Tag: HopeInGod

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Face the Future with Hope

You know that I start each day with prayer. This morning is no different. Praying for my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren is a large part of my morning prayer time.

I had a praying grandmother. She and my grandfather would spend hours in prayer. It was such an encouragement to know she was praying, daily and sometimes hourly, for me. When I had children of my own, that comforted me in a greater way.

Now I am the matriarch of our family, and I take my responsibility of prayer very serious. Life has changed tremendously over the last 70 plus years. Things my grandmother could never imagine have come into being and I wonder what the future will be like for my grands.

It doesn’t cause me to fear but it does keep me in prayer.

“ I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me. 14 I will let you find me.’ This message is from the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11-14 ERV

Each generation has had their search for God. There are no spiritual grandchildren. Every person needs to have their own personal relationship with the Lord. The good news is that when we search for the Father, we find Him, and we find the hopeful future that He has planned for us.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God has great mercy, and because of his mercy he gave us a new life. This new life brings us a living hope through Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death. 4 Now we wait to receive the blessings God has for his children. These blessings are kept for you in heaven. They cannot be ruined or be destroyed or lose their beauty.” I Peter 1:3-4 ERV

In Christ, we have a living hope. It’s a hope that grows, giving us strength for each day. Great Is Thy Faithfulness, the favorite old hymn, puts it this way.

“Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow
Blessings all mine with 10,000 beside

Great is Thy faithfulness
Great is Thy faithfulness
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me”

The Apostle Paul and King David knew this hope long before these words were ever penned.

“ I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

“It may seem that those who are poor and needy have been forgotten, but God will not forget them. He will not leave them without hope.” Psalm 9:18 ERV

“These two things cannot change: God cannot lie when he says something, and he cannot lie when he makes an oath. So these two things are a great help to us who have come to God for safety. They encourage us to hold on to the hope that is ours. 19 This hope is like an anchor for us. It is strong and sure and keeps us safe.” Hebrews 6:18-19 ERV

As I pray for my family, I also pray for you. I pray that God who gives hope will fill you with joy and peace as you face the future!

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Perspective

It’s important to keep a proper perspective when going through a tough time. If we begin to look too closely at the situation it will begin to seem overwhelming. It’s important to pull back and look at things the way God’s see them.

The children of Egypt saw a sea too big to cross; God saw a stream and damned it up. Saul’s soldiers saw a giant too big to conquer; David saw a man who was no match for God. Noah saw a world filled with corruption and a devastating flood; God saw a cruise ship of salvation.

Satan saw Jesus as a dead man, buried in a tomb but God saw the resurrection!

What is your perspective? Do you see things as hopeless, do you see defeat?

“As a deer gets thirsty for streams of water, I truly am thirsty for you, my God. 2 In my heart, I am thirsty for you, the living God. When will I see your face? 3 Day and night my tears are my only food, as everyone keeps asking, “Where is your God?” 4 Sorrow floods my heart, when I remember leading the worshipers to your house. I can still hear them shout their joyful praises. 5 Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless?

I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, 6 and you are my God. I am deeply discouraged as I think about you from where the Jordan begins at Mount Hermon and from Mount Mizar.

7 Your vicious waves have swept over me like an angry ocean or a roaring waterfall. 8 Every day, you are kind, and at night you give me a song as my prayer to you, the living Lord God.

9 You are my mighty rock. Why have you forgotten me? Why must enemies mistreat me and make me sad? 10 Even my bones are in pain, while all day long my enemies sneer and ask, “Where is your God?”

11 Why am I discouraged? Why am I restless? I trust you! And I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God.” Psalm 42 CEV

King David was fighting discouragement. He had been going through vicious attacks. As he laid it all out before the Lord, the circumstances hadn’t changed but his heart’s perspective had.

He remembered God’s goodness and he ended with this, “I will praise you again because you help me, and you are my God”.

Are you discouraged or disheartened? Put your hope in God!

Perspective!

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Encouragement

I’ve been asked a number of times over the years if I ever get discouraged. The answer is two-fold; yes, but not as often as I used too.

Age, experience and mostly God’s sustaining love have a way of changing our perspective.

Discouragement tries to sneak in on the coat tails of fatigue and is often carried in, in the bucket of criticism. It helps to identify both of these culprits quickly and remove them from the scene.

King David is such a wonderful example to follow. He and his army had been off to battle and when they returned home their wives and children had been captured and their homes burned. David’s men were exhausted; discouragement and anger were about to rule the day.

“David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.” I Samuel 30:6 AMPC

How do you encourage yourself? I’m so glad you asked.

“8 And David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue this troop? Shall I overtake them? The Lord answered him, Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all.” I Samuel 30:8 AMPC

In other words, David prayed, and God answered. When we are discouraged it’s always best to pray. Not a complaining, whiny kind of prayer but a sincere God-I-need-help kind of prayer. The whining kind focuses on us and our circumstances, the “I need help” focuses us on God and His power!

“Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].” Hebrews 4:16 AMPC

When literal storms (hurricanes, tornados, blizzards) are coming or the storms of physical illness, financial disaster, or relationships attempt to bring destruction, we can and should immediately go confidently and boldly into the Father’s throne room and find help.

There’s no one in the Bible who faced as much criticism and personal persecution, besides Jesus, than Paul. He was beaten, left for dead, imprisoned, shipwrecked, dragged into court in nearly every town he visited.

This is how he battled discouragement.

“And when they had struck them with many blows, they threw them into prison, charging the jailer to keep them safely. 24 He, having received [so strict a] charge, put them into the inner prison (the dungeon) and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 But about midnight, as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns of praise to God, and the [other] prisoners were listening to them, 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the very foundations of the prison were shaken; and at once all the doors were opened and everyone’s shackles were unfastened.” Acts 16:23-26 AMPC

Now that’s encouragement!

God is willing to do this for each of us. He is the Father who is faithful and good. He is our defender and our provider and ready to help!

I sincerely hope that this is message of encouragement to all of you this day.

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Thankful for a Good Foundation

This morning I had a strange memory. I remember when we lived in Las Cruces NM and were coming back to Phoenix to visit friends. It was early January/February 1979. We had been through a particularly rough time and we just wanted to be in the comfort of friends.

Well when we got to the Casa Grande area we were met with a detour. The Salt and Gila Rivers were flooding and we couldn’t get to Phoenix on I-10. We were traveling at night with 2 small children. We didn’t have smart phones or satellite radio in those days so communication was sketchy at best. But we ventured on…come too far to turn back now.

We drove down 1-8 to Gila Bend and then headed back toward Phoenix. Every once in a while we would catch ponds of water with the headlights. As we got closer to Buckeye, there was another detour. It took us through the farm country and finally to an old trestle bridge at Gillespie Damn. The river was raging. I had never seen anything like this in the desert before or since.

The old bridge was built into the rock and it was solid. It hadn’t seen much use in years because of the “improved” highway that was faster and better. However, in a storm, it was the solid rock foundation that provided the security that was needed.

Some of you, some of us, were raised with a solid foundation. A foundation of God’s word. A foundation of trust, faith and hope. A foundation of the simple; yes, Jesus loves me. But then the new, faster, better paved highway was built and it seemed to be taking life in a new direction. The old discarded for the new.

Now your life may be on a detour. Storms have raged and the new super highway isn’t getting you to where you want to go. Maybe it’s time to return to solid rock foundation. Let that old trestle bridge take you safely across the flooding circumstances and leave you on dry ground on the other side.

“When you have troubles, I am with you. When you cross rivers, you will not be hurt. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not hurt you. 3 That’s because I, the Lord, am your God. I, the Holy One of Israel, am your Savior. I gave Egypt to pay for you. I gave Ethiopia and Seba to make you mine. 4 You are precious to me, and I have given you a special place of honor. I love you. That’s why I am willing to trade others, to give up whole nations, to save your life. 5 “So don’t be afraid, because I am with you.” Isaiah 43:2-5 ERV

Thankful today that God’s foundation is solid. Thankful that He is always there to give a second chance and to guide us to safety.

“‘Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock.”‘ Matthew 7:24-25 ERV

When I was a little girl this picture hung in my Grama’s home. It made an impact on me then but now that I’m older the impact is even greater. My Father, my heavenly Father, has provided for my safety and my protection!

Yes I am thankful. Thankful for all the years of protection and thankful that He never gave up on me!

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Looking Up

I love taking pictures of clouds. In fact, the other morning, dressed in my jammies, I went out and crawled up on the flatbed of the truck so I could get a good shot of the sunrise.

Dave used to tease that I would probably be taking pictures of the clouds on the day the Lord returns and splits the sky! Oh, I hope so, that would be an amazing photo!

But, while I am always looking up at the skyline, many think that we as Christians have our heads buried in the sand like an ostrich, afraid to see things as they really are.

Not true! Our heads aren’t in the sand, they are in the sky. When our focus is up, we can be in perfect peace even in the worst circumstances.

Peace – perfect peace!

Looking at things the way the rest of the world does blurs the truth and causes you to “try” to fix things by ourselves. Being self-centered is a true recipe for disaster. Being God-centered is a place of peace and rest.

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. 4 Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:3-4 KJV

“The Lord gives perfect peace to those whose faith is firm. 4 So always trust the Lord because he is forever our mighty rock.” Isaiah 26:3-4CEV

Looking up has been an analogy for salvation throughout the Bible. In Moses day, the Israelites were dying in the desert because of an outbreak of snakes in their midst. This is what the Lord had Moses do.

“Then the Lord said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.” Numbers 21:8 NKJV

Hundreds of years later, Jesus made reference to that very same incident when He was talking with Nicodemus, the man who came to Him at night, asking about salvation.

“ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:14-16 NKJV

We followers of Christ have a hope for the future that others do not have. We must remember where our strength and peace come from.

“Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:2-3 NKJV

Keep looking up dear friends – that’s where our help comes from!

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The Day Was Silent

If you had been a follower of Christ at the time of the crucifixion this day would have been silent.

There was no familiar greeting of friends, no smiles, possibly hugs and sobs and the questions – those haunting questions.

Could I have done something to stop the terrible beating and crucifixion? Are they coming for me next? I’ve spent the last three years following a man who is dead and gone? Where do I go, what do I do?

We know they weren’t prepared for the possibly of a resurrection. In fact, the women were preparing the spices which were a part of a proper burial. They had plans of going to the tomb the next morning.

These were apostles, disciples, family and friends in mourning. The day was silent!

But not so for the religious leaders who had been responsible for Jesus’ arrest, beating and crucifixion.

“The next day, the day after Jesus was killed, the head religious leaders and the proud religious law-keepers gathered together in front of Pilate. 63 They said, “Sir, we remember what that Man Who fooled people said when He was living, ‘After three days I am to rise from the dead.’ 64 Speak the word to have the grave watched for three days. Then His followers cannot come at night and take Him away and say to the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ The last mistake would be worse than the first.” Matthew 27:62-64 NLV

In their fear, they sent soldiers to the tomb to seal it and guard it. At the tomb there was silence.

In hell there was a battle raging.

“When you were dead in your sins, you were not set free from the sinful things of the world. But God forgave your sins and gave you new life through Christ. 14 We had broken the Law many ways. Those sins were held against us by the Law. That Law had writings which said we were sinners. But now He has destroyed that writing by nailing it to the cross. 15 God took away the power of the leaders of this world and the powers of darkness. He showed them to the world. The battle was won over them through Christ.” Colossians 2:13-15 NLV

Christ fought to free us from the power of sin. He fought for our redemption. He defeated the powers of hell!

“The Law could not make me free from the power of sin and death. It was weak because it had to work with weak human beings. But God sent His own Son. He came to earth in a body of flesh which could be tempted to sin as we in our bodies can be. He gave Himself to take away sin. By doing that, He took away the power sin had over us.” Romans 8:3 NLV

In the silence of that day all hope seemed lost but in reality hope for the salvation of all the world was birthed.

The angels had heralded His birth. The silence reverenced His death.

Let’s take time today to be silent, not in fear, but in gratitude for our great gift of salvation.

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Troubled Times

You may think that I am going to share some rich insight this morning on the situations and circumstances that we are facing in our nation and our world today but that isn’t my focus.

Each generation and millennia have had their own share of crises, disasters and unrest.

Jesus lived in a troubled world. The governmental rule was anti-God. The Romans, who ruled over the nation of Israel, preached Caesar as god and his word as infallible. They were living in political slavery when Jesus was born.

I find it interesting that God the Father didn’t use Jesus to rescue the Jews from the Romans in a similar way that he used Moses to rescue the Jews from the Egyptians. Jesus didn’t come to save just one nation. He came to bring reconciliation, peace and freedom to all who would believe.

“Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues and told people the Good News about God’s kingdom. He healed all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. 36 Jesus saw the many people and felt sorry for them because they were worried and helpless—like sheep without a shepherd to lead them. 37 Jesus said to his followers, ‘There is such a big harvest of people to bring in. But there are only a few workers to help harvest them. 38 God owns the harvest. Ask him to send more workers to help gather his harvest.’” Matthew 9:35 – 38 ERV

Jesus was about His Father’s business – a worldwide harvest.

But the corruption of the government was always on Jesus disciples’ minds. They heard Jesus preach; they saw the miracles. In fact, they did miracles themselves but still they wondered when Jesus would take control and change things. Here are Jesus’ last words to his disciples.

“While the apostles were still with Jesus, they asked him, ‘Lord, are you now going to give Israel its own king again?’ 7Jesus said to them, ‘You don’t need to know the time of those events that only the Father controls. 8But the Holy Spirit will come upon you and give you power. Then you will tell everyone about me in Jerusalem, in all Judea, in Samaria, and everywhere in the world.'” Acts 1:6-8 ERV

Today, many are asking the same thing. When Lord are you going to do something about political unrest and corruption? Things are not good that is for certain.

Jesus’ answer to us is the same one He gave the disciples. Don’t worry about the political situation and those in power. Leave that up to the Father. Instead, take the message of my salvation to those in your world.

“God cannot tell lies! And so his promises and vows are two things that can never be changed. We have run to God for safety. Now his promises should greatly encourage us to take hold of the hope that is right in front of us. 19  This hope is like a firm and steady anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:18-19 CEV

In troubled times we can run to the Father, we can put our hope in Him.

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Hope, Joy, Peace

I was looking for an image to use for this morning’s blog. When I did a search for hope, joy, and peace most of the results were images of Christmas cards. I thought that was interesting.

Is that the only time the world stops to think about these words which are so interconnected in Scripture?

We live in a society that is hurting. Without hope there is no joy or peace. This isn’t a seasonal message, it’s a message we should be living on a daily basis. But once again we can only give what we possess – if our hearts are filled with anxiety, fear, self-preservation and desperation we have nothing to give.

“ I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

When we embrace the promises of God and place our trust in His unconditional love His joy and peace will fill us and we will overflow with His hope.

“Remember that in the past you were without Christ… you did not know about the agreements with the promises that God made to his people. You had no hope, and you did not know God. 13 Yes, at one time you were far away from God, but now in Christ Jesus, you are brought near to him. You are brought near to God through the blood sacrifice of Christ. 14 Christ is the reason we are now at peace.” Ephesians 2:12-14 ERV

Years ago, there was an evangelist by the name of Oral Roberts. Many, in Christian circles, were skeptical of his message. You see, he preached hope and the goodness of God. He preached the Gospel, the good news.

He would say to those who came to the stadiums and those who watched him on television “something good is going to happen to you today”. He believed it wholeheartedly and he brought this message of hope to everyone he could.

“‘I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.’ This message is from the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you.'” Jeremiah 29:11-12 ERV

Something good. Something to hope for. Something to fill us with joy and peace.

These are the words Jesus quoted from the book of Isaiah about Himself.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He has chosen me to tell good news to the poor. He sent me to tell prisoners that they are free and to tell the blind that they can see again.
He sent me to free those who have been treated badly 19 and to announce that the time has come for the Lord to show his kindness.” Luke 4:18-19 ERV

My prayer for each of us is that we are filled with hope, joy and peace and that we carry that to those in our sphere of influence, not just at Christmas but all year through.

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Keep Thirsty

I love watching the hummingbirds. Before we moved our backyard was filled with them, darting here and there. I would take the feeders down to refill them and as I carried them to the back door the hummingbirds would fly behind me, right up to the screen.

While I was in the kitchen I could hear their little wings racing just outside the window. They were thirsty, they were waiting for me to supply the sustenance of life. Hummingbirds have such a veracious appetite for sugar water. It’s all they long for.

This morning, I really felt the Lord wanted me to share Psalm 42 with you and as I read it, I thought of the hummingbirds and I knew the Lord was wanting me to be that thirsty for Him.

Be thirsty for God and follow Him. Wait on Him to fill us with hope and give us purpose.

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance.” Psalm 42:5

When we get discouraged and “Cast down”, when things seem to be going wrong, we need to thirst for God and put our hope in Him. As we do, we will praise God and praising God will improve our countenance – both our inward and external appearance. He will quench our thirst, He will sustain us.

Are you thirsty for God?

“1-3 A white-tailed deer drinks
    from the creek;
I want to drink God,
    deep drafts of God.
I’m thirsty for God-alive.
I wonder, “Will I ever make it—
    arrive and drink in God’s presence?”
I’m on a diet of tears—
    tears for breakfast, tears for supper.
All day long
    people knock at my door,
Pestering,
    “Where is this God of yours?”

4 These are the things I go over and over,
    emptying out the pockets of my life.
I was always at the head of the worshiping crowd,
    right out in front,
Leading them all,
    eager to arrive and worship,
Shouting praises, singing thanksgiving—
    celebrating, all of us, God’s feast!

5 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
    Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
    soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
    He’s my God.

6-8 When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse
    everything I know of you,…

Then God promises to love me all day,
    sing songs all through the night!
    My life is God’s prayer.

9-10 Sometimes I ask God, my rock-solid God,
    “Why did you let me down?
Why am I walking around in tears,
    harassed by enemies?”
They’re out for the kill, these
    tormentors with their obscenities,
Taunting day after day,
    “Where is this God of yours?”

11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul?
    Why are you crying the blues?
Fix my eyes on God—
    soon I’ll be praising again.
He puts a smile on my face.
    He’s my God.” Psalm 42 MSG

Stay thirsty for the Lord!

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Good News!

Welcome to March. I hope you found some seeds of hope and peace to plant in your heart’s garden yesterday.

“ For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12 NLT

God’s word is powerful! It is created to bring results of peace, joy, strength, forgiveness, healing, grace, and unconditional love. It represents the very heart of God to us, His children.

“The rain and snow come down from heaven and do not return there without giving water to the earth. This makes plants grow on the earth, and gives seeds to the planter and bread to the eater. 11 So My Word which goes from My mouth will not return to Me empty. It will do what I want it to do, and will carry out My plan well. 12 You will go out with joy, and be led out in peace. The mountains and the hills will break out into sounds of joy before you. And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:10-12 NLV

God’s word is our good news, it brings joy and peace.

The last week or so I have been praying for several dear friends. The news they have received about circumstances in their lives has been less than encouraging. Fear has tried to get a foothold and replace their peace. That’s not from God.

“He will not be afraid of bad news. His heart is strong because he trusts in the Lord. 8 His heart will not be shaken. He will not be afraid and will watch those lose who fight against him.” Psalm 112:7-8 NLV

“Whom have I in heaven but You? I want nothing more on earth, but You. My body and my heart may grow weak, but God is the strength of my heart and all I need forever.” Psalm 73:25-26 NLV

“ We have a great Religious Leader Who has made the way for man to go to God. He is Jesus, the Son of God, Who has gone to heaven to be with God. Let us keep our trust in Jesus Christ. 15 Our Religious Leader understands how weak we are. Christ was tempted in every way we are tempted, but He did not sin. 16 Let us go with complete trust to the throne of God. We will receive His loving-kindness and have His loving-favor to help us whenever we need it.” Hebrews 4:14-16 NLV

There is nothing, NOTHING, that we can’t trust the Lord with. He promises to be our help whenever we need it, to strengthen our hearts, and to replace fear with peace.

Is it easy? No. It requires discipline, we need to stay focused on the promises of our Father instead of the bad report.

“Do not let your heart be troubled. You have put your trust in God, put your trust in Me also” John 14:1 NLV

“You will keep the man in perfect peace whose mind is kept on You, because he trusts in You.” Isaiah 26:3 NLV

Fear isn’t from God. Let the Good News of God’s word be your source of strength, your hope and your confidence. God is your help – He’s got this.

Good News!

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