Romans 15:4 (New International Version, ©2011) "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope".
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
reasons for hope.......what are yours????
Reasons for the hope….
Always be prepared to share, that verse says. If ever there was a time to be ready to share the hope, it’s now.
Today I have been thinking about some of the reasons for the hope I have:
*He is MIGHTY TO SAVE. (Zeph. 3:17)
*He expressed His love for me in that while I was still a sinner, He died for me. He died for you, too. (Rom. 5:8)
*God will never change. I can fully trust Him because He will not act contrary to His character or Word. (Heb. 13:8)
*He always keeps His promises. ALL of them – some in principle and others specifically designed for us in our times. (Deut. 7:9)
*He is faithful to finish what He starts. Including in me. (Phil. 1:6)
*He will only allow what He knows I need and can handle with His help. (1 Cor. 10:13)
*My eternity is secure, so what have I to fear? (Deut. 31:8)
*He sets up kings and kingdoms, and also dethrones them as He sees fit. (Daniel)
*He is always sovereign. Always. SOVEREIGN. (the entire Bible!)
*He knows my heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and yet He still loves me. (Jer. 17:9)
*His love for me never changes based on what I do or don’t do. (Ps. 107:31)
*He lifts me up – when I am weak, He is strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)
*I have the Holy Spirit in me. I can rely on Him, and not myself, because I am so unreliable on my own! (Luke 3:16)
*He can move mountains. (Matt. 17:20)
*No one can snatch me out of God’s hands. I am perfectly safe, always. (Heb. 13:5)
*It is for freedom that He set me free. My chains are gone! (Gal. 5:1)
*He is preparing a place for me. (John 14:3)
*All prophecy either has come true or will come true. (Rev. 22:7)
*God’s Word is alive in me. It pierces me just when I need it. (Heb. 4:12)
*God’s Word works. (the entire Bible!)
*With God on my side, who can be against me? (Rom. 8:31)
*Victory has already been won. (1 John 5:4)
*I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)
*He gives and takes away, and either way, I can say ‘blessed be the name of the Lord’. (Job)
See what I mean?? I could go on and on and on, but these came to my mind as I sat here and brainstormed why I have the HOPE that I have. It’s been a good exercise – try it for yourself!! And, remember to always be prepared to give an answer to share the reason for the HOPE that you have. Don’t miss the opportunity………
Always be prepared to share, that verse says. If ever there was a time to be ready to share the hope, it’s now.
Today I have been thinking about some of the reasons for the hope I have:
*He is MIGHTY TO SAVE. (Zeph. 3:17)
*He expressed His love for me in that while I was still a sinner, He died for me. He died for you, too. (Rom. 5:8)
*God will never change. I can fully trust Him because He will not act contrary to His character or Word. (Heb. 13:8)
*He always keeps His promises. ALL of them – some in principle and others specifically designed for us in our times. (Deut. 7:9)
*He is faithful to finish what He starts. Including in me. (Phil. 1:6)
*He will only allow what He knows I need and can handle with His help. (1 Cor. 10:13)
*My eternity is secure, so what have I to fear? (Deut. 31:8)
*He sets up kings and kingdoms, and also dethrones them as He sees fit. (Daniel)
*He is always sovereign. Always. SOVEREIGN. (the entire Bible!)
*He knows my heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, and yet He still loves me. (Jer. 17:9)
*His love for me never changes based on what I do or don’t do. (Ps. 107:31)
*He lifts me up – when I am weak, He is strong. (2 Cor. 12:10)
*I have the Holy Spirit in me. I can rely on Him, and not myself, because I am so unreliable on my own! (Luke 3:16)
*He can move mountains. (Matt. 17:20)
*No one can snatch me out of God’s hands. I am perfectly safe, always. (Heb. 13:5)
*It is for freedom that He set me free. My chains are gone! (Gal. 5:1)
*He is preparing a place for me. (John 14:3)
*All prophecy either has come true or will come true. (Rev. 22:7)
*God’s Word is alive in me. It pierces me just when I need it. (Heb. 4:12)
*God’s Word works. (the entire Bible!)
*With God on my side, who can be against me? (Rom. 8:31)
*Victory has already been won. (1 John 5:4)
*I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength. (Phil 4:13)
*He gives and takes away, and either way, I can say ‘blessed be the name of the Lord’. (Job)
See what I mean?? I could go on and on and on, but these came to my mind as I sat here and brainstormed why I have the HOPE that I have. It’s been a good exercise – try it for yourself!! And, remember to always be prepared to give an answer to share the reason for the HOPE that you have. Don’t miss the opportunity………
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
A Wake Up Call to Spread the Gospel
This election night has brought several emails and facebook messages to my inboxes that show that many believers are having a very hard time with tonight's election results. I can't say it loud enough that "GOD IS SOVEREIGN". My only purpose in even bringing politics up on a ministry blog is because these circumstances need not bring about a spiritual crisis for anyone. In fact, quite the opposite. Instead, look at it as an OPPORTUNITY for spiritual revival - personally and in our nation. THAT is exciting stuff! WE NEED IT. If God allows it, then it is what we NEED.
We need not grieve, despair, be discouraged, or fear. These are exciting times to be in the body of Christ! We have been given a huge wake up call, and that is a good thing. This is still the day that the Lord has made, let us REJOICE and be glad in it!
God has not and will not and cannot leave His throne. His sovereignty is still intact. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Nothing happens that has not been sifted through His loving hands. It is true for us individually, and also true for us as a nation that we grow the most during times of adversity and trials. We are to count it ALL joy.
James 1:2-4 NLT: 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Ephesians 1:11 NLT
God is faithful, and we are in HIS hands. A believer has eternity secured and need not fear.
Romans 8:28 NIV 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Daniel 2:21 The Message
"Blessed be the name of God,
forever and ever.
He knows all, does all:
He changes the seasons and guides history,
He raises up kings and also brings them down,
he provides both intelligence and discernment
Let’s agree in prayer to ask God to help us to endure what is to come with grace while proclaiming Truth always. God has seen fit to allow these circumstances, and we can trust Him to use it to unite us and refine us. We need that! This is the stuff that sparks revival. Lord, revive us!! Ask Him to help us to stand firm and to proclaim the gospel boldly in our spheres of influence.
God is saying “IT IS TIME”. We need to say “YES, LORD”. We have had a wake up call, fellow believers, so let’s wake up! I do not believe God means for us to wake up to try to prove our particular political point of view – He means for us to wake up and spread the gospel! How can we expect the lost to understand God’s principles regarding the issues of things like abortion and the definition of marriage when they do not know Him personally? They don’t need us to change their mind about the issues – they need us to give them the Message of Good News. That is where we start…..this is the wake up call we have been given. Amen!
We need not grieve, despair, be discouraged, or fear. These are exciting times to be in the body of Christ! We have been given a huge wake up call, and that is a good thing. This is still the day that the Lord has made, let us REJOICE and be glad in it!
God has not and will not and cannot leave His throne. His sovereignty is still intact. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Nothing happens that has not been sifted through His loving hands. It is true for us individually, and also true for us as a nation that we grow the most during times of adversity and trials. We are to count it ALL joy.
James 1:2-4 NLT: 2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Ephesians 1:11 NLT
God is faithful, and we are in HIS hands. A believer has eternity secured and need not fear.
Romans 8:28 NIV 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Daniel 2:21 The Message
"Blessed be the name of God,
forever and ever.
He knows all, does all:
He changes the seasons and guides history,
He raises up kings and also brings them down,
he provides both intelligence and discernment
Let’s agree in prayer to ask God to help us to endure what is to come with grace while proclaiming Truth always. God has seen fit to allow these circumstances, and we can trust Him to use it to unite us and refine us. We need that! This is the stuff that sparks revival. Lord, revive us!! Ask Him to help us to stand firm and to proclaim the gospel boldly in our spheres of influence.
God is saying “IT IS TIME”. We need to say “YES, LORD”. We have had a wake up call, fellow believers, so let’s wake up! I do not believe God means for us to wake up to try to prove our particular political point of view – He means for us to wake up and spread the gospel! How can we expect the lost to understand God’s principles regarding the issues of things like abortion and the definition of marriage when they do not know Him personally? They don’t need us to change their mind about the issues – they need us to give them the Message of Good News. That is where we start…..this is the wake up call we have been given. Amen!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)