Posts tagged ‘hope’
The Antidote For Doubt
God has a theme message going in my life. This devotion is another reminder to me to be thankful and praise God. May it bless you as it did me! Thanks Joyce Meyer!
No unbelief or distrust made him waver (doubtingly question)concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God. Romans 4:20
From Joyce Meyer’s devotional, “Love out Loud”:
You may know the story of Abraham( see Genesis 12:1-17, 21;7). Basically, God promised Abraham a son, but at the time, he was one hundred years old and his wife was ninety, so their childbearing years were long gone! But Abraham knew God had spoken and was determined not to focus on the natural impossibility that he and Sarah could have a child. Instead, he planted his faith in God’s promise and held on to that promise by praising God. His story is so remarkable that Paul made reference to it in Romans 4:18-21.
Abraham had absolutely no reason to hope. In fact, if any situation has ever been beyond hope, it would be the possibility of two people past ninety being able to have a biological child. Nevertheless, Abraham kept hoping: he kept believing God’s promise. He did not waver in his faith or question God’s promise. Instead, “he grew strong and was empowered by faith” as he praised God.
The same thing will happen when you praise God. You gain more and more strength, your faith increases, and the things that are coming against you to defeat you are dissipated as you praise Him. That’s why it’s important to be diligent to listen to praise and worship music. I encourage you to play it in your home and in your car; learn songs and sing them; thank God and praise Him!
Love God Today; God never responds to complaining, but He does respond to praise and an attitude of gratitude.
“Come To Jesus”
This past week, I attended the funeral of a friend of ours who lost his battle with cancer. He was a good and godly man and I was sad even as I celebrated the goodness of God in granting him a long life.
Gospel music speaks volumes to me and moves me in powerful ways. I have heard this song before but it was so appropriate for this celebration of life and I was transfixed by the message in the words. The song is called “Come to Jesus.” God has us covered even beyond our final breath. Praise his name!!!
Can We Forgive Riley Cooper?
I love sports….. Mike and Mike In The Morning….. and Cris Carter!!
On August 8th, the conversation revolved around whether Riley Cooper, the latest offender using the “n” word, can be forgiven by his teammates and others.
First of all let me say that the “n” word is disgusting and demeaning and those who use it clearly have given no thought to the impact it holds! That being said, the consensus of these three seemed to be that it was unlikely the football player could get past this mistake. They went on to say Cooper would likely not be protected by his teammates while on the playing field.
Cris Carter stated that he would have the same opinion towards those slurring any race, religion, sex, etc. While that sounds noble and idealistic, reality is, we are often disrespected. One of my personal experiences has been the slurring of my faith and religious beliefs when different from the latest political and social agenda.
Next. Of course there IS forgiveness! Christ forgave those who mocked and laughed and spat on him, even as he gave his life for their salvation. He was labeled “King of the Jews”, as opposed to the more politically correct, “Jewish king.” Remember Christ’s words, ” Father forgive them for they know not what they do”? Forgiveness is a choice.
Like it or not this is a country of free speech. Some pretty disgusting things have been tolerated in the name of the first amendment. The mixture of alcohol and social media is a lethal combination, often revealing the depths to which we will sink. But this and similar slurs happen every day on a less public stage. Are we going to be offended and never forgive? What a hateful, embittered world that would be!
Carter questioned if Riley Cooper had used that word in the past…. What if he has?… Most likely all of us have things in our past of which we are not proud. Life is about growing into better people today than we were yesterday and dare I say, learning from our mistakes. We all start at different places in life with more or less to equip us to deal with the expectations of the world. Our job isn’t to be perfect but to learn, change when necessay, and grow. We are human beings and saying stupid things is a hazard we face every morning when we arise, but it shouldn’t be fatal!
MEDIA KNOCK IT OFF!!! LET IT HEAL!!!
This guy’s seems legitimately sorry! Will we refuse to give him the benefit of the doubt? What would be enough to placate his accusers? Should we condemn him to the pits of despair so when he takes his life over this matter we can then wonder “what went wrong”?
Let’s take the high road, be the better person, and forgive!
Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone…John 8:7
Trust
And he simply said….trust.
Even though you see nothing,
hear nothing,
feel nothing.
I am here!
I have not forgotten you
Or your needs
I am at work……
Wait on me
Be still… and know “I am God”
changeindirections 