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Moving Forward from Hope to Knowing - Pastor Stuart Price
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Moving Forward from Hope to Knowing
As children of God we have such an awesome hope of an eternal future with God & all His goodness. But we need endurance to reach the end of the marathon race of life. The Christian life is like riding a bicycle - without forward momentum it is almost impossible to stay balanced. The hope we have in God keeps us moving forward.
“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast….” Heb 6:19
Our spirit is sure & true but it’s our soul – our mind, will & emotions – that is subject to the fluctuations of the moment. The Bible “hope” could easily be translated to “intensely expected” & therefore read Hebrews 11:1 as
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for (or intensely expected), the evidence of things not seen.”
This kind of hope is more of a knowing than the natural hoping. When you know a thing, you are anchored within your mind, will & emotions & no matter what may happen, you will not be shifted by the storms of life or a lie posing as truth, you can remain anchored with inner strength which is sure & steadfast. Now this is the substance that faith is made of.
Faith is not believing that God can, but it’s knowing that He will.
When Jesus was put under accusations: He was able to stand steadfast & anchor in His purpose because He knew who He was, why He was here & where He was going. (see John 13:1~, 8:13~, 10:22-30 as examples). He is our example in so many ways & we also can have His resolve & attitudes.
What’s your perspective on your trials that come in life?
We live in a hour when your faith, your thoughts, your strength, your words will be tested. God’s Word says that a trial or distressing situation in our lives is actually an opportunity for greater strength to be built into our life?
In 1 Peter 1:6-7 says that the testing of the genuineness of your faith is much more precious than gold. Strength comes from exercise & your confidence in Gods promises comes from standing on His Word & seeing it work in your life. Out of your faith victories, inner strength in your mind is developed & your soul is anchored. It’s what Paul talks about in Rom 12:2 – your mind is transformed or changed on a matter. James says to be very joyful when trials come upon you knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience or endurance [Jm1:2-3]. Don’t be double minded, know for sure for yourself! Read Ps 27:13-14.
What do you say about who you are? About your health, relationships, finances, future, Gods promises to you, your ‘blood-bought’ rights etc.??? Do you hope them to be true or do you know these to be true?
Out of knowing the truth comes great strength that can’t be stolen away from you. Out of knowing comes confidence, faith & the ability to stand & declare a matter that will cause things to change …. The ability to live to live the abundant life that Jesus made available to us that believe.
The Apostle John prayed that our soul would prosper [3 John 1:2]. Why? Because we need to be able to stand anchored steadfast in the truth of what it means to be God’s child. Able withstand adversity to not only finish our own race strong but assist others in doing the same. We are the church, the army of God & it is our purpose in Christ to do Our Fathers will; just like Jesus did.
Strength comes from repetition of exercise; therefore daily feed your soul with the truth of who you are in Christ & what you have now & in the eternal future by reading/meditating on His Word, praying in tongues & taking one day at a time as you march forward from victory to victory, being lead by the Spirit of God.
Prove His Word to you to be absolutely true; beyond a shadow of doubt, for yourself & never look back at double-mindedness again. All Heaven is waiting to back you up!
You will have eternity to celebrate your life’s victories.
Ray Price
Have an awesome and blessed week.
Pastor Stuart & Colleen.