Community of Hope

Hold Your Position!!! (Part 1)

2009-09-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

"...but Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank..." (Daniel 1:8)

It's the sixth century and Judah because of her apostasy has been judged by God and given into the hands of the Babylonians.As an exile Daniel found himself under intense pressure to compromise and completely conform to Babylonian custom and character. For the Babylonians the process of assimilating their Jewish captives involved a process that began with isolation. By removing Daniel and his friends from Jerusalem they would cut them off from their friends, family and faith. Nevertheless, though they took the boys out of Jerusalem they couldn't get Jerusalem out of the boys. Time and time again when pressured to compromise their values, silence their voices and surrender the victory they refused and HELD THEIR POSITION!!! Even when you feel alone in your convictions, conversations and character remember that God commands the blessing in the place of obedience!

Broken (Part 2)

2009-08-11T12:34:00.001-07:00

This daily encouragement comes from 'The Word for Today' devotional. A printed quarterly edition is available free from UCB Australia (www.ucb.com.au)07 August 2009 - Brokenness (2) 'The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.' (Psalm 51:17 NIV)

Paul writes: 'Now may...God...sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord' (1 Thessalonians 5:23 NAS). This word 'sanctify' means to be 'set apart,' to be used exclusively for God's purposes. Paul describes it as 'the high calling of God' (Philippians 3:14). And it happens from the inside out! Notice, our fleshly body comes last in order of transformation for a very simple reason. The problem with a thief isn't his hands, it's in his mind or spirit, which tells him stealing is okay. His mind tells his hands what to do. So if you transform his spirit his hands will follow suit. Otherwise you can handcuff him and take him off to jail, but he's still a thief inside. Too many of us want to get victory over bodily sins without being truly transformed within. But God starts with our spirit because that's the part of our being that makes us conscious of God; that 'connects' with Him. When God sets us free in our spirit, then our emotions and our body begin to fall in line.
If you're a parent you know how differently your children respond to discipline. One child will collapse in tears, whereas another will stand up and defy you. God will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to break us of our self-sufficiency so that the life of Jesus can be demonstrated through us. And we determine how long the process takes, by our submission or resistance. Paul prayed, 'Lord, what do You want me to do?' (Acts 9:6). Today, make that your prayer!

Soulfood Bible Readings - Deut 18-21, Luke 12:1-12, Ps 119:17-24, Pr 17:7-10 To view any more information please visit The Word For Today WebSite at www.thewordfortoday.com.au

Brokenness

2009-08-07T08:12:00.000-07:00

This daily encouragement comes from 'The Word for Today' devotional. A printed quarterly edition is available free from UCB Australia (www.ucb.com.au)06 August 2009 - Brokenness (1) 'The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.' (Psalm 51:17 NIV)

A world that celebrates success doesn't see value in broken things. But God brings beauty out of brokenness. For a plant to rise from the soil the seed must be broken. For a baby chick to experience larger life the shell must be broken. Even a thoroughbred horse must be broken; it must learn to respond to the tug of the rein and the sound of the master's voice. Getting the idea? After a humbling encounter with Christ on the Damascus Road, Paul re-evaluated all the religious activity he once boasted about and called it 'dung' (Philippians 3:8 KJV). And you don't brag about dung, you're repulsed by it.
Brokenness is the work of God by which He strips us of self-sufficiency so that the character of Christ may shine through us. Now don't misunderstand; being broken doesn't necessarily mean experiencing some tragedy. Many people suffer tragedy without drawing closer to God or even acknowledging Him. Indeed, the same sunshine that melts the butter hardens the clay. The issue in brokenness is not so much our circumstances, but our response. What is God trying to teach us? True brokenness is when He strips us of self-sufficiency to the extent that we've no strength left to fix ourselves. When God blocks every exit we try to take and we come to see that He alone is our answer, we make a life changing discovery. 'And what's that?' you ask. When God is all you have - God is all you need! Bottom line: God's power is reserved for those who have given up trying to do it in their own strength or to accomplish it for their own ends!

Soulfood Bible Readings - Deut 14-17,Luke 11:45-54, Ps 119:9-16,Pr 17:4-6 To view any more information please visit The Word For Today WebSite at www.thewordfortoday.com.au

Recession Proof !?!

2009-06-11T06:14:00.000-07:00

What's up fam!!! I'm told that the recession is coming to a slow and screeching halt. Not sure how true that is. I am curious though, about how some of you are "making it do, what it do" during the economic downturn. Hoping we get some feedback. I'm positive that more than a few folks could use both a word of encouragement and a word of wisdom

When family violence comes to church

2009-06-09T10:05:00.001-07:00

Right away I could sense something was wrong. She seemed distant and a little disoriented. With more than a slight hint of worry I asked, "Is everything okay?" "I just received a terrible phone call." she muttered. My friend went on to explain, "We have a co-worker who we've suspected for a while is being battered by her husband," "We've approached her at various times. But she always denied the abuse." "Well, I just received a phone call. And she's dead."

This is a conversation that I had with a friend very recently. My friend and her co-workers are understandbly shattered and shaken by the senseless death of a colleague.

If you or someone you know is being abused get help now. Don't wait around for this person to harm you or others whom you love. You can call the church office (727) 896-5228 or you can call CASA... (800) 799-SAFE. "See then that you walk carefully. Not as fools but as wise. Redeeming the time for the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise. But understand what the will of the Lord is." (Eph. 5:15-17)

Living life with God in view

2009-06-09T10:02:00.000-07:00

Surrounded by those opposed to God and opposed to his ministry. Feeling pressed and pressured on every hand. The writer of Psalm 27 reminds us to live our lives with our face toward the Lord.He writes, "one thing have I desired of the Lord and that will I seek after. That I may behold the beauty of the Lord all the days of my life and to inquire in His temple." In others words, as the psalmist sought God in daily experience through the art of worship he found that a fresh encounter of God's presence brought new enthusiasm (the excitement that comes from being in God) and the opportunity to receive wisdom from God's own mouth.It's in those moments of divine distraction that a person receives the stuff of life and living.

Learning What I Thought I Already Knew...

2009-06-01T12:37:00.000-07:00

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Proverbs 16:25

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise. Redeeming the time, for the days are evil. Therefore, do not be unwise. But understand what the will of the Lord is." Ephesians 5:25

One of life's most sobering moments is the moment when you begin to live "wiser" (skillfully walking with God). You find yourself struck by how much you didn't know and how much more you've yet to learn.

The moment of my sobriety lead to a defining juncture in my life. I realized that I could no longer afford the price that experience charges for it's lessons.

Now I'm a "gold miner" digging into the riches of God's word, pouring over every nugget of wisdom and being made richer by the reading of it.

P.S. - The more I read and study God's word... I'm struck by how much I don't know. That's teaching me to choose my words carefully so that I don't speak foolishly.

Eat the cake Anna Mae!

2009-03-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

Subject: Domestic Violence

Hey, Pastor. I have a blog question:

What does the bible say about domestic violence? In Malachi 2:16, it says that God hates divorce and a man who covers himself and/or his wife in violence. If a woman is being abused by her husband, does this passage mean she has the right to divorce him?

Thank you Lord for Mom.

2009-03-12T10:47:00.000-07:00

I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support. Mother Senior is doing remarkably well and is at home taking some time off.

Man... it is so important to tell those whom we love, admire and cherish how we feel about them every chance we get. If there's someone whose been a yoda when you needed advice, a gilligan when you needed a laugh or worn whatever hat necessary to get you over (1) cover them in prayer (2) cover them in gratitude and (3) cover them in support.

Love and appreciate you Hopemakers!!!

P.S. - In honor of mama... post your favorite "mama story". http://www.spreadinghopeonline.blogspot.com/

Lately I've had the strangest feeling...

2009-03-06T08:57:00.000-08:00

For awhile I’ve felt stuck in a spiritual rut. No forward or backward progress just stuck. Neither hot, nor cold I’ve been lukewarm cocoa!!!

Three passages of scripture over time have helped to stir me out of my little slumber party: James 1:5-8, Romans 12:1, 2 and Genesis 4:1-8.

First, I was confronted by the pungent pronouncements of James. I couldn’t understand why God wasn’t speaking to me in clear and pronounced ways. Confronted by personal struggles and called upon to assist others in dealing with their dilemmas means a need to have the Lord on speed dial. But for some reason I seemed to have been eliminated from His friends list. Just about the time between bewilderment and total frustration God spoke powerfully to me through James. He revealed three things:

1. He is deeply interested in sharing His heart with me. It’s all there for the asking. He was prepared to pour into my life generously and shamelessly. (James 1:5)

2. The holdup was me. To hear Him I needed to approach with an undivided heart (vs. 6). Because of prolonged inattentiveness to God's will I'd unintentionally slipped into an attitude of, "Lord, show me what you want me to do... so I can decide if I want to do it or not." This attitude was having the effect of "quenching" the Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19)

3. He was refusing to bless me with more of Him, until I was absolutely sure that I wanted all of Him. (vs. 7-8)

More later…

For Love Or For Money?

2009-03-05T18:44:00.000-08:00

Some recent research suggests that women will sacrifice achievement for the sake of a relationship, but men will more likely sacrifice a relationship for the sake of an achievement.

Wondering if anyone has experienced that from either the female or male perspective.

Choose your own adventure!

2009-03-03T12:00:00.000-08:00

This question comes from Leonard Sweet.
Romans 1:26 says, "For this reason God gave them up." What do you think is the greater danger: that God will punish us and be angry with us for our failings and rejections, or that God may leave us alone with our choices and just let things take their course? Why?

Can two believers be unequally yoked?

2009-03-02T12:03:00.000-08:00

I have another question that you could answer on the blog concerning 2 Corinthians 6:14-18, when the Bible says be not unequally yoked with unbelievers. I have been told by quite a few believers, that this also applies to people in other church denominations. Is this true? For example, is it a deal breaker to date/marry a Church of God in Christ person if you are a Baptist (with a non-denominational philosophy)? I wonder because when I check, Paul says that it's not good to have any divisiveness in worship of Christ (I Corinthians 1:10-15). If the other person is also Christian, then how is that being unequally yoked?"