Lord, You are my Reason to Hope

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.  Psalm 25:5 Putting your hope in the things of this world will surely lead to disappointment.  People will let you down either by choice or simply because you’ve placed a wrong expectation on them.  Circumstances change, tragedies happen, health deteriorates and money loses its value. Striving to find a spark of hope in them, or a sense of peace, love and comfort is futile.  Chasing after them will become overwhelming and discouraging because they were never meant to last.  Real hope is found in God alone.  Jesus’…

But Daniel resolved… Daniel 1:8 Long before the night in the lion’s den, Daniel made a decision that would define him for the rest of his life. He resolved to obey God’s law and worship Him only, regardless of the consequences. As young men, Daniel and his three friends were taken captive to a foreign land that wouldattempt to indoctrinate their lifestyle, their faith, and their identity. This ungodly nation would testtheir resolve again and again. When jealous men tried to trap Daniel they could find no fault in him. There was nothing they could use against him except his complete devotion to God. They knew he would not compromise…

Your word is like a lamp for my feet and a light for my path  it shows how life should be lived. Psalm 119:105 EXB Like many of you, I’m tired of all the dirt, darkness, and lies that this year’s political circus has created. I’ve found myself doubting everything that is printed or broadcast by either side. I can see the pure evil in so many of the issues that face our country and demand our vote. Some are so veiled with misleading words that their true intentions are masked with deception in order to steal support for the promoting parties’ political gain and agendas. Meanwhile, each party is out…

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20 The other day I had a beautiful time of understanding from God. It was one of those moments when my ears were ready to listen and my heart was ready to receive. I was reviewing my week and had listed several situations that had caused frustration in the hopes of writing them out to get them off my chest. Those writing moments often allow me to see the bigger picture and quite frequently, I see that I do the same things that cause me to be…

Lord, give me Mountain Moving Faith

     For with God, nothing is impossible.  Luke 1:37 Mt. Everest, Kilimanjaro and the Grand Tetons are just a few famous mountains that fill you with awe and wonder at God’s creation especially when you consider that He spoke them into existence.  Every stony peak, winding trail and rugged ridge were designed with intention. The thought of commanding them to move is a bit overwhelming, but also empowering when you believe that in Christ, you have power to move the mountains that exist in your own life. Mountains of doubt, fear and worry can often reach higher elevations than those made of dirt, stone and trees. They loom large when they…

 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.  As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance  and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice.  He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?  Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”  Then he…

 For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.  For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:6-7 At a recent prayer group, a participant mentioned that many believers do not understand, let alone access, the immense power of God that is within them to use for His purposes. I realized that this year’s journal, Christ in Me, is full of instruction on that very topic and sadly, I will admit that I do not access or use the power of God within me as…