Hope Ministry

Even through all the pain and sorrow that Paul experienced, he did not cease giving thanks for saints in Ephesus. The utmost reason that people are in ministry is because of the joy comes from watching God save his children from the dominion of darkness. When we taste the joy of people being saved and delivered, we forget all the pain and hardship came from serving those who are in a hopeless place. For this reason I too,having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints,do not cease giving thanks for you,while making mention of you in my prayers; (Ephesians 1:15-16)

When my children brought the baby quail, they lavished their love on that tiny chick. The love overflowed from them to drive in the late evening to provide a safe shelter for the chick. Their love overflowed to protect her from the kitty, and two dogs from my house. The love that they experienced was so beautiful. I could see the heart of God in them, compassion towards the helpless little chick. Unconditional love that Jesus pours out on us cannot be found elsewhere. The nineteen fire fighters who died at Yarnell Hill Fire demonstrated love when they walked towards the fire when everyone was running away from it. Living a Christian life seems unprofitable and unreasonable, yet brings the final beauty to the life of believers. We do not have any words to express our gratitude towards one who lived his life for others with the love of Christ. Not every one will be noticed or appreciated their service for the Lord, but there are many who serve the Lord without names and fame. But God sees it all. Our inheritance is waiting in eternity. That is our great encouragement. Our hope is not in this world, but in heaven where our loved ones are waiting for us. We sincerely honor those who gave their lives to others to save them. It is our prayer that May God comfort those who remain and are separated from their loved ones for a while, but it is sooner than we think when we will be united with them in a beautiful place where our heavenly father is with his full presence.  That is our hope in Christ! In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. (Ephesians 1:7)

According to Bluletterbible, Thelēma is from the prolonged form of θέλω (G2309) thelō, Apparently strengthened from the alternate form of αἱρέω (G138) haireō, the root of haireo has a meaning of:f) to take away from another what is his or what is committed to him, to take by force. When the Ephesian people were committed to idols like Artemis or Diane, Paul's sacrificial love toward those people who were in the bondage of Satan were pretty strong as the heart of God. God pleasure and His will deliver us from the bondage of sins and death.For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace,which he has freely given us in the One he loves. (Ephesians 1:4-6)  

As I watch my children grow and mature, I get surprises from the wisdom that they share. Sometimes, I realize how blessed I am by just watching how God is forming them beautifully even through their failures. As a parent who has experienced deep hurt, we tend to control or over protect our children. In those times, even if I ran into fear and am stuck somewhere, my children encourage me to stand up stronger. "Mom, let's not dwell in the past and live for the better future." Their positive input makes me live another day with a new strength. My son and I were privileged to see a vulture in our back yard. As I went to get a camera, he was already soaring in the high sky. Good thing my son took a picture even though I missed it. II Thessalonians 3As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil people, for not everyone has faith. But the Lord is faithful, and he will stengthen you and protect you from the evil one. We have confidence in the Lord that you sre doing and will continue to do the things we command. May the Lord direct your hearts into God's love and Christ's perseverence. 

My encouragement for people who are in the ministry is that we have to press on in spite of public opinion because we are fulfilling the mission of God, not ours. Whatever God placed in your heart, we have to deliver it as we deliver babies. Once God plant seeds in our heart, it will be delivered no matter what. Because we are attacked by enemies as a leader's family, it does not mean that we are disqualified from the calling. The person proclaiming the truth is not the people who are perfect as what they teach or preach. We just deliver the truth whether even if we fail, again because we deliver the message of God that this society needs, not ours Philippians 3:13-15 New International Version (NIV) Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your position; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.(2 Chronicles 20:17) In this New Testament time, God leads us through various kinds of obstacles and difficulties. Even though Israel had experienced the Red Sea, again they had to walk in faith by going through this journey with God, and him alone. We often use this passage to be encouraged. The bottom line truth is God's plan never fails. Joshua and the rest of Israel did not have a choice. God's plan for Israel to cross the Jordan was all set; all they had left was obedience. There was no way around it. God led them through the Jordan River. The sanctification process is the same way. There is no way around it, other than through it. It was God alone that led Israelite through the Jordan River. We can trust God.

Here is the highlight of Galatians: Galatians 6 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Matthew 4:21 King James Version, And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them. The same word, restore, was used as return or repent in Hebrew. When we return to our Lord, we are being restored, just as fishermen mending broken nets. God's desire is to mend our church.

Many Christians, who have experienced an abortion, will experience freedom in a fresh way. Experiencing this freedom can be strange to some. Our culture is not ready to give freedom to people who have experienced an abortion. Casual and insensitive words can hurt sometimes, but freedom is yours, and does not belong to those who speak without wisdom. The reason there is heavy condemnation regarding the issue of abortion, is because our society feels responsible for the act that is going on. For most people, the best way to feel like they are not responsible, is by putting the entire burden and blame onto those women who (quote) made the bad choice. But this label does not belong to you anymore. You are free in Christ. For many, you know in your heart that it was not even your choice. The best way to live is by safeguarding your freedom from people who are suffering from their own guilt. People, who have their own guilt, will make others feel guilty. Their own debts are not reconciled. In other words, they did not receive the grace, which was given to us freely. Like Paul said, I urge you as well to exercise your freedom. Do not live like a fugitive anymore. You are free, by the blood of Jesus.Jesus answered them. Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever, the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:34-36)

Leslie Martin is the wife of Pastor Mark Martin an author, director, and Bible teacher at Calvary Community Church in Phoenix, Arizona.Today, we have Leslie Martin to share with us her wisdom and insight as to how we can be Godly mothers in raising our children in a healthy balance between a Godly life and grace. We would also like to comfort mothers who are in a difficult season in their lives. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ,so also our comfort abounds through Christ. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings,so also you share in our comfort. (1 Corinthians 1:3-6)

All mothers who are listening to this program, You are precious in the eyes of God! You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You are raising fearfully and wonderfully made children.  To the women who are suffering from our cultural consequences, may God comfort you today. God knows your heart. God is the defender of the weak. But we are more than a conquerers through Him who loves us (Romans 8:37) God will give us the power to overcome these generational sins. We learned through our pain. We shall pass down the goodness of God. Happy Mother's Day! For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. (Psalm 139:13-14)