Written by Monica Hernandez on June 25, 2009
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Today we mourn the loss of two icons in the entertainment industry: Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson, who was preparing for a comeback on stage after a long sabbatical.
And I received an email from a dear friend who wanted me to shed some light on the realities of life and death. He wrote: “...we are told to plan for our future, but here is something difficult for me to understand; why should we suddenly pass away even in the midst of our dreams and goals for our future? Doesn’t God understand? Why does He not allow us to complete our plans and be able to enjoy what we envision?”
The truth is that we do not have any control over the length of our days on planet earth, yet we do have some degree of control over the choices we make in our daily living. Though we are never sure how our plans may turn out, yet we need to make them and work towards making our dreams come true. Other than that, we would be like feathers in a storm and that is no good for us. This is one of the realities of life.
And though we do not have all the answers to the sudden passing away of people we love and admire, and others too, yet it helps us to reflect on our own lives and celebrate who we are and what we can do to be a living example of good in this life.
Further, it helps to point our thoughts to our Creator, and look at ourselves and consider how we can make our lives worthwhile to Him and His Kingdom, the world at large, our family, friends and our generation, and trust God to bring it to pass.
What are your thoughts on this? I invite your comments...
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Today is the first day of the rest of my life and I vow to make my life worth living.
PRAYER: “Dear God, help me to discern your will for my life and help me to follow through. Amen.”
—Monica
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PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org Telephone: 416-744-9745.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Lessons From Samson and Delilah - Rule Your Spirit
Written by Monica Hernandez on June 18, 2009
_________________________________________________
At Proverbs 16:32, the Scriptures tell us that “he that rules his spirit is better than he that takes a city.” This speaks of discipline or self-control, which is a fruitage of the Spirit, and is a quality we all need to build. And as we carefully examine this matter, we see that ruling our spirit involves knowing what is priority and having the discipline to execute it.
Yet, truthfully, we cannot build discipline in our lives all by our selves but God can help by accomplishing it in us, if we ask Him and follow through on His directions.
Consider Samson. It is clear that concerning his relationship with Delilah, Samson was not thinking of consequences. Sadly, he lacked discipline. Just so, in many instances of our lives, we too, lack discipline. And in contemplating this story, it is wise that we consider challenging circumstances in our lives and consequences for our thoughts, feelings, attitudes and behaviour.
What can we learn from Samson’s lack of self-control? In this life we often encounter Delilah-like people who present themselves to us in various ways and one of them is to distract us from doing what is right. They try to lure us away from our good intentions in various ways and for just as many reasons. Those Delilah characteristics cause us to lose our focus and give up our most treasured possession: our position as believers and followers of Christ.
How can we build self-control? Is this easy to do by ourselves? In Samson’s moments of need, he knew he could not muster up strength on his own and also knew it was wise to ask God for it. Just the same, God would have helped him gain self-control if he had considered it a priority and earnestly asked for wisdom, discernment and self-control in his life, long before his tragedy struck.
Is there something you know you ought to be doing in your life? Is there some direction you know you ought to be following? Is there some special gift or anointing God has placed in your life? Are you ruling your spirit and nurturing that anointing or are you like Samson, not ruling his spirit, and not being a good steward of what God had blessed him with? As you contemplate these questions, prayerfully ask the Spirit of God to guide and counsel you.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When we discipline ourselves and nurture God's anointing on our lives, He rewards us for our faithfulness (Luke 19:17).
PRAYER: "Lord, grant me the discernment to know what is right and the strength to do it. Help me Lord, to cultivate discipline in all areas of my life. Amen."
—Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
_________________________________________________
At Proverbs 16:32, the Scriptures tell us that “he that rules his spirit is better than he that takes a city.” This speaks of discipline or self-control, which is a fruitage of the Spirit, and is a quality we all need to build. And as we carefully examine this matter, we see that ruling our spirit involves knowing what is priority and having the discipline to execute it.
Yet, truthfully, we cannot build discipline in our lives all by our selves but God can help by accomplishing it in us, if we ask Him and follow through on His directions.
Consider Samson. It is clear that concerning his relationship with Delilah, Samson was not thinking of consequences. Sadly, he lacked discipline. Just so, in many instances of our lives, we too, lack discipline. And in contemplating this story, it is wise that we consider challenging circumstances in our lives and consequences for our thoughts, feelings, attitudes and behaviour.
What can we learn from Samson’s lack of self-control? In this life we often encounter Delilah-like people who present themselves to us in various ways and one of them is to distract us from doing what is right. They try to lure us away from our good intentions in various ways and for just as many reasons. Those Delilah characteristics cause us to lose our focus and give up our most treasured possession: our position as believers and followers of Christ.
How can we build self-control? Is this easy to do by ourselves? In Samson’s moments of need, he knew he could not muster up strength on his own and also knew it was wise to ask God for it. Just the same, God would have helped him gain self-control if he had considered it a priority and earnestly asked for wisdom, discernment and self-control in his life, long before his tragedy struck.
Is there something you know you ought to be doing in your life? Is there some direction you know you ought to be following? Is there some special gift or anointing God has placed in your life? Are you ruling your spirit and nurturing that anointing or are you like Samson, not ruling his spirit, and not being a good steward of what God had blessed him with? As you contemplate these questions, prayerfully ask the Spirit of God to guide and counsel you.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When we discipline ourselves and nurture God's anointing on our lives, He rewards us for our faithfulness (Luke 19:17).
PRAYER: "Lord, grant me the discernment to know what is right and the strength to do it. Help me Lord, to cultivate discipline in all areas of my life. Amen."
—Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Lessons From Samson and Delilah - Samson’s Prayer
Written by Monica Hernandez on June 11, 2009
____________________________________________
Samson prayed a remarkable prayer. In the midst of his trials, he called unto the Lord and said: “O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once...” (Judges 16:28).
Samson knew that God was the Source of his great strength and knew the secret of its sustenance. He also knew he could not erase that unguarded moment when he lost his anointing to Delilah’s questioning, but he knew that he could make up for his mistake by humbly calling on God to “remember him” in a time when he wished to demonstrate his strength again.
God was faithful and honoured Samson's prayer.
Does God ever forget His children? There are times when we think God has forgotten us, be it about our skills and talents, prosperity, healing or just His presence, but He never forgets us and is always near us, awaiting our recognition. What we might call God’s forgetfulness is our forgetfulness of who God is and what He can do. Sometimes, too, we are the ones who forfeit His blessings through carelessness and taking His gifts for granted. When in trouble and distress, if only we would reach out to Him in earnest prayer, He will make His presence known. Remember that He is faithful and His mercies are new every morning
In essence, Samson was saying: “O Lord, bless me again...let me feel your presence in my weakness one more time...”
Are you now going through a time when you think God has forgotten you? Truly, though you are sensing a lack of His presence, He has not forgotten you. However, when like Samson, you earnestly call on Him, He will again manifest His presence in ways you might hardly imagine today.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When we earnestly seek God, He re-visits his gifts. God can restore to me whatever gifts I seem to have lost.
PRAYER: “Heavenly Father, remember me with every spiritual gift You have given me in times
past. Restore them unto me, I pray. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.”
—Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
____________________________________________
Samson prayed a remarkable prayer. In the midst of his trials, he called unto the Lord and said: “O Lord God, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once...” (Judges 16:28).
Samson knew that God was the Source of his great strength and knew the secret of its sustenance. He also knew he could not erase that unguarded moment when he lost his anointing to Delilah’s questioning, but he knew that he could make up for his mistake by humbly calling on God to “remember him” in a time when he wished to demonstrate his strength again.
God was faithful and honoured Samson's prayer.
Does God ever forget His children? There are times when we think God has forgotten us, be it about our skills and talents, prosperity, healing or just His presence, but He never forgets us and is always near us, awaiting our recognition. What we might call God’s forgetfulness is our forgetfulness of who God is and what He can do. Sometimes, too, we are the ones who forfeit His blessings through carelessness and taking His gifts for granted. When in trouble and distress, if only we would reach out to Him in earnest prayer, He will make His presence known. Remember that He is faithful and His mercies are new every morning
In essence, Samson was saying: “O Lord, bless me again...let me feel your presence in my weakness one more time...”
Are you now going through a time when you think God has forgotten you? Truly, though you are sensing a lack of His presence, He has not forgotten you. However, when like Samson, you earnestly call on Him, He will again manifest His presence in ways you might hardly imagine today.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When we earnestly seek God, He re-visits his gifts. God can restore to me whatever gifts I seem to have lost.
PRAYER: “Heavenly Father, remember me with every spiritual gift You have given me in times
past. Restore them unto me, I pray. In Jesus' name I ask it. Amen.”
—Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Lessons From Samson and Delilah - Samson's Plight
Written by Monica Hernandez on June 4, 2009
___________________________________________
I must apologize for not keeping my postings up to date in the past few weeks. Part of it is that I was away from late March to April in sunny Trinidad in the Caribbean, and since I came back, I find myself being bombarded by several distractions and obligations that got the better of me. However, here I am today with some lessons I have learned from the story of Samson and Delilah.
Some time ago, I did an in-depth study of the principles within that story and gained some insights about them, which I will share with you, my readers, in the weeks to come. I feel sure you know the story, and even if you don’t, you can read all about it in the Book of Judges, chapter 16.
Samson was a man of great physical strength given to him by God to defeat the Philistines but he lost it by giving in to pressure from Delilah to tell her the secret of his strength and what would deplete it. Delilah was persistent, and in a weak moment, Samson gave in to her pressure. He revealed the secret of his strength and Delilah won the battle. She told Samson's secret to her people, and Samson was captured and made a prisoner to the Philistines.
Samson knew his great strength was a gift from God but he took it for granted and failed to protect it from the people he was supposed to defeat. When he yielded to Delilah's questioning he lost not only his strength but also his eyes and was enslaved by the Philistines. The issue here is that Samson was "sleeping with the enemy" and paid a terrible price for that. And something similar is relevant to each of us today.
We see that Samson had great physical strength against the enemy but no moralistic strength. Instead, he was a victim of sensual weakness which caused him to compromise God's gift to him. When he needed his strength most he discovered that "the Lord was departed from him." The Bible says: "And he awoke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him" (Judges 16:20). What a tragedy!
In this life we will always meet Delilahs in various disguises: people who openly fraternize with us but are inwardly against us. Often, they pressure us with ideas that are not right for us and the means of the pressure are always subtle. And our yielding to pressures from people whose ideas are not right for us will always cause us to take our minds off God and into spiritual blindness, bondage and destruction.
The characteristics of Delilah present themselves to us in various ways and one of them is to distract us from what is right by preying on our weakness. Those Delilah characteristics cause us to lose our focus and give up our most treasured possession: our strength and position as a child of God.
In this story, Delilah represents anyone or anything we allow into our lives that would usurp the anointing and gifts that God has bestowed upon us. Samson sacrificed his ideals, and thus sacrificed his gift of unusual strength. The same thing will happen to anyone today who fails to give proper attention to God's gifts in their lives.
Can you imagine how Samson felt when he discovered he was deceived by Delilah? Can you imagine how he felt when he realized that his strength was not there when he needed it most? Can you imagine how he felt, realizing that the moment of his folly could not be re-captured and erased?
What can we learn from Samson's plight? We can learn not to fraternize with people and circumstances that are not right for us. We can learn not to compromise who we truly are but guard the anointing and gifts God has blessed us with. We can learn not to let enemy forces win.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: In this life we are to guard the anointing that God places in our lives.
“Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gifts you have placed in my life. Help me to keep them and use them for your glory and your Kingdom. Amen.”
— Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
___________________________________________
I must apologize for not keeping my postings up to date in the past few weeks. Part of it is that I was away from late March to April in sunny Trinidad in the Caribbean, and since I came back, I find myself being bombarded by several distractions and obligations that got the better of me. However, here I am today with some lessons I have learned from the story of Samson and Delilah.
Some time ago, I did an in-depth study of the principles within that story and gained some insights about them, which I will share with you, my readers, in the weeks to come. I feel sure you know the story, and even if you don’t, you can read all about it in the Book of Judges, chapter 16.
Samson was a man of great physical strength given to him by God to defeat the Philistines but he lost it by giving in to pressure from Delilah to tell her the secret of his strength and what would deplete it. Delilah was persistent, and in a weak moment, Samson gave in to her pressure. He revealed the secret of his strength and Delilah won the battle. She told Samson's secret to her people, and Samson was captured and made a prisoner to the Philistines.
Samson knew his great strength was a gift from God but he took it for granted and failed to protect it from the people he was supposed to defeat. When he yielded to Delilah's questioning he lost not only his strength but also his eyes and was enslaved by the Philistines. The issue here is that Samson was "sleeping with the enemy" and paid a terrible price for that. And something similar is relevant to each of us today.
We see that Samson had great physical strength against the enemy but no moralistic strength. Instead, he was a victim of sensual weakness which caused him to compromise God's gift to him. When he needed his strength most he discovered that "the Lord was departed from him." The Bible says: "And he awoke out of his sleep and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the Lord was departed from him" (Judges 16:20). What a tragedy!
In this life we will always meet Delilahs in various disguises: people who openly fraternize with us but are inwardly against us. Often, they pressure us with ideas that are not right for us and the means of the pressure are always subtle. And our yielding to pressures from people whose ideas are not right for us will always cause us to take our minds off God and into spiritual blindness, bondage and destruction.
The characteristics of Delilah present themselves to us in various ways and one of them is to distract us from what is right by preying on our weakness. Those Delilah characteristics cause us to lose our focus and give up our most treasured possession: our strength and position as a child of God.
In this story, Delilah represents anyone or anything we allow into our lives that would usurp the anointing and gifts that God has bestowed upon us. Samson sacrificed his ideals, and thus sacrificed his gift of unusual strength. The same thing will happen to anyone today who fails to give proper attention to God's gifts in their lives.
Can you imagine how Samson felt when he discovered he was deceived by Delilah? Can you imagine how he felt when he realized that his strength was not there when he needed it most? Can you imagine how he felt, realizing that the moment of his folly could not be re-captured and erased?
What can we learn from Samson's plight? We can learn not to fraternize with people and circumstances that are not right for us. We can learn not to compromise who we truly are but guard the anointing and gifts God has blessed us with. We can learn not to let enemy forces win.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: In this life we are to guard the anointing that God places in our lives.
“Heavenly Father, I thank you for the gifts you have placed in my life. Help me to keep them and use them for your glory and your Kingdom. Amen.”
— Monica
******************
PRAYER SUPPORT
******************
Are you facing challenges? In need of prayer support? Send us an email about your prayer needs and we will come into agreement with you for the wonder-working power of God in your life.
Email: prayer@newvisionministry.org
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Questions You Wanted To Ask -Three
QUESTION: Is there really a heaven? And a hell?
ANSWER: We often hear that heaven and hell are right here upon this earth and that there is no other heaven or hell to be experienced. And though I do agree to some extent that heaven and hell are right here on this earth (because we do experience some reflections of both heaven and hell in our lives and affairs), I also believe there is a place or dimension in eternity called heaven, and if there is a “place” called heaven, there is also a “place” called hell.
Heaven is a place of peace, love and harmony profound, and hell is just the opposite...
The Bible teaches that:
• Heaven is a place; it is the abode of God (Psalm 103:19). It says: "The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens and His kingdom ruleth over all..." indicating that heaven is a place of sovereignty.
• When Jesus’disciples asked: "Lord, teach us how to pray," Jesus began His prayer with "Our Father, which art in heaven..." indicating that our Father is in a place called "heaven."
• Job 22:12 says: "Is not God in the height of heaven..." indicating God’s habitation is in the highest of the highest place in eternity.
• Revelation 4:1-5 tells us that "a door was opened in heaven"... and "a throne was set in heaven" indicating that there is a place called “heaven” where God dwells, and within His habitation there is a throne.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us that “if we humble ourselves and pray to God, He will hear from heaven...” and heal our circumstances.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: A citizenship in heaven is the pearl of great price; it is the greatest citizenship to possess.
(c) Monica Hernandez, Th.D.
ANSWER: We often hear that heaven and hell are right here upon this earth and that there is no other heaven or hell to be experienced. And though I do agree to some extent that heaven and hell are right here on this earth (because we do experience some reflections of both heaven and hell in our lives and affairs), I also believe there is a place or dimension in eternity called heaven, and if there is a “place” called heaven, there is also a “place” called hell.
Heaven is a place of peace, love and harmony profound, and hell is just the opposite...
The Bible teaches that:
• Heaven is a place; it is the abode of God (Psalm 103:19). It says: "The Lord hath prepared His throne in the heavens and His kingdom ruleth over all..." indicating that heaven is a place of sovereignty.
• When Jesus’disciples asked: "Lord, teach us how to pray," Jesus began His prayer with "Our Father, which art in heaven..." indicating that our Father is in a place called "heaven."
• Job 22:12 says: "Is not God in the height of heaven..." indicating God’s habitation is in the highest of the highest place in eternity.
• Revelation 4:1-5 tells us that "a door was opened in heaven"... and "a throne was set in heaven" indicating that there is a place called “heaven” where God dwells, and within His habitation there is a throne.
• 2 Chronicles 7:14 tells us that “if we humble ourselves and pray to God, He will hear from heaven...” and heal our circumstances.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: A citizenship in heaven is the pearl of great price; it is the greatest citizenship to possess.
(c) Monica Hernandez, Th.D.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Magnify The Good
Did you ever notice that in every happening in life there are different sides we can see? Even in adversity, there is at least one positive element (maybe hidden), and if we are discerning, we will find it. And when we find it, we can choose to magnify it by praising God. This increases our blessings.
Think. Things are never totally adverse but it is our sense of always wanting things our way that keeps us complaining about things happening in our lives, which we do not like. But when we practice seeking out the positive and magnifying it by continually thinking about it and praising God for it, we will find release.
When someone hurts our feeling or when adversity happens in our lives, we are prone to focus on more negative things that can happen, however, within every situation, never mind how adverse it seems and within every person, never mind how adverse he or she might seem, there is something good and that good is an expression of God.
When we recognize the good and magnify it, we are breaking through negative patterns of thought. We are then making life more comfortable for ourselves and others. We lose nothing but gain blessings because we would realize the truth that “all things work together for good to them that love God...” (Rom. 8:28) KJV. And that is true, even if within those pesky situations we find lessons to be learnt.
Is there something adverse taking place in your life? Take a second look at it and practice magnifying whatever is good about it. Practice magnifying the good in various parts of your life and in all people and as you grow in this practice your good will continue to expand into blessings you might hardly imagine at this time.
You magnify the good by recognizing it and praising God for it.
When adverse situations arise, you have a choice either to become frustrated, or become hopeful and trust God for the best outcome for you and all concerned. Today, make a commitment to thank God for at least the lessons learnt from your adversity.
SUGGESTED READINGS: Genesis 50:19,20; Psalm 22:3; Romans 8:28.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When I magnify the good in my life, my blessings increase.
“Dear God, help me to see your hand in every scene in my life. Amen.”
© Monica Hernandez, Th.D.
Think. Things are never totally adverse but it is our sense of always wanting things our way that keeps us complaining about things happening in our lives, which we do not like. But when we practice seeking out the positive and magnifying it by continually thinking about it and praising God for it, we will find release.
When someone hurts our feeling or when adversity happens in our lives, we are prone to focus on more negative things that can happen, however, within every situation, never mind how adverse it seems and within every person, never mind how adverse he or she might seem, there is something good and that good is an expression of God.
When we recognize the good and magnify it, we are breaking through negative patterns of thought. We are then making life more comfortable for ourselves and others. We lose nothing but gain blessings because we would realize the truth that “all things work together for good to them that love God...” (Rom. 8:28) KJV. And that is true, even if within those pesky situations we find lessons to be learnt.
Is there something adverse taking place in your life? Take a second look at it and practice magnifying whatever is good about it. Practice magnifying the good in various parts of your life and in all people and as you grow in this practice your good will continue to expand into blessings you might hardly imagine at this time.
You magnify the good by recognizing it and praising God for it.
When adverse situations arise, you have a choice either to become frustrated, or become hopeful and trust God for the best outcome for you and all concerned. Today, make a commitment to thank God for at least the lessons learnt from your adversity.
SUGGESTED READINGS: Genesis 50:19,20; Psalm 22:3; Romans 8:28.
THOUGHT FOR TODAY: When I magnify the good in my life, my blessings increase.
“Dear God, help me to see your hand in every scene in my life. Amen.”
© Monica Hernandez, Th.D.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Keep Your Hopes Alive
by Monica Hernandez
William Shakespeare, the famous English poet once wrote: “Cowards die a thousand times before their deaths. The valiant taste of death but once.” Let it also be said that people without hope or with a dull, weak hope die just as many times.
A life without hope is like a stagnant pool, wide open for destructive forces to come in and play, keeping such a life in bondage to failure and despair. It is an existence of cowardice, filled with fear to hope or dream, in direct contrast to the life of the valiant who live by hope and keep it alive. At 1 Cor. 9:10, we read: "For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope” The above text is saying that “when we plow (or work), it should be in hope (for its rewards)” and “when we thresh in hope we should be recipients of what we hope for.” This speaks of expectancy.
Have you been disappointed concerning your hopes and dreams? What are you hoping for? Better finances, a better employment, a marriage, better living quarters, specific changes in your life? Do you hope for your son or daughter or loved one to come off drugs or false appetites, a healing in spirit, soul or body, mending of a breach between you and others?
Oftentimes, the fear to hope or dream is the result of former dashed hopes. The very things that we had deeply hoped for had eluded us at every turn.. We might have caught a glimpse of those things we hoped for but as we reached out to grasp them, somehow they get pushed away. This experience can be very frustrating and there are few occurrences that can be compared with that.
Yet, there is hope to overcome dashed hopes.
The good news is that your hope can be rekindled and kept alive. The Scriptures tell us that hope is an anchor to the soul. And what does an anchor do? It keeps a boat or ship from moving about—keeps it steadfast. The power of God within you, your hope of glory, is an anchor that is alive and ready to keep you strong, and steadfast. It will keep you from moving hither and thither. The power of His hope within you will banish sorrow, and help you sing new songs.
At Psalm 42:5, David, the psalmist spoke to himself, asking himself why he was so sad and disquieted but immediately consoled himself with the words “...hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for his help.” The tone of this psalm reveals deep despair but David knew the remedy for that emotional sickness. He affirmed hope to his soul in a roundabout way. He knew his help would come from God, the only One who could help, and commanded his soul to hope.
How can you rekindle dashed hopes and keep them alive? The first thing to know is that life moves in cycles and seasons and your despair will not last forever. You can go to the Scriptures, find all the promises of God and feed your soul upon them, cultivating steadfastness, perseverance and a continual expectancy. Last, but not at all least, you can revisit your old dreams and goals, seeing them in your mind's eye as accomplished, with a new depth of belief.
Consider David’s thoughts in his condition: “I will yet praise Him for the help of His countenance...” David knew that praise to God for who He is and what He can do is the greatest spiritual remedy for a downcast or disappointed soul. Like David, keep that picture alive in your mind that one day “you will praise Him” for the fulfillment of your hopes and dreams. Let that become a self-fulfilled prophecy to you. As you revisit long-past dreams, do so in vivid detail and rekindle your emotions about them.
When despair tries to overwhelm you, remind yourself that the darkest hour is just before dawn and your new day will come. Cast aside fear and doubt, and never let your dream die.
A woman I know, whom we shall call Linda was married for eleven years and had hoped for a child. She had prayed much about her desire over the years. Just about the time she was twelve years married, Linda conceived and brought forth not one child but two. She was blessed with a beautiful son and daughter.
My hope for you is that you will rekindle dashed hopes and keep them alive by your focus and your prayers. And I say with Paul:“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Suggested Readings: Psalm 31:24, Psalm 33:18-19, Psalm 39:6-7, Psalm 42:5, Psalm 146:5-9, Romans 4:17-18, Hebrews 6:19.
Reflection: Hope is an anchor to my soul. Hope comforts and strengthens my soul. Hope banishes sorrow. Quietly hoping in the Lord sets me free from anxiety, disappointment and pain. My hope is in God who performs all things for me.
“Dear God, you are dealing bountifully with me in every area of my life and I thank you for your love and mercy---all is well and I give thanks. Amen.”
William Shakespeare, the famous English poet once wrote: “Cowards die a thousand times before their deaths. The valiant taste of death but once.” Let it also be said that people without hope or with a dull, weak hope die just as many times.
A life without hope is like a stagnant pool, wide open for destructive forces to come in and play, keeping such a life in bondage to failure and despair. It is an existence of cowardice, filled with fear to hope or dream, in direct contrast to the life of the valiant who live by hope and keep it alive. At 1 Cor. 9:10, we read: "For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope” The above text is saying that “when we plow (or work), it should be in hope (for its rewards)” and “when we thresh in hope we should be recipients of what we hope for.” This speaks of expectancy.
Have you been disappointed concerning your hopes and dreams? What are you hoping for? Better finances, a better employment, a marriage, better living quarters, specific changes in your life? Do you hope for your son or daughter or loved one to come off drugs or false appetites, a healing in spirit, soul or body, mending of a breach between you and others?
Oftentimes, the fear to hope or dream is the result of former dashed hopes. The very things that we had deeply hoped for had eluded us at every turn.. We might have caught a glimpse of those things we hoped for but as we reached out to grasp them, somehow they get pushed away. This experience can be very frustrating and there are few occurrences that can be compared with that.
Yet, there is hope to overcome dashed hopes.
The good news is that your hope can be rekindled and kept alive. The Scriptures tell us that hope is an anchor to the soul. And what does an anchor do? It keeps a boat or ship from moving about—keeps it steadfast. The power of God within you, your hope of glory, is an anchor that is alive and ready to keep you strong, and steadfast. It will keep you from moving hither and thither. The power of His hope within you will banish sorrow, and help you sing new songs.
At Psalm 42:5, David, the psalmist spoke to himself, asking himself why he was so sad and disquieted but immediately consoled himself with the words “...hope thou in God for I shall yet praise him for his help.” The tone of this psalm reveals deep despair but David knew the remedy for that emotional sickness. He affirmed hope to his soul in a roundabout way. He knew his help would come from God, the only One who could help, and commanded his soul to hope.
How can you rekindle dashed hopes and keep them alive? The first thing to know is that life moves in cycles and seasons and your despair will not last forever. You can go to the Scriptures, find all the promises of God and feed your soul upon them, cultivating steadfastness, perseverance and a continual expectancy. Last, but not at all least, you can revisit your old dreams and goals, seeing them in your mind's eye as accomplished, with a new depth of belief.
Consider David’s thoughts in his condition: “I will yet praise Him for the help of His countenance...” David knew that praise to God for who He is and what He can do is the greatest spiritual remedy for a downcast or disappointed soul. Like David, keep that picture alive in your mind that one day “you will praise Him” for the fulfillment of your hopes and dreams. Let that become a self-fulfilled prophecy to you. As you revisit long-past dreams, do so in vivid detail and rekindle your emotions about them.
When despair tries to overwhelm you, remind yourself that the darkest hour is just before dawn and your new day will come. Cast aside fear and doubt, and never let your dream die.
A woman I know, whom we shall call Linda was married for eleven years and had hoped for a child. She had prayed much about her desire over the years. Just about the time she was twelve years married, Linda conceived and brought forth not one child but two. She was blessed with a beautiful son and daughter.
My hope for you is that you will rekindle dashed hopes and keep them alive by your focus and your prayers. And I say with Paul:“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Suggested Readings: Psalm 31:24, Psalm 33:18-19, Psalm 39:6-7, Psalm 42:5, Psalm 146:5-9, Romans 4:17-18, Hebrews 6:19.
Reflection: Hope is an anchor to my soul. Hope comforts and strengthens my soul. Hope banishes sorrow. Quietly hoping in the Lord sets me free from anxiety, disappointment and pain. My hope is in God who performs all things for me.
“Dear God, you are dealing bountifully with me in every area of my life and I thank you for your love and mercy---all is well and I give thanks. Amen.”
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