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Subject: A Prisoner of Hope Author: Hillbilly [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 19:56:49 03/13/14 Thu Zech 9:12 Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee; Occasionally when reading the Bible I come across a verse that seems to jump off the page at me. The above verse is such. The context of the verse is God promising to render double blessings to Israel as she is restored and returned to favor with Him. What grabbed me in the verse was the phrase "ye prisoners of hope". As I meditated on the phrase I came to the conclusion I was a prisoner of hope and had been since I had placed all my trust in my Saviour Jesus Christ. What is a prisoner but one who is boxed in with no way of escape. Think about it. Do you constantly pray for relief from something that troubles you? Sickness, children, money problems a dangerous situation? Do you hope for relief from the burdens? Have you found out as I that even if you gain relief and release from one situation or need there are many others that you still hold out hope for. I have found there is never a time that I am not compelled to pray for something or someone. I am a prisoner to this necessity that has been placed within me. My mind and heart are held captive by the only One who can be a real deliverer. Look at what Psalms 46:1 says: "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." You see I am held captive by the knowledge this is true. I am therefore captive to the hope that is placed in the one who can be our refuge, strength, help and HOPE! Look at what Nahum 1:7 tells us: "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." I know Him and I trust in Him. He knows that and therefore He knows me. He knows I am a prisoner to this knowledge. A willing prisoner? You bet. I wouldn't have it any other way. The Lord is the only being in existence that I can fully trust. No matter what happens in life if I put my trust in the Lord the outcome will be right. It may not be what I had prayed for but it will be right. If I place my trust in the Lord's will it will always be right. Finally along these thoughts look at what Paul had to say in this passage in Hebrews. Hebrews 6:18-19 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; I have a strong consolation (hope) in that God has given me exceeding great promises and it is impossible for Him to lie to me. I have fled to Him as my refuge and have laid hold of the hope that is set before me. The knowledge of the promises God has given to me is an "anchor" to my soul. That anchor holds no matter how fierce the storm nor how swift and strong the current that would pull me to calamity. Yes I am a prisoner to these things. "A prisoner of hope" if you will. I thank God that I am. He is my Stronghold and He is my Anchor. What could be better? [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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[> Subject: I totally missed this, HB Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 21:14:44 03/20/14 Thu I've been checking in ever day to see if you posted and this was kind of nestled in between your last study and Gerry's post. It was a good one, as usual, and spoke to me. I, too, feel compelled to pray for my friends or people I know of who are in need, taking care to remember to thank the Lord for all the good he has given me, but I know he'd like for me to come to him daily as a friend and I would like for you to help me with that. Can you post a few prayers that you use to communicate better with God?

[> [> Subject: Praying Author: Hillbilly [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 20:56:41 03/21/14 Fri Prayer is communication from the Christian to God. In my opinion as much as possible it should be offered as communication between friends. John 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. (through His Holy Word) If Jesus calls His disciples friends should we not reciprocate that? I have never written a prayer so I have none to share. I do not repeat prayers per se. I may repeat often certain petitions in my prayers but each day is different and situations and circumstances change so my prayer changes. There are times I want to just thank Him and praise Him without petition. This is some of the best praying you can ever do and if it truly is coming from the heart and friend to friend God will accept that over a repetitive prayer Jesus told us how to pray in Matthew 6:6-8 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Prayer should be persistent: Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Paul said it this way in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing. Many think this is impossible but it is not when you communicate with our Lord as if He is with you at all times, which He is. I often talk to Him while working, shopping, walking, eating, bathing etc. Constantly talking to my dearest Friend. Lastly, prayer must be according to God's will. He knows what we need and He knows what the future holds. We may be fervently and honestly praying but God has seen tomorrow and knows that to assent to what you ask will be harmful to you. We must accept God's will over our own. Also what get's out of your mouth may not be what gets to God's ear. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Pray earnestly from the heart and don't every worry about what exactly is said or in what manner the prayer is prayed. Just get alone and talk to your Friend.

[> [> [> Subject: Thank you, Dwight Author: dori [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 01:34:08 03/22/14 Sat That is helpful to me as I struggle to get closer to God, knowing I can best do that when I am honest with him and can think of him as friend as much as Master. God bless you, friend.