Without strength, we are unable to meet the challenges that we face each day. If we have no hope, there is no purpose to propel us forward. We can rely upon our own strength but it is wavering and can fail at any moment; and when it is gone, we are left with nothing. Placing hope in our present circumstances is faulty as things may be going well now but the future is always uncertain. The only lasting strength and hope is found in a faith-based upon that which is lasting.
The Bible teaches in the book of Hebrews that faith is the substance of hope. If we are to have sound hope then the substance of that hope must be sound. If we are to find strength in our faith then our faith must be based upon that which is strong and everlasting. We can put our faith in many things as faith is put into action through choice. However, if we don’t choose to believe in that which is eternal then our faith is placed in vain as its substance is temporal. It is of no use to rely upon that which we can see and touch for someday, everything seen and touched vanishes and our faith will crumble. Our faith, in order to provided that which will enable us to endure, must be placed in that which is eternal.
Jesus is the only one I know who gives us an eternal promise. Our belief in Him gives us eternal life. He is the source of our faith, the well-head of our hope and strength. I’m not talking about the religions that men have formed around, Jesus for they are temporal also. I am talking about the man, Jesus. The man who was born of the Spirit and obeyed God so perfectly as to be God on earth. Even though, He was a man, He was divine. All the strength and hope He needed to fulfill His mission on earth came to Him directly from God. All may receive this same source of power when they first believe in Jesus and choose to put their faith in Him. This is strength that will never falter and hope that will never fade. When we put our faith in, Jesus we have all the strength and hope we need to live out our lives; and as God’s Will is done upon the earth through us, His love and power are demonstrated to others in need of that same eternal strength and hope.
Do you have the strength and hope that you need?
The painting used to illustrate this post was painted by, Lance Brown. If you would like to see more of his work, visit his website at www.paintedchrist.com.
I Love that painting did you paint this beautiful canvas? I paint as well and love to see others paintings. when i paint i feel my Father is in me and my hands just paint what comes to me. mahalo nui nua means thank you very much for your talent…Ric
Hi Ricardo, No, none of the paintings I share are mine. They are like the posts I write, copywritten under “Collective Commons” meaning that anyone can use them as long as they don’t claim to have created them and doesn’t alter them. I love the process of finding works that illustrate my writing and often, they inspire what I write. I do paint but writing is more important to me these days. When I write, I feel what you describe while painting. I love teaching children how to paint and that would fill the old adage, “those who can’t, teach”. I used to show my work when I was young but now I just paint for myself or someone I love.
I’m glad you are blessed by this piece and I hope you will visit often and enjoy the works I’ve gathered here.
Pam
Jesus’ Last Words………Where are you. I did your will all my life. I gave my all. I did nothing for my self, I did it all for you. I lived that others may have a better life.
This is what I get in return. Pain & Suffering.
IF you are real thanks for nothing………………………………………
The rest of the story is man made propaganda
Joe, You know I couldn’t disagree with you more. What is it that you expect from Jesus? I agree that there are power-hungry people who have turned faith in Jesus into a way to gain power over people through religion. Jesus had to deal with those kinds of people when He walked the earth, too. In fact, they were the ones who saw to it that He was crucified. Faith in Jesus is about a personal, spiritual, relationship with God. Propaganda is about politics and earthly power. The same power-hungry, abusive system that took the life of the only man who was so faithful to God, as to be called the Son of God. He was so obedient that through Him, God actually, walked the earth. There’s nothing in there that fits propaganda or any kind of political power because it is a direct, one-on-one relationship with God, through faith in Jesus. There are lots of people in the world who want to insert themselves into that relationship and make of themselves, more than they should but they have no real power. Only what they trick people into giving them. There’s no religious participation required to have a relationship with God. I’ve had that relationship for 36 years now and it is the most satisfying, nurturing relationship of my life.All the other relationships in my life are nurtured by it. Nothing can take that from me because Jesus lives in me. That’s not propaganda, I’m not promoting any religion, any organization, or political point of view. I’m just an old woman who’s been to hell and back a few times in my life and because I have Jesus in my life, it didn’t destroy me. In fact, it has maintained my integrity, enabled me to overcome, and keeps my heart full of love and joy. If it weren’t for Jesus, I’d probably be dead. If I weren’t dead, I’d be bitter and mean. Probably, insane. Jesus lived in a body of flesh and blood just like you and I and during His suffering, He did wonder why God had forsaken Him but don’t forget that after He died, He rose to live again. He wasn’t a victim. He died in sacrifice, not in service to people but in service to God. He laid His life down and then He picked it up again. In Jesus I have that same kind of resilience born of the Spirit. Spiritually speaking, I have resurrection power and that is the power that helps me rise again whenever the evil things in life nearly, destroy me. That’s why I have faith, why I believe, that when I am in my last hours of suffering and about to experience that final forsakening by God, that is death, that I will sleep in Jesus and one day, return with Him. In Jesus, I will rise again. That’s not propaganda, it’s a hope for the future that I’m assured of not only because I’ve read it in the Bible but because of what Jesus has meant in my life and how I have experienced the power of God, through Him. Belief is powerful. By it, we recieve faith, as a gift from God, that has the power to move mountains.
I don’t know why you feel cheated by Jesus. Maybe it is religion that has let you down and not Jesus? Perhaps, the same kind of persons who wanted Jesus dead because He was a threat to their power and wealth, are the one’s who have lied to you by their propaganda. The living God has no use for propaganda.We live in an era in which people are so enamored and have so many of their needs met by science that they feel no need for God. A lot of people don’t understand spiritual thought but it has been a very important part of being a human being, since the beginning. Don’t sell yourself short by discrediting Jesus too soon. A vibrant spiritual life makes life more than bearable.
Be blessed,
Pam