Here’s a great post written by a friend of mine from high school. It offers encouragement to those who are facing difficult circumstances.
Posts Tagged ‘hope’
Thoughts on Psalm 91
Posted in Bible, Books of the Bible, Devotional, Hope, In times of difficulty, Psalms, Walking with God, tagged Bible, Comfort, God as our rescuer, hope, Psalm 91, Psalms on September 14, 2011|
Biblical Faith, what is it?
Posted in Bible, Bible Study, Faith, General Epistles, Hebrews, Hope, New Testament, tagged Bible Study, Biblical Faith, Faith, Faith in God, Hebrews 11, hope, New Testament on September 6, 2011|
Faith as it is used in the vernacular is “confidence or trust in a person or thing.” [Dictionary.com] This is far from what the Bible considers faith. In Hebrews 11, Paul defines faith as ” the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” He goes on to add that “by it the elders obtained a good testimony” and “by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.” [Hebrews 11:1-3]
Biblical faith can be understood in part by looking at what it is not:
- It is not mere hopefulness
- It is not mere optimism
- It is not merely a hunch
- It is not merely an emotional sentiment
Biblical faith is so much more . . .
- Biblical faith makes the future present
- Biblical faith makes the invisible seen
- Biblical faith can grow
- Biblical faith has God as its object
- Biblical faith has God’s Word as its assurance
- Biblical faith gives evidence for what can’t be seen
- Biblical faith is a gift from God, not based on experience or works
- Biblical faith has a certainty – being sure of what we hope for:
- Forgiveness of sins
- Acceptance into heaven
- Rewards for faithful service
- Living with settled conviction of His promises
- Taking God at His word
- Biblical faith takes hold of the future and lives based on the future now
Do-over!
Posted in 2 Corinthians, Bible, God, Hope, Jesus, New Testament, Relationship with God, salvation, tagged 2 corinthians 5:17, Bible, do-overs, hope, New Creation on June 20, 2011|
How many times in the day or week do you long for a do-over? You just want to turn back in time and make a different choice, say something or just stay silent?
God offers the ultimate do-over in 2 Corinthians 5:17. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
The great thing about this verse is that it is without limitation. Christ has given the ultimate do-over.
- Gone are my mistakes and failures (they no longer define and limit me)
- Gone is the deadness in my heart and conscience (He has given a heart of flesh to replace my heart of stone)
- Gone is the hopelessness of being unable to change despite the harm to myself and others (now I have Holy Spirit power to overcome sin)
- Gone is the futility of thinking (now I have the mind of Christ, wisdom of the ages)
- Now I can have a fresh start (All things are made new)
- Now I have hope for the future (He has gone to prepare a place for me and has promised to return for me)
The time for your do-over is now. Today is the day of salvation. Tomorrow is promised to no man.
Rooted and Grounded 