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 A MINISTRY OF HOPE IN JESUS CHRIST Each of us may, at some point in our lives, find ourselves in such dire circumstances that our entire situation looks absolutely hopeless in the natural. I have been there so many times, but I’ve come to realize that it only looks hopeless while I’m seeing it through my physical eyes. When I am able to get to a point of seeing through the eyes of Our Lord, those same circumstances don’t look so hopeless anymore. What helps me travel through the painful Journey of Life is getting back to the basics--getting back to what I KNOW either from my own experiences in life or from the insights I’ve gained through others’ experiences. The end result is that I have become a hardcore PRISONER OF HOPE---sometimes with the stance of a mighty warrior, other times teetering precariously on a tightrope---but never giving up my Faith in Our God! Why? Am I one of those people who have had every prayer they’ve ever prayed answered in a speedy fashion? You’ve GOT to be KIDDING! Now don’t get me wrong---Our Lord always answers immediately when it is called for; eg: when I'm lost on the freeway. Getting back to basics means my getting back to the Living Word of the Living God---His recorded Word in the Bible! I know, I know, I’m one of those--- a very simplistic person who believes His Word. If He said it---that settles it for me! That may be a simple concept, but I don't find it an easy one to put into practice when the bottom falls out of my world! However, HE IS where I begin my Pilgrimage, and HE IS the Source of my strength to believe and to Pray the Price for my loved ones. I was curious about the meaning of the original Hebrew text in this passage from Zechariah, so I looked it up. The word 'prisoner' comes from a Hebrew word meaning 'bound',eg: captive. The word 'fortress' in the Hebrew means 'stronghold', and the word 'hope' comes from a word meaning (literally) 'cord', attachment. That is a good description of the hope (trust) I have in Our LordJesus! I am a prisoner (bound like a captive) of hope (like a cord or attachment) in my fortress (HE is my stronghold.) Our Lord God l-o-n-g-s for each one of us to place our trust in Him! To attach ourselves to Him, to run to Him, and allow Him to be our fortress! I can’t promise you a quick answer to your prayers. That has not been my usual experience over the past few decades of my own Pilgrimage! I can share what He has taught me during my seasons of 'waiting upon the Lord', and I do believe that there is always something to learn in the wait! I also find that the wait is necessary so that we can help someone else along the way. VISION Our Lord is usually very patient and gentle with me, but over these past few weeks He's been firmer with me, all because I've put off doing something He asked me to do back in early December---create this web site. I know I'm ill-equipped to try my hand at this task, but He has reminded me, I DON'T ALWAYS CALL THE EQUIPPED, BUT I ALWAYS EQUIP THE CALLED! Our Lord wants this to be a place of hope and rest for the weary, and a place of comfort and encouragement for those who are still "waiting upon the Lord." Our life's journey is a PILGRIMAGE--an ever changing path to HIS LIGHT. The steep and rocky path is made smoother when we are vulnerable with others...even when "the lights go out." Our willingness to share our "Lessons from the Lord", even while still in darkness, is capable of producing LIGHT for others. In the weeks and days ahead, I will create more pages within this site---as the Lord instructs. My walk with Our Lord has been full of joy and has been very painful at times. Some of His Lessons I have learned the easy way---but often I have learned the hard way. I am ever-learning on my Pilgrimage--always being gifted with Little Nuggets from Our Lord. I pray that the sharing of these Little Nuggets bring glory to the Glorious Giver of Hope in Him! Cheryl, Prisoner of Hope |
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