It doesn’t  make sense to see Job losing everything. Not until in the midst of his grief he was able to experience God as he never had before (Job 42:5).

Nor does it make sense for some young to be thrown into a fiery furnace because of their faith. Not until the king that order the process saw one like the Son of God walking among them in the fire, and all of them  and then saw the young emerge unharmed from the fire (Daniel 3:14-28).

It makes no sense to see the Son of God dying on the cross. Not until three days later he rose from the death, bringing hope of eternal life to mankind (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Nor does it make sense the number of people that has died because of their faith. It could look like their lives ended without a purpose.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth… And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. – Hebrews 11:13-16

It makes no sense when we lose a loved one, or when we get sick, or when financial troubles come, or when we are in conflict.

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord – Isaiah 55:8

Our ability to understand the situation does not change the reality of what God is doing in those who love Him. What looks like an uncertain future in our eyes, for God is sealed a victory - a done deal.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. – John 16:33

No matter how confused I am, I can keep going receiving the peace that I get as a result of having my eyes on Jesus, recognizing that no matter what happens He already conquered victory, and therefore I shall conquer in Him. Now things do not make sense, but at some point I’ll look back and there will be no words of concern but only words of thanks to my God.

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days … and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. – John 11:17-21

Sometimes we do like Martha; we blame God for not having arrived in time. When we have difficult situations we think we know what God is supposed to do to solve our problem.

God always knows what is best for us. In the case of Martha she thought the solution was for Jesus to heal his brother when he was sick. It seems logical, but logic is not always in accordance with the plans and the will of God. The plan of Martha was the miracle of healing, but in the plans of Jesus was a larger sample of the power of God through the resurrection of her brother.

If Jesus had acted according to Marta’s plans there had been a miracle, but all of us would have missed seeing the glory of God manifested by raising Lazarus from the death after four days.

Often, God’s intervention does not happen the way we expected, but even if we don’t understand we can trust that God’s plan for our lives will always be better than ours.

We might not receive the miracle we hoped for, but if we stand firm in the faith we will receive the greatest miracle of all: eternal life. Even Lazarus died again, which eventually will happen to all of us, but our final day in this world will only mean the greater glory of living forever in the presence of our God.

If you feel disappointed because you did not receive what you expected, I invite you to make yours the words of the psalmist: “Why are you downcast, O my soul, Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash. – Matthew 7:24-27

Building a house on sand is foolish. Whoever builds a house on sand knows that sooner or later its foundation will cede, and the result will be chaos. No one who is mentally sane will try that. However, we can clearly see that our society is constantly building on sand.

We work hard. We have more money. We have more and better things; what we need and even what we don’t need. But we have no time to enjoy family or possessions. Too many sacrifices and no time to enjoy life. This is building on sand.

We put our hope on the elected officials. But even if they have good intentions, the truth is that placing our trust in them is like building on sand. We have trusted the economy, but we realize that it is like an air balloon which is deflating, and though it is re-inflated it has so many leaks that there is no way to stop the process. Once again, this is like building on sand. We rely on religious leaders, but we have seen how many of those who are supposed to set an example fail to give a positive witness. We keep building on sand.

We have been blessed by God, but we have placed our hope in the blessings when we shall have placed our hope in the God who has blessed us. This is still building on sand.

Is there no hope? There is, but not in the worldly things. Everything in this world is temporary and should have never been our foundation for hope.

The global situation that we are experiencing should serve as a warning for us to put our hope in God alone and not in what He has given us or what we have achieved. Only after we are able to understand this truth, and begin living according to it, we will be building on the rock.

Let’s not be foolish, let’s hear the word of God and live according to it. Only then we will be building our future on a solid foundation; on the eternal rock: Jesus.

Violent deaths. Violence against women, children and the elderly. Governments oppressing their people. Sexual immorality. Child sexual exploitation. The rich getting richer and the poor poorer. Unemployment out of control. Economic problems worldwide. Even nature is affected by our actions.

There seems to be no solution. And if there is some relief it appears to be temporary. Any solutions are like illusions.

If we get carried away by what we see we can lose our hope.  We can’t even put our hopes in good times, because these are short-lived.

But those who have known Jesus know that our hope is not set on what we see or hear but what Jesus did for us and His promises to us.

Jesus said:

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. – John 14:6

This truth helps us to give hope to a world where there is none.  Maybe we can’t change the world, but if we follow the example of Jesus, we can positively affect those around us.

Let’s do our best, not just sharing words of hope with others, but living like Jesus:  doing good, blessing, helping, forgiving, sharing with the needy, having pity on those suffering, opening doors and not closing them.

The times we live are difficult but,

• Do not forget that there is only one way: Jesus
• Do not forget that there is only one truth: Jesus
• Do not forget that only Jesus can give us live.

Do not forget.  Jesus is hope come true.

If you like sports maybe you would think of

• A home run
• A dunk
• A knock out

If you like science maybe you would think of

• A volcano
• A twister
• The sun

Or maybe you would think of other things as

• An explosion
• Wealth
• Political power

If we look in a dictionary we can find multiple definitions for the word power:

• ability to do or act; capability of doing or accomplishing something
• political or national strength
• great or marked ability to do or act; strength; might; force
• the possession of control or command over others
• legal ability, capacity, or authority

or in physics

• work done or energy transferred per unit of time
• a particular form of mechanical or physical energy
• energy, force, or momentum

or in mathematics

• the product obtained by multiplying a quantity by itself one or more times

The words ability, strength, force, control, authority, energy and multiply give us a pretty good idea of the definition of power. It sounds like it is something good to have, but probable difficult to achieve, and even more difficult to keep.  That is, unless we look at a much better definition:

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-21

This power is not difficult to achieve, nor difficult to keep. Why? Because we don’t have to do anything to receive it: it was gained by Jesus for us and we receive it by faith. We neither have to do anything to keep it: It is kept in Jesus.

What does that power means to us? Through that power:

• the debt for our sins was paid in the cross
• we received hope for eternal life when Jesus raised from the dead

There is definitely no greater power than that.

The apostle Paul prayed that we may be able to know the great power that is available to us. Why is it so important? Because if we know what we have, there will be nothing in this life that can take it away from us: not a life full of problems or even danger of death (things which Paul continuously experimented while serving God).

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake  we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:35-39

That power makes us more than conquerors. Through that power we are reminded that even our biggest problems can’t separate us from the love of God. That power reminds us that our victory has already been obtained.

It is up to us to decide to live each day recognizing the power available to us. Lets allow that power to be a life changing experience in our lives and the lives of those around us.

Early on the first day of the week… Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes. – John 20:1,3-10

Many things happened in the lives of the disciples in the days before the first day of the week.  The disciples were going through a very difficult time. They had just witnessed the death of their teacher.  Although Jesus said that he would rise from the dead, they really had not processed that information in their hearts. So it was probably a time of deep sadness and despair, as they were not sure what would happen to them.  Two of the disciples went to the tomb, saw it empty, and believed. However, when they returned to their homes, they locked their doors because of fear of the Jews.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews – John 20:19a

Did their faith fail? Sometimes problems cloud our understanding. Lets be honest: we can go through a great spiritual experience in the morning, and then act as if there was no hope a few hours later. I guess it is human nature. In the midst of a problem we all lock our “doors”.

when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. – John 20:19b-20a

The good news is that if you have a relationship with Jesus, he will show up even if your doors are locked. He knows how we feel, and he knows our weaknesses, so he will not show up to ask us why we locked our doors. He will show up to bring his peace to our troubled hearts.

What would have been your reaction if you were in that locked room when Jesus showed up?

The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. – John 20:20b

Overjoyed is a good word to identify the feeling (or maybe any of its synonyms: charmed, delighted, deliriously happy, elated, euphoric, happy as a clam, happy as a lark, joyful, jubilant, on cloud nine, only too happy, over the moon, rapturous, ravished, thrilled, tickled pink, transported). It doesn’t matter the circumstances that we are going through, that same joy is available to us.

Are your doors still locked? Don’t lose your hope. Jesus will show up, and you will be able to experience his peace.

In these times we live in it is hard to set our hope in something.

• We could set our hope in a good job, but keeping it is completely out of our control.
• We could set our hope in the government, but even if all the leaders agreed on working for the best of our nation there would be a lot of things beyond their control.
• We could set our hope in an the economy, but the truth is that it has not been as volatile as it is now.
• We could set our hope in our savings, if any, but the constantly increasing cost of life if making us spend more than we make.
• We could set our hope in our retirement, but if we ever made it, it is possible that our retirement income could be not enough forcing us to keep working.

Nothing can be taken for granted anymore. We can’t certainly set our hope in the present, and less probably set our hopes in the future.

We could set our hope in life, but we know that sooner of later it will come to an end.  Do we have any option?

set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed – 1 Peter 1:13

We can definitely set our hope in the gift we received when we believed in Jesus: Eternal Life. This gift goes beyond our lives and beyond this world.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

Christians have set their hope in things that will never perish, spoil or fade.  Are we there yet? No, but while we wait we can enjoy the benefits of living abundant lives (John  10:10), and enjoy peace beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7), among other things.

Don’t lose hope, just set it in the right place: set your hope in Jesus.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. -  Romans 8:18

If someone taught you that Christians don’t suffer, let me tell you that such teaching isn’t from the bible.  In fact, you will find many bible verses that teach that Christian living is not without suffering (e.g. Romans 5:3, 2 Corinthians 12:10, Philippians 1:29, 1 Peter 2:20).  Suffering is part of a world that has been corrupted by sin. Everybody suffers: Christians and non-Christians.  However, Christians know that suffering in this world is just temporary, but our prize is eternal. And while we wait for our prize, we live our lives strengthened by faith (Romans 5:1), hope (Colossians 1:5), peace (Philippians 4:6-7), consolation (2 Corinthians 1:3-5), and above all, God’s love (1 John 4:9-10).

For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. – Romans 8:24-25

Do all this mean that Christian life is full of suffering and our only hope is in things to come? No. Being children of God (John 1:12) have great benefits (there is not enough space to talk about these in just one blog, but browse through the ministry blogs and you will know what I am talking about). As Christians, we know where we are (present sufferings), and we know where we are headed (the glory that will be revealed). That knowledge gives you a different perspective and a great advantage over life sufferings.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  – Romans 8:28

It doesn’t  matter what happens to us (those who love God), God will make things work (help, cooperate) for our good. That is, even in the midst of persecution, suffering, pain or loss, God will make something good come out of it. Nobody can avoid problems, but Christians can live with the certainty that God will bless us in spite of the problems.  The verse includes a Disclaimer: this offer is only valid for true Christians: “those called according to his purpose…conformed to the likeness of His son” (Romans 8:28b-29).

In the midst of life’s problems stand firm, for in Christ the best is yet to come.

It is also difficult to see people attacking the faith, and proclaiming that God does not exist. We know that their words doesn’t change the truth about God, but we are concerned about the effect these words might have on people that have not yet experienced God’s love. As good Christians we believe that we must stop this.

It seems like every behavior is acceptable, except behaving as Christians. If we try to express ourselves as Christians we can be treated as insane, we can be suspended from school, and we can even be sent to prison [ref]. This is not happening in a far away country: this is happening our country. Our forefathers would be ashamed if they could see at what is happening in their country.

If you see yourself losing faith turn to the last page. Yes! Turn to the last page of the bible.

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.” – Revelations 22:1-6

The history of the world is already written in heaven. It doesn’t matter what we see now, nothing will change the fact that there is already a victorious side: God and his servants. There is only one thing we need to worry about: those who are not yet on God’s side.

It is clear that the end hasn’t come yet because “He is patient…not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 2:9). So, lets be patient as He is, and whenever we hear about more bad news, or about people mocking God, don’t get frustrated, just turn to the last page.

Behold, I am coming soon – Revelations 22:7

Be patient. Victory is ours!

Year after year we see the effects of winter in nature. Anyone not used to the changes that come with the seasons would be affected by looking at the leafless trees during the winter. But we have learned that even though it looks like there is no hope, the trees will come back to life when the spring comes.  How this happens? All happens naturally.

We go through seasons in our lives as well. But when our winter season comes and it feels like we have lost all of “our leaves”, we lose hope and act as it is was the end. We shall instead follow the example of the trees. They are not “worried” when they begin loosing their leaves or when there are no leaves left on them.  They just “trust” that the laws established by God will be fulfilled once again, and that soon a precious recovery process will bring them new leaves and their intended majesty will be restored.

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. -  Genesis 1:27

We are the image of God.  We were not created for suffering.  We were neither created for death. If God wanted us to die he would not had put the tree of life in the middle of the garden (Genesis 2:9). Sufferings and death are a result of sin.

After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life – Genesis 3:24

However, God has established a law to help us spring back from our winter into a new life: faith in Jesus.

It sounds simple. It is! As we trust that there will always be a spring season after a winter, we can trust that Jesus will always be there to help us recover from anything we face in our lives, and even more, to give us a never-ending spring: eternal life.