Hope in a Time of Crisis

Where can we find hope? There’s no better place to find what we need during this time of crisis than the Word of God. I believe the verses below speak of the promises we have in knowing our Lord, and they also offer us comfort.

I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.

(Psalm 130:5 NLT)

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13 NLT)

Confident expectation is the Biblical definition of hope as we look to God’s promises in His Word. During these difficult times, we can rest in the assurance of His love and His coming.

With God’s Word and Christ in us, we can rest in hope and dwell in peace. The Lord’s got this—whatever “this” is for us—the virus, other health concerns, a family situation, our job, and our finances. Trust Him.

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

(Isaiah 26:3 NLT)

God’s Word doesn’t hide the fact that we’ll endure struggles, but these difficulties help us grow stronger in character and reinforce our hope of salvation.

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

(Romans 5:3-5 NLT)

In two of the verses above, we see the role of the Holy Spirit equipping us with power. This gives us confidence and fills our hearts with God’s love. In addition, the Holy Spirit indwells, guides, and intercedes for us, and He is our comforter. Trust Him to hold you during this time of crisis, guide you through God’s Word, and intercede on your behalf as you pray and seek the Lord.

Father, I thank You for Your Word and for the rest and hope we find there. Thank you for the power of the Holy Spirit working in us as we trust in You and as you fill us with joy and peace. Lord I ask for Your protection over us, and for those who are sick, I pray for healing. Bless the lonely, the anxious, and those who feel forgotten during this time of crisis and may they find comfort in knowing You love them. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

I’m praying for God’s blessings upon you. Stay safe and well!

---

Photo by Toimetaja Tolkeburoo - Unsplash

Adequate or Abundant?

Are you filled with the peace of God? Overflowing with joy? Abounding in love? When we abide in Christ, He lives through us and we bear His fruit. I believe abiding in Christ is how we find the abundant life Jesus mentions in John 10:10.

The Christian life is more than adequate. Living for God brings blessings—He blesses us, and we are to bless others. When we allow Him to lead us, He will work through us. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Gal. 2:20a). We should strive for a deeper, personal relationship with Him.

To abide in Christ means we surrender ourselves to Him and walk in obedience. This daily walk should be one of getting to know Christ better through prayer and Bible study. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples (John 15:8). When we bear fruit, such as peace, joy, and love, we honor the Lord and gladness fills our hearts.

Peace abides in us if we know Jesus as our Savior and Lord. In John 14:27a Jesus said, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. Jesus gave us this gift; He is our peace. Peace is a special place of knowing He is always present, along with trusting that He is working all things together for our good.

In an abundant life, joy overflows. When others see this joy in us, they long for it too. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil. 4:4). This verse declares joyfulness. The joy of the Lord gives us strength (Neh. 8:10). Joy abounds through loving others.

In 1 John 4:11-12 we read, Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

Philippians 2:3-4 says, Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

The two verses above portray a beautiful picture of love.

An abundant life is dedicated to prayer and gaining knowledge through God’s Word. Through this walk of surrender, trust, and obedience, Christ fills us with His peace, and we experience overflowing joy and abounding love.

Are you satisfied with adequate, or are you seeking abundance?

Adapted from my blog post at www.beyondfirst.org. Used by permission.

Find Peace in His Presence

Our dog will soon be three. During the last year, she became afraid of our stairs. She won’t go up or down without help. We carry her up and give her a nudge to go down. We don’t understand what caused her to refuse the steps. She must have slipped. I’m thankful she only weighs 20 pounds. Any heavier, she’d remain downstairs.

I suggested to my husband we adopt a kitten. With a cat to follow up the stairs, we might see a change in our Pebbles. She may let go of her fear for a game of chase.

I’m a cat lover. Our cat, Koko, died eight months ago, and I miss her. I wouldn’t let the dog harm the kitten. Although I may allow Pebbles to chase the kitten to get over her fear of the stairs, I’d be right there to protect my kitty.

A few blogs ago, in Childhood Memories, I shared one of my fears. My dislike of toilets. Another event that frightened me many years ago also dealt with a commode. I used a restroom at an amusement park but didn’t pay attention when I sat that this toilet was different. Before I stood, the thing flushed by itself and scared me! The first automatic flushing toilet I’d used. I still don’t like them. But since toilets are a necessity, I’ve had to face my fear.

It's frightening when a son or daughter takes off alone that first, second, and third time after getting their driver’s license. And what about public speaking, job interviews, and waiting for the results of a medical test? These situations often cause us to worry.

The Lord is with us when we are afraid or concerned. He knows what frightens us and what causes our uncertainties and worry. When we trust Him and give Him our fears, He’s right there with us. He won’t leave us alone. We find peace in His presence.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you (NLT).

I’m open to ideas to help our dog let go of her fear. I can tell her to trust in Christ, but I’m not sure she’ll pay attention.

What makes you fearful?

Springtime

In honor of April, I wrote a rhyme I call, Springtime.

---

The sun is shining,

I’m happy and blessed.

Except for the pollen,

My nose is a mess.

My eyes are itching,

I can barely breathe.

Oh yeah, it’s springtime,

May I borrow your sleeve?

---

I don’t wipe my nose on sleeves. Gross. Just needed a word to rhyme. Tissue wouldn’t work!

The Bible mentions springtime too. See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land (Song of Songs 2:11-12, NIV).

What do you enjoy most about spring?

Planting seeds? New life? Growth? Flowers? Warm days? Birds singing? Peaceful evenings?

Spring is my favorite season. Forty-five years ago, during spring, I realized my need for the Lord. My life felt empty and useless; I longed for hope, joy, and peace. I needed rescued.

The Lord planted a seed in my heart the day I picked up a Bible in a hotel room I shared with a friend. She’d gone off with her boyfriend. I stayed behind and enjoyed a pity party. I don’t remember what I prayed that day, but I recall reading Psalm 23. The only scripture I remembered from my church days a few years earlier.

Two months later, I visited a small church near my home. New life entered my weary soul. Jesus became real. A relationship began and continues. Loneliness and emptiness disappeared. Love, joy, and hope took their place.

As I grew in my knowledge of the Lord, His Word chipped away at my rough edges. The ones I turned over to Him. I held on to some. Those needed more time. He’s still at work.

When we allow God to do in us what only He can do, we become like a beautiful, flowering garden full of warmth. He puts a joyful song in our hearts, holds us in His loving arms, and covers us with His peace.

When springtime arrives, my thoughts turn to the Lord and how He gave me new life in Him.

Please share what you enjoy most about spring!