Transformed by Hope

Today we continue our Transformed Series by examining what the scripture has to say about being transformed by hope.  A modern definition for hope is “to feel that something desired may happen," but this definition is very different from a scriptural definition of hope.  Bible hope is not wishful thinking, but a solid assurance of something to come.  Hebrews 6:19 tells us, “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast."  Bible hope is not a wish, but a steadfast trust in Almighty God.

Many of us have heard how important faith is in our walk with God, but hope is important also.  Hebrews 11:1 tells us that faith is the substance of things “hoped for."  Faith is a tangible substance, but hope is an integral part of faith receiving the promises of God.  Just like a thermostat, which tells the furnace when to ignite and produce heat, hope regulates our faith.  Faith has the power to receive miracles from God, but hope ignites our faith.  Take away hope, and faith will not work.
          

For this reason the adversary works so hard to discourage us and dash our hope.  Psalm 42:5 says, “Why so downcast O my soul, put your hope in God.”  Are you feeling discouraged or downcast today?  Put your hope in God.  Not just a casual wish for better days, but a steadfast hope in the living God who loves you with an everlasting love and has a plan of good for your life.  He is a God of character who can be trusted, whose word never changes, and whose promises are sure.  No matter what challenges you face today, know this:  God loves you, and He is faithful.  He is one in whom you can put your trust.  Put your hope in God today.

Spiritual Transformation is Just the Beginning!

Sunday, September 7th starts a seven week series at Victory Church on God’s plan to transform our lives; spirit, soul, and body.  Our foundation text is found in Romans 12:2, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

The ultimate transformation occurs when a person invites Jesus Christ to be the Lord of their life.  John 1:12 says, “But to as many as received Him, to them He gave the power to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name.”  Surrendering our lives to Jesus is not the end of the transforming work God desires to do, but the beginning.  Through the new birth, our spirit is made brand new, but our mind still needs to be renewed by the word of God.  I can love God with all my heart, but if I will not take the time to study the word of God, my thoughts and actions will probably be no different than the world's.  That is why the Bible tells us not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed.  How?  By renewing our mind with the Word of God.

Do you struggle knowing what God’s will is for your life?  Our text in Romans 12 tells us that if we will renew our minds, renew our thinking to line up with God’s way of thinking, we can prove what is the will of God in our life.  Offer your life to God, put His word first place in your life, and He will transform you into His image and likeness from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18).  Amen.

God's Church is being restored. What is your part?

One of my favorite books in the Old Testament is the book of Nehemiah. In this book we see Nehemiah and the Jews who lived in Jerusalem battle against all odds and rebuild the wall surrounding Jerusalem. There was great opposition from those who hated the people of God, but through God’s help, hard work, and much perseverance, the wall surrounding Jerusalem was rebuilt in fifty-two days.

This account from the Old Testament is similar to what we face today as believers. God has provided His church as a place of protection and safety. Through our disobedience the walls have been broken down, but God has a plan to restore the spiritual city of God (His Church) if we will seek Him for His plan to rebuild what has been destroyed.

The walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt in record time because God’s favor was with them. There is another key to their success found in Nehemiah 4:6, “for the people had a mind to work.” It took a lot of hard work, and everyone working together to see God’s plan come to fruition. Nehemiah 3 lists the names of all the families that worked on rebuilding the wall that was in front of their house. Today there are Bible believing churches all around our city with a heart to rebuild in front of “their house” what the enemy has destroyed.  With everyone working together towards the same goal, I believe we can also see the Plan of God come to fruition in our lives and in our city.

The restoring of Jerusalem took God’s favor, humility of leaders, wisdom to not get distracted from the task at hand, and the people of God to have a mind to work. I believe God is working today to restore our lives and His Church to be a glorious Church. Come on, we are builders! If you agree, say "Amen."

God's Everlasting Love

One of the most profound truths that I have known is the fact that God loves me with an everlasting love. His love never fails because God never fails. His love is not passive, but able to help us in our time of need. Romans 5:8 declares “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Love was what motivated Jesus to give His life for us. He invites us to call on Him and receive whatever help we may need.

Many people have a hard time receiving God’s love because of a wrong picture of God. They think God is holding our sins against us, yet the scripture says “God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them” (2 Cor. 5:19). God is not our problem, He is the answer to our problem, and that answer is found in Jesus Christ. God loved us enough to send His only Son to die for our sins on Calvary so that we might have eternal life. Our part is to receive God’s love, mercy and forgiveness by faith, regardless of whether or not we “feel” His love on a given day.

Romans 8 speaks of God’s great love. If God be for us, who can be against us? Can anything separate us from the love of God? Can tribulation or problems, can persecution or distress, can famine or lack, can peril or sword? The obvious answer is that nothing can separate us from God’s love. Not even the devil or any evil can separate us from God’s love. The only thing that can separate you from God’s love is you. You have the choice to receive or reject God’s love. Receive God’s love today, by faith.

Look to Jesus

Matthew 14 recounts Jesus’ disciples in a boat on the Sea of Galilee.  Jesus came to them walking on the water.  But, perhaps even more astonishing is the fact that at Jesus’ invitation, Peter walked on the water as well.  Jesus demonstrated His power over natural circumstances, and He invited Peter to benefit from His power over the waves.  As long as Peter kept his eyes on Jesus, he was walking above what he could do in the natural.  But, as soon as Peter took his eyes off of Jesus and focused on the natural realm, he began to sink.

Life is full of circumstances, problems, and fears that can overwhelm us.  But, if we look to Jesus, and if we are attentive to His word, we can rise above the natural circumstances and walk in a place where God’s power is lifting us up.  As we fix our gaze on Jesus, as we focus on Him and not the problems and fears of this life, we find ourselves rising above the circumstances.  But, as soon as we give in to the temptation to doubt Jesus, to doubt the Father’s love, to doubt that His word is true, if we see the circumstances as greater than God’s promises, we begin to sink.

Thankfully, this account of Peter walking on the water does not end with Peter sinking.  Peter called to the Lord, “Lord, save me.”  Not the world's longest prayer, but the scripture says, “Immediately Jesus stretched out His hands and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”  Jesus was there to save Peter, and He is available to help us also.  The important thing is to keep looking to Jesus and not doubt His love, His care and His goodness.  

Godspeed!