Dear Friends,
I asked God to bless you for reading the Hope Series and it would be good to
read them again sometimes. It takes a lot of times and prayers for me to write them.
I really learned something that I was glad I could share this in the blogger. I pray
that it would really bless you.
I want to say, "Happy New Year!"
Dorothy
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Monday, December 10, 2012
Hope 28 Song
Revelation 21:21 - "I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband."
Song: In the New Jerusalem
1. When the toils of life are over
And we lay our armor down,
And we bid farewell to earth with all it's cares,
We shall meet and greet our loved ones,
And our Christ we then shall crown
In the new Jeru-sa-lem.
CHORUS: There'll be singing, there'll be shouting
When the saints come marching home,
In Jeru-sa-lem, In Jeru-sa-lem; [In the New Jerusalem]
Waving palms with loud hosannas
As the King shall take His throne,
In the new Jeru-sa-lem . . . .
2. Tho' the way is sometimes lonely,
He will hold me with His hand,
Thro' the testings and the trials I must go;
But I'll trust and gladly follow,
For sometimes I'll understand,
In the new Jeru-sa-lem . . . .
CHORUS: There'll be singing, there'll be shouting
When the saints come marching home,
In Jeru-sa-lem, In Jeru-sa-lem; [In the New Jerusalem]
Waving palms with loud hosannas
As the King shall take His throne,
In the new Jeru-sa-lem . . . .
3. When we join the ransomed army
In the summer-land above,
And the face of our dear Savior we behold,
We will sing and shout forever,
And we'll grow in perfect love,
In the new Jeru-sa-lem . . . .
CHORUS: There'll be singing, there'll be shouting
When the saints come marching home,
In Jeru-sa-lem, In Jeru-sa-lem; [In the New Jerusalem]
Waving palms with loud hosannas
As the King shall take His throne,
In the new Jeru-sa-lem . . . .
LYRICS AND MUSIC: C. B. Widmeyer
Looking forward to meet Jesus in the sky!
Dorothy
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Hope Series 27
Revelation 21:5 - "And he (Jesus) that sat upon the throne said, Behold,
I make all things new. And he said to me (John), Write: for these words are
true and faithful."
Theme: Revelation, A Book of Hope
God opened the "Genesis" with His new creation, a paradise for Adam and Eve while "Revelation" closes human history. But there is one distinct (clearly seen) difference in Revelation--evil is gone forever. Genesis describes a garden with an evil serpent; Revelation describes a perfect city with no evil. The Garden of Eden was destroyed by sin; but paradise is re-created in the New Jerusalem.
Jesus said, "Behold, I make all things new." God is the creator. The Bible begins with the majestic story of His creation of the universe, and it concludes (end) with His creation of a new heaven and a new earth. This is a tremendous hope and encouragement for the believer.
The book of Revelation ends with an urgent plea; "Come, Lord Jesus!" In a world of problems, persecution, evil, and immorality, Lord Jesus Christ calls us to endure in our faith. Our goal is to hold on to the hope of His calling that God has given us to do, endure.
Revelation is, above all, a book of hope. It shows that no matter what happens on earth, God is in control. It promises that evil will not last forever. Like Scripture said, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet (Rom. 16:20a). And Revelation represents a picture of the wonderful reward that is waiting for all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. (Rev. 22:21)
Dorothy
PS. My friend, this is a closure of the Hope Series 27 with one more song in Hope 28, "In The New Jerusalem." I pray that God has blessed you with Hope Series from 1 through 28. After that, it will varies "Fresh Manna" devotion since it's Christmas!!!!
Monday, December 3, 2012
Hope Series 26
Job
42:7a - Then The Lord said to Eliphaz, "I am angry with you and your
two friends, for you have not been right in what you have said about Me,
as My servant Job was."
Theme: Hope for Job's Friends
God made it clear that Job's friends were wrong. Job's friends made the mistakes of guessing that Job's suffering was caused by some great sin. They were judging Job without knowing what God was doing. This should warn us to avoid making any rash judgments about a person we "think we know" because God may be working in ways we know nothing about.
Does Job's friends have any hope of forgiveness from God and from Job? Yes, God gave them an instruction what they must do. They were to take some animals for burnt offering and go to Job for offering. God said for Job to pray and intercede for them. When Job prayed for his friends, The Lord gave back everything he had lost, but this time, twice as much as before (Job 42:8-10).
What can we learn from this? After Job receiving much criticism, Job was still able to pray for his three friends. Is it difficult to forgive someone who has accused us of wrong doing? Job gave us a perfect example that he did forgave his friends. Job prayed for them when they had hurt him. Job forgave them. Can we forgive our friends who hurt us?
God called Job a good man and God had Job prayed for them. Their only hope was through Job's intercession for them. If your friends have hurt you and God might be angry at them for hurting you, would you pray to God and ask Him to spare them from His anger and cover them with the blood of Jesus and ask God to save their soul?
The key to all this one verse: "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." (James 4:10) I have quoted this so often when I had faced some challenges of criticism. God will reward you when you pray for them. There's peace in forgiveness.
So trust God today!
Dorothy
PS. I know it's long, but I believe that many of us might have faced this. I love this devotion because of who God was and still is through the story of Job. This soften my heart about God Himself. I love Him!
Theme: Hope for Job's Friends
God made it clear that Job's friends were wrong. Job's friends made the mistakes of guessing that Job's suffering was caused by some great sin. They were judging Job without knowing what God was doing. This should warn us to avoid making any rash judgments about a person we "think we know" because God may be working in ways we know nothing about.
Does Job's friends have any hope of forgiveness from God and from Job? Yes, God gave them an instruction what they must do. They were to take some animals for burnt offering and go to Job for offering. God said for Job to pray and intercede for them. When Job prayed for his friends, The Lord gave back everything he had lost, but this time, twice as much as before (Job 42:8-10).
What can we learn from this? After Job receiving much criticism, Job was still able to pray for his three friends. Is it difficult to forgive someone who has accused us of wrong doing? Job gave us a perfect example that he did forgave his friends. Job prayed for them when they had hurt him. Job forgave them. Can we forgive our friends who hurt us?
God called Job a good man and God had Job prayed for them. Their only hope was through Job's intercession for them. If your friends have hurt you and God might be angry at them for hurting you, would you pray to God and ask Him to spare them from His anger and cover them with the blood of Jesus and ask God to save their soul?
The key to all this one verse: "Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up." (James 4:10) I have quoted this so often when I had faced some challenges of criticism. God will reward you when you pray for them. There's peace in forgiveness.
So trust God today!
Dorothy
PS. I know it's long, but I believe that many of us might have faced this. I love this devotion because of who God was and still is through the story of Job. This soften my heart about God Himself. I love Him!
Friday, November 30, 2012
Hope Series 25 Part 2
Job 38:1 - The Lord answered Job from the whirlwind, "Who is this that
questions My wisdom with such ignorant words."
Theme: Job's Patience - Who is This?
Here are the few things I notice of how God deals with the situation with Job. This shows me that God was aware of all kind of conversations between Job and his four friends. It was when Job and his four friends were finally at silence for the lost of words at the end of chapter 37. Then "BOOM" . . . God entered the scene with a grand opening with His appearance of whirlwind to Job. Whoa! That must be something! We would love this, won't we? The Lord answered Job from the whirlwind, "Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words" (Job 38:1).
Surprisingly, God didn't answer any of Job's questions; Job's questions were not at the heart of issue. Instead, God used Job's ignorance (lack of knowledge, education, or awareness) of the earth's natural order to reveal Job's ignorance of God's moral order. If Job did not understand the workings of God's physical creation, how could he possibly understand God's mind and character?
So God asked him questions. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? (38:4). Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? (39:1a). Take a look at the mighty hippopotamus. I made it, just like I MADE YOU (39:15). God asked Job several questions about the animal kingdom in order to demonstrate how limited Job's knowledge really was. God was not seeking answers from Job. Instead, He was getting Job to recognize and submit to God's power and sovereignty. Only then could Job hear what God was really saying to him.
Then the Lord said to Job, "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You (Job) are God's critic, but do you have the answers?" (40:1-2) We could reply with Job to the Lord and say, "I am nothing--how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say." (40:3-5 QVLAB)
Then Job replied to the Lord. "I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You. You ask, 'Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorance?' It is I. And I was talking about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me. I have heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance" (Job 42:1-3, 5-6 QVLAB).
Job humbled himself to the Lord and because Job kept trusting God, God rewarded Job. Job lived 140 years. After that, Job lived to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. He died an old man who had lived a long good life (Job 42:16-17).
You will be rewarded when you keep your HOPE in God and keep trusting Him! He loves you that much!
Dorothy
Here are the few things I notice of how God deals with the situation with Job. This shows me that God was aware of all kind of conversations between Job and his four friends. It was when Job and his four friends were finally at silence for the lost of words at the end of chapter 37. Then "BOOM" . . . God entered the scene with a grand opening with His appearance of whirlwind to Job. Whoa! That must be something! We would love this, won't we? The Lord answered Job from the whirlwind, "Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words" (Job 38:1).
Surprisingly, God didn't answer any of Job's questions; Job's questions were not at the heart of issue. Instead, God used Job's ignorance (lack of knowledge, education, or awareness) of the earth's natural order to reveal Job's ignorance of God's moral order. If Job did not understand the workings of God's physical creation, how could he possibly understand God's mind and character?
So God asked him questions. "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? (38:4). Do you know when the mountain goats give birth? (39:1a). Take a look at the mighty hippopotamus. I made it, just like I MADE YOU (39:15). God asked Job several questions about the animal kingdom in order to demonstrate how limited Job's knowledge really was. God was not seeking answers from Job. Instead, He was getting Job to recognize and submit to God's power and sovereignty. Only then could Job hear what God was really saying to him.
Then the Lord said to Job, "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You (Job) are God's critic, but do you have the answers?" (40:1-2) We could reply with Job to the Lord and say, "I am nothing--how could I ever find the answers? I will put my hand over my mouth in silence. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say." (40:3-5 QVLAB)
Then Job replied to the Lord. "I know that You can do anything, and no one can stop You. You ask, 'Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorance?' It is I. And I was talking about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me. I have heard about You before, but now I have seen You with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance" (Job 42:1-3, 5-6 QVLAB).
Job humbled himself to the Lord and because Job kept trusting God, God rewarded Job. Job lived 140 years. After that, Job lived to see four generations of his children and grandchildren. He died an old man who had lived a long good life (Job 42:16-17).
You will be rewarded when you keep your HOPE in God and keep trusting Him! He loves you that much!
Dorothy
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Hope Series 24 Part 1
James 5:8 - "You, too, must be patient. DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE because the Lord is coming
soon."
Theme: Job's Patience
In the New Testament, James used Job as an example of encouragement. James 5:11:a "You have heard about Job’s patience, and you know the Lord’s purpose for him in the end. You know the Lord is full of mercy and is kind" (NCV). James 5:8 " You, too, must be patient. DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE because the Lord is coming soon."
When Job was in grief, he wanted to give up, to be freed from his comfort, and to die. Do you ever felt like that? Know something? God did not grant Job's request. Maybe that's why God did not alway grant our wishes. God had a greater plan for Job so God has a greater plan for you as well. Job trusted God when things were easy and he had everything. But when difficult times came, Job was tested and often beyond his limits.
So I would like to share a few things I noticed of how God dealt the situations with Job. His friends tried to figure out "why Job was suffering." After many days of speeches from his four friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu to Job, they had came to the end when they could not find the "word of wisdoms" to comfort Job's suffering. Job was miserable and despair and he began to lose hope. Sometimes we might felt like Job and questioned, "Does God care when I am suffering?" Surprisingly, the Bible will tell us that. (The next Hope 25, Part 2 will lead to deeper subject).
Suddenly, the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind, "Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words" (Job 38:1). Out of a whirlwind, God spoke! He cares! Oh yes He cares! There's a song called, "Does Jesus Care?"
Chorus: Does Jesus Care?
O yes, He cares; I know He cares;
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
the long night dreary,
I know my Savior cares. . . .
(Lyrics: Frank E. Graeff)
Yes, God is a caring God! Believe this!
Dorothy
In the New Testament, James used Job as an example of encouragement. James 5:11:a "You have heard about Job’s patience, and you know the Lord’s purpose for him in the end. You know the Lord is full of mercy and is kind" (NCV). James 5:8 " You, too, must be patient. DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE because the Lord is coming soon."
When Job was in grief, he wanted to give up, to be freed from his comfort, and to die. Do you ever felt like that? Know something? God did not grant Job's request. Maybe that's why God did not alway grant our wishes. God had a greater plan for Job so God has a greater plan for you as well. Job trusted God when things were easy and he had everything. But when difficult times came, Job was tested and often beyond his limits.
So I would like to share a few things I noticed of how God dealt the situations with Job. His friends tried to figure out "why Job was suffering." After many days of speeches from his four friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, and Elihu to Job, they had came to the end when they could not find the "word of wisdoms" to comfort Job's suffering. Job was miserable and despair and he began to lose hope. Sometimes we might felt like Job and questioned, "Does God care when I am suffering?" Surprisingly, the Bible will tell us that. (The next Hope 25, Part 2 will lead to deeper subject).
Suddenly, the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind, "Who is this that questions My wisdom with such ignorant words" (Job 38:1). Out of a whirlwind, God spoke! He cares! Oh yes He cares! There's a song called, "Does Jesus Care?"
Chorus: Does Jesus Care?
O yes, He cares; I know He cares;
His heart is touched with my grief;
When the days are weary,
the long night dreary,
I know my Savior cares. . . .
(Lyrics: Frank E. Graeff)
Yes, God is a caring God! Believe this!
Dorothy
Friday, November 23, 2012
Hope Series 23
1 Peter 1:3-4 KJV
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a LIVELY HOPE by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."
Theme: Lively Hope and/or Living Hope
Tony and I were reading Billy Graham's book, "Nearing Home," and he wrote about the closing part on "Don't live without hope." A short story about a young man who wrote to Billy that he believed that once you are dead, that's it. Life after death is just a myth.
Billy's reply came from his heart. "Your letter deeply saddened me," he wrote, "because it means you are living without hope--hope for this life, and hope for the life to come. Have you honestly faced how empty and meaningless this will make your life?" Then Billy urged the young man to turn to Jesus Christ and put his life into His hands, for He alone can give us hope for the future. What would our lives be like without any hope of life beyond the grave? (Note from page 167, Nearing Home by Billy Graham).
It is good to repeat the scriptures and read it again, the "living hope" from NCV: 1 Peter 1:3-4 --3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In God’s great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a LIVING HOPE, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 4Now we hope for the blessings God has for his children. These blessings, which cannot be destroyed or be spoiled or lose their beauty, are kept in heaven for you."
It reminds me of the words in song: "My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand." It is written by Edward Mote from Sing His Praise, "The Solid Rock."
May the Lord bless our lively hope because Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
Dorothy
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a LIVELY HOPE by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."
Theme: Lively Hope and/or Living Hope
Tony and I were reading Billy Graham's book, "Nearing Home," and he wrote about the closing part on "Don't live without hope." A short story about a young man who wrote to Billy that he believed that once you are dead, that's it. Life after death is just a myth.
Billy's reply came from his heart. "Your letter deeply saddened me," he wrote, "because it means you are living without hope--hope for this life, and hope for the life to come. Have you honestly faced how empty and meaningless this will make your life?" Then Billy urged the young man to turn to Jesus Christ and put his life into His hands, for He alone can give us hope for the future. What would our lives be like without any hope of life beyond the grave? (Note from page 167, Nearing Home by Billy Graham).
It is good to repeat the scriptures and read it again, the "living hope" from NCV: 1 Peter 1:3-4 --3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In God’s great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a LIVING HOPE, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead. 4Now we hope for the blessings God has for his children. These blessings, which cannot be destroyed or be spoiled or lose their beauty, are kept in heaven for you."
It reminds me of the words in song: "My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand; All other ground is sinking sand." It is written by Edward Mote from Sing His Praise, "The Solid Rock."
May the Lord bless our lively hope because Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
Dorothy
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