"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not be faint." Isaiah 40:31

Welcome to "Hope on the Horizon." This blog is created to be a resource that will help you become inspired, motivated, encouraged and transformed into the person God created you to be.

Sometimes in life when we look onto the horizon we may not have that clear, beautiful sunset staring back at us. Instead, we might have an image of hopelessness and despair. As a Military wife and mother of 4 children whose ages range from 2-17, I am familiar with the stresses life throws your way! My past horizons have not always been so bright. But they helped shape me into the woman I am today . Having survived being orphaned in the streets of Vietnam, domestic abuse, divorce , aftermath of abortion and even widowhood, I have learned to persevere and grab hold of my destiny, no matter what the cost! From these places of pain and trials, I have become a woman whose passion is to bring the gift of hope and encouragement to others through inspirational words, practical tips and advice.

No matter what your present horizon is, there is always hope for a better future. All things are possible when you allow yourself the opportunity to be all you were created to be. So, please come along for a journey where the destination is not always known but the trip itself is worth every bump in the road to get there. Hope is just on the Horizon!

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

The True meaning of "Yes" by Kimchi Blow


The True meaning of "Yes" ( Ben-Hadad Attacks Samaria)  Read 1 Kings Chapter 20                                                 


King Ben-Hadad, who was king of Aram, gathered his troops and made plans to attack Samaria.  He sent messengers into the city of Israel to King Ahab, demanding his silver, gold and the best of his wives and children.  King Ahab agreed to the demands out of fear and intimidation because he knew his city was too weak to fight back. He was thinking that once he met the king's demands, it would be enough to spare him further disaster.  But what he didn't realize was that his decision, which was made out of fear, only encouraged the enemy to attack him  more.    King Ben-Hadad saw an open door of opportunity, or weakness and demanded Ahab's palace and his kingdom official’s possessions too. 

Upon hearing this request, Ahab gathered with his elders for advice.  They advised the king not to agree to his demands any longer.  He basically needed to draw the boundary lines with this tyrant, refusing to appease him any longer.  Obviously, King Ben-Hadad was furious and followed thru with his preparations to attack Israel.

In verse 8 of this chapter, we see the word "agree", which in Hebrew means to consent, desire or breathe after.  King Ahab "agreed/consented" to the first set of demands.   When he did this, he was basically saying, " Yes, come and help yourself to my kingdom and have full reign, I desire that you do so."  He took no stand against King Ben-Hedad, allowing him the right to rule.  

What can you learn from this story in your own life? How many times have you made a decision based off of fear?  What was it that you consented to, or desired for, without completely thinking it thru?    Have you allowed the enemy to come take authority and possession of your land? When you say "yes" to something, you are consenting and desiring that which you agreed upon. Stop and think about that for a moment.   

Have you agreed/consented to bad relationships, thoughts, habits, possessions, etc.?  Saying "yes" can make you vulnerable without meaning to.  Israel was already in a vulnerable state, but if Ahab would have trusted the Lord with his weakness and gotten the advice he needed before hand, he could have saved himself and those around him much grief.

Learn to say "yes" to the right things. Let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no."  In Proverbs, it states, "Boundary lines are drawn in pleasant places."  
Don't give away those things that God has entrusted to you.

Grow in grace,
Kimchi Blow



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