Gratitude Hope and Exertion

Gratitude and Hope: That Gratefulness will look back. Hope looks forward with desire and with reasonable confidence and expectation. By looking back, gratitude fuels forward-looking hope.

Being thankful….Psalm 100 :1-5 …Message Bible…on your feet now---applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into His presence. Know this: God is God, and God, God. He made us; we did not make him. We’re his people, his well-tended sheep. Enter with the password: “Thank YOU!” make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank him. Worship him. For God is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.

A reaching out with hope….in expectancy by giving praise to God!                

Luke 17:11-19…KJV…11 And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: 13 And they lifted up their voices and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go show yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, & with a loud voice glorified God. 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks;& he was a Samaritan. 17 & Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed: but where are the nine? 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. 19 & he said unto him, Arise, go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. (financially, physically, socially, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally)

Sharpening others to become focused on their tomorrows. Grateful for the past victories but looking forward to a better tomorrow, a better future with clear focus of what is ahead.

Luke 1:39-40, 44….Amplified Bible…39 And at that time Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country to a town of Judah. 40 and she went to the house of Zachariah and entering in saluted Elizabeth…44 For behold, the instant the sound of your salutation reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.                                                                                             

 Iron sharpening iron, with God’s word and not mere words of man..

Luke 1:46-56….KJV…..46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,

47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior.                                                                                                                   

48 For He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  49 For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.  

50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.  51 He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.  54 He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; 55 As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.  56 And Mary abode with her about three months, and returned to her own house. exhortation by Mary was for both herself and Elizabeth…Elizabeth because of her age Luke 1:7 But they had no child for Elizabeth was barren; & both (she and Zachariah) were far advanced in years.

Mary would carry this word for exalting God into the birth of Jesus. Mary would find herself and Joseph far from family. They would find a town, but comfort was in a stable with animals.                                               

 Hopelessness or Misplaced Trust ; Proverbs 28:26….Amplified Bible..……He who leans on, trusts in, and is confident of his own mind and heart is a [self-confident] fool, but he who walks in skillful and godly Wisdom shall be delivered.

Despair looks at immediate realities; any despair is looking at hopelessness. The long term dilemma could seem never ending. And as difficult as it may appear… we have to know  God is telling us what to do in the midst of a troubling state of affairs. He continues to tell us to focus on Him and others; to think about Him, to pray to Him, and to think about Him again. It's not enough to just pray and pray BUT once we have actually prayed, it is  Paul Who tells us to think about the things of God and not what's bothering us. It's not easy; that's why it's called a battle. But the way we fight is to change what we're thinking about.

HOPE helps us see from God’s truths. Hebrews 10:35-36…..Amplified Bible…..35 Do not, therefore fling away your fearless confidence, for of it carries a great and glorious compensation of reward. 36 For you have need of steadfast patience and endurance, so that you may perform and fully accomplish the will of God and thus receive and carry away [and enjoy to the full] what is promised.

HOW will hope BE sustained?  It is in trusting— God.   Hope believes that God is not done. Romans 5:1-5 Amplified Bible   Therefore since we are justified  (acquitted, declared righteous and given a right standing with God)  through faith, let us [grasp the fact that we] have [ the peace of reconciliation to hold and to enjoy] peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, the Messiah the Anointed One. 2 Through Him also we have [our] access (entrance, introduction) by faith into this grace (state of God's favor) in which we firmly and safely stand. And let us rejoice and exult in our hope of experiencing and enjoying the glory of God. 3 Moreover [let us also be full of joy now! Let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance.

4 And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character (approved faith & tried integrity) and character [of this sort] produces [the habit of joyful and confident hope of eternal salvation. 5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God’s love has been poured out in our hearts though the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.

 In verse 4…that character means I have a joy and confident hope of eternal salvation and will tell others…about the hope I have and about Jesus….no matter the trial or tribulation, voicing hope to others is paramount!  Suffering > Hope seeing Romans 5:3-5  3 Moreover [let us also be full of joy now!] Let us exult and triumph in our troubles and rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that pressure and affliction and hardship produce patient and unswerving endurance. 4 And endurance (fortitude) develops maturity of character ( approved faith and tried integrity) and character [ of this sort] produces [ the habit of joyful and confident hop of eternal salvation.  5 Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.  Agape love is more a love by choice. But Phileo love is by emotions. Be sensitive to others in love. For in Godliness we are to prefer others. It is not in a form of abusive freedom. It honors others in the body of Christ.  Jesus' Suffering was not Peter's hope: Jesus was going to be suffering for mankind and He was rebuked by Peter: Matthew 16: 21-24 KJV  21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

The men of that day were wanting a conquering Messiah and get the Roman government out of their lives!

 Matthew 16: 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. The goal of everything, including suffering, is hope.  Losing hope during tribulation is not the answer. God intends for tribulation to produce hope…in us…… through faith.                                                                                                             

John 3 :31-36…………Amplified Bible..….31 He Who comes from above (heaven) is [far] above all [others]; he who comes from the earth belongs to the earth, and talks the language of earth [his words are from an earthly standpoint]. He Who comes from heaven is [far] above all others [far superior to all others in prominence and in excellence].  32 It is to what He has [actually] seen and heard that He bears testimony, and yet no one accepts His testimony [no one receives His evidence as true].

33 Whoever receives His testimony has set his seal of approval to this: God is true.   [That man has definitely certified, acknowledged, declared once and for all, and is himself assured that it is divine truth that God cannot lie].

34 For since He Whom God has sent speaks the words of God [proclaims God's own message],

God does not give Him His Spirit sparingly or by measure, but boundless is the gift God makes of His Spirit!   35 The Father loves the Son and has given (entrusted, committed) everything into His hand.

36 And he who believes in (has faith in, clings to, relies on) the Son has (now possessed) eternal life. But whoever disobeys (is unbelieving toward, refuses to trust in, disregards, is not subject to) the Son will never see (experience) life, but [instead] the wrath of God abides on him. [God's displeasure remains on him; His indignation hangs over him continually.] [Hab. 2:4.]                                                                                    

WE ARE TO have Our Hope: Our Confession…… 1 Corinthians 1:30….”But of Him I am in Christ Jesus, who became for me wisdom from God----righteousness, and sanctification and redemption.  In this hope I go with God and I access His ability. I have accessed His wisdom, His love, His grace and yes His strength to meet everything I meet today. What I must confront, I love no matter what the provocation may be. I am not like the blind walking blindly or the blind leading the blind. Today, I keep pace with God and the momentum created from His Word, His breath in me and prayer. God is my sufficiency.  Hallelujah!                                                                                                     

Hebrews 3:14…Amplified Bible…14 For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) & share in all He has for us, if only we hold our first newborn confidence & original assured expectation [in virtue of which we are believers] firm and unshaken to the end.

In Closing:    God’s thoughts ARE not man’s thoughts….. Matthew 16:22-24…..KJV….22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.  23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. ¶ 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.      

We are to know God’s thoughts for us:  WE are to deny ourselves and take up His cross. We are to deny our own plans and schemes. Making Jesus Lord of our lives was a confession of our mouth believing in our heart that God had raised him from the dead.

While our salvation is secure through the Savior, that daily walk takes effort.  The daily effort begins as soon as we get out of bed in the early morning hours. We must be constant on keeping our focus and that is holding God’s thoughts and purposes in our hearts. And speak as God would speak and hold on with hope in our hearts firm to the end much like we read of Mary and Elizabeth!

In a recent teaching we saw the word exertion. It is an exertion to seek out the Lord and His ways. It is an exertion to live in truth! Today we are to take it for granted that people giving news are giving truth but in reality, Christ died for us. He died washing away sins not just covering them. Our covenant is solid in Him. He took away the sin and gave us grace. Amen.

                                                                                               

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Limitless Power--Flipping the Switch

Ephesians 3:14-21..............14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  NKJV

How much of His power really works in us, so we can ask Him for the impossible?

Was reminded today by the Lord, that I can pray about Him and am able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we can ask or think, but how much power flows through us, to receive it?

Good thought Lord, and I will work on this today. For I know in whom I have believed. I know He can do for the righteous what He has said He will do. No doubt here on that scripture, for I have seen Him do the miraculous. Seriously speaking though, do we know how much, if any power is in us? 

We should know the Holy Spirit resides in us when we have received Jesus as Lord. But do we pay Him any attention throughout our day?

That power to complete something is an exertion. That power is something that enables us to accomplish that which He desires us to do for Him and His kingdom. It takes a cooperation on our part. How does that work? It works when we continue to take on His likeness and continue to enter His kingdom. Our searching His word strengthens us, and fortifies us to be established before any world storms are driven in our direction. God wants to counsel us and lead us by his Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:26-27..................26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will. NIV

Upon entering a dark room at night, the instinct is to go over and turn the power on, right? Finding the light switch, especially if there is a wall switch that will activate the power on, is paramount when one is stumbling in the dark. But when the power comes on, surges through that light bulb and light fills the room, one relaxes knowing they can truly see without stumbling through the room.

I heard this story once about this wealthy Scottish lady who had a nice home. She was widowed for many years, but had extreme wealth. She had wanted lights in her home. She had lived at the turn of twentieth century and had the gas put in, and after a month, the gas people returned to see why she was not using her gas for lighting her home. They wanted to know if she was dissatisfied with the gas installed into her home.  The gas that powered heat and light into her home was available, but she did not activate it. So the gentleman from the gas company showed her again where the "switch" was to turn or activate the gas in her home. She had continued to use candles to light her home and had never walked over to flip "the switch".

To me, that was like using the microwave oven or any new thing on the market back in the late 70's. I had one but rarely used it. Have a dishwasher too, but rarely use it as the work seems doubled in loading and unloading it when having two people to wash and dry, the work is done and move on to something else. Of course, you may not have someone who is willing to help in the kitchen right now, but the day will come when each of us has kitchen duty. Ask anyone who has lost a loved one, and had to learn how to cook or even heat something on the stove after the loved one is gone.
Some of the best conversations my sister and I had when growing up, was those at the sink, washing up dishes after a great meal our mother had prepared for us to enjoy. There were times of soap suds floating in the air, but joy and laughter could be heard throughout the house and probably outside as well. It was a moment in time that we came together to do something, not only for our mother, but for ourselves as well. We enjoyed doing something together. Although it could sound like a "fight" who was going to wash and who was going to dry, still today it brings a smile to my face!

POWER!
So how much power to we have flowing through us? Are we plugged into "the Source"? I think of our grandchild when she was born. Immediately she was going for the "food source" and made mention about someone not getting her to the needed place to feast. But dad reminded her of what she had when she came into this world. He was showing what was available to her. Even though the baby could not see clearly, still dad worked and spoke clearly what was available to be had within that home! He pointed out what she had in that home, and how they worked together as a team. He pointed her towards the kitchen where the food was available. He pointed her to the bathroom for all her bathing and bubble soaking times with her favorite water toys. He pointed her to the bedroom for sleeping, rest, and her quiet time with her books. He pointed her to his office and what she could do there with her own desk and with all her craft "things". 
She is still reminded today, and walks in that respect to know what is available and what she can ask for. In her conversations with her parents, she gains the knowledge of what is hers and how to get it.

Luke 11:1-4.............11:1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples." 2 So He said to them, "When you pray, say:

Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
3 Give us day by day our daily bread.
4 And forgive us our sins,
For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one."   NKJV

Luke 9:23-27..........23 Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God."  NKJV

...they see the kingdom of God.....to perceive and behold

...the rule, the reign....the realm...

...of very God...

It is not about what is out there in the world. It is about what God has placed within our hearts by His Holy Spirit! Receiving Jesus, means receiving the Holy Spirit and power.

Prayer is not living by impulse!  Our waiting in prayer is not a passive waiting around for something to happen to allow us to escape trouble.   We are told in Isaiah  32:16-17………16 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, And righteousness remain in the fruitful field.

17 The work of righteousness will be peace, And the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.  NKJV

As our grandchild is confident she can open the refrigerator and take food out, or open her closet door and take something out to wear for the day, we too can be confident in our relationship with God the Father, to remain with Him.  Our remaining with Him assures our peace. Our confidence grows, and He speaks and gives to us by His words, or in dreams what is ours.

We are to understand His justice and  to remain, to stand in that fruitful field. In waiting in His quietness, we are to remind HIM of what He spoke to us and what His Word has told us! We then give thanks for His wisdom and His love that directs us where we are to walk! It will always take time, and it is time well spent in prayer!

The power that works in us..........a liberty, a right and strength over the enemy (the adversary)
Jesus had both authority and power....
Luke 4:36-37.............36 Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, "What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out." 37 And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region. NKJV
Luke 10:19-20........ 19 Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven."   NKJV

power....exousia...a delegated influence........awesome! Jesus has delegated to us influence through His power over the enemy. By communing with Him through the Holy Spirit, He delegates that influence to us. He gives us power over the violence of the enemy against us. And nothing shall hurt us morally, socially, or physically.

What does this power look like?
1. strengthened by the Holy Spirit in our inner man: Jude 16-23
 17 But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: 18 how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. 19 These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit. 
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. NKJV

2. Jesus seated on the throne of our hearts: 2 Thessalonians 3:5
 5 Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. NKJV

3.Being daily rooted and grounded in love:1 John 3:21-24
21 Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. 22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. NKJV

4.Know that love of Christ which passes knowledge = fullness of God:Psalm 61:6-8
6 Increase the days of the king's life, his years for many generations. 
7 May he be enthroned in God's presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him. 
8 Then will I ever sing praise to your name 
and fulfill my vows day after day.  NIV

Acts 2:28...28 You have made known to me the paths of life; 
you will fill me with joy in your presence.'  NIV

Knowing Christ in love, is dwelling in His holiness, His wisdom, knowledge as well.
We carry His presence wherever we go! It is His fullness that people will see in us!

5. Seeing the exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think when we have that power working in us.......AMEN!
All the above is that which is active in our lives when we observe to do it. Not a hard thing to do when you want companionship with the Creator of the Heaven and Earth and His Son!

Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus. We are thankful for the times we have to come to spend time in Your presence. It is YOU Who strengthens us in our daily walk. You have given us power over that power of the enemy, and we know nothing shall by any means hurt us. We pray to know the power of influence Jesus has delegated to us. Help us to pray when we need to pray. Help us to confess and profess those scriptures we should know and may they be established in our hearts today. As we spend time with the Holy Spirit, we are built into a mighty fortress for Your glory Lord. We ask for the strength to stay in the love of God and to have compassion as Jesus had compassion for others. We pray to be those who will carry Your presences wherever we go! We seek to be those who spend time in Your Word, heeding Your commands and to abide with YOU.
Father, we desire to have a "full throttle" power moving through us 24-7.

We ask to be continually filled with the Holy Spirit......! Holy Spirit, we loose you into our lives and circumstances of this day.
Build within us that transforming power that overtakes our daily walk. Transform us into Your likeness. Today, soften hearts that may have become hard and not pliable. Lead us and instruct us into the place You have destined us to be in YOUR timing. 
In Jesus' name, we pray for all who read this to be restored in their lives to a greater wholeness.
In that which lies ahead on our paths, make words of praise our first reaction to any new circumstance facing us. We thank You for answering us today. If God be for us, then who can be against us?  Amen.

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