Archive for Hope
He’s the Lifter of Our Heads!
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“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” – Psalm 3:3
There is no situation that our God can’t turn around for the greater good. There is no pit too deep that the LORD can’t raise you out of.
We all face our dark days. We all experience doom and gloom. But know today that we serve a God who is the lifter of our heads.
God has the ability to bring joy in the times of sorrow. When you have a hung down head, our God goes to work behind the scenes to comfort you and meet you at the point of your need.
Remember, when you’re at your weakest that’s when God is at His strongest in you. When you don’t see a way, God has a way.
I love how the Psalmist says it. He says, “The LORD is near to to the brokenhearted and He saves the crushed in spirit.” If you have a broken heart, our God is a faithful God. He’s the mender of broken hearts!
God’s Word has the awesome ability to speak life, victory and encouragement into your circumstance. Our almighty God is sufficient and He can provide the
Your Best Days are Ahead of You!
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The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, says the Lord of hosts. – Haggai 2:9
As you embark into a New Year, God wants you to look forward with hope and expectation. This is a chance for you to wipe the slate clean and leap forward with God’s great joy.
No matter what your past may have been, God already has your future planned. Your best days are ahead of you!
God’s Word says that your latter days will be greater than your former days. Not only that, but God promises in the scripture that there will be peace in the days ahead.
God doesn’t want you to go into a new year looking behind you. He doesn’t want you to compare the now with what has been in the past. He doesn’t want you Read More→
Look for the Showers of Blessings!
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I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. – Ezekiel 34:26
Whether you know it or not, God is blessing you every minute of the day. Every breath that you take is a blessing from the almighty God.
From the moment you wake up to the time you lay down to rest, God’s mercies are endless. Everyday that you come and go, God is showering down blessings in your favor.
When you wake up in the morning, instead of looking at what seems to be a curse, look for the showers of blessings from the most High God. Live in expectation that something good is going to happen to you today. Take out some time and meditate on the mighty works that God has already performed on your behalf.
Look at the victories you’ve won. Look at the successes. Thank God for all your accomplishments. Focus your attention on the doors of opportunity that have been granted to you. Maybe there was a time when you didn’t see a way, but Read More→
He’s a God of Many Roles
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For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6
This Christmas season, we can rejoice in knowing that we serve a great God who fills many positions. He plays many roles. Whatever you need Him to be, that’s who He’ll be.
If you’re looking for a friend, He’s a friend to the friendless. Our God is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He called you friend before you even knew Him.
In the scripture, Isaiah refers to Christ as Wonderful Counselor. That means if you’re seeking wisdom, guidance or advice, you can run to Christ for counsel.
He’s also referred to as the Mighty God. He’s the most High God, the God above all gods. And the good news is, you have access to Him. You don’t have to Read More→
He’s a Twenty-Four Seven God (…and a Right Now God)
Posted by: | CommentsIn the natural, the holidays are when most people take breaks. Businesses are closing and people are going on vacation.
But the good thing is we serve a God who never goes on break. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, He’s manning His post. He’s ever watchful over you and me. The scripture says that He never sleeps or slumbers. He’s always on the look out.
Not only that but He’s a right now God. He has the ability to tend to every person’s needs right away. You see, when you call 911, they have to send emergency personnel out where you are. Even though they have the ability to get there quick, it’s those times of extreme distress that are most critical.
‘I think about some movies and how the police always seem to be the last to arrive on the scene. In these movies, the law enforcements always seem to arrive when the solution has been found. They show up when the bad guys have already been killed, captured, or discovered.
But that’s not like our God, He’s a right now God. He’s not an hour later God, He’s not a God of tomorrow, no, He’s a right now God!
A great song writer once said, “He may not come when you want Him, but Read More→
It’s Easier Said than Done
Posted by: | CommentsIn this season of Thanksgiving, you may be watching everyone around you show gratitude. You see all the smiles, the friendships and the laughter but on a personal level, you’re on your last string of hope.
Maybe you’ve had some hardships and it seems like nothing is letting up. You hear all these messages of hope, urging you to just think positive. They are messages full of inspiration, exclaiming you to just let it go and put it in God’s hands. But something deep down on the inside says, “that’s nice but it’s easier said than done.”
Maybe you’ve lost all hope. You’ve lost your fire, passion and zeal for the things you once had. You’re squinting your eyes, focusing, trying to see that silver lining in the clouds that you hear so much about.
.It’s true, everyday may not be filled with cheer. There will be some days when it seem a little cloudy. But here’s the thing, even when you hit rock bottom, the choice is yours of whether you go up or continue to go down. My friend, it may not seem like things can’t get worse but they can. In the same way, things can always get better too.
I dare you to stretch your faith and believe God can work miracles on your behalf. Dare to make a bold choice that no matter what happens, you won’t let the voice Read More→
Only Regard the Things that Matter
Posted by: | CommentsToo often, we go around regarding the things that don’t matter. We’re focused on the negatives instead of the positives. We’ve got our sights set on what’s going wrong, instead of what’s going right.
But that’s not what God wants us to do. He wants to prosper you. He has plans of a future full of hope in store for you. And when you regard the things and people who don’t matter, you’re giving your power to the wrong sources.
When you get a setback, instead of becoming sour, bitter, or defeated, take great pleasure in knowing that your outcome will be glorious. Delight in the fact that no matter what happens, the good or the bad, you’re going to come out triumphant and victorious.
If you get a bad break, don’t focus all your time, attention, and efforts on that one little disadvantage. No, take no regard for what’s worthless. If it’s not furthering you, don’t let it burden you. If you’ll take care of the business that matters, God will take care of the business that doesn’t matter. Set your expectations on the divine plan that God has for your life.
Photo by fictionalidentityIf a friend lets you down, if you’re rejected, wronged, insulted, persecuted, or forsaken, make a decision to put your expectations in the good that God has promised you. He’s promised you a bright future full of abundant life and hope. There’s a rainbow at the end of your storm.
I love how the Psalmist pleaded in Psalm 119:37. It says, “keep me from paying attention to what is worthless.” Remember Jesus says, “I have come that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” If it’s not bringing you life, disregard it. If someone lets you down or they bring sorrow to your Read More→
Dogs Always Get the Bad Name (but Even They Have Hope!)
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s easy to forget how much God really wants us to prosper. And from time to time you may feel like you’re getting the short end of the bargain.
You may even feel inadequate or less than mediocre. Maybe your dreams haven’t come to pass. Maybe you’ve been diagnosed with an illness. Maybe all your friends have left and you feel like you’ve been slighted.
When you’re faced with these let downs and disappointments, it’s easy to fall prey to the voice of the enemy. He may try to convince you that you’re scum, or that no one cares. You might as well just give up. But don’t tune into the voice of the enemy, tune into what God says about you. He says that you have hope.
I’m reminded of how dogs always get a bad name. For instance, when a woman meets a bad guy, or a jerk, she’ll go back and tell her girlfriends, “he’s nothing but a dirty dog.”
Another instance would be the story of the Gentile woman in Matthew 15:21-28. This woman came to Jesus wanting Jesus to heal her demon possessed daughter. Jesus replies, “it isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.” But the woman Read More→
God Wants You to Prosper!
Posted by: | CommentsI truly believe, it’s the Lord’s desire for you to prosper in every area of your life. For many people, it’s easy to get bogged down by the conditions of the world: the down economy, earthquakes, diseases, famine, and poverty across the land.
And as “cheesy” or cliche as it may sound, things can always be worse. But the truth is, it’s by the mercy and grace of God that you and I still exist today. The good news is, God doesn’t want you to just exist or barely get by. No, He wants you to thrive!
You see, when you have the Lord’s salvation in your heart, everything else will fall in place. That’s not to say that it will always be easy. Or that good things will come at the drop of a hat. But if you remain faithful and follow His decrees, you’ll become prosperous.
You’ll have a sense of wholeness, peace, joy, and satisfaction. You’ll even come to find that other areas will fall in line. Your finances with come together, your Read More→
You Have Unlimited Lifelines!
Posted by: | CommentsOne of the greatest gifts we have in Christ is the gift of hope. It’s great to know that He’s not a God of a first, second, or third chance. He’s the God of unlimited chances!
You see, in the game of Baseball, you’re given three chances to make it across the home-plate. If you don’t make it to the home base without being kicked out, unfortunately, you’re without hope for that round.
But with God, you have unlimited lifelines. When it seems like you’re kicked out of the “game of life”, He gives you another chance to continue on with full hope. When it seems like you don’t know the answers, you can go to Him in prayer. There you will find the answer.
I think about the television game show, “Who Wants to be a Millionaire.” In that game, the contestants are given three lifelines. They can either choose to do a fifty-fifty, where the computer randomly eliminates two of the incorrect answers. They can choose to ask the audience. Or they can phone a friend. The thing is, after all three lifelines are used, and they’re still unsure about the answer, they’re without hope. They can either walk away or guess at the answer.
Well, with God, there is no limit on the lifeline. When it seems you’re Read More→
