Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

God fills you with joy and peace. The Bible describes the pre-salvation position as “having no hope and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). But the lost-ness of a fallen world has forever changed because Jesus who never sinned became sin for broken humanity (2 Corinthians 5:21). He left the splendor of heaven and came on a rescue mission for us. Joy to the world, the Savior has come!

He is the God of hope. Biblical hope is based on the integrity of God’s faithfulness—His character, performance, and nature—and differs greatly from the baseless optimism that the world calls hope. Hope in God springs from knowing His well-documented track record in the Scriptures and in people’s lives: “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” (Romans 15:4). The faithful God in the Bible is the same God who will help you in your situation. Even if you fall, God is there to lift you back up (Proverbs 24:16; Psalm 145:14).

Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the Lord. Psalm 31:24

Be a carrier of hope. God wants to use you to offset the incredible negativity and pessimism in the world. Hope should be something you carry—something that gets in your vocabulary when everybody else is complaining, that flares up when all the circumstances go the opposite way, that adjusts your thinking to keep your dreams and hopes from getting dashed. Get tenacious! Be confident that God will cause all things to work together for good (Romans 8:28). You will see the goodness of God in this life (Psalm 27:13-14).

. . . We have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men . . . 1 Timothy 4:10

Merry Christmas!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-two years in Jerusalem . . . He did right in the sight of the Lord according to all that his father Amaziah had done. He continued to seek God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding through the vision of God; and as long as he sought the Lord, God prospered him. 2 Chronicles 26:3-5

“Seek” (verb): to go in search or quest of; to try to find or discover by searching. To ask for; request.*

It’s worth it to seek God. As long as Uzziah sought the Lord, God prospered him—not just in economic terms, but in every area of his life. God’s presence and wisdom in our lives are more precious and vital than gold or any other substance of value (Proverbs 8:10-11). The qualifier, “as long as we seek God,” will help keep us from the lethargy and apathy that try to distract us from knowing the Creator of the Universe.

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9

Continue seeking God. Everyone is excited when the start gun goes off at a race, but crossing the finish line is what really matters. Serve God your whole life. Don’t become satiated with the things of the world. Instead, let your life be filled with the Holy Spirit.

Let God fill your holidays. As you go into the holidays, spend some extra time seeking the Lord. Use your coffee break at work to pull out your New Testament and read some verses. Pray. Turn off the radio and use the moments in your car to talk to God. Seek God and invite Him to be number one in every area of your life.

Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually. Psalm 105:4

Keep seeking God!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.*”seek.” Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. 21 Nov. 2010.

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2a NKJV

The definition for traction is “the act of drawing or pulling.” In wheels and shoes, traction is represented by the adhesive grip that gives you the stability you need to make progress. Though we’ve never passed this way in life before, we can run this race with confidence because we know Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, has provided traction for each step of the journey.

God’s Word is the grip that is the surety under our feet—it’s the salt and the sand under our tires in the snow. He wants to reinforce traction and stabilize things so we can move forward in boldness.

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until the full day. Let your eyes look directly ahead and let your gaze be fixed straight in front of you. Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established. Proverbs 4:18, 25-26

But whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 1 John 2:5-6

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. Galatians 5:16

Gaze straight ahead at God and only glance at your problem (Proverbs 4:25). God’s strategy for each one of us is that we don’t spin our wheels, stay stuck, or veer off course, but we connect with divine appointments, be strong, and do exploits.

Walk forward,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Don’t underestimate your life. Jesus is the head of the Church and we are the body. While the world celebrates the visual part of the body, the seemingly unimportant things are what really make the body tick.

But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable. 1 Corinthians 12:20-23

Jesus designed the Church to have variety, and each gift is important. If the little toe is missing from the foot, the whole body finds it hard to balance. Christianity is not about the performance of one celebrity or the function of a few “cool people,” but it is the “proper working of each individual part” (Ephesians 4:16)—that means you and your unique gifts are crucial, even if you feel like you are just a little toe!

There are different ways of serving God, but it is the same Lord who is served. God works through different men in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all. Each man is given his gift by the Spirit that he may make the most of it. 1 Corinthians 12:5-7 J.B. Phillips Translation

The best way to understand God’s plan for the Church is to start with yourself and figure out what God’s particular gift-download is in you. As you meditate on the Word and see yourself how God sees you, you will break out of insecurity, painful comparisons, and others’ molds, and be who God called you to be!

Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity. Romans 12:2 J. B. Phillips Translation

Look to Jesus,
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright ©2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. JB Phillips reference: Copyright ©1958-1972 by JB Phillips; The Gospels. All rights reserved.

NOAH AND THE KIDS WHO OBEY

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

The story of Noah is a story of perseverance and faith despite the lack of outward reinforcement.

By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn’t see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.
Hebrews 11:7 The Message

Life is tough. Obeying God can be hard, and there will be times when you wonder if you even heard God right. But amazing things happen when you follow God. Decide to be in this for the long haul. Don’t look back at past mistakes—keep pressing forward!

You’re going to cross the finish line!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

PS Thanks to all who served in making the best JUMP! kids camp ever!

Copyright ©2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” John 6:35

There is an ache in every heart in every nation that only Jesus can satisfy. We can become numb and stuck in a routine and lose sight of the importance of the basic bread of life. But Jesus knows how to address the depleted soul. He knows how to sustain us, how to cause us to persevere till the end.

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread out of heaven, but it is My Father who gives you the true bread out of heaven.” John 6:32

God sustained the Israelites in the wilderness with manna from heaven, but now He has supplied humanity with the true bread that will sustain in this life and for eternity.

People are looking for truth. Pilate, before crucifying Jesus, asked Him, “What is the truth?” but he didn’t wait for the answer before walking away (John 18:38). Now, the world is starting to reach a point where it will listen for the answer.

Jesus is the bread of life that fills the hungry heart. Popular culture doesn’t address the fundamental need for provision that only Jesus can give. There are times when we’ve drifted as Christians and tried to be satisfied with other things, only to find out how empty they were. As we return to Jesus, the guardian of our souls, we find fulfillment and life-giving, sustaining grace.

So don’t back off: Feed on God’s Word every day; stay connected, stay in love with Jesus. Our mission is to make sure that everything we do showcases Jesus. We’ve got this little life moment to communicate Jesus to our generation. It’s not about self-help, philosophy, or figuring out how to be good Christians—it’s all about Jesus.

Nothing compares to knowing Jesus!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright ©2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

You know the word which the Lord spoke to Moses the man of God concerning you and me in Kadesh-barnea. I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh-barnea to spy out the land, and I brought word back to him as it was in my heart. Nevertheless my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt with fear; but I followed the Lord my God fully. Joshua 14:6b-8

When the twelve Israelites came back from spying out the Promised Land, only Joshua and Caleb chose the good report. All those guys saw the same land and the same people, but they had different conclusions which produced different results. The bad-report guys died within a week. But Joshua and Caleb not only made it to the Promised Land, they finished as strong as when they started out (Joshua 14:11).

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV

The essence of good-report people is that they speak from deep-seated conviction and refuse to let the majority sway them. Choosing the good report is not automatic—it takes discipline and a heart filled up with God’s Word. Protracted battles can give us a loss-centered attitude, and it takes some time to get back to the place where we let the God of peace govern our hearts and minds.

When God was about ready to bust those Israelites loose into the Promised Land, the bad report stopped what God was trying to do. Don’t let grumbling keep you from God’s promises. Like Joshua and Caleb, we are called to lift up our eyes and obtain every promise of God, to see this generation come to a vibrant understanding of who Jesus is and what He provided for us when He conquered death.

Finish strong!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

But I pray that your partnership in the faith may become effective as you fully acknowledge every blessing that is ours in the Messiah. Philemon 1:6 ISV

As we acknowledge the good things Jesus has done in our lives, our walk with God will increase in effectiveness and fruitfulness.

Because of Jesus we are now free from the vicious circle of sin and death (Romans 8:2 Phillips). Jesus took “the certificate of debt”—all the blame and sin that belonged to us—and nailed it to the cross (Colossians 2:14).

And you hath He quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins . . . But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:1, 4-6 KJV

And you hath He quickened. Ephesians 2 shows the before and after of becoming a Christian. If you’re feeling beat down, socially awkward, or insignificant, Jesus powerfully affirmed your value when He gave His life at the prime age of 33 so that people like you and me can experience freedom from bondage. As you renew your mind with the understanding of what God has done, you’ll break out of the confines of insecurity and apathy and step into greater fruitfulness.

Your purpose: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Don’t manage your expectations for your life. Get in the Word and study your place in Jesus. You are being called out by God for Kingdom purposes beyond what you can even imagine right now—to pray huge prayers, walk in divine influence, be supernaturally natural, shape culture, and change this generation!

It’s good to be alive right now.
Pastor Jeff

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Copyright © 1958-1972 by JB Phillips; The Gospels Copyright © 1996-2008 International Standard Version®. King James Version.

But you, when you pray, go into your inner room, close your door and pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:6

Time with God in the secret place is the key to effectiveness. Madake is a common type of bamboo in Japan, and during its growth season will grow up to almost four feet in one day! It can take years, though, for the visible shoots to push through the ground because the plant first prepares for fast growth by developing a strong root system out of sight. Likewise, our public life is rooted in the preparation that happens during secret-place moments.

Don’t despise the day of small beginnings (Zechariah 4:10) or underestimate the value of the secret place. If you stick around long enough and refuse to grow weary in doing good, your strong root system will produce major growth (Galatians 6:9).

Because time in the secret place produces fruit for the public place, it is the subject of the greatest attacks by Satan. Don’t wait to have “enough time” to spend with God. Learn how to fellowship with God even when you are on the run. Take two minutes at the beginning of the day and connect with God. Turn off the car radio and the cell phone and set aside time to be with Him. Whether you’re in the shower, driving the car, or cooking in the kitchen—these are all moments you can use to draw close to God.

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. John 15:7-8

When you abide in the secret place, you are under the protecting shadow of the Almighty. Fear has to leave (Psalm 91:1 NKJV*; 2 Timothy 1:7). God protects you from others’ evil intentions: “You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of man” (Psalm 31:20a). And God, who sees what you do in secret, will reward you openly (Matthew 6:6).

The secret place may feel dreary and dry at times, but God promises that if you seek Him, you will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). As a result of consistently spending time in the secret place, you will bear fruit, change lives, and reach the world.

God bless you.
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright ©2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. *Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright ©1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance . . . You have patiently suffered for me without quitting. But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches. Revelation 2:2-5 NLT

This warning to the church in Ephesus is sobering, and the enemy is fighting hard to dull you, but God knows how to rouse your heart and stir you up to the fiery potential for which you’ve been designed and created. If you’ve let your Christian life become blasé, remember from where you have fallen and go back to the things you did at first. Identify the things God has called you to do (including loving Jesus with all your heart) and drop the works you’ve picked up along the way that are not what God intended you to carry.

And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Philippians 1:9-11

God is calling us to humble our hearts, remove obstacles, and recommit to walking in love. After all, God is love, and one of the most purposeful things we can do is learn to cultivate this extraordinary love. This God kind of love, agape love, is not just an ordinary expression based on emotion or reserved solely for our nearest and dearest. We are to extend this eternal love of God to our neighbors, our enemies, and the entire world.

Don’t let John 3:16 become religious rhetoric. Instead delve into the Word and rediscover the profound truth of God’s eternal love for you.

We love, because God first loved us!
Pastor Jeff Perry
St. Louis Family Church®

Copyright © 2010 St. Louis Family Church. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed in any form without prior written permission of St. Louis Family Church. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.