Fresh Hope

 “…he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope…” 1 Samuel 2:8

Today’s post is birthed out of my own longing for a fresh truth for my life. The word hope came to mind so I began my search through the scriptures. I must say, I didn’t expect to find such a scripture in the Old Testament. I certainly thought my search would have landed me in the Psalms. What an encouraging scripture – if you have time read verses 6 – 10.

The scripture above spoke right to my heart. And as it did I began to ask “What is the fresh hope?” One definition for hope is “a person or thing in which expectations are centered.” This definition couldn’t fit our scripture better.

Our fresh hope comes today in renewing and rekindling our belief and confidence in who God is. We don’t know how the circumstances of our lives will turn out…BUT, today we can have fresh hope in who our God is. That is where our hope and trust are built upon.

• He is the God of the impossible – nothing is too hard for Him.
• He is the God who never leaves you.
• He is the God who loves you unconditionally.
• He is the God whose peace passes all understanding.
• He is the God who works all things for your good.
• He is the God who heals and restores.
• He is the God who forgives and remembers your transgressions no more.
• He is the God who is the strength of your life.

That is what our hope is based upon. That is who our confidence is in. That is what we believe in. Wherever life finds you today – whatever the circumstances you may be facing…be encouraged.

Hope in God today and lay your burdens down in the arms of the One who can do “exceedingly more than we could ask or think.”

May your hope in the character of who your God is, be rekindled afresh and anew today!

 

 

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How Will You Live

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

After years of struggling with being able to make decisions, my husband has recently said that I now know when I really like something. Whether it is something personal for myself or for my home, when I see it I know…”that’s it!” It is with this same clarity that at times I know when God is speaking something to my heart.

This happened to me last week while attending a funeral. The widow of the spouse shared that her spouse was found looking like someone “had just called him and he went.” My immediate thought was…”Lord, I want to live my life like that.” I want to live my life in such a way that when Jesus calls I respond. I’m realizing it means living a surrendered life – a life that is lived for God’s glory and not my own, lived for His purposes and not my own.

What might that look like?

* It may look like when someone says something hurtful to you that Jesus calls you to extend grace and mercy.

*It may look like when we want to do things our way that Jesus calls us to surrender our selfish ways for His own.

*It may look like when we are tempted to act or speak in a certain way that Jesus calls us to submit to our thoughts and actions to Him.

* It may look like when there is a grumpy person in the grocery line that Jesus calls you to let them ahead of you, even though you are in a rush.

*It may look like when things don’t seem to be going the way you hoped that Jesus calls you to seek Him even more.

* It may look like when circumstances in your life seem overwhelming that Jesus calls you to be thankful even still.

* It may look like when someone disappoints you that Jesus calls you to lay your expectations at His feet and keep on loving.

Those are just a few examples…the point is that whenever Jesus calls us we go – we respond to whatever it is He is requiring of us.

The scripture above calls us to live in such a way that the light of Jesus shines in us and through us – before all the world so that God the Father will be praised.

When Jesus calls you…how will you live?

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