Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Christmas is about Godly Hope. Not ‘hope you get better’ kind of hope, but a hope founded on God’s promises in the Word of God.
Hope in the modern sense is a flakey, tooth fairy, healing thoughts and wishes. They all mean nothing. Someone who says I hope you feel better is ‘just saying’ to make noise. It’s another phrase I truly dislike. Also ‘sending healing thoughts or vibes’ really riles me up.
Words have power and value. You hoping for something means nothing. If you are a Christian, you will say ‘I will pray for you.’ Otherwise, it’s best not to say anything.
Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
There’s two words for hope. A useless modern warm and fuzzy hope, or the old fashioned God type hope. The 2nd is more substantive word, like a noun almost. Faith and ‘God type hope’ go hand in hand. You HAVE to have ‘God type hope’ to have faith, and vice versa. We teach God type to the at-risk children who don’t think they have any hope, of any kind.
I used to have recurrent fits of depression that would come over me like a dark, heavy cloud. The more I prayed and fasted, the worse it got.
One day I had almost resigned to being depressed for the rest of my life and then something I read in Isaiah 61:3 caught my eye, “a spirit of heaviness.” I suddenly realized I was dealing with a spirit, not with a mental condition. Christians cannot be possessed but we sure can be oppressed.
Recognizing my enemy was a tremendous first step. I found another verse that I believed would bring the solution to my problem, combined with Isaiah 61:3 and that is;
Joel 2:32 whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved
I put this and Isaiah 61:3 together and prayed a very specific, scriptural prayer.
After I prayed, I was no longer feeling oppressed. The pressure was lifted. But it’s one thing to not feel oppressed; it’s another thing altogether to keep the feeling of oppression away. This is the prayer, I say something along these lines every time it comes creeping back into my life.
‘God, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, according to Your Word, I am asking You to deliver me from this spirit of heaviness. Thank You, Lord, that all things work together for good in my life, because I love You and I am called according to Your purpose.
In Jesus’ name, I bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.
I put on, as a helmet, the hope of salvation. Now, may the God of hope fill me with all joy and peace in believing, that I may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, guide me into all truth and deliver me from all the lies of the evil one. I will not be conformed to this world, but I will be transformed by the renewing of my mind, that I may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Depression and negativity SHUT UP AND GET OUT! GO IN THE MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS! Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
Verses used
1) Joel 2:32
2) Isaiah 61:3
3) Romans 8:28
4) 2 Corinthians 10:5
5) 1 Thessalonians 5:8
6) Romans 15:13
7) John 16:13
8) John 8:44
9) Matthew 6:13
10) Romans 12:2
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Wishing you the HOLIEST of CHRISTmas HOLIDAYS! Focus on Jesus! He is the giver of eternal life, and of The Kingdom of God, both in Heaven and in this Life!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!