My Hope Is In The Lord

I thought the Lord would surely return in 2017. I should’ve known better. Nobody knows when  but the Father.

What will happen this New Year? Who will die? Will there be more fires and hurricanes, earthquakes and tornados?  Will God continue to bless as before?

I don’t know a lot of things, but this I do know.  My hope is in the Lord. 

Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If we are in Christ Jesus—He’s our Lord and Savior—we can face whatever 2018 hurls at us, for we are never alone.

We may or may not face cancer, lose loved ones suffer financially or have heartache, but if we do, that’s when Jesus is the closest, carrying us along.

Psalm 31:24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord .

The Spirit Of God

A sure way to know that you’ve been born again is that the Spirit of God fellowships with you.

Romans 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

The Spirit of God will speak to your heart and tell you spiritual things as you read God’s Word and pray and worship.

The Holy Spirit will guide you and warn you and comfort you. He will teach you the truth of the Word.

The Spirit of God is a sweet Spirit.

If the Spirit of God never speaks to your heart, you need to examine yourself. Are you harboring unconfessed sin? Is there a time in your life when you confessed your sins to God and asked Him to come into your heart—to save you and become your Savior? You can do that now.

God Is For Us

The Apostle Paul has spoken at length of the substitutionary atonement of Christ made on our behalf and the many benefits associated with a relationship with Him. Then he asks a question.

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

He is challenging us to consider the benefits and security of a relationship with Christ. 

We know God is for us. He proved it. It doesn’t matter who or what is against us, He will never leave us or forsake us. His grace is sufficient for every situation.

My Shepherd

David calls his shepherd “my” Shepherd.

Psalm 23:1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

It’s soothing to know the Creator, the One who fed the thousands, parted waters, raised from the dead, loved me so much that He died for my  salvation—-:He’s “my own” Shepherd. Why would I worry about an;thing?

 

What Motivates Praise?

We praise the Lord, we understand and worship according to the value of God to us.

Your praise says a lot about how much you value The Lord. If you value Him, you will find ways to praises His.

Psalm 106:1  Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

What motivates our praise?
• Fixing our heart upon God, Ps 57:7; 108:1.
• Meditate on His works and ways, Ps 77:11 ff.
• Recount His benefits, Ps 103:2.
• Dwell upon His unspeakable gift, 2 Cor 9:15; 2 Cor. 8:9

Praise Him, Praise Him all you little children.  God is love. God is love.

God's Plan For Baby Jesus

The French mathematician Auguste Comte suggest to Scottish essayist Thomas Carlyle that they start a new religion to replace Christianity, based on positive thinking and mathematical principles.

Carlyle thought about it for a moment. "Very good, Mr. Comte. All you need is to speak as never a man spoke, live as never a man lived, be crucified and rise again the third day, and get the world to believe that you are still alive.

It wasn't man's plan or religion's plan. The birth of Jesus on earth---a plan born in the heart of God--- will never be duplicated.

Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God has given His gift to the world. Have you accepted it?

Christmas Is About Hope

With the love and joy Jesus brought to this earth, it’s hope in Him that binds believers together.  

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The gift of Jesus is to whosoever will believe on Him.

He didn’t send Jesus to remain in a manger or on a cross. He sent Him to die.

John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Christ’s victory over the grave gives us hope of the same victory if we know him personally.

This is a tough time of the year for those who have lost loved ones. If your loved one is saved, you have hope of seeing them again

Christmas is about hope.