THE CHRISTIAN’S HOPE

Time with Jesus - Monday, 29 April 2013

Hi all,

1 Corinthians 13 is affectionately referred to as the great “Love Chapter”. There are no other chapters in the Bible that give such an enormous “definition” of love. Indeed, Paul makes it clear, ¹³ Three things will last forever - faith, hope, and love - and the greatest of these is love. 1Co 13:13 NLT

It comes as no great surprise that Paul’s discourse on love falls more or less in the middle on his exposition of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. There were no chapters or verses in Paul’s letters or in any other parts of the Bible. These were subsequently added by men for our convenience. Sadly, these divisions were not done particularly skilfully. Certainly it has made our quest for knowledge from God’s Word a little easier for us. 

At the same time it has made us much lazier and less willing to commit Scripture to memory. It’s far easier to say “1 Corinthians Chapter 13 verse 13 than to try and find words somewhere in his first epistle. Computers have helped us, so we could scrap chapters and verses. But it’s unlikely we will change things now. Moreover we are able to say in our ignorance, “That’s not in this chapter”!

It’s interesting to note the sequence of the three words referred to; faith, hope and love. I’ve pondered this occasionally. For instance, why not love, faith and hope? Perhaps the reason is because Faith is now; hope is future and love has no beginning and no end. My distinct impression is Paul wanted to see people living by faith in God. Hoping to see what God has promised and love being the “oil” that “makes it all work”! In his letter to Titus Paul writes; ¹² … we should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, ¹³ while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. Titus 2:12-13 NLT. We live in the here and now by faith in the Lord, looking forward with hope to the glory of Jesus’ return. (Love)

Our meditation today looks at our hope for tomorrow. No government or political system can bring it in. Only Jesus Christ is able to complete our hopeful aspirations. That’s exactly what He will do. Faith and hope may disappoint. Love never fails!

Shalom,

Jim & Phyllida Strickland

Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give		Time with Jesus – Monday, 29 April 2013			Matt 10:8 Freely you received, Freely give
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INTRODUCTION			DAILY LIGHT EVENING SCRIPTURES	The Christian’s hope
In 1974, I returned to South Africa after an interval of approximately 14 years. Life in England and in Canada was great. But for me, South Africa was home and here is where we wanted to be. There comes a time in our lives, when we hanker for home and the things we remember. During the 14 year absence, South Africa had changed. On the surface, everything seemed normal. My immediate reaction, when looking at the black people of our country, was the way their means of transport had changed. In the 1950’s, it was usually the bicycle. There were a few cars, but not all that many. Now, cars and minibus taxis were the means of transport. It seemed to be inevitable, that “one man one vote” was around the corner. It only took 20 years! In January 1976 we moved to join Eskom head office in Jo’burg. In July there was the student uprising in Soweto. This uprising was inevitable, sooner or later. South Africa was the last “bastion of white rule”. It could not continue much longer. All the countries around us were getting rid of “white minority rule”. No doubt, this was one of the reasons why the students began their revolt. It was exacerbated, by the insistence of the education authorities, that Afrikaans would be the language in which these students were to be taught. It was a dumb decision. Things were about to take a major shift in direction. Back then, it was illegal to speak about Nelson Mandela. He was supposed to be safely incarcerated on Robin Island. Many of us took no notice of this regulation. I remember talking with a group of “Eskomites”. They were talking in general terms about him being a future President of South Africa. Some thought it could never happen. Others held him out as one of the very few “hopes” we still had in South Africa! It seemed ludicrous that a prisoner on Robin Island could become our President. Two factors helped me realise that I was likely to see a black South African president within 20 years. One was the inescapable fact that it had taken place throughout Africa. The other was knowing that the “hope” for South Africa could only come to fruition through the black majority. In an odd way, Biblical history indicated that God would not stand by indefinitely. The day would come when democracy would arise among us. In much the same way as Jesus Christ was the hope of all nations; Nelson Mandela was the “hope” of the black majority. Proverbs tells us, Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life. Pro 13:12 NLT. Mandela became the hope of the nation and the people’s dreams were finally fulfilled! Jim & Phyllida Strickland			13 Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Titus 2:13-14 ESV 19 This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God's inner sanctuary. 20 Jesus has already gone in there for us. He has become our eternal High Priest in the order of Melchizedek. Hebrews 6:19-20 NLT 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. 20 Then times of refreshment will come from the presence of the Lord, and He will again send you Jesus, your appointed Messiah. 21 For He must remain in heaven until the time for the final restoration of all things, as God promised long ago through His holy prophets. Acts 3:19-21 NLT 10 This will happen on that day when he comes to be honoured among all his holy people and admired by all who have believed in him. This includes you because you believed the testimony we gave you. 2 Thessalonians 1:10 GW 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as His adopted children, including the new bodies He has promised us. Romans 8:22-23 NLT 2 Dear friends, we are already God's children, but He has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like Him, for we will see Him as He really is. 1 John 3:2 NLT 4 When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Colossians 3:4 ESV 20 He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus! Revelation 22:20 ESV	Life can be appalling each time we look around. What is it we are seeing? Where can our hope be found? Who’ll come to our assistance in face of such a mess? Why do the wicked prosper? What use is righteousness? Look at the politicians. A gang of corrupt thugs, Stealing tax payer’s money! Young people using drugs! Carnage and death embracing people as they drive. And if you try to stop it, you will be “skinned alive”! Look at our taxi-drivers. They think they own the road. And if you show dissention, don’t think they will be slowed. There has to be an answer. A way to put things right. But if we try and do it, were in for a tough fight. The courts don’t dispense justice. The perpetrators win, Because they have the money to fix the jam they’re in. Our little girls in danger of being stopped and raped. It seems the wicked rapists, have got the system taped. If is the “cops” who do it, they simply close their ranks And so the rapists prosper; and give their colleagues thanks! There must be a solution. Lord there must be a way, To change the situation from what it is today. My child there is an answer. There is a way to cope. Though things may scare you spit-less, there is the way of hope! Hope always looks at problems and knows that they will end. I am not standing idle. Be sure that I will send An army strong and mighty. They’ll bring the remedy. The wicked will all suffer. They are attacking Me. There can be no escaping from what that army brings. They will receive a judgement for this and many things. Don’t think I have no interest in what is all around. Their sins are documented and it will astound The men of every nation. They thought I would not do The things that I have promised! My Word is ever true. So do not think it’s useless for you to carry on. The HOPE that I AM bringing, to make you firm and strong. It won’t be slow in coming, so do not be surprised. The tide will break upon you as though it’s been disguised. Look at the great tsunami that swept the folk away. That is what you will witness when I act on that day. Jim Strickland – Written 29th April 2013