An Object Lesson on Hope

What comes to mind when you think about hope? Usually we think of the term hope in relation to something negative in our lives which we would like changed. Thus our hope lies in an exchange of the negatives to something more positive.

However, what is the object of our hope? One way to answer this question is by asking another one. But first, think of something negative in your life and the subsequent positive that is the object of your hope, it could be a bad marriage, a troubled child, a health issue, a financial crisis. In response to these negatives, often times our hope lies with something positive in exchange for those negative aspects of our lives. So, for instance, in exchange for a bad marriage, our hope can lie with a new and improved marriage.

Now ask yourself this question, "Do I hope for something" or "Do I hope in someone?" How we answer that question can identify what is the object of our hope. If we hope for something, then our hope is in some "thing" in the future. However, if we hope in someone, our hope is in some "One."

What is the big deal? The big deal is that when we hope for some "thing", that thing we hope for is what we can end up worshipping; and that future "thing" we hope for can become an idol. Furthermore, that future thing we hope for, which may serve as an idol, will never provide lasting satisfaction. Whereas, if we hope in someone, that being Jesus, then we end up worshipping Christ alone. Furthermore, when we hope in someone, Christ, we have a hope that is certain and present, not just something in the future to experience. Because Christ is alive and dwells within us, he is our living, present hope who can change our negatives into positives simply by his presence in us.

Lastly, whether we hope "for something" or "in someone" will identify the one for whom we live our lives. In other words, if we live "for something," we may certainly pray to God, but we are seeking God for our own good above God's own glory. We may sincerely want God's glory, but only as secondary to our good being experienced. So, God becomes our Santa Claus who delivers gifts to us and for us. Yet, scripture tells us we are created by Christ and for Christ.

However, when we hope "in someone," we are seeking God first and God's glory in the midst of our negative circumstances. When we hope "in someone," we are declaring to ourselves and all who witness us, that God's goodness and gracious presence is greater than my negative circumstances. We declare that no matter what our circumstances, we will hope in Christ. As we hope in Christ instead of hoping for some imagined and improved circumstances, we declare what the Psalmist said, "The steadfast love of the Lord is better than life." This is why we hope in a Person. Moses illustrated this well when he said to God, if your presence does not go with us into the promised land, then there is no sense in going at all. Can we say in our own hearts and to Christ, "Your presence is more preferred than the promised future I desire."

This Christmas may we blend hope into our holidays by laying our idols of imagined and preferred futures on the altar, surrender them to Christ and find our hope in Christ alone.

Beams Away!

Blending Hope in Your Holidays

This is a rather funny picture and it reminded me of another picture I recently came across in a public, unisex bathroom. We all know public restrooms are not known for their aesthetic beauty, which is why this sign was so funny. It was actually a painting hanging up in the bathroom and in fancy writing it said, "Take time to delight in your surroundings." How odd to find such an expression in a public restroom, where taking delight in our surroundings seems so counter-intuitive.

However, it got me to thinking how we as God's holy people are called to rejoice in all circumstances. Are we able to rejoice in our present circumstances in life? Or are we overwhelmed and our joy seems robbed and hope all but diminished? Can we find hope and delight in our circumstances, no matter where we may find ourselves in life? If we possess Jesus Christ, we most certainly can.

This Sunday I am starting a new series entitled, "A Special Christmas Blend." The first sermon is dealing with how to blend hope into our holidays. One way we can do this is by intentionally delighting in our circumstances, no matter what they may be. The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Philippians and it is referred to as the book of joy. Ironically, Paul wrote it from prison not knowing if he would live or die. In Philippians 4, Paul tells us to rejoice in the Lord always. I want to encourage us to rejoice and delight in the Lord, no matter what our surroundings may be and no matter how we may feel. Often times, right actions lead to right feelings and praising God when we don't have feelings of praise is not being hypocritical, but rather faithful to the command of scripture.

So take time this week, to intentionally delight in the One who surrounds you, indwells you and protects you. No matter what our surroundings may be, we are enveloped and indwelt by Jesus Christ, our living hope and the only hope for the word. As we intentionally praise God no matter our predicament, I am wondering if we will discover hope and peace come Sunday.

Beams Away!

Brett

What Women Can Do with Their Wiring

Yesterday, I suggested women should avoid dismissing their God-given abilities. Research indicates that women attribute their successes to chance or luck; and they atrribute their failures to their lack of ability. Yet God gives each woman a set of abilities and God believes in accountability for those abilities. So what is a woman to do?

First,take scripture seriously. I Cor. 12:7-11 tells us that we are each given gifts and abilities. So if God says you have ability, be sure to use for God's glory.

Second, take Janet Heim's class immediately. Janet Heim has just begun teaching a class on Sunday mornings at 9:00 AM which highlights how God often calls people and uses them based upon the abilities and talents they have been given. This is a tremendously encouraging and enlightening class. Take the class, learn your gifts, live more fully for the Lord and let a greater sense of joy and purpose overwhelm you.

Third, don't take any disparity. In other words, don't let anyone, your spouse, your boss, your kids, your parents, or anyone else disparage your gifts. In Judges 4:8, we see Deborah, a Judge for God's people, summoned Barak and told him it was God's will that he lead the Israelits against the mighty Sisera, commander of the army of Jabin, King of Canaan. Jabin had terrorized Israel for 20 years. Barak accepted what Deborah had told her, but only on one condition - that Deborah must accompany him in battle. Barak felt undermanned, but with Deborah with him, he had confidence. Women don't let anyone disparage your abilities. Seek out people who will affirm your abilities. Seek out people like Barak. Know that CrossPoint is a church where your abilities can be discoverded and developed, but also know that you are expected to be deployed with those abilities for the glory of Christ.

Women, take scripture seriously, take the class immediately and don't take any disparity. Men, may we always affirm the women/girls in our lives. We are always battling Satan, The Accuser, so let us be much more the encourager to one another and affirm the gifts God has given each one of us.

Beams Away!

How Women Are Wired

Alright, you must be thinking that my recent illness has affected my brain, if I think I can tell you how women are wired...and there may be some truth to this. However, although I am still trying to overcome some bad vertigo and a sinus infection, I am sharing with you out of research done by women. So, I speak on their authority in the midst of my infirmity.

This week I will share with you the contents of my intended sermon for last Sunday. (By the way, Great job and thanks Mike Richards for preaching!).

How are women wired when it relates to evaluating success and failure?

Women tend to evaluate their failure as a result of their inabilities. In other words, when women fail, they tend to believe, "I am not good enough." Contrast this with most men, who interpret their failure as a result of not trying hard enough. In other words, when men fail, they tend to believe, "I did not try hard enough." (Maybe this is why men always try to fix things, and are reluctant to ask for directions!)

Conversely, when it comes to successes, women interpret successes in terms of improbabilities. In other words, women believe their success is due to luck. However, men tend to interpret their success as a result of their efforts. So men tend to believe their successes result from their knack. In summary, women feel their success is because of luck, men feel their success is due to their knack. Yet for all Christians,our successes need to be understood as a result of grace, God's grace and mercy to us.

Nonetheless, are women to dismiss their God-given abilities? By no means!! Invalidating our abilities ignores the Almighty who endows. The woman, who ignores the One who endows with ability, is the woman who overlooks the gift of the Almighty. God is the One who endows with ability and God is the One who believes in accountability for what God endows.

Are you a woman who ignores her abilities and thereby dismisses the Almighty's work? What are you doing to discover those gifts of the Almighty? Are you a man who encourages a woman to discover her abilities and employ them for the One who endows? Are we all attributing all of our successes to the work of God's grace in our lives.

Beams Away!

Stay tuned for more about how Women are Wired.