HOLY SPIRIT SAID "HOPE DEFERRED"

The Holy Spirit spoke and said the words, "Hope Deferred" and I wasn't sure what they meant, so I tried to find scripture for it, which was Proverbs 13:12. I also prayed that the Holy Spirit would bring wisdom and revelation on the meaning of those words. I still wasn't quite sure what He was telling me so I searched for deeper studies on the topic. I found this post from Jehova.net and wanted to share the encouraging words with you. 

Hope deferred (put off or prolonged) is a weariness (a vexation to the mind, an affliction to the soul, a sickness of heart); but when what is desired (that which is prayed for) comes (the answer to prayer that comes - a longing fulfilled), it is a tree of life (a realized source of power, our Savior). Proverbs 13:12 Deferred hopes are unavoidable, in our current crisis and in life. We all must live with dreams that never quite materialize. We all have plans that never get off the ground. If we build our faith in God on the notion that if we serve Him the right way and know the right things to say, we will always get exactly what we want when we want it, our "faith" will not survive. Faith is not a sprint; it is a marathon. It is "he that endures to the end" that will be saved. Endurance is, among other things, about surviving deferred hopes.

"My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation, My stronghold; I shall not be shaken." Psalm 62:5,6

This character produces hope for your future, because you made it this far, & you will continue for I AM with you to teach you. Your hope in Me will never disappoint you. We have discovered our life's meaning -- we know that our lives have a purpose and lasting worth -- all because we have been learning for the last many years to deal with our deferred hopes. So yes, deferred hopes do make our hearts sick. But, over time, how we deal with those deferred hopes seem to have the power to make our souls well. "The word of the Lord tested Joseph until the day appointed for his vision (Joseph's dreams and hopes) to come to pass," the Psalm says. I wonder if Joseph experienced any nights of despair in that prison? Surely he must have! Somehow though, he learned how to make his despair temporary and his hopes permanent. That's how he finally came to fill the place that God had been preparing for him to fill all along. You can do the same. Here are four practical steps you can take every day to build a sure foundation of hope that will carry you through the storms of life: 

1. Submit yourself to God. God is the source of our hope. Come to Him in humility and He will restore you according to His plan to bless and prosper you (1 Peter 5:6-7). 

2. Strengthen your faith. Allow God's previously fulfilled promises to renew your hope. God has given us written record of countless ways He has provided hope for believers in centuries past. Look to these marvelous accounts for renewal (1 Chronicles 16:7-17) .  

3. Trust God's timing. Sometimes God answers our prayers and fulfills our hopes quickly. At other times, for His own divine reasons, He allows us to wait. Remember, it was through faith and patience that Abraham's hope was fulfilled. 

4. Thank God today. Though it's arduous to rejoice as we wait for hopes to be fulfilled, rejoicing enables God to perfect us in ways we are unable to see at the time. And this kind of hope, purified in the crucible of waiting, and sometimes suffering, "does not disappoint" (Romans 5:1-5). As You Pray Have you lost hope? 

You can regain lost hope, with Jesus' help. Right now, turn to the Author of all hope and rest in Him. Make the right sacrifice and trust in Him.... Contend with Him in prayer as Jacob did... God's covenant is for those that have faith in Him as did Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob... and the Scripture says for a thousand generations thereafter..... Selah (think about it) Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the issues of life... Proverbs 4:23 

Pray this prayer: "Father, forgive me for not seeing You as You truly are. Please use Your Word to encourage me. Help me to hide it in my heart. Let Your Holy Spirit direct me moment-by-moment as I wait in the hope You have given me through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name. Amen." God's Word on Hope "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:29a). Scriptures for Study Hebrews 6:10-19, Romans 5:1-11 -- God's precious promise of hope Job 13:13-16 -- Hopes' perseverance through trials Psalm 33:13-22 -- Right and wrong objects of hope

Our Hope in God's support 2 Chr. 16:9 - For the eyes of the LORD run to and for throughout the whole earth, to strongly support those whose hearts are loyal to Him ... Selah (think about it)

Psalm 25:1-11 -- Hope's source of strength

Jehova.net....."Lord of the Net"

What Does Prayer from the Throne of God Look Like?

This kind of prayer prays with resurrection authority: "This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead" (Ephesians 1:19-20).

Death tried to hold Jesus back, but the prison door of death was kicked in by the power of Christ's resurrection. When you see death trying to raise its false authority over your situation, run to your position in Christ and declare your victory in prayer from the Throne of God. As that kind of prayer is released, the kingdoms of earth will be shaken with resurrection power.

This kind of prayer feels the touch of the Father's hand: "And seated Him in the place of honor at God's right hand in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 1:20).

You and I are also at the Father's right hand because we are in Christ. Again, Ephesians 2:6 declares, "For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus."

As Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father, and as you and I are there together in Christ, we are in that position to experience an intimacy with God that will drive the release of the prayer of faith. Prayers of faith are birthed from people who know and experience intimacy with God. You are not distant from Him! Ever! Pray with confidence as one who is forever united with your Redeemer.

This kind of prayer is birthed in a place far above the turmoil: "Far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else" (Ephesians 1:21).

The social, political and economic strains taking place on the earth do not affect this kind of prayer. Prayer from above is not affected by the conditions down below.

As you pray from the Throne of God you are praying as a child of God. To a religious spirit you will appear headstrong, maybe even precocious. Don't worry about how other people feel. You are a child of God who has access to the Father 24/7. We are positioned with the One Who is far above it all. That should breed confidence in God's kids.

This kind of prayer flows from headship: "God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made Him head over all things" (Ephesians 1:22).

Praying from the throne of God towards earth will speak to areas in the world system that are living independent of God. Headship brings order. Prayer from the Throne of God will declare headship over the disorder and rebellion that is robbing the earth of God's joy. Rebellion will be subdued, wars will be averted, national leaders will yield to the word of the Lord when the Church prays.

There are social and political transitions about to take place, which will someday be traced back to prayers from someone praying from their position in Christ, at the right hand of the Father. These prayers will not struggle up in human effort in some attempt to convince God to move, but rather they will flow down with anointing and set in motion supernatural change. Authority flows down from the Head--so should the prayers of His saints. Strongholds that many Christians have thought were too far gone for change will suddenly change. God is about to change what appears to be unchangeable.

We Have Dual Citizenship

God is talking to His Church in this moment of human history--to not only realize who we are in Christ, but to understand where we are in Christ. We are dual-citizens of both earth and of Heaven.

Ask God to take you to the Throne and ask Him how He wants you to pray in this time of epoch change. As you survey the earth from His perspective--it will forever change how you pray, because you are seeing the world from Heaven's perspective.

Garris Elkins

Triumphant JOY is Serving Christ

Paul gives and encouraging word to the zealous church of Philippians. I urge Euodia and Syntyche to iron out their differences and make up. God doesn't want his children holding grudges.

And, oh, yes, Syzygus, since you're right there to help them work things out, do your best with them. These women worked for the Message hand in hand with Clement and me, and with the other veterans—worked as hard as any of us. Remember, their names are also in the Book of Life.

Celebrate God all day, every day. I mean, revel in him! Make it as clear as you can to all you meet that you're on their side, working with them and not against them. Help them see that the Master is about to arrive. He could show up any minute!

Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies. (Philippians 4:1-9 MSG)

In many respects, this is the most beautiful of Paul's letters, full of tenderness, warmth, and affection. His style is spontaneous, personal, and informal, presenting us with an intimate diary of Paul's own spiritual experience.

The dominant note throughout the letter to the Philippians is that of triumphant JOY. Paul, though a prisoner, was exultantly happy, and called upon his readers to rejoice in Christ always. It is an ethical and practical letter in its emphasis and centers on Jesus Christ. To Paul, Christ was more than an example; He was the apostle's very life.

Paul speaks of JOY in the Lord, emphasizing that through Christ alone is a Christian JOY realized, as are all other Christian graces. (1:21-23)

The JOY involves eager expectation of the near return of the Lord. That this expectation was dominant in Paul's thinking is seen in his five reference to Christ's return. In the context of each reference is a note of JOY (1:6, 10; 2:16; 3:20; 4:5).

Paul describes a JOY that springs from fellowship in the spreading of the gospel. (4:17)

For Paul, true JOY is independent of outward conditions, and is possible even in the midst of adverse circumstances of the moment. His unadorned testimony was "I rejoice...and will rejoice!" (1:18), and his unqualified command was, "Rejoice...again I will say, Rejoice!" (4:4)

The Spirit's work in three areas is mentioned in the letter. Paul declares that the Spirit of Jesus Christ will direct the accomplishment of God's purpose in his own experience (1:19). The Holy Spirit also promotes unity and fellowship in the body of Christ (2:1). Common participation in Him breeds singleness of purpose and maintains a community of love. Then, in contrast to the lifeless ritual observance of formalists, the Holy Spirit inspires and directs the worship to true believers (3:3).

As we walk in faith, we must learn to see our present circumstances in light of the future promises of God. Though we are works in progress now, we have hope knowing that God will complete the work He is doing in us. We can endure suffering now because we know that it is momentary compared to the eternity we will spend in the glorious presence of Jesus. We can be content in every circumstance now, knowing that we will have all of God's riches in glory. Walk by faith and set you eyes on Jesus until you see Him face to face.

-Bits and Pieces of the Study on Paul- (NSFLB)