S7E11 - It Is Humbling When...
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
If humility is the key to the Door of the Kingdom (and we think it is) then a few things must be considered. Jesus is clear that He is the Door to His Father and His Kingdom. The keys to the Kingdom were given to the right person. This has nothing to with church authority and everything to do with Peter's magnificent followthrough in his imperfect faith. Peter promised never-ending allegiance to Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of Me this night, for it is written, 'I will strike down the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' But after I have...
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S7E10 - I Bow My Knees
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
So Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:7-9 Jesus spends much time explaining His Kingdom. He is the Door of the Kingdom, of course, but we enter through this Door through the reality of humility. Let's take a look at part of this woven thread!...
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S7E9 - Deep Calls To Deep
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
We thought it was a good time for a deep dive into who is really in control. Let's follow the thread. The evil one manipulates us with fear. "Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives." (Hebrews 2:14-15) God's perfect love casts out fear. "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the one who...
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S7E8 - The Joy of Forgetting
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
As humans we cannot help but carry our own amount of weights. Disappointments. Bad memories. Unfulfilled hopes. Critical words. Jesus commented on the weight He places upon His followers: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”(Matthew 11:28-30) The word yoke encompasses the idea of weights and balances. If you have every contemplated Proverbs you have encountered how God feels about "just"...
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S7E7 - Full of Joy
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
As you know, at Fourthstream we are all about following, knowing, and applying the woven threads of the God Story. Today we are talking about joy - which is a major thread! There is a strength which comes from God and is powerful in very practical and amazing ways. We will do our best to consider the panoramic specifics of what joy brings into the world - and into the heart and life of a Jesus follower. The Source of Joy - Nehemiah 8:10 The Jews had returned from a long and painful captivity. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther were raised up to encourage joy among those who...
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S7E6 - Forever True
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
The concept of forever is tough to grasp. Everything about being human eventually runs into limitation. "As for the days of our lives, they contain seventy years, or if due to strength, eighty years. Yet human pride is only labor and sorrow, for soon it is gone and we fly away. Who understands the power of Your angerand Your fury, according to the reverence that is due You? So teach us to number our days, that we may present to You a heart of wisdom." - Moses in Psalm 90 There are a couple of important keys to unlocking a life of hope. The first is...
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S7E5 - Hand of God
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
When God's hand moves His will is done - on earth and in heaven. His authority backs up His intentions seamlessly. There is no hesitation. There is nothing that can stop it. He thinks and His hand moves and His will is done. In Mary's prayer of praise to God in Luke 1:49-52 she says: “For the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is His name. His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who revere Him. He has done mighty deeds with His arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down...
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S7E4 - Wickedness
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
The wickedness thread from the God Story is extensive. Here are a few of the central elements. The word itself is tied to "working at things which are not just" so there must be distinct departure from the truth to become a "worker of wickedness." This differs from the sin which is endemic to the entire human race. Sin is our condition of rebellion and separation from our Creator. Wickedness is our choice to reject God and subjugate others. When one thinks about wicked people usually some sort of injustice comes to mind. Oppression. Human trafficking. Abortion. Taking the life of another....
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S7E3 - Over Our Heads
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
Humanity has been and continues to be a slippery group. Our propensity to blame and accuse others, to consider ourselves greater and others lesser, and to justify our own acts toward others is epic. "But at the evening offering I arose from my humiliation with my garment and my robe torn, and I fell on my knees and stretched out my hands to the Lord my God; saying “O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, for our iniquities have risen above our heads and our guilt has grown even to the heavens. “Since the days of our...
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S7E2 - Love Your Neighbor
Fourthstream - Finding Hope
The Hebrew word for neighbor means companion or friend. It focuses His people on our identity as sons of Adam. By caring for and about our neighbor(s) we are carried into God's world. This is a central thread in the Word of God, so it is key to our spiritual success. When Jesus quotes the Law of Moses to the man who wanted to know the greatest commandment: "One of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all our heart, and with all your soul, and with all...
info_outlineAs you know, at Fourthstream we are all about following, knowing, and applying the woven threads of the God Story. Today we are talking about joy - which is a major thread! There is a strength which comes from God and is powerful in very practical and amazing ways. We will do our best to consider the panoramic specifics of what joy brings into the world - and into the heart and life of a Jesus follower.
The Source of Joy - Nehemiah 8:10
The Jews had returned from a long and painful captivity. Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther were raised up to encourage joy among those who engaged the arduous task of rebuilding physically and spiritually. Where were they to find the courage and strength they needed in the face of overwhelming odds?
"Then he said to them, “Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to him who has nothing prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” We choose joy over grief and pain, right?
The Destination of Joy - Isaiah 55:11-13
When the Bible talks about joy it encompasses both this world and the one to come. It is literally our moving destination target. And His joy will never end!
"So will My word will go from My mouth. It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it. For you will go out with joy and be led forth with peace. The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, and instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, and it will be a memorial to the Lord, for an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.” (the myrtle was functional and decorative - dark shining leaves with white flowers)
The fruits of Joy - Philippians 4:1-9
The letter to the Philippians could be titled "Christ Our Joy." Here is a brief summary of how Paul felt about the different elements of joy in his life. So relational! As you consider the next three paragraphs ask God how He is using these things to challenge and guide your heart.
"Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche (insert people you know names here) to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement (insert true spiritual warriors names here) also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and reaching up with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
"Finally, fellow heirs and companions in the truth, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is well done and good, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, engage these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."
The Great Joy - Jude 24-25
True joy will have no end. Happiness has a shelf-life. The more we live for true joy the more free we become and remain!
"Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen."
We choose joy - it is forever true!
Dave and Burnadette