Hope Available

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." Romans 15:4

Read the Book. Our only hope in a confusing world is between its covers and in acquaintence with God the Holy Spirit who inspired it.

In Christ the final battle is already won

I daily receive a short devotional from the Institute for Creation Research-ICR. Todays devotional was too good not to share. So, here goes.
In Jesus' Conquering NameOctober 8, 2009 "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." (Romans 8:37) The first verse of the well-loved hymn "Faith Is the Victory" describes preparation for the battle between the forces of light and darkness. The second verse tells of marching into battle, and the third, of the actual attack. For the soldier of faith, empowered by love and obedience to the commandments of God, the victory is assumed. The last verse relates the rewards of victory and a commitment to wise governing, once the battle is over. To him that overcomes the foe, White raiment shall be giv'n;Before the angels he shall know, His name confessed in heav'n.Then onward from the hills of light, Our hearts with love aflame;We'll vanquish all the hosts of night, In Jesus' conq'ring name. Jesus, when the Apostle John saw Him in His present glorified, victorious state, made this promise to the churches: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Revelation 3:5). Earlier, He had made a companion promise: "These things have I spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). In this life we will have battles to fight, but the ultimate victory has already been won. As He left this world following His resurrection, He said: "Go ye therefore . . . and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:19-20). No wonder, then, as we see in our text, we are "more than conquerors" in every situation, as we battle in Jesus' conquering name. "Thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ" (2 Corinthians 2:14). JDM
What more to say, The battle is won in Christ.

Hope in the Valley

We all like to enjoy the sense of God's presence in our services and relish the sense of God's power and all sufficiency. But then, we have to go back to the daily grind and sometimes nosedive into despondency.
Oswald Chambers has this comment from his book My Utmost for His Highest -Oct 1.
"We are not built for the mountains and the dawns and aesthetic affinities, those are for moments of inspiration, that is all. We are built for the valley, for the ordinary stuff we are in, and that is where we have to prove our mettle. We feel we could talk like angels and live like angels, if only we could stay on the mount. The times of exaltation are exceptional, they have their meaning in our life with God, but we must beware lest our spiritual selfishness wants to make them the only time."
Oct 3rd Chambers shares this thought.
"Can I face things as they actually are in the light of the reality of Jesus Christ, or do things as they are efface altogether my faith in Him, and put me into a panic?"

OUCH

I think we often mistake our "faith" on the mountaintop for emotional elation. Faith can operate at all times in all places if we remember that "God can do anything" is true in the valley as well as the mountaintop. This faith has to grow, therefore I must show my faith by my works in all circumstances and be ready to see God at work everywhere and at all times. God help me to believe his word and trust his grace always.