A Ministry of Hope: Recent Episodes
Sarah Jones
During times of trial you can begin to understand Romans 15:13: “May the God of all hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him,” even if the circumstances tell a different story. I have found a special meaning in the verse Psalm 84:5,6, “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs;...” In Hebrew, Baca means “a place of weeping.” My prayer is that the things God has taught me during my places of weeping will become places of refreshment for those who listen.
Jesus showed us how to live out the truth of the Kingdom of Heaven while here on earth and part of it is the blessing of mourning because there is comfort.
Several years ago I taught a Bible study on heaven. Today I realized that almost everyone who attended that class no longer need a Bible study to know what heaven is like.
Her prayer was that if God could use her weakness to bless her family that she was willing to be weak. I watched God answer her prayer and it was truly beautiful.
During this turbulent time in our nation it seems like a good idea to remember that if your a Christian you are part of the Kingdom of God.
Why does Genesis say, “And there was evening, and morning-the first day “ and not there was morning and evening- the first day?
This is for anyone who like me has prayed, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Sadie’s story is a story of hope, a story of strength in weakness. Sadie’s story of simple faith in a mighty God.
Sometimes the pressures of life feel unbearable. When I begin to feel overwhelmed I pray a prayer that I learned from Jeremiah the prophet.
One of the blessings I’ve had in sharing life with my Christian friends is having them teach me the lessons they’ve learned from the difficult times in their lives.
It fills me with a sense of amazement that the God of the universe is listening to my prayers. This sense of amazement is something that I hope to share with my children my grandchildren and anyone who will listen.
What is the choice we can make? We can make the choice to walk in the flesh or in the Spirit.
There is a touch of hope that was passed onto me from generations past. It is the hope that I will see the second coming of Jesus Christ. It is also my hope that I will be able to pass this touch not only to my children but to my grandchildren.
Sometimes I have to tell myself the truth. I have to do this because my mind becomes entangled with negative thoughts like a garden overgrown by weeds.
I’ll never forget the wonder on Jack’s face as he spread out the wing of the hen he was holding to show me it’s beauty.
We have been given access to armor that we can put on or fail to put on. Whether we put it on or not it doesn’t change the truth of Ephesians 6. We are in a battle with rulers, against authorities, against the cosmic powers over this darkness. Might I suggest that this battle is best won wearing the armor God had provided?
Do ever feel hopeless and like there is no way out? If so I want to share with you the key to the dungeon of despair.
My grandson will be 18 next month. Jack was only 8 when I began to write “A Ministry of Hope” I decided to share the lessons I’ve learned from being Jack’s grandmother.
Because of our relationship with a loving God, we can rest secure in good times and in bad; because He remains the same and He lives us.
“According to Hebrew psychology the reigns are the seat of the deepest emotions and affections of man, which God alone can fully know.” (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
We are told in Ephesians 6:12 “Our struggle is not with flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” But how can an ordinary person find victory over such an extraordinary struggle?
Just you steer the car in the direction that you’re looking your emotions are affected by the things you focus your mind on.
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble”(Psalm 46:1). I wonder if I sometimes miss the refuge and strength of the day because I’m focused on the worries of tomorrow.
On so many levels we are at a pivotal place in history. Fear of the unknown is a real challenge. I have gone back to the poem “Step by Step” many times since it was given to me as an 18 year old about to leave home for the first time.
Life can be hard; life can be difficult; and sometimes the unknown is terrifying. What is the source of true strength.
When we go through difficult times we are faced with the choice of walking away from God or to live our lives by faith in sacred mystery.
The day dawned, the morning start rose, the demons fled, the angels shouted for joy. but men continued to slumber blanketed by sorrow and disbelief.
The beauty of redemption could only be fully realized after Peter see his desperate need for a redeemer.
When Jesus died on the cross He paid the wages for our sins once for all. When He rose from the dead He broke the curse of death.
Joseph of Arimathea has not converted to what the Sanhedrin did. He had been unable to prevent what was happening; however he did what he could.
What do you do when you encounter sudden and unforeseen grief? How do you respond when the Sovereign Lord allows suffering you cannot comprehend? I believe when we encounter an altering of our stories and the stories of those we love that we are invited to humble our hearts and bend our knees. God alone is the author, but we find our place in the story when by our presence and by encircling those we love with our love. In humble service we do the will of God.
When Jesus died the earth split open and those who had been confined in their tombs were brought to life. I think in a similar way the centurion at the foot of the cross was brought to life as well.
John declared that Jesus lamb of God at the beginning of Jesus’s ministry but we can more fully understand that title as Jesus hung in the cross.
“Life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” This was true for Simon when his plans were altered and he became the one chosen to carry Jesus’s cross.
Only in the honor- shame culture of the New testament can we begin to fully appreciate the sufferings of the Messiah.
In the presence of the lamb of God who came to take away the sins of the world, how many will cry, “Give us Barabbas”?
Those who God permits Satan to shift are never the same. Forever, they will see who they are and who God is in a more clear way.
“For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins” (Hebrews 5:1)
When I was a teenager a priest challenged me by saying that Jesus never claimed to be the Son of God. He told me that Jesus called Himself the Son of Man, not the Son of God. I didn’t know how to respond when I was a teenager but it caused me to seek the answer.
“Why did it have to be a friend who chose to betray the Lord? And why did it have to be a kiss, that’s not what a kiss is for.” These are words from a song by Michael Card.
Peter didn’t know his heart any more than any of us do. He also didn’t understand that the establishment of the kingdom would be accomplished by Jesus... alone... in the cross.
The fourth cup of the Passover was called the “Cup of the Kingdom.” It was also called the “ Cup of Consummation.” It was of this cup that Jesus said, “I will no longer drink the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it in a new way in the kingdom of God.”
The third cup at Passover was the “Cup of Redemption.” It was to remind everyone of the verse in Exodus 6 that said, “I will also redeem you with outstretched arm and with great judgement.” About this cup Jesus said, “This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.”
What finally exposed Judas’ treacherous heart? His false worship was laid bare in the presence of true worship.
Standing near the cross where the women who had ministered to Jesus. The only other ones who ministered to Jesus were the angels. At the cross all they could give was their presence and do that is what they gave.
Without faith it is impossible to please God, and without faith it is impossible to be pleased with God.
Spikenard has a very powerful fragrance, and it’s scent will linger for days. It is used in hospice as a calming oil.
Jesus had come as the true Passover Lamb and everything happened just as God had ordained it.
Jesus’s disciples had asked Him how they would know and what would be the sign of the end. Jesus described what lay beyond the visible horizon. As the fine mist of night encircled them and they approached the last hours of the day, Jesus told them what to expect.
This last century has seen more persecution and martyrs than in all prior centuries put together. Jesus told us that is would be like this before His return.
I remember reading a book when I was pregnant called “What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” This was in some ways like what Jesus was telling His disciples when He told them what to expect while they waited for the coming of the kingdom.
Jesus began the Olivet discourse with a warning. Don’t be deceived. He warned about those who would come in His name to deceive. How can we recognize them?
Through the Gospel of Mark Jesus has told us what is to come. But it wasn’t just information. It came with a repeated warning to “Be Alert!”
At the end of time all the monuments built by men will be left without one stone left in another.
The widow gave everything she had to live on. Though she was invisible to those around her she was seen and her gift was understood by Jesus.
What is the purpose of a warning? How important is it for us to pay attention to the warnings Jesus gave?
They were highly educated, aristocrats with both political and religious standing. They challenged Jesus. Jesus responded that they were deceived because they didn’t know the Scriptures or the power of God. To whom might Jesus say that today?
Knowledge can bring you close to the kingdom of God but only the Savior can bring you into the kingdom.
The chief priests, the scribes, and the elders challenged Jesus’s authority. They were spiritually blinded by their pride and sin, otherwise they would have recognized who stood before them.
Faith informs the actions of those who believe. Are you struggling with a mountain today? We have been invited by Jesus to experience a faith that can remove mountains.
It is possible to worship worship. When this happens the heart becomes cold and compassion dies.
The first triumphant entry was on the foal of a donkey but there will be another. The next one Jesus will come on a white horse.
The rich young ruler cane to Jesus to find out what he needed to do to earn eternal life, the blind man begged for mercy.
What Jesus said about the kingdom was a paradox. It could and can only be understood with spiritual eyes and ears.
Jesus’s first miracle was to turn water into wine. At the wedding of Canna Jesus turned what was ordinary into something extraordinary. The Pharisees wanted to know about not a wedding but divorce.
In order to be humble you must have a correct view of yourself because you have a correct view of God. The glory of God is like a fire that sanctified God’s humble servants but destroys the proud.
There is a battle going on. It’s not enough to know it’s going on you must choose whose side you’re .
Do you know what it’s like to realize that your faith is lacking? At the intersection of what what you pray for those you love and what you see happening is often a desperate cry, “Lord! I believe! Help my unbelief!”
Have you ever watched helpless as your child suffered. Have you found that this struggle exposed your disbelief. Are you able to hear what Jesus said to the grieving father? Do you believe what He said?
In order for Jesus’ disciples to understand they needed the miracle of being given spiritual sight and spiritual hearing.
Although Peter recognized Jesus as the Messiah he didn’t understand fully what that meant.
Though the disciples believed that Jesus was the Messiah they could not fully comprehend what that meant.
Jesus used His own DNA to heal both the dead man and the blind man. In each case He healed the person privately.
We see in the Gospels a connection between fear and a hardened heart. How can you tell if this is happening in your own heart?
Unorthodox contrary to what is usual, traditional, or acceptable. Jesus’ ministry wasn’t only unorthodox to the Pharisees it was unorthodox to His disciples.
The ability to hear and understand God’s word can only happen if we receive the spiritual gift of hearing.
Insiders and Outsiders. It’s a problem when you’re a religious insider and Jesus is an outsider.
When your invited into a storm at night often it is really an invitation to recognize the one who is the Lord of every storm.
Storms strip away our veneer and expose our vulnerability but they also can make us away of the unseen footprints in the storm.
What did Jesus ask of those who claimed that they loved Him? To be obedient to what Jesus requires takes far more than ability it takes faith.
Sometimes the way to make since of what is happen is to recognize that our lives are part of a greater story. One that can only be interpreted by faith.
Physical eyes cannot see spiritual truth. To become a follower of Jesus is to become part story of a Heavenly Kingdom.
The fear they had caused them to fall at the feet of Jesus. The faith that they had raised them to their feet.
It took many many years before I could begin to understand the mercy that I had received. Now I count it a privilege to share that mercy with others.
Jesus who taught about the kingdom of God released the man who was experiencing a living hell
Do you want to know how to see the hidden secrets of the Kingdom? Ask the one who made blind eyes see.
The religious leaders saw a threat, the sick saw a healer, but did anyone really see Jesus for who He truly was? Yes, the demons recognized Him.
Jesus had not come to patch something that was broken; Jesus didn’t come to show us how to try harder; He came as a bridegroom to call He bride.
Mercy found its fullest expression in the tender love and compassion that God had extents sinners.
Why were the scribes unable to recognize who Jesus was even when He was doing miracles in front of them?
Jesus looked straight into Matthew’s eyes and through them into his soul and said,”Follow me.”
Jesus was not only able to heal the paralysis from the body He was able to remove the paralysis of sin in the man’s soul.
They came to Him to be healed and accepted Him as a healer but they failed to see that the one who healed their diseases was the King of Kings.
For all who have lost their identity and their ability to feel, to all who have become isolated by their sins, Jesus issued an invitation to come.
When Jesus went into the synagogue in Capernaum everyone took notice. They asked each other who He was and where He had gotten His authority. All but one, there was one person there who knew who He was.
I’ve almost become paralyzed with all the bad news lately. I decided it was time for some Good News, so here it is.
“Cortisol is also know as the stress hormone. When levels of cortisol are to high it results in depression and can also cause panic and anxiety disorders because it blocks receptors in the tranquility system of the brain.”