Hope is encouragement to our very soul. It gives us confidence and assurance in the face of dread and despair. Hope bolsters our faith and trust when despondency and doubt want to tear it away. Our walk with the Lord is firmly rooted in hope, so when hopelessness shrouds your life…hide yourself in Him.
Author: kezha1
A Christian mother, grandmother, and retired nurse living in Illinois. Called into a ministry of encouraging others to find their ultimate plan and purpose in life through Christ.
Luke 6: 27-28 ” But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
How can we best reveal God’s love? To speak well of others…even if we feel otherwise. To wish others well… even when we feel quite the opposite. Finally, to show love and compassion…even if none has been shown to us. By demonstrating God’s love to the unlovable, we reveal His love for them.
Job 38:27 ” Who sends rain, to water the land, and make it spout with grass.”
I just got done doing a yearly rite of early Spring…I ordered my garden seed! For me, there’s so much hope tied up in that little task. Hope of warmer weather, hope of a great growing season ahead, hope of a plentiful harvest to share with others. Hope gives us, just that – hope! Without hope and looking forward, there is only despair, depression, and doubt. Thank You Lord, for Your everlasting, ever renewing hope!
Acts 20:24 “…so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from The Lord Jesus…”
There is no description for the happiness and satisfaction in fulfilling our purpose…our ministry in life. Each one of us has been given a specific calling…a niche in life that only we can fill within our circle of influence. And God entrusts to each one of us unique gifts, talents, and passions as we all labor for the Lord.
Jeremiah 6:16 ” Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Interestingly enough, the Hebrew word for “ancient” can mean both future and past times. How many times have you stood at the crossroads…imploring the Lord on which way to go. Or maybe your actions and behaviors have brought you to one of “God’s Crossroads”, where He has made it painful evident that you need to make hard decisions. The Lord wants all to choose the right path…the one that leads to Him.
Romans 12:18 ” If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
When it comes to living in harmony with others – the only control we have, is over ourselves. The Lord wants us to make every effort to do what leads to peace. (Romans 14:19) I remember a song we sang in High School Choir…”Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me.” Peace has to start with each of us determining that we will live a life of reconciliation with our fellow man.
Luke 6:9 ” Then Jesus said to them, ‘ I ask you, which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy it?’ “
The definition of legalism is – the strict, literal, often excessive adherence to the Law. In this verse, Jesus had just healed a man – on Sunday, in Church, in front of God and everybody! He was attempting to show the crowd that they had taken the Law and turned it into something God had never intended. Legalism will take our focus from God to works…it will change our perspective from doing good, to what we can’t do. In Mark 2:27, Jesus gives a clear answer to this matter when He says, ” The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”
Isaiah 33:6 ” He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.”
The Lord is that stability when life’s events and circumstances come crashing down on our heads. He’s that wall around us when the world is crowding in and threatening to overwhelm. The fear of Him is the beginning of knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7)
II Corinthians 12:15 ” …though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.”
We as humans love, expecting something in return. But If we look at Jesus, He was a servant to everyone…always denying Himself, and teaching others that they should follow His example. To make an impact in the world today, we can’t just proclaim the Gospel, but we must be willing to become broken bread and poured out wine in the hands of our Savior for the sake of others.
Psalm 112: 7 ” He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
Who’s report will you believe today? The Doctor’s grave news, or the promises of your Lord? The sad account from a family member, or the unfailing mercy and love of God? Fix your eyes on Jesus, and the certainty of His trustworthiness.
Safetypinlove 