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Tag Archives: Hope

  • Hopeful Love

    Posted on February 27, 2013 by Boyd Bailey

    Boyd Bailey

    Love always hopes. 1 Corinthians 13:7

    Love is hopeful because it is fixed on Jesus for its assurance. It is a healthy optimism based on the promises of God. Love only loses hope if the Lord loses His way, but He is the Way. There is no way Christ would lead His children astray. He is a rock of refuge and truth for a Christian’s compass of faith. Indeed, love finds a hopeful path through listening prayer. It’s in moments of quiet solitude that the Holy Spirit quiets the soul with His reassuring presence. Love hopes in Him.

    Has your hope been shaken by circumstances that rocked your world? If so, retreat to a safe place with your Savior and invite Him to calm your spirit with His sensitive love. Your hope becomes unshackled from fear when your loving Lord Jesus comforts your heart. Human love has its limits, but His is limitless. Your heavenly Father’s love has never failed the test of providing hope that perseveres. His Spirit whispers, “It will be ok, I am with you, be hopeful.”

    Your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 1:3

     

    Furthermore, you are a pass through for heaven’s hope. Those around you hunger for hope in life after death. Their soul thirsts for salvation and eternal security in their Savior Jesus. In their quest for authentic assurance you love well when you share with seekers Christ’s commands. Hope humans provide is riddled with inconsistency, but God’s hope is rooted in consistency. You love when you share the hope of heaven. Hope fills a heart that hears you lovingly pray for them.

     

    Hope is alive and well, because Christ is alive and well. He rose from the grave to become a living hope for all who embrace His resurrection. His love did not end in giving His life, but it culminated by Him coming back to life. Hallelujah our hope is in our risen and living Lord Jesus. Hope and love can never die, because Jesus is alive for evermore. Our hope is based on the two greatest historical events (the Cross and Resurrection) that exhibited the greatest love ever. Therefore, we can love someone today by helping them find hope in God. Love hopes in Him!

     

    Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3

    Prayer: Heavenly Father thanks for providing a living hope in Jesus for life’s journey.

    Related Readings: Psalm 119:43, 147:11; Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1; 1 Peter 1:13

    Post/Tweet today: In moments of quiet solitude the Holy Spirit quiets the soul with His reassuring presence. #HolySpirit

     

    © 2012 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

    Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry

    info@mail.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com


    This post was posted in Daily Devotion, Wisdom Hunters and was tagged with 1 Corinthians, Hope, Love

  • Never Give Up Hope

    Posted on December 19, 2012 by Boyd Bailey

    Boyd Bailey

    “Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.” Luke 2:25-26

     

    Sometimes the Lord gives His children a promise or assurance that is not fulfilled until later in life. It’s in this process of time that trust needs to stand firmly vigilant over a soul, like the ever present Queen’s Guard at the gates of Buckingham Palace. God’s promise sometimes requires a pregnancy of obedience before the vision is birthed. Hope in Jesus is a lifeline that leads Christians to trust in His promises. Hope holds on to God.

    The coming of Christ at Christmas is our hope incarnate. The promise of His first entrance to earth took generations to fulfill, just as His second coming has. So, as we wait on our ultimate hope of reigning with Jesus, we enjoy His presence in prayer and faithfulness. What has the Spirit revealed to you that you will one day experience? A loved one’s salvation, children who love God, a healed hurt, a volunteer ministry or a best friend? 

    “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 1:3

    Your hope in Christ gives you the capacity to grow old with grace. You anticipate being better because, with understanding, you come to know the Lord better. While the body gradually grows old, your faith grows more robust like an aged bottle of fine wine. The flavor of your words are tasty to other thirsty hearts and your luscious love gives hope.

    Furthermore, do not discount the hope you personally provide for other people. Your weekly visit to the nursing home gives life to those ebbing toward the end of life. Your coaching and mentoring of younger leaders gives them confidence and peace to persevere. Your financial gift to a ministry gives them hope to carry on for Christ. Never give up hope and you will always be able to give hope. Hope in Jesus brings great joy!

    “May Jesus himself and God our Father, who reached out in love and surprised you with gifts of unending help and confidence, put a fresh heart in you, invigorate your work, enliven your speech.” 2 Thessalonians 2:17  The Message

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, I place my hope in You so I can extend other’s hope.

    Related Readings: Job 6:8; Micah 5:3; Hebrews 3:6; Titus 2:13

    Post/Tweet today: Hope in Christ gives us the capacity to grow old with grace. #hope

    © 2012 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

    Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry

    Order our new book: Seeking Daily the Heart of God, vol. II... http://bit.ly/Tv6y9a


    This post was posted in Daily Devotion, Wisdom Hunters and was tagged with Luke, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians, Hope

  • God of Hope

    Posted on November 26, 2012 by Boyd Bailey

    Boyd Bailey

    “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

     

    I struggle with consistently placing my hope in God alone. I say He is my support, but then I add a secular safety net as a back up to my belief in Jesus. So, my prayer is to hope in God without any worldly props. When He is the sole focus of my faith then trust in Him trumps any whispering idols in the temporal. Christ’s hope is all I need to persevere though pain, change and challenges. His hope anchors my soul in His unchanging grace.

    There are many gods who offer fleeting hope. The god of more money offers financial hope. The god of bigger government offers entitlement hope. The god of blind loyalty offers relational hope. The god of harder work offers security hope. However, all hope not founded on God is false and disappoints. Hope in heaven gives peace on earth. And any earthly competitor for the Lord’s hope is powerless. God’s hope generates real joy! 

    “Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.” Jeremiah 14:22

    Is your hope in God conditional or unconditional? Is it merely words or the conviction of your heart? You know your hope is all in with the Almighty when your life overflows with the power of the Holy Spirit. Bad news only emboldens you to look for the Lord’s creative solutions to sticky situations. You hand over people out of your control over to Christ’s control. Your focus on heavenly hope silences howls from the hounds of hell.

    Therefore, hope in God, the Savior of your soul. He is your sole provider who needs no supplementary support. Intensified belief in Jesus is your back up plan. Thus, you embrace hope—an unchanging attribute of God. He is the object and author of your hope. Joy comes from being justified by Jesus. His peace produces perseverance. When Christ’s hope has its way—He shows you the way. Open hope’s door; it hinges on God!

    “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

    Prayer: Heavenly Father, my hope is in You—not the competing hopes of this world.

    Related Readings: Psalm 43:5, 62:5; Micah 7:7; Ephesians 2:12; Titus 1:2, 2:13

    Post/Tweet this today: Hand people out of your control over to Christ’s control. #hope

    © 2012 by Boyd Bailey. All rights reserved.

    Wisdom Hunters Resources / A registered 501 c3 ministry

    info@mail.wisdomhuntersdevotional.com / www.wisdomhunters.com


    This post was posted in Daily Devotion, Wisdom Hunters and was tagged with Romans, Jeremiah, 2 Thessalonians, Hope

  • Delivering Hope for Those in Crisis -- An Interview with Matt Hammitt from Sanctus Real

    Posted on September 21, 2011 by Family Christian

    Family Christian Stores: Matt, God has used your song, ”Lead Me,” with Sanctus Real, to touch and heal many lives. Now, over the last year, it seems there is another chapter in your story. Can you share with us how your new solo project, Every Falling Tear, was birthed?

    Matt Hammitt: When I wrote “Lead Me,” I had no idea that God was preparing me to lead my family through a season of great adversity. It was only a month after Pieces of a Real Heart was released that my wife, Sarah, and I found out that our son had a severe, life-threatening heart defect. They told us five months before he was born that we had a long and hard road ahead of us. That’s when I started writing the songs that ended up becoming the album Every Falling Tear. I was writing songs because I needed them, songs about trusting God in difficult circumstances. We listened to the songs while we were in the hospital for both of Bowen’s open heart surgeries.

    FCS: Many people have been following the story of Baby Bowen. How is he doing? Are there some specific ways we can pray for you and your family as you continue on this journey?

    Matt: Bowen’s cardiologist is pleased with his progress. They’re telling us that he won’t need another surgery for two years. We welcome prayers for healing, but also know that our story is part of God’s sovereign design. Please pray for perseverance as we continue on this path with Bowen.

    FCS: We understand that each of the songs has a specific story behind it. Will you tell us about one of your favorites, and what it means for you to have it on this album?

    Matt: One of my favorite songs from the album is “Holding You.” We were told by some friends and doctors to prepare ourselves to not to be able to hold Bowen for, potentially, weeks after his surgery. A few days later, I heard our guitar player Pete playing a riff on the bus. I began to think about Sarah, and what it would be like to be a mother watching her child in pain, not being able to hold him. Within an hour, I had almost all of the lyrics written.

    FCS: How have you been able to “Consider it pure Joy when you face trials”? Has there been “joy” in the midst of this storm for you?

    Matt: Seeing the way that God has been faithful to work what appears to be a tragedy for our good and His glory has been the greatest source of joy and comfort. The gift of a son is pretty amazing as well.

    FCS: Is there a specific Scripture verse the Lord has given you and your family as you have walked through this last year?

    Matt: 2 Corinthians 4:16–18, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

    FCS: That’s beautiful. You and your wife have found a way to bring hope to many families facing a similar situation. What has the Lord led the two of you to do in this regard?

    Matt: Sarah and I have started the Whole Hearts Foundation to support families with children suffering from heart defects. We’re still in our infancy, but some exciting things are on the horizon. We believe Whole Hearts will be assisting families by the end of the year.

    FCS: What are some things we can do to help in our communities?

    Matt: Serve your neighbors (like your next-door neighbors). It's a good way to get to know them better and show them what Jesus is about.

    FCS: Matt, thank you for sharing your heart with us. It’s our privilege to partner with you. May God continue to bless your family and your music ministry.

    ____________________________________________________

    NEW Every Falling Tear

    Matt Hammitt

    Delivering hope for those in crisis, Every Falling Tear shares the heart of Sanctus Real’s lead vocalist Matt Hammitt. Sparked by the joy of a new baby and the pain of learning his son would be born with a heart defect, this heartfelt solo debut chronicles his journey with deeply personal songs that claim God’s faithfulness.


    This post was posted in Music, Interviews and was tagged with 2 Corinthians, Sanctus Real, Matt Hammitt, Hope

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