Saturday in the Village

March 11, 2017

6:50 a.m.

My cellphone alarm is whirring. I blindly reach for it and turn it off. It is time to get up! Still drowsy from my deep sleep I stumble out of bed and find my glasses. I push open the screened door of our bedroom and step outside. 

The sun is already rising over the horizon, bathing the compound with its golden glow. Outside roosters crow, donkeys bray, and birds chirp in the trees. It is another beautiful day! i walk to the outdoor gazebo for breakfast. 

After a tasty Haitian breakfast, Brad, a new staff member at Lemuel, gives us a tour of the compound. We visit the church, school, cafeteria, and kitchen. I am excited to see how much progress has been made since the last time I was here a few years ago! 

We then head over to Samuel’s trees, a reforestation project about a five minute walk from the compound. 

Our first job for the day is taking down a stick fence surrounding the property.

A fence is important to keep animals from eating the small trees, but goats and other animals have been getting through the stick fence so we hope to replace it with a chain link fence instead. As we start to dismantle the fence we are surprised to see it has been tied together with very narrow strips of rubber tire. Who would have thought to cut up tires and use them as rope? Our hands quickly turn completely black from the rubber.

10:15 a.m.

The sun continues to rise, burning brightly above us. Feeling faint from the heat, I take a quick break in the shade. The water in our bottles have warmed up, so it gives little relief from the heat. At 11:00 a.m. the team heads back to the compound to escape the hottest part of the day. We won’t begin working in the sun again till 2:00 p.m. since it’s not safe to work during the hottest part of the day.

Lunch consists of fried plantains, rice and beans, fish, and picklies (a Haitian coleslaw type 

salad).

At 2:00 p.m. we head back to the job site and start working on setting up the chain link fence. Discussions soon spark between our group and the Haitian crew we are working with on how to best set up the fence. The Haitian crew graciously lets us try it our way before we come to the realization that their way simply works better with the supplies we are working with and the conditions we are working in. This of course proves to be an interesting learning experience for all of us. 

At 4:30 p.m. we leave the work site and begin our home visits in the community. It is very interesting to meet the various families living in the community and hear their stories and see how they live.

Everyone we meet is very friendly and welcoming and many share their faith in God with us, and how they trust in Him to provide for them. “If God wills,” they say, “It is all in His hands.” 

There they were again. Two small words, yet their meanings are vast: faith and trust. 

“Help my faith and trust to grow more and more,” I silently pray. He gently reminds me of the words of Psalm 62:8. Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us. Selah

In Haiti Again

March 10, 2017

3:3o a.m.

Even at this early hour, the city is alive. New York is known for this and has therefore been labelled ‘the city that never sleeps’.  The lineups for security inside the airport are enormous already, so I’m thankful we’ve given ourselves enough time before our flight to Port au Prince departs.

5:50 a.m.

On the airplane I take advantage of an empty seat beside me. Curling up, I quickly doze off. Two hours later I wake up to a stewardess offering water and hot tea. I switch with Jason and now let him have a turn to sleep.

9:25 a.m.

Jason is awake so I now move to the window seat. Our airplane is descending and I’m catching my first glimpses of Haiti. 

604 days have passed since I’ve seen her last. Looking down at the familiar landscape, feelings of home rush over me. It unsettles me. How can I feel at home in two different places? You’re not home yet, I remind myself, thinking of the familiar words of Phil 3:20 For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour our Lord Jesus Christ:

Understanding that we are pilgrims on this earth and don’t need to feel like we truly belong anywhere has been surprisingly comforting for me over the years. Yet, the familiarity of all that is Haiti draws me in as our airplane makes its final descent. It feels so good to be back!

Stepping out of the airport doors, my senses are quickly overwhelmed. The sun burns bright, a wave of humidity hits us, baggage handlers and taxi drivers vie for our attention and charcoal and diesel fumes attack my nostril. Greeting our faithful taxi bus driver DieJuste, I’m surprised how easily Creole words flow from my mouth. We quickly exit the capital city via the main road. Bombarded by the team members with a hundred questions about what they all see, I do my best to answer.

3 hours later, we make our first stop for lunch. We are driving up to Anse Rouge which will take us at least 5 hours. In a small oasis boutique hotel, we soak up the beauty of the Caribbean while munching on chicken sandwiches and fries. 

Needing to reach our destination before sunset, we do not linger long. Reaching Gonaives we switch from our minibus to an old-run down school bus.

The paved road quickly turns to dirt with deep ruts and awkward bumps. Palm trees are replaced by thorn bushes and cacti as we travel on to Haiti’s drought stricken north.

5 gallon water bottles roll at our feet as the lose bus seats jar and occasionally throw us completely off balance. Waves of dry soil and filth pour through the windows and we soon sport dust tans. Thankful that my sunglasses are keeping most of the dust out of my contact lenses, I simply enjoy the ride.

The sun begins to set as we barrel on and I marvel at its great beauty once again. 

Picking up speed we race along to reach the compound before it is completely dark. We cheer when it is finally in sight. The Lemuel staff is there to greet us and it is fun to get re-acquainted.

After a dinner of pumpkin soup and bread we gather together for a quick team meeting before stumbling our way to bed. Bedtime routines take a little longer as we learn how to work oil lamps, bucket showers and latrines.

That night, brushing a stray bug off my pillow, I fall asleep in seconds.

New York City

March 9, 2017

6:30 a.m.

The sun is rising as we begin our initial descent into New York. Feeling its warmth and bathed in its light I pop open sleepy eyes and slip on my glasses. In awe of the bright glowing orange ball of fire steadily climbing up over the horizon all thoughts of sleep quickly dissipate.  Below us, New York City slowly appears. Its giant high rises, arching so proudly against the sky, look tiny and toy-like from above. It reminds me of the words of Psalm 8: When I consider Thy heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is man that Thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that Thou visitest him?

7:30 a.m.

I shiver in the cold and wrap my blanket tighter around my legs as we wait for our hotel shuttle bus to pick us up. After walking through a maze of hallways, moving walkways, and taking a subway, we are finally waiting on a metal bench outside the airport for our hotel shuttle to pick us up. Although the sun is up it’s still low on the horizon and its warmth has not yet reached the inner recesses of the airports' concrete structures. 

When we finally arrive at our modest accommodations we quickly drop off our luggage in our rooms and head back up to the lobby area for our free breakfast. My watch, still on B.C. time, says its 5:52 a.m.  but in New York it’s almost 9:00 a.m.. Since our flight to Port au Prince doesn’t leave for another 21 hours we have some time to explore the city. 

Our first stop of the day is the subway which takes us all the way across the city. 

The subway is crowded and full of interesting sights and smells. Personal spaces bubbles are quickly encroached upon as more and more people embark. 

Running late for our tour due to technical difficulties on the subway we are forced to run through the city to the docks to reach our scheduled ferry. Although we don’t quite make it on time, the ferry runs at regular intervals so we can get right on to the next one. 

Once embarked, I find a spot at the bow and enjoy the exhilarating feel of the cold wind blasting my body. Struggling to hold on to the railing, I still manage to take beautiful photos of the Statue of Liberty. 

We disembark on both Statten Island and Ellis and enjoy the various sights and smells and learning some of the immigration history the islands’ museums have to offer.

Our next stops include the Word Trade Centre memorials, Observatory, Central Park and Times Square. 

By the time we are done it’s nearing 10:00 p.m. and our bodies, especially our legs, which have put on many miles, are barely co-operating. We quickly shower and fall into bed. Tomorrow morning will come much to soon as we need to be up before 3:00 a.m..

On the Road and In the Air

March 8, 2017

3:30 p.m.

All knobs on the gas stove turned off-check.

Doors and windows secured-check.

Heat turned down – check.

I make my final rounds around our home while Jason and Stephen load up the two vans parked outside. Empty of boys and with the toys all put away our home feels uniquely quiet. I pause for a moment – as if to memorize the feel of home one last time before pushing ‘Away’ on the alarm panel. It’s time to go! 

Heading down the front steps, I make my way outside to one of the two vans parked in our driveway. Both vans are fully loaded with luggage and the seats are filled with excited team members that will be traveling with us to Haiti. This is it! We are on our way!

5:30 p.m.

Rain  splatters on the windshield, momentarily blurring my vision until the wipers clear it again with a quick swish, swish.  We’re nearing Seattle and there is lots to see: looming high rises, flashing signs, and intricate bridges and road ways. It won’t be long now before we arrive at the SeaTac airport.  

9:54 p.m.

Crackle, crackle, I hear the sound of someone opening up a bag of chips and look up from my notebook. Voices swirl around me engaging in conversations I can’t quite follow. As I absorb my surroundings, I try to depict the different languages I hear. Every now and then the ground beneath me vibrates bringing back earthquake memories. I don’t allow the fear in. Instead I focus on the truth “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”(2 Timothy 1:7)

Turning back to my notebook I muse how strange it feels to just be able to sit here and write and not be holding a baby or chasing a toddler or trying to keep a preschooler entertained. I love traveling and have done plenty of it in the last 10 years, but all but one time without our boys. Although it is much simpler without strollers and diaper bags, and chasing toddlers through scanners, I do miss them! 

10:26 P.m.

I feel my body being pushed back into the seat as the jet takes off into the dark night sky. I love flying and airplanes but they do make me feel small and vulnerable. Flying through the sky in a metal contraption, defying the laws of gravity, still seems a little unreal to me, no matter how many times I do it. Knowing that I can’t add a moment to my life and my times are in God’s hands fills me with peace. 

It’s been a long journey letting go and letting God direct my life as I've struggled long against my need to be in control. Trust: it’s a small word – but a big one too. Trust means saying no matter what happens “As for God, His way is perfect:” Psalm 18:30. It means trusting God and living “Not my will, but Thine be done.”

With these thoughts swirling through my mind, I pull out my small travel pillow out of my backpack and do my best to get comfortable. Although our flight is only 5 hours long, due to the 3 hour time change it will be 6:49 a.m. in New York when we land. This means that the only sleep we will get for the night is the little shut eye we can catch on the plane. Sleeping is easier said than done, however, as I alternate between sitting straight up and slumping forward onto the tray table.

The Parable of the Great Banquet

Luke 14:16-24

16Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many:

17 And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready.

18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused.

19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused.

20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.

21 So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.

22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

“The master of the house is God, and the great banquet is the kingdom, a metaphor that was suggested by the speaker at the table. The invited guests picture the Jewish nation. The kingdom was prepared for them, but when Jesus came preaching that “the kingdom of heaven is near” (Matthew 4:17), He was rejected. “He came to that which was His own, but his own did not receive Him” (John 1:11).

Those who ignored the invitation to the banquet chose their own punishment—they missed out. The master respects their choice by making it permanent: they would not “taste of my banquet.” So it will be with God’s judgment on those who choose to reject Christ: they will have their choice confirmed, and they will never taste the joys of heaven.

The basic message of the Parable of the Great Banquet could be stated this way: “The tragedy of the Jewish rejection of Christ has opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles. The blessings of the kingdom are available to all who will come to Christ by faith.”

The inclusion of the Gentiles is a fulfillment of Hosea 2:23, “I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God.’” God is “not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13).” Gotquestions.org

Advice for Seekers – C.H. Spurgeon

“Do you desire eternal life?

Then “Come; for all things are now ready.” Luke 14:17

All things are ready: life for your death, forgiveness for your sin, cleansing for your filth, clothing for your nakedness, joy for you sorrow, strength for your weakness, indeed, more than anything you could ever want is stored up in the boundless nature and work of Christ.

You must not say, ‘I cannot come because I do not have this, or do not have that.’ Are you to prepare the feast? Are you to provided anything? 

When God has provided all things, what more could you possibly provide?

All things are now ready, therefore come at once.

Just now that your heart is so heavy and your mind is so careless, that your spirit is so wandering – all things are ready now.

If the reason why a sinner is to come is because all things are ready, then it is idle for him to say, ‘But I am not ready.” It is clear that all the readiness required on man’s part is a willingness to come and receive the blessing which God has provided. There is nothing else necessary; if men are willing to come, they may come, they will come. Where the Lord has been pleased to touch the will so that man has a desire towards Christ, where the heart really hungers and thirsts after righteousness, that is all the readiness which is wanted.

All the fitness he requires is that you first feel your need of Him (and that He gives you), and that secondly in feeling your need of Him you are willing to come to Him.

The text does not say, ‘You are ready, therefore come’; but it says, ‘All things are ready, the gospel is ready, therefore you are to come.’

As for your readiness, all the readiness that is possibly wanted is a readiness which the Spirit gives us – namely, willingness to come to Jesus.” C. H. Spurgeon

Revelations 22:17

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

The Easy Believism Debate

Boxes of old cards, photographs, and notes are scattered around me as Dan Gibson’s classical music swirls through the air. Picking up a wedding card I read it, and then put it on an ever-growing stack. Each card and note takes me back down memory lane making this process a lengthy one. Our seven years in Haiti has turned me into a minimalist and my final project is to tackle a giant box of cards and photos.

I’ve been putting it off for a long time now; but today is the day! For one, I’ve run out of things to minimalize, and two, it’s a dreary, rainy, Saturday afternoon, perfect for this kind of job. With at least 12 years of memories stored in this particular box the task of deciding what to keep and what to let go off is not an easy one.

As I go through each item one by one, I notice a neatly typed, two page letter, addressed to me. Leaning back on the living room rug I read it through. The gist of the letter consists of warning me about the dangers of ‘easy believism’ and how people who claimed to be believers when questioned about their conversion experience did not have a real story to tell. What does God’s Word say in response to this? I wonder.

I’m quickly reminded of the words in Matthew 7:20: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them, and spend the next few days thinking, studying and praying about this particular topic.

These are my findings:

When a person believes in Jesus he or she receives the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise. Ephesians 1:13

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

And the Holy Spirit in us will be evident because the Holy Spirit produces fruit.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. John 15:8

Our assurance comes from believing in Jesus.

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13

“It’s so simple that we’re liable to miss it, but assurance comes from believing in Jesus. This is the gospel: when we trust in His name, we cease striving to earn heaven by drawing upon our own moral bank account; instead, we withdraw on His righteous account in our place. The gospel, by its very nature, produces assurance. Because the gospel proclaims “Jesus in my place,” my assurance does not depend on how well or how much I have done. It depends on whether or not I rest in his finished work. So the question is not, “Can I remember praying a prayer?” or “Was my conversion experience really emotional?” The important question is, “Are you currently resting on Jesus as the payment for your sin?” J.D.G.

God changes us. 

Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Phil 1:6

“This is how God changes us: not by browbeating us with rules, but by giving us a new heart. You no longer love dishonesty and hatefulness and immorality like you used to. You do not avoid them because of threats from God, but because these things start to make you sick.” J.D.G.

“Of course, this does not mean that you become immediately perfect, or that you no longer struggle with sin. But you stop engaging in sin willfully and defiantly. You cannot love God and love the things that grieve him. You cannot have a mouth that sings praise to Jesus with a life that openly crucifies him. It is not your mouth that best reflects your love for God; it is your life. 

And when you do start to go back toward your sin—which we all do!—Jesus protects you and renews you. In fact, one of the signs that your salvation is genuine is that even though you fall, you never permanently fall away. God brings you back, again and again. As Proverbs says, “The righteous man falls seven times, and rises again” (Prov 24:16).

Your new nature is not demonstrated by never falling, but by what you do when you fall. Salvation does not means sinless perfection, but it does mean a new direction.” J.D.G

At the end of my research I found this paragraph which I felt summed everything up: “Much of the debate over easy believism is unnecessary and is based on a misunderstanding of the Scriptures. The Bible is clear that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. Where easy believism fails is its lack of recognition that a person with faith in Jesus will lead a progressively changed life. Salvation is a free gift from God to those who believe, but discipleship and obedience are the response that will no doubt occur when one truly comes to Christ in faith.” Gotquestions.org

Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them, Matthew 7:20

The Gospel

“Now that you’re not living in Haiti anymore what are you blogging about?”

I’m at a Hungry for Life staff event and the question is posed by one of Jason’s colleagues. Conversations swirl around us as my mind races to come up with an appropriate response.  “The Gospel.” I finally respond. “It’s the one thing that I feel most passionate about.”

The following days I keep thinking about it and the words Paul wrote to the Romans come to mind.

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  Romans 10:1

And you know what? I can totally relate. I have so many family and friends and acquaintances that have never personally looked to Jesus for their salvation that it makes my heart feel heavy.

The gospel is so simple.

“To believe what God says, to do what God commands, to take that salvations which God provides—this is man’s highest and best wisdom. Open your Bible. It is the pilgrim’s guide, in which God describes the glory yet to be revealed. This is the one message of the gospel, ‘Believe and live.’ Trust in the incarnate Saviour, whom God appointed to stand in the place of sinners. Trust in Him and you shall be saved.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:18

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

John 12:48

He that rejecteth Me, and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. (Jesus)

John 1:12

But as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name:

John 3:14-15

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.

“The method is simply a word from Him and a look from you, and all is done. You have only to trust in Jesus and you are saved; made a new creature in an instant; set on your feet again to start a new life with a new power within you, which shall conquer sin.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

John 3:16-17

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

“The gospel is preached to you, and God has not sent it with the intention that after you have heard it you should seek mercy and not find it. God does not tantalize, he does not mock the son of men. He asks you to come to Him. Repent and believe and you shall be saved. If you come with a broken heart, trusting in Christ, there is no possibility that He will reject you; otherwise he would not have sent the gospel to you.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

John 6:37b Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.

John 6:40 And this is the will of Him that sent Me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on Him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.

1 John 1:2-3

(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.

“We who bear this testimony claim to be believed. We are not liars. Not even for God’s honour would we palm a pious fraud upon you. We have felt in ourselves the healing power of Christ. We have seen it, and see it every day, in the cases of others, in persons of all ranks, and of all ages. All who have obeyed the word of Jesus have been made new creatures by his power. It is not one or two of us who bear this witness; there are hundreds of thousands who certify to the self-same fact. There are persons high and low, who could say, ‘We too are witnesses that Christ can heal the soul.’” (C.H. Spurgeon)

“Here, then, is the marvel – that those who know this do not immediately throng to Christ to obtain the self-same blessing. The behavior of those of whom we read in the Gospels was a rational one. They heard that Christ had healed many, and their practical logic was, ‘let us be healed too!’ Where is He? Let us reach Him.” (C.H. Spurgeon)

“But now men seem to have taken leave of their reason. They know that the blessing is available, an eternal blessing not to be weighed with gold, nor compared with diamonds and yet they turn their back upon it!” (C.H. Spurgeon)

“I know that I, too, once belied Him; when I felt my sins to be a great burden I said within myself, ‘I will go to Jesus, but perhaps He will reject me.’ I thought I had much to feel and to do to make myself ready for Him, and I therefore did this and that, but the more I did the worse I became. I was like the woman who spent her money on physicians and did not get better, but rather grew worse. I fully understood that there was life in a look at Christ, that all I needed was to simply trust, to come as I was and put my case into His dear pierced hands, and leave it there, yet I still did not think it could be so; it seemed so simple—how could it be true? I thought when I came to Him He would say to me, ‘Sinner, you have rejected Me so long, you have mocked Me by saying prayers which you did not feel; you have been a hypocrite and joined with God’s people in singing My praises when you did not praise Me in your heart.’ I thought He would chide me and bring ten thousand sins to my remembrance. Instead of that, it took only a word, and it was all done. I looked to Him, the burden was gone." (C.H. Spurgeon)

Psalm 71:15a My mouth shall show forth Thy righteousness and Thy salvation all the day;

Spiritual Blindness

Last night as I was doing devotions together with Jayden we read part of 1 Corinthians 2, and what really struck me was verse 14: But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. The story that went with the Bible verses talked about God giving believers spiritual sight to understand God’s Word. This really got me thinking. How often have I gotten frustrated when the gospel seems so clear to me while others refuse to believe it? I know frustration is not the right response and as I started to study related Bible verses greater understanding dawned.  

There are people out there that have read their Bibles for years and Jesus says this about them:

 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. Matthew 13:14-15

And Paul says in Corinthians:

In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:4

But you know what? If you’re reading this you’re still alive and it’s not too late! It is still ‘Today’ and as I exhort you, or urge you, as the dictionary defines it, don’t harden your heart!

But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Hebrews 3:13

While it is said: “Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”  Hebrews 3:15

For He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

We have no other hope!

Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God. John 6:68-69

And Paul tells us in Romans:

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9

And in 1 John 4:15 it says:

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

And as God’s Spirit dwells in us and we begin to follow Jesus our understandings are enlightened by the Light of the world.

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12

Ephesians 1:18

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

Spurgeon explains it simply in His book ‘Around the Wicket Gate’.

“It may be that the reader feels a difficulty in believing. Let him consider. We cannot believe by an immediate act. The state of mind which we describe as believing is a result, following upon certain former states of mind. We come to faith by degrees. There may be such a thing as faith at first sight; but usually we reach faith by stages: we become interested, we consider, we hear evidence, we are convinced, and so led to believe. If, then, I wish to believe, but for some reason or other find that I cannot attain to faith, what shall I do? Shall I stand like a cow staring at a new gate; or shall I, like an intelligent being, use the proper means? If I wish to believe anything, what shall I do? We will answer according to the rules of common sense.

Evidence weighed and knowledge obtained lead up to faith. It is true that faith in Jesus is the gift of God: but yet He usually bestows it in accordance with the laws of mind, and hence we are told that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God”. (Romans 10:17) If you want to believe in Jesus, hear about Him, read about Him, think about Him, know about Him, and so you will find faith springing up in your heart, like the wheat which comes up through the moisture and the heat operating upon the seed which has been sown.

If you would know Jesus, get as near to Him as you can by studying His character, and appealing to His love.

Be much in reading about the Lord Jesus. The books of Scripture are the lilies among which He feedeth. The Bible is the window through which we may look and see our Lord. Read over the story of His sufferings and death with devout attention, and before long the Lord will cause faith secretly to enter your soul.

Be much in hearing concerning Jesus. Souls by hundreds come to faith in Jesus under a ministry which sets Him forth clearly and constantly. Few remain unbelieving under a preacher whose great subject is Christ crucified. Hear no minister of any other sort. Go to the place of worship to see Jesus; and if you cannot even hear the mention of His name, take yourself off to another place where He is more thought of, and is therefore more likely to be present.

If hearing and reading suffice not, then deliberately set your mind to work to overhaul the matter, and have it out. Either believe, or know the reason why you do not believe. See the matter through to the utmost of your ability, and pray God to help you to make a thorough investigation, and to come to an honest decision one way or the other. Consider who Jesus was, and whether the constitution of His Person does not entitle Him to confidence. Consider what He did, and whether this also must not be good ground for trust. Consider Him as dying, rising from the dead, ascending, and ever living to intercede for transgressors; and see whether this does not entitle Him to be relied on by you. Then cry to Him, and see if He does not hear you.”

These Things I Have Spoken Unto You, That In Me Ye Might Have Peace

His Word gives comfort and light:

Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

He knows everything about us:

Psalm 139: 1-6 

O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.

Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.

Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word in my tongue, but, lo, O Lord, thou knowest it altogether.

Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.

Psalm 139:16-18

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

He knows us better than we know ourselves and He has compassion on us:

Psalm 103:13-14

Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

He promises to be always with us: 

Hebrews 13:5b-6

For he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

He values us and tells us there is more than just this temporal life: 

Mathew 10:28-31

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.

But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.

Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.

In Him only is peace in any situation:

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

The Holy Spirit comforts and teaches us: 

John 14:16

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Our times are in His hands; we can’t add a single moment to our lives: 

Psalm 31:14-15a

But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand:

Psalm 104:29b

Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.

He is trustworthy:

Job 13:15a

Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him:

Our citizenship is not of this earth: 

Phil 3:20

For our conversation (citizenship) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

Hebrews 11:13-16

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country.

And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned.

But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

God is preparing a place for us:

John 14:2

In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

1 Corinthians 2:9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

He is a very present help in trouble:

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

He promises to be with us always, even until the end of the world:

Matthew 28:20b

And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

He is with us even when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death:

Psalm 23:4

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

He tells us not to be afraid:

Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

He holds us by His right hand:

Psalm 73:23

Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand.

Our deaths are precious in His sight:

Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

He is the lifter up of our head:

Psalm 3:3

But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

He will guide us and receive us into glory:

Psalm 73:24

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

He will wipe every tear from our eye:

Revelations 21:4

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

To be with Him is far better:

Phil 1:23b

Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:

In His presence is fullness of joy; at His right hand are pleasures forevermore: 

Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.