Friday, October 17, 2014

We Wait in Hope



“We wait in hope for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.
In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.”
Psalm 33:20-21(NIV)

               As children of God we learn to trust Him and go through the time between our request and His answer in hope.
               Hope, as defined in Unger’s Bible Dictionary, is described in the New Testament the expectation of good. The Old Testament, hope is expressed as “safety, security, trust.”
               Where do we, as believers, place our trust when things go wrong? We should place our faith in Jesus. He will lead us through the darkest times.
               He protects us as we walk through the deepest valleys, no matter how prolonged the time we are there..
               How should we respond to God’s help and protection? The psalmist tells us we should allow our hearts to rejoice. We should practice being thankful for what He has done, be it deliver us or a loved one from sin, healed someone from the ravages of a terminal disease, brought about a return of a prodigal son or daughter to Him.

               Dear Father God; Thank you for your help and protection as we go through life. We are thankful for what you for do for us, even when we have been unfaithful. We know you act out of your grace for each of us. We give You all the praise. In the Name of Jesus we pray. AMEN 

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Our Hope is in God



“No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame,
 but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse
 . . . guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.”
 Psalm 25:3-5 (NIV)

David pens these encouraging words. Each of God’s children who trust in Him and follow His guidance will never have to be embarrassed by their actions or decisions. 

Does this mean those who flaunt God’s laws, laugh at those who belong to Him, and create terror in the hearts of Christian believers will ultimately face God’s wrath and consequences? I believe it does.

I heard a true story of a little four-year-old girl asking a neighbor lady if she loved Jesus. The lady, in her early 60’s, responded that everyone loved Jesus. The child’s response was “But, do you love Him with all your heart?” The woman was floored by the second question. The little girl handed her a booklet entitled “Four Spiritual Laws.” A few days later,the girl’s mother was able to lead this neighbor lady to the LORD.

Jeremiah 29:13 tells us, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with your whole heart.” We have to want to have Jesus in our hearts and lives. When we choose to allow Jesus to enter our hearts, He is able to keep us safe as He protects us from harm.

When we get the idea that we can do things ourselves, we run into trouble and begin to ‘have issues’ with everything.

When we admit we can’t do things without God’s help and place our hope in Him, we become pliable and allow the Father to mold us into what He wants for us.



Monday, October 13, 2014

Book Review:The Spirit-Filled Life By Charles F. Stanley

The Spirit-Filled Life
Dr. Stanley writes this book explaining what he himself has learned about the Holy Spirit’s place in the life of a believer.

He speaks of the Holy Spirit indwelling in the heart of those who choose to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus told his disciples he would send another helper to them after He left.

Dr. Stanley speaks of how the Holy Spirit will lead us and, yet, warn us if we start to do something foolish. We sometimes mess up because we have made one or more bad choices a lot of times. We don’t listen to the prompting the Spirit gives us and we get ourselves into embarrassing circumstances.

Dr. Stanley further explains that the Spirit warns us not when we cross the line or even get right on that line between right and wrong but before we even come close. He also explores that some of us can’t do seemingly harmless things because, while they don’t hurt us or anyone else, they lead to things that are sinful.  

When we surrender to the Holy Spirit, we turn our lives over to God’s control and gain strength and wisdom in how to live for Him.

I would recommend this book to anyone who struggles with understanding the role of the Holy Spirit in their life.


I received this book from Thomas Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson through its Book Look Bloggers Review program. All they asked me to do was read it and give an impartial review.

God Alone

  Jesus and the children at our church's prayer walk.          I will both lie down in peace and sleep;  For You alone, O LORD make ...