Living Hope

Monday, November 10, 2025

Light in the Darkness- Part6

Light in the Darkness- Part6

Christ’s: Word, Spirit and the Blood

Logos: Theology

The Word of God, or principle of divine reason and creative order, identified in the Gospel of John with the second person of the Trinity incarnate in Jesus Christ.[1]

Strongs's #3056: logos - Greek/Hebrew Definitions - Bible Tools

Thayer's Greek Lexicon: ́ logos 1) of speech 1a) a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea 1b) what someone has said 1b1) a word 1b2) the sayings of God 1b3) …[2]

Greek word for Mighty: dunnamis/ dynamic power/ superpower/ supernatural/ use to crack mountains.

Strong's Greek: 1411. δύναμις (dynamis) -- (miraculous) power, …

From dunamai; force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself) -- ability, abundance, meaning, might (-ily, -y, -y deed), (worker of) miracle (-s), …[3]

Dunamis power has been given us to overcome: The same power that rose Jesus from the dead is inside of us. Jesus Christ has deposited that power in us when we accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. Mighty through God, the Christ who strengthens us all the time. God knows without this power working in and through us, we will easily fall a prey to the enemy!

Staying in the valley of darkness is not what God wants for us, and He is willing to help us. The Word of God commands us to rejoice in Him.

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Jam. 1: 2-4.

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death; 2 Cori 7:10.

The above is harder to understand with our fallen mind. We are called to be joyful when we are suffering. John Piper says, “Fighting for joy is worshipful, loving, serious, and dangerous because prayer for joy is not an emotional pampering.”

Prayer is offering up of our desires to God. Our hearts are revealed in prayer and our petitions are made known to God. Prayer became the backbone of early Christians. In their trials they called on God for help. (Ref. Heb.11).

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest, Matt.11:28.

Strong's Greek: 4756. στρατιά (stratia) -- Army, host

God knows exactly what is happening with us physically, mentally and emotionally in our trials. He gives us the power needed to overcome when we are entangled. He knows our weariness, our struggles, our body, the specific blood type, all the cells in our system, every part of our body, our mind and the raging thoughts within us; Ref. Psa. 139.

Strategy: stratia in Greek: Divine strategy of God

God is the Master Divine Strategist; no one can think like Him, and the strategies of God are higher than all that the enemy can strategize!

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death; Rev. 12: 10-11.

Greek word: Methodia: the method the enemy uses to deceive

humanity.

The enemy has a plan too. The plan to strike us, with his destination, and that is to take us with him, eternally separated from God, our Father in heaven!

i.e.; (Eternal separation from God).

Carnal mind vs. earthly minded

Enemy comes against us with carnality; with our five senses: hearing, seeing, touching, speaking, smelling, and much more with our feelings. These are things that makes the human being fleshly and with this strategy the enemy will always win!

When we are given the Holy Spirit, and His Word begins to be alive, we will be able to spot the enemy’s strategies and we can win him. Just like in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the enemy tempted Jesus, he spoke to the enemy and won by what is written! So, we have to meet the enemy of our souls with our spiritual aspect/ God’s word.

The enemy usually keeps on telling us the language of law and condemnation. Very little he speaks about grace and mercy, and the wrath on humanity which was already justified. He will try to make us blind, so we will not see what was done on our behalf on the Cross.

We have to remember specifically the functions of the 3 cherubs. Michael (Warrior), Gabriel (Gives good news), Lucifer/custodian of God’s justice, only understands the justice and condemnation.

Our God is God of grace and mercy. Mercy triumphs over justice at the cross of calvary.

Self- harming attitudes and behaviour:

(Example: children are generally fearless…)

We should try to understand the word strong hold. It is the scheme and strategies of a wicked ruler, wicked tyrant who wants to control humanity by any means: striking at us repetitiously.

Example: drugs, addiction, over the years because of our own thinking, act, behavior, and the list goes on. Science and neuroscientists can affirm that more than 50% of the sicknesses are not due to genetics but because of our wrong thinking pattern. Wrong thinking can create a disease that never existed!

Fear is instilled in us when the enemy tries to build the mental block, and the enemy can be vigorous with his schemes. He is a backbiter," "accuser," or "slanderer. When we yield to a wicked tyrant, we become captives and enable him to believe his lies. The enemy is very motivated to build citadels in our brain (mind, the thought processes).

This is a topic to discuss another time!

LEARNING TO TRUST

(Compatibilism)

God is absolutely sovereign, but his sovereignty never functions in such a way that human responsibility is curtailed, minimized, or mitigated.

Human beings are morally responsible creatures – they significantly choose, rebel, obey, believe, defy, make decisions, and so forth, and they are rightly held accountable for such actions; but this characteristic never functions so as to make God absolutely contingent. (Carson, ‘Compatibilism’ p. 179).

Neuroscience, the study of the brain and nervous system, suggests, “Intellectual humility involves awareness of limitations, openness to new ideas, and the willingness to revise beliefs. It improves tolerance toward differing viewpoints and enhances relationships. Humility facilitates personal growth, authenticity, and a more accurate self-view”.[4]

Grace is unmerited favour of God. Enemy cannot comprehend fully that children of God are already seated in heavenly places, and he is afraid and confused of man created in His image. So, the enemy uses his weapons, to strategize, subdue, intimidate, and conquer. So, we use our weapons of warfare, which are not carnal,

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

2 Cori. 10: 3-5.

Book Reference:

Piper, John. When I don’t desire God: How to fight for joy (Wheaton: IL, Crossway Books,2004).

[1]https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=299&q=logos+meaning&cvid=987d8771064f475196372

[2] https://www.bing.com/search?q=logos+in+hebrew&gs_lcrp=EgRlZGdlKgkIABBFGDsY-Q

[3]https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=299&q=Greek+word+for+mighty&cvid=8cf503845ec84a2

[4] https://neurosciencenews.com/intellectual-humility-psychology-25398/

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Garment of Praise

Garment of Praise

For the spirit of heaviness

To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified; Isa. 61: 3.

The above verse shows that Messiah announces that He is here to heal the damage that sin brings along to humanity. Sin has done great damage, so there needs to be a great work of redemption. Sin impoverishes, breaks hearts, and makes captives.

Gentleness is power

Learning to understand that our power as Christians does not come from ourselves but only from God, gives hope to all those who are gentle, not only in action, but in temperament.

Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you: But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled. Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? if any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. For though I should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be ashamed: That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters. For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. Let such a one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are absent, such will we be also indeed when we are present; 2 Cori. 10:1-11.

Apostle Paul spake humbly of himself. It is important that we are aware of our own infirmities, and think humbly of ourselves, even when men reproach us which is very hard to practice in our strength.

The work of the ministry is a spiritual warfare with spiritual enemies, and for spiritual purposes. Outward force is not the method of the gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth; and praying and trusting God’s promises. God’s strength will prevail in the meekness of wisdom.

Conscience is accountable to God only; and people must be persuaded to God and their duty, not driven by force. Thus, the weapons of our warfare are very powerful; the evidence of truth is convincing. What opposition is made against the gospel, by the powers of sin and Satan in the hearts of men! But observe the conquest the word of God gains. The appointed means, however feeble they appear to some, will be mighty through God. And the preaching of the cross, by men of faith and prayer, has always been fatal to idolatry, impiety, and wickedness. In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despised in the eyes of some, but this was a false rule to judge by. -Matthew Henry.

There will be people in any groups who have come from broken or severely dysfunctional families who do not have comfortable, gentle moments with their parents or family members; and do not have good memories to nourish. Some would have come from very nurturing families, and they would have good memories. It takes effort and sensitivity; and gentleness in the power of God’s spirit; to discuss and move through the sessions or dealing with those people.

For reasoning: Paul and his companions in ministry did not make any attempt to exploit people of Thessalonica, but they lived at their own expense. They showed gentleness and care toward the converts at Thessalonica. They worked day and night to earn their own living, while at the same time preaching the good news of salvation, slowly building up the newborn Christian community.

Healthy evaluation calls us to trust God, who knows our hearts. God is able to reveal our motives if we ask Him genuinely. When we are gentle in our ministry, we can be mentors to many in serving Christ, using Paul’s model; Ref. 1 Thess. 2: 1-12.

With great simplicity and godly sincerity: Our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile, v. 3. This, no doubt, was matter of the greatest comfort to the apostle—the consciousness of his own sincerity; and was one reason of his success. Matthew Henry Commentary.

The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness

The knowledge that we can never grow something without a seed, should speak volumes in our hearts and mind. The blessing of life and growth is miraculously within the seed; and God gives the sower the seed. We need the right environment, for the seed to bud, grow, and be fruitful. The granting of salvation and righteousness to God’s people is represented by the picture of clothing them; the garment of praise.

No one sholud be sitting in the ashes too long, mourn, and indulge with the spirit of heaviness; when there is hope at the foot of the Cross. Lord Jesus will proclaim liberty to the captives, and open the prison doors and set free those who are bound. Only He is able to deliver, and dress them up with the garment of praise, and adorn us. This is for God’s glory only!

Friday, November 7, 2025

Oil of Joy for Mourning

Oil of Joy for Mourning

Strong's Greek: 5479. χαρά (chara) -- Joy, gladness, delight

Joy in the New Testament is more than emotion; it is the settled, Spirit-given delight that arises from the redemptive acts and abiding presence of God. It is rooted in divine initiative, …[1]

Strong's Greek: 3997. πένθος (penthos) -- Mourning, grief, sorrow

Penthos (Strong’s 3997) appears five times in the Greek New Testament, describing deep, heartfelt mourning. In each context the grief is not a fleeting emotion but an intense reaction to …[2]

Because sin impoverishes, He will preach good tidings to the poor. Because sin breaks hearts, He will heal the brokenhearted. Because sin makes captives, He will proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. Because sin oppresses, He will proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.[3]

Gentleness of wisdom

Contrasting God’s wisdom with earthly wisdom and learning to integrate God’s wisdom in our day-to-day lives.

Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace;

Jam.3:13-18.

These verses show the difference between men pretending to be wise, and their being really so. He who thinks and talks well, is not wise if he does not live according to what is written.

True wisdom descends from above and is reflected in the meekness of the spirit and temper. Those who live in malice, envy, and contention, always live in confusion. Such people easily fall a prey for the enemy’s schemes and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any evil work.

This wisdom comes not down from above, but springs up from earthly principles, powers of darkness, and the wicked hosts of heaven, and is reflected by earthly motives, and is intent on serving earthly purposes, which leads to destruction eventually.

Those who are lifted up with such wisdom, described by the apostle James, is near to the Christian love, described by the apostle Paul. Every man need to be responsible and discern to prove the reality of his attainments and that is from where they receive their wisdom.

“James addresses the person who is ‘wise and understanding.’ The word sophos (‘wise’) was the technical term among the Jews for the teacher, the scribe, the rabbi.” Prautes is gentleness, but not a passive gentleness growing out of weakness or resignation. It is an active attitude of deliberate acceptance.” (Burdick)

Instead of the mourning all the time, think about God of all wisdom who gives His people the oil of joy, in discomfort. In Biblical days, in mourning, they put ashes upon their head; Ref. 2 Sam. 13: 19. God replaces the ashes with a beautiful crown. The restored place of God’s people is glorious. They are as strong, beautiful, and useful as trees – and like trees of righteousness.

A Call to Linger in Savior’s Presence

Jesus was redefining all that His disciples thought they understood about suffering and the nature of the fallen world. Jesus was explaining to them that creation was broken by sin, and that suffering would inevitably follow as a result. Jesus was also holding out a new hope to them, having come as a light into the darkness. He had the power to redeem suffering for the glory of God. It was a promise true not only for the blind beggar, but also for all who are wounded by the fall.^{^[4]}

A good tongue is healing, healing to wounded consciences by comforting them, to sin-sick souls by convincing them, to peace and love when it is broken by accommodating differences, compromising matters in variance, and reconciling parties at variance; this is the healing of the tongue, which is a tree of life, the leaves of which have a sanative virtue (Revelation 22:2). Matthew Henry.

This wisdom has no deceit, nor the wisdom of the world, not crafty nor guile, but sincere, open, steady, and consistent. This is full of purity, peace, gentleness, teachableness, meek, full of mercy, and bearing fruit of righteousness in life. This demonstrates that God had given these excellent gifts from above. Replacing our mourning to oil of joy.

Fruit of earthly wisdom

The wisdom of the world, is of the flesh, and the devil; and will not eventually finish well. They may accomplish something, achieve things, and may be what they wanted and intended. They are earthly, sensual and demonic. The ultimate fruit of this earthly wisdom is always, confusion, every evil thing and belongs to the prince of the powers of darkness and his deeds will be reflected.

Think about this: Why do anyone of us need to sit in the ashes, and mourn, and indulge with the spirit of heaviness when Jesus gave us something so much better? The wonderful thing is specially, when people see us, they see us like well-nourished and cherished trees of righteousness. This is because, we are marvelously, superbly, excellently, delightfully and sensationally planted by the LORD.

[1] Bible Hub https://biblehub.com › greek

[2] Bible Hub https://biblehub.com › greek

[3] Enduring Word Bible Commentary Isaiah Chapter 61

[4]Gragg, S. (2014). Arms Open Wide: A Call to Linger in the Savior’s Presence. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, p.49.

Thursday, November 6, 2025

Beauty for ashes

Beauty for ashes

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and needy and shall save the souls of the needy; Psa. 72:12-13.

When exploring Greek words for beauty, we must begin with κάλλος (kallos), the quintessential ancient Greek term for beauty. This word encompasses physical attractiveness … Jun. 16, 2025.[1]

When we ask, “What does Spodos mean in Greek in context of the Bible?” we find that “Spodos” (σπόδος) translates to “ashes” or “dust.” This term has its roots in ancient Greek, where it is …[2]

“All helpless ones are under the especial care of Zion’s compassionate King; let them hasten to put themselves in fellowship with him. Let them look to him, for he is looking for them.” (Spurgeon)

He will save the souls of the needy: Poor and needy are those who are oppressed. Oppression and violence are forms of slavery, that requires one to be set free from; to be redeemed! This means God’s work will go beyond what we thought of today as social work; the Greater King is God Himself; will also work to save the souls of the poor and needy. The Messiah, the greater King, regard their lives as very precious!

He that knows how to discourse will make the place he lives in a paradise. An evil tongue is wounding (perverseness, passion, falsehood, and filthiness there, are a breach in the spirit); it wounds the conscience of the evil speaker, and occasions either guilt or grief to the hearers, and both are to be reckoned breaches in the spirit. Hard words indeed break no bones, but many a heart has been broken by them. - Matthew Henry.

“The king is represented in Psalm 72:14 as taking on himself the office of Goel, or Kinsman-Redeemer, and ransoming his subjects’ lives from ‘deceit and violence.’” (Maclaren)

As amid Christ's greatest humiliations, there were proofs of his dignity, so in the midst of his greatest honors, he gave proofs of his humility; and when the mighty works he did gave him an opportunity of making a figure, yet he made it appear that he emptied himself, and made himself of no reputation. – Matthew Henry.

Linger with the Savior

A good tongue is healing: healing to wounded consciences by comforting them, and to sin-sick souls by convincing them. A call to all of us who are wounded by The Fall; and those who are in oppression and slavery. There is new hope for all in our darkness; because Jesus the Light came into the dark world. That Star twinkles brighter in our darkness! Gives us Beauty in our Ashes!

Prayer for hemorrhaging wounds

Dear God of all comfort, may Your comfort be with us. There are moments in life that could define our faith and make us really question what we really believe!?

In those silent, dark, midnight hours of suffering and torment, we try to understand what it really means to bear hemorrhaging wounds of the soul, wounds which no one can cure, but only You can cure. This is because You are the lover of our souls.

The pain is intense, crushed by loss, loss of what was precious to us, and our hearts truly indeed break. Meet us in that pain, or else we will be totally consumed. Hold us in the palm of Your hands, hold us in Your tender bosom of love as a mother holds her child tenderly, breathe on us, so that we find hope and live in You.

We trust Your promises, because You formed us in our Mothers’ womb (Ref. Psa. 139). Thank you for hearing our prayer; Amen.

[1] Babbel

https://www.babbel.com › en › magazine › greek-words-for-beauty

Greek Words For Beauty: Exploring Ancient Aesthetics

[2] Ministry Voice

https://www.ministryvoice.com › spodos-in-greekTranslate this result

Exploring the Meaning of Spodos in Greek - ministryvoice.com