Sunday Meditations with Pastor Brian (Strength Conditioning)

Intense is the perfect description for the month of March 2020 in light of our new global realities, but this is not the first time the church or believers have gone through challenging times. As we continue in our 2020 theme “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says…whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom and continues in it-not forgetting what they have heard but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do” James 1:22-25 NIV. In this Hope to Go message, “Strength Conditioning”, we travel back in the Old Testament for a powerful lesson on getting through tough times. Further, we’re reminded in “In Tense” times, it’s all about knowing, the past, the present and future-tense are all in God’s hands and what’s ahead is greater than what’s behind, but conditioning is not optional.

Thesis: “There are certain Kingdom muscles that can only be strengthened in specific seasons”.

In the New Testament, James 5:11 NLT, we have a summary of the book of Job, “We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance. You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy”. That verse points out two Big Hope Points in the book of Job: 1. The patience of Job as an example for us from which we should learn and 2. that the book is not only about Job, but also about God; “You can see how the Lord was kind to him at the end, for the Lord is full of tenderness and mercy” James 5:11. That’s what we see in the last chapter of the book of Job.  God is not thoughtless with His children; His purposes have an end and that is the restoration and blessing of His people. The Big Hope Truth: “In order to change your perspective, to a God perspective, you’ve got to overdose on truth”- Pastor B.

Four Things that are Restored to Job:

His Friendships Are Restored

In a way, this is Job’s final test, to pray for his three friends who’ve offended and vilified him and were miserable comforters. Job humbled himself and prayed.  His natural leaning would be to stay offended and never forgive. But God freed Job from his natural and sinful self and tendencies through Job’s social-distancing. Job 42:1  tells us that God restored other friendships of Job as well. 

His Fortunes Are Restored

The Israelites gave a double portion to their oldest son to indicate that he would be the family head and representative. Elisha received a double portion of the spirit of Elijah as a special mark of God’s grace and presence with him. Job receiving double of what he had before was an indication to him, his friends, and to us that God’s grace and favor rested on Job. 

His Family is Restored

Job 42:13 says, “He also had seven sons and three daughters”. Remember that in one day Job had lost all ten of his children and soon after…his wife, in her grief, turned on Job and advised him to curse God and die. Now, we read in Job 42:13 that Job received 10 more children “seven sons and three daughters” the exact number that he had had before. The Big Hope Principle: Never Name Your Future by Your Present Circumstances!

His Future is Restored

Job saw, not only his grandchildren but his great-grandchildren and their children as well. Covenant blessings and joy were a part of what God restored to Job so that finally when he died, he could reflect on God’s goodness to him and rejoice with his children and grandchildren and their future blessing in their generations

Hope to Go…Strength - Conditioning Take Home Truth

Choose to be a Prisoner of Hope

Jesus died for us to live an abundant, fulfilling life (John 10:10), and hope is the confident, favorable expectation of this life. “Even today I declare That I will restore double to you”. Double for Your Trouble…Now I do realize everything that’s taking place but here’s the truth Isiah 53:1 “Who’s report will you believe.”

Claim Your Double Blessing

That's a promise for us all—a promise of double for your trouble! Double the blessing, double the joy, double the peace! Doesn't that inspire hope in your heart? Don’t allow a negative outlook spoil that for you!

Be Single-Minded About Your Double Blessing

This double-blessing promise isn't for the double-minded. When you walk it out in everyday life, there will be times when doubt, fear, unbelief, and weariness will come against you. It's in these times you will need to fight a good fight of faith. You will need to guard your mind against negativity about your situation. We must hold on to whatever God promises us and be confident that He is working in our situation no matter how things look, how we feel or what we think because hope releases the power of the Holy Spirit in these times. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you. Line your will up with His and get excited about serving God. You could even be one who inspires others to become Prisoners of Hope!