Larry Lilly's Journal 2017: Valid Reasons for Hope Vol 19 Issue 2 Feb 2017
Larry & Joyce 50th Anniversary! 8/29/14
2017: Valid Reasons for Hope Larry Lilly D.D.
Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, said, "Now we're feeling what not having hope feels like. What do you give your kids if you can't give them hope?"
I admit there is a feeling of hopelessness in the world and it will always be so, no matter which political party is running things.
Yet Christians have had a living hope since Jesus Christ walked out of the tomb! The victories, past, present and on the horizon, are enumerated clearly in 1Corinthians 15. This body of Hope will keep your heart and mind at peace even during the bleakest of events or times. Victory in Jesus Christ “trumps” all temporary defeats, even death.
Peter used this truth to comfort his readers in 2Peter 3:10-14 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;”
Peter follows the lead of Paul in a list of things that are to come and the resulting instruction for action is the same and simple, but not necessarily easy. Notice the words, Nevertheless, Therefore. Therefore, is used by both Paul and Peter to cause us to keep focused on ultimate’s rather than the transient events associated with the realm of time.
Peter puts the emphasis on the cataclysmic events of the end of time, where Paul places the Hope to the fore of our thought and feelings. The last verse of 1Corinthians 15 is full of hope, true hope that transcends the things of earth that we spend too much thought on. Take a long lingering look at this verse.
1Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Therefore, leads back over the truth covered in the preceding verses, verses of truth that are filled with hope, hope that transcends death itself. Verses brimming with Hope are 3-8 as they lay out the miracle of the Good News (Gospel) that Christ died in our place, becoming sin for us, and we, poor, lost wandering scions of the fallen Adam freely receive the gift of eternal life paid for with the shed blood of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. The highest possible price for the lowest sinner.
Not only did Christ die for us, but He was buried, thus symbolizing the identity with Adam as a physical creature, and then removing any reasonable doubt of his death by languishing in the grave for three days and that, get your breath, He rose again, in accordance with the scriptures.
In the Cross, we have forgiveness, in His burial we have the past life, with all its sin, put away and in His resurrection we have the reality of our being new in Him, raised into newness of life even to the point of being joint heirs with Him. (Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.) In this brief statement of Hope, all the hopes of this world are as nothing, yet we spend so much of life living what Mrs. Obama termed as “hopeless.” If Christ lives, we have eternal hope that far outshines all other forms of hope.
Because of the hope of the Gospel Paul admits that though he is not worthy of apostleship, Christ has pronounced him as a worthy servant despite his former past and a murderous one at that.Therefore, we have an example that keeps us going even though there will always be those to remind us of what we were prior to our acceptance by the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
With this transformation comes the assurance that we can know who we are in Jesus Christ, that we have a divine purpose in living, and we have Christ working in us thus enabling a lasting life work. As Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote so powerfully, “Because He lives I and can face tomorrow.”
Paul closes out the section of the gospel with a statement that may explain the hopelessness of Mrs. Obama with these sobering words in verse 19. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men miserable.” Or as another puts it, pitiable.
A life without hope is pitiable and this is a real pity, for we do not have to live in such hopelessness, missing the joy of the miracle of life as humans and in the case of believers as ones who called the children of God.
Paul gives more reason to hope in his explanation of eschatological events, (things to yet come to pass) as he points out the order of the divisions in the coming resurrection, Christ first, (past) that of the believers the church at the coming of Christ and then what Zodhiates terms, the end ones ,those who are saved during the awful days of tribulation on earth and God’s Kingdom on earth where rules, the lamb lays down with the lion and humans gather down by the riverside, beat swords into plowshares and study war no more. Seems to me that we have hope beyond those of the wildest political promises.
Because of the validity of the mentioned hopes we who believe are to stay on course, settled on the Rock of Ages, consistent in works of love, and convinced of the value of living for Christ. As Paul said it is not in vain.
You may have noticed that Peter, Paul and the other apostles/disciples give clear instruction that the way to have a continuing hope in your heart is to turn your focus from the ever dimming things of earth and refocus your desires toward the heavenly. Paul states here briefly:
1Corinthians 15:34 “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame”
The goal is live right emulating the demonstration of Christ. Easy to say.
Peter puts it this way: 2Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,”
Contrasting the rock solid faith of Peter and Paul, we find that society in general at the opposite pole as Luke describes here:
Luke 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
Because of “fear” people cannot come to grips with reality and thus they are in a failure mode. On the other hand, people of faith, in spite of all the events mentioned in Luke 21 are conditioned to “carry on as usual.” Because the Lord is still in charge. PTL!
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow”, and enjoy today! LML
Former First Lady, Michelle Obama, said, "Now we're feeling what not having hope feels like. What do you give your kids if you can't give them hope?"
I admit there is a feeling of hopelessness in the world and it will always be so, no matter which political party is running things.
Yet Christians have had a living hope since Jesus Christ walked out of the tomb! The victories, past, present and on the horizon, are enumerated clearly in 1Corinthians 15. This body of Hope will keep your heart and mind at peace even during the bleakest of events or times. Victory in Jesus Christ “trumps” all temporary defeats, even death.
Peter used this truth to comfort his readers in 2Peter 3:10-14 “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
11 Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,
12 looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?
13 Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;”
Peter follows the lead of Paul in a list of things that are to come and the resulting instruction for action is the same and simple, but not necessarily easy. Notice the words, Nevertheless, Therefore. Therefore, is used by both Paul and Peter to cause us to keep focused on ultimate’s rather than the transient events associated with the realm of time.
Peter puts the emphasis on the cataclysmic events of the end of time, where Paul places the Hope to the fore of our thought and feelings. The last verse of 1Corinthians 15 is full of hope, true hope that transcends the things of earth that we spend too much thought on. Take a long lingering look at this verse.
1Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Therefore, leads back over the truth covered in the preceding verses, verses of truth that are filled with hope, hope that transcends death itself. Verses brimming with Hope are 3-8 as they lay out the miracle of the Good News (Gospel) that Christ died in our place, becoming sin for us, and we, poor, lost wandering scions of the fallen Adam freely receive the gift of eternal life paid for with the shed blood of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. The highest possible price for the lowest sinner.
Not only did Christ die for us, but He was buried, thus symbolizing the identity with Adam as a physical creature, and then removing any reasonable doubt of his death by languishing in the grave for three days and that, get your breath, He rose again, in accordance with the scriptures.
In the Cross, we have forgiveness, in His burial we have the past life, with all its sin, put away and in His resurrection we have the reality of our being new in Him, raised into newness of life even to the point of being joint heirs with Him. (Romans 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.) In this brief statement of Hope, all the hopes of this world are as nothing, yet we spend so much of life living what Mrs. Obama termed as “hopeless.” If Christ lives, we have eternal hope that far outshines all other forms of hope.
Because of the hope of the Gospel Paul admits that though he is not worthy of apostleship, Christ has pronounced him as a worthy servant despite his former past and a murderous one at that.Therefore, we have an example that keeps us going even though there will always be those to remind us of what we were prior to our acceptance by the risen Lord Jesus Christ.
With this transformation comes the assurance that we can know who we are in Jesus Christ, that we have a divine purpose in living, and we have Christ working in us thus enabling a lasting life work. As Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote so powerfully, “Because He lives I and can face tomorrow.”
Paul closes out the section of the gospel with a statement that may explain the hopelessness of Mrs. Obama with these sobering words in verse 19. “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men miserable.” Or as another puts it, pitiable.
A life without hope is pitiable and this is a real pity, for we do not have to live in such hopelessness, missing the joy of the miracle of life as humans and in the case of believers as ones who called the children of God.
Paul gives more reason to hope in his explanation of eschatological events, (things to yet come to pass) as he points out the order of the divisions in the coming resurrection, Christ first, (past) that of the believers the church at the coming of Christ and then what Zodhiates terms, the end ones ,those who are saved during the awful days of tribulation on earth and God’s Kingdom on earth where rules, the lamb lays down with the lion and humans gather down by the riverside, beat swords into plowshares and study war no more. Seems to me that we have hope beyond those of the wildest political promises.
Because of the validity of the mentioned hopes we who believe are to stay on course, settled on the Rock of Ages, consistent in works of love, and convinced of the value of living for Christ. As Paul said it is not in vain.
You may have noticed that Peter, Paul and the other apostles/disciples give clear instruction that the way to have a continuing hope in your heart is to turn your focus from the ever dimming things of earth and refocus your desires toward the heavenly. Paul states here briefly:
1Corinthians 15:34 “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame”
The goal is live right emulating the demonstration of Christ. Easy to say.
Peter puts it this way: 2Peter 3:14 Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;
15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation--as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you,”
Contrasting the rock solid faith of Peter and Paul, we find that society in general at the opposite pole as Luke describes here:
Luke 21:25 "And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;
26 "men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.
Because of “fear” people cannot come to grips with reality and thus they are in a failure mode. On the other hand, people of faith, in spite of all the events mentioned in Luke 21 are conditioned to “carry on as usual.” Because the Lord is still in charge. PTL!
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow”, and enjoy today! LML
Letters & Comments
Proverbs 11:3 The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.
Bobby Jones was one of the greatest golfers to ever compete, uniquely known for winning the "Grand Slam" of golf winning all four major tournaments in the U.S. and Britain in a single year. In 1925, early in his career, having reached the final playoff in the U.S. Open, at a certain point in the match, Jones was setting up to strike his ball which was in the rough just off the fairway. His iron accidentally touched the ball. He immediately became angry with himself, turned to the marshals, and called a penalty on himself.
But the marshals had not seen the ball move, so they left the decision to Jones, whether to invoke the penalty -- a two-stroke penalty. Bobby called the penalty on himself, not knowing that he would lose the tournament by a single stroke.
When praised for his honesty, he replied, "You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank!" Jones may have lost the tournament, but his character was legendary and today the United States Golf Association's award for sportsmanship is known as the "Bobby Jones Award."
It's been said, "Character is what you do when nobody is watching. Character is how you treat people who can do absolutely nothing for you. Character is how you react when the pressure is on. Character is deciding beforehand that you are going to do the right thing."
Every day we're faced with decisions -- many of which are made when no one is watching, at least no one we can see. But let's purpose in our hearts to do the right thing -- because character truly counts. We may not see the dividends immediately -- but be assured that God is keeping track of our decisions, and He will make good on every one!
From George Whitten, Worthy News Brief. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?tab=wm#trash/1596a1d2bde783d8
****
Dear Rev. Lilly,
Thank for all your dedication to those who are incarcerated! Your ministry is so needed! You are a blessing, to so many men, women and families.
I thank you for your ongoing prayers for my son. He is doing well, but needs prayer for the position he has in the prison. He is the head orderly of his unit. He has many situations he must deal with. He works very closely with the CO's. He is required to help solve problems within his unit along with making sure the unit is in tip top shape. He has had a few challenges because he must make sure the unit runs smoothly, which includes placing intimates in rooms. You know how sticky that can be. Right now, he's dealing with a homosexual situation that has his head spinning. Please pray for guidance, discernment, courage, wisdom and fairness in making decisions. Pray that the CO's will treat him fairly and not impose more on him than he can handle or put him in any compromising situations. It's a real balancing act! Also, pray for his safety, because if any inmate got mad over a decision he made it could be bad. You know the system! Hopefully my son can come home soon. The Christmas season is so hard, because my family is not whole without him. I always feel a big hole in my heart during this time of year!
I pray that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Editor’s Note: Please hold this Mother and her son in your prayers. God hears a mother’s prayers and He knows her son is fighting to re-establish a new life with Jesus, but any leadership role brings with it hair pulling problems, whether inside a prison or in industry. A prisoner attempting to do right faces problems unheard of on the outside, but wherever loss can be involved, on the outside, loss of face, income, even family. All these may also be lost in prison, but to these add the loss of health due to being beaten, stabbed, violent harassment among others. Prisoners do not usually “shun” one another, but will “shank” you. I doubt that that will happen as an orderly, but…
**
“And many a raptured minstrel among the sons of light, when asked whence cometh thy song? Will say, ‘I learned it in the night!’” John Greenleaf Whittier.
Bobby Jones was one of the greatest golfers to ever compete, uniquely known for winning the "Grand Slam" of golf winning all four major tournaments in the U.S. and Britain in a single year. In 1925, early in his career, having reached the final playoff in the U.S. Open, at a certain point in the match, Jones was setting up to strike his ball which was in the rough just off the fairway. His iron accidentally touched the ball. He immediately became angry with himself, turned to the marshals, and called a penalty on himself.
But the marshals had not seen the ball move, so they left the decision to Jones, whether to invoke the penalty -- a two-stroke penalty. Bobby called the penalty on himself, not knowing that he would lose the tournament by a single stroke.
When praised for his honesty, he replied, "You may as well praise a man for not robbing a bank!" Jones may have lost the tournament, but his character was legendary and today the United States Golf Association's award for sportsmanship is known as the "Bobby Jones Award."
It's been said, "Character is what you do when nobody is watching. Character is how you treat people who can do absolutely nothing for you. Character is how you react when the pressure is on. Character is deciding beforehand that you are going to do the right thing."
Every day we're faced with decisions -- many of which are made when no one is watching, at least no one we can see. But let's purpose in our hearts to do the right thing -- because character truly counts. We may not see the dividends immediately -- but be assured that God is keeping track of our decisions, and He will make good on every one!
From George Whitten, Worthy News Brief. https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?tab=wm#trash/1596a1d2bde783d8
****
Dear Rev. Lilly,
Thank for all your dedication to those who are incarcerated! Your ministry is so needed! You are a blessing, to so many men, women and families.
I thank you for your ongoing prayers for my son. He is doing well, but needs prayer for the position he has in the prison. He is the head orderly of his unit. He has many situations he must deal with. He works very closely with the CO's. He is required to help solve problems within his unit along with making sure the unit is in tip top shape. He has had a few challenges because he must make sure the unit runs smoothly, which includes placing intimates in rooms. You know how sticky that can be. Right now, he's dealing with a homosexual situation that has his head spinning. Please pray for guidance, discernment, courage, wisdom and fairness in making decisions. Pray that the CO's will treat him fairly and not impose more on him than he can handle or put him in any compromising situations. It's a real balancing act! Also, pray for his safety, because if any inmate got mad over a decision he made it could be bad. You know the system! Hopefully my son can come home soon. The Christmas season is so hard, because my family is not whole without him. I always feel a big hole in my heart during this time of year!
I pray that you and your family have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Editor’s Note: Please hold this Mother and her son in your prayers. God hears a mother’s prayers and He knows her son is fighting to re-establish a new life with Jesus, but any leadership role brings with it hair pulling problems, whether inside a prison or in industry. A prisoner attempting to do right faces problems unheard of on the outside, but wherever loss can be involved, on the outside, loss of face, income, even family. All these may also be lost in prison, but to these add the loss of health due to being beaten, stabbed, violent harassment among others. Prisoners do not usually “shun” one another, but will “shank” you. I doubt that that will happen as an orderly, but…
**
“And many a raptured minstrel among the sons of light, when asked whence cometh thy song? Will say, ‘I learned it in the night!’” John Greenleaf Whittier.
The Book Worm's Corner. Comments From Helpful Books Joyce LillyTgB
Let Me Tell You About Jasper… Dana Perino tells how her Dog Jasper, her best friend became America’s Dog. 257 pages, each one capable of ROTFL.
Dana Perino has served America as White House Press Secretary, also in the Department of Justice following 9/11 and is popular on Cable TV. Let Me Tell You About Jasper is a #1 Best Seller the New York Times best seller list.
Jasper is a page tuner and while laughter is the main ingredient (Dog lovers understand) is it chock full of insight to the human condition as well as some very good and gentle training techniques. Over half the book contains full color photoshopped portraits of Jasper as the Statue of Liberty, Several Time Mag Covers as Dog of the Year. His face on Mount Rushmore is a show stopper as is Dana and Jasper in a classic American Gothic scene. Larry loves the portrait of Jasper as The Dogfather. Larry added
Jasper "Corleone" to his list of “Dark Characters.”
Dana takes the idea of Compassionate Conservative to a new, much higher level as the lovable Jasper romps through the pages of her life. Her husband, Peter, got arrested due to some antics of Jasper. The Phrase, “a laugh a minute” falls short of the impact Jasper has on the reader. Jasper is not a book or jokes, but it is one of true to life humor.
While Jasper is a fun book, some serious truths are delivered that may/should cause a “Selah” pause and ponder as you read and focus on the photoshopped images all through the book. Larry loves the two page portrait on pages 208/209 as Jasper seems to be saying to President Obama, “ How dare you to talk down to me!”
As I read Jasper, I laughed, cried and learned that to love life and animals is a good road to travel. Joyce Lilly TgB.
Dana Perino has served America as White House Press Secretary, also in the Department of Justice following 9/11 and is popular on Cable TV. Let Me Tell You About Jasper is a #1 Best Seller the New York Times best seller list.
Jasper is a page tuner and while laughter is the main ingredient (Dog lovers understand) is it chock full of insight to the human condition as well as some very good and gentle training techniques. Over half the book contains full color photoshopped portraits of Jasper as the Statue of Liberty, Several Time Mag Covers as Dog of the Year. His face on Mount Rushmore is a show stopper as is Dana and Jasper in a classic American Gothic scene. Larry loves the portrait of Jasper as The Dogfather. Larry added
Jasper "Corleone" to his list of “Dark Characters.”
Dana takes the idea of Compassionate Conservative to a new, much higher level as the lovable Jasper romps through the pages of her life. Her husband, Peter, got arrested due to some antics of Jasper. The Phrase, “a laugh a minute” falls short of the impact Jasper has on the reader. Jasper is not a book or jokes, but it is one of true to life humor.
While Jasper is a fun book, some serious truths are delivered that may/should cause a “Selah” pause and ponder as you read and focus on the photoshopped images all through the book. Larry loves the two page portrait on pages 208/209 as Jasper seems to be saying to President Obama, “ How dare you to talk down to me!”
As I read Jasper, I laughed, cried and learned that to love life and animals is a good road to travel. Joyce Lilly TgB.
Page Four!
THE WARRIOR'S PRAYER
Heavenly Father,
Your warrior prepares for battle.
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!
I put on the Girdle of Truth!
May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!
May it guard my heart from evil so it will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace!
May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.
I take on the Shield of Faith!
May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation!
May I keep my mind focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.
I take the Sword of the Spirit!
May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.
By faith your warrior has put on the whole armor of God!
I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory!
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
1Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
Heavenly Father,
Your warrior prepares for battle.
Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God!
I put on the Girdle of Truth!
May I stand firm in the truth of Your Word so I will not be a victim of Satan's lies.
I put on the Breastplate of Righteousness!
May it guard my heart from evil so it will remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the Shoes of Peace!
May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.
I take on the Shield of Faith!
May I be ready for Satan's fiery darts of doubt, denial, and deceit so I will not be vulnerable to spiritual defeat.
I put on the Helmet of Salvation!
May I keep my mind focused on You so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.
I take the Sword of the Spirit!
May the two-edged sword of Your Word be ready in my hands so I can expose the tempting words of Satan.
By faith your warrior has put on the whole armor of God!
I am prepared to live this day in spiritual victory!
In Jesus' Name, Amen.
1Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."