Wednesday Worship~Jesus is Alive

"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God's glory displayed in the face of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)

Do you need hope today?

Hope was born that Christmas night...in the face of a baby born in a manger.

I pray for that hope to shine in your heart today.

Wednesday Worship~Never Alone

"...the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV

You are never alone.

God is always there.

It's His promise.

And God doesn't lie.

No matter what your situation...no matter what ties bind you...no matter what you've done.

Even if it feels that He's silent.

And invisible.

He's there.

You are never alone.

I'm praying for you to tangibly feel His presence today.

Monday Meditation~Hope

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 NIV    

Are you in need of hope today?

For healing? For help? For direction? For affirmation?

Do you need a strong dose of hope for the salvation of a loved one?

For a relationship that seems to be failing?

For love?

Whatever your hopelessness is for today, there is One who sees and is the source of hope-full-ness.

Yes, may He "fill you with all joy and peace," to the point of overflowing with HOPE in His power.

Monday Meditation~What Do You Hope For?

"Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see." Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)


Maturity and Bible translations make a difference.

I distinctly remember memorizing Hebrews 11:1 in my high school days, clinging to it as a beacon of hope. I can't put my hands on my Living Bible right this minute, but I can picture those words highlighted in neon yellow. As I recall, it said something like "Faith is the confident assurance that something we want is going to happen." Hmmm. For a teenager the implication might not be what the author intended.

Other translations say that faith is the substance or assurance of things hoped for.

I just have to wonder how many people grab onto that verse regarding random "hopes". (Hoping that you get something really nice for your birthday...hoping you don't have something green in your teeth...hoping you get to meet Scotty McCreery) Is that worthy of being called faith? Feel free to ponder that on your own. That's really what Monday Meditation is designed for. smile.

Is an "in accordance with God's will" implied after the "what we hope for"?

In my Quest Study Bible, which includes "articles" beneath passages offering further explanation, I found this insight to be interesting. "The writer of Hebrews expressed faith in two directions: faith toward future things (what we hope for) and faith toward invisible things (what we do not see). When we are certain God is in control of these areas (and we live like He is in control), that's faith." Parentheses not mine. smile.

I pray that my "hopes" are in accordance with and yielding to His will and that my faith toward future things and those things I can't see is pleasing to Him.

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13 (NIV)

Happy Monday!

Monday Meditation~Nothing is Impossible

"Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'" Matthew 19:26

Is there something in your life that feels impossible? Do you need hope?

Our hope is found in Jesus. As the old hymn says, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus Name."

What do you need hope for?

He knows you. He knows your need. He knows your hopes. He knows your dreams. Give that hope, that dream, that desire, that need to Him.

If you know Jesus, you have access to His power. That's not just any old power, but resurrection power...power that can raise the dead!

Jesus, You know the depths of our need. Help us to seek You as the answer and the fulfillment. Help us to believe in the "possibles" that are ours in You. We love You.

Wednesday Worship~Hope

God is our hope. And He is faithful. 

Praying you will trust in Him today.

Monday Meditation~Hope

"Show me Your ways, LORD,

teach me Your paths.

Guide me in Your truth and teach me,

for You are God my Savior,

And my hope is in You all day long."

Psalm 25:4-5

Where is your hope today? Are you willing to yield to the LORD and allow Him to show you the way to His best for you? He has a plan for you. A plan to prosper you and not to harm you. (Jeremiah 29:11) That plan involves a depth of relationship with Him. Do you know Him?  Really know Him? Are you seeking that knowledge of Him through His Word? Are you allowing His Word to fill your heart and mind? His Word is Truth. Let's get to know God, learn from Him, allow Him to show us His way. God is our Savior...ponder that...the One who saves us. The One in whom our hope lies. Let's purposely HOPE in Him all day long...today and forever.