Posts Tagged ‘ Hope ’

VerseD: Psalm 27:14

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:14, ESV

Our God is ever present, but He does not follow us. We follow Him.
Wait for Him. Dwell in Him. Be strong in the Lord who saves.

VerseD: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬4, ESV

You may suffer and face hard times, but know it is ordained by God. He is there comforting you so that you can then be a comfort to others for love and His glory.

VerseD: Colossians 3:15

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15, ESV

Our hope in Christ gives us peace. A thankful heart amplifies that peace. Regular fellowship with the Church amplifies our thankfulness.

VerseD: Psalm 91:1

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1, ESV

Seek God and His righteousness. Then, no matter what happens in this world, the hope of eternity will give peace, knowing you are His.

VerseD: 1 Corinthians 13:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13, ESV

We have faith, because God is faithful.

We have hope, because God has promised.

We love, because God is love and has loved us.

Loving is sharing Christ.

VerseD: 2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
2 Peter 3:9, ESV

We long for Christ to return and restore Creation, but He is patient with this rebellious world, waiting for all who will call on His name in repentance and faith.

May this encourage us to share the Gospel.

VerseD: John 1:4-5

In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4‭-‬5, ESV

Our world is indeed a dark place. Yet, our Lord – the light of the world – is not overcome.

Indeed, the world tried to kill Him, but He rose back to life and will return in victory!

VerseD: Psalm 42:11

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
Psalm 42:11, ESV

Sometimes this life can get us down or even feel pointless and beyond hope.

But God is God. If we turn to Him and praise Him alone, we will find our joy and peace.

VerseD: Isaiah 40:3-5

A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain. And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
Isaiah 40:3‭-‬5, ESV

The prophets of old promised the coming Messiah, who has come and will come again.

Prepare the way of the Lord!

Preparing Your Heart – The First Week of Advent 2019

This originally posted five years ago (and then again two years ago with the longer ending found here) but sometimes it is good remembering some things!
_________
It is the first week of Advent!
Advent is a time to remember our Lord’s first coming as we look forward to His imminent return.

So, let us prepare hearts for encountering the Lord!

“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away, and let not injustice dwell in your tents. Surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure and will not fear. You will forget your misery; you will remember it as waters that have passed away. And your life will be brighter than the noonday; its darkness will be like the morning. And you will feel secure, because there is hope; you will look around and take your rest in security. You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor. But the eyes of the wicked will fail; all way of escape will be lost to them, and their hope is to breathe their last.”
Job 11:13-20, ESV

In the passage today, Job’s friend Zophar is offering his friendly advice. May we remember that the only way these words are true is if we turn to the Lord and let Him make us clean and righteous!

Wait for the Lord;
     be strong, and let your heart take courage;
     wait for the Lord!
Psalm 27:14

Preparing our hearts requires waiting patiently for God. We cannot hurry Him.

Patience leads to peace, because we have a hope found only in God as revealed in Christ and through Scripture.

Then we can more fully turn to Him!