Merriam-Webster defines hope as: “to cherish a desire with anticipation; to want something to happen or be true; to desire with expectation of obtainment or fulfillment; to expect with confidence.” What good comes from hope? What evil comes from a lack of hope? Will the answers to these questions provide the proof that the hope, which comes from God, heals us and leads us to Him? 1 Pet 1:19-21, “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you, Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith a
Prov 24:13-14, “My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste: So shall the knowledge of wisdom be unto thy soul: when thou hast found it, then there shall be a reward, and thy expectation shall not be cut off.” Merriam-Webster defines wisdom as: “the ability to discern inner qualities and relationships, good sense, generally accepted belief, accumulated philosophical or scientific learning, or wise attitude.” Based on this definition, we might believe there is no single source of all wisdom. However, God disputes this assumption, Jam 1:5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and
Merriam-Webster defines bullying as: “abuse and mistreatment of someone vulnerable by someone stronger, more powerful, etc.” Why would someone choose to be abusive? Is this an outward demonstration of our own fear and/or misunderstanding? In our society, bullying usually begins with some form of verbal abuse. Merriam-Webster defines abuse as: “language that condemns or vilifies usually unjustly, intemperately, and angrily.” Most of the bullying I have witnessed, either personally or through a news outlet, includes anger and the appearance of hatred, 1 Jn 3:15, “Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.” We can determine
This week we commemorate the brave souls who have sacrificed much, allowing the rest of us to enjoy our blessed freedom! Thank you for your service! There are many sacrifices made during wars. Merriam-Webster defines war: “a struggle or competition between opposing forces for a particular end” and sacrifice: “destruction or surrender of something for the sake of something else.” So, every war is a struggle to achieve certain ends, which require sacrifices. God tells us we are in the middle of a spiritual war between good and evil, Eph 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against s