Hope - the Contrast Between Worldly Hope and Biblical Hope - article reprint

Below I am sharing an article I just this morning had time to read, and I wanted to keep it handy for both myself and for my friends here whom  I thought would be encouraged by it too, especially since my tagline is "Ancient Wisdom/Peaceful Pathways". 

Note the first line of the article:

Hope is an essential ingredient to possessing joy, peace, and faith.

Be encouraged as you read today!

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"What to Do When You've Lost Hope"Curt Landry, Grove, OK

Hope is an essential ingredient to possessing joy, peace, and faith. Every Believer needs to fully understand what Biblical hope is and how to protect it. Before we begin to look at what hope is, how to renew it, and how to keep it, let's look at what it isn't.

Worldly Hope Is Wishful Thinking

People throw around the word hope about as often as they do the word love. In the world today, we hear hope referred to as situations or circumstances that may or may not come to pass. It's as though many see it as pure chance. They say things such as, "I hope you have a great day," or "I hope you enjoy your trip." It suggests wishful thinking rather than something certain.

Biblical Hope is an Assurance

The Word of God tells us something almost opposite of the world's view. It tells us that hope is promised, sure, and always present. God tells us it's an assurance.
"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (or assurance) of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 emphasis added)

Assurance is a positive declaration intended to give confidence. It's a promise of what will come. Your faith is the manifestation of the hope you have and what will take place in your future. 

Think about that... the promises of God: abundant life, joy, peace, and hope are PROMISES THAT WILL TAKE PLACE. God's statements are not, "Good luck, My child, I hope you find peace and joy."
He tells you it's a guarantee—how amazing! Therefore, He tells you to have confidence. As you keep faith alive, what you are hoping for has to happen. You don't have to try in your strength to make things happen for yourself. When you maintain the faith, which comes by love, hope is manifested in your life by the power of God.
Now remember, this is not an earthly hope. It's not a hope for nice things and lavish living—it's a certainty of God's decree over your life, your identity in Christ, and a fulfillment of His will.
"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord." (Jeremiah 17:7)

When Does Hope Come?

Hope comes when you don't quit. The problem with quitting is that it steals your hope. Quitting and giving up your hope only hands it over to the enemy. Endure with patience so that the manifestation of hope becomes a testimony of faith.

Unfortunately, so many Believers hand over their hope before it has had time to be made strong in the Lord. The Lord wants to do a good work in you, so that you become a testimony of His love. He also knows other storms lie ahead; therefore, after you have passed over one mountain and your hope has grown, you will be able to recall His faithfulness to withstand the next.

Your testimony of enduring faith not only encourages those around you but also strengthens you. God wants to build a spiritual repertoire in you so that you can easily arm yourself with His armor and be well prepared for your destiny.

Encouraging Words

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience." (James 1:2-3)

"...rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer..." (Romans 12:12)

"But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:25)

How Do I Keep Hope Alive?

You keep hope alive by nurturing and protecting it. Hope is like a small seed that grows by the living water and the light of the Word. As it begins to grow inside, it begins to break through, just as a plant breaks through the crust of the earth. This is the time it is most vulnerable. It is delicate and requires attention and protection until it can stand firm in the elements. Be patient as it matures and grows strong.

"So Jesus said to them, 'Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.'" (Matthew 17:20)

Make a commitment to take the seed of hope within your heart and raise it up in the protection of God's Word. Water it daily with devotion. Wrap it in prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to place ministering angels around you to guard and protect it. Ask the Lord for the impartation of wisdom and daily revelation of how to maintain the hope you've been given.

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Hope in The Resurrection

When you are born-again and the Holy Spirit dwells in you, you have been given hope of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit gives you the assurance and testifies on your behalf of the righteousness you have been given through covenant restoration.

"...I believe everything that is in accordance with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, and I have the same hope in God as these men themselves have, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked." (Acts 24:14-15 NIV)

Let this truth soak in to your inner-man. You who are saved have been given hope! You must declare it with your mouth, believe it in your heart, and release it! God's Word does not come back void.

"May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you." (Psalm 33:22 NIV)

Let's Pray:

"Father God, in the name of Jesus, I release the joy of my salvation. I decree and declare Your Word is true and every promise that You have spoken over me will prosper in what it was sent to do. I release the hope that You have given to me for a time such as this, to bear fruit that will last. I release the hope that I am an heir to the throne. I decree that every word You have spoken is final, and that every storm I face can be conquered by Your Word. I live victoriously when I trust in You!"

"Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you"(Zechariah 9:12 NIV).

Rabbi Curt Landry
Founder, Curt Landry Ministries
Email: info@curtlandry.com
Website: www.curtlandry.com

Permission is granted (and you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own websites. We ask only that you keep Elijah List website, email contact info, and author contact information intact.

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Phone 1-541-926-3250

Step Six - Covenant Mark and Oath - part 1 of 2 (covenant series)

Another image by Gwen Meharg - a friend and inspiring artist.

6.         Covenant mark and oath

This step of covenant has multiple parts, so I am breaking the teaching up into two parts so that you are not overwhelmed and can truly internalize the richness of this step of covenant!

Parts of making the covenant mark:

a.         Both parties' right arms are raised, the palms cut and then they bring their palms together.  As this is done, the blood of the covenant partners intermingle.  As the blood intermingles, it was believed that their lives were intermingling and becoming one life.  This is because “the life is in the blood” (Leviticus 17:11).  Our blood is our life and to intermingle blood is to intermingle life….so…in a sense, covenant makers are "putting off their old nature and putting on the new nature" of the blood covenant partner.  We two are becoming one.  Man has always believed that intermingling blood is intermingling life.  Thus, this act symbolically shows the two of us becoming one.

This 'bringing together of palms' is what we know as a handshake.

b.         As the partners stand there with their blood intermingling, they exchange names.  “I take your last name as part of my name, and you take my last name as part of your name.” The new name was a way of announcing to the world that there had been a covenant made between the ones whose names were changed and joined.

A Biblical example of this is when Abram's name was changed to Abraham in Genesis 17, verse 5. God had initiated a covenant promise with Abram in Genesis 15 (you can read the passage here and you will recognize the covenant steps!) and some 15 years later (Genesis 17), God appears again to Abram, speaking in covenant language and initiating the name change, combining Abram's name with God's..."Abram" + "Yah" of God's name "Yahweh"...what a powerful reminder to Abraham, that God is forever on his side; eternally and irrevocably linked to him!

c.         Making the scar:

            The next step is to rub the intermingled blood together and make a scar as a permanent testimony to the covenant; a type of "seal".  The scar will bear witness to the covenant that was made.  It will always be there to remind the partners of their covenant responsibilities to each other.  It is the guarantee of their covenant.   

            If anyone tries to harm one of the partners, all they have to do is raise up that right arm and show their scar.  By that we are saying, “There’s more to me than meets the eye.  If you’re coming after me, you’re also going to have to fight my blood covenant partner.  And you don’t know how big he is.  So what are you going to do?  Are you going to take your chances or back off?”  If the would be attacker has any sense, he’s going to back off.  So the scar is our seal that testifies to the covenant.

II Corinthians 1:21-22 declares that the giving of the Holy Spirit is our 'seal of covenant' with God:

 "...it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us, 22 and who has also put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee."

 and Ephesians 1:13-14:

"In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee[d] of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it..."

Such powerful truths about our covenant making and keeping God is woven throughout the scriptures that we hold dear, even when we don't understand the incredible depth of meaning they contain!

heARTfilled blessings,
Cindy

The Peace of Wild Things

The Peace of Wild Things

When despair for the world grows in me
And I wake in the night at the least sound
in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,
I go and lie down where the wood drake
rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.
I come into the peace of wild things
who do not tax their lives with forethought
of grief. I come into the presence of still water.
And I feel above me the day-blind stars
waiting with their light. For a time
I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Wendell Berry

Making Sure God is Bearing the Burden - Sabbath Thoughts

"We strongly need to see the manifest hand of God in what we are and what we do. 

We need to be sure He is pulling the load, bearing the burden—

which we are all too ready to assume is up to us alone. 

We must understand that He is in charge of the outcome of our efforts, 

and that the outcome will be good, right. 

And all of this is encompassed in one biblical term, “Sabbath.” 

The Sabbath, Jesus said, was made for humankind (Mark 2: 27). 

That is, it serves human life in essential ways. Without it, life cannot be what it should be.”

Dallas Willard, The Great Omission

The Journey of Wise Men - Then and Now

The Feast of Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th, the 12th Day of Christmas. As in any story, it impacts us most if we see ourselves in it, when we become one of the characters acting in the story itself.  When we read an ancient story {or any story for that matter}, we can imagine what it must have been like to be there, to experience it, to be faced with the circumstances those we read about faced, and to contemplate what our choice might have been if it had been us. 

For Epiphany, the story is found in Matthew 2:1-12.  This is my summary of the well loved and ancient text: Wise people - the curious, the seekers, the analytical ones, the intelligent ones, the spiritually sensitive ones - recognize the sign of an incredible event, and go on a journey to find the meaning.  They go prepared, they embarked on a journey, they remain alert, they find what they were looking for, these wise, intelligent, curious, scientists remain open to the supernatural, bow in worship, and return to their home, different than when they left.

What lessons can I learn by their story?*

1. Follow the star to where it leads

The story begins with the our travelers heeding the message that comes in the night.  Navigation in ancient times was largely by stars and constellations. Travelers had to know the night sky and trust the path through darkness and unknowing. Embracing mystery was a regular occurrence, a part of life.  So often we want exactness, assurances, predictability, to know the end before we begin or we won't begin.  This isn't living in the reality of the world we are a part of - it is trying to create fiction.  The wise men travel along on a journey with no set answers, but with knowledge and faith about what their destination will hold...this drives their preparation.

What journey are you being called to? What is your "map", your "guide"? Is there a path to follow, even if the endpoint is not directly known?  How will you know when you reach the end? What preparations do you need to make to go on the full journey?

2. Make the journey your own

We must act.  We must initiate the journey and travel the path.  If we stay "home" (where we are comfortable, where we are right now) we will never find that destination we are being stirred to seek out, we may not find that Hope, that Purpose, that Person who promises to be our Lord and Savior.  We cannot life on our parents' or friends' faith...we must make faith our own.  Herod and all Jerusalem see the signs, but will not travel 3 miles to find the Hope that awaits there.  They want to remain in control (granted it is an illusion, but it is what they know and are familiar with) 

Where are you content to allow other's opinions to shape yours?  Where are you telling yourself you are "OK where you are" and not making a journey to freedom, hope and stability?  Where are you reading and learning, but never stepping out in action yourself? How might you enter into your own journey of life more deeply this year?

3. Open your heart to joy by recognizing God's hand

The scriptures tell us that "When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” In the original language, the last 'joy' means "grace recognized".  The fullness of the verse indicates that they rejoiced abundantly because they recognized God's grace! A sign in the sky such as this star must have been could strike terror into men's hearts, or men might have been mostly indifferent like Herod and the religious leaders of their day.  Or, men can recognize God is doing something powerful and rejoice. 

What circumstances do you need to see "grace recognized"? In looking at the past, where has God's grace blossomed when you faced unknowns and journeys you didn't necessarily choose?  How can these times direct how you face they mystery and unknowns of a new year?

4. Look for holy encounters in humble places

The wise man find a humble baby in a home and they bow down and prostrate themselves in worship. Prostration is an act of humility and honor. 

As you encounter the holy in every ordinary place you move, how might the wise men's actions be adopted into your situation? How can you embrace the sovereignty of God in every situation, every moment, every day?

5. What if you haven't prepared to meet your King?

The wise men give baby Jesus the gifts they have brought of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. There is much rich teaching about these gifts and what they symbolize!  But for our purposes I want to focus on the fact that each gift represents one of Jesus' offices: 1) gold represents His Kingship and Deity, 2) frankincense acknowledges His High Priestly authority and position as Intercessor (corresponding to prayer - both his and ours), and 3) myrrh represents His position as Messiah - the Anointed One and His anointing.  The gifts show that the wise men acknowledged Jesus as the One prophesied to come.

In what ways can I show Jesus is my King? In what ways can I show that He is my High Priest?  In what ways can I show that He is my Messiah?

6. Listen to the voice of the Lord, in any way He talks to you

The wise men - in their intelligence and wisdom - remained open to the supernatural, and acknowledged that the Lord had led them thus far, and listened when He spoke to them through a dream.  God loves us and in that love communicates with us.  He will warn us, comfort us, lead us.  He speaks to us many ways, through dreams and visions, through the written Scriptures, and through gentle guidance and leadings of the heart.  In our culture, the supernatural tends to be frowned upon, even in Christian circles.  Belief in a personal God is relegated to superstition and simple mindedness.  But true science always points to an Intelligent Creator.  And He came to be "Emmanuel, God With Us".  His presence with us means He WILL speak to us!

How do you know when God is speaking to you? Do you act on it? Commit to following His voice, His communication with you this year and acting on it.  Again, keep a journal to document your journey.

7.  Be open to change

The wise men heed the message from God they received in a dream; they go home by a different way. When we encounter God, we are changed, our journey (or at least how we experience our journey in life) changes, it takes on a new meaning. 

How does hearing God change you? How does hearing God change how you approach life (or does it)?  Is there some area He is speaking to you that requires a change?  Spend some time allowing awareness of these areas to emerge.  Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to change you or are you resisting?  Have you ever had problems/trouble because you didn't heed the Lord's words - either generally in the Scripture or specifically through the ways He speaks to you?  Is there any place you are resisting His direction for you? Do you KNOW that you hear God speak to you? How can you develop an "ear to hear" if you don't already know (hint: ask someone whose spiritual walk you respect)? 

Spend some time every week this year to reflect on the story of the wise men and on your answers to these questions.  Document the journey you are on through journaling {written or art}

*Response from an article from http://abbeyofthearts.com/blog/2017/01/06/feast-of-epiphany-follow-the-star/

"Mini" Feminine Encouragement Prints

7 little feminine messages to place around your home or send to a sweet soul that needs a little encouragement!

4" x 4" in size, these little photographic prints are perfect to brighten your day!

Scroll down to see life size versions and read the encouragements.


*** Just $12.00 and $3.00 shipping in the continental United States. If you live outside this area, contact me for shipping costs to your location!

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60 Extra Minutes - What Will You Do With Yours?

{This blog post is via Dreama Tolle - it is her words - find it here:

dreamatolleperry.com/extra-moments

I loved her list of 60 things to do with our extra hour today!}

Don’t rush by one single moment

Give everything the divine attention it deserves

In doing so you will unlock the gift held within  

For this is life

We thrive

in the grace of these moments

**

This week-end is the time we fall back—most of us in the US will gain a  whole extra hour in the day.
A few years back I decided to look at all the potential ways a fellow might ‘spend’ this bounty.

Revisiting the list I’m gonna say #56 would probably do all of us the most good in the long run.
And that #59 is something that would be worth doing every day

So here goes…

1. making a fall bouquet of found items in your yard
2. taking a walk or bicycle ride
3. tell a ghost story to your hubby, grandkids or whomever you can corner
4. dance to your favorite music, slow and fast
5. savor a bottle of wine you’ve been saving back for a special occasion
6. pamper your feet with a hot foot soak and a good massage with lotion
7. look through old photos (remember the ones we had before digital came along?)
8. watercolor remembrances of this Fall in your journal— doing your best to match the magical colors of the leaves—which is impossible but the JOY is in having a go at it!
9. draw a single fallen leaf (or trace it) and paint it in your journal
10. unplug…the phone, the computer, the tv
11. begin a book that’s been tugging at your heart to read
12. call someone you love that you haven’t spoken with in awhile
13. write a letter to your _____ that has already passed and tell them what you’re up to these days…I’m pretty sure they’re listening:)
14. skype or facetime a long distance friend and share a cup of tea together
15. watch some old family videos and marvel at how pretty you were then and didn’t even know it:))
16. find a swing and swing in it
17. head out into the countryside far from the city lights and watch for falling stars
18. make some lists of crazy things you’d like to do
19. pick one and set a date to do it
20. watch a classic movie with home made popcorn
21. paint a petite painting
22. make a pumpkin pie, then eat two slices with lots of whipped creme. and have a glass of cold milk while you’re at it
23. create a playlist of your favorite upbeat, positive message music (Spotify app is perfect for this!)
24. hang children’s art in your studio to remind you of the beauty that exists in all art
25. place quotes, letters, photos, and keepsakes in your work area (office and studio) that help you to remember to follow your own North star
26. buy an orchid to spend this winter with
27. take a long bath in scented water with candlelight and spa music
28. work on a vision board
29. bake chocolate chip cookies
30. daydream. like you did when you were a kid
31. watch the sunrise. so simple. so special.
32. write a love letter to yourself. take note of the big things, the small things that define who you are. write it from the outside looking in. you are a marvelous work of god
33. plant spring bulbs. come spring, you’ll have new faces bringing color into your world.
34. call your mother (or if she’s gone, write her a letter)
35. write your significant other a love note.
36. mail 5 postcards from your town to faraway family and friends (my sis Rhonda does this to me and I love it—I discover things about where she lives via her postcards)
37. visit with your neighbor–share the chocolate chip cookies you baked. This is supposing there are some left to share 
38. meditate in a new place
39. get a pedicure with a new color
40. eat some gelato (I suggest salted carmel flavor…yummmmm)
41. watch Under the Tuscan Sun….again
42. do something outside of your comfort zone
43. go to a local antique/junk store. look for things that remind you of your childhood….and smile
44. browse in your local book store…you never know what goodies are out there. (half price books in my area is one of my favorite haunts)
45. go to the zoo or aquarium (if you are lucky enough to have one where you live)
46. go to the flea market…you REALLY never know what you will discover, uncover, that you can’t live without
47. get your hair done and maybe add some wild color. i’m thinking a streak of purple would be fun!
48. go to the dollar movies. cheap thrills. big screen is always better
49. read the cartoons or a joke book (I have several Scott Adams books, author of the Dilbert cartoons. Pointy Hair Boss and Catbert my fav’s)
50. watch a funny movie (share your picks in the comment section)
51. create stations for yourself on Pandora radio. (Spa, Yoga, Pink Martini, John Mayer, Jim Brickman are a few of my fav’s–please share some of yours in the comments below)
52. head for the kids section in the library or bookstore. the images and stories are always so delightful!
53. buy some colored gel pens and have a field day in your journal
54. go to someplace new, a place you have never been before. a park. a cafe. a new (to you) street in an old neighborhood
55. meet a friend at an outdoor cafe for coffee and smiles
56. spend the hour in quietness
57. pick out 10 great digital photos and print them out and post them in places sure to make you smile. your bathroom, refrigerator, taped to your easel, closet—all the unexpected places that you frequent ?
58. take photos of yourself making goofy faces and mail them to others with the caption “wish you were here!!” (not that I know anyone who does this….)
59. write 60 things you are grateful for
60. this one is yours. fill in the blank__________________ ?

***

Let your life lightly dance on the edges of time like dew on the tip of a leaf.~Rabindranath Tagore

“Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time”
~Marthe Troly-Curtin

We didn’t realise we were making memories.
We just knew we were having fun.
~Winnie the Pooh

***

“Time is a game played beautifully by children.”
~Heraclitus

***

Taking time to do nothing often brings everything into perspective.
~Doe Zantamata

***

**

60Magical
Moments
How will you spend yours?

dreamatolleperry.com/extra-moments/