hope | Revelations From The Road

Advent

December 7, 2024 by Bill Leave a Comment

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.” (Micah 5:2)

The word Advent originates from a Latin word “Adventus” which means “coming” or “arrival.” Advent Season is focused on preparing for the coming of Jesus Christ in all ways, from His birth in the past to His Second Coming in the future as the Messiah.

There are four weeks and themes of Advent. I missed the first week but I will cover the first two weeks here. The first theme is HOPE. “Hope is an ACTIVE anticipation in the ability to reach desired goals,” – Dr. Steven Sandage. Hope may not be necessary when we are faced with an easy task. It comes when we’re faced with something that feels impossible. Hope requires belief. Hope requires action. What are we actively hoping for? We don’t hope for something we already have, we hope for something in the future. Jesus came into our world to give us the hope of His return and our going to Heaven.

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

The second theme of Advent is PEACE. The dictionary defines peace as, “A state of tranquility or quiet: such as freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions.” Peace is not the absence of pain; peace is the presence of God. Inner peace is the feeling that, even though things may look bad around you, you have a peace from within that comes from God and that He will take care of you. If you’ve ever had a major decision to make, you probably had two choices. You pray about it and one choice makes you uneasy but he other choice, “gives you peace”. That is God letting you know which way to go and that He’ll go with you.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)

During this Christmas season, we have HOPE because Jesus came and, if we accept Him as Savior and Lord, we can look forward to our eternal life. And because of that HOPE, we can have PEACE as we travel this earthly path knowing that He is with us.

New Life 2024

April 29, 2024 by Bill 26 Comments

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Recently, I noticed a dead limb in my yard under a tree. I then looked up and saw a limb ON that tree that looked dead but I knew that there was life in that limb and, in time, it would display that life. They both looked dead but I knew the limb on the tree was connected to the roots of life. During this time of year, we can see the evidence of new life everywhere in God’s creation. We have made it through the harsh weather of winter but spring is here…as it is each year. It’s God’s plan.

God has a similar plan for us. “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ.” (Colossians 2:13). Before we were saved, we were already dead in our sins. We were like that limb on the ground, dead, not connected to the tree. But when we asked Jesus into our hearts, we were miraculously connected to the Tree of Life and we then had New Life! But just like the tree, we have to go through seasons. Some seasons are difficult and some are pleasant but we have to go through them. When we hunker down, (that’s Appalachian talk), in the cold, we can look forward to the new life of spring and summer. We must always, with faith and hope, look ahead. “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12). The apostle Paul was looking ahead and pushing through his troubles toward his prize. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14).

If you’re going through a hard time now, go look at nature and be reminded that there is new life. If you haven’t asked Jesus into your heart, do it today and you will be God’s “new creation” and that New Life will be in you.

What If?

April 14, 2024 by Bill Leave a Comment

What if a soldier on the battlefield had to get out his training manual to see what to do in a situation? What if an emergency arises while driving and the driver has to get their driver’s ed textbook out to see how to react? What if an athlete is about to run a play but has to look at the play diagram to see where he’s supposed to go? What if a person is confused in the dark and doesn’t know which way to turn and there’s no light to look up the answer in the Bible? What if a Christian has an important decision to make and needs to act quickly? While he researches the scriptures for an answer, the opportunity passes. What if a temptation presents itself and the Christian has to call the pastor to rebuke that spirit? What if someone asks you about Jesus and wants to get saved and you have to say, “Wait, let me see if my pastor can help you.” What if….?

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105).
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11).
Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; (Psalm 23:4)
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

How do you react when you forget or lose your cell phone? Do you feel that same way about the WORD? God’s Word – Read it, memorize it, get it into your spirit, and do what it says. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness He said, “It is written!” (Matthew 4:4) Let’s be like Jesus. Are you participating in our church’s Project 345 Bible Reading Plan? “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22).

Waiting Wrong?

February 2, 2024 by Bill Leave a Comment

“Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14).

Many times, maybe most of the time, when we pray, we have to wait for God’s answer. We don’t understand why we have to wait. Many times in the Bible, Jesus immediately answered requests spoken to Him. But He also tells us, “My ways and thoughts are higher than yours.” (Isaiah 55:9). So, many times, we have to wait. But what is our attitude while we wait? Can we wait wrong? The prophet Habakkuk prayed this, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2). Was that a wrong way to pray? We get frustrated when we don’t get the answer we want or it doesn’t come immediately. So, do we question God, whine and cry or even quit praying? Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask and keep on asking.” Our attitude in praying can make a difference. God is always working with us to be more like Him so, most of the time, we’re in training. And waiting is part of the process.

When we pray and petition God, we must believe that He hears us and our prayer is according to His will, (1 John 5:14). We must believe God’s promises are true, (1 Corinthians 1:9), hold fast to our faith, (Hebrews 10:23) and look forward with hope and expectation for our answer to When we pray and petition God, we must believe that He hears us and our prayer is according to His will, (1 John 5:14). We must believe God’s promises are true, (1 Corinthians 1:9), hold fast to our faith, (Hebrews 10:23) and look forward with hope and expectation for our answer to appear, “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” (Proverbs 23:18). And sometimes, we need to ask God, “What do I need to do?” “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:6-7). And then we thank God and wait. It’s hard but God is faithful!

Advent – Week One

December 3, 2023 by Bill Leave a Comment

Advent. We’ve heard the word but what does it mean and how do we participate? The word is derived from the Latin word, “adventus”, meaning, “coming” and by the 6^th century, Roman Christians had tied it to the coming of Jesus. For Christians today, the season of Advent comprises the four weeks leading up to Christmas with each week focusing on a different topic: Week 1 – Hope or Promise, Week 2 – Preparation or Waiting, Week 3 – Joy or Peace and Week 4 – Love or Adoration. Also, each week is highlighted by the lighting of an Advent Candle which we see in the image above. We will look at these topics beginning today.

The first Sunday of Advent – HOPE. From the prophesy of the Prophet Isaiah: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.” (Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7).

The people in Isaiah’s time were looking for HOPE. Today, we are looking for HOPE. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1). They were hoping for the arrival of a Savior, and He came as a baby. We are hoping for His second coming, and it will happen. Celebrate Christmas in faith as we focus on HOPE this week.