Hope in Sorrows

Do you ever have sorrow? I don’t mean – “I’m sorry I ate one more piece of pizza.” Or “I’m sorry I ran that red light – Officer!” Real sorrow something you feel deep in your soul. It can sneak up on you, but the worst kind of sorrow is that kind you can see coming from miles away. In times of sorrow we are real good at offering a biblical prayer from Psalm 69.1 “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.”

I have encouragement for you. In fact, there is a truth from Psalm 69 I wish I could implant in your mind so that in no way it would ever be removed. Hear this loud and clear:

The Lord hears the needy
and does not despise his captive people.
(Psalm 69:33)

Here’s a fact of life. In our world there is always a lot of pain and evil. It is simply the way it is like. Let’s take this fact up a notch; God does not always remove the pain or troubling times. Jesus, in the garden of Gethsemane, prayed with a great deal of agony asking that the cup he was about to drink might be taken from him. He saw the sorrow coming and God did not remove it from him. Jesus had to go through the sorrow.

God did hear his prayer and did not despise his agony. Instead He strengthened Jesus so that he could endure to expire for the Glory of God. You can not inspire until you have expired.

Be assured that this will be the case with you also. Whatever cross you are given tell God about it and know that he will hear your prayers and come to strengthen you. You will certainly praise him for it one day. Because you expire you just might inspire someone else for the Glory of God.

Real Harmony

I read somewhere that from 1500bc-850AD there were 7,500 “eternal covenants” agreed upon among various nations. And none of them lasted longer than two years. Peace and harmony appear to be elusive. Many times it feels like they are just out of reach for us and within others grasps.

This reminds me of the funny line from the Dennis the Menace movie of several years ago. Walter Matthau playing the grouchy Mr. George Wilson said, “Why is it that when everyone else feasts on the pleasures of life I’m the one who gets the indigestion?”

Can you enjoy the pleasure without the indigestion? Could peace and harmony actually be available to you?

I actually think it is more than available. We may have been on the outside looking in and even feel a day late and dollar short but we can get in on this. Listen to what the Bible has to say about our pathway to peace.

Ephesians 2:11-15 - But don't take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that you outsiders to God's ways had no idea of any of this, didn't know the first thing about the way God works, hadn't the faintest idea of Christ. You knew nothing of that rich history of God's covenants and promises in Israel, hadn't a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything.

^14-15The Messiah has made things up between us so that we're now together on this, both non-Jewish outsiders and Jewish insiders. He tore down the wall we used to keep each other at a distance. He repealed the law code that had become so clogged with fine print and footnotes that it hindered more than it helped. Then he started over. Instead of continuing with two groups of people separated by centuries of animosity and suspicion, he created a new kind of human being, a fresh start for everybody.

Here’s how peace affects our life.

1) Peace gives us a release (from our Sin).

Romans 8:1 - Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

2) Peace gives us a reason (to fellowship with Jesus and Christian family).

Romans 8:14-17a because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

3) Peace gives us assurance (of our salvation).

Romans 8:31-39 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

4) Peace gives us a hope.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman

Life Arises!

Have you ever noticed that while you are minding your own business life happens? It appears that all is going well, everyone is getting along, and out of no where – boom – you are hit with a struggle, pressure, or problem. I call that life arising! This happens to everyone.

For Christ – followers we have a real hope during these sudden outbreaks. Our hope is the resurrection life of Jesus Christ. We gain this hope through a simple adjustment in our lives. We gain it thru FAITH; simply taking God at His word.

1 Thess. 5:16-19:

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit's fire

Here are some simple steps of FAITH:

Relate everything, minute by minute as it arises, to the adequacy of what Jesus is in you, and assume that his adequacy will be powerful –

1 Thess. 5:16 – proves we can be cheerful, in fact, must be cheerful. There is no excuse for gloom or doom for the Christ-follower.

1 Thess. 5:17 – pray without ceasing – this means that you expose by faith every situation as it arises, to the power of the one who lives in you.

Any pressure, promise, problem, responsibility, or temptation you expose to the Lord Jesus in faithful prayer.

1 Thess. 5:18 – when you have done all this you have no alternative but to give him thanks in EVERYTHING. A good rule of thumb is the thank before you receive, thank as you receive, and thank after you receive. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)

If there is any situation that you are not ready to step back – in recognition of the total adequacy of Christ in you – then you are out of the will of God – and “quench the Spirit”. 1 Thess.5:19

You are called by God to this HOPE – to walk by faith.

Have you learned to step out of every situation and relate it wholly to what He is in you, and faith say “Thank you”?

Always Enthusiastic,

Dr. Rusty Newman

Toad-ness

Have you ever heard the story about the princess and the frog? Sure you know the one. This princess is enjoying her golden ball when unexpectedly it drops into a stream. The ball is rescued by a frog. Short version princess kisses frog and frog becomes a prince.

This story is originally a German tale by the master story weavers the Brothers Grimm; it's called The Frog King. In the original version instead of a kiss the princess gets very irritated at all the questions of the frog and violently throws it against a wall. SPLAT - Instant Prince!
Encounter the wall and encounter the truth.

We spend a great deal of time hoping to be "kissed" by a Royal and rescued from toad-ness. Honestly, Toad-ness is a trap. Its a curse placed on us that we cannot escape on our own. no way of escape, purchase of escape, or earning through goodness.

Toad-ness becomes a way of life. Sure something inside of us cries out that we must be more than all this-royalty even. But we appear to be stuck this way - slimy, green, and longing for flies.

Toad-ness, after a while, becomes familiar and comfortable. It even starts to feel normal. The apostle Paul even felt this way - he claimed, in so many words, that he was the ugliest toad of all - 1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.

The Frog King was released because of the kindness (albeit begrudgingly given) of the Princess on three nights - what was the kindness she gave? In a word, GRACE.

Grace is the KISS that releases us! Look at the grace-kiss: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.... The passionate kiss of grace is Jesus Christ...encounter the wall - encounter the truth!

The only way our toad-ness can be changed is through Jesus!

Always Enthusiastic,
Dr. Rusty Newman

Where you going?

Where are you going? This is the question that leaders help people wrestle with. It happened in the life of Israel - Moses at the border of new territory proceeded to give a challenge to the people. It may be a challenge for us today as well.

"Choose to love the Lord your God and to obey Him and commit yourself to him, for He is your life. Then you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Deuteronomy 30.20

Where are you going? Are you going into new territory? Are you heading into uncertainty? Are you living in enemy territory? No matter - make a choice. It is up to you to decide. Choose to love the Lord God, obey him and make a commitment of your life. He will provide. He will protect. He will bless you.

I close with this prayer:
My Father, You are the Lord my God. I desire to love you, listen to your voice, and hold fast to you, for you, Lord, are my life. I have made my choice. Amen!

Always Enthusiastic,
Rusty Newman

BTL!

This is what the Lord says: Do not be afriad! don't be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 2 Chronicles 20.15 NLT

It is so difficult to not be afriad. Sometimes, we can only see the enemy and the obstacles. We seem to know the difficulties and the challenges more than anyone else.
We ask ourselves: Do I have enough for the struggle? You know "enough" - desire, tenacity, drive, determination, resources, commitment, skill, friends, knowledge, leadership... Do I really have enough?

In the spiritual realm do I have "ENOUGH" - faith, prayer, anointing, favor... Or even "enough" healing from past wounds...

I'm wrestling with all these issues in attempting to overcome fear. I think all of us are too. All this is minor if you keep the FACT that this battle is not your battle but God's.

Listen up - Hear this loud and clear - the ALMIGHTY One, The One and Only God says - He speaks to you (powerful huh?) "I've got this one! don't be scared you have enough cause you have ME. Discouragement can run away because encouragement is flooding from within - in the place that I reign! relax, no FEAR! I've got this - watch and see!

So through this day keep in mind these letters - BTL. You can share them - BTL. You can remember them - BTL. You can even say them - BTL.

Battle is The Lord's!

Always Enthusiastic,
Rusty