Our Resolute Hope Podcast

Joseph arrived in Egypt a completely different man.  Suffering had shaped him into a humble, compassionate servant and a protective, providing shepherd.

Joseph suffered greatly at the hands of his family.  But God worked through it, not only to safeguard the nation but also to strengthen Joseph’s faith in, and dependence on, Him.

Through his suffering, Peter transformed into a man who knew well how to shepherd and encourage believers who were enduring intense persecution for righteousness’ sake.

Our Lord called Peter when he was a diamond in the rough.  But suffering worked to grind and polish this apostle until he became a champion of grace.

In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul revealed how suffering transformed him into a humble man who learned that God’s strength works best in weak vessels.

Some suffering turns our world completely upside down.  When that happened to Paul, his restoration required three things:  time; biblically sound fellowship; and positive affirmation and support.

Suffering can make us completely suited for God’s purposes in our lives, if we give our consent.  How do we consent?  The same way Jesus did – by willingly choosing to ‘listen under’ our Father.

Through His earthly suffering, Jesus learned to trust His Father fully, to represent Him clearly to others, and to be a sympathetic intercessor.  Suffering can accomplish the same things in our lives, too.  

Lengthened by hammering and stretched into the perfect shape.  This is how Luke 2:52 described our Lord’s earthly life as He learned to trust His Father fully, just as we must do.

Some pain feels like it won’t ever go away.  In these times, we must find God in a way we never knew Him, so we can get through what we can’t seem to get over.

Our role is to be such good representatives of God to this world that, when people meet us, they see His grace, truth, and life clearly.

Paul made a point to surround himself with a band of likeminded brothers and sisters who would support and encourage one another.

Despite the persecution he suffered, how did Paul bring the good news of grace in Jesus Christ to those who needed to hear it?

How did Jesus stay true to His mission when many opposed Him and refused to believe what He had to say?

Nowhere is our attitude more important than when we share Christ’s grace and freedom with those in bondage to law.

Restoring fellow saints who struggle and suffer requires an attitude of gentleness, one of calm and acceptance, comfort and assurance.  God exhibits this as He tenderly draws Adam and Eve to Himself and begins their restoration.

Our attitude, our settled thinking that reflects in our behavior, is to be like that of Christ Jesus.  Impossible in our own strength, it’s God’s promise to us as we cooperate with Him, consent to His working in our lives.

Our Father desires that we cultivate intimacy with Him, choosing to be soft and pliable, receiving His love and giving it in return.  It’s then that he gives us the desires of our hearts.  And by doing what we desire, we fulfill His will for our lives.

Our loving Father desires that we live sacrificially, treating others as more important; that we be filled with the Spirit, cooperating with Him in all circumstances; and that we submit to authority.

The Bible paints a clear picture of God’s will for us.  Foremost, He desires that we trust Him for salvation.  Once we’re His, He sanctifies us, sets apart for His kingdom.  And, as a result, we’re to be thankful in all circumstances.

Many believers see God’s will as a maze, with many wrong paths but only one right one.  And at the maze’s center, God waits impatiently, wondering if we’ll ever figure out His will for us.  But … nothing could be further from the truth!

As Christians, we have received a new heart, and a new spirit that lives in union with God’s spirit.  Our old man, aka our sinful nature, was crucified (Romans 6:6) and is no longer an issue for Christians.

Are we righteous or sinners?  Do we have wicked hearts, or the promised new hearts of Ezekiel 36?  Join Pastor Frank and Dr. John as they discuss this core issue of Christian identity.

The Bible offers much advice for avoiding the path of adultery.  But the most foundational is from Ephesians 5:21, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ”.

Bogus intimacy comes in many forms, and all of them can be enticing.  But they’re hollow and unfulfilling, poor substitutes for the real intimacy that comes from God alone.