Archive for the ‘Hope’ Category
28
Mar
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Bluegrass, Christian, Christianity, Easter, evangelism, Faith, forgiveness, Hope, Music, Religion, simplicity, spiritual, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Christian, Christianity, church, faith, life, religion, truth. Leave a comment
Pine Mountain, Kentucky
I was born in the small town of Harlan, deep in the Appalachian Mountains of southeastern Kentucky. Southeastern Kentucky has close ties to parts of western West Virginia, southwestern Virginia; western North Carolina; and eastern Tennessee. The entire region has a distinct culture that includes its own spoken dialect, cuisine and music. The mountains, culture and good people living there get in your blood and they’re impossible to forget, no matter how long or far one roams. The regional music, widely known as Bluegrass, traces its roots back to Ireland, Scotland and England.
I find the music particularly enjoyable. Bluegrass is notable for its combination of stringed instruments—specifically the banjo, mandolin and fiddle. Acoustic guitar and upright bass are common as well. The music is also notable for many singers who care more about belting out the lyrics than staying in tune. My affinity for Bluegrass music is something my wife tolerates, but doesn’t quite understand. I’m particularly fond of the Bluegrass Gospel subgenre. I grew up hearing it at home, at church and places all around our home.
Gospel Bluegrass tells the story of Jesus Christ as only mountain people can tell it. If you’re not familiar with this music, it’s only fitting that I introduce you to it with a piece by Bill Monroe, who is commonly recognized as the “Father of Bluegrass.” Since this is Holy Week, a good place to begin exploring is:
Were you there (when they crucified my Lord), performed by Bill Monroe. It describes the feelings that many of the onlookers at Jesus’ crucifixion must have felt.
https://youtu.be/5EHP5Nj2BdE
Power in the Blood, performed by Dolly Parton. It’s impossible to discuss Bluegrass music without the name of Dolly Parton coming up. Dolly is a Tennessee girl whose voice is perfectly suited for the genre. Her song of redemption discusses the power of Jesus’ blood to wash away our sins. “There’s power in the blood of the Lamb.”
https://youtu.be/B1CV-HtsMvc
I’m ready to go, performed by Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Ricky Skaggs, a Kentucky native, is a multi-talented musician with a Bluegrass legacy dating back to the days of Lester Flat and Earl Scruggs. Skaggs’ group Kentucky Thunder has a powerful, fast-paced style. The group’s rendition of I’m ready to go is about salvation through Jesus Christ. I promise it’ll get stuck in our head. “Jesus came in and saved my soul from sin, Hallelujah I’m ready to go.”
https://youtu.be/pjrJKnVmQwQ
The darkest hour is just before dawn, performed by Emmylou Harris. Alabama native Emmylou Harris has proven herself in a variety of genres, including folk, rock, country and Bluegrass. She slows down the tempo with a Ralph Stanley salvation song. “Lay down your soul, let Jesus in.”
https://youtu.be/_r0FtxqR9Pc
One can’t listen to Gospel Bluegrass without hearing a song about eternal life in heaven that’s promised to Christ’s believers. Here are two examples. The Stanley brothers slow it down with their rendition of Angel Band. Alison Kraus and Gillian Welch pick it up with I’ll Fly Away.
Angel Band, performed by the Stanley Brothers. “Bear me away on your white wings to my immortal home.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIHFxIQfSxc
I’ll fly away, performed by Alison Krauss and Gillian Welch. “Some glad morning when this life is o’er, I’ll fly away, to a home on God’s celestial shore.”
https://youtu.be/sdRdqp4N3Jw?list=PL3BDAEBE555FB3CBF
Go Rest High on that Mountain, performed by Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, and Alison Krauss. No discussion of Gospel Bluegrass music is complete without Vince Gill’s epic Go Rest High on That Mountain, a song he penned in response to the death of country music singer Keith Whitley. Gill, an Oklahoma boy, is a talented songwriter, singer and guitarist whose work spans Bluegrass, country and rock. His Bluegrass skills come out in this performance. “Go to heaven a shoutin’ love for the Father and the Son.”
https://youtu.be/NwFiWCUkk4M
So there you go—my guided tour through some of my favorite Bluegrass music that just happens to be Gospel. If you’re having trouble deciding how to introduce someone to the Gospel message of Jesus Christ, just head to YouTube, Spotify or one of your favorite streaming services and play them some Gospel Bluegrass music. “Hallelujah, I’m ready to go!”
24
Dec
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in Bible, Christianity, Christmas, Hope, Religion, Salvation, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Christian, Christianity, faith, government, life, ministry, religion, truth. 1 comment
“Oh come let us adore him!”
“My dear friends, on this Christmas . . . let us seek, in the Babe of Bethlehem, the One who came to us in order to bear with us everything that weighs heavily upon us. . . . God Himself has built a bridge from Himself to us! A dawn from on high has visited us!”
Rev. Martin Niemoller
Dachau Concentration Camp, Germany
Christmas Eve, 1944
Isaiah 9:1-7 For to Us a Child Is Born
But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
2 The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness,
on them has light shone.
3 You have multiplied the nation;
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as they are glad when they divide the spoil.
4 For the yoke of his burden,
and the staff for his shoulder,
the rod of his oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
5 For every boot of the tramping warrior in battle tumult
and every garment rolled in blood
will be burned as fuel for the fire.
6 For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Click for a Christmas message from the Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSs4Nk1RlOw&feature=youtu.be
30
Oct
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Daily Devotional, Freedom, Gifts, health, Health Care, Hope, Simple Living, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Christian, Christianity, Friends, health, life, religion. 2 comments
Count your many blessings, name them one by one.
—Johnson Oatman Jr.
Our Daily Bread is one of the daily devotionals I read regularly. A recent piece by David Roper titled Stage by Stage, focuses on the Old Testament book of Numbers 33. The chapter tells us God commanded Moses to write down the story of the Jews’ 40-year pilgrimage that began with escaping from slavery in Egypt and ultimately took them to the plains of Moab, a strip of land that today is part of Jordan.
Roper speculates that God’s reason for commanding Moses to document this pilgrimage was to allow the Jews to “…retrace that journey in their thoughts and record God’s faithfulness at each location.” The Seder meal the Jews celebrate to mark the beginning of Passover is closely tied to Numbers 33, which seems to support’s Roper’s argument. Each course of the Seder meal recalls an event in God’s liberation of the Jews from slavery in Egypt, as told in the book of Exodus.
God is truly faithful and His faithfulness alone is blessing enough—but there are so many additional blessings in our lives if we will simply look for them. Focus determines attitude. I’m no spring chicken, so I’ve developed a few medical problems over the years, like having four root canals. What a blessing to have a root canal! What did people do a hundred years ago?
I could focus on other, more lingering medical problems and quickly become depressed as I grow older. Instead, I’ve tried to heed the lesson of St. Paul who says in Philippians 4:11 (NIV), “…I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.”
Focus on the positives in life and you’ll find your blessings. For those of us fortunate enough to live in the United States and other developed countries in the West, it shouldn’t be difficult to compile a long list of blessings. Think about it!
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ’tis the gift to be free… (From “Simple Gifts, a traditional Shaker tune by Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr., 1848)
During my military career I spent some time in Saudi Arabia. Unless you’ve been there, I could never begin to explain how lacking in personal freedom the average Saudi people are. Saudi Arabia reminds me how blessed we in the Western World are to simply be free.
Westerners can turn on a faucet and draw a drink of clear, clean water. This truly is a blessing that most people take for granted. Serving in Somalia when I was in the Army drove the point home, as I watched Somali workers building a bridge drawing water directly from the muddy Juba River and drinking without disinfecting it. I’m frequently reminded of this blessing when I take a drink of cold water.
Westerners can walk into a grocery store and find food in abundance that, 200 years ago, would have made the great kings of Europe envious. Here in my hometown of Sioux Falls, S.D., we even have a Christian ministry called The Banquet that serves free meals to anyone who walks in the door—no questions asked (https://thebanquetsf.org/).
My family and friends are all blessings to me. Proverbs 5:18 tells men to “rejoice in the wife of your youth” (NIV). I’ve been blessed with nearly 40 years of marriage to my wonderful wife who I met when I was 17 years old. We have both been blessed by children and grandchildren.
I have a good number of dear friends, some of whom I’ve known since high school. When I say dear friends, I’m talking about the ones I could easily trust with my money, my house keys, and caring for my children.
One such friend was recently involved in a head on collision. He was banged up pretty badly, but I’m blessed to still have him around. I have a couple of friends who have died. I was blessed to have had them in my life. I have another friend who has been blind for life; he taught me what a blessing it is to simply be able to see.
Comedian and actor Bill Murray recently received the Mark Twain Award for humor from the Kennedy Center. He grew quite emotional during his acceptance speech and closed by saying to the ceremony attendees: “Look at each other. Look at who we are. Look at how we are all together here right now. Alive! That’s pretty good, right?”
Bill Murray gets it! Do you?
“Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare.”
–Psalm 40:5 (NIV)
27
Mar
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, Daily Devotional, Easter, Faith, forgiveness, Freedom, Hope, Salvation, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christian, Christianity, church, faith, God, hope, Peace, religion. 1 comment
“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!”
The resurrection of Christ by Raphael
1 Corinthians 15 (ESV), The Resurrection of Christ
15 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. 3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
The Resurrection of the Dead
12 Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. 20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
May God bless you and keep you on this holiest of days!
17
Mar
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Daily Devotional, depression, discipline, end times, Faith, Hope, ISIS, Islamic State, Oswald Chambers, Religion, simplicity, Uncategorized. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christian, Christianity, faith, Fear, God, hope, Peace, politics, religion, simplicity, worry. 1 comment
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” —John 14:1-3 (ESV)
The daily news is filled with hate and violence. The Islamic State (ISIS) is conducting a systematic genocide of Christians and other minority religious groups in Syria and Iraq. Iran routinely threatens to destroy the state of Israel. North Korea recently threatened a preemptive nuclear strike against the United States for what its leader perceived as threats.
Here at home the anger in many Americans is palpable. Violence is increasingly occurring at political events as the presidential election approaches. Respect among diverse people and groups in our society is waning. Many American Christians feel persecuted. Sometimes it seems as if God is no longer welcome in our society.
With all of the bad news it’s easy to become disheartened if you lose sight of the big picture. However, Christians may take comfort in the assurance that GOD IS STILL IN CHARGE. He reigns supreme in this World. “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.” (Psalm 103:19)
The world may turn its back on Christ today, but a time of reckoning will come. Hebrews 12 reminds us that God is “slow to anger,” but his wrath is a “consuming fire.” God commands a kingdom that “cannot be shaken.” Neither should we be shaken when we hear of all the troublesome things happening in the world today.
God’s perfect plan is being played out in our lives, even though it might not be clear to us today. Speaking of the future, St. Paul reminds us, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
The heart trouble Jesus speaks of in John 14 is a spiritual problem for which He is the only cure. Let not your hearts be troubled! When we take our eyes off of Christ, the heart troubles begin. Christians must stay focused and avoid getting caught up in the daily distractions. As St. Paul encourages us, fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith! (2 Timothy 4:7)
Perseverance means more than endurance— more than simply holding on until the end. A saint’s life is in the hands of God like a bow and arrow in the hands of an archer. God is aiming at something the saint cannot see, but our Lord continues to stretch and strain, and every once in a while the saint says, “I can’t take any more.” Yet God pays no attention; He goes on stretching until His purpose is in sight, and then He lets the arrow fly. Entrust yourself to God’s hands. –Oswald Chambers
26
Feb
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, budgeting, Choices, depression, discipleship, Faith, family, Fear, fitness, Hope, isolation, loneliness, simplicity, Uncategorized, Unemployment. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christianity, faith, Fear, hope, Prayer, religion, simplicity, Unemploment, Unemployment. Leave a comment
In the Day of Trouble I Seek the Lord
Today millions of Americans are facing the challenges of unemployment or under employment. These can lead to fear, frustration, depression and even physical illness. However, they also present opportunities for growth.
When you’ve lost your job or find yourself in a job that is not self-sustaining, a whole-person approach is needed as you strive to improve your situation. I like to use the “Wheel of Life” to help illustrate this. The circles on the outside of the wheel represent six areas of one’s life that contribute to the whole we refer to as “self.” Neglecting any of these puts the entire wheel out of balance, leaving one struggling and feeling out of sorts.
Wheel of Life
Family and Social Life. A period of unemployment or underemployment opens the door to opportunities in each the six areas on the wheel of life. It is a good time to spend extra time with family, renew old connections with friends and build your social network (which will improve your chances of finding self-sustaining employment). Don’t forget to have some fun!
Physical Conditioning. It also provides an opportunity to improve your physical condition through proper exercise, sleep and nutrition. It is a wonderful chance to shed a few pounds and look your best for your next interview..
Career and Financial. Dedicate some of your extra time towards education. You don’t necessarily need to pick up another degree or certification. Focus on learning something that will help make you more employable. Perhaps you can focus on improving your Microsoft Office software skills. There are free training courses galore on the Internet. If you need to improve your speaking skills, you could join the local Toastmasters chapter. The possibilities are endless.
Finances. Being unemployed or underemployed is also the perfect time to work on improving your finances. Perhaps you’ve been talking about downsizing your household. Start by selling off things you don’t really need. Put together a new budget, trying to reduce frivolous spending. Try keeping close track of where your money actually goes. You might be surprised at how most of it gets spent.
Mental. Take time to relax and stretch your mind. Put down your phone, turn off the computer and TV, and pick up a challenging book that you’ve always wanted to read. Spend some time with people who challenge your way of thinking. Visit an art gallery or museum that would not normally be of interest to you.
(Read Psalm 77: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2077&version=ESV)
Spiritual. Lastly, Psalm 77 provides a simple, yet perfect framework for approaching the spiritual realm when you’re unemployed or under employed. When things aren’t going your way, it’s comforting to be reminded God has not and will not abandon you. The Psalmist finds comfort in reflecting on how God helped his people in the past. We should follow his example.
Pray fervently—then pray again. The Psalmist prayed throughout the entire night. He felt abandoned by God. He spoke what was on his mind. We can be totally honest and open with God, telling him about our feelings, our fears, our doubts and our desires. We can ask him any question. Because Jesus suffered every temptation we have faced and felt every emotion that we have felt, we are free to discuss our deepest thoughts and feelings with God. Through Jesus’ experiences, God the Father has firsthand experience with everything we might face in our lives (v.9-10)
“We tend to use prayer as a last resort, but God wants it to be our first line of defense. We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all. Most of us would prefer, however, to spend our time doing something that will get immediate results. We don’t want to wait for God to resolve matters in His good time because His idea of ‘good time’ is seldom in sync with ours.” ― Oswald Chambers
Recall how God has blessed you in the past. The Psalmist did not simply spill his heart out to God. He thought about everything the scriptures say regarding what God has done for his people in the past. God blesses those who have faith in him (v. 11). Too often we dwell on what God hasn’t done for us rather than being thankful for the multitude of blessings he has provided.
Focus on the future. Think positively about your situation, hopes and desires. What is God teaching you? What is His will for your life? Make a list of Biblical promises you can identify about your future? (v. 13)
Reconsider your present circumstances. Ask God to strengthen your faith as you strive to cope with unemployment. Remind yourself that you can always trust His promises (v. 14). Share your experience with others.
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. ―Hebrews 4:16
12
Sep
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, budgeting, Christianity, Fear, Hope, peace, rest, terrorism. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christian, Christianity, cofidence, faith, Fear, Peace, rest, terrorism. 2 comments
Matthew 14:22-33
I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. —Isaiah 41:13 (ESV)
Many people today are afraid. Constant fear is slowly become part of the human condition. It’s running rampant right here in America.
The majority of Americans now believe that their children’s lives will be harder than their own. They worry about unemployment and the economy. Many fear illegal immigrants. Others are afraid to gather in public places for fear of violence.
Why wouldn’t people be afraid? The media and many politicians thrive on instilling fear in the public.
On a cosmic scale we hear about giant solar flares that could destroy technology, pushing humankind back into the Stone Age. A large meteor or asteroid collisions could destroy the Earth.
In our natural world, super volcanoes threaten to cause destruction on a planetary scale. Earthquakes and tsunamis in diverse places threaten thousands of lives. Global warming could cause killer storms, droughts, melting ice, coastal flooding and forest fires.
On the human plane, many people fear terrorism. Others worry about flesh eating bacteria, brain eating amoebas, and drug resistant bacteria and viruses. Some hunker down in their homes, worried about riots, violence by/against the police, and mass murders making public places unsafe. Some fear that computer hackers will steal their identities and wealth. There are wars and rumors of wars. Religious persecution is increasing around the globe.
There are two types of fear mentioned in the Bible. The first is fear of the Lord. This fear is not associated with being frightened. It is a reverential awe of God and is to be encouraged. According to Psalm 111, fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and leads to rest and peace.
The second type of fear is detrimental. In the first chapter of 2 Timothy it is described as a “spirit of fear.” A person can be completely overcome by a spirit of fear, virtually frozen and unable to function. Such fear weighs a person down physically, emotionally and mentally.
Unfortunately, many Christians have succumbed to a spirit of fear. Some fear those of other religions and are reluctant to reach out to them in Christian love. Some fear those who are different from us culturally or racially. Some of us are hesitant to invite those in need into their lives for fear they might lose something or it might cost something. Some are afraid to leave the comfort of their homes and familiar surroundings in order to reach out to the needy. Others are hesitant to give of their wealth for fear they might later find themselves in need. A few are afraid of just about everything.
Christian fears often boils down to a fear of losing something—possessions, comfort, safety, security. In Philippians chapter 3, verses 7-8 (ESV), St. Paul describes how he has let go of the things of this world in order to focus on what is truly important:
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
It is impossible to grasp the outstretched hand of Christ as long as we tightly cling to things of this world. David tells us in Psalm 34 verses 4-7 (ESV):
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.
This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them.
Take the fears before you today and give them to the Lord. You may be facing a health crisis, unemployment, divorce, a call to missionary service, or other difficult challenges. The best first step in any situation is to cast aside your fears—let go and let God!
“The remarkable thing about God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” —Oswald Chambers
25
Feb
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, discipleship, discipline, Faith, Fear, Hope, joy, Music, Religion, Simple Living. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christianity, discipline, faith, hope, joy, simplicity, worry. Leave a comment
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come.”
A few years ago singer-songwriter Bobby McFerrin composed a great little song titled “Don’t worry be happy.” His lyrics advise us:
In every life we have some trouble
When you worry you make it double
Don’t worry, be happy!
Sounds like some sound advice doesn’t it? However, McFerrin might have better named his tune “Don’t worry be joyful.” Joy and happiness are often used interchangeably, but there is quite a difference in their meanings—especially for Christians.
Happiness is an emotion that arises from external factors, either objects, circumstances or other people. Many people chase after happiness, often taking incredible risks to capture this elusive prey. From the beginning of time man has sought happiness through a variety of means—romance, travel, adventure, possessions, work, wealth, fame, power, good looks, drugs, sex and countless others—but all fall short. As King Solomon tells us in Ecclesiastes, all these are “vanity.”
Chasing after happiness is like chasing a wave at the beach. You might get your hands around it for a moment, but it eventually slips through your fingers because happiness is fleeting. Attaining lasting happiness is impossible in a fallen world, where decay, sickness and death visit everyone. Even Jesus is, as Isaiah tells us, a “man of sorrows.” Upon his shoulders God placed the burden of the sins of all mankind.
Joy, on the other hand, comes from within. One characteristic of Christian joy is a growing feeling of confidence in God’s promise that He will never forsake us. For mature Christians, finding joy is possible even during the unhappiest times because as our faith grows we come to understand that God will carry us through every time of tribulation. This is illustrated clearly by Paul and Silas, who we see praying and singing hymns to God in Acts 16, only a short time after they have been beaten and unjustly thrown in prison.
Along with Christian joy comes a sense of contentment. St. Paul describes this in Philippians 4:11-13:
“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (ESV)
As Christians mature and learn to be content in the various situations they find themselves, their worries will begin to dissipate when they place them in God’s hands. The American poet and diplomat James Russell Lowell said, “Let us be of good cheer, remembering that the misfortunes hardest to bear are those which will never happen.”
Worry is a waste of time that would be more wisely spent devoted to prayer. The next time you find yourself worrying about something, get on your knees and lift those worries up in prayer. Don’t worry, be joyful!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. —Romans 15-13 (ESV)
Click-to-Listen: “Don’t Worry be Happy” by Bobby McFerrin.
17
Sep
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, budgeting, Christianity, discipleship, Faith, Hope, love, materialism, Poor, Poverty, Prayer, Religion, Simple Living, Unemployment. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christian, Christianity, church, Evangelism, faith, God, Gospel, intimacy, poor, Poverty, Prayer, small groups, trust, Unemploment, work, Works. Leave a comment
Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he who hides his eyes will get many a curse.
—Proverbs 28:27
After enduring over 10 years with a dismal economy, many Americans today find themselves in perilous positions far exceeding anything they could have imagined. The middle class is quickly shrinking, leaving a fractured nation that is increasingly becoming a land of haves and have-nots.
The average American family has somewhere around $5,000 in savings, placing them in a position where losing a job can mean losing nearly everything. Paying big mortgages, which is common for young working couples today, often depends on the salaries of two working spouses. Only two or three missed paychecks can lead to foreclosure! To stay afloat they tap into savings and then into retirement accounts, darkening their prospects for the future while also paying the federal government large tax bills for early retirement withdrawals.
The global economy has given rise to large companies having loyalty neither to their country of origin nor to their employees. Workers are increasingly becoming disposable commodities that are brushed into the trash bin like rubbish on a picnic table.
Highly educated and experienced working professionals who lose their jobs and end up turning to the government for assistance are common today. In my job working with the unemployed, I’ve heard far too many lament, “I never imagined that I could end up in this situation.” This must change.
Churches, especially those in large urban areas, are often unaware of the financial struggles of individuals and families in their area—even when the strugglers are members of the church. Too many churches have lost touch with early traditions.
The scriptures speak frequently about caring for those who share the faith. This is an essential part of discipleship that helps the church set its own house in order. In Acts chapter 6, the Apostles appointed seven deacons to assist in the distribution of food to local widows, who were followers of Christ. James 1:27 tells us,
“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (ESV)
Even clearer guidance comes straight from the mouth of our Lord in John 13:34-35:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Building a healthy church family is essential. Brett Eastman has served as the small groups champion in several of the largest mega churches in the country including Pastor Rick Warren’s Saddleback Church. Eastman writes:
“If you want to create a church community that really cares for one another, the best way to do it is through small groups. When small groups become the vehicle for care-giving, the whole church gets involved in sharing one another’s burdens—a much more personal approach than relegating the task to a committee. The whole congregation should be making hospital visits, taking meals to people when they’re sick or something’s happened, doing childcare when someone’s in crisis and giving money when somebody’s lost a job.”
Small groups in churches set the conditions for encouraging personal intimacy and trust building—essential elements of loving Christian relationships. Only by sharing our hopes, fears, cares and concerns do we really get to know other believers well.
Small groups also enable churches to develop many outreach ministries. One way to quickly make a difference is by reaching out to Christian charities in your church’s local area. These organizations are always in need of volunteers, financial supporters, prayer warriors and other resources. The possibilities are endless. You can’t take care of everybody, but you can take care of somebody.
Look closely and see that behind the face of every downtrodden man and woman is the face of Christ.
–Oswald Chambers
26
Jul
Posted by Zachary P. Hubbard in advice, Bible, Christianity, control, depression, Fear, Hope, isolation, peace, Politics, Religion, Unemployment, war. Tagged: advice, Bible, Christianity, control, fairness, faith, Fear, politics, religion. 3 comments
Read Psalm 42
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. —John 14:27 (NIV)
Watching the evening news these days can be depressing. In fact, it’s getting so bad that some people try to hide themselves from what is going on around them. Recently I’ve heard several people say they no longer watch the news because they just can’t stand hearing about all of the problems in this world. Just look at what’s happening today!
- NASA recently reported its scientists have determined that a massive solar storm in 2012, which narrowly missed making contact with Earth’s atmosphere, had the potential to radically alter life on our planet. A direct hit would have disabled nearly every satellite in orbit and crippled the global electric power grid. According to NASA, we would still be “picking up the pieces” some two years later. The National Academy of Sciences estimated, “the total economic impact could exceed $2 trillion or 20 times greater than the costs of a Hurricane Katrina.”
- Things are heating up in the Ring of Fire region around the Pacific Rim. New volcanic activity and earthquakes are making headlines weekly. With every undersea earthquake comes a tsunami panic. Doomsday prophets warn of a gigantic volcanic eruption that could fill the planet’s entire atmosphere with ash and darken the skies, causing an ice age. Others warn of global warming and climate change, while still others are raising an alarm about global cooling. What is one to make of it all?
- Ukraine and Russia are on the brink of an all out war that could threaten stability throughout Eastern Europe and beyond. A Malaysian airliner was recently shot down by a surface-to-air missile over Ukraine, killing all onboard. Russia and Ukraine blame each other for the mishap. Meanwhile, there is talk of a second Cold War between Russia and NATO.
- The so-called Arab Spring uprisings, which some dreamers believed would bring a new era of peace and freedom to the people of the Middle East and North Africa, has backfired. Egypt, Libya and Syria are on the verge of implosion and total chaos. Terrorist activity in Syria is spilling across the border with Turkey, a NATO member, threatening to drag all of NATO into the fray.
- In Iraq, a hitherto little known group of Sunni Muslim militants called ISIS is conducting a rebellion that has captured large swaths of the country and threatens to collapse the government, reversing all of the gains paid for with American blood and treasure for over a decade. Christians there are increasingly being persecuted by ISIS. The growing abuse of Christians is not unique to Iraq, however. Believers are under fire in Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Syria, Pakistan, India, Vietnam and China just to name a few places. Some would even argue there is an anti-Christian movement afoot here in the United States, where it sometimes seems that Christians are the only unprotected group in our society.
- The Israeli military has moved in force into its semi-autonomous Gaza Strip territory in response to months of rockets fired by Palestinians at Israeli cities. As always, security problems in Israel have the potential to rapidly blossom into larger problems extending beyond her borders.
- China and Japan are rattling their sabers over a territorial dispute involving the Senkaku Islands, an uninhabited chain in the East China Sea. The islands are surrounded by rich fishing waters and have significant natural gas deposits. The current dispute reaches back to World War II. China, Japan and the United States have all controlled the Senkaku Islands at various times in history. The United States, which is heavily in debt to China and bound by treaty to assist in the defense of Japan, finds itself between a rock and a hard place in this argument.
- Speaking of debt, the U.S. economy is in horrible condition as a result of decades of uncontrolled borrowing and spending by federal legislators. Jobless rates across the nation are staggering. People desperately seeking work find themselves frustrated and disillusioned. With a rapidly shrinking middle class, America is quickly becoming a nation of haves and have-nots. There is growing talk of a total economic collapse that could make the Great Depression look like a walk in the park.
News like this has the potential to make anyone depressed. It sometimes appears as if the world is increasingly growing out of control—but it isn’t. It only seems out of control to those suffering from the delusion they can control it. Many politicians and businessmen are constantly planning and scheming, trying to make things go their way. Sometimes it seems as if they’re succeeding, but their victories are only illusions.
In fact, God has been in control all along. He is in control now and always will be. As Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, He is the same “yesterday, today and forever.” The Bible is filled with examples where God snatches victory from what appears to be certain defeat.
- Moses, the adopted child of Pharaoh’s daughter, was chosen by God to lead the Hebrew people from bondage in Egypt.
- As a youth, David the shepherd boy overcame the fearsome Philistine giant Goliath in direct combat, thereby saving the children of Israel from certain defeat.
- While captives in Babylon, the children of Israel were freed and allowed to return to their land by Cyrus the Great, the King of Persia, after his armies conquered Babylon.
- Saul, the greatest persecutor of the Jews in Jesus’ time, was described to Ananias by Jesus as God’s “chosen vessel” (Acts 9). Saul the great persecutor of Christians became history’s greatest evangelist.
- From the ashes of the Holocaust the modern Jewish nation of Israel arose.
- And most significantly, Jesus overcame a brutal death on the cross to rise from the dead as the Savior of all mankind.
Christians needn’t worry when they hear bad news. God has promised, “I will never leave you” (Hebrews 13). When standing in the midst of chaos, remember that He is in control.
My assurance is to be built upon God’s assurance to me. God says, “I will never leave you,” so that then I may boldly say, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV). In other words, I will not be obsessed with apprehension. This does not mean that I will not be tempted to fear, but I will remember God’s words of assurance. I will be full of courage, like a child who strives to reach the standard his father has set for him. The faith of many people begins to falter when apprehensions enter their thinking, and they forget the meaning of God’s assurance— they forget to take a deep spiritual breath. The only way to remove the fear from our lives is to listen to God’s assurance to us. —Oswald Chambers
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” —2 Thessalonians 3:16-17 (NIV)
Twila Paris – God is in Control (Click to listen)
Divine Simplicity 
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