. As His children, we are secure, loved, and forgiven. We’re also empowered us to serve His kingdom in a fallen world.

  • His presence -- Jesus promised us that we are never alone and His presence is always with us. In Deuteronomy, the Father said, "I will never leave you or forsake you."(36:1) And in Revelation, Jesus said, "I am the Alpha and the Omega...who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." (Rev. 1:8)

  • His power – Jesus, as the ultimate authority, will judge the world. Justice will prevail. Evil people will be fully compensated for their deeds and we as God’s children will be justly rewarded.  Jesus said, "Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hell." (Rev. 1:17-18) 

We need to realize that when life gets really hard, the only place we should place our hope and trust is in God and never in people, things and circumstances. When we put our hope in someone or something that we think is going to be the key to our satisfaction and happiness, we actually put ourselves in a no-win situation. Jesus is our eternal hope!

Are you willing to listen to the God’s voice instead of looking at your present circumstances for reassurance? God knows exactly how it’s all going to end because He’s in control!  This should not only give us hope, but also assurance and peace.

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Hope Moment: "I was blind, but now I see." (Part One)
(June 23, 2018)

Some reading this note know that a little over two years ago, I lost almost all my sight in one eye. Who would have known that I would catch the heel of my shoe as is I moved backwards carrying a fairly large piece of furniture? I can tell you the distance from a standing position, falling backwards with both hands unavailable to a cement driveway, is fairly short.
Of course, I could not let my mom’s prize buffet suffer damaged, so in the two second plunge, I decided, my body could withstand the blow. I wasn’t too shocked when I heard (and felt) at least three distinct popping noises coming from somewhere in my back. I was shocked however, to know that such sounds could come from the mouth of a 68 year old man after the incident.
The episode ultimately ended up in the emergency room. Then around 3 in the morning another trip to the hospital took place. The eye specialist said the optic nerve was dead in my left eye. They suspected it was a small blood clot. Three days later, I left the hospital with their diagnosis, “...your eyesight is gone...for good.” Side note: the exams revealed something else more troubling which will most likely be the focus of a later Hope Moment.
I wish I could report that the Great Physician has turned it all around, and that I have full vision in both eyes (for which I still pray). Nothing has changed since I left my bedroom to travel to the hospital that early morning hour regarding any change for the better in my eyesight.
I would like to report, however, that I now “see” some things much better. Your time is precious so I will conclude my story in my next “Hope Moment.” I can say that I have a fuller understanding of what is written in the Gospel of John 9:25. “...I was blind, but now I see.”
You have heard it, and perhaps you have said it, “...this is the absolute end!” I leave you with this truth: “The death of anything in physical life germinates the seeds of the spiritual life to come.” The catch is....you have to see it. 

(...to be continued)
- WP
Always remember: Where There's Life, There's Hope

Hope Moment: I once was lost, but now I'm found."
(June 22, 2018)

“I once was lost, but now I’m found.” That old song becomes new each time I hear it and speak it. God’s grace really is amazing!
There was a time when I really had lost my way. Oh, I didn’t see it that way most of the time as the sights, sounds, and emotions of life filled my life. Then it happened, over and over again. My mom said and sang it. My pastors spoke about it - over and over again.
Moms & dads, never tire of repeating that old, old story. Pastors and mentors, don’t become weary of sharing it. I can say for a fact that the knowledge of the great of God came first to me through the lives of people that loved me. Yes, I heard the “old, old story about a King that came from glory,” but it became a reality as I witnessed first hand the amazing grace lived out.
Then it happened, once and for all, I believed it as the Great Comforter came to me in His quiet persuasive way. I knew then that I was lost just like every other person who had come short of God’s love and missed His perfect plan. The awareness of my lost-ness made it possible for me to be found, and be at peace in the arms of a forgiving Heavenly Father.
I must add before I conclude this “Hope Moment,” that I wish I could say that I never again lost my way. Sadly it is the condition of man to fall prey to selfish actions. I can say, however, with full assurance, that Jesus continues to find me when I take my eyes off of Him. He saves me! He, my friend, never gives up on you either.
As I listen to the sound of rushing water, I am made more aware of God’s Holy Spirit, rushing to me, refreshing, renewing me, and reminding me that He has found me once again.
I pray that, today, you will be comforted again in the “found-ness” of God’s love for you.
- WP

"Where There's Life, There's Hope"
Hope Moment:
(June 8, 2018)

Hope is the Golden thread that weaves it’s way through life connecting “what is” to “what will be.” Hope transports the individual from the hurts, and staleness of the present into the astonishing belief in the very real place called Heaven. Life itself is proof of the existence of hope.
Consider this scriptural translation in regards to our ever present hope:
“All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it’s not only around us; it’s within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We’re also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don’t see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:22-25‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Never give up hoping.

Always remember: Where There's Life, There's Hope

- WP
The Little Things
(August 24, 2017)



Greatness is often wrapped in simplicity. A person who is unwilling to do the little will not have the opportunity to do the big. The person who is not challenged by the little will not be presented the challenge to do the big. A person who has not done well the little is not prepared or qualified to do the big. Do not weigh a task. If it is before you, do it and do it well. Even if it is unworthy of you, you, nevertheless, are setting principles by which you will live a life. One who is not diligent in little tasks will not develop the diligence necessary to do the big tasks. Even if the task is not worthy of you, diligence is; and even if what you do is not big, the way you do it can be big. Someone will see how you do it and realize that you are qualified to do something bigger. Then too, in doing the small task diligently one is preparing himself with the methods necessary to succeed in a big task. 

Forever Friends

If friendship is based on what your friend can do for you is, at best, a temporary relationship. Thus, you must call it something else. True friendship carries with it a strong desire for the well belong of another.  A true friend looks for ways to lighten the load of another. True friendship is a giving, not a taking relationship. Genuine friendship ignores the calendar and knows no distance. 

A true friend cares for and believes in another - regardless of circumstances. What separates acquaintances, will only brings friends closer together. To use the words of a sacred song, friendship, ".... looks beyond our faults and sees our needs."

I remember distinctly a song that was sang on the last Sunday of one our pastoral assignments, 

"Friends are friends forever 
If the Lord's the Lord of them,
And a friend will not say "Never"
Cause the welcome will not end,
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know,
That a lifetime's not too long
To live as friends."

Though my heart was breaking at that moment of separation, I have learned that no truer words were ever spoken. In Christ, we have a Friend that is "closer than a brother." Our bond through Christ most certainly extends to our earthly relationships. 

On a final note let share this point of inspiration: Friendships are the roots for a strong tree that resists, and survives the storms of life. It bears sweet smelling blossoms, which produces the delicious fruit of Hope and Healing and Life. 

I give thanks today for Forever Friends. 

Monday, October 17, 2016

In All Things

The child of God does not let a day go by, surely, in which he or she does not lift up their heart in thanking Him for His manifold blessings, bestowed in measureless grace, not only day after day, but hour after hour. As we delight ourselves in the Lord, we cannot help but praise Him many times daily for His mercies. How good He is to us always!

We thank Him for His goodness-- the goodness that we can see, the blessings that we know as blessings. But do we thank Him for the trials, the heartaches, the disappointments! Are we as ready to
praise Him when things go wrong as when they go exactly right? We tend to praise God in generalities, but do we thank Him sincerely for the very trials and sorrows that beset us? 

George Matheson, Scottish preacher whose eyesight became dim, put it this way: "My God, I have never thanked Thee for my thorn. I have thanked Thee a thousand times for my roses, but not once for my thorn. I have been looking forward to a world where I shall get compensated for my cross, but I have never thought of my cross as itself a present glory. Teach me the value of my thorn."

May the Lord teach us the value of the unpleasant things that comes upon us, the unwanted circumstances of life. It is so easy to thank Him for the roses. But it is not easy, is it, to give Him praise and thanksgiving for the thorns? Yet the way to know the peace of God is to see His hand and His love in the thorny places, and to thank Him for them.

Philippians 4:6-7
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer
and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known
unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


Always remember: Where there’s life, there’s hope; And, where there is hope, there is life.

Be Thankful!