Hope
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints. Ephesians 1:18
Author: Lori Casto
Clean Heart
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Psalm 51:10
Just Enough
Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. See, I have commanded a widow there to provide for you.” So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, indeed a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Please bring me a little water in a cup, that I may drink.” And as she was going to get it, he called to her and said, “Please bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” So she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I do not have bread, only a handful of flour in a bin, and a little oil in a jar; and see, I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it, and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.’ ” So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and her household ate for many days. The bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:8-16
The widow was gathering sticks to make a meal for her and her son. She had just enough oil and flour for the 2 of them to eat one last meal and then wait to die of starvation. Things looked grim. Then Elijah, a total stranger, appears out of nowhere and instructs her to make a small cake and feed him first. I know God prepared her heart for Elijah, but If I were this widow, I may be a little unwilling to help a perfect stranger before feeding my own son. Still, the widow was obedient despite any fear and questioning.
Because of her obedience, every day God provided just enough oil and flour for “her and her household.” We don’t know who was in her household other than her son, but I have to think it could have been several people. Because the widow obeyed even when she was in fear and questioning, it turned just enough oil and flour into more than enough.
Isn’t it great we serve a God who provides just enough and more than enough? Sometimes His provision depends on our obedience. We can’t explain God’s provision. We can’t explain the how or the when. It’s always a joy though, to look back and see how he was in the situation all along and how He worked things out for the good.
And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
Forgive Us Our Debts
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. Mathew 6:12
Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:32
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:13
And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, SO THAT your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.” Mark 11:25
Your Will Be Done
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10 NKJV
Saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” Luke 22:42
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11
Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. Galatians 1:10
Absolute Obedience & Surrender ISN’T
My Will
My Way
My When
Absolute Obedience & Surrender IS:
God’s Will
God’s Way
God’s When
No matter what.
What’s the “no matter what” part you struggle with?
Your Kingdom Come
In this manner, therefore, pray:
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
As we forgive our debtors.
And do not lead us into temptation,
But deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:9-14
Good for Nothing
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. Matthew 5:13
No Weapon
No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17
The God of Peace
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Polluted Principles
Time and life circumstances can cause our principles to become polluted, and we may not even realize it.
Polluted– contaminated with harmful or poisonous substance
Principles– fundamental truth or position that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior for a chain of reasoning which leads to a watered-down version of Christianity. When a fire becomes watered down, it smokes and becomes uninviting
How do we clean up the pollution?
A Priority Shift
Prioritize:
1. Prayer
Reading God’s word and pray daily. What time of day can you designate as quiet ‘God and you’ time?
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
2. Praise
We get caught up in negativity. We must have praise coming from our lips daily.
Praise the Lord!
Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty [b]firmament!
Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent greatness!
Praise Him with the sound of the [c]trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.
Praise the Lord! Psalm 150
A. Praise scriptures
B. Praise music
3. Peace
What steals our peace?
- Relational issues
- Work
- Daily grind
- Social Media
- News
- Health Issues
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9
Meditating on His word brings peace
Every Opportunity
So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good. Don’t act thoughtlessly but try to find out and do whatever the Lord wants you to. Ephesians 5:15-17 Living Bible
Rooted & Grounded
…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 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. Ephesians 3:17-20 NKJV