You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. John 14:13 (New Living Translation) You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. John 15:16 (New Living Translation) At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you [...] Read more »
7 Things That Changed at the Cross
It is really amazing to consider what was accomplished at the cross. It’s even more amazing to work it out in every area of your life. Here’s a quick overview of some of the highlights for me. I can’t say this is an exhaustive list, but I see 7 things changed at the cross. At the Cross: 1. Guilt was removed For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that [...] Read more »
Our Battle is Not Against Flesh and Blood
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 (New International Version) We live in a world that was once the enemies. Jesus won the battle at the cross and made friends again with everything that was [...] Read more »
The Lay of the Land for Our Battle of Hope
Let me give you an overview of the lay of the land as you battle for hope: Our battle is not against flesh and blood. Our war was finished at the cross. Our job is to enforce Christ’s victory. I need some time to draw these out for you. Find out more at HopeInTransition.com Read more »
Hope Attacks
He led David down, and there they were, scattered over the countryside, eating, drinking and reveling because of the great amount of plunder they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from Judah. 1 Samuel 30:16 (NIV) David and his men met up with an Egyptian slave who led them to the Almalekites. They saw them partying up because of the plunder they took. David attacked and slaughtered almost all of them. You’re going to need to fight [...] Read more »
The Path of Peace is Not the Most Reasonable Path
Wouldn’t it make more sense for David to wait for his fighting force to recover? The Amalakites where a larger force and they were slowed down with all the plunder. Every man had a stake in the fight and every extra sword would undoubtably be appreciated. But David had inquired of the Lord and asked what he was to do. He set off to do what he could with the resources he had. The path of peace is moving the [...] Read more »
Hope Does what it Can
David and the six hundred men with him came to the Besor Ravine, where some stayed behind, for two hundred men were too exhausted to cross the ravine. But David and four hundred men continued the pursuit. 1 Samuel 30:9-10 One third of David’s men were too tired to continue on. Does that mean they didn’t have hope? No. They did what they could. Once you’ve cried, avoided bitterness, inquired of God, refocused on the promise, you need to do [...] Read more »
Why Should I Declare God’s Promises?
There is something about agreeing with God’s will with our words and actions. Some people will say, “It creates a convergence in the quantum field.” That may be true, but there may be another more Biblical explanation. Consider the role of angels: Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation. Hebrews 1:14 (New Living Translation) These Spirit-beings are hear to help us. And the exciting thing is, they listen for the commands of the [...] Read more »
Declare the Promises of Scripture
The second key to refocusing when you need to hope at the end of the rope is to declare the promises of Scripture. Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a [...] Read more »
Another Place to See Your Destiny
The other way is to look back on your life and see the places you’ve been beaten up. Look to see where the stressors have been strongest. The enemy sees the glory that God has deposited in you and does everything they can to steal, kill and destroy it. While they’re doing that, God is allow it so that the glory He’s deposited in you will be refined and shined and made to reflect Him. Malachi 3:3 tells us: He [...] Read more »