GOD of ALL Nations

06/09/2021

*Title: Don’t Let Fear Stop You.*

*Text: _‘Whom shall I fear?’ Psalm 27:1._*

Life’s filled with fear-inducing situations: fear of sickness, losing our loved ones, unemployment, rejection, other people’s opinions, embarrassment. Left unchecked, fear will steal your inner peace. David met fear head-on at his front door with two questions. _*“Whom shall I dread? Whom shall I fear? ”*_ And he slammed the door in fear’s face by declaring, _*“My heart will not fear… I shall be confident” (Psalm 27:3).*_ Then he walked back into his house, reminding himself how to counteract fear’s attacks.

▪Prayer: “I have asked from the Lord” (Psalm 27:4).

▪Vision: “I behold the beauty of the Lord” (Psalm 27:4).

▪God’s Word: “I meditate in His temple” (Psalm 27:4).

▪God’s protection: “In the day of trouble He will conceal me” (Psalm 27:5).

▪Worship: “I will sing” (Psalm 27:6).

▪Rest: “Wait for the Lord” (Psalm 27:13–14).

▪Determination: “Let your heart take courage” (Psalm 27:14)

Courage isn’t limited to the battlefield… Its real tests are broader… deeper… like remaining faithful when nobody’s looking… enduring pain when the room is empty… standing alone when you’re misunderstood… It can be as simple as saying “No”, as uneventful as facing a mountain of laundry… God’s medal-of-honour winners are made in secret… away from public acclaim.’ When fear nips at your heels, God says, _*‘Be strong and courageous!’ (Joshua 1:9 )*_

Every commandment…comes with the assurance that we can perform it. God doesn’t issue orders we’re not capable of fulfilling… It’s incongruous to say, “I’ve lots of courage but no strength,” or, “I’m a powerhouse of energy but I’m afraid.” Courage and strength were given to you by God. Courage motivates our will, and strength accompanies our effort.

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05/09/2021

*Title: How do you face challanges.*

*Title: _‘He made him a coat of many colours.’ Genesis 37:3._*

God gave Joseph a dream of future greatness—one in which his brothers would bow down to him. But when he announced his dream, his brothers hatched a plan to kill him. And to make things worse his father _*‘loved Joseph more than all his children… and he made him a coat of many colours.’*_ Try to see it from Joseph’s brothers’ perspective: ‘How come he gets special treatment? What’s wrong with us?’ There are important lessons here:

(1) Be careful how you come across to others; your enthusiasm can be interpreted as arrogance.

(2) When God blesses you, it’s always for the benefit of other people. One day Joseph would wear a royal robe and ride in Pharaoh’s chariot, but that was just a fringe benefit. His true calling was to preserve his father’s lineage, from which would come the Redeemer of the world.

(3) You must be generous towards those who have less than you. Joseph’s brothers worked hard and deserved their father’s love too. The coat Joseph wore didn’t mean he was better than they were; it simply marked him as having a different destiny.

(4) The coat of his father’s favour didn’t exempt Joseph from hardship. Actually, he suffered more than all of them because of it. Why? Because the level of your assignment determines the level of Satan’s attack.

(5) Joseph’s character, not his coat, sustained him through years of betrayal, temptation, accusation and imprisonment. How do we know that? Because he was able to look back and see the hand of God at work: _*‘You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.’ (Genesis 50:20).*_

In Joseph’s life time he wore four coats... first coat, was a coat given to him by his father, the second coat was from his employer, his third coat from the prison wardens and the last coat was from God. For you to get to coat number four... You must pass coat one without grudges, bitterness, hatred or anger against family members who betrayed you. Pass coat number two without giving into Potiphar's wife's demands... Pass coat three without quiting then God will give you the fourth coat..

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04/09/2021

*Saturday 03 September.*

*Daily Cereals...🍵...*

*Title: Self-Control*

*Text: _‘Make every effort to add to your faith… self-control.’ 2 Peter 1:5–6._*

If you’ve the faith to believe, the moment you pray for salvation you receive it. It doesn’t work that way with self-control. Yes, you should pray for it, but Peter writes, _*‘Make every effort to add to your faith…self-control.’*_ It only becomes a reality when you _*‘make every effort’*_ to practise it daily. And here are three areas in life that will test you:

*(1) Your temper.* Your circumstances are no excuse for a short fuse and an explosive temper. The Bible says, _*‘Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city.’ (Proverbs 16:32 )*_ When you lose your temper, you lose respect and credibility with others.

*(2) Your time.* Time is the stuff life is made of, and wasted time really is wasted life. It takes time to build relationships, learn skills, execute meaningful actions, achieve goals, and fulfil plans. A mismanaged life is often the result of mismanaged time.

*(3) Your tongue.* The Bible says, _*‘Let your speech be always with grace.’ (Colossians 4:6)*_ Every day brings new opportunities to control your tongue; if you’re wise you’ll take them! And if you must speak, let this Scriptural principle govern what you say: _*‘Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.’ (Colossians 4:6)*_

Would you live with ease, do what you ought and not what you please.’ The word for you today is ‘make every effort’ to control your temper, your time and your tongue.

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03/09/2021

*Friday 03rd September.*

*Daily Cereals....🍵...*

*Title: The Principle of Reciprocity.*

*Text: _‘God has heard your prayers and knows about your gifts to the poor.’ Acts 10:4._*

Up until this time the Gospel had been preached exclusively to the Jews. But all that was about to change: _*‘One afternoon at about three o’clock, Cornelius had a vision. He saw an angel from God coming to him and calling him by name… “God has heard your prayers and knows about your gifts to the poor. Now send some men to Joppa for a man named Simon Peter.”’ (Acts 10:3–5)*_ As a result of Cornelius’ prayers and generosity, he became the first Gentile to hear the Gospel and be saved. What a payoff!

God hears the kind words you speak to others when they’re hurting. He sees your sacrificial giving when you can least afford it. By doing what you’re doing, you’re paving the way for God to help you. He’s storing it all up so that in your time of need you’ll have a rich account to draw on. _*1 Kings 17:7-16 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to him: “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.” “As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die. Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land. She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah.*_

You say, ‘Does that mean if I don’t help others God won’t help me?’ Thankfully, no! God’s love is unconditional. But when you say ‘no’ to an opportunity to give, you miss out on an opportunity to receive. The principle of reciprocity is simple: when you’re generous with others, God promises to be generous with you. (2 Corinthians 9:6–8)

*You don't have because you don't give, you don't give because you don't have anything. Some of us the you are not given so that you won't have anything to hold back....

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03/09/2021

*Thursday 02nd September.*

*Daily Cereals....🍵...*

*Title: Are you smelling*

*Text: _‘They didn’t even smell of smoke!’ Daniel 3:27._*

When King Nebuchadnezzar threw Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego into the fiery furnace, God brought them out and _*‘they didn’t even smell of smoke!’*_ We’ve all encountered people who still _*‘smell like smoke’.*_ Their attitude, language, facial expression says, ‘I’ve been through a hard time, and I’m still upset about it.’ How about you? Have the experiences you’ve been through hardened your heart or softened it? When you speak, do you sound positive or negative? Are you bound by the memories of your past? Do you talk about your pain to anyone who will listen? Don’t you see what you’re doing—chaining yourself to the past? When circus elephants are young and unaware of their strength, they’re bound by a chain to a stake to limit their mobility. Later when they’re full-grown and have the strength to break that chain, they’re still bound by it. Why? Because they accept this limitation as permanent!

But it’s not the chain that binds them, it’s the memory! If you are bound by painful and debilitating memories, the word for you today is: _*‘Lord our God, other lords besides you have ruled over us, but your name alone do we honour. They are now dead, they live no more; their spirits do not rise. You punished them and brought them to ruin; you wiped out all memory of them.’ (Isaiah 26:13–14)*_

Whatever your haunting memory is, you must begin to declare your deliverance from its bo***ge. By standing on God’s Word, you activate its power to set you free. Without you realising that smell has strained your family relationships, your work relationships, has affected your prayer life, it's now causing you to feel the heart in the furnace. Remember that furnace had burnt a lot of people, burnt a lot of things, but there was something different about these three Hebrew boys..
1. In the furnace they were not holding grudge against Nebuchadnezzar or the spies.
2. When they were thrown into that furnace they didn't have the heat or the flame in their mind, but they had their almighty God.
3. In the furnace they were not laughing at the soldiers who were burnt while casting them into the furnace they were walking and excited about their Lord.

Keep in mind that the Lord had always been with the Hebrew boys, but in the furnace He was more visible.

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26/08/2021

*Title: Find Lasting Satisfaction.*

*Text: _‘But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.’ John 4:14._*

Jesus asked the woman at the well for a drink of water. Surprised that a Jew would talk to a Samaritan, she asked Him why He was asking her for water. He replied: _*‘If you only knew… you would ask Me, and I would give you living water… Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again.’ (John 4:10, 13–14)*_

Notice the distinction between ‘this water’ and ‘the water I give’. Jesus wasn’t discussing regional water qualities. He was talking about her five failed marriages and the man she was currently living with. The truth is, she had no idea how or where to find the satisfaction she’d thirsted for. One disappointing relationship after another; no matter how often she drank from ‘this water’ her thirst could not be satisfied. And her response to each failed relationship was another failed relationship—supposing, as we often do, that doing more of what doesn’t work will eventually make it work! Jesus wasn’t criticising her lack of morals. No, He was offering her the only real cure for emptiness. ‘Anyone who drinks the water… I give will never thirst again.’

Whatever you’re looking to for fulfilment—drugs, alcohol, s*x, po*******hy, serial relationships, money or popularity—it’s all water that can never satisfy. Focusing your life on Jesus, spending time with Him, talking with Him, and ‘drinking in’ His Word daily will absolutely fill the void within you.

God of all Nations proclaims the name of God in all nations. It does not matter where you are and what you do but if you believe in God then this page is your home.

As Psalms 117:1 reminds us, PRAISE THE LORD ALL THE PEOPLE, PRAISE THE LORD ALL NATIONS.

26/08/2021

*Title: Put on the Garment of Praise.*

*Text: _‘The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.’ Isaiah 61:3._*

Praise works like a magnifying glass. It causes what you’re focusing on to get bigger, to be ‘magnified’. David said, _*‘Magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.’ (Psalm 34:3–4)*_ It’s a mistake to wait until you’ve no problems, fewer problems, or your problems are solved before you praise the Lord. Praise is one of the great Scriptural keys to problem-solving because it gets your focus on God, the problem solver. My happiest moments are when I am worshipping God, really adoring the Lord Jesus Christ… In that worship I forget the cares of the church and everything else. To me it is the nearest approach to what it will be in Heaven.

God has promised you _*‘the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.’*_ It works like this. When you begin to praise Him with a heavy heart, you experience a new sense of hope and joy. Through worship you are reminded that God is bigger than the situation you face; that He’s not only capable of managing your concerns but willing, wanting and waiting to. The Psalmist wrote: _*‘Seven times a day I praise You.’ (Psalm 119:164)*_

Fill your day with praise. Don’t just take lunch breaks and tea breaks, take ‘praise breaks.’ Begin to praise God for two things: (1) His attributes. His power, love, grace, favour, guidance, etc. (2) His acts. Recall His goodness to you. Go ahead; take off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise.

God of all Nations proclaims the name of God in all nations. It does not matter where you are and what you do but if you believe in God then this page is your home.

As Psalms 117:1 reminds us, PRAISE THE LORD ALL THE PEOPLE, PRAISE THE LORD ALL NATIONS.

26/08/2021

*Title: 5 Prayer Pointers from Nehemiah.*

The book of Nehemiah is one that is filled with vision, courage, efficient leadership, faith, suspense, and an unflinching desire to honor God. When Nehemiah received information that the walls of Jerusalem were broken down and in ruins and that the gates had been burned with fire, he clearly understood the dangers and disgrace involved (Nehemiah 1:3). It meant that his beloved city was probably now a laughingstock to the surrounding nations, with its security under grave threat from enemies.

Thankfully, without allowing discouragement to overcome him, Nehemiah resolved to do something about the situation. The great task that he undertook subsequently to rebuild the walls of the city, was covered with much prayer.

In today's Cereals, I would like to focus on five important prayer pointers seen in Nehemiah’s life that paved the way for the success of his dangerous mission. These prayer pointers can help us in our own Christian lives as we battle the challenges and the insecurities that surround us today. So, what were some of the prayer strategies that Nehemiah adopted?

*1. Nehemiah prayed fervently (Nehemiah 1:4).*
The Bible says that when Nehemiah received the distressing news about the walls of Jerusalem, he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed (Nehemiah 1:4). He also prayed earnestly, day and night for his beloved nation (Nehemiah 1:6). In response to Nehemiah’s fervent prayers, God gave him military, political, administrative, and leadership strategies that helped him accomplish an extremely difficult task successfully!

Similarly, there is always a place for fasting and fervent prayer when we face stubborn challenges that seem to refuse to leave us, as well as the problems that seem to mock us. In _*James 5:16, the writer says, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much”.*_ We can therefore be victorious through the principle of fervent prayer, accompanied by weeping and fasting. Jesus Christ Himself said so in Mark 9:29.

I remember hearing a story about a prayerful missionary who was deeply disturbed by the enmity between two tribes in the area that he was ministering in. It is said that this man of prayer pitched his tent at the intersection where the two roads that led to the different tribes met. He then went inside the tent and began to pray fervently. Within a short period of time, the tribes made peace with each other, and any possible violence was averted.

A quote by Martin Luther goes as follows, _‘If I should neglect prayer for a single day, I will lose a great deal of the fire of faith.’_

Let’s seek God in fervent prayer.

*2. Nehemiah focused on the greatness of the One he was praying to (Nehemiah 1:5).*

Nehemiah clearly understood the greatness of the God he was praying to. He, therefore, identified God as the ‘God of Heaven,’ who is ‘great’ and ‘awesome,’ and as the One ‘who keeps His covenant of love.’ Understanding who his God was, clearly gave him the courage and faith he needed for the dangerous journey ahead.

We too need to keep our faith constantly fixed on “Jesus Christ (who) is the same yesterday and today and forever,” more than our problems (Hebrews 13:8). The Psalmist said, _*“I lift up my eyes to the hills… My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:2).*_

Let’s ask God to open our eyes to His greatness so that we may ‘walk by faith, and not by sight.’

*3. Nehemiah prayed for favor and success (Nehemiah 1:11).*

We should never forget that God’s favor is upon His children at all times; even in the seemingly darkest moments. How true this was when it came to the opposition that Nehemiah would face. The scriptures speak of God’s favor repeatedly and we should believe and pray accordingly.

Nehemiah prayed for favor and received amazing favor from none other than the King himself (Nehemiah 2:6). In fact, his focus was not on getting favor for himself, but for the work of God (Nehemiah 2:5). As a result, Nehemiah received bodyguards, a security contingent, letters of recommendation, and the required timber, not only for the repairs of the city but also for his own future residence in Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:7-9). Talk about having favor!

Nehemiah had also prayed for success (Nehemiah 1:11). Therefore, when the king asked him what help he wanted (Nehemiah 2:4), it is said that Nehemiah prayed (a quick prayer) to God before he answered. He then asked for favor, so that his endeavor would be successful. In response, the Lord gave him amazing success beyond what he could have imagined!

Do you need God’s favor today? Have you been crying out to the Lord about finding success in what you do? Are you willing to continue praying till God comes through? John Wesley said, _‘I have so much to do that I must spend several hours in prayer before I am able to do it (successfully?).’_

*4. Nehemiah prayed against the opposition (Nehemiah 4:4)..*

The opposition and resistance to God’s work came from a man called Sanballat and his associates (Nehemiah 4:1-3). It included threats with incensed anger, mockery, and humiliating insults (Nehemiah 2:19, Nehemiah 4:7-8). Nehemiah’s immediate response however was prayer. He prayed, _*“Hear us, our God…” (Nehemiah 4:4),*_ and also confirmed that prayer was raised to God against the threats (Nehemiah 4:9).

As Nehemiah prayed, God gave Him strategies to negate the ungodly plans of his opponents and He also frustrated their plans (Nehemiah 4:15)! The people, therefore, were encouraged and the work kept progressing.

We too can be sure that whenever we attempt something great or small for God, or strive to draw closer to Him, the enemy will come against us. But, he can never defeat us for the Bible says that _*‘we are more than conquerors through Jesus!' (Romans 8:37).*_ I once heard a man of God say that ‘Prayer doesn’t just stop the enemy’s plans; it pushes back those plans!'

Through prayer, we can overcome all opposition.

*5. Nehemiah prayed for strength (Nehemiah 6:9).*

In chapter 6, Nehemiah’s enemies were scheming to trap and harm him through deception. They attempted to trap him in this manner on five different occasions (Nehemiah 6:4-5). They were also trying to frighten and weaken his team through political intimidation (Nehemiah 6:5-9). Isn’t that how the evil one comes against God’s children as He makes repeated attacks, bringing fear and intimidation?

Nehemiah’s response however was two-fold. He refused to be distracted from the great work he was doing (Nehemiah 6:3), and he PRAYED. He prayed _*“Now strengthen my hands” (Nehemiah 6:9).*_

In praying for strength, Nehemiah also discovered a great truth that so often encourages us in our own struggles. He proclaimed, _*“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).*_

The world is facing tremendous challenges today, including an unceasing pandemic, and people need added strength to cope physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Maybe that’s you. Let’s learn from Nehemiah and ask God to strengthen our hands and renew our joy. A quote I came across says, _“Bruised knees and worn-out trousers open the windows of heaven.”_

In closing, let’s look at how Nehemiah’s prayers impacted the difficult mission he was involved in. We could say that ‘Mission Impossible’ became ‘Mission Successful’.

The walls that lay in ruins for nearly a century and a half, were rebuilt in less than two months, once the people were galvanized into action by Nehemiah’s leadership. To be exact, it was done in just 52 days!

As we reflect on this inspiring story and on these prayer pointers from Nehemiah, may we be strengthened in our own prayer lives today.

25/08/2021

*Title: Too good to be true.*

What is your reaction when someone tells you something too good to be true?
For many people, laughter is their first response. This laugh might be genuine, but especially if the “too good to be true” news is something we desperately wish were true, this unbelieving laughter can be tinged with grief.

This was the response of the Sarah and Abraham at different times when they were told that they would bear a son in their old age, and so, when that “too good to be true” thing indeed came to pass, they named that son Isaac, which means “one who laughs.”

*Who Is Isaac in the Bible and What Is His Story?*

Isaac’s father, Abram (who would later become Abraham), had been called to leave his homeland and go to a land that God would show him, by faith. So he and his wife, Sarai (who would later become Sarah), along with their nephew, Lot, set out with all that they owned in obedience to God.

Some time later, God promised Abraham that he would bless him, and Abraham lamented that he did not have any children. In answer, God told Abraham that he would indeed have an heir, even going beyond that to say: _*“Look at the sky and count the stars, if you are able to count them... Your offspring will be that numerous” (Genesis 15:5).*_ In response to this extravagant promise, the Bible tells us that _*“Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).*_

Abram’s belief in God’s promise took some twists and turns, however. At Sarai’s insistence, Abram tried to jumpstart God’s fulfillment of his promise by conceiving a child with Sarai’s servant, Hagar. This caused all manner of relational fallout between Abram, Sarai, Hagar, and the child who was called Ishmael.

And yet God continued to be faithful and merciful. He came to Abram again and confirmed his promise to him, giving him and his wife new names. This time, the newly-named Abraham was incredulous: _*“Then he laughed and said to himself, ‘Can a child be born to a hundred-year-old man? Can Sarah, a ninety-year-old woman, give birth?’ So Abraham said to God, ‘If only Ishmael were acceptable to You!’” (Genesis 17:17).*_

In response, God did not condemn Ishmael, but he re-stated his promise as a reminder that he does not need help to accomplish his purposes:

_*But God said, “No. Your wife Sarah will bear you a son, and you will name him Isaac. I will confirm My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his future offspring. As for Ishmael, I have heard you. I will certainly bless him; I will make him fruitful and will multiply him greatly. He will father 12 tribal leaders, and I will make him into a great nation. But I will confirm My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year” (Genesis 17:19-21).*_

As if this reiteration of the promise were not enough, in the following chapter God came to visit Abraham and Sarah as a mysterious guest who foretold that at about that time next year, she would have a son. Sarah laughed bitterly, and the visitor asked pointedly: _*“Why did Sarah laugh, saying, ‘Can I really have a baby when I’m old?’ Is anything impossible for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:13-14).*_

What Is Important about Isaac's Lineage and about Isaac in the Bible? Indeed, nothing is impossible for the Lord. _*Genesis 21 tells us: The Lord came to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised. Sarah became pregnant and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the appointed time God had told him. Abraham named his son who was born to him—the one Sarah bore to him—Isaac. When his son Isaac was eight days old, Abraham circumcised him, as God had commanded him. Abraham was 100 years old when his son Isaac was born to him. Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears will laugh with me.” She also said, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne a son for him in his old age” (Genesis 21:1-6).*_

In later accounts in the Old and New Testaments, after Isaac had had a son named Jacob, God is often referred to as “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob” (for example, in Genesis 50:24) to remind God’s people about his covenant (promise-keeping) faithfulness to their forefathers. God repeated the promises that he made to Abraham to Isaac and then to Jacob, showing that he does not forget his promises and stays the same throughout the ages.

Isaac grew up and one day Abraham was asked by God to sacrifice Isaac as a test of his faith. He obeyed, but at the last moment, God stayed his hand and provided a ram to sacrifice instead. God assured Abraham “The Lord Will Provide,” which is what Abraham named the place (Genesis 22:14). God also reiterated his promise yet again to Abraham, that _*“all the nations on earth will be blessed by your offspring” (Genesis 22:18).*_

Ultimately, Jesus Christ was a descendent of Isaac and was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham. Paul explains: _*“Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say ‘and to seeds,’ as though referring to many, but referring to one, and to your seed, who is Christ” (Galatians 3:16).*_

*A Lesson We Can Learn from Isaac in the Bible.*

God’s promises are worth waiting for. Though it took more time than Abraham and Sarah would have liked, God fulfilled his promise to them just as he had said.

In the same way, we can trust God that he will be faithful to us as well, providing for us what he knows we need at the right time. Our incredulous laughter will turn to joy as we lean in to trusting Him more than what our eyes can see, following Abraham’s wavering but wrestling example of faith:

_*He believed in God, who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist. He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be. He considered his own body to be already dead (since he was about 100 years old) and also considered the deadness of Sarah’s womb, without weakening in the faith. He did not waver in unbelief at God’s promise but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, because he was fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification (Romans 4:18-25).*_

Isaac was God’s “too good to be true” gift to Abraham and Sarah, foreshadowing his even greater gift to humanity--the coming of Jesus Christ. There are many things that are indeed “too good to be true” in this life, but not God’s promises. “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20).

23/08/2021

*Title: Hope does not dissapoint*

*Scripture: _“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5)._*

Hope is the oxygen our souls need to thrive. Hope is the wild-eyed creature that pops up after the enemy tries to eradicate the very beating of faith in our hearts. It’s the essence of being a Christ-follower and as a hopeless, broken world watches us, they question, “If hope does not disappoint us, why are Christians disappointed all the time?” Before we can answer that question, we need to define what hope is.

Hope looks like seeing hundreds of fireflies lighting up a dark night.

Hope is Hannah praying fervently, knowing God hears her but she’s taken for a drunken fool.

Hope is Joseph in a Pit still believing in his dream.

Hope is Shadrach, Misheck and Abednego about to be cast into the fire.

Hope is a father forgiving his wayward child.

Hope is the oxygen our souls breathe.

Hope is a torrential downpour that washes the world clean.

Hope is millions of little green shoots being unearthed and reaching to the heavens.

Hope is praying your loved one will be found alive after tragedy strikes.

Hope is knowing we will be reunited with our loved ones on the other side of heaven.

Hope is the soldier who begged Jesus to use His words to heal his son miles away.

Hope is a foster child finding his forever home in a family that fiercely loves him.

Hope is watching your autistic child make a friend.

Hope is walking hand in hand with Christ.

*What Does 'Hope Does Not Disappoint Us' Mean?*

The biblical definition of hope is "confident expectation.” Christian hope is rooted in faith in the divine salvation in Christ (Galatians 5:5) and through the love poured into us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

What have you been hoping for? Did anything above resonate with your heart? Or have you given up? Maybe you’re too afraid to invest in hope again because you dread the possibility of losing all hope. Or perhaps you don’t remember what hope even feels like anymore. If you’re in this camp, we need to go back to the Bible to understand God’s hope isn’t the same as the world’s hope. God’s hope isn’t the same as the world’s definition of hope. Both denote a positive expectation, but the world’s hope is rooted in a fallible person, situation, or thing. God’s hope is rooted in Him. The basis of Christian hope is found in _*Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for.”*_ The Greek word for hope in this passage is ‘hypostasis. Paul wrote in the book of Hebrews, “Faith is the ‘hypostasis of things hoped for…” which literally means “that which underlies.” Meaning our faith in Christ underlies our hope, the deeper our faith is, the more difficult it is for hope to be overthrown and turned into disappointment. A hope that does not disappoint means God has given us hope that rises in the midst of disappointment. This kind of hope is found not in the avoidance of suffering but the working through it because, suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

*What Is the Context of Romans 5:5?*

_*“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous (justified) through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us,” Romans 5:1-5.*_

We learn what hope means in God’s kingdom through the words of Paul beginning in the fifth chapter of Romans. Here, Paul tells us we have justice, peace, grace, perseverance, character, and hope which is all built on the faith we have in Christ. The kind of hope that does not disappoint that Paul is talking about here is the kind of hope that only God can give. This kind of hope relies on God—His power, His promises, and the sacrifices He made for us. This type of hope carries a promise because of what He has accomplished. As we read through the rest of Romans 5, we learn we have this hope because Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). We have been justified and we will be delivered from all things. God didn’t save us based on our own righteousness. We were saved because of God’s Son. This hope points to glory – "we boast in our hope of sharing in the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).

This means, no matter what comes our way: suffering, turmoil, tragedy, death, and heartbreak. God will conquer it all. In other words, _*“Hope has a sanctifying effect. We who look expectantly for the return of Christ, knowing that when we see him we shall become like him, purify ourselves "as he is pure" (1 John 3:3 ).*_ Hope also stimulates good works. Following his teaching on the resurrection of the dead, Paul exhorts his readers to do the Lord's work abundantly since such _*"labor is not in vain" (1 Cor 15:51-58 ).”*_

How Can Christians Hope When They Experience Disappointments?
Throughout Scripture, we find the same message trusting in God’s promises and hoping in the Lord:

_*“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23.*_

_*“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance” Ephesians 1:18.*_

_*“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope” Psalm 130:5.*_

If you read in between the scriptures about hope, you’ll also find hundreds of people in the Bible who experienced disappointment: Adam, Eve, Hagar, Job, Hannah, Moses, Sarah David, Jacob, Gideon, the Disciples, Paul, Elijah, and others.

Even Jesus experienced disappointment during his ministry: when the people didn’t receive His message, when His disciples struggled with doubt, or when He encountered legalistic religious leaders who wanted to kill Him. Yet, each of these accounts of real-life people are marked by moments of overcoming disappointment. They also went to accomplish great things for God and some even accomplished things beyond their wildest dreams. The common thread of each of them was their hope in God. Their belief in God was bigger than their disappointment. Instead of blaming God when tragedy struck, instead, they turned to God. Hope in God transcends the lost hopes of human frailty and sin and begins to take effect in our lives precisely when human hopes are gone” (Rom. 4:18).

How can Christians hope when we experience disappointments? We put our hope in the Lord as we look at Paul’s example in Philippians 4:4. Here, Paul was suffering greatly but he was writing to the church in Philippi which happened to be a church that was exceptionally poor. But Paul was writing to them to encourage them to keep hoping as they learn to be content with having much or little. Paul wrote to encourage them through his example walking with Christ, that even in the midst of disappointment, he could deal with humble means or prosperity. No matter the circumstance Paul persevered through hope because he _*“can do all things through Christ, (Philippians 4:13)*_

The same One who strengthened Paul and provided contentment, courage, and hope is the same One working all things together—even disappointment—for our good (Romans 8:28). Because of Jesus’ power at work in us, we can breathe in His kind of Hope that does not disappoint.

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*Title: Hope does not dissapoint*

*Scripture: _“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5)._*

Hope is the oxygen our souls need to thrive. Hope is the wild-eyed creature that pops up after the enemy tries to eradicate the very beating of faith in our hearts. It’s the essence of being a Christ-follower and as a hopeless, broken world watches us, they question, “If hope does not disappoint us, why are Christians disappointed all the time?” Before we can answer that question, we need to define what hope is.

Hope looks like seeing hundreds of fireflies lighting up a dark night.

Hope is Hannah praying fervently, knowing God hears her but she’s taken for a drunken fool.

Hope is Joseph in a Pit still believing in his dream.

Hope is Shadrach, Misheck and Abednego about to be cast into the fire.

Hope is a father forgiving his wayward child.

Hope is the oxygen our souls breathe.

Hope is a torrential downpour that washes the world clean.

Hope is millions of little green shoots being unearthed and reaching to the heavens.

Hope is praying your loved one will be found alive after tragedy strikes.

Hope is knowing we will be reunited with our loved ones on the other side of heaven.

Hope is the soldier who begged Jesus to use His words to heal his son miles away.

Hope is a foster child finding his forever home in a family that fiercely loves him.

Hope is watching your autistic child make a friend.

Hope is walking hand in hand with Christ.

*What Does 'Hope Does Not Disappoint Us' Mean?*

The biblical definition of hope is "confident expectation.” Christian hope is rooted in faith in the divine salvation in Christ (Galatians 5:5) and through the love poured into us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5).

What have you been hoping for? Did anything above resonate with your heart? Or have you given up? Maybe you’re too afraid to invest in hope again because you dread the possibility of losing all hope. Or perhaps you don’t remember what hope even feels like anymore. If you’re in this camp, we need to go back to the Bible to understand God’s hope isn’t the same as the world’s hope. God’s hope isn’t the same as the world’s definition of hope. Both denote a positive expectation, but the world’s hope is rooted in a fallible person, situation, or thing. God’s hope is rooted in Him. The basis of Christian hope is found in _*Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for.”*_ The Greek word for hope in this passage is ‘hypostasis. Paul wrote in the book of Hebrews, “Faith is the ‘hypostasis of things hoped for…” which literally means “that which underlies.” Meaning our faith in Christ underlies our hope, the deeper our faith is, the more difficult it is for hope to be overthrown and turned into disappointment. A hope that does not disappoint means God has given us hope that rises in the midst of disappointment. This kind of hope is found not in the avoidance of suffering but the working through it because, suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

*What Is the Context of Romans 5:5?*

_*“Therefore, since we have been declared righteous (justified) through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us,” Romans 5:1-5.*_

We learn what hope means in God’s kingdom through the words of Paul beginning in the fifth chapter of Romans. Here, Paul tells us we have justice, peace, grace, perseverance, character, and hope which is all built on the faith we have in Christ. The kind of hope that does not disappoint that Paul is talking about here is the kind of hope that only God can give. This kind of hope relies on God—His power, His promises, and the sacrifices He made for us. This type of hope carries a promise because of what He has accomplished. As we read through the rest of Romans 5, we learn we have this hope because Jesus died for us (Romans 5:8). We have been justified and we will be delivered from all things. God didn’t save us based on our own righteousness. We were saved because of God’s Son. This hope points to glory – "we boast in our hope of sharing in the glory of God" (Romans 5:2).

This means, no matter what comes our way: suffering, turmoil, tragedy, death, and heartbreak. God will conquer it all. In other words, _*“Hope has a sanctifying effect. We who look expectantly for the return of Christ, knowing that when we see him we shall become like him, purify ourselves "as he is pure" (1 John 3:3 ).*_ Hope also stimulates good works. Following his teaching on the resurrection of the dead, Paul exhorts his readers to do the Lord's work abundantly since such _*"labor is not in vain" (1 Cor 15:51-58 ).”*_

How Can Christians Hope When They Experience Disappointments?
Throughout Scripture, we find the same message trusting in God’s promises and hoping in the Lord:

_*“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23.*_

_*“I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance” Ephesians 1:18.*_

_*“I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in his word, I put my hope” Psalm 130:5.*_

If you read in between the scriptures about hope, you’ll also find hundreds of people in the Bible who experienced disappointment: Adam, Eve, Hagar, Job, Hannah, Moses, Sarah David, Jacob, Gideon, the Disciples, Paul, Elijah, and others.

Even Jesus experienced disappointment during his ministry: when the people didn’t receive His message, when His disciples struggled with doubt, or when He encountered legalistic religious leaders who wanted to kill Him. Yet, each of these accounts of real-life people are marked by moments of overcoming disappointment. They also went to accomplish great things for God and some even accomplished things beyond their wildest dreams. The common thread of each of them was their hope in God. Their belief in God was bigger than their disappointment. Instead of blaming God when tragedy struck, instead, they turned to God. Hope in God transcends the lost hopes of human frailty and sin and begins to take effect in our lives precisely when human hopes are gone” (Rom. 4:18).

How can Christians hope when we experience disappointments? We put our hope in the Lord as we look at Paul’s example in Philippians 4:4. Here, Paul was suffering greatly but he was writing to the church in Philippi which happened to be a church that was exceptionally poor. But Paul was writing to them to encourage them to keep hoping as they learn to be content with having much or little. Paul wrote to encourage them through his example walking with Christ, that even in the midst of disappointment, he could deal with humble means or prosperity. No matter the circumstance Paul persevered through hope because he _*“can do all things through Christ, (Philippians 4:13)*_

The same One who strengthened Paul and provided contentment, courage, and hope is the same One working all things together—even disappointment—for our good (Romans 8:28). Because of Jesus’ power at work in us, we can breathe in His kind of Hope that does not disappoint.

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As Psalms 117:1 reminds us, PRAISE THE LORD ALL THE PEOPLE, PRAISE THE LORD ALL NATIONS.