Category: hope

There have been many calls for unity lately, but Jesus seeks a specific type… one that will change the atmosphere and last forever.

“My prayer is not for them alone, I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me that they may be one as We are one — I in them and you in Me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You have sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” (John 17:20-23)

Jesus shows the path in His prayer: ‘Let all the saved be in the Father and Son… just as the Father is in the Son and the Son is in the Father. Then the world will know I am who I say I am — the Beloved Son of God and Savior of the world. I have given you the glory My Father gave Me so you may be one and so the Father’s love may be known.’

The rebellious, the violent, the rash, the evil-doers, lovers of themselves, haters of God, the proud… (see II Timothy 3:1-5) can never bring about true unity. Without the Father, Son, and Spirit, even well-meaning, upstanding citizens will not find success. Jesus is the only Way… and as we find our place in Him, light will shine and bring glory to the Father.

The Holy Spirit is faithful to remind us of Jesus’ words. Over and over this summer, we heard a familiar teaching: “I am the Vine and you are the branches. Abide in Me.” What a beautiful picture of unity — a fruitful Vine, tended by a perfect Gardener, thriving in an existence of trust. And there is an obvious truth — without the Vine, the branches can do nothing. (read John 15:1-8)

God will judge all things. We are simply to live confidently in Christ and receive all the fruit of the Spirit. The Lord gives wisdom, compassion, understanding, and love… and these are what our world desperately needs.

“Therefore, judge nothing before its appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring light to what is hidden in darkness and expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.” I Corinthians 4:5

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to one hope when you were called — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” Ephesians 4:2-5

A long, long time ago, an imperfect man was given strange instructions from God. Noah started building an ark long before the floods came. People probably made fun of him… but Noah and his family kept working. Noah also warned others. Peter called him a ‘preacher of righteousness,’ and while we have no record of his exact words or conversations, perhaps a skeptic once asked: “So Noah, if the world as we know it is one day going to end, is there any hope?”

Noah surely would have replied: “Absolutely! Turn from your wicked ways and get right with God! When destruction comes, there will be only one safe place… and you are welcome to join my family. But only if you believe and repent and come…”

No one repented. After God shut the door of the ark, it was too late to enter the safe place. The floods came and only eight people and the animals survived.

A long time ago, an imperfect man was given a message to preach in Jerusalem. People made fun of him and some accused him of being drunk. Much of his Pentecost message is recorded in Acts 2. He recounted history, quoted prophecy, and proclaimed the Messiah had come. The proof his message was true, Peter claimed, was that Jesus was no longer in the tomb. King David died, but his bones were still in the grave. Because of love, Jesus died on a Roman cross and was buried. But He rose from the dead on the third day and later, after being seen by many witnesses, ascended to join His Father.

The people heard and many were convicted. They cried: “What shall we do?” Peter answered: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off – for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:37-39)

Perhaps Peter sometimes talked about Jesus’ prediction of the future destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. The Romans fulfilled the prophecy forty years later in 70 AD as Titus surrounded the city three days before Passover. Jerusalem was destroyed and a million Jews were slaughtered. If someone had heard such grim news, he might have asked: “Is there any hope?”

The apostle surely would have answered: “Absolutely! The hope is the same Person I’ve been proclaiming! Jesus offers salvation and everything we need to live boldly in a dangerous world. He is the only safe place and the ones who overcome will be those who abide in Him. Put your faith in Jesus! He is the Way and the Truth and the Life.”

Now a fearful world asks: “Is there any hope?” Jesus answers: “Absolutely! All hope is in Me! Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Come to Me, all who are paralyzed with fear. Turn from wrong and come to Me! I have already paid the price for your sin. Redemption has been accomplished… but you must receive it. Forgiveness is only found in Me. Repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, trust Me, trust My Father, receive My life and help others find God. I am the Way… no one comes to the Father except through Me. My Father loved the world so much He sent Me to save it. Hear my invitation and come!”

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7

Happy Easter!

This past Saturday, our oldest grandchild Wilkes turned 5! Celebration adjustments had to be made, but it was a wonderful day. We are so thankful!

Eighty-two years and two days earlier, my daddy was born. Rex Davis had his 87th birthday this past week! We are so thankful!

A couple of weekends ago, Susan and I made a day trip to Foley, Alabama to celebrate another March birthday. John Turner turned 16! It was a fun celebration with Bar-B-Q, cake, and reminiscing.

I was privileged to officiate John’s mom Terri’s wedding with Daniel LaCoste almost four years ago in this town close to the coast, so we knew most of the people at the surprise party. Susan deserves the credit for loving Terri, John, all the extended family, and so many others we’ve met over the past 16 years. When Susu becomes your friend, it is for a lifetime.

We were in the next room signing a large poster for John when I overheard Terri’s conversation with a guy in the kitchen: “They drove down from Atlanta this morning.” The friend said, “Wow, that’s a long drive for a birthday party.” Terri said, “You know they took John into their home when he was three days old. They took care of him for seven months, until I got out of jail. Then I also lived with them for two more years.” The friend replied, “Terri, this is what I love: you overcame your past. Look at you now!” She replied, “But I’ve messed up a lot more… and still do…”

God is always working. It is important to look back and remember the highs and lows, the successes and failures, and the power of the Father’s love — exhibited by Himself and His people. He is able to enter any hopeless situation; He can redeem any lost soul; nothing is impossible for Him. And He invites us to be a part of the story… with our own weaknesses and imperfections. “Visit her; take care of a baby; give of yourself and your emotions; forgive; pray; invite your community of believers to join in — you will need them; notice how I work through My people; marvel at the power of love; learn how ‘I never stop working.’”

“So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute Him. In His defense Jesus said to them, ‘My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working.’” John 5:16-17

“Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might break the power of him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil – and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death… Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.”
(Hebrews 2:14-18)

The hope for the new year rests in our Lord Jesus Christ. Because He lives, we live (see John 14:19-20). Because He overcame temptation, He is able to help us when we are tempted. Because He has overcome the world (and since we are in Him), we are overcomers.

When doubt floods our minds, we can pray like the father who interceded for his son: “Lord, I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24) When fear creeps into our hearts, we look to our Good Shepherd: “My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:27-30)

Because we are children of the One ‘greater than all,’ we should not be consumed with pettiness, bitterness, or revenge. “On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink…’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:20-21)

May God’s overcomers shine the light of Christ brightly in 2020!

Happy New Year!

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

“Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” I John 5:4-5

As Mary Magdalene first met the risen Christ, He said to her: “Do not hold on to Me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to My brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to My Father and your Father, to My God and your God.’” (John 20:17)

He had taught it all along, but Jesus wanted to seal the truth He wants imprinted on all our hearts: “My Father is also your Father!” Jesus lives to give glory to God by bringing lost children home and by revealing who our Father really is.

“I am the Way to the Father. No one comes to Him but through Me. If you don’t know Me, you don’t know the Father.”

“You don’t need to worry about what to eat or what to wear… your Father in heaven knows what you need and He will supply.”

“If a child foolishly leaves home and squanders all his money and ruins his reputation, the Father will run to meet him when he returns in repentance. He will throw a party for the lost one who has been found! And if another child disapproves of such a celebration and acts with disrespect, the Father will reason with him and encourage him to enter His joy.”

“If you are My sheep who listens to My voice and follows Me, you are in the Father’s possession. He is greater than all! No one can snatch you out of His strong hands.”

“I and the Father are one. My teaching comes from Him. He will bring perfect judgment to anyone who rejects us.”

“My Father has placed His seal of approval on Me. I have given you and continue to give you Living Water and Bread from heaven and Life everlasting. As the Father loves Me, so He loves you. Live in that love!”

Next week I’ll be holding our new baby granddaughter in Denver so there will be no writing. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, may we be grateful for all our Father gives us and may His light shine in our lives.

“Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16