A Closer Walk
Growing hope. As people who have been saved by grace, we of all peoples should be filled with hope. We Christians have been Redeemed by the Blood of The Lamb. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved) … For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:4-5 and 8 NASB. But how do we grow hope?
Growing hope. These two words were the title of an article in a recent issue of Guideposts magazine. The article talked about a farm where people helped grow their own vegetables, got milk, and so forth. The farm also had a cafe where they prepared meals using the produce they had grown. Each member contributed labor to tend the gardens thereby giving them a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. Is it possible that we, you and I, can endeavor to grow hope? Both in ourselves and in our fellow man?
In relation to this I heard recently about a family that has what might be called a “family fund.” Each family member that wishes to participate contributes something every month as they desire. Aunts, uncles, cousins, Mom and Dad, brothers and sisters, contribute something to this fund every month as they desire. Some more, some less. When a family member becomes aware of a need or a place to help or a way to minister, they contact the rest of the family and as a group they decide where and how they might best help. And because of their individual contributions they have the funds available to do so. What a neat idea! Any of us could do something similar. By ourselves or in cooperation with family members. This of course would be contributions over and above our usual tithes and offerings. But it is certainly a way to serve our God and serve those who may have fallen on hard times or are experiencing some type of calamity or disaster. What a neat idea!
How do we grow hope within ourselves? Reading God's Holy Word and seeing the Promises of God contained there would be a quick, easy, and simple way to do that. We can be assured that whatever our Lord has promised He will do. “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established,” Proverbs 16:3 NASB. “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success,” Joshua 1:8 NASB.
How do we grow hope within ourselves? Listening to hymns and other types of Christian music is another way to grow hope within ourselves. This music nurtures our souls and spirits. It builds us up emotionally and spiritually. Christian music is a type of affirmation for us. Affirmation builds us up; edifies us. And we hear the promises of God in Christian music. “How great Thou art ...” “There is power in the blood...”. “It is well With my soul ...” Majesty, worship His Majesty ...” Just reading through these lines from various hymns gives our spirits a boost. And each of them tell us different things about our Lord. “To God be the glory, great things He hath done ...” Our God doing anything for us is wonderful. Our God doing great things for us is even more wonderful.
How do we grow hope within ourselves? Serving our Lord in and through our church is another way. And so is serving our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as serving our fellow man. A family fund to serve, help, and minister? What a neat idea!
“Standing on the promises that cannot fail. When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. Standing, standing, Standing on the promises of God, my Savior; Standing, standing, I'm standing on the promises of God.” Words and music by Russel Kelso Carter 1849-1928.
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“How great Thou Art.” The hymn we know as “How Great Thou Art” comes from a Russian version of an English translation of a German translation of the poem “O store Gud” (O great God) from which “How Great Thou Art” is derived. “O store Gud” was written by Carl Gustav Boberg of Sweden. “There is Power In The Blood” written by Lewis E. Jones, 1865-1936. “It Is Well With My Soul,” words by Horatio G. Spafford 1828-1888, music by Phillip Bliss, 1838-1876. “Majesty, Worship His Majesty,” words and music by Jack W. Hayford, born 1936 and still worshiping and serving the Lord at age 87. "To God Be The Glory," words by Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915, music by William Howard Doane, 1832-1915.