Hopelessness can take on many faces, and be caused by many different reasons. But regardless, that bitterly piercing anguish of losing hope takes our spirit to the very depths of despair with seemingly no way out. The paralytic had lost all hope…there was nothing left for him to do but die…but then Jesus spoke hope back into him. You too may be facing hopelessness today…allow Jesus to speak hope back into your life right now…and believe.
Tag: theology
Matthew 14: 26-27 ” When the disciples saw Him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost!’, they said, and cried in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them: ‘Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’ “
Fear will throw us into confusion…but the calm reassuring voice of the Lord can penetrate any chaos and be heard above any thunderous storm in our lives. But just listening to His voice is not enough…we need to then activate our faith. Because for a moment we might have lost our courage, but with the Lord’s encouraging words, we can find it again.
Hebrews 6:19 ” We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
The verse before this one says that we need to “take hold of hope”…to hold fast to our faith and confidence especially when times get tough. This confidence we have is the foundation that we can rely on. This ” soul certainty” will not waver when darkness falls around us…it is unmovable…unshakable… it’s that unfailing trust in God that will see us through anything.
Hebrews 3:6 ” But Christ is faithful as a son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast.”
It is a special exercise of our faith when we face fear and doubt head on. At that moment, we need to hold fast to the truth with confidence and boldness that no matter what – God is still there and in control.
I Timothy 2: 9-10 ” I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”
These verses tell us that we shouldn’t be calling attention to ourselves by our outward appearances…but rather the emphasis should be on holy living and good works. This was really brought to life years ago at a Church we were attending. The members dressed very nicely…to the point it was almost a style show every Sunday. But one Sunday the Pastor stood at the pulpit and rebuked the entire congregation with this story. A family had visited the Church for the first time and had enjoyed the service but they felt they couldn’t come back…because they didn’t have nice clothes to wear and felt embarrassed. Our Pastor admonished us all and then wondered out loud just how many other visitors might have felt the same way. He then requested that we seriously reconsider how we dressed for Church.
Hebrews 13: 20-21 ” May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. “
Everything you need to live a victorious, righteous life…every detail, every means of accomplishment, every plan and procedure, the Lord has not only prepared, but also provided for you. He is constantly working in our lives to bring out the very best in us. The Lord desires you to succeed…and He equips you with everything to do so.
Romans 3:20 ” Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His sight by observing the Law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.”
The writer of Romans, Paul, reasoned that obedience to the Law cannot justify one before God – because no one can keep the Law perfectly. For the very nature of the Law was to prove to us that we’re sinful…and the purpose of the Law was to lead us from our futile attempts at keeping it to putting our trust in Jesus instead.
Hebrews 1:3 ” The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being…”
We look like our parents…we possess characteristics from both of them. Our DNA is a family history from generations past. Jesus was that perfect expression of His Heavenly Father. Jesus Himself said in John 14:9, ” Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” God’s divine glory and splendor took on flesh and came down here to earth to live among us…and His name was Jesus Christ.
Psalm 33:11 ” But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.”
From the moment of creation…to the furthest reaches of the future, there are two things that will never change about God. He will never lie, and He will never change His mind. (Numbers 23:19) The plans he puts into motion are driven by divine wisdom and love and will never see failure…for He is God.
Romans 1:8 ” First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world.”
Every time you share your faith with someone…every time you openly declare your trust and belief in Jesus Christ…God’s word reaches farther into the world. Little did I know when I started this Daily Devotional a little over three years ago that it would now be reaching over 100 countries around the world. As it states in Romans 10:17, “Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” Our faith and belief in the Gospel message, when shared with others, catapults His Word to the far-flung reaches of this world.
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