You will be secure, because there is hope;
you will look about you and take your rest in safety.
(Job 11:18)

Hope is such a wonderful gift.  It gets us through the worst of times and helps us look toward the future an not get bogged down in the present situation.  We should be able to rest easy.....( I'm not saying that I'm always able to do this) ..... without worry and feel safe and secure in the hope the Lord has graciously given to us.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
(Romans 16:20)

Satan cannot have power over us unless we give it to him.  None the less, he's smart, crafty, and clever.  Fortunately for us, God is more powerful than 10,000 Satan's and will eventually destroy him.  Even though we know Satan's fate, we must keep our guard up at all times and not let Satan take advantage of us during weak moments.  Be strong and aware of his games and temptations. 

Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.
(1 Thessalonians 3:10)

I try and do self assesments to figure out where my faith needs shoring up.  It can be hard to see yourself and your faults with an outlook that God might have.  I'm grateful that I have friends that pray for me and offer support, as well as knowing that God is in my corner while I work on my shortcomings.   

Your right hand, LORD,
was majestic in power.
Your right hand, LORD,
shattered the enemy.
(Exodus 15:6)

The power in the Lord's hand is hard for me to fully comprehend.  What I do understand is that the Lord's hand trumps everything in the universe. The enemy doesn't stand a chance if we rely on God's hand to deliver us from evil.  Hold on tight!

Never forfeit faith too soon.
Wait and see what God will do.
When the silence listens long
For the faintest sound of song,
You may believe your hope's misplaced,
But moments wait in time and space.
And God will give you strength to stand
Until your moment is at hand.

(I don't know who wrote this....it came from a perpetual calendar of mine with no credit given.) 

I hope that it offers hope for you today.

Let those who love the LORD hate evil,
for he guards the lives of his faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
(Psalm 97:10)

Even though we may hate evil, as human beings, we are still naturally subject to committing evil and behaving in sinful ways.  How comforting to know that the Lord still guards and protects us from the ways of the wicked, always guiding us along a more righteous path. 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
(Colossians 3:17)

For Kathy, who continues to live her life according to the will of God, regardless of her own wants and needs.  Thank you for all that you do for me and for others.  You are such a blessing to me and I'm grateful for YOU!  

God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?
(Numbers 23:19)

Because we are human and full of flaws, I think it can be hard to imagine a perfect God ..... literally, perfect.  We are so far from perfect and can only relate to our own behavior, which is full of sin and contradictions.  God is God.  God is perfect.  Trust in God and His Word.  He will not let you down if you allow Him into your life.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
(Psalm 34:4)

How often do I rely on my own view and knowledge of a situation instead of turning to the Lord for His account? ..... More times than I should, that's for sure.  Turn to the Lord first.... not after you have tried your own way...... not after everything else has failed......turn to the Lord first.

Think not, thou canst sigh a sigh,
And thy maker is not by.
Think not, thou canst weep a tear,
And thy maker is not near.

O! he gives to us his joy,
That our grief he may destroy
Till our grief is fled & gone
He doth sit by us and moan.

On Another's Sorrow
By William Blake

God is with us during all of our days, hours, and minutes.  He never deserts us, never turns away.  He feels our pain, as well as our joys, and only wants the best for His children. 

I know all of this in my heart, but I sometimes need to see it in print or read it in His Word to remind myself of God's amazing promises to an undeserving me.

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?
(Hebrews 12:7)

Hardships.....we all have them, like it or not.  We talked about this in church today...that hardships are a part of life and used by God to make us rely on the Holy Spirit for our strength, wisdom and guidance.  Thinking of hardships as being part of God's discipline (as a father would discipline his child), rather than punishment, helps me accept them better...... with less "poor me"..... with less "what did I do to deserve this"..... and with less resentment.  I'll never like trials and tribulations, but this scripture directs me to look at them with a different, positive perspective. 

Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.
(1 Timothy 6:18)

My friends certainly set the example of generosity and good deeds.  I am forever grateful for their tender hearts and Godly ways.

If it is a matter of strength, He is mighty!
And if it is a matter of justice, who can challenge Him?
(Job 9:19)

We get challenged and confronted on so many angles in this world, yet it is all relative when we compare it to the power of God.  No one.... not one thing..... not anyone..... is stronger or more just than the Lord.  Keep this in mind as you face daily challenges.  We will all answer to God..... everyone.

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
(Romans 5:3-5)

I'm sure I've posted this scripture before, as it's one of my favorites.  I quoted it today to offer hope to a friend.  It can be so tough to suffer through any kind of trial, from illness to persecution and everything in between, but we always have hope in the Lord and know that He will love and support us through anything.  In spite of these difficulties, we learn from them, like it or not, and it will someday, in some way, improve our lives.  He gives us hope of a better tomorrow.... a new day.... a new beginning.

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.
(Luke 17:10)

Doing just what is expected or required of us is not enough.  We need to do more and we need to it willingly, heartfelt, and with enthusiasm.  It isn't enough to just get by in this life.....God wants us to climb the next step and make a positive difference in this world.

Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.
(Jude 1:2)

Happy Valentine's Day!  No matter what your "love" situation may be, the Lord loves you more than anyone else.  His love is pure, His love is perfect, and His love is forever.

For the Lord will carry out
his sentence on earth with speed and finality.
(Romans 9:28)

We don't know when this will occur......are you ready?  I have my share of fear and doubts, but ultimately, I must trust in the Lord's promises for my future.

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever,
the purposes of his heart through all generations.
(Psalm 33:11)

The Lord's plan.....the Lord's purposes.....the Lord's promises..... all stand firm forever and are as relevant today as they were centuries ago as well as centuries to come.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise him.
(Psalm 33:1)

Don't you think the Lord must love to hear millions of His followers singing His praise on Sunday morning?!  I hope He enjoys my praise and forgives my rusty voice. :)

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come.  So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!
(1 Corinthians 10:11-12)

In this day and age, we can't say that we "didn't know."  We have the Bible, God's sacred word, and all of the lessons containing the consequences of actions, both good and bad.  We know that God forgives us if our hearts are truly repentant, but that isn't a free card to do as we please, then ask for forgiveness.  He wants us to learn from our mistakes, change our direction, and set a good example of Christlike behavior.

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
(Colossians 3:12)

Sometimes I wear these wonderful traits, other times, I wear judgement and other negative attributes.  It's only with the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit that my negative traits can be tamed and the positive traits can be nourished.

Worry is an indication that we think God cannot look after us. Oswald Chambers

How true, yet I still worry about so many things.  Another chink in my armour that needs patching.

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.
(1 Timothy 1:16)

Feeling like the worst of sinners myself, this scripture is so comforting.  No one is free from sin.  Not the disciples or any other human being....only Jesus can claim that honor.  But even the worst sinners are given mercy from the Lord.  So don't give up.....don't think you aren't good enough to receive eternal life.  Everyone has been sent the invitation to follow Christ to an everlasting life.  Just accept it!

But let all who take refuge in You be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread Your protection over them,
that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
(Psalm 5:11)

The Lord protects me from the evil in this world and the evil that lives within.  His refuge gives me hope and comfort.

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
(Luke 5:32)

I'm still in the sinner category and will remain there all the days of my life.  I'm working towards the righteous category and repenting, but find that I fail in one way or another on a daily basis.  None the less, I have a hopeful, eternal future to look forward to, as our God is the God of forgiveness.  Just one of my many undeserved blessings.

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.
(John 14:23)

I do love Jesus....and yet.........I don't always obey.  It seems as though I disobey as much as I obey.  My only hope lies in God's promises, His forgiveness, His mercy, and His grace.

For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
(Psalm 103:11-12)

"To infinity and beyond!"..... ;)  That really is how far God's love reaches and how far my sins are driven away.  Amazing Grace!

Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
(Psalm 51:10)

Renewal.....we all need renewal from time to time.  Turn to God in full submission and He will restore your spirit.

As believers, we have the right to claim God's promises. When discouragement sneaks in and you don't feel like reading the Bible--go to the Word. When you're frustrated with life's circumstances and are tempted to quit--go to the Word.

Protect your heart from discouragement. Open the Bible. Claim His promises. And that old desperado named discouragement will be driven away.

Fear knocked at the door and faith answered. No one was there.
Old English Proverb

(This was taken from Today's Turning Point with David Jeremiah)

I really enjoyed this topic today.  Don't you find that when things aren't going well you may turn away from the Word instead of turning toward the Word?  I know that I often respond this way.  We get discouraged....we feel that God isn't listening.....we surely aren't seeing any results from praying.  All of this is beyond our understanding and we need to turn toward the Word....always .....under all circumstances......good and bad...... turn toward God's Word. Open your Bible.