Real Hope

Real Hope

A Word on Hope

There was an experiment conducted in the 1950's using rats. Read more HERE.

It was a cruel experiment but it gives some important insights.

The experimenter, took domestic rats and put them in glass jars filled with water.

A few rats immediately gave up and committed suicide, basically.

But, the rest of the rats swam for days trying to survive.

Next, the experimenter used wild rats.

They all gave up and died in a short time.

The experiment continued. But, let's stop here for a moment, and ask ourselves.

What's the difference between,  the few domesticated rats who committed suicide and the ones who did not?

Then, let's ask ourselves what's the difference between the domesticated and the wild?

Remember, there's more to the experiment. But, at this point we can see a difference.

This is my interpretation.

The difference is human contact.

The domesticated rats had been raised by humans. Fed, watered, cages cleaned, they probably heard the humans talking to them, or to other humans. They had developed a trust of the humans.

The wild rats feared humans, they had no good experiences with humans at all. 

The few rats that committed suicide, had never fully trusted their human masters.

That's the difference. Human contact.

Now, the original experimenter, we are told, saw that hope was the reason for what he observed. The domesticated rats who lived longer had hope that the human would come, like they always had.

They had hope, and trusted the humans.

In the next phase of the experiment. The experimenter tested both wild and domesticated rats.

He put them in jars of water and let them swim until the point where they finally gave up. Then, he saved them and let them rest before putting them back into the jars.

After this salvation, both wild and domesticated rats, swam even longer than before.

The experimenter determined that the rats had hope that help would come. So, they could endure longer.

Ok, so that's the basic lesson we can glean from this experiment.  Hope has the power to help people to endure the struggles of this world.

We can build hope in ourselves and we can give hope to other people. This hope can save the day.

But, let's go further.

Let's go into the spiritual. Which might not have been the intent of the experiment. But, it's my belief that everything exists to point us to God, and teach us of Him. It all works, to draw us to Him, or away.

What do animals think of humans? I know they fear us. But, do they think we are really smart animals? Or do we become "gods" to them?

I put "gods" in lower case and quotes, because I have no doubt that animals and small children know who the real God is.

But, do they see us as some kind of ministering angel perhaps? Or a fallen demonic angel?

I do not know. But, if we look at this experiment in terms of our own walk with God, can we see parallels? Similarities?

When we choose to believe God is working in our life, does it give us more hope? Does it give us more faith, when we trust Him?

Is hope and faith the same?

Faith-filled hope is not the same as "gee I hope so."

Hope with faith says "God is my only Hope, and I have faith He is coming."

That is not "hope so."

The rats trusted and had hope. When they were saved the first time, it gave them even more hope and faith because they had proof. They trusted that the human would come, and he did. Then, they knew he would come again, and had faith to endure.

Do you see the similarities?

God is good. He loves us and takes care of us. He saves us and will come again.

The things God has done for us in the past is proof for our hope and faith that He will take care of us, and be there for us in the future. Think of the great things God has done for you. It will help us to endure.

Trust Him.

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 Bio:Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called “The Future is Coming” and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

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Photos by the author.

You Are Not Cast Out

 You Are Not Cast Out

A Word on God's Faithfulness

 

 

Verse:  ^“All that the father gives me shall come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out. ---John 6:37
    
     I failed in my life; and like so many others I had asked God to save me when I was young.  I went to church and I asked God to save me as a child, but then life happened, and I got worse and worse. I’m not the only one. I have spoken to so many people who have asked God to save them, and help them. But, then they failed; and they could not keep right, not even for a day. They could not measure up to the standards the church people or family or friends put them under.  I was the same.
     
      But, God did not give up on me. Every tough time in my life, was God working in me trying to get me to listen to Him. Every good time, was God showing me he cared. He was with me, even though I ignored Him until I really needed him. There are so many people walking around who think God has cast them out. He hasn’t. If you asked Him to save you, He has, and He is working.
      
     Now, imagine you hired a contractor to save your crumbling house, and make it great. But, you forgot you hired someone. Yet, you come home and trip over boards lying around. You step in wet concrete. You get mad because of the noise, and cannot figure out what’s going on. Your roof is gone one day, and some unexpected rain gets in the house. Another day, you feel nice and warm because all the drafts have been sealed, and you have new windows, and new insulation.  You never see someone working, but something is up.
      
     You can’t figure out what’s going on because you forgot that you made a contract with a Master Builder. He comes and works every day. But, even when he leaves the project to sit for a while, it’s for a purpose. The concrete is drying. The drywall mud is drying. The landscaping is growing. But, the Contractor is still working.
      
     This happened to me, I prayed to receive Christ when I was young, and I got worse. I never realized the truth of it. But, I knew that He answered my prayers. Finally, He woke me up, through life’s breaking power, and I threw myself on Him. Then I started to learn of Him, and grow in Him. Now I see the boards on the ground, and the wet concrete. I enjoy seeing the landscape grow; because I’ve let Him teach me, and wake me up. I’ve studied The Builders Manual.
     
      Now I can look back at my life and see that He was there, and working all along. No matter what family said, no matter what the church said, no matter what friends and enemies said. God was there working, and He never abandoned me. No matter how bad I am, He is there working as He promised. Even still today, He is there. Everything that happens to me is Him working in some way. Turn to Him, and learn of Him. Ask Him to save you and teach you His ways. Listen to His still small voice and follow Him. I know it’s hard. Tell Him it’s hard, and that you need Him to do it. Then, watch Him move.

 

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogspot: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Abundant Life

 Abundant Life

A Word On God's Abundance.

“I am the door; by me if any man, enter in he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture.  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” —John 10:9-10

I was studying this recently when it was revealed to me that there’s a deeper meaning for it in my own life. My past was pretty bad. I did all kinds of terrible things to those I love, and to those around me, and to myself.            

But, during all of that, I felt that I was living a normal life, and was trying to build something out of it. I worked and tried to save. I made plans. I chased the almighty Dollar, like everyone around me. The most important thing was to earn, earn, earn. That’s what everyone cares about. Did you take care of your stuff? Bills paid? Getting to work on time? Looking for more money?            

Nobody really cares if you’re a drunk, or addict so long as you keep taking care of business. But, when you start acting out, or failing in what society thinks you should be doing, everyone wants to stick their nose in your business. Once you are not a good slave anymore, you become a problem. But, all the while I thought I was fine.            

However, when life started to fall apart, there was nowhere else to turn but to God. And that’s a good thing, because He is the only one that can help. Others can put on a band aid, but only God can really heal.            

Jesus said “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it” (Luke 17:33) When your life is garbage, and it’s falling apart, that is God calling you. You tried things your way, and now God is begging you to give Him a try before it’s too late. Get rid of that old life. Hate that old life and all that goes with it. If you keep clinging to that old life, and those old ways, it will drag you down. Turn to Him, and let Him work on you. He can’t do any worse than you have done. Just pray and ask God to save you. Pray that you want to make Jesus your Lord, and that He is the only Lord. Ask Him to help you and teach you. Ask Him to make you a new person and grow you.            

And that is what God does when you give yourself to Him. He starts to work, and things will start to change. It’s not immediate. Some things happen very quickly, but other things do not. That is patience being built in us. Spiritual healing, like natural healing is a growth process. It is not like man-made healing, where you pop a pill and feel better. But, it is REAL healing.            

When I look back at my life I now have an abundant life. Am I always happy? No. But, God has provided for my needs beyond anything I had before. He has moved in mighty ways to make me worth something. And most importantly He has shown me that He is real, and that He rewards those who seek Him. He, Himself is abundance. Having Him in your life creates abundance.            

You have to understand that I am not talking about great wealth. I do not have much, but He has made what I have plenty. He has made me content. Of course, this doesn’t mean I do not want to succeed more. But, I’m fine. He has me. Every time I have had need He has moved, and settled the issue in some way.            

You are not giving up anything when you turn to Him. You are gaining everything. The junk you lose is hurting you and others. He will cleanse you and re-mold you, and give you a purpose, and you will be with Him. This is life, and this is abundance.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogspot: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public

Grace in Vain

 Grace in Vain

A Lesson on Serving God



"We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain." ---(2 Cor. 6:1)

We are encouraged here to not receive the Grace of God in Vain.

What does that mean?

Well when we look at most of the verses in the previous chapter we see that God saved us so we can work to save others. 

We have the ministry of reconciliation. We are called to reconcile humans to God.

So, in chapter 6 Paul says to not receive the Grace of God in Vain. That means, for no purpose.

Many believers have gotten saved, and then have done nothing but sit in pews, singing songs, and heaping to themselves teachers, having itching ears. Hoping to hear some new thing.

They struggle with sin that God has already defeated and do nothing but drink milk.

They have received Grace in vain.

Have they ever led a person to Christ? Have they ever sat down with the hurting? Have they ever listened to the Spirit and moved forward To help someone? Have they even read the Bible? Have you?

So Paul goes on, speaking about what a life of service would look like.

He starts out by saying that we should be careful to not offend in anything lest it bring reproach on our service to Christ.

 

"Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:" 2 Cor. 6:3

This is talking about typical things that are offensive. Things that really don't matter but still cause distraction. Because the Bible teaches that the Gospel and believers are offensive to the lost. So, this is not talking about that. This verse is referring to being offensive in our actions and words. An example would be, attacking someone based upon political beliefs. And yes, I'm probably very guilty of this. But, I'm trying.

Then, Paul speaks of the servants life in Christ. It is a hard list. Let's go through it verse by verse.

In all things we show we are the ministers of God. Whether it's trouble or need.

Whether it's persecutions, or labor, or watchings or prayer. (Watchings is going without sleep in prayer. It's like fasting but with sleep)

We do this by "By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,"

We also do it, "By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,

 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;"

The armor of righteousness is on us because we are righteous in Christ. Not by our own works. It is the breastplate spoken of in Ephesians. 6:14

We continue in this whether people speak good or bad of us. Whether they lie about us or not. Whether they call us liars as well. We continue to serve. We are pure in Christ. Not ourselves. We have knowledge He gives us. We are patient by His power through the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We are kind and we do not fake love. People can tell when you are fake. Let the Holy Spirit love others through you. It's hard.

As servants we continue to behave properly even in situations as these,

As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;

As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

This is how we are called to be in Christ as we serve Him. Bad things come into our lives, and we are broken by them, and use them to glorify God and to mold us. We use it as correction to be better. God brought us through for a purpose. That purpose is to serve Him and help others.

I know we live our lives and that this is somewhat radical. I know we fail. I fail terribly. But, it is our service.

We are called to abide in Him and spread the Gospel, building the Kingdom. We present ourselves to God confessing Him as our Lord and letting him guide us into what He would have us to do.

Has life broken you, and God brought you through? That might be a good place to start helping people. You have overcome through Christ, and others need your help. Pray about it. Ask God to use you. But, expect to be troubled. You might need to step out into something you don't like.

Listen to the Lord. Sometimes He will prompt you. He might put someone on your heart. Call them. Visit them. Pray for them.  Do not wait. The devil will snatch it from you. You might see someone in need and for a second feel that you should help. DO IT. Be safe. Be wise. But do it. He is calling you. When you hesitate Satan will fill you with fear, doubt and distraction.

Do you feel led to give to a ministry. DO IT. God won't let you go broke. He will bring it back. Has someone blessed you? Tell them. Spread love and good things. Pray for people without their knowing.

Do not let your salvation be all about sitting in a church pew and bible study. Go and let God work through you. We are called to abide and have a relationship with Him. This happens by seeing Him work. That doesn't happen sitting in a building. He wants to include you. Let him lead you. He will. Ask Him, and trust Him.

Praise God always, Confess your sins to Him always, and turn to Him in everything. No matter how bad things are do not cast Him aside. This is abiding. This is relationship. Add service to this. Seek to step out and serve Him and others and you will see Him move in your life. Some lessons cannot be learned in a classroom.

Realize that when I speak of this I am not talking about a loss of salvation.. If you are saved you cannot lose it. God keeps His Word. But, the question is, Are you really one with Christ if you do not want to build the kingdom? So, were you ever saved? And if so, it would be terrible to enter heaven having brought no one with you. Even the thief on the cross tried to bring someone.

I'm not trying to push guilt, fear and shame. I hate when preachers do that. But, we are soldiers in the army of Jesus Christ. And in an army there are sergeants who will push you to get up and fight.

We have a kingdom to build. We are in a war. The enemy is hurting people all around us.

Fight.

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Bio: Chris Bunton is a writer, poet and blogger from Southern Illinois. He has published in several magazines, and has written a poetry eBook called “Against the Man” and an Addiction Recovery eBook called “Made Free: Overcoming Addiction“ His newest book is called "The Future is Coming" and is a collection of dystopian short stories.

Follow Him on Medium: https://chris-bunton.medium.com/

Read His Spiritual Writings on Blogspot: https://chrisbunton.blogspot.com/

Buy a cup of Coffee

Support the work on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=13514235&fan_landing=true&view_as=public