Our Hope
HE is our Hope. We have been reading through Romans during life group and I have been thinking of the hope that is sprinkled throughout that book! Especially in Romans 8, it is so full of hope! Hope, not just in our present circumstances, but hope in future glory! Easter is only a few days away, and I can’t think of a better theme of scripture to meditate on than HOPE. I’m praying that we rejoice in HOPE this Easter weekend, and pray for those who have yet to put their faith in Christ . . . that they would understand the Hope of Jesus’ life, death, and most of all resurrection. I’m posting a few scriptures on hope, feel free to pick the one that you want to memorize and meditate on!
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:1-5)
“For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (Romans 8:24-25) *All of Romans 8 is HOPE!!
“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)
“Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.” (Psalm 33:22)
“For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth.” (Psalm 71:5)
“Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.” (Psalm 119:49-50)
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.” (Job 19:25)
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
“He is not here, for he has risen . . .” (Matthew 28:6)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Heroes-Godly Examples
“Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases.” (Luke 8:1-2)
One day I was reading through the Gospel of Luke and got to Chapter 8, subtitled “Women Who Followed Jesus”. Sounds like nothing except for some reason it just really jumped out at me how the “group of women” was listed separate from the disciples. I was so amazed by this, why were they listed separate? It immediately challenged me to look at Jesus’ ministry with women, and most of all how we we’re different! And oh, what a treasure I found! I was so encouraged by how women in the bible “followed Jesus”. Some of these women became great Godly examples to me, their immediate response to salvation, or their faithfulness and loyalty to our LORD. I even looked back to Old Testament women, learned from them, was encouraged and challenged. That’s why these women are heroes of the Bible in my eyes-their example has taught me so much about how to pursue my relationship with the LORD.
Mary (Luke 1:26-55)-She rejoiced in the LORD for her gift, even though she knew people would not understand, slander/shame her, she kept her eyes on the LORD and not what others might think or say.
-From her I learned THANKSGIVING and PRAISE even when we don’t understand our circumstances.
Anna (Luke 2:36-38)-She worshiped with fasting and prayer night and day. She recognized Jesus as Messiah when He was just a baby and began praising God for Him and telling others about Him.
-From her I learned DEVOTION.
Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2)-he healed her from 7 demons, the rest of her life she followed him. She was the first one to see Him after His resurrection!
-From her I learned FAITHFULNESS.
Sinful Woman (Luke 7:36-39)-she anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive ointment, and washed them with her tears.
-From her I learned REVERANCE and WORSHIP-it may cost us much to worship, but it is worth it.
Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38-42)-she chose to sit at Jesus feet and listen to him teach, to rest, to abide, rather than fill her days with busyness.
-From her I learned to ABIDE, to rest in Him, to take time to listen and fellowship with the LORD.
The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-2)-she continued asking the judge for justice and it was granted.
-From her I learned PERSISTANCE in prayer.
The Widow and Her Coins (Luke 21:1-4)-she offered little, but the sacrifice was great. She trusted God would provide.
-From her I learned FAITH and TRUST
Ruth (Ruth 2:2-3)-she worked hard and gleaned each day
-From her I learned the value of HARD WORK-study, read, glean.
The Woman at the Well (John 4:28-29)-she was scandalous, but once she realized who the Messiah was, she left everything and ran to tell people about Him.
-From her I learned EVANGELISM-you don’t have to have everything figured out before you can tell people about our Savior.
These women have been such an encouragement to me. They were not philosophers or leaders of nations (in fact some of them didn’t even have their names mentioned). They were simple, they were simple in faith and faithfulness, yet their stories are so profound they’re recorded in scripture. They are my examples, my heroes. I pray that we would learn from these women, respond to the LORD the way they did, with loyalty, devotion, reverence, faithfulness, and love.
One day I was reading through the Gospel of Luke and got to Chapter 8, subtitled “Women Who Followed Jesus”. Sounds like nothing except for some reason it just really jumped out at me how the “group of women” was listed separate from the disciples. I was so amazed by this, why were they listed separate? It immediately challenged me to look at Jesus’ ministry with women, and most of all how we we’re different! And oh, what a treasure I found! I was so encouraged by how women in the bible “followed Jesus”. Some of these women became great Godly examples to me, their immediate response to salvation, or their faithfulness and loyalty to our LORD. I even looked back to Old Testament women, learned from them, was encouraged and challenged. That’s why these women are heroes of the Bible in my eyes-their example has taught me so much about how to pursue my relationship with the LORD.
Mary (Luke 1:26-55)-She rejoiced in the LORD for her gift, even though she knew people would not understand, slander/shame her, she kept her eyes on the LORD and not what others might think or say.
-From her I learned THANKSGIVING and PRAISE even when we don’t understand our circumstances.
Anna (Luke 2:36-38)-She worshiped with fasting and prayer night and day. She recognized Jesus as Messiah when He was just a baby and began praising God for Him and telling others about Him.
-From her I learned DEVOTION.
Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2)-he healed her from 7 demons, the rest of her life she followed him. She was the first one to see Him after His resurrection!
-From her I learned FAITHFULNESS.
Sinful Woman (Luke 7:36-39)-she anointed Jesus’ feet with expensive ointment, and washed them with her tears.
-From her I learned REVERANCE and WORSHIP-it may cost us much to worship, but it is worth it.
Mary of Bethany (Luke 10:38-42)-she chose to sit at Jesus feet and listen to him teach, to rest, to abide, rather than fill her days with busyness.
-From her I learned to ABIDE, to rest in Him, to take time to listen and fellowship with the LORD.
The Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-2)-she continued asking the judge for justice and it was granted.
-From her I learned PERSISTANCE in prayer.
The Widow and Her Coins (Luke 21:1-4)-she offered little, but the sacrifice was great. She trusted God would provide.
-From her I learned FAITH and TRUST
Ruth (Ruth 2:2-3)-she worked hard and gleaned each day
-From her I learned the value of HARD WORK-study, read, glean.
The Woman at the Well (John 4:28-29)-she was scandalous, but once she realized who the Messiah was, she left everything and ran to tell people about Him.
-From her I learned EVANGELISM-you don’t have to have everything figured out before you can tell people about our Savior.
These women have been such an encouragement to me. They were not philosophers or leaders of nations (in fact some of them didn’t even have their names mentioned). They were simple, they were simple in faith and faithfulness, yet their stories are so profound they’re recorded in scripture. They are my examples, my heroes. I pray that we would learn from these women, respond to the LORD the way they did, with loyalty, devotion, reverence, faithfulness, and love.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Scripture 4
Our Dwelling Place
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (Psalm 90:1-2 ESV)
What a great verse to remember HE is the place we dwell (take up residence, reside). I went to look up the word dwell on dictionary.com (oh how I wish I was more spiritual to say I was looking up it's original meaning in Greek or something, but no, just plain ol' dictionary) and I found this at the bottom of the page:
Dwell
God "dwells in light" (1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 1:7), in heaven (Ps. 123:1), in his church (Ps. 9:11; 1 John 4:12). Christ dwelt on earth in the days of his humiliation (John 1:14). He now dwells in the hearts of his people (Eph. 3:17-19). The Holy Spirit dwells in believers (1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14). We are exhorted to "let the word of God dwell in us richly" (Col. 3:16; Ps. 119:11). Dwell deep occurs only in Jer. 49:8, and refers to the custom of seeking refuge from impending danger, in retiring to the recesses of rocks and caverns, or to remote places in the desert.
Dwell in Him . . .
"There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy."(Deuteronomy 33:26-27 ESV)
"O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.” (Psalm 43:3-4 NASB)
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God." (Psalm 90:1-2 ESV)
What a great verse to remember HE is the place we dwell (take up residence, reside). I went to look up the word dwell on dictionary.com (oh how I wish I was more spiritual to say I was looking up it's original meaning in Greek or something, but no, just plain ol' dictionary) and I found this at the bottom of the page:
Dwell
God "dwells in light" (1 Tim. 6:16; 1 John 1:7), in heaven (Ps. 123:1), in his church (Ps. 9:11; 1 John 4:12). Christ dwelt on earth in the days of his humiliation (John 1:14). He now dwells in the hearts of his people (Eph. 3:17-19). The Holy Spirit dwells in believers (1 Cor. 3:16; 2 Tim. 1:14). We are exhorted to "let the word of God dwell in us richly" (Col. 3:16; Ps. 119:11). Dwell deep occurs only in Jer. 49:8, and refers to the custom of seeking refuge from impending danger, in retiring to the recesses of rocks and caverns, or to remote places in the desert.
Dwell in Him . . .
"There is none like God, O Jeshurun, who rides through the heavens to your help, through the skies in his majesty. The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. And he thrust out the enemy before you and said, Destroy."(Deuteronomy 33:26-27 ESV)
"O send out Your light and Your truth, let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your dwelling places. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and upon the lyre I shall praise You, O God, my God.” (Psalm 43:3-4 NASB)
Monday, March 1, 2010
Scripture 3
Our Hiding Place
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” Psalm 32:7
I thought that it would be neat each time we memorize scripture, to memorize something that would exalt the LORD-remind us of his attributes and characteristics. Who HE is, who we are and are not. Last month, we memorized scripture that shows us how the LORD our God is the Creator and Sustainer (also Rescuer if you went through verses 6 and 7).
This week . . . Remember HE is our Hiding Place.
A hiding place doesn’t necessarily mean a place of victory, or that you won’t have to go back out to face your enemies. It doesn’t mean we are lifted entirely out of the situation or that in there is immediate resolution. It means we can retreat, withdraw, hide in His comfort. He will take us by the hand and keep us, guide us, shelter us.
A hiding place, a place of retreat. When we are experiencing trials, do we go to the LORD? Do we retreat to our most safe “hiding place”? Do we withdraw and run to the LORD? Do we long to dwell in His presence, to rest in the shelter of His wings? Or, are we out there again, pulling ourselves up by our boot straps, trying to do things on our own. Solve our own problems, be our own comforter and helper.
Rest in Him, cease striving, be still, and let the Comforter and Helper do his job, guide us, protect us, shelter us . . .
Hide in HIM.
“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Selah” Psalm 61:4
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah” Psalm 32:7
I thought that it would be neat each time we memorize scripture, to memorize something that would exalt the LORD-remind us of his attributes and characteristics. Who HE is, who we are and are not. Last month, we memorized scripture that shows us how the LORD our God is the Creator and Sustainer (also Rescuer if you went through verses 6 and 7).
This week . . . Remember HE is our Hiding Place.
A hiding place doesn’t necessarily mean a place of victory, or that you won’t have to go back out to face your enemies. It doesn’t mean we are lifted entirely out of the situation or that in there is immediate resolution. It means we can retreat, withdraw, hide in His comfort. He will take us by the hand and keep us, guide us, shelter us.
A hiding place, a place of retreat. When we are experiencing trials, do we go to the LORD? Do we retreat to our most safe “hiding place”? Do we withdraw and run to the LORD? Do we long to dwell in His presence, to rest in the shelter of His wings? Or, are we out there again, pulling ourselves up by our boot straps, trying to do things on our own. Solve our own problems, be our own comforter and helper.
Rest in Him, cease striving, be still, and let the Comforter and Helper do his job, guide us, protect us, shelter us . . .
Hide in HIM.
“I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Selah” Psalm 61:4
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Choose the Good Portion
I love reading and learning about the women in the bible. I love their absolute devotion and loyalty to Jesus. I can remember reading through the gospel of Luke for the first time and getting to this story. It is one that is probably all too familiar to many, but still meaningful and powerful. This story means so much to me and I often keep it in my heart as a reminder to what should be most important in my life . . . the main thing . . . the good portion.
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42
I love the lesson behind this, and I am again reminded how important it is to sit at the LORD’s feet and listen to His teaching. I have been sick for nearly 3 days, no work, no bible study in the mornings, no running this errand, going to this meeting, preparing this meal, etc. Again, the LORD wastes nothing and reminds me that serving is good, but don’t let it distract you from the main thing-your personal, intimate relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ.
I love being a woman, and part of the reason why is because when you need something done, you can call on a woman to do it! We are quick to help, quick to serve, eager to sign up for this ministry, etc. Yet, sometimes in the midst of that, we get lost in the “serving”, or as the passage says “distracted” by the serving, not choosing the good portion. I hope that we’ll remember WHO we serve when we’re serving, that our service is an overflow of our time sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching. Let’s not let our serving distract us, but merely be an act of obedience, our response of thanksgiving, love, and loyalty to our God. Mary of Bethany is an example for us, a reminder to choose the Good Portion.
“Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:38-42
I love the lesson behind this, and I am again reminded how important it is to sit at the LORD’s feet and listen to His teaching. I have been sick for nearly 3 days, no work, no bible study in the mornings, no running this errand, going to this meeting, preparing this meal, etc. Again, the LORD wastes nothing and reminds me that serving is good, but don’t let it distract you from the main thing-your personal, intimate relationship with the LORD Jesus Christ.
I love being a woman, and part of the reason why is because when you need something done, you can call on a woman to do it! We are quick to help, quick to serve, eager to sign up for this ministry, etc. Yet, sometimes in the midst of that, we get lost in the “serving”, or as the passage says “distracted” by the serving, not choosing the good portion. I hope that we’ll remember WHO we serve when we’re serving, that our service is an overflow of our time sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to His teaching. Let’s not let our serving distract us, but merely be an act of obedience, our response of thanksgiving, love, and loyalty to our God. Mary of Bethany is an example for us, a reminder to choose the Good Portion.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)