Short and Sweet: Hope, Wait and Pray

Short and Sweet Nourishment for the Soul

” … rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer …”

Romans 12:12

I like lists. You may already know that about me. I often start my day with a list of things to accomplish … complete with allotted times. It gives me great satisfaction knowing what to do and when to do it. That’s why I like Bible verses like Romans 12:12. It gives me three things to do, it tells me when to do them AND how to do them.

What to do when you’re hoping – rejoice!

Why can we rejoice in hope? Because we worship the God of Hope – therefore we always have hope. No situation is beyond God’s reach.

Are you sick? He’s the healer. Jehovah Raphe

Are you lost? He’s the God who sees you. El Roi

Are you in need? He’s the God who provides. Jehovah Jireh.

Are you neck deep in sin? He’s the God who washes away sin. Jehovah Tsidkenu.

Biblical hope is different than worldly hope. With worldly hope, you hope something will happen. With biblical hope, you have hope because something will happen. Whatever your need, God sees you and He’s at work. He is your hope. So start rejoicing!

What to do when you’re facing tribulation – be patient!

Since we can rejoice because we always have hope, we can also be patient in tribulation. I usually define the word patient as someone who controls their temper and frustration. In Greek, however, the word patient means to tarry, to wait, to remain behind. To wait for what? For God to act. Instead of trying to work a frustrating painful situation according to your will, wait for God to work it according to His perfect will. Everyone wins.

While we’re hoping and waiting for God to move, He gives us a job …

Continue steadfastly in prayer.

Don’t forget – while you have all this hoping and rejoicing and waiting going on, cover it all continually and steadfastly in prayer. The KJV of continuing steadfastly in prayer is “continuing instant in prayer.” I love this definition. Every moment is the right moment to continue in prayer.

This instant.

No matter what you are doing.

Pray.

Action Points

How can you actively rejoice over a current hope you are waiting for?
How can you show God you are waiting for Him to move in a current trial? What can you do to show Him you are waiting for Him and His will? What do you need to stop doing to show Him you are waiting for Him and His will?
Pray! Pray over your hopes, your tribulations, your everything. Pray!

Life is sweet. Hope. Wait. Pray.

Short & Sweet: Credit, Please

Short and Sweet Nourishment for the Soul

“Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, 24 but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead …” Romans 4:20-24

Righteousness. I had none.

Not one leaf, not even a filthy rag of righteousness. My sin was ever before me. Where does a woman like me go to get righteousness … ?

To Calvary.

To the Cross.

To the feet of Jesus.

The cross of Christ, flowing with the blood of Christ. One drop is all it took. One drop of His precious righteous blood and my filthy rags were washed as white as snow. Credit, please.

It was credited to him as righteousness.

In the Greek, the word credited is rich with meaning. (Ask God to prepare your heart to receive the meaning behind this Greek word). Logozimai means to account to impute, when a thing is reckoned as or to be something, availing as equivalent to something, to pass to one’s account.”

In layman’s terms, God makes a huge deposit of His righteousness into our empty account. It’s like getting an inheritance check in the mail. Not because we earned it, but because it’s credited to us. Free righteousness. No strings attached. Good credit, bad credit, no credit at all.

Words of righteousness.

Logozimai descends from the Greek word logos, which means words uttered by a living voice, (by a Living God), “the sayings of God.” Logos descends from the root word lego, which means to say, to speak, to call by name. Reread the definitions and let them fall on you for a minute.

On my knees. Tears flowing because of the righteousness flowing from the Word of God. The Word. Jesus is the Word. I see it. I put the pieces together. Righteousness flowing from the Word of God.

God’s righteousness cannot be separated from His Word.

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Righteousness by words.

Righteousness by the Word.

Righteousness by The Word of Life.

Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.

Like links in a chain, we are anchored to God by the righteousness that comes through The Word … Jesus. Righteousness credited to our name because of His name.

Credit, please.

Action Points

Receive God’s gift of righteousness.
How should a righteous person live, act and walk?
Now that you no longer have to strive for righteousness, what can you do instead?
What can you do differently now that you know you are accepted and redeemed by God?
Pray for God to help you realize the depths of your righteousness because of Christ.

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: She Believed

Nourishment for the Soul

“And blessed is she who believed that there would be

a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

Luke 1:45

Mary was a young Jewish girl who lived in the city of Nazareth. She was just an ordinary girl who lived an everyday life in an obscure town in Israel, but she believed.

One day an angel came to Mary and told her she had been chosen by God to bear the Christ Child. Despite her circumstances, despite her marital status, despite her social standing, Mary did an extraordinary thing: she believed.

Her faith was not based on the conditions or approval of man. Her faith was based on the Word of God. She completely trusted God’s will for her life. She did not waiver or worry. She did not ask questions or ask God to change one facet of His will for her life. She believed. She believed what God said to her.

What are some things God has spoken to you that you need to believe?

… your sins are forgiven, go forth and sin no more …

… white as snow, though your sins are like scarlet, you are white as snow …

… I know the plans I have for your, plans to give you a hope and a future …

… come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy burdened and I will give you rest …

Mary fulfilled her destiny because she believed. You will too. Blessed is she who believes what the Lord has said to her is true. She Believed.

Action Points

What has God said to you that you need to believe?
Name one thing you will do today to show God you believe Him.
Beliefs are not based on feelings but truths. Memorize a Bible verse that speaks to the point 1.

Life is sweet.

by Mary Kane

Short & Sweet: Shadow of His Wings

Be Merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!

For my soul trusts in You;

And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge,

Until these calamities have passed by.

I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

He will send from heaven and save me;

he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

Psalm 57:1-3

David wrote this Psalm while he was fleeing from King Saul. Where did David take refuge? In the shadow of God’s wings. It is very comforting to me to know that I am safe in the very shadow of His wings. Think of it … He is so powerful and holy, His shadow keeps me safe.

What does it truly mean to hide in the shadow of His wings? I was talking this over with God earlier this week. What does hiding in the shadow of Your wings look like? God’s answer came to me: obedience. Obedience leads to protection; it is taking the truth of God’s Word and acting on it. When I am obedient, I follow exactly in the footsteps of Jesus, so close that I walk in His very shadow… the shadow of His wings. When I am in the shadow of His wings, I can live my life boldly and courageously because I know my God has me covered.

What do we do when we are in the shadow of His wings? We continue to live, breath, serve, minister, fight, stand, pray, love, and rejoice.

Action Points:

What calamities are you facing right now? Are you hiding in the shadow of His wings or are you just hiding?
What steps of obedience do you need to take today?
Pray and ask God to help you access the strength and power He has already provided for your victory over this situation.

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: The Other Cheek by Mary Kane

Nourishment and Refreshment for your soul.

29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either.” Luke 6:29

I admit, I have struggled with this verse; it goes against what comes natural to my flesh. If someone insults me, I want to insult in return … an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. When I was growing up, I quickly learned what happened to people who did not “defend themselves”; they were beaten, battered, and bullied.

Through the years, I have heard many different people speak and preach on this verse, but I think most missed the point. Luke 6:29 is not about defending or not defending oneself, it’s about deferring to a higher calling. It’s turning the cheek for the sake of the Gospel.

Over the weekend, I watched a great movie, “42.” (Yes, the movie contains strong language. Don’t judge me.) The story line revolves around a man who is asked to give up his right to retaliate; his right to justly defend himself against grave injustice … against cruel and ugly treatment … against racism and hatred. He is asked by his boss to “turn the other cheek.” Why? Because of a greater cause. Something bigger than personal dignity and respect, the destiny of all mankind.

As believers, Jesus asks us to do the same thing; turn the other cheek for the sake of mankind. Turning the other cheek does not mean living a life in the shadows, afraid of our own shadow. (Clearly there is a time to fight.) We are to live in the light, to live courageously, despite the opposition and to maybe even take a few beatings for the sake of the cross. What is more important, vindicating ourselves, or the cause of the Christ? Can we allow someone to take advantage of us and offer forgiveness for the sake of the Gospel?

What takes more effort, to let your temper flare or to rein it in for a greater cause? Turning the other cheek does not indicate weakness. It requires great strength and self control. There are two kinds of people – those who choose to fight, and those who choose the greater fight: the fight for the Gospel.

Turn the other cheek.

Action Points:

When are you tempted not to turn the other cheek?
When should you stand and fight?
In your present challenge, is God calling you to stand or to turn the other cheek?

Life is sweet.

Short & Sweet: Keep Calm and Carry On, by Mary Kane

Nourishment and Refreshment for your soul.

“Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1

It’s everywhere: Keep Calm and Carry On. This famous British slogan from World War II, is currently emblazoned on T-shirts, billboards, magazines, and advertisements.

During World War II, the British government issued many morale-boosting posters. According to keepcalmandcarryon.com, “The plan in place for this poster was to issue it only upon the invasion of Britain by Germany. As this never happened, the poster was never officially seen by the public.” The rest of the story is history.

God also wants us to “Keep Calm and Carry On.” Why? Because He is our sovereign Father, who knows what we need before we even ask Him. How do we keep calm? By continuing to believe Him, despite our circumstances.

If you have lost your job … keep calm and carry on.

If you are facing the thing you feared would come … keep calm and carry on.

If the hardship has come upon you which you said you could never survive … keep calm and carry on.

If in the face of your greatest heartbreak, loss, or hardship … keep calm and carry on.

Until Jesus comes back or calls you home … keep calm and carry on.

Action Points:

Name an action you will take today to show God you trust Him.
Every time you start to worry today (America’s favorite pastime), replace worry with prayer.
Speak a Bible verses instead of anxious words.

Life is sweet.

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