"Hope, Mercy, and Faith"

We are living in Challenging Times.

Psalm 46:10: (ESV) "Be still and know that I am God." 

I.                    INTRODUCTION

Discussion Title: “I think we need to talk about How we maintain Hope, embrace God’s Mercy, and keep the Faith in these challenging times.” 

1.  This will not be Bible Teaching but a discussion about where we are as God’s people and nation

tonight with our Hope, Mercy, and Faith. Our “Culture Climate” has already

been divisive, and with the 2024 Election, even more.

1.  However, the devastation endured at the hands of Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton,

At the time of this broadcast, it was predicted to be the worst in U.S. history! The Holy Spirit, as I

said, guided me to have a conversation as you support those recovering from Helene and reaching out to those who are now staring at Hurricane, or as a matter of fact, you may have already dealt with

Milton, and survived, what is your degree of Hope?

2. How do you feel about God’s Mercy, and do you still have Faith? I would love to know! I ask you to

email me if you have something to share @jdcministries885@gmail.com. I also invite you to leave

a comment on my blog @drofthegospel.com, especially if you have an amazing story about how God’s

Grace and Mercy have given or someone you have witnessed Hope or “restored’ your Faith.

Scriptures for Tonight: 

Isaiah 42:3 (ESV): “A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench; he

will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established

justice in the earth;” [1]

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV): "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all

creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Psalm 46:10: (ESV) "Be still and know that I am God." 

Truth and Transparency

1. For the sake of “Truth and Transparency.” I did not select these Scriptures. They were sent to me by a

Prophetess and Prayer Warrior to pray over, and God directed me to use them for our conversation

tonight. As one who walks in Christ’s “Five-Fold” Ministry in the New Testament Church of the

21st Century, and  the spiritual calling in the Ministry of “Truth and Community” Apostolic gifts

(Apostle).

2. I received this spiritual message as our Ancient ancestral Apostle would receive a message from God from a Prophet or Prophetess to deliver to God’s people. That is tonight's conversation's divine purpose, plan, and objective.

a. Isaiah 42:3 (ESV) “A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;

he will faithfully bring forth justice. 4 He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established

justice in the earth;”

b. Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,

neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor anything else in all

creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

c. Psalm 46:10: (ESV) "Be still and know that I am God." 

3. Historical Quotes about Mercy, Hope, and Faith in Challenging Times.

  a. Mahalia Jackson said, “Faith and Prayer” are vitamins of the Soul; man cannot live in health

without them.”

b. Eleanor Roosevelt said, “If you have no “Faith,” you lose it all.”

c. Diane Sawyer said, “Whatever you want in life, other people will want it too. Believe in yourself

to accept your equal right to it.” And I will add, be it God’s Will.

d. Dr. Myles Monroe said:

1. “The greatest tragedy in life is “NOT” death, but life without a purpose.”

2. He said, “Seeds of “Faith” are always within us. Sometimes it takes a crisis to nourish and

encourage their growth.”

3. He said, “The past is the past. Who or what we used to be doesn’t matter anymore. What

matters is who and what we are “NOW” and what we become in the future.

I.    Hope

1. Let’s talk about Hope. I was reading an article titled “Reasons to be Optimistic about 2024

(Seriously)” by the Faculty of Boston University. The authors opined that even amid the crisis in our

Democracy, the decisiveness in our cultural climate, mental health worsening, Wars in the Middle

East and Ukraine, climate change with two devastating hurricanes back to back, Healthcare costing a

fortune, inflation, education deteriorating, and AI threatening to take over our jobs. There is reason

to have hope and optimism.

a. Did you have “Hope?” What is “Hope?” Yes, I most certainly have “Hope.” With all that I have

been through in 2024, I have “Hope,” In today’s culture, “Hope” is often used to represent

wishful thinking. But in the Old Testament, the verb translated as “Hope” is qavah, while

the noun from the same root is “Tiqwa.” Both words mean “to trust and wait expectantly.”

b. heavens give showers? Are you, not he, O Lord our God? We set our “Hope” on you, for you do

all these things.”

c. Isaiah 42:3 says, "A bruised reed will not break, and a faintly burning wick will not quench; he will

faithfully bring forth justice.

II. Mercy

1. In the Bible, mercy is a quality of God that involves caring for those who are in need, even

if they don't deserve it.

2. Isaiah 42:3 conveys a message of “Compassion and Gentleness.” The "bruised

reed" symbolizes someone fragile or vulnerable, while the "faintly burning

wick" represents a weak flame about to go out ( that's you!) Furthermore, the Text

emphasizes that God, or the servant of the Lord, will not destroy or extinguish those who

are “weak or struggling.” Instead, there is a “promise of care” and “nurturing,”

suggesting that justice will be pursued with kindness and integrity.

2. Overall, this Text highlights themes of “mercy,” “hope,” and the “commitment” to

uphold justice without causing further harm to those who are already suffering.

3. This  TEXT conveys a message of “Compassion and Gentleness.” The "bruised reed" symbolizes someone fragile or vulnerable, while the "faintly burning wick" represents

a weak flame about to go out. Furthermore, the Text emphasizes that God, or the servant

of the Lord, will not destroy or extinguish those who are “weak and struggling.” Instead,

there is a “promise of care” and “nurturing,” suggesting that justice will be pursued

with kindness and integrity.

4. Overall, this passage highlights themes of “mercy,” “hope,” and the “commitment” to

uphold justice without causing further harm to those who are already suffering

III.  Faith

1. We just said in our last segment that amid uncertainty and chaos, such as the times we live in today,

God shows His Power, control, love, compassion, and faithfulness. My brothers and sisters, we must

have “Faith.” Because “NOW” is when we must count on the Lord! The politicians can’t do it for us!

Our husbands and wives can’t do it for us! Our mothers and fathers can’t do it for us! The Pastor, the

Preacher and the Prayer Warriors alone can’t do it for us! It requires our “Faith” in God to do it for

us!

a. Do we have “Faith” today with all that’s going on? Do we still have “Faith” tonight? Do we still

know what “Faith” means. Biblical “Faith” is the belief in God and His promises, even though

God cannot be seen, or His ways are “NOT’ always understood.

b. Heb. 11:1 is one of the “Most” famous “Faith” in the Bible. The Text says, “The assurance of

things “Hoped” for, the conviction (or evidence)of things ‘NOT’ seen. This Text informs us that

we can “witness” the central feature of “Faith” is “Confidence and “Trust. In my theology,

“Confidence and Trust” is part of a spiritual “train” relation. It starts with “Trust.” Without

“Trust,” there is NO “Faith!” Without “Faith,” there is NO Assurance! Without

“Assurance,” there is NO “Confidence!” Without “Confidence,” there is NO “Truth!” And

without your “belief and faith” in God, there is NO “faithfulness!

c.  Proverbs 3:5- 6 makes this point for us, my brothers and sisters. The Text says, “Trust in the

Lord, with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways

acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

2.  Romans 8:38-39 (NIV), the Text says, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels

nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth nor

anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus

our Lord." This Text “emphasizes” the inseparable nature of God’s love for us, regardless of our

circumstances, our chaos, our storms, and our tribulations. We must embrace today's challenges

by embracing  God’s Hope, Mercy, and Faith.

3. I remain in prayer for all our brothers and sisters who have endured so much during our

last two major storms. Many of us have lost loved ones and so much more. But I believe we have

witnessed God’s Mercy. I have seen God’s Hope, as I was an endless line of “Believers waiting to be

baptized in the hills of North Carolina. That gave me Hope. There could have been many more

deaths from these last two storms, yet one death is too many, but God continues to show He is

faithful.

4. I want you to know that God loves you, Christ loves you, and the Holy Spirit will guide, comfort, protect, and provide for you! And I love you! And there is nothing you can do about it!

   
   
   
   

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   Peace and Blessings!

   Dr. of the Gospel