Posts tagged hope

Caring for the Lost

October 24, 2025 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

I recently started a new job, and it has been quite a challenge spiritually. My new coworkers swear often, and one blasphemes the Lord’s name many times a day. The two of them talk right behind my desk in graphic detail about horrific things; serial killers and the evil deeds they’ve done to others, including children. The other day, during a slow time, one played that kind of content loudly on her computer as well. Although it is beyond distasteful, unprofessional, and disturbing evil, God has given me peace, as if I have a God “bubble” around me. He protects my thoughts and my sleep as I stay in His Word daily and pray lots!

This morning, a couple of verses jumped out at me from II Timothy, Psalms, Philippians, and Romans.

II Timothy 2:24-26 NKJV And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,  and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.

The verses comforted and encouraged me. I have a job to do at my workplace alright, but not what they think it is! Maybe you find yourself in a similar situation? You have the Lord on your side, be encouraged today!

Psalm 118:6 NKJV   The Lord is on my side;
I will not fear.
What can man do to me?

Romans 8:31 NKJV What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Psalm 18:1&2 NKJV I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer;
My God, my strength, in whom I will trust;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

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An Encouraging Word

August 28, 2023 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , ,

The High Priestly Prayer

John 17 NASB

Jesus spoke these things; and raising His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, so that the Son may glorify You,  just as You gave Him authority over all mankind, so that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life.  And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.  I glorified You on the earth by accomplishing the work which You have given Me to do. And now You, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world existed.

 “I have revealed Your name to the men whom You gave Me out of the world; they were Yours and You gave them to Me, and they have followed Your word. Now they have come to know that everything which You have given Me is from You;  for the words which You gave Me I have given to them; and they received them and truly understood that I came forth from You, and they believed that You sent Me.  I ask on their behalf; I do not ask on behalf of the world, but on the behalf of those whom You have given Me, because they are Yours;  and all things that are Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine; and I have been glorified in them.  I am no longer going to be in the world; and yet they themselves are in the world, and I am coming to You. Holy Father, keep them in Your name, the name which You have given Me, so that they may be one just as We are.  While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name, which You have given Me; and I guarded them, and not one of them perished except the son of destruction, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.

But now I am coming to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves.  I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  I am not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one.  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.  Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. Just as You sent Me into the world, I also sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.

 “I am not asking on behalf of these alone, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; just as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.

Disciples’ Future Glory

 The glory which You have given Me I also have given to them, so that they may be one, just as We are one; I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and You loved them, just as You loved Me.  Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

 “Righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me;  and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”

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Eye Exam

October 23, 2021 · Filed under Uncategorized · Tagged , , , , , , , , , ,

A few days back I had my annual appointment with my eye doctor. Two years ago I had cataract surgery so I was glad to get the report that my eyes are healthy.

This morning though, I was awakened to the conviction of several ongoing sinful patterns in my life and the potential long term effects of them. As I wept over these things that continue to mark my life with heartache, I thought, wow, I can’t believe that my eye doctor couldn’t see those planks in my eyes!!!

I thought back to another situation in the past when the Spirit told me that my sins were going to cost me dearly, and eventually they had. I realized that like last time, these sins are quite possibly robbing me of the future God has for me.

While I looked at the things that I felt were impeding other people’s spiritual progress, was I even trying to fight the temptations in my own life and not give in to overeating or overspending? There, I named the planks! “Is there any more Grace for me?” I wondered behind my tears. I know there is but I also felt like I have taken advantage of the grace for so long, I certainly don’t deserve any more chances.

Then I thought of the horrible state of affairs in our country and our world, and this verse came to mind: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land.” II Chronicles 7:14

My wicked ways might not appear to someone else as wicked, but I know from the Bible and from the Holy Spirit’s conviction that they are. They are every bit as wicked as the sin I so easily spot in other people’s lives, the specks in their eyes.

If I ask you to think of the one area of your life where you struggle the most, what would immediately come to mind? Quite possibly, like me, you’d think of several, those repetitive sins which point to our rebellion towards God. In what areas are you fighting what feels like a losing battle for self control? In what areas are you in rebellion against God’s best plan for your life?

It’s not about us deserving or earning good things, because Jesus died so that the Father’s promise of hope and a future will be ours even though we don’t deserve it.

What if the reason I repay God’s goodness with sin is because I don’t believe I deserve anything good? What if, like a naughty child, I misbehave to test the limits of my Father’s love because it is impossible for me to comprehend that kind of love? What if I start believing that no matter what I feel, as the song says, “The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures.”?

My challenge to myself and to you today is to fall on His power to transform us, for us to be willing to be changed and free of the sins which so easily entangle us. Lord, please help us live as new creations, which You tell us we are. Help us remember to use the weapons you have given us so that we will stand, not in rebellion any longer, but in Your strength.

Amen

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