Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:13
Author: Lori Casto
It’s a Wonderful Life
Last night I watched “It’s a Wonderful Life”. I’ve seen it more times than I can count and still cry every time. I’m always drawn to the gripping scene where George is holding Mary full of anger and passion and declares to her… “I wanna do, what I wanna do.” He had so many big plans that didn’t include Bedford Falls or getting married.
It was during the anger and passion that he finally gave his life to her. He knew that once he married her, he was giving up all HIS plans, and surrendering to his father’s plan of staying in Bedford falls and running the “Ol building and loan.” George was facing a critical moment and a wrestling within of doing what he wanted or surrendering to the love of his life, which he also wanted.
This is such a beautiful representation of our own surrender to Jesus. Just as George surrendered to his love for Mary, when we ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, we are surrendering our heart to Him. Just as George finally settles down after marrying Mary, He next completely surrenders to what his dad wanted him to do by managing the building and loan. After accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, we finally can surrender our plans to do our Father God’s plan. We sometimes wrestle within because we want our plans, but we want His plans, too.
Eventually George is put in a position to see how his dad’s plan led to a really wonderful life. It was not perfect in any way. It wasn’t glamorous, nor did it include money or things. It was a life full of helping others and being surrounded by love.
Grace
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a
We hoard our resources. We hold on tightly to whatever it is we feel is getting us through the trials and tests of the day. Eventually, we reach the end. There’s nothing left to hold except the hand of Jesus. It turns out, that’s the best thing we can possibly do.
He giveth more grace as our burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength as our labors increase;
To added afflictions He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials He multiplies peace.
When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.
His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
Fear Not
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
Good Things
Bless the Lord, O my soul;
And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the Lord, O my soul,
And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Psalm 103:1-5
Serve
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Galatians 5:13-15
This is the Day
This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
Hope
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
The Will of God
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Intent
For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Word of God
1. Living
2. Powerful
3. Sharp
God’s word discerns our thoughts & intentions
Liberal Wisdom
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. Then it gives peace. It is gentle and willing to obey (submissive). It is full of loving-kindness and of doing good. It has no doubts and does not pretend to be something it is not (without hypocrisy, sincere) . Those who plant seeds of peace will gather what is right and good. James 3:17-18 NLV
James 1:5 says if we ask for wisdom, God gives it generously. Its great to rest in God’s liberal wisdom. Sometimes while asking for wisdom, it’s important to make sure that there’s not another spiritual matter going on, or the wisdom we ask for can get caught up & distorted in confusion given by no other than its author. The author of confusion is a stranger’s voice. We certainly don’t ever want to follow that advice.
God’s wisdom is pure. It leads to peace, gentleness, & submission. God’s wisdom leads to our undoubting willingness. A stranger’s voice leads to the opposite. It’s important to distinguish between the 2.
No matter how long we’ve been walking with God, we still need to be careful of the stranger’s voice.
Dear Heavenly Father-
Help me to only listen to your voice and when I hear it, to be completely and totally obedient. My heart’s desire is the center of your will. Forgive me for anything I’ve caused to get in the way of your good, pleasing, and perfect will in my life. I’m sorry.
Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:24
Wisdom From Above
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. Then it gives peace. It is gentle and willing to obey. It is full of loving-kindness and of doing good. It has no doubts and does not pretend to be something it is not. 18 Those who plant seeds of peace will gather what is right and good. James 3:17-18 NLV
17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:17-18 NKJV
17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
James 3:17-18 NIV