Tom and Linda Sipp
Psalms 31: 24 "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord."
Not only are we in difficult economic times but also life itself continually throws challenges at the things we hold dear. The stability of our careers, family and health sooner or later will be threatened. We don't have to wait long or look far before we will experience or witness despair and suffering. For many of us hard times never seemed more real than they do today.
With our faith in the Lord there is the way out, a path from darkness to light. A knowing, anticipation and confidence supplied by hope. Hope that can lead us to a faith that knows we will be guided and healed. A faith the Lord can renew and restore. Let us allow hope to provide us the strength to look beyond ourselves. To be patient and open to the love and grace that He will provide. But Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible" Matthew 19:26.
Prayer: Dear God, Help us to be strong to look past our earthly worries and chains so that our hopes may transcend into a faith that will deliver us to your kingdom. A kingdom that will raise us above pain, where there is no lack and we are united in your love. Have mercy on us and help us to find sufficiency in your grace. We give thanks for your son Jesus who has shown us your Way and in whose name we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Job 27:8 February 28, 2012
Alfred Shropshire
"What hope is there for godless men in the hour when God demands their life?"
Skepticism is a common trait of Homo sapiens, the scientific name for modern mankind, translated as "man the wise". It plays no favorite, as practically everyone is skeptic about something.
This passage about "hope for godless men" brought to my mind two things, (1) the Mormon practice of proxy baptizing the deceased, and (2) death row conversions.
Mormons say that most of those who have lived on earth have not had the opportunity to be baptized by proper authority. Therefore, members of the church may be baptized as proxies for the dead. These deceased ancestors, in the next life, can choose to except or decline what has been done on their behalf.
This practice has its basis in John 3:5, where Jesus tells Nicodemus "no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit." In I Corinthians 15:29, Paul mentions baptism of the dead as a common practice.
One often hears of death row conversions as criminals face their eminent demise. While an air of skepticism often accompanies such declarations, one has to look no further than Good Friday to see the difference that one criminal's timely conversion makes in his eternal life. As he hangs on the cross next to Jesus and says "Rember me, Jesus, when you come as King," Jesus' reply, "I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me" does offer hope for godless men.
But, then, skepticism steps in and I ask myself. "Are the above examples of truly godless men?" When one thinks of historical persons such as Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, etc. or criminals like Charles Manson, of Jeffrey Dahmer, one wonders about what hope each had in his final days.
I know there will always be an element of mystery in God's dealing with us. Chapter 3, verse 9 of 2 Peter reads, "The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins." We need to assept this and remain steadfast in our hope and in our trust.
Prayer: Help me Lord to have a heart like yours. Amen.
"What hope is there for godless men in the hour when God demands their life?"
Skepticism is a common trait of Homo sapiens, the scientific name for modern mankind, translated as "man the wise". It plays no favorite, as practically everyone is skeptic about something.
This passage about "hope for godless men" brought to my mind two things, (1) the Mormon practice of proxy baptizing the deceased, and (2) death row conversions.
Mormons say that most of those who have lived on earth have not had the opportunity to be baptized by proper authority. Therefore, members of the church may be baptized as proxies for the dead. These deceased ancestors, in the next life, can choose to except or decline what has been done on their behalf.
This practice has its basis in John 3:5, where Jesus tells Nicodemus "no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the spirit." In I Corinthians 15:29, Paul mentions baptism of the dead as a common practice.
One often hears of death row conversions as criminals face their eminent demise. While an air of skepticism often accompanies such declarations, one has to look no further than Good Friday to see the difference that one criminal's timely conversion makes in his eternal life. As he hangs on the cross next to Jesus and says "Rember me, Jesus, when you come as King," Jesus' reply, "I promise you that today you will be in Paradise with me" does offer hope for godless men.
But, then, skepticism steps in and I ask myself. "Are the above examples of truly godless men?" When one thinks of historical persons such as Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Pol Pot, Idi Amin, etc. or criminals like Charles Manson, of Jeffrey Dahmer, one wonders about what hope each had in his final days.
I know there will always be an element of mystery in God's dealing with us. Chapter 3, verse 9 of 2 Peter reads, "The Lord is not slow to do what he has promised, as some think. Instead, he is patient with you, because he does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants all to turn away from their sins." We need to assept this and remain steadfast in our hope and in our trust.
Prayer: Help me Lord to have a heart like yours. Amen.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Job 14: 7 February 27, 2012
John Hendrickson
"For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease."
Poor, poor Job. A mere mortal: born of woman, few of days, and full of trouble. He's pleading his case with God. Can't I at least have some hope that death is not the end, of me? Many tree species will sprout or coppice from dormant buds in the stem when the top is killed back or removed at harvest. He proposes that a tree has more hope than he does, because a tree can grow again. He later gets right to the point and asks: If mortals die, will they live again? Ver. 14. Job does express some hope in his appeal, but it's a vague and tentative arrangement, no assurance.
Christians, in contrast, have a promise. More than that, we have a witness. Jesus provided the resurrection for which Job longed. Just before He raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die" John 11:25-26. His answer culminated in the empty tomb, when He was raised from the dead and became the first evidence of our resurrection. Therefore, the reason that we can hope in suffering is because our suffering is not the end of the story - our resurrection is.
Prayer: Lord, although we admit that we may be confused about Your purposes in suffering, we do know that You have conquered death and offered us eternal life in Christ. As we suffer, call to our minds the resurrection, where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain because the old order of things will have passed away. Amen.
"For there is hope for a tree, if it is cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease."
Poor, poor Job. A mere mortal: born of woman, few of days, and full of trouble. He's pleading his case with God. Can't I at least have some hope that death is not the end, of me? Many tree species will sprout or coppice from dormant buds in the stem when the top is killed back or removed at harvest. He proposes that a tree has more hope than he does, because a tree can grow again. He later gets right to the point and asks: If mortals die, will they live again? Ver. 14. Job does express some hope in his appeal, but it's a vague and tentative arrangement, no assurance.
Christians, in contrast, have a promise. More than that, we have a witness. Jesus provided the resurrection for which Job longed. Just before He raised Lazarus from the dead, Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die" John 11:25-26. His answer culminated in the empty tomb, when He was raised from the dead and became the first evidence of our resurrection. Therefore, the reason that we can hope in suffering is because our suffering is not the end of the story - our resurrection is.
Prayer: Lord, although we admit that we may be confused about Your purposes in suffering, we do know that You have conquered death and offered us eternal life in Christ. As we suffer, call to our minds the resurrection, where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain because the old order of things will have passed away. Amen.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Job 11: 18-20 February 26, 2012
Alfred Shropshire
“You will live secure and full of hope; God will protect you and give you rest . . . But the wicked will find that ... their one hope is that death will come."
Job's friend, Zophar, tells Job that surely Job has done something wrong and if he would only put his heart right and reach out to God, his life would return to what it had been before. Job would be secure and full of hope. He would not be like the wicked whose lives were so miserable and full of despair that their only hope was to die.
This advice in some simple form can still be heard today. When we hurt, our first thought is for comfort, not sermons. We are told to "Be devoted to the Lord. Pray. Stop sinning. Then everything will be fine." But, what if we are already doing these things but wind up with our hopes dashed anyway. Everything is not fine and the future looks bleak at best. There is no "sunny side of the street."
We must remember that God is not our adversary. He is on our side. Our failure to understand God's purposes should not shake our faith in His constant love. If we fix our hope in eternity, nothing that happens in our brief lifetime can overcome us. We may be filled with inner turmoil, but we should also expect to grow through the experience.
When challenges arise, don't ask to know "why!" Just trust in the wisdom and love of God. The rewards of faith in God may not come to us in this life, but they will surely come.
Prayer: Lord, give us the strength not only to face our own trials, but also to walk with someone else that needs our caring. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
“You will live secure and full of hope; God will protect you and give you rest . . . But the wicked will find that ... their one hope is that death will come."
Job's friend, Zophar, tells Job that surely Job has done something wrong and if he would only put his heart right and reach out to God, his life would return to what it had been before. Job would be secure and full of hope. He would not be like the wicked whose lives were so miserable and full of despair that their only hope was to die.
This advice in some simple form can still be heard today. When we hurt, our first thought is for comfort, not sermons. We are told to "Be devoted to the Lord. Pray. Stop sinning. Then everything will be fine." But, what if we are already doing these things but wind up with our hopes dashed anyway. Everything is not fine and the future looks bleak at best. There is no "sunny side of the street."
We must remember that God is not our adversary. He is on our side. Our failure to understand God's purposes should not shake our faith in His constant love. If we fix our hope in eternity, nothing that happens in our brief lifetime can overcome us. We may be filled with inner turmoil, but we should also expect to grow through the experience.
When challenges arise, don't ask to know "why!" Just trust in the wisdom and love of God. The rewards of faith in God may not come to us in this life, but they will surely come.
Prayer: Lord, give us the strength not only to face our own trials, but also to walk with someone else that needs our caring. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Job 8:13 February 25,2012
Mike Elliott
"The same happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the godless evaporate" (New Living Bible).
"Such are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man shall perish" (RSV Bible).
As I understand this verse and the Book of Job, God is indicating to us that without the building of our life on the foundation of God and true sustaining faith in God, we are without hope. Job was tested to determine if his belief (hope) in God was true and built to withstand any adversity he might face. Job's faith was up to the challenges and God rewarded his faith.
But as verse 8:3 indicate, if we forget God, then we lose all hope. It is difficult for me to envision how any individual could function without hope, for it is hope in God that allows us to persist regardless of the difficulties we face. As our church faces difficulties and a number of our members whose loved ones have serious illnesses or pass on, the hope that comes from God allows us to continue, even though, as Job, we do not understand why. We accept it as God's plan for us. We all know of individuals or stories of individuals who have given up, because they no longer have God in their life and have lost the hope that comes from God. This verse speaks very clearly to me that I must never forget God and must try to follow his path in all I do. If I do not, then I will be without hope and without a reason to continue.
Prayer: Dear God, may we continue to strengthen our belief and understanding of you and that foundation which gives us strength to believe and hope. Amen.
"The same happens to all who forget God. The hopes of the godless evaporate" (New Living Bible).
"Such are the paths of all who forget God. The hope of the godless man shall perish" (RSV Bible).
As I understand this verse and the Book of Job, God is indicating to us that without the building of our life on the foundation of God and true sustaining faith in God, we are without hope. Job was tested to determine if his belief (hope) in God was true and built to withstand any adversity he might face. Job's faith was up to the challenges and God rewarded his faith.
But as verse 8:3 indicate, if we forget God, then we lose all hope. It is difficult for me to envision how any individual could function without hope, for it is hope in God that allows us to persist regardless of the difficulties we face. As our church faces difficulties and a number of our members whose loved ones have serious illnesses or pass on, the hope that comes from God allows us to continue, even though, as Job, we do not understand why. We accept it as God's plan for us. We all know of individuals or stories of individuals who have given up, because they no longer have God in their life and have lost the hope that comes from God. This verse speaks very clearly to me that I must never forget God and must try to follow his path in all I do. If I do not, then I will be without hope and without a reason to continue.
Prayer: Dear God, may we continue to strengthen our belief and understanding of you and that foundation which gives us strength to believe and hope. Amen.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Job 5:16 February 23,2012
Alfred Shropshire
“God gives hope to the poor and silences the wicked.”
In today’s world, it is difficult to avoid seeing the needs of others. Wherever we look, television, newspapers, magazines, mailings, the faces of the world’s disadvantaged stare back at us through the eyes of starving children, homeless families, unemployed workers, refugees or victims of natural disasters and local wars, etc. More often than not, these faces are persons who have done nothing to place themselves in their predicaments. Indeed, some are there because of the wickedness of others, sometimes by their own local or national government’s plans and policies.
Some have used Cain’s response to God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 3: 9) and Jesus’ declaration from Mark 14:7, “You will always have poor people with you” as a basis for doing less and less to aid the disadvantaged. They ignore the second half of that verse from Mark, which is “and any time you want to, you can help them.”
Westminster, recognizing that “Whoever does what God wants him to do is my brother, my sister, my mother,” (Mark 3: 35) has always sought to be God’s agent as we go about local, national, and international mission work, even as our annual budget continues to shrink. It can be daunting and difficult to discern which need among the many is most deserving of our time, talent, and money. Let us continue to do what we can for “the least of them”, whether it is in our own backyard or our neighbor’s yards, which may be continents away.
Prayer: Lord God, may our small voice be added to those many others who, together, will silence the wicked and bring hope to the poor. Amen.
“God gives hope to the poor and silences the wicked.”
In today’s world, it is difficult to avoid seeing the needs of others. Wherever we look, television, newspapers, magazines, mailings, the faces of the world’s disadvantaged stare back at us through the eyes of starving children, homeless families, unemployed workers, refugees or victims of natural disasters and local wars, etc. More often than not, these faces are persons who have done nothing to place themselves in their predicaments. Indeed, some are there because of the wickedness of others, sometimes by their own local or national government’s plans and policies.
Some have used Cain’s response to God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Gen. 3: 9) and Jesus’ declaration from Mark 14:7, “You will always have poor people with you” as a basis for doing less and less to aid the disadvantaged. They ignore the second half of that verse from Mark, which is “and any time you want to, you can help them.”
Westminster, recognizing that “Whoever does what God wants him to do is my brother, my sister, my mother,” (Mark 3: 35) has always sought to be God’s agent as we go about local, national, and international mission work, even as our annual budget continues to shrink. It can be daunting and difficult to discern which need among the many is most deserving of our time, talent, and money. Let us continue to do what we can for “the least of them”, whether it is in our own backyard or our neighbor’s yards, which may be continents away.
Prayer: Lord God, may our small voice be added to those many others who, together, will silence the wicked and bring hope to the poor. Amen.
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