Encouraging Words for the day | Christian devotionals - Hopeful Heart

Believing is Seeing

30/4/2012

The Bible frequently tells us that believing does not involve the need to see it first but it is an act of complete trust to the ONE who has everything in control.

The Psalmist knew this well, in Psalm 27:13, he says “I would have lost heart unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Matthew 21:22 says, “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing you will receive.” John 20:29 says, “Blessed are those who have not see and yet have believed.” In each of these passages which come first, believing or seeing? Believing.

So, do you want to see something happen? The Bible says believe and you will see. Stop being focused on the natural and the disappointing facts, the enemy will ensure you know the facts truly well but Jesus says, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?” (John 11:40)

Believing is seeing.

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NLT)
For we live by believing and not by seeing.

How to Handle Bad News

27/4/2012

Hezekiah was in a hopeless situation. An army of 185,000 soldiers was gathered against him but God sent an angel (one) to wipe every one of them out.

Sometimes bad news comes in the form of a letter, an email or a telephone call. It can come as the sound of screeching tyres and broken glass, a heated feud, a court date, a business failure or a redundancy notice at work. Bad news knows no status, gender or age. It comes to us all. So what should you do when you have a problem you can’t solve and escape from?

Do what Hezekiah did; take it to the Lord in prayer. Spread all your worries and concern before HIM; go to HIM first, not last. When you do so, you honour God as the Lord of the situation and HE will not let you down.

God promise is: “He shall call upon ME and I will answer him; I will deliver him and honour HIM.” (Psalm 91:15)

(***Bob Gass from The Word of Today)

From Strength to Strength

26/4/2012

The Bible frequently tells us that we should walk in God’s way instead of our ways but don’t be disheartened; God knows we won’t be able to walk in HIS ways perfectly. It is an assurance that when we obey HIM, we may stumble but we will not fall. HE will uphold us.

In our daily life, how often do we remind ourselves that God is always with us? HE wants to guide us everyday in HIS wisdom, mercy and knowledge. HE is the One with the good plan for our future.

Yes, life may take us from trial to trial but when we are walking with God, we can be sure that HE is taking us from strength to strength.

Psalm 34:19
A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all

Lest We Forget

25/4/2012

This morning, thousands of people attended the Anzac Day ceremony to honor the lives of soldiers who fought and died at Gallipoli Peninsula during World War 1. Civilians, children, ex servicemen and women and government officials gathered to pay their respect to the brave soldiers.

This annual ceremony is held to encourage people to pause and remember the sacrifices of these soldiers. It is of human nature to forget as remembering is often short lived.

In 2 Timothy 2:8 Paul reminds us to “remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.” To remember involves thinking of the certain person and in most times, it is a deliberate act to be continuously conscious of the person’s presence in our lives. In other words, Paul encourages us to remember Jesus continuously; lest we forget HIS good deeds and faithful love for us.

So let’s remember Jesus by praying and reading HIS words, lest we forget the good God who is always on our side.

2 Timothy 2:8
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David.

In Search for Hopelines

24/4/2012

Lately, the local TV has introduced a few new digital channels on air. Amongst them is a 24 hour commercial TV channel that airs a live psychic program frequently.

Viewers are encouraged to call the hotline numbers to have their questions answered and futures predicted. Although the psychic is not well known, the number of calls multiplied within minutes.

In search for hope, truth and guidance, these callers are willing to put their faith on a stranger whom they have not met or encountered before. Some viewers are even willing to pay the premium price for vague unproven words, just to have hope again in their life.

Are you in search for hope? Don’t look anywhere else. The hope we read in the Bible is not vague or wishful optimism. Instead, biblical hope is a firm and confident expectation that what God has promised in HIS words will be accomplished. Even in the midst of suffering, confusion and trials, there is hope and this hope is spoken by the living God who is the Alpha and Omega of everything we see and everything else we don’t.

Romans 8:25
But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

Persevering Progress

23/4/2012

Ever since I was a kid, I’m always fascinated by one humble creature we often find in the garden, the snail. Occasionally, I would time its progress from spot A to B and sometimes the progress takes days.

A snail is said to move 0.0075 miles per hour but although a snail may move at such a slow pace, they excel in perseverance, the fascinating trait they possess. Charles Spurgeon, the famous 19th century preacher noted, “by perseverance, the snail reached the ark.”

Have setbacks and discouragements slowed you down to a snail’s pace? Be encouraged, it is not about a fast finish but a persevering progress that will get you to your breakthrough.

Romans 5: 3-4
Tribulation produces perseverance and perseverance, character and hope.

There is Comfort and a Way

20/4/2012

God desires to have a personal intimacy with us; HE desires to see us lead a life of victory instead of defeat, to bring us from season to season with smiles and not tears. He wants to bring us healing and comfort during trials.

Are you hurting now? Do you feel defeated? Are tears your new best friend?

Say a prayer and invite Jesus into your situation. HE will comfort you and walk before you to path a way. With God, there is a way even when everyone else says there is no other way.

Have the courage to hope again.

Hebrew 7:19
...But now we have confidence in a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Give God Your Grief

19/4/2012

I cried and held my hands close to my heart. It hurts to cry yet that was the only thing I could do. Silly me, people would’ve said tears does not solve anything. Well they are right but what else could I do to ease the pain?

Have you felt the same before? My grief, nobody understands it but the Bible says God understands. He was abused, left behind, ridiculed and trialed; He suffered, so surely HE knows my grief; my lost.

I gave it all in a tearful prayer and a sudden flow of peace entered my heart. Not convinced? Try it, God comforts.

2 Corinthians 1:5
For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.

- Irene Soon

God's Gift for Us

18/4/2012

We would live in abundant joy and contentment if we would stop wishing for things that we fail to attain or things that God did not bless us with.

Rather we spend much of our time thinking about the things we want; newest car, fancier house and so forth, let’s be grateful and happy with the allotted blessings we have received from God. It may be the friendships we already have, the relationships, our health, our jobs, whatever it may be, they are our lots and it is HIS gift for us to enjoy and be grateful with.

Ecclesiastes 5:19
And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life--this is indeed a gift from God.

Are You Merely Asking?

17/4/2012

When you pray to God for your needs, are you merely asking? If you know that HE is able and willing, would you pray with a different attitude? If you look back towards the times HE has provided and blessed you, will you pray with an attitude as if HE has already provided for all your needs?

Faith as many say, is not merely asking for something and hoping it will happen but it is also believing that God will provide a way.

1 Timothy 4: 9 - 10
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. 10 That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.