For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. Titus 2:11-14
This is No. 19 of 20 Posts on hope.
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work.
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
May your heart be comforted by God's love for you today.
This is No. 18 of 20 Posts on hope.
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
One of my favorite sights is seeing the sky touch the land. When traveling north, my preference is Hwy 5, where I can see nearly 500 miles of land and sky come together. My most recent road trip earlier this month held a display of clouds raining upon baron land. It was a hopeful sight, as many farmers in the Central Valley of California have had their irrigation shut down due to the preservation of tiny a fish, the Delta Smelt, by the Federal Bureau of Reclamation. When Federal Judge Oliver Wagner of the Federal District Court limited water delivery to the San Joaquine Valley, it depleted water to established groves and crops, and put entire towns out of work. Unemployment in that area is 40 percent. Signs like these are dotted along the hwy.
It is hopeful knowing God is bigger than the Federal Government, and I continue to pray for rain in California's Central Valley, which is known as "the salad bowl" for the abundance of food the area provides all over the world. Even though we spend a lot of time in the area throughout the Summer, it won't bother me one bit if it's raining, I will see it as an answer to prayer and evidence that God is the God of hope.
The next time I pass this corn field, it will give me great pleasure to see these baby stalks knee high.
This is No. 17 of 20 Posts on hope. I've been writing about hope based on that which comes from God because I grew tired of hearing government officials and politicians make claims that hope is achieved through them. This story is evidence that it's not.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4
God's deliverance of Daniel from the lion's den is one such story that gives us hope from the Scriptures. This painting in my parent's big family Bible shows Daniel waiting patiently for morning to arrive as a lioness looks on.
Because of Daniel's excellent character, King Darius planned to set him over the whole kingdom. This made the Administrators and Governors over Daniel jealous so they tried to find fault with him to get him dismissed, but were unable, except on charges against Daniel that had something to do with the law of his God.
Knowing Daniel prayed to his God three times a day, the Governors wrote an edict stating that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days except to the king, shall be thrown into the lions' den. Once the King signed it, it could not be repealed in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians.
As you can guess, it wasn't long before the Administrators and Governors went to the King to tell on Daniel. Greatly distressed, the King made every effort until sundown to save him. Unable to change the law, Daniel was sent into the Lion's den, but not before the King said to him, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!"
Then the king returned to his palace and spent a sleepless night without eating and without any entertainment. At the break of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"
Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." The entire story is found in Daniel 6
This is No. 16 of 20 Posts on HOPE
I'm sure this kind of thing still happens today. If you know of someone being falsely accused, pray that the God of Daniel will rescue them, and please let us know so we can pray for them also. Sometimes we are powerless to do anything, but God is all knowing and all powerful. If he can stop lions from eating Daniel, He can do anything. That alone is worth hoping in.
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:1-8
No. 15 of 20 Posts on HOPE
I can't think of anything to add to this, it's so complete as is. I suppose it's the same with what Christ has already done for us by dying for our sins. There is nothing else we can do to be saved but believe.
Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. Romans 12:10-13
No. 14 of 20 Posts on HOPE
It is good that one should hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:26
13th in a series of 20 posts on HOPE
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8
No. 12 of 2o Posts on HOPE
For me there is no other source from which real hope can be found than in God's word. Who doesn't want to be like a tree planted by the waters when drought or heat comes in our lives, and it does come. It's interesting how the tree is "planted" indicating a deliberate act to dig a hole and position it "by the waters" as though a thoughtful Gardener planned where it was to be placed. For me this gives me hope, knowing that as I put my trust in the Lord, He will plant me where I can grow and yield fruit. The tree bearing fruit, even in drought, teaches me that the tree becomes a benefit to others who come seeking shade and comfort under its branches and find fruit also.
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the LORD all the day; for surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off. Proverbs 23:17-18
No. 11 of 20 Posts on HOPE
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him, in those who hope in His mercy. Psalm 147:11
Number 10 of 20 Posts on HOPE
This is the view from my front yard.
Ten years ago my husband sent me to look at this house he saw for sale. An "Open House" sign stood punctured in the dying yellowed lawn. Avocado colored paint was pealing from the wood siding. Overgrown yucca plants expressed what I was thinking, "YUCK!" I didn't even stop the car, too embarrassed someone I knew would actually think I was considering purchasing the home.
The next weekend as we were driving around looking for houses for sale, we came upon the ugly green house from a different direction. Stepping out of the car hubby asked, "What's wrong with it?"
"What's wrong with it? Look at it!" I said in a panic, just wanting to leave. He took that as, I'm should go look at it. Knowing it was vacant he found an open gate that lead to an open back door while I sat in the car with my head down. Returning with a smile on his face he urged me to get out of the car and come and see it. Surprisingly, the inside had everything I was looking for in a home, I just didn't expect it would be one that needed so much fixing up.
The neighbor popped his head over the fence. He just bought the fixer-upper next door. "Turn around," he said, "Look at the view. At the tree line is the ocean, and from up stairs San Clemente Island is often seen on a cloudless day."
While studying my Bible I came across what God told Abraham, "Move to the land I show you." I prayed God would show hubby the land we should move to because I was exhausted looking. Hubby wanted this one, so here I am, 11 years later enjoying beautiful sunset skies and wonderful neighbors.
Most of the house is fixed up.
Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the Sea, and all that is in them; who keeps truth forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry. The LORD gives freedom to the prisoners. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; He relieves the fatherless and widow; but the way of the wicked He turns upside down. Psalm 146:5-9
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. Psalm 130:5
Waiting is hard. I admit it. I usually think I can see things so clearly from my perspective, but when I wait for the LORD who sees everything from a much higher vantage point, there is cause for hope. Not only does He see the situations I am in, He sees the situation you are in, also.
8 of 20 Posts on HOPE
You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word. Psalm 119:14
But I will hope continually, and will praise You yet more and more. My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness and Your salvation all the day, for I do not know their limits. I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD; I will make mention of Your righteousness, of Yours only. Psalm 71:14-16
Even though I've had a very busy weekend, my blossoming fruit trees remind me that God has the whole world under His control, and the promise of delicious fruit are evidence that all good things come in His good time. May your week be filled with the limitless righteousness of God.
6 in a series of 20 posts on HOPE.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, just as we hope in You. Psalm 33:18-22
Isn't it awesome to know God has His eyes on us, like a father watching over his little ones on the playground, to give them a snack when they are famished, and to guard them against bullies. May your hope be in God, our heavenly Father, and may you know His mercies as you trust in Him this week.
Where have you seen God at work in your life recently? It would be encouraging to hear about it. Is there something we can pray for you about? Let us know, you are not alone.
God says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
4th in a series of 20 messages on HOPE created after going to bed one night tired of hearing about the hope we need to have in men. My experience has proven that man is not always truthful, reliable, or trustworthy. I have never been disappointed by God. He has never lied to me, robbed me, cheated, or spoken evil of me. In the morning I woke with this thought, pressed deep upon my heart, of posting the messages of hope God has given us in the Bible for anyone searching for true hope.
The photo above is of an Artichoke seed I found blowing from my garden.
For my 3rd of 20 HOPE post, I'm sharing three verses where hope is only 1/3 of the message.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13
…remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father, 1 Thessalonians 1:3
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. 1 Thessalonians 5:8
The photo above captures two children who just arrived at the beach here in So. CA in February from an all day series of long flights from their home in NY covered in snow.
Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For the LORD preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person. Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the LORD.
Psalm 31:33-34
My 2nd of 20 posts on HOPE falls on Valentine's Day. I can't remember when the last Valentine's Day occurred on a Sunday, but I think it's pretty awesome. Hoping your Valentine's Day is wonderful.
Welcome to my first post on the topic of HOPE. I don't have all the answers to what's going on in the world, but I know Who does. For the next 20 Sundays I'll be sharing messages of hope as found in the Bible. As they reveal God's thoughts towards us, I hope you are encouraged by them.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. Ephesians 4:4-6
Where do you find your HOPE?
