"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE FACING A CRISIS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE FACING A CRISIS"

1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:

1. We never know when a crisis or a fiery trial will hit us. But we do know what God tells us in
1st Peter 4:12 Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

He tells us first of all, that we are "Beloved" That is, we are His beloved, He loves you. Secondly, He tells us how to react, and this is really needed, because we tend to react in a way that is not going to help us. Here's what God says, 1Pet 4:12b do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; Or, don't be surprised, as if some surprising thing has happened to you. Jesus told us, John 16:33 "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So, Jesus said, these things would come, and Peter says don't be surprised when they do.

2. Now, on to what God says through Paul in Romans. This is such an encouragement to us, especially when these fiery trials come, or when we absolutely have no idea of what is happening, or why it's happening, or when it's going to be over, ( if it ever will )
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. So, let's break this down a little bit.

(1) There is something we know.
(2) What we know is that all things work together for good.
(3) We know that this is true for those those who love God.
(4) We know that this promise is true for those who are called according to His purpose.

3. So, when You reflect just a little bit on both of these wonderful verses, we are encouraged to understand two basic truths.

(1) Don't be surprised as if this difficulty is "some strange thing" that is happening to you.
(2) Know and rest in the fact, that God is in control, and He is working all this together for good.

4. As wonderful as these verses are, they must be "believed" And when we believe or trust in God, we do indeed find peace within ourselves, even though the fiery trial may continue on and even get more fiery.

5. I have learned in 41 years of knowing the Lord, that two things are very true about God.

(1) He cannot lie, so, everything He says is true.

(2) He indeed does work all things together for good in my life.

When you are going through or are in the middle of a fiery trial, you of course are in it, and and you are not at the end of it. So, you don't have any perspective, except that something has changed. All was calm and well, and now it's not. But, just be patient in tribulation, and wait on the Lord, believe Him, and You will soon be moving through the trial, and eventually, most likely, you will come out of it, and now you will be looking back at what You went through, and You will be praising God for what He has done in Your life.

So, hang in there, be patient, be trusting in the goodness of the Lord. He is faithful, and He has a plan and purpose for your life. He loves You very, very much, and He desires to work in you, so, He can then work through You.

A prayer:

Father, we have found You to be a truthful God. You are unable to tell us anything but the truth.
Thank You for being that way, and thank You for giving us so many explanations about life in Christ, and so many promises to believe and hang on to during the tough and troubling times we go through. So, Thank You. And, we today, want to pray for ourselves if we may happen to be going through a trying time, that Your Word would comfort, encourage, and instruct us. And, we also want to pray for others we know who may be going through the fire. Lord You know, and You are capable of ministering to their souls, and we pray that You would, in Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HEAVEN"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT HEAVEN"

Col 3:1 If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:

1. Paul starts verse 3:1 by stating a fact. The word "if" really means "since." So, since you have been raised to new life with Christ. This is what happened to you when you first believed in Jesus Christ. You were raised from being dead in your sins into new life with Christ. You see, He has been raised from the dead, never to die again, and God has placed you in Jesus, and thus you have new life in Christ. You were raised into new life in Christ.

2. Now, please notice what is said next about what you are to seek,and where Christ is. Col 3:1b "seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God." Another way of saying this, is now that you are a believer, " set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power." That's what it means to seek those things which are above. We move forward now in our new life by setting our sights on the realities of heaven. And, that is where Jesus is bodily, visibly seated. He is right next to the Father, seated at His right hand. We are to keep Christ as the primary focus of our lives.

3. Paul further explains what he has just said, by saying in Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Or to put it another way, " Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth." Let heaven fill your thoughts, that one truth, , and secondly, do not only be thinking about things down here on earth"

So, something to do, and something not to do.
One connected with heaven, and one connected with earth. Our thoughts can be directed by us, it's our choice. God wants us to be blessed, and one way is to fill our thoughts about where He is, and where many of our loved ones are, and where we are going. We can rejoice in hope of the glory of God, and what a rejoicing it truly is. Can you think of any better place than Heaven?

4. And, now the final explanation from Paul about all that he has been saying. Col 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. What he means is this, "You ( the old you ) died when Christ died, and your real life ( the new you ) is hidden with Christ in God. This verse is what I would call an "identity" verse. It speaks to your identity now that You have believed.

(1) For you died. Yes, You are still alive physically, but, spiritually, the old you, the person you were before coming to faith has died. It's not easy to understand, thats for sure. But, the Bible says, that Christ our representative died for our sins, and when we come to Him, we also have died. So, your old life is over.

(2) Your new life is hidden with Christ in God. That's where you are now. You have been placed into Christ. This took place also upon your conversion, the Holy Spirit placed you into the body of Christ. You are in Jesus. And Jesus is with God, thus, You are "hidden with Christ in God"

4. So, let's take one last look at these 3 very telling verses about who you are, where you are, and what you are to do, and what you are not to do, only this time, here they are in the NLT Version.

Col 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits at God’s right hand in the place of honor and power.

Col 3:2 Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.

Col 3:3 For you died when Christ died, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God

A wonderful joy fills our hearts when we take God's Word to heart. I pray that You do, and that His joy fills you to overflowing.

A prayer:

Father, You are in Heaven. Jesus is in Heaven, and we have been placed into Christ. And, You are calling us to let heaven fill our thoughts, versus the only thinking about the things that are down here on this earth. The decision to follow Your Word has a transforming affect upon our lives.

We may only be able to think about heaven now, but before we know it, our thinking will turn into seeing. I can hardly wait. Thank You Father for the hope of Glory. In Jesus name. Amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WITH PRODIGALS"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WITH PRODIGALS"

Luke 15:20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

Some explanatory thoughts/application and a prayer:

1. We are breaking into this story almost towards it's end. In fact, the boy had come to the end of himself as well. Or as Jesus tells it, "when he came to himself". The son had reached a point of where he finally came to his senses.

2. Selfishness, lack of respect, and disobedience as was the case here, I believe were what drove this young man to do what he did. And, it got him into much trouble. The Bible says, in Job 4:8 "My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same"
And, that's what had happened to this young man.

3. But, he finally had enough of it. He came to his senses and starting heading home, having figured out what he was going to say to his father. But, he had a surprise waiting for him. And, that surprise is found in Luke 15:20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.

4. Notice please the part of 15:20 that says, "And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming" Now what do you suppose that means? Let me tell you what I recently read from one very respected commentator, Dr David Jeremiah. I'm paraphrasing here a little, but he said, "it's believed that what the father would do day by day, was leave his property, and go a great distance off where he could get a good view of the surrounding horizon, and the road that anyone would most likely travel on if they were coming to his place. And, he would day by day, go there and look to see if his son was coming down that road."

5. What a grand picture of our Father in heaven, and His vigilant eye if you will looking for those who have wandered away and are wasting and ruining their lives. So, for all the pain you may feel, and all the wishing you have in your heart, and all the praying you do for your prodigal(s) please know God is right there with you, and He is looking as well. He wants them home.

6. Prayer is not unheard by God when it's in line with His will. We know that He does not want anyone to perish, and we know that He wants all men to come to repentance. and we know that repentance is a gift from God, and that it's the goodness of God that leads someone to repentance. And, we know that Christ's work on the cross was for the sins of all men, and that God loves your prodigal(s) just as much as He loves You or me, or anyone else for that matter.
And, we know that persistence in prayer is very Biblical. So, let's keep praying for them.

A prayer:

Lord, that is our prayer. We pray for their return to You, and to their loved ones. Nothing is impossible with You Lord. Please give comfort to the broken hearts of parents, siblings, spouses, and so on. Thank You for Your graciousness, and Your unending love and mercy, and the power of Your Goodness, to lead them to repent. We pray that You would pour Your goodness into their lives, bring that work of conviction into their hearts, remove the blindness that Satan may have placed, and show them Jesus, and His great love for them. Bring them to Yourself Lord, and then to their families in Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOING TO HEAVEN AND SEEING THE LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT GOING TO HEAVEN AND SEEING THE LORD"

Rom 13:11 And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.

Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Rom 13:13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

Some explanatory thoughts/application and a prayer:

1. Paul is talking in these verses about how we ought to be living in light of the fact that we are nearer now ( to seeing the Lord, and being in heaven ) then when we first believed. Let's take a look at what he has to say.

2. In light of the fact that we are now nearer, or as it says in 13:11b "for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." then, we ought to be walking in the ways the Lord has taught us to walk. And, in this case, though they are not listed here, the previous verses Paul is referencing have to do with loving one another. We ought to be loving one another is the idea.

Here's how it reads in the NLT Rom 13:11 Another reason for right living is that you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. So, to just look at it again. Today, we are closer to being with the Lord, seeing Jesus face to face, being in heaven than when we first believed. Question. When did you first believe? How long ago was it? What a blessing to realize how much time has elapsed since then, and you are that much closer to seeing the Lord.

3. Here are the next few verses that explain in clear detail how we are to be living now, since we are closer to seeing the Lord, but, we are not there yet. Here's a picture of the Christian life.

Rom 13:12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

Rom 13:13 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

Rom 13:14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

4. A quick look at what he has just said.

(1) Our old life is over, and we are in our new life now. So, in light of who we are, let's put off the ways of darkness, and let's put on God's armor of light, i.e put on, or clothe yourself in Jesus Christ. The idea here, is that your life is short, it's almost over in the sense that time flies. You will be with the Lord sooner than you can imagine if you will. So, while you are here, don't live in the dark ways you used to live in. Put the evil things of the past out of your life, get rid of those evil things and deeds. Get rid of them just like if you were taking off dirty clothes.

(2) Now that you are a Christian, live a decent life, and live truthfully in everything You do. Let your life be something that any and everyone can be affirming of, and approving as the right way to live. Don't get involved in wild parties, getting drunk, and living in adultery and sexual sins, or any type of immoral living. Don't be fighting, and don't be jealous of others. Be content where the Lord has placed You. Live to please Him.

(3) Now that You are saved, "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" Or let Jesus control your life, let Him take the wheel you might say. Relinquish the control of Your life, day by day to Him. Be a disciple who follows and obeys Him. And, don't allow your imagination to come up with ways and ideas of how to fulfill your evil desires. When that type of thinking starts to come into your mind, just push them out, and ask Jesus to take over, and He will.

5. Well, even just reading through this devotional, has taken a few minutes, and now you are that much closer to seeing the Lord than when you first started reading. And, we have God's Word to tell us how to live as we wait to see Him.

A prayer:

Father, first of all, thank You for sending Jesus to die on the cross for our sins, to pay for our sins, to take our punishment upon Himself, and not have to pay for our sins ourselves. We owe our salvation to You, and gladly want to praise You and to thank You. And, then Father, thank You that there is a new way to live, not only are we new creatures in Christ, but we have a whole new way to live while we wait to see Jesus. Thank You for laying it out so clearly in the Word of God. You have given us Your Word, and we want to not only hear You, but be also be doers of Your Word. We pray that You would indeed use our lives. In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT DRAWING NEAR TO GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT DRAWING NEAR TO GOD"

James 4:8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

James 4:9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Some explanatory thoughts/application, and a prayer:

1. James tells us in no uncertain terms that we can draw near to God. In fact, he tells us to do that, "Draw near to God" And, then there is this promise that God will draw near to you. Or "Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you" So, it can happen. We are to come near to God, and he will come near to us.

2. The next very clear statement is a two-fold action on our part. And, it deals with our hands, and our hearts.

(1) We are to cleanse our hands. Or we are to wash our hands, to make them clean, to purge and to purify our hands. Which means in a moral sense to free ourselves from defilement, and to purify ourselves from wickedness, to dedicate ourselves not to sin, but to God. God has provided a way for this to happen. 1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

(2) We are also to purify our hearts you double minded. To purify our hearts, is to make ourselves morally clean. This gets right down to the heart of where we live, our very core. We can become morally unclean through sin. In our spirit's or in our minds that is. So, James is saying in this entire verse to clean up our actions, and to clean up our thoughts, or our inner life. They are both part of who we are, and they both need to be dealt with if we are to draw near to God.

He also uses the term double-minded. This term means wavering, or to have divided interest. To be uncertain, and doubting. So, he is saying to be undivided and focused in your walk with the Lord. To put Your faith in Jesus Christ, and leave it there, and not waver back and forth, but be steady and focused.

3. Finally, James says that if we do what we ought to do, then we can be sure that God will draw near to us. God will draw close to you. God wants to have this relationship, but sin will put distance between us and God, and once sin is dealt with in our lives, then it opens the way for a closer relationship with God, and that of course is what God wants for each of His children.

4. There are two other verses in this section. Let me just list them, and may they just encourage you as they are very self-explanatory, and very encouraging.

James 4:9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.

Essentially these verses are calling for repentance and for humility. And we are promised that if we humble ourselves, and if we repent and get our lives right with God, that God will lift us up, or draw near to us, and we to Him.

A prayer:

Father, thank You for encouraging us. You are the great encourager of Your children. You love us more than we can know this side of heaven. You do not condemn us, but rather, You want us to be free from sin, and to be free from pride, and to walk as closely with You this side of heaven as we can. Someday, we will not need this instruction, for we will be with You in heaven, and there will no longer be any sin or evil, and we will forever be close to You. But, down here, we need to constantly re-align ourselves, and You have encouraged us to do so, and You have promised to bless us with intimacy with You.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE KEY TO A FULFILLED LIFE"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE KEY TO A FULFILLED LIFE"

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Luke 9:24 “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.

Luke 9:25 “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?

Some explanatory thoughts/application and a prayer:

1. Jesus is not explaining how a person gets saved, but rather is giving us the requirements for what is called "Discipleship" or being a learner, which is by the way exactly what He desires you to become. He wants You to learn all that He has taught, so that You can grow in your walk with the Lord.  Here are the requirements, and then we will look at the benefits or the consequences of becoming a disciple. "

2. Here are the requirements, and then we will look at the benefits or the consequences of becoming a disciple. "

(1) A person has to have the "want to", or as Jesus says, the "desire" He says, “If anyone desires to come or follow after Me" Luke 6:23b. So, if you have the desire to do this, then Jesus is going to explain how to do it, and what will happen in your life.

(3) A christian must  "l him deny himself " Luke 9:23c Let him deny himself, means, letting your desires and goals in life, take a back seat to what the Lord wants for your life. Let His will be supreme and first in your life.

(4) The second  requirement is "pick your cross daily"  This means death to your desires and to your will day by day. Simple as that.

The cross to a person listening to Jesus was not mistaken about what Jesus was saying. Today we often hear people mistakenly say, "That is my cross to bear" when referencing some difficulty or persistent problem in their life. But, Jesus was not talking about the difficulties in a person's life. He was saying, let your desire be put to death. Day by day, a Christian is to make the decision to say "death to what I want to do, and I give myself to the Lord, to do His will.

(5) The third requirement is "follow Me" This means just what it says. Follow Him. Some have said, it can best be understood, when you think of getting on the same road as Jesus day by day, and traveling along that road. In other words, Just abide with the Lord, stick with Jesus. It means to accompany Jesus. Be with Him.

3. Here's how Luke 9:23 reads in the NLT  Then he said to the crowd, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross daily, and follow me.

4. Now on to the reasoning the Lord gives, which also explains the blessings of being a disciple.

(1) Luke 9:24 If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life. In other words, if you as a Christian, seek to save your life, you don't want to deny yourself and you don't want to pick up your cross, you will lose your life. Or you will not find a happy and a fulfilled life. Why you say?
Because being self willed, instead of God's will for my life, will never lead you to a fulfilled life.

It's only when we live our lives in alignment with what God really wants for us, are we at our happiest. God wants You to be a disciple. But, if you choose not to be, then You are left with yourself, and not with learning about Him, His grace, His mercy, His peace, and His plan for your life.
Which do you think is better, God's plan of Your plan for Your life?

(2) Luke 9:24 And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose or forfeit your own soul in the process? Jesus asks a question here. How do you benefit, or what profit is it to you, if you by chance by doing what you want to do, instead of what Christ wants for you,

You happen to gain the whole world, but lose your own soul, what good would it do You? Or do you think that true happiness is found in the acquisition of "things" Do things make one happy? We all know the answer to that. Things may be a blessing to have, up to a certain point, but things can't make you happy. Maybe things can make your life more convenient but not more happy.

A prayer:

Father, it's a blessing beyond description that You would first of all save us. And, then to know that You want to bless our lives as saved people and the key to that is now following Your son, is such an expression of Your grace. You call us to Christ for salvation, and then You call us to follow Jesus to find the best life we can have on this earth.

We probably all know genuine Christians, who are not happy people, and we know just the opposite as well. Christians who have are are becoming, and on a daily basis are really disciples, learners, followers of Jesus and not of their own wills and desires. Lord, that is what we want for ourselves, and those in our church body, and those we know in our life who know You.  In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.