The Name of Hope

The Name of Hope

by | Nov 18, 2023 | Faith, Hope, Loss, Trust, Worry

I woke up to the lyrics of a song playing in my head.

I sought the Lord and he heard and he answered. That’s why I trust Him. That’s why I trust in God my Savior. The one who will never fail. He will never fail. . .  He will never fail. . .

Couldn’t get it off my mind. It played over and over while I lay in bed that morning.

So, I went to church and guess what? The praise band sang — yes, that’s right — they sang the very same song.

Then the next day while I was worrying about a situation, that song, Trust in God by Elevation Music, came on the radio at just that moment. Now, it’s a popular song so maybe that doesn’t sound that unusual. But I have spent a week singing those lyrics in my head. They just pop up all the time.  Do you think God is trying to tell me something?

He will never fail. He could never fail.

A song of hope

There is another song that has captured my attention. I’ve only heard it once, but it brought me to tears.

Tear Off The Roof by Brandon Lake presents a compelling message. There is power in the presence, power in the blood, power in the name of Jesus.

Have you heard it? Friends tore off a roof and dropped their paralyzed friend into a crowded room to get him to Jesus. (Luke 5:17-26)

What was he thinking as he was being lowered? I think the song probably has it right – just get me to Jesus, I don’t care how, so tear off the roof.

His faith was great. His friends demonstrated faith and went to great lengths to get him in front of Jesus.

Their reward? They saw a life-changing, grave-shaking, dead-raising power in the room.

Yes, there is power in the presence. There is power in the blood. There is power in the name of Jesus.

A journey of hope

Others showed great faith and went to great lengths to see Jesus as well. Strangers from a distant land demonstrated spiritual diligence — and traveled many weary miles — to get to Him.

While a star pronounced His birth, calling people to come and worship, the wise men’s remarkable example of faith honored Christ, even when they had never seen him. They believed in Him even when the Pharisees and Scribes did not.

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11 NIV)

Your story of hope

What is your story of hope? In desperation or diligence, have you called on Jesus?

  • When your day seems out of control. . . He will never fail.
  • When we get the “dreaded news” . . . He will never fail.
  • When our loss and pain seem too big to carry, He will never fail.

The paralyzed man’s friends called on Him. The Magi called on Him. We can call on Him and find hope and peace today.

My friend, Jesus is the name of hope, and He will never fail.

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It would be my greatest honor to take your hand, introduce you and walk you through how to accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and how to have a personal relationship with Him.

Find out more here.

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A Crack in the Concrete

A Crack in the Concrete

by | Sep 30, 2023 | Hope, Joy, Trust

I confidently walked to my parents’ carport door – something I’ve done thousands of times.

However, a small crack in the concrete sent me flying. It was a leap I had not intended to take. In that split second, I thought, “This is not going to end well.”

After my knees, elbow and hip hit the hard surface, I decided to lay there for a bit before attempting to move. I’m not even sure which area hit first, but they all hurt. I’m pretty sure I landed 6 feet from that crack.

Have you been there? Confident and sure of yourself. On a mission. Then, something stops you in your tracks. Out of nowhere, you’re hit with devastating news. Your plans crushed. Faith shattered.

Or maybe you’ve nailed down your schedule for the day, and you’re eager to check things off your to-do list. Then, one small crack takes you in a completely different direction. Or a sliver of doubt lets in all kinds of negative thoughts.

A bold mission

Those cracks in our lives can take on many forms.

I imagine Jairus, a ruler in the synagogue, never thought he’d see his young daughter at the point of death. But when we find him in scripture, he was on a mission to find hope and healing.

We don’t know all the details, but here’s what we do know — his confidence was in Jesus.

Mark 5:21-43 tells us in desperation he broke through a great crowd by the sea to beg Jesus to heal her. He demonstrated great faith, saying “come and lay your hands on her that she may be made well and live.”

In his wilderness season, Jairus cried out to the only one who could save her.

He did not know what Jesus would do that day, but he put his faith and trust in Him.

However, as Jesus walked toward Jairus’ home, the worst happened. Someone from his house came with the devastating news — his daughter had died.

In that moment, did Jairus’ mind jump from hope to despair? Did the news stop him in his tracks? Did it paralyze him with fear?

We don’t know, but Jesus overheard those who came with the news and said to Jairus, “Do not fear. Only believe.”

Jairus got to see the miracle-working power of Jesus. As did many others that day by the sea and in Jairus’ home.

Battle scars

I have a few scars from that fall a few weeks ago, but I did recover. And thank goodness I can laugh about it.

Sometimes I even think I need a keeper.

Wait.

I do have one and He’s the one right by my side when I fall. When I doubt. When I make a mistake. When life doesn’t turn out how I planned it.

These “cracks” have also taught me that you can recover from the twists and turns of life . . . from pain and loss to live an abundant life of joy that is grounded in the Lord Jesus Christ.

No matter what happens in our lives, there is one constant. Jesus Christ is the Truth and through Him, we can not only survive what’s going on in our lives, but we can also learn to thrive again.

You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD, my God, I will praise you forever. Psalm 30:11-12

 

A Bump in the Road

A Bump in the Road

by | Aug 11, 2023 | Forgiveness, Grace, Hope, Support

Sometimes things don’t turn out as you plan. No real secret there, right?

As my son loaded up a bed frame to take to his first “home away from home” at college, he casually said the frame was secure in the back of the pickup.

However, at the first significant bump in the road, that frame sailed out of the truck and into the middle of the interstate.

Since I was a few miles ahead of him, he called with the news, to which I cried out to God, “Lord, not something else!”

Not knowing what else to do, he kept driving, seeing cars swerving in the lanes behind him.

The other drivers must have been stunned to see the cloth and metal frame flying toward them. Fortunately, someone stopped and moved the obstruction to the side of the road, and no one was injured in the ordeal.

 

Bumps can surprise us.

Have you had a bump in the road recently? Have things not gone as planned? It seems I’ve had quite a few lately — too many to count!

What is your bump in the road?

  • Was it your dream that went flying out the window?
  • Was it a dreaded call that came?
  • Was it a careless, hurtful word that left you a wreck?
  • Was it a sinful act sent your life spiraling out of control.

 

Bumps can change us.

Consider the woman in the Bible who was caught in adultery (John 7:53 – 8:11). She didn’t plan on being caught, but when the Pharisees showed up, she knew her life would change. In fact, she could have thought her life would end that day.

But that “bump” introduced her to Jesus, who stood beside her, offered no condemnation and told her to sin no more. That one act changed her life.

The bumps I’ve experienced have changed, shaped and even sharpened me – so much so that I am a different person. When I thought I was done, Jesus picked me up, and gave me a firm foundation, hope for a better tomorrow and the will to keep going.

Jesus stood by my side and in the gap for me and remained by my side until I was no longer the same.

 

Bumps can be used for good.

I encourage you to look at your bump in the road differently. Maybe it will project you into a new phase in life. Perhaps it will remind you of what God has already done in your life. Or it could possibly serve as a wake-up call to fulfill the purpose God has for you.

I wish I knew the rest of that woman’s story. Did she go back and pick up the pieces? Did she repent from her lifestyle and follow Jesus? Did she tell others of the mercy, grace, forgiveness and new life extended to her?

My nephew and son went back to get that bedframe. It was torn and scarred from the impact and being dragged across the concrete, but it was still strong enough to do what it was designed to do.

We may not be hauled to a makeshift trial on a dusty, brick-paved road, however, we’ll likely be scarred and bruised from the impact of our bump.

Even so, we can still be used for good. With Jesus by our side, we have the strength to do what God designed us to do.

Take that bump — that lesson — and let it be used for good.

Rescue

Rescue

by | Jun 23, 2023 | Faith, Hope, Redeemed

John 8: 1-11 tells a story of a woman caught in adultery. The scribes and the Pharisees brought her to Jesus to test Him. Thrown into the sand, she awaited the sting of the stones that would crush her and seal her fate.

She was guilty. She knew it. Her accusers knew it. She had been caught in the act and there was no way out.  

Did panic set in? Or was she resigned to her punishment of death? Were her eyes locked on Jesus? Or cast down to the ground?

But then Jesus’ hand reached down and wrote in the sand. One by one, her accusers left.

No stone was cast her way.

Jesus had her back. He did not condemn her; He rescued her. His words only directed her to go and sin no more.

One Pair of Hands

I heard a new song last week. It is an old song, but new to me. Written and recorded by Carroll Roberson in 1971, One Pair of Hands was also sung by Elvis Presley.

The song encourages us to put our faith in Jesus. Its lyrics tell us God formed creation with one pair of hands. Jesus healed people from sickness, raised people from the dead and fed thousands with one pair of hands.

Like the adulterous woman, we have all sinned. Maybe it’s obvious to those around us. Maybe not. Maybe it’s simply a lack of faith.

Consider Peter’s short stint of walking on water.

Strong and confident, bold was his middle name. But when he began to sink, his confidence faltered and fear gripped him. Once locked on Jesus, his eyes shifted to the wind around him. He began to feel the weight of the wet substance as it soaked into his cloak.

However, in the next moment, a hand reached down and rescued Peter from the deep, dark water.

The Bible speaks of many more rescues by Jesus.

  • One pair of hands cleansed a leper.
  • One pair of hands broke a loaf of bread, placing the pieces in baskets to nourish the crowd.
  • One pair of hands took saliva and dirt, placing mud over the eyes of a man born blind. And gave him sight.
  • One pair of hands held babies and children.
  • One pair of hands raised a girl to life.
  • One pair of hands washed the feet of his closest friends, even his betrayer.
  • One pair of hands were extended and nailed to a cross. Arms stretched in agony secured our hope and sealed our fate . . . if we only believe and receive.

The Price Paid

Have you been desperate for a rescue? Do you need forgiveness today? Restoration? Salvation?

Jesus has already paid the price. His hands have already done the deed, reaching out to us.

Let the goodness and love of our Lord Jesus Christ wash over you today.

Seek Him and put your faith in the one pair of hands.

“Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are Mine. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you.” Isaiah 43:1-2

I Know Who Holds the Day

I Know Who Holds the Day

by | Apr 8, 2023 | God, Hope, Redeemed

After a stressful and disappointing week, I continued packing up the house we built and lived in for the past 12 years. I had so many questions for God. In my head, I had created a hundred solutions to how he could work things out for me that would give me the answer I wanted. Instead, I got a closed door.

Yesterday, while going through pieces of paper art created by my boys – loosely stacked on top of boxes in the attic because they were too big for a box – I ran across this framed scripture.

Cast all your cares on him for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

Randomly stuck in between all those papers, I have no idea how that frame got there. (Confession: I keep everything, which is going to make this packing process even harder.)

Anyway, God used it to speak directly to my heart. It appeared at exactly the time I needed it. 🙂

The greatest message ever told

What has God done for you lately? Have you stumbled across a message from Him that spoke to your heart? This Easter, be reminded of the greatest story ever told. It’s not the words spoken so much as its message through action.

I can imagine how Jesus’ followers felt when he hung on the cross for them. They likely didn’t understand it all at the time, but His sacrifice came at exactly the time humanity needed it. The exact time appointed by God.

He died a cruel and brutal death, and that seemed to be the end.

But He arose! Because of Jesus’ resurrection three days later, we celebrate Easter – a new beginning. Jesus took our sin upon Himself and gave us hope. His triumph that day was for our gain.

Death to Life

He came to the earth, did what he said he would do, and then paved the way for us to live with him in eternity. He absorbed our punishment – the punishment we deserve — on the cross that day. He gave us what we could never earn on our own.

His death was a gift of new life for anyone who will accept it.

I cannot get the lyrics to the song Miracle Power by We The Kingdom out of my head.

I may not know what a day may bring but I know who brings the day.

That is the hope we have in Jesus. We can give him our burdens. We may not know what’s coming, but when we know Him as our personal Lord and Savior, we can have hope. After all, He owns the day.

Because of His ultimate sacrifice, we can trust that He is big enough, strong enough, and cares enough to handle our burdens.

This morning, I asked the Lord to let me hear from him today. As I was finishing my quiet time, I happened to look at the scripture reference at the bottom of my devotional. The words stunned and amazed me.

Give your burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of you. Psalm 55.22 (NLT)

 

 

A Hope-filled Life

A Hope-filled Life

by | Feb 10, 2023 | Faith, Hope, Trust

A hard winter freeze destroyed many plants and shrubs in my yard. They look pathetic, really.

I have four sweet olive trees, once evergreen, now leafless and sparse. I wondered if I would ever delight in their sweet scent again.

Upon further inspection, a green layer hides underneath that dry, gray bark. It speaks of beauty to come. Beauty from devastation. A speck of hope that, once touched by the sun of Spring, will find new life.

While a storm robbed it of its leaves and color, I look forward to the day I get to see its beauty once again, inhale its sweet fragrance and rest in its shade.

Does your life sometimes mirror that sweet olive tree? I know mine has at times.

Cold. Hard. Uninviting. Withdrawn and without hope.

But beneath our exterior, we hope for better things to come.

Beauty from devastation

Jesus Christ offers us that hope. He is the lifeblood within us. He brings beauty from our devastation. And he will give us new strength that allows us to grow and flourish.

Be encouraged, my friend. This season of sadness or emptiness will one day blossom into life again. Life that comes from the life-giver Himself.

If you know Him, you know He is faithful. Cling to Him in the good days as well as the not-so-good days.

If you do not have a relationship with God and don’t know the love of Christ, would you trust Him today? Jesus sees great value in you and tenderly calls your name. Receive His gift of salvation by putting your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Receiving His salvation means recognizing that you are a sinner, repenting of your sin, confessing with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.

All who receive His salvation are changed by the Holy Spirit and are born again, becoming children of God and receiving eternal life with God.

That sweet olive tree appears dead. But it will look alive again one day. Thank God He can do the same with us. He can take a life that’s broken and without hope and transform it into a vibrant and full life.

Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 (ESV)

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. Isaiah 40:31 (NLT)

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