"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE TRUE CONDITION OF THE UNSAVED PERSON"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT THE TRUE CONDITION OF THE UNSAVED PERSON"

2nd Corinthians 4:4 Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Paul is explaining the ministry, and in so doing gives us very important insight into the true condition of the unsaved.
In this verse we learn what they are, and why they are the way they are, and what the goal of Satan is in their lives. May this truth help us to have compassion for the lost, and to know how to pray for them.

1. The unsaved man's mind has been blinded.
2nd Corinthians 4:4 Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Normally we think of blindness as being associated with the eyes, but here Paul says their hearts are blinded.
They are unable to see from, and with, their hearts what you and I can see who have already come to faith in Jesus Christ.
They are said to be "who do not believe”. That is their condition, they do not believe. They are unsaved because they have not believed.

2. The unsaved man's mind has been blinded with a purpose.
2nd Corinthians 4:4 Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

Please notice who blinded them and why they are blinded.
2nd Corinthians 4:4 Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

They are blind because the "god of this age”, who is Satan, has blinded them. We are not given much more explanation in the Bible about how he did this, and or how he does it, but he does. He blinds their hearts.

The reason he blinds their hearts is to prevent the light of the gospel, or the truth of the good news of Jesus Christ, from being seen and understood by them.

In order for a person to be saved they must come to an understanding of the gospel and they must believe. Satan makes every effort he can to keep them from seeing, so that they will not have the gospel to believe in.

This verse helps us to see just how perverse and evil Satan is. He is the ultimate spiritual terrorist, and he is actively on the loose doing his work in the lives of the unsaved.

3. The unsaved man's soul can be saved by the light of the gospel shinning into their hearts and believing in Christ.
2nd Corinthians 4:4 Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.

God, and God alone can remove the blindness of a man's soul. God uses prayer and preaching to bring about this ability to see.
He also brings conviction into the hearts of the unsaved.
He brings them to a point where they are convinced that the gospel is the truth they need in order to be saved from their sin, and the coming eternal judgement of God upon them.

May we be encouraged to never give up praying for a lost person. As long as they are alive they stand a chance to have the blindness removed, and for the first time be able to see the truth as it is in Jesus Christ.

Once they see the truth about Jesus, they need to turn to Him, believe in Him, and receive Him, and they will be saved.

Here's how this verse reads in the NLT:
2nd Corinthians 4:4 Satan, the god of this evil world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe, so they are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News that is shining upon them. They don’t understand the message we preach about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

One thing God does is set our hearts to praying for the lost.
Let's not only pray but believe God to save the lost.
There are lost people in our lives.
They can become saved souls.

Questions:

1. How many people right off the top of you mind do you come in contact with daily that are potential believers?

2. How many people in our own church do you think are not yet saved?

3. Do you realize that you were once blinded by Satan?

4. And, together we can thank God that He has opened our eyes to the truth and led us to repentance by His goodness.

5. Will you try to pray regularly for the people in your own church (even if you don't know who they are) to be saved?

6. Do you believe that God wants them to come to repentance and be saved?

7. God hears prayers. Let's be a praying people who don't give up on praying for lost family members, church members, co-workers, friends and neighbors.

A Prayer:

Father, right now, in this very minute, we want to pray for the lost in those categories we have just mentioned. Tomorrow is Sunday, and we will be gathering together to worship You, and perhaps sitting next to us, in front of us, behind us, or several chairs away from where we are sitting. Imagine for just a moment their true condition. They can't see the truth. You can, but they can't. Lord, bring an awakening to our churches, and to the lost in them. Bring an awakening to the saved in our churches who have fallen asleep spiritually, and are sleep walking through life, unaware of what they are doing and what is truly going on around them. Jesus, You have all authority and power in heaven and earth vested in You. Move amongst us, Lord, as only You can do. Save the lost, awaken the sleepers.
And as someone once said about the role of the minister, “he is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable”. May it be so, Lord, may it be so. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SOWING AND REAPING"

Proverbs 22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail.

Proverbs 22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

The Book of Proverbs is God's Book to us, and for us, so that we may have God's wisdom in the practical day to day matters of life.
Literally, there is almost no part of life that is not dealt with in these 31 chapters.
In these two verses, we learn something about what has been called the Law of Sowing and Reaping. In these verses the law, or principle, is connected to the sowing of iniquity of sin, and what one will reap. And, it's connected to the sowing of care for others, being generous in helping others, and the reaping that will take place.

1. There is a principle God has built into life, and we call it Sowing and Reaping.
Paul states this principle clearly in Galatians 6:7-8

Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.

Paul tells us not to be deceived about all this. God will not be mocked. In other words, man is accountable to God in heaven for his actions here below on earth. The principle is simple, and God ensures that this principle is active in life. “For whatever a man sows, that he will also reap”.

The two verses in Proverbs are specific examples of this principle. Two types of sowing and two types of reaping.

2. A man can choose to sow iniquity or live in sin, and he will reap two things.

Proverbs 22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail.

Here's how this reads in the NLT:
Proverbs 22:8 Those who plant seeds of injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will end.

If a man lives in an unjust way, he is planting seeds as he goes.
God tells us that a harvest will come from those seeds.
The harvest will be one of disaster and terror.
And that one day this man's life of sowing injustice will come to an end.

3. Or a man can choose to sow generously, investing in helping others, and he will also reap.

Proverbs 22:9 He who has a generous eye will be blessed, For he gives of his bread to the poor.

This is now the contrast, the other way a man can live or sow as he goes through life.
He can be a man whose life is marked by generosity.
He is said to have a generous eye, or heart.
And that if he is generous he will be blessed.
His generosity is expressed in helping the poor.

Again in the NLT it reads:
Proverbs 22:9 Blessed are those who are generous, because they feed the poor.

How interesting that man wants to keep what he has, but in doing so, he does not find satisfaction.
But on the other hand, if he is caring for others who are in need, he will find himself being blessed.
God has made life to be this way.

Life is more than food and drink, says the Lord.
Life is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14)

Some Questions:

1. Have you had enough experience in life to know the truthfulness of this principle?

2. Have you experienced the emptiness that comes from living a life of iniquity, or sowing iniquity?

3. And, have you experienced the blessing of sowing generously into the lives of other people?

4. God has given us an example to follow. He did not sow iniquity into this world, but rather love as shown by sending Jesus to die on the cross for us. Look what He has reaped, multitudes of children adopted into His family. We who believe are some of them, and we have been made part of an eternal family, all because of God's generosity and grace towards us.

A Prayer:

Father, Your Word is our daily bread. You feed us the truth that renews our minds and gives us a clear path to walk down. You show us what to avoid and what to pursue. You want to bless our lives, it's Your good pleasure to give us the kingdom. You tell us not to be afraid.
You encourage us sow to righteousness while we live here on this earth, waiting to be with You in heaven. It's then that we will reap the greatest blessing of all. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT ENCOURAGING YOURSELF IN THE LORD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT ENCOURAGING YOURSELF IN THE LORD"

Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

As with many of the Psalms this is another one where David is have a very challenging and painful time in his life and ministry.
He expresses the pain in his heart and twice in this Psalm he repeats the verse we are looking at. One of the times has a slight variation but the main point is the same. This is a tremendous prescription for a troubled soul.

1. David spoke to himself about his own soul.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Please notice what David did here. This is a very helpful pattern and example for anyone who is troubled to consider applying in their own life. It's not complicated. It's very simple.
David was speaking to himself about the condition ( which was that his soul was cast down and disquieted )

2. David asked himself two different questions about his own soul.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

In essence David was asking himself why he was do discouraged. And he was asking himself why he was so sad.
Believers down through the ages have found this approach helpful.
It really is slowing everything down and attempting to get focused on what is happening within yourself.
If you are troubled at this time in your life, may I suggest you try doing what David did, and see how God might help you.
You may also want to share this passage and Psalm with a friend who is troubled as well.

3. David then advised himself as to what to do.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

After having questioned himself, he than began telling himself what to do.
What he told himself is simple yet profound and yields great fruit.
He told himself to "hope in God" Or to "put his hope in God"

Who can deny that this is undeniably a win win situation.
The Bible encourages us to put our hope in God.
Psalm 40:4 Blessed is that man who makes the LORD his trust, And does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

4. Finally, David expressed faith that God wast going to help him in his trouble.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

So after have questioned himself, and after having advised himself about trusting in God, David expresses his faith and hope as to what was going to happen.
He knew that beyond his current troubles that he would eventually be praising God.
And he described God as "The help of my countenance and my God"
David regarded God as his Savior and his God personally.

Some questions:

1. Are you in a time of trouble at this time?

2. Have you ever read this Psalm and this verse before?

3. If you have read it before, have you ever really given it any serious thought and consideration as a good example to follow.?

4. Isn't it encouraging to know that when we trust God and put our hope in God that we reap the benefits?

A prayer:

Father You have not hidden from us the realities of life in the people of the Bible. Even King David had his share of troubles.
Thank You for the examples we have to look at, and the lessons we an learn and apply in our own lives.
We pray for ourselves if we are troubled, and we pray for all those in our own church family who may be troubled, that You would lead them to put their hope and trust in You. Help them Lord to look away from their troubles and look intently and consistently at You.
In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO BEING TRIED BY GOD"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO BEING TRIED BY GOD"

Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

But he knows where I am going. And when he has tested me like gold in a fire, he will pronounce me innocent.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

In this as with most sections of Job, Job was simply expressing what was on his heart regarding the tremendous fiery trial he was going through. Also many of the things he said were in response to the so called wisdom that his 3 friends were giving him.
They consistently told him that his problems had to be because of some sin in his life. And, in Job's case this was not the case as it's often not the case with God's people. They could be being attacked as here by the devil, God could simply be allowing a trial to mature and teach His child. Whatever the case may be, what we have in this verse is the expression of faith by a man who was being severely tested.

1. God knows the way that we take.
Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job understood that God understood exactly what was happening in his life. God knew where Job was going.
And so it is with all of us who are in God's Family.
God knows each and every detail, down to the very hairs on our head.
So in the midst of this fiery trial, Job expressed his faith in God.
Job knew that the trial did not in any way change the unchanging reality that God was with Him, and knew Him intimately.
And so it is with you my dear brother or sister in Christ, God is with you also.

2. God tests us, and there will come a conclusion to the test.
Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job also understood ( as best he could ) that what had happened to him, and what was happening to him was a trial, or a testing of his faith.
Additionally Job understood that trials are like seasons, they come and then they go.
So Job was looking ahead as it were to the fact that the trial he was in would come to end.
And this is exactly what happens to all of us in Christ.
We are in a trial and the trial will be over at some time in the future.

3. God will refine those He tests, and they will come forth as gold ( refined and purified gold )
Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

Here Job expresses more than just knowing he was in a trial.
He explains what he knew was going to happen to him through this trial.
He knew what God would do in his life through the means of this trial.
Job was looking ahead to the future, that time beyond the trial.

Job knew that God was refining him, purifying his life, and he likened what he would become to what happens to gold when it is heated up and the result being a pure gold. The dross is removed and the gold is now minus the dross, and is of purer type.
This is precisely what happens to God's children who trust Him through the trials He allows us to go through.
God refines our faith and consequently changes our lives, matures us, makes us stronger etc, etc.

Some questions:

1. What did you think when you read this verse today?

2. What was the first thought that came to your mind?

3. Were you thinking back to trials you have been through and were saying, "amen" that is what happened to me also?

4. Did this verse give you hope if you are the middle of a trial?

5. Will you believe the truth of this verse today and find the comfort of God in so doing?

A prayer:

Father we will one day meet Job personally and be able to talk to him. Now we only know him through the pages of Your wonderful Word.
We had even heard his name before we were christians in many cases. We know him as a man that suffered so greatly.
And Father we know him as a man who hung in there throughout his ordeal and came out on the other side more blessed than he could have ever imagined. There are many of us who can testify to that in our lives as well.
For Your faithfulness we say "Thank You Lord" And we want You to know what great blessings we receive from Your Word.
In Jesus name, amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SUFFERING AND COMFORT"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE ABOUT SUFFERING AND COMFORT"

2nd Corinthians 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

Paul is explaining how much trouble they had gone through in their ministry, and how much comfort God had also given them.
This is always the way of the Lord, He allows the trouble and He brings the comfort as well.

1. We have a hope that is stedfast.
2nd Corinthians 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

Paul was writing to comfort the Corinthians. He was telling them how sure he was about what was going to happen to them.
He knew that just as sure as they were suffering, that they also would become partakers of God's comfort.

We truly have a hope that is stedfast. Christ is our hope. God's Word is our hope. Therefore we can rest assured that what's being said here is do true. There is no doubt about the surety of our hope. 

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

2. We know that we will suffer in this life.
2nd Corinthians 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

Suffering is part of the christian life. Jesus told us ahead of time that we would suffer in this life, and we sure do.

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.”

Revelation 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

3. We also know that we partake of the comfort of God in our souls.
2nd Corinthians 1:7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

This is the sequence. Suffering comes first, but comfort is right on it's heels.
That's the way God has arranged life to be.
Comfort would not be comfort unless we knew what suffering was.

1st Thessalonians 4:18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1st Thessalonians 5:11Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1st Thessalonians 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient 2nd Thessalonians 2:17 comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.

Questions:

1. Are you going through a period of suffering at this present time?

2. Do you know that You have hope, because Jesus is alive and He loves you more than you know.

3. Please know that the suffering you have now is to be followed by comfort. Just steady on with Jesus. 

A prayer:

Father You are our God, and You are in control, and You allow what You allow, and You bring comfort as promised.
Thank you for using trouble to shape and mold our lives. Lord it's so comforting to us to know that Your Word is true.
We go through hard times, but You are faithful to comfort us. Thank You Lord. In Jesus name amen.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN A PIT OF DESPAIR"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN A PIT OF DESPAIR"

Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.
Psalm 40:2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
Psalm 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:

David's life and ministry are used by God in the Psalms to help us. The reason they are so helpful is that David went through the same kinds of things that we go through in our lives. There are the high's and the low's.
It's the "Low's" that seem to stand out to us as we read the Psalm's.
There are the "High's" as well.
And we who walk with God also learn that every dark and difficult time is intended by God to bring blessing into our lives, to learn the ways of our wonderful God and to transform our lives.

1. God's children can wait on the Lord during difficult times.
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.

Interesting how David uses two words together that are very similar in meaning. Waiting and Patiently.
Patiently is actually describing how he waited. He waited, but he did it patiently.
The idea here is that he waited patiently for the Lord to help him.
That's what he was waiting for.

Waiting means to look for, expect. So David was expecting God to help him.

2. God hears the cries and pleadings of His children.
Psalm 40:1 I waited patiently for the LORD; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.

David was rewarded for his patient waiting.
The Lord listened to him, the Lord heard his cry.

And this is what the Lord does for anyone who will wait for Him and cry out to Him.
His ears are open to our cries our prayers, and in His timing He will respond.

3. God brings His children up and out of the pit they were in.
Psalm 40:2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.

David does not describe what this pit was. I doubt it was an actual pit.
David was using this to describe his sense of despair and his being unable to move out of the situation he was in.
He was not able on his own to make things change.
He cried out to God.
And, the Lord brought him out of this pit.
Notice that David calls it a "horrible" pit. And he speaks of miry clay, no doubt emphasizing his sense of being captive to his situation.

Horrible means,  tumult, roar, din, crash, uproar.
The NLT calls it a pit of despair.
The word horrible comes from a word meaning to lay waste, crash into ruins, be desolated. be ruined
The Lord brought him out of this situation.

4. God sets our feet on a rock, and establishes our steps.
Psalm 40:2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.

After bringing David out of this pit, God set David's feet on a rock and He established his ways.
From despair and no way out, to stability and a firm clear path to walk on.
God strengthened David after this "pit" experience. He was a different man.
David was no long in miry and muddy clay, but was now on solid ground, and he was steadied by God as he walked along.

5. God puts a new song in our mouths, "praise to our God"
Psalm 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

Here is something else God did for David. He was now no longer crying out in despair, but was singing praises to God.
God had taught David.
David had learned more about his wonderful savior.
True worship and praise is in response to what God has done.
David was filled with a new song, it was praise to our God.

6. God uses what we have gone through to help others trust in Him.
Psalm 40:3 He has put a new song in my mouth-- Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear, And will trust in the LORD.

David expresses what he knew would happen.
Many would see what God had done for him.
In other words David now had a fresh testimony of God's goodness and faithfulness.
And God would use David's life and new song to help others fear God and trust God.

Some questions:

1. Do you ever feel like you are the only one going through what you are going through?

2. Isn't it comforting to find that others also have or are in a similar situation?

3. And, ins't it encouraging to hear what God has done for them?

4. Are you in despair today?

5. Do you know God hears you as you cry out to Him?

6. And do you know that Your God is faithful and He is going to lift you up just like He did for David.

7. And isn't it something to realize that your cries will turn to singing, and God will use your life as an encouragement to others?

A prayer:

Father we bless You and honor You today. Thank You for the Scriptures. Thank You for the Psalms. What a blessing they are to so many.
I wonder how many people have found comfort in them down through the ages.
When we get to heaven we ought to talk with David and thank him for being a vessel that God has used to help us.
Lord we pray for friends, family, fellow church members who may be in despairing times at this time.
Would You bless them Lord with faith to wait patiently and to see You deliver them.
We love You Father.
In Jesus name.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia