Freedom From The Prison of the Past

Wracked with guilt for what was done, continually haunted by what was never done, experiences of yesterday hold today captive. As the memories thicken and the hurt intensifies, so the suffocating choke of yesteryear prevents any ability to breathe the fresh air of the present. The keys to the jail are found in discovering that though nothing can change what has happened, it does not have to cripple today. The hope is for the power of that release to be the present of the present for those still behind the bars of the prison of the past.

My friends, I don't feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead. (Philippians 4:13)

Safe Journey

Shalom

When All Hope Appears Gone

When their brother fell ill, his two sisters hoped that he would help. Hours and days passed. All hope appeared to be lost when their brother eventually breathed his last. Their brother dead, they buried him and some days later this great teacher they had hoped in turned up. Moved with compassion, this man brought hope when it appeared to have died by bringing him back to life. There are other stories of lost situations miraculously recovered. These say one thing – however dim the glimmer, however overwhelming the darkness, the smallest light says where there is life there is hope.

So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me." When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out." (John 11:41-43)

Safe Journey

Shalom

Is All Hope Gone?

What we find exciting in some movies is that bit where it seems as though all avenues have been blocked and the hero is trapped in a perilous situation. Sadly for some life is like that without the miracle solution. So what happens when all hope appears gone? First realise that your situation as unique as it appears it is part of a story of similar dark episodes. In these, however there are seeds that provide the source for the belief that in spite of those dark days, as long as there is life, there is hope.

We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. (Romans 5:3-5)

Safe Journey

Shalom

What Hope of Deliverance?

When the clouds are grey and the nights are long and lonely it’s difficult to hope in deliverance. Visiting that loved one as they undergo chemo therapy, unsure as to whether they will pull through it’s difficult to hope in deliverance. When there’s another relapse after so long it’s difficult to hope in deliverance. Yet every time we get out of some tricky situations we may think it is our ingenuity. In actuality there is an Unseen Mover delivering you. This is the start to have that assurance of the presence of One who delivers with His loving right hand.

And David said, "The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!" (1 Samuel 17:37)

Safe Journey

Shalom