Just Continue That Thought...

A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure (p. 165). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) And that is what we want, isn’t it? Christine says, “That applies to everything, including any words, goals, plans, dreams, or visions he’s placed in our hearts. God makes the promises and our part is to persevere, just as the writer of Hebrews told us: ‘We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised’ (Hebrews 6:12, emphasis added). “Maybe you have a dream, a goal, a plan you’ve been working toward for years, and you feel God has forgotten you. Maybe you have wanted to: • Start a business • Go back to school • Build a non-governmental organization (NGO) • Serve in your community • Become a foster parent • Go on a mission trip • Lead a ministry “Whatever it is, God has not forgotte...

A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure (p. 116). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) Now it is important to see as Christine says, that “God does not always do what we want when we want or how we want—but he is always ready to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond anything we could ever ask or think.” Now as she says, “When we become prisoners of hope, we declare with defiance, that there is . . . • No need God cannot meet • No mountain God cannot move • No prayer God cannot answer • No sickness God cannot heal • No heart God cannot mend • No door God cannot open “When we become prisoners of hope, we aren’t dismayed when dreams . . . • Take longer than we think they should • Cost more than we think they should • Are harder to realize than we think they should be “When we beco...

A thought by Christine Caine from her book, Unexpected: Leave Fear Behind, Move Forward in Faith, Embrace the Adventure (p. 114). Zondervan. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.) It really is. Christine says, “I don’t know where your hope is struggling. Maybe your beleaguered hope is for. . . • A loved one to be saved • A child to come home • A marriage to be restored • Your body to be healed • Your finances to be restored • Your career to be revived • A home of your own “Whatever it is, it’s time to risk hoping again. Whatever dream we had that died, whatever promise we gave up on, the truth of God’s Word says that we serve a God with resurrection power who specializes in raising the dead. (Mathew 9:24) The truth we believe says we serve a God who redeems our lives from the pit, who gives us peace instead of conflict, who gives us a crown of beauty instead of ashes, who gives us the oil of joy instead ...