Prosperity and Hope

This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again.   For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.   In those days when you pray, I will listen.   If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.  I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.”  Jeremiah 29:10-14

One of the great debates for the sanity of the church is the idea of the prosperity gospel.  To simply it, let’s talk about Joel Osteen.  Many agree with Joel’s belief that if you trust in God you will prosper beyond what you see today.  Others feel that life is not about prosperity.  It’s about spiritual growth, and growth as any child knows can be painful.  Now to be clear, I fall in the latter ‘spiritual growth’ camp, but many of us in this camp are missing a very significant point about what Joel Osteen has tapped into.  And that is quite simply the word ‘Hope.’

As Christians, we are to always live with the hope in Jesus Christ.  When reading Jeremiah 29:11, many people conclude that it is all about the great things God has planned for them.  Kind of like the prosperity Gospel, right?  But you see when you read the entire context, you realize this is not about some great prosperous unknown.  This about knowing what God has already promised!  These verses speak to a people who have been exiled from their homeland and are enslaved in Babylon.  They are in a situation where they have to feel that they are to never find home or have anything of their own.  But God tells them to not be troubled or dismayed.  He has not forgotten them or His promise to them. They may have to wait a generation, but they will be free and prosperous again.  Thus, they are to live their lives for God with the hope their hearts and minds are connected with Him.  Now if you were middle aged back then, this had to be somewhat discouraging. However if they were to remain faithful, you would rest easy with hope knowing that the future was indeed bright.

Hope is about patience.  Hope is about trust.  Hope is about knowing something that will come to flourish in the face of all signs that say otherwise.  Our hope in Jesus Christ is not for our salvation.  It is rather that we are living a life for Him that when the day is done, we can say in the words of 2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.”  How hopeful are you in God’s promises to you?  How can you find hope in times of despair?  My prayer is that we prosper through good times and bad realizing that we always have hope through Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Tues Devo: Don't lose heart

Hello,

We hear the phrase often – “Don’t lose heart!” It brings to mind times when we are pushing towards a goal, but various obstacles keep getting in the way. Sometimes those obstacles are related directly to what we are doing, but often they are things that are unrelated – but zap our time & energy and distract our focus. For me, I find the unrelated obstacles the hardest to deal with.  I expect some difficulty within the mission itself, but it is easy for me to get discouraged when things I perceive as outside of the mission slow me down or take my attention away. I find it easy when that happens to sit back and blame the lack of forward motion for the mission on those things. Now, that blame may be true – but as soon as we start to focus on blame, we quickly fall into pity/woe is me mode and that is when the wheels can really come off from the mission. We begin to look at our circumstances and see everything we cannot control as negative, and our effort begins to also slip.

So what do we do? We take heart! To me take heart is a challenge to stop and examine the facts that brought you to that mission in the first place. We revisit what we are doing and why. Check out 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

“Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” (NASB)

Here Paul talks about how they do not lose heart. They go back and in verse 5 revisit their mission – preaching Jesus Christ as Lord. It is a worthy mission, one that hasn’t changed even though the obstacles are big. So, they take heart and keep pushing forward.

Have a blessed day – and whatever obstacles are facing your mission, take some time to reflect – and take heart in what Christ has done for us.

(Bonus verse – John 16:33 “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (NASB))

Will Hill

Turn Words into Action

I’m moving off of Fridays and onto a weekend writing so I can have them posted by Monday morning.

32 Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice. Ezekiel 33

I tend to listen to music while at work, and I had been sticking to my own albums for a while. A few weeks ago, I started using some of the automatic stations on Google Play and was thrilled when I found a few 90’s stations. I got excited and was gleefully listening to the tunes of my school days (yep, I realize I’m dating myself here).

Anyways, there’s a big difference between singing along with your friends or in your car versus listening to it in headphones in a quiet environment. The words that were jumbled suddenly jump out at you, in crystal clarity. Some of the songs I thought at the time were innocent were actually far from it. A few of them I stopped and listened to the words more clearly, really hearing what the song was about for the first time. It was a rather eye opening (or ear-opening) experience.

I’ve written before that music is something that speaks to me. I made the switch around two years ago to start listening to only Christian music, and I pay close attention to the lyrics now. When I sing at church, whether seated in the congregation or up with the praise band, I make an effort to mean every word that I’m singing. It’s my way to communicate with God. This isn’t the same for everyone - particularly my husband - but everyone should have something that they find this meaningful as a way to worship and praise.

Whatever that may be, pay attention to the “words.” Put those words into practice. Do not go through the motions without putting effort in. It may be music, it may be what you read, it may be what you watch, it may be how you spend your Saturday nights, but whatever it is, your actions have words associated with them. Make those words and actions praise God.

The Good And The Bad Of Thanksgiving

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.  And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 5:19-20

Just a little over seventeen years ago, I received a phone call letting me know that I would be offered a job to work at my current employer.  As I looked back, I remembered my excitement getting the job offer.  Thoughts about the jobs I had before never quite being happy in any of them swirled in my head.  Each one of them prepared me in their own way for that moment.  Even the ones that I did not enjoy had a level of relevancy because they would become reminders of just how good I would now have it.  Thus I was thankful for all that had happened prior to that day.

When looking back at our journey of faith, we are to be thankful for all that happened to bring us closer to God today.  We are thankful of the blessings He has given us like our jobs and homes.  We are to be thankful for the people He brought into our lives to influence and be influenced by us.  We are thankful for the many victories He has given us in His name.  And yet, we are to be thankful for the many trials and losses we have had.  They have tested our faith and taught us lessons that would be useful for future success.  We are also to be thankful for the failures that we had for they proved our imperfections and reminded us how we are not God despite our knowing who He is.  They awakened the Holy Spirit within us saying something is not right.  They became the inspiration for us to do better, and once learned, became testimonies to those who once believed they could never make it.  You see?  Once we become a child of God, we are no longer bound by sin.  However like all children, we must grow and build a better relationship with God from it.  That is something we can be eternally thankful for.

God is good whether we are or are not.  When things are good, it is very easy to love God.  However our love is never fully appreciated when it is easy.  It is when the most trying of circumstances challenge our love is tested.  In spite of our greatest sins, God loved on us showing His mercy and grace.  For that most of all, we should be infinitely thankful.  What problem in your life can you give thanks to God for?  How can you show an attitude of gratitude for God in all circumstances?  My prayer is that we simply show thanks to God for everything; both good and bad.  Amen, and I pray for you and your family a joyous and blessed Thanksgiving holiday.

Gratitude, Part 3

1 John 4:18-19 “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.” (NASB)

Sometimes gratitude is the most important, when things are the simplest. When things get complex we find it easy to be grateful – we realize that things are beyond our reach or skill. But the simple – those things are harder to remember to be grateful for, but perhaps more important to be thankful for. It helps us not take things for granted, and it helps remind us that we are not here doing things alone and by ourselves.

So, in the vein of things that are simple – today I wanted to challenge all of us to have gratitude for God taking the initiative. It was Him loving us first. We forget that part….we just go to the mutual first, or mention His love – but it is vital that it was started by Him.

Take some time and just reflect on the impact, thanking God for taking the initiative.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

I thank the Lord for you!

Colossians 1:3-6


We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.



Many people I know have been participating in 30 days of Thanksgiving where they post each day during November what they are thankful for. While with this week being Thanksgiving, I want to share that I am thankful for each and every single one of you. I may not know each of you personally however as this scripture talks about, we thank God when we pray for you because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus. Each of you has had the courage to join our devotion group, a group that it can be seen that you are a part of. You are a witness to others by being a part of this group. By doing so, hopefully you are planting seeds and bearing fruit to those around you.



May your Thanksgiving be blessed this week.  

Thurs Devo: Miracle Key

Have you ever locked yourself out of your car or house or office? What did you do?

Joe locked himself out of his office a few weeks ago. I don’t think he realized he was the last counselor in the building and that the front door was locked. After going to his car to get a fork for his dinner, he realized he was locked out. He didn’t even have his phone on him. He prayed about what to do. He then went to the industrial trash bin area outside his office complex to look for anything he could use to pick the lock. He found a couple things to try, but made one more loop around the trash bin area and suddenly saw a key in the rocks nearby. You guessed it! The key miraculously fit his particular office door out of all the office doors in the complex!!! We praised God for “He Holds the Keys” as the Christian song title says!!!

The early Christian church in Philadelphia faced much bigger troubles than a locked door. However, Jesus reminded them that He holds the key and will reward their perseverance.

Revelation 3:7-10     ⁷ “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write:

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. ⁸ I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. ⁹ I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth.

Jesus recognized the weakness of the Philadelphia church, worn down by continual persecution. He commended them for their patient endurance and promised to redeem their reputation. He also promised to spare them from a far worse trial.  

If you are a follower of Jesus, He has made the same promises to you. No matter what we suffer in this life, He will spare us from eternal death and bring eternal justice on evil. How are you and I comforted knowing this? What current situation is easier to endure knowing Jesus, as the miracle key, holds the door to Heaven open for us?

Alice

No Never Alone

Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.  Matthew 28:19-10

While there is so much going on in the world today, I want to speak of something more personal as it has relevancy to much of what is going on.  This past weekend, I lost a friend, and while all indications was that he was a believer, I could not help but feel the sadness of a life gone too soon.  It also brought me to realize one of the worldly devices that is creating greater stress in the world.  It is called loneliness.  I listen to experts, and see the data that points to a declining church and that people feel a disconnect with it.  With that disconnect, there is this empty space where loneliness takes its place.  It is not easy for me to ignore because I have such a connection with an awesome God, but many will say I just need to worry about myself.  But I can’t.  So I ask myself how can I not feel suffering when others feel they have no one to turn to.  What can I do to be accountable to making God’s presence in the world more known?

There is a reason Jesus commissioned us to teach others of God.  Many will disagree, but I believe much of what has gone awry in the world deals directly with the void of God in those places.  People who are alone are much more susceptible to evil, violence, and deception.  Our job as followers of Christ is to stay connected not only with God but also those who do not know of Him.  They are the ones who need to know of a God who loves them deeply, and must realize that whether they don’t have someone or do but sense no one cares about them, God is always watching, listening, loving, and protecting them.  There is no depth of loneliness or despair that God cannot touch, heal, and make one feel anew!

God is the only answer to save others.  The world is a ruthless tool of the devil for as 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”  Armed with the truth, we have joy everlasting through Jesus Christ.  We have been given true victory, and with it, we know He is with us always for God has said. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)  Anyone who knows this will never ever be alone.  Who do you know that may be feeling alone?  Who in pain needs a reminder of God’s faithful promises?  My prayer is that when others feel abandoned, we are able to sing to them the old spiritual hymnal, ‘No Never Alone.’  Amen.

Tues Devo: Gratitude, Part 2

Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two cents? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” (NASB)

Hello,

When we think of things to be grateful for of God, certainly Him sending Jesus to die for our sins is at the top of the list. But this one above, I feel this one is right up there close by.

If you reflect on the times where you recognized someone cared about you, the chances are quite high that it involved that person knowing or remembering a smaller detail – often in the middle of chaos. These verses make me think of just that. Yes, life is full of chaos – but God knows the number of hairs on our head (OK – for some of you, that number is pretty low….). And beyond that, If God won’t forget the about any of the cheapest birds for sale – how could he forget about us? Our value to Him is incredibly high, and for that we should have gratitude.

Have a blessed day,

Will Hill

Pray for the world around us

Psalm 1

¹ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

⁴ Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

⁶ For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

It’s hard to look at the world today and not see evil all around us, to see the destruction that has come from all of the wicked ways of the world. As Christians, we have to remember that the Lord watches over us and that all of this evil was predicted in the Bible. No, it doesn’t make it easier to see happen or deal with however we do know that if the glorious promises of God are to come to fusion, we must first live out what the Bible has said would happen, which includes the destruction of this world.


Today I encourage you to pray for the world around us.