Weekend Words

 From Seeds of the Kingdom...

Abound in Hope

The apostle Paul wrote to the Christian believers in Rome and said he was praying that they would abound in hope and bring this hope to others: 

'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).

When we know Jesus in our life we discover the mystery of the gospel, which is 'Christ in you, the hope of glory' (Colossians 1:27).  We begin to see His glory and all that He is and receive the joy and hope in believing.  One of the saddest things in the world is to have no hope.  I hear people described as 'no hopers', but I believe there's hope for everyone, whatever place they're in.  It's those very 'ones' that Jesus wants to redeem and restore, although many would pass them by.

Sometimes a kind word, a few moments of time to listen, a caring touch, a small gift or a prayer for them as we go by may be part of a chain of events that lead that person to Jesus.  When they know that someone really cares, it gives them a reason to hope.

When Jesus touches someone with His love you can see the light of hope that comes into their eyes, as their spirit responds to his love.  There's great comfort in God's hope, whatever troubles we face.  In Hosea we read that the Lord turns the Valley of Trouble into 'a door of hope' (Hosea 2:15).

We can only 'abound in hope' by the power of the Holy Spirit.  His power within us causes us to know things for certain, we have a hope that is eternal, for, as Christians, we don't only have a hope in this life.

'This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil' (Hebrews 6:19). 

- Pam Smith

When darkness seems to hide His face, I rest on His unchanging grace.

In every high and stormy gale, My anchor holds within the veil.

On Christ the solid Rock I stand, All other ground is sinking sand.

All other ground is sinking sand. (Edward Mote, 1836)

Prayer: Lord, we pray that we may spread Your light and love to give a glimmer of hope to those You long to touch.  May we not pass them by, in Jesus' name, Amen.

In the Stillness - by Georges Gawinowski

Moses, Elijah, and John the Baptist all spent extended periods of time in the desert where they communed with God.  In the lonely, still place of the whale's belly, Jonah surrendered his will to the call of God.

Jesus too, sought stillness numerous times away from the throngs where He could pray to His Father.

 Jesus:

- went away to a lonely place to be by Himself. - Matthew 14:13

- spent all night in prayer on a mountain. - Luke 6:12

- many times spent time alone in prayer. Luke 5:16

- withdrew a stone's throw and prayed. - Luke 22:41

If these men of God and Jesus himself needed time away from people in order to meditate and pray, I also should take time to pray and commune with God "in the stillness."

In my busy daily life, I sometimes happen to find myself drifting away from the presence of the Lord, even though in my daily routine I am still connected with my Creator.  I still need a connection without interferences which come from this temporary world I live in.  I want to be still, and wait every day to feel His presence.  The Holy Spirit's presence is in us, with us, and always present; I do not want to drift away from Him.

"Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth" (Psalm 46:10).

Our goal as Christ's followers is to honor Him and give glory to the Lord by showing Him that we are His children.  We all know that children may sometimes move away from their father's presence based on what we call circumstances.  In order to avoid drifting away from a close relationship with our heavenly Father, we can use times of stillness to remain in His presence.

The full article can be read (in pdf form) at Anabaptist Voice publication.  You will need to scroll down to page13)