Tag: Hope

Morning Hope

enCultivateLeave a comment

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30:5b (ESV)

Hope is such a beautiful thing and yet it is often the one thing we forget about in the midst of trials, hardships, and sufferings. When we are struggling, it often feels like we are alone in the dark, isolated from the rest of the world. We are apt to just sit in our pain and bemoan our situation, letting the roots of despair take hold. The darkness often feels so incredibly strong and oppressive. So much so that we lose hope. We lose hope in ever seeing and experiencing relief. We begin to believe that our weeping will not just tarry for the night, but that the night may never end. Yet, the Psalmist reminds us that the night will not always be as it is. Morning will come. And the coming of the morning brings joy. Joy and hope in the Lord.

Continue reading “Morning Hope” →

Path Through the Valley

enCultivateLeave a comment

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

Psalm 23:4a (ESV)

The Shepherd is leading me in paths of righteousness, and this conjures up an image of peace and tranquility in my mind. These paths of righteousness always seem to bring a picture of a mountaintop view and experience. Then verse four follows and rightly corrects my misunderstanding and reminds me that the paths of righteousness are for the name of Christ. And being that these paths are to shape and mold me to be more like my Savior, then I must necessarily walk through the valley beside the mountain where the deep darkness lies. A deep darkness where evil and death lurk. The deep darkness of the valley, which will inevitably bring about a sense of fear and trembling into my heart. Yet, the psalmist proclaims that he will not fear this deep darkness in the valley because his Good Shepherd is with him. His Shepherd is leading him in paths of righteousness that go through the valley of the deep darkness. The Shepherd has designed that he and the psalmist walk through this valley together. And as long as the Shepherd is there with him, the psalmist has no need to fear as he travels.

Continue reading “Path Through the Valley” →

Strengthen Others

enCultivateLeave a comment

but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 22:32 (ESV)

It is a common desire among us all that we not have to go through trials and sufferings during our lives. We think that life would be much more enjoyable if we never have to experience suffering or pain. Yet, not only is life filled with trials and sufferings of many kinds but our God allows us and requires us to go through trials and sufferings. There is something special and meaningful to our faith on this spiritual journey through hardships and trials. There are three points to note in this. First, Jesus tells Peter that suffering is coming and He has prayed for him. Second, that the suffering is only for a season. Third, that Peter’s faith will be strengthened during this trial to the point where he can use his experience to help others. The overarching point that speaks to me today is that in the midst of my suffering, it may seem as though there is no point, that there is no end in sight, and I am all alone. Jesus tells me that none of these things are true. The trials and suffering that are here today are meant to draw me closer to Jesus as we walk through them together. He allows the suffering to happen but has placed himself with me in the middle of the suffering. He never leaves me and never forsakes me. He brings companionship and strength in the path of suffering.

Continue reading “Strengthen Others” →

House of Mourning

enCultivateLeave a comment

Journal Entry // June 8, 2021

Sorrow is better than laughter, for by sadness of face the heart is made glad. The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

Ecclesiastes 7:4 ESV

Mourning and Mirth. Sorrow and Amusement. It is not too difficult to discern which of these any person would rather experience. We would all rather have the daily experience of amusement over and above a daily experience of sorrow and mourning. Yet, the Preacher tells us plainly that the person who is wise will have their heart in the house of mourning.

Continue reading “House of Mourning” →

Behold, the Dwelling Place

enCultivateLeave a comment

Journal Entry // January 1, 2023

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. (ESV)

Revelation 21:3

The beauty of heaven is pictured in this statement shouted with a loud voice from the throne of God. The loud voice begins by telling us to behold the scene that is to be set before us. This is a call for us to slow down and take notice of this momentous sight. The call to behold something is a call to stand in awe of something long-expected and glorious. The voice is declaring that what is about to be proclaimed is worthy not only of our intention but our undivided focused attention on the sight. What is this momentous sight that we are to behold? This call to attention is none other than the announcement that God himself has made his dwelling place among men. We are to behold this amazing sight in heaven of the Lord God of all creation among his people. He is in our midst. In heaven, our God will dwell among us and we will have unhindered fellowship together.

Continue reading “Behold, the Dwelling Place” →

True Satisfaction

enCultivateLeave a comment

Journal Entry // June 7, 2021

All the toil of man is for his mouth, yet his appetite is not satisfied.

Ecclesiastes 6:7 ESV

Satisfaction… How is it that my toiling and striving and labor results in dissatisfaction? This statement and discussion by the Preacher is entirely spot on with how I have felt about my life over the last many years. I have had this insatiable desire prevalent in my every moment that will not allow me to enjoy the good things of this life. There has been a continual unhappiness with my present state at every point of life.

Continue reading “True Satisfaction” →

To Gain Christ

enCultivateLeave a comment

Journal Entry // September 30, 2022

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ (ESV)

Philippians 3:8

Paul has learned and is passing on a valuable and important lesson to all of us in this particular verse. That lesson is simply having a proper holy perspective on life and the circumstances we each find ourselves. There is only one thing of importance. There is only one thing that truly matters. This one thing is the preeminent concern for each and every one of us. That concern is the surpassing worth of knowing Christ and being known by him. Christ alone is THE object of eternal value in this life. Everything else is to be counted as loss and even rubbish in comparison. The ultimate knowledge of Jesus Christ as my one and only Savior is the gain I should prize. The only true and lasting gain. The eternal reward of happiness and joy being found in Christ alone for all of eternity.

Continue reading “To Gain Christ” →

Resurrection Reminder

enCultivateLeave a comment

Journal Entry // July 30, 2022

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 15:58

Therefore… because of our victory through Christ and the hoped for surety of the resurrection of Christ and those he has chosen, Paul gives us this encouragement to stand firm through all the days of life. We are not striving toward some lofty goal that may never be realized. No, the goal has already been secured and the resurrection of Christ is our perpetual sign of victory achieved. With our victory secured, we can focus our full attention on the journey toward Christ in heaven. Steadfast, immovable, always abounding – these are the pictures of a life with focused intentionality on walking faithfully and working hard for the glory of Christ. Every moment we experience is yet another opportunity to experience God’s good pleasure. Adversity, trials, struggles, persecution, and suffering are all the opportunities to live out the fruit of this verse. Our character is proven in these difficult moments. Our humility is strengthened in these trials. We better understand our dependence upon the Lord when he strips everything else away and proves to us that Jesus is all we ever really need. So take these moments and be steadfast. Don’t just bear with the difficulty and suffer through it. No, these are the times to draw close to Jesus and experience peace and joy on a spiritual level, deep within our heart and soul.

Continue reading “Resurrection Reminder” →

Peace in Confusion

enCultivateLeave a comment

Journal Entry // July 28, 2022

For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 14:33a

I have been thinking a lot about my present situation and feeling the pressure of being overwhelmed with the amount of high level of uncertainty and confusion. I know that in my prayers I have often cried out that I am confused. That my mind is unable to handle all of the different pressure points that are pushing in on me consistently. Confusion in my mind has been leading me to despair and to a lack of hope. This confusion is always pushing me to lose faith in the goodness of God. Yet, God is not bringing about confusion. God is bringing about peace. Where there is confusion in my mind, there is only the sin of pride. The Father offers me peace in this time of confusion. He is the Lord of peace. He is sovereign. He is working in my life to conform me to the image of Christ. His goal and agenda is not secret nor is it hidden for all things are from him and through him and to him.

Continue reading “Peace in Confusion” →

Dim Mirrors

enCultivateLeave a comment

Journal Entry // July 27, 2022

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (ESV)

1 Corinthians 13:12

As I look out upon this world and see all of the challenges and difficulties that are present, I am tempted to groan in frustration or sigh in exasperation as I question the holy righteous plan of God. We are all deceived to believe that what we see here on this earth is all there is and that this present reality is the measure against the standard of good. We forget that we are looking into a mirror dimly. Paul did not have in mind a modern highly reflective and accurate mirror, but more likely a mirror made of polished metal. I want to take this dim reflection that I see and make it the accurate truth. The problem is that we now only know in part. We see things dimly. We misinterpret the workings of God as we view them from our self-centered humanistic standpoint.

Continue reading “Dim Mirrors” →