Day 3 - Week 63 - Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy andn peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

Romans 15:12 "And again, Isaiah says, 'The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; the Gentiles will hope in him.'"

From John Gill's Exposition of the Bible:

Now the God of hope This character is taken from the latter part of Romans 15:12, and is occasioned by it, "in him shall the Gentiles trust", or "hope"; and is proper to God as he is the author and giver of this grace; for naturally men are without it; that which is a good hope is the gift of God, and through his grace, and is wrought in the heart in regeneration; for to this are the children of God begotten again. Moreover, God is the object of it; not wealth and riches, nor works of righteousness, but Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, particularly Christ, is called the believer's hope; that is, the object of it, in whom the Gentiles hope and trust. Likewise, it is God that encourages to the exercise of it by the proclamations of his grace, and mercy, and plenteous redemption; by the discoveries of his love, and views of interest in him; and by bringing to mind the past experiences of his goodness: he preserves and maintains this grace useful and lively, firm and steadfast, at least in being, which sometimes seems almost perished and gone; he increases it, and causes his people to abound in the exercise of it, and continues it even unto death. The Ethiopic version reads, "the God of our promises", which are what hope has respect unto, and builds upon.

John Gill makes me think.  Even though you have to work through the old-style language that he uses (he did write this in the early 1700s), he just gives me insight and thoughts regarding Scripture that I would miss otherwise.    In this passage, he reminds me that  "hope" is from God and that men are naturally without it.  I had not really thought about that, but I know that in my life if I did not have my faith in God, there really would be no hope.    And not only is God the giver of hope, but He is also the object of our hope.  There is nothing else in comparison.

Gill agrees.  He states, "God is the object of it; not wealth and riches, nor works of righteousness, but Jehovah, Father, Son, and Spirit, particularly Christ."

And then, in only the miraculous way that God can devise, He not only is the giver and the object of our hope, but through the Holy Spirit, He is the encourager of our hope.  I truly love the way Gill explains this aspect of God's relationship to the hope that we have, "it is God that encourages to the exercise of it by the proclamations of his grace, and mercy, and plenteous redemption; by the discoveries of his love, and views of interest in him; and by bringing to mind the past experiences of his goodness: he preserves and maintains this grace useful and lively, firm and steadfast, at least in being, which sometimes seems almost perished and gone; he increases it, and causes his people to abound in the exercise of it, and continues it even unto death."

The discoveries of His love prompt us to increase our hope in Him incrementally.  We realize He loves us more than we thought previously and we have more hope in His promise of continuing and abiding love.  Bringing to mind the past experiences of His goodness reminds us that He is faithful, that He stands true to His word, and that we are assured of the hope that is within us, and that hope grows.  Even when our hope sometimes seems almost perished and gone, He is gracious and increases it, and we continue in our hope in God, "even unto death."

Gill includes the Ethiopian translation, "the God of our promises."  That's right.  We have hope in the God of our promises, because His promises always come true.  That's the testimony of the Bible to us...we can stand on God's promises...and those promises change our hope from "wishful thinking" to a firm foundation for our lives.

Standing on the Promises of God

Russell K. Carter - published 1886

Standing on the promises of Christ my King,
Through eternal ages let His praises ring,
Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises that cannot fail,
When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail,
By the living Word of God I shall prevail,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I now can see
Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me;
Standing in the liberty where Christ makes free,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord,
Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord,
Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing on the promises I cannot fall,
List’ning every moment to the Spirit’s call,
Resting in my Savior as my all in all,
Standing on the promises of God.

Standing, standing,
Standing on the promises of God my Savior;
Standing, standing,
I’m standing on the promises of God.

Day 2 - Week 63 - Romans 15:13 "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit."

I said yesterday that this verse is dynamic and powerful, and that it is a verse of process and reaction.  So let's look at the process that this verse describes...

What do you see as the first step?  Do you see it as God filling us with all joy and peace?  Actually, that is a result of the first step.  The first step is "as we trust in Him." 

1.  Trust in God

As we trust in Him, then God fills us with all joy and peace.  It is exactly like we have been studying in Philippians 4.  Trust in God and His sovereignty, power and ability, brings to us joy and peace.  Without trust in God, we have to rely on ourselves...and as for me, that is not a joyful state.  That is not a place that brings peace.  It is too much for me.  So the process is...

1.   Trust in God
2.   God fills us with joy and peace
But this verse doesn't just say "God", this verse says "the God of hope."  Our God is the God of hope.  Our God is the God who says, "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the LORD, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'"  Jeremiah 29:11. 

God's message to His children is full of hope.  He gives us hope for each new day as He provides for us, and He gives us hope for eternity when our days here on earth are over.  A hope made possible through Jesus Christ's atonement for us.  God's plan for us is one of hope.  He is the God of hope! 

So we will modify our process:

1.  Trust in the God of hope
2.  God fills us with joy and peace

When we have trusted, when we have felt the filling within us of God's joy and peace, what is the next step in the process?

1.  Trust in the God of hope
2.  God fills us with joy and peace
3.  The Holy Spirit rules over us and empowers us

When we reach a complete level of trust in our God of hope, we fully experience His joy and peace, we will be willing to completely surrender to the Holy Spirit within us, to completely release His power within us.  This is where true life change takes place.  This is where we no longer fight for "self", we completely give ourselves to God and to His will over our lives.  This is where we often stop and resist, because we are so naturally unwilling to give up our control.
But when we do, when we allow the Holy Spirit to truly empower us, what is the final step?
1.  Trust in the God of hope
2.  God fills us with joy and peace
3.  The Holy Spirit rules over us and empowers us
4.  We overflow with hope!

At this point, we cannot contain the hope that is within us.  It is our purpose in life, it is what we are about.  The hope---the hope that is gifted to us by the God of hope; the hope that the Holy Spirit empowers us to exhibit to the point of overflow; the hope that is accompanied by true joy, true peace.  Joy and peace that are not conditional on our earthly circumstances, but that abide within us because of the hope that points us outside of this life, into our perfect lives of eternity with our Father.

Day 1 - Week 63 - One of the most powerful verses for me!

The verse we will add today is one of the most powerful verses of the Bible for me.  It is SO dynamic in its content.  I know you will grow to appreciate its power as well!
Another new week - can you believe it?  The weeks seem to fly by for me!  This year of 2012 is going so incredibly fast.  I am amazed that it is already May.  May is a special month for me as it is the birth month of my beautiful daughter who was born on May 1....and talk about time going fast....this year that beautiful baby girl that God blessed me with turned 32 years old!  I just cannot believe it, and yet I am so blessed by her and her lovely spirit.  I am so proud of the woman she has become and I thank God for blessing my life with hers...she truly loves people and extends God's love to them in such a gracious way.

OK - thank you for allowing me a moment of motherly pride!  But I do believe that mothers should express their joy in their children. Children should know that they bring a smile to their parents' faces and that their parents consider them as true gifts from God.  In my opinion, they are one of God's greatest gifts...and then grandchildren!  The gift just keeps on multiplying!

So back to our journey of Biblical knowledge and memorization.  It has become a lot more important to me to just continue on the journey than to hold myself to absolutely having each of these verses recitable on command.  I know when our journey is complete I will have to retrace our steps and reinforce each of these verses in my brain again...maybe the next time with not as much background study, but focusing more on the memorization.  But on this trip I think it is essential to really know what the verses mean and the depth of the verses so that when we do really get them seared into our brains, we will have their power as well as the words.
Let's review and then we'll add.....

Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."

The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."

Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."
Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

And today we add Romans 15:13...as I said, to me it is one of the most powerful and dynamic verses in the Bible.  It encompasses so much of the picture of faith and the process of God in our lives.  Here we go...

Romans 15:13 - "May the God of hope fill you with all peace and joy as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

This verse relays a process and subsequent reactions that we will really look into this week.  I love it!  I love my God who is so incredibly good to me, through every step of every day His blessings are so apparent. 

Day 4 - Week 62 - Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

"shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

What is this promise that we are given about the peace of God?  What does it mean when it says that God's peace, imparted to us, shall keep (or "guard" as some translations use) our hearts and our minds through Christ Jesus?

When I come across a phrase that I really don't think I have the full understanding of, I go to commentaries that may help me see something that I haven't before.  Commentaries are just that...people's comments on the subject matter based on their study and their personal convictions.  Some commentaries I agree with, some I don't.  You cannot accept commentaries as Holy Scripture, but you can utilize them to push your brain to look at a verse in a different way and, weighing that valuation against other Scripture, decide if you agree or not.  But most importantly, commentary has to agree with other Scriptures on the same subject; reference to other Scriptures as supporting arguments for the view stated is always helpful as well.  So let's look at a few commentaries on this portion of Philippians 4:7:

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
shall keep--rather, "shall guard"; shall keep as a well-garrisoned stronghold ( Isaiah 26:1 Isaiah 26:3 ). The same Greek verb is used in 1 Peter 1:5 . There shall be peace secure within, whatever outward troubles may besiege.
hearts and minds--rather, "hearts (the seat of the thoughts) and thoughts" or purposes.
through--rather as Greek, "in Christ Jesus." It is in Christ that we are "kept" or "guarded" secure.

John Darby's Synopsis of the New Testament
"His peace, the peace of God Himself, shall keep our hearts. It does not say that our hearts shall keep the peace of God; but, having cast our burden on Him whose peace nothing can disturb, His peace keeps our hearts. Our trouble is before Him, and the constant peace of the God of love, who takes charge of everything and knows all beforehand, quiets our disburdened hearts, and imparts to us the peace which is in Himself and which is above all understanding (or at least keeps our hearts by it), even as He Himself is above all the circumstances that can disquiet us, and above the poor human heart that is troubled by them. Oh, what grace! that even our anxieties are a means of our being filled with this marvellous peace, if we know how to bring them to God, and true He is." 

Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)
"The peace of God, the comfortable sense of being reconciled to God, and having a part in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly blessedness, are a greater good than can be fully expressed. This peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them; keep us calm and with inward satisfaction."

People's New Testament
"And the peace of God. The peace that comes by putting all in the hands of the one who is able and willing to deliver. Whenever we fully trust the Lord there comes a peace that is past the understanding of those who have never experienced it. Shall keep your hearts. That peace will be a guard which will keep the heart and thoughts holy and pure."

Do reading through these commentaries increase your understanding of the promise that we are given as a result of the peace of God abiding in us?  I read through them and I can linger over the words and let them sink into my soul, especially those of John Darby regarding this verse.  "Oh what grace!  That even our anxieties are a means of our being filled with this marvelous peace."  And I also appreciate Matthew Henry's statement that God's peace "will keep us from sinning under troubles, and from sinking under them, keep us calm and with inward satisfaction."

Yes - these commentaries help me.  They help me not only understand God's Word better, but to feel a connection with my Christian brothers of long ago, studying the same words of Scripture and being comforted and enlightened by them. 

I wish for you a day of peacefulness, a day when in your heart and in your minds you know that God is in control and that He loves you.

Day 3 - Week 62 - Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

"which passeth all understanding..." 

Statements like this remind us that there are some things we just won't understand completely.  We will experience them, through the grace of God, but we just can't truly understand.  In this instance, I think Paul is telling us that while we will experience the peace of God when we place our cares in His hands, we can't understand or explain the depth of the complete peace that God imposes to us.  It is unlike the peace of the world (as Jesus told His disciples), that comes and goes with various circumstances.  God's peace carries us through all conditions, no matter what. 

It is impossible to explain to someone who has not entered into a trusting relationship with God, who has not experienced the true peace of God when it seems incomprehensible to be at peace in a situation of turmoil or sadness, that this deep, abiding peace is real and available to all. 

Just as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 1:18, that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who don't believe, the understanding of this peace is beyond reach for those who have not come to the knowledge of salvation through the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. Read this verse in the paraphrase furnished by The Message:

The Message that points to Christ on the Cross seems like sheer silliness to those hellbent on destruction, but for those on the way of salvation it makes perfect sense. This is the way God works, and most powerfully as it turns out.

"This is the way God works..." a way that reserves His most special gifts to His children until the point of their acknowledgement of Him as their loving Father.  His gifts of true peace, and subsequently, abiding joy.  You can't explain it, but the Holy Spirit is ready to give these gifts to anyone who surrenders their will to His, their heart to Him. 

Day 2 - Week 62 - Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

"The peace of God", does that sound familiar?  Does it bring back to you another verse that we have already learned?  For me, I hear the words of Jesus, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let not your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27...way back on Week 25!)

Just as Jesus told his disciples that He was leaving them with a peace unlike they had ever known, that would alleviate their troubled hearts and calm their fears, Paul reiterates to us that when we deposit all of our concerns into the very capable hands of our loving God, that we will experience God's peace, a peace that surpasses any sense of calm that we may have had before, a peace that truly is incomprehensible to those who have not entered into a relationship of trust with God. 

Robert J. Morgan states,

This isn't just the peace God gives; it's the peace He enjoys, His own internal dimensions of peace.  It's the peace of Christ Himself...

...It's beyond our ability to understand it or to explain it to others.  When we do as God commands here, we're promised an inner composure utterly unexplainable and inexplicable.

Think about the peace of Christ.  In the midst of scorn, rebuke, and terrible punishment, He remained at peace.  That peace came because He knew, completely and without a doubt, who He was and where He was headed.  He saw beyond the cross and trusted His Father to do what He had told Him He would. 

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  - Hebrews 12:2

That's the kind of peace I want in my life...that no matter what the course, I remain confident of the joy that is set before me.  That I have placed every worldly care and concern in my Father's hands and am trusting Him to bring me through.  I believe that is what Jesus did in Gethsemane...he gut-wretchedly poured out His human concerns of pain and, more desperately, his fear of separation from God, into His Father's hands and He came out of that time confirmed of God's absolute faithfulness to Him.  He could then go forward in confidence and with peace. 

And the ultimate result..."joy"!

Day 1 - Week 62 - Peace/Joy

We'll continue adding to our verses of joy with the last verse of our Philippians 4 grouping.  This is another section of Bible verses that seem to build on each other...and the last one is one of the great ones.  I always hesitate to say that one verse or another is "my favorite" because I know that every word given to us by God through Holy Scripture is important and vital.  But it is true that some come to us at times when we need them so much that they embed themselves in our souls and we find ourselves leaning on them again and again.  This is one of those verses for me and one that I have shared many times with others.

But it is the beginning of a new week, and we must first review where we have already been.  The beauty of our journey continues, as we look back and as we anticipate what is coming!  On the Appalachian Trail we would now be in Connecticut, hiking through the Housatonic River Valley.  Doesn't this scene look peaceful?  It makes me think of Psalm 23..."He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He restores my soul."

So let's look back and then we'll start moving forward again...

Obedience (10)
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Lamentations 3:40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:11 Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord.
Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, be persistent in prayer.
Romans 12:18 If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.
2 Corinthians 9:7 Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Hebrews 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." (NKJV)
Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."
Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle word turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath."

The Holy Spirit's Role in our Lives (6)
Ephesians 5:18 "And don't get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled with the Spirit."
Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music in to the Lord in your hearts."
Ephesians 5:20 "Giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ephesians 5:21 "Submitting to one another in the fear of Christ."
Galatians 5:22 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
2 Timothy 1:14 "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you...guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us."

Joy: God's Kind of Happiness (12)
Psalm 118:24 "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."
Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"
Philippians 4:5 "Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near."
Philippians 4:6 "Do not worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

And now Philippians 4:7 -

"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (KJV)

This is one of those verses that I first learned in the King James Version and I just cling to that wording.  But if you prefer another, feel free to substitute!  I do love the way The Message paraphrases this verse,

"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."   

And I also really like hearing it through the words of the Hebrew Names Bible,

"The shalom of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Messiah Yeshua." 

Isn't that beautiful?  Only a quick note of commentary on our verse and then I'll close for today.  Note that the verse starts with "And."  This is key to realizing that this verse ties directly to the conditions of the previous verses we've already studied.  Look above and read Philippians 4:4, 5, and 6 and then immediately add to it verse 7.  When we do that, it's clear that when we do the things we are instructed to in the first three verses, then verse 7 will be the result. 

So, "Peace/Joy"...can you have one without the other?  I know a few people who seem to revel in turmoil, but I think "seem to" explains that misperception.  The people that I witness who seem to be truly joyful are those who are also peacemakers.  They go about their lives living out Romans 12:18 (remember that one?), "If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone."  They exhibit an inner peace that doesn't seem natural at times, and with that peace they share joy. 

On this National Day of Prayer, please join me and so many others in praying for our nation, that we, as a nation "under God", recognize that our multitude of blessings have come from His hand to be a light to the world.  This day was established in 1952 by President Harry Truman and formalized in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan to be observed on the first Thursday of May of each year.  I am including in my prayer thankfulness for these men of God, along with our founding fathers whose faith in God formed this nation's foundation.  God bless America and enable us to be a blessing to the world!