Hopeful Heart
  • Home
  • Word of the Day
  • Hopeful Heart Pictures
  • Bible verses on Hope
  • Testimonials
  • About Hopeful Heart

.

.

Hopeful Heart

You are above and not beneath!

30/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Not long ago, we went out on a boat for some deep sea fishing. Although it was a beautiful day, the swell was bigger than usual and we found ourselves on a very rocky boat. We were bobbing up and down with each wave and it was a sure battle to keep our balance!

Sometimes we face similarly rocky environments in life. We may feel at the mercy of forces beyond our control. Perhaps it's job uncertainty, or business risk or a family or relationship situation.

The enemy seeks to use these situations to steal, kill and destroy your identity, peace and faith. During these times, stand firm! Remember that Christ is with you in the boat! In fact, not only is He with you, He has the power over any and every storm! It's time to tell those lies of defeat, depression, fear and hopelessness that they have no authority over you or place in your life. Because Christ holds your future and because of Him you are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath!

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (‭John‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬ AMP)

And the Lord shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath, if you heed the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you this day and are watchful to do them.
(‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28‬:‭13‬ AMP)


- Jo Voon-

0 Comments

The Unique Mosquito Tree

26/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
There is a very singular shrub which grows abundantly in the west and is to be found in all parts of Texas. The mesquite, sometimes called the "mosquito tree," is a very slim and willowy looking shrub and would seem to be of little use for any industrial purposes; but it has extraordinary roots growing like great timbers underground and possessing such qualities of endurance in all situations that it was once valued as pavement material. 

It is said that the city of San Antonio was once paved with these roots.The mosquito tree reminds us of those Christians who make little show externally, but their growth is chiefly underground-out of sight in the depth of God. These are the men and women that God uses for the foundations of things, and for the pavements of that city of God which will stand when all temporary things crumbled into ruin and dissolved into oblivion.

Let your inner self and root in the knowledge of Christ be embedded deep; possessing all the qualities of endurance in all situation that you may bear good examples to all around you.

Ephesians 3: 16 - 17
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 
so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love

- Anonymous

0 Comments

Breaking the Cycle

23/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Jesus told this blind man to go to the pool of Siloam and wash the dirt from his eyes. So here’s the question: What do you need to remove from your life today in order to see what God wants you to see and do what He wants you to do? Whether it’s a destructive habit, a toxic relationship, or a bad attitude, you must get rid of it. 

James writes: “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded” (Jas 4:7-8 NKJV). God will do His part, but you must do yours. God will extend grace to you, but you must act on it. 

It’s said that the water, which flowed into the pool of Siloam, came from under the temple and was used to wash the utensils, which were part of worship and sacrifice. In other words, this water didn’t come from a man-made source, but from the presence of God. 

Don’t miss the point here! Jesus said, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you” (Jn 15:3). Paul speaks of “the washing of water by the word” (Eph 5:26). David writes, “How can a young man (or an older one) cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word” (Ps 119:9 NKJV). 

The secret of victorious Christian living is bathing your mind each day in the Scriptures. Picture yourself taking a bath in God’s Word and the dirt and grime coming off you. That’s what meditating on the Scriptures does for you.

“A man named Jesus made a paste and rubbed it on my eyes and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ I did what he said. When I washed, I saw.” (‭John‬ ‭9‬:‭11‬ MSG)

- Taken from http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/you-can-break-the-cycle-5/-

0 Comments

God alone is the judge

22/4/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
When you tear someone down, it is displeasing in the eyes of the Lord. The Bible wrote, “ who dares to accuse us who God has chosen for His own (Romans 8: 33.34). God is the one who has given us and everyone else a right standing with Himself when we invite Him unto our lives.

There is no telling of us being perfect and there is no bad qualities of others that we could bring to the Lord without Him already knowing it full well. By devaluing, judging and tearing someone down, we are questioning the One who has redeemed them. Our demeaning judgements imply that the Lord made a mistake redeeming such sinner and the Lord needs to know the bad of this undeserving person.

As a new creation in Christ, we too were sinnners, undeserving yet redeemed by the blood of Christ. Our lives are stories of undeserving grace so who are we to judge others. Our attitude should be of the one of helpfulness, forgiveness and understanding. God is the fair judge, let Him do what He is at best and as we have been pardoned by Him , let us extend grace and not judgement.

James 4: 12
God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor?

- John W.

1 Comment

The story of Chippy

21/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
The tests of life reveal how well you take instruction, what you've learned, and what you'll do in any given set of circumstances. What you've been taught is only theory, until it's been tested on real fire. Chuck Swindoll tells the story of a bird named Chippy:

'Chippy the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage singing, the next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. His problem began when his owner decided to clean his cage with a vacuum. She stuck the nozzle in to suck up the seeds and feathers at the bottom of the cage. Then the phone rang. Instinctively she turned to pick it up. She'd barely said 'hello' and then ‘sswwwwPPPPP!’ Chippy got sucked in.

The owner gasped, dropped the phone and snapped off the vacuum. She unzipped the bag and there was Chippy alive, but stunned; covered with heavy black dust. She grabbed Chippy and rushed to the bathtub, turned on the faucet full blast and held Chippy under a torrent of ice-cold water, power-washing him clean. Then she did what any compassionate pet owner would do: she snatched up the hairdryer and blasted the wet, shivering little bird with hot air.' Swindoll closes his story with these words: 'Chippy doesn't sing much anymore.' Life will test you, but don't let the struggles steal your song of life.

John 16: 33
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

- Author unknown

0 Comments

Our Choices Make Us

16/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Why is it that some Christians succeed, while others who make a profession of faith miserably fail? Why is it that some seem to run the race of life and cross the finish line with flying colors, while others just collapse in a heap? It is because of choices—choices that we make each and every day. We make our choices, and our choices make us. And life is filled with choices.

From the moment you get up in the morning until the moment you lay your head on your pillow, you will have made hundreds—maybe even thousands—of choices. Some are simple choices that don't mean a lot, and others are choices that mean a great deal. It comes down to this: If you want to grow spiritually, you will. And if you don't want to grow spiritually, you won't. It is not the luck of the draw or something that only happens randomly; it is making the right choice to do the right thing.

We either will go forward as Christians, or we will go backward. We either will progress, or we will regress. We either will gain ground, or we will lose ground. And if we stand still, we will lose ground. So this is the kind of commitment where we should be seeking, on a daily basis, to grow spiritually, to progress, and to learn—and not just hold our own.

We all need to commit ourselves to growing spiritually, because there are things that impair our spiritual growth, and there are things that help it. We want to live lives that will honor God and stay away from the things that will drag us down spiritually. Because spiritual growth is based on doing what is good—and not doing what is bad.

Shun youthful lusts and flee from them, and aim at and pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word, and deed); [and aim at and pursue] faith, love, [and] peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all [Christians], who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart. (‭2 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭22‬ AMP)

- Taken from https://www.harvest.org/devotional/archive/devotion/2010-01-11.html -

0 Comments

Within the mighty hand of the Lord

15/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Within the mighty hand of the Lord, I rest. He will hide me under the shadow of His mighty hands. The shelter He provides comfort my inner soul. There is a supernatural strength that emerges from within for I know the Lord lives in me and He is far greater than any worldly spirits or turmoils that attempt to trouble my soul.

Who are we but mere dust yet our Creator has summoned us by name, breathed life and graced our earthly body a life of righteousness; which enabled us to cast all burden unto Him. Our God promises to sustain us; even to old age and grey hairs, He sustains and rescue us for He has made us. The Lord, He is our God. The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.(Psalm 18: 2)

Our Lord, Our God, we are safe within His mighty hand.

- Irene Soon

0 Comments

Fearlessly defy and resist our enemy.

13/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. This is God's promise and He will keep it. if we resist the adversary, God will compel him to flee and will give us the victory. just as a citizen of a country would claim the protection of their government against an outrage or injustice, so we can at all times fearlessly defy and resist Satan our enemy.

At the same time we are not to stand on the adversary's ground by any attitude or disobedience. In so doing we give him a certain power over us which, while God will restrain in great mercy and kindness, He will not fully remove until we get fully on holy ground. 

We must therefore be armed with the breastplate of righteousness as well as the shield of faith, if we would successfully resist . . . principalities, . . . powers, . . . rulers of the darkness of this world, . . . (Ephesians 6:12). Our full redemption rights could be claimed in boldness because God has promised to and He will keep it.  Resist the devil and flee from him.

James 4:7
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

- A. Simpson

0 Comments

Gratitude - it's contagious!

9/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Author Barbara Johnson was frazzled; she was running late, and had to stand while riding the bus to work. Her attitude was going downhill fast when a cheery voice from the front of the bus announced, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” 

She couldn’t see the man, but she listened to his commentary as he described the lovely scenery…this church…that park…a cemetery…a firehouse. His grateful attitude lightened the mood of everybody around him. Then as Johnson got off the bus she caught a glimpse of the speaker: an average-looking man wearing dark glasses and carrying a white stick! 

Paul said, “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God.” We don’t thank God for trials, we thank Him in them. Gratitude is like a boomerang. It blesses the recipient, makes a 180-degree turn and blesses the person who gives thanks. 

One Bible teacher says: “Whatever crisis there is in your life, before it ever came God made sure you’d be able to endure it…others have gone through exactly what you’re going through…and made it through victoriously…with every temptation God promised to ‘make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it’ (1Co 10:13). Trials and ‘escape ways’ are inseparable. But the Devil doesn’t want you to know that, so every time you go through a test he tells you there’s no way out.

I learned long ago when the Devil keeps pressuring me, it’s always an indication that ‘the way out’ is about to be revealed…We need to do what God says. Rejoice!” Remember, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Ne 8:10). When you have His joy, it gives you strength for the journey.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

- taken from http://www.jentezenfranklin.org/gratitude-its-contagious-2

0 Comments

Easter Joy , Jesus is Risen

6/4/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture

May we find the true meaning of life in the Lord's suffering and His resurrection. 

May His suffering remind us of how He has left His comfort zone because of His love for you and me.

May His resurrection remind us of how He has conquered the ultimate enemy and thus give us hope of eternal life.

May He become the one true Lord and Savior because no one else can give us what we have received from Him: redemption and love everlasting.

May as He shed His blood for you and me, let His love overflow from our grateful and joyful heart as we live as His ambassador.

May we all can say as what Paul said: for me to live is Christ and to die is gain because He is sovereign over all: over all lives till we meet Him face to face.

May His love shine on you and through your lives, to those you encounter on your journey.

Happy Easter. Jesus is risen indeed.

Philippians 1: 20 - 21
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

- Jenni Wang
0 Comments
<<Previous
    Through this site, we hope to encourage you in your faith journey as well as our own.

    Be hopeful. Be blessed.
    

    RSS Feed

    Picture



    Categories

    All
    Anger
    Arise
    Assurance
    Beautiful In His Timing
    Belief
    Blessings
    Breakthrough
    Choose Your Thoughts
    Comfort
    Courage
    Discernment & Wisdom
    Discouragement
    Disobedience
    Dissapointment
    Faith
    Favor
    Fear/doubt
    Festive Seasons
    Forgiveness
    Friendship
    God Is In Control
    God Provides
    God's Grace
    God's Mercy
    God's Unfailing Love
    God's Word
    Gratitude
    Holy Spirit
    Hope
    Humility
    Jesus Understands
    Joy
    Loneliness
    New Creation In Christ
    Peace
    Perseverance
    Power Of Words
    Praise
    Prayer
    Pride
    Psalm 23
    Quotes
    Rest In The Lord
    Restoration/ Healing
    Salvation
    Self Worth
    Small Things Matter
    Stewardship
    Success
    Temptation
    Thankfulness
    Trust
    Walk With Christ
    Worry
    Worship

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011


Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photos used under Creative Commons from steakpinball, Elo_M., Sisterazzi, [puamelia], Go-tea 郭天, Ales Kladnik, edanley, InspiredVision, kleuske, Vampire Bear, Guilherme Yagui, Luchiano Prata, Filip Chudoba Performance., mysza831, Chewonki Semester School, girish_suryawanshi, Oneras, zenera, gunman47, docoverachiever, Yashna M, treehouse1977, Salvatore G2, Heath Cajandig, Upupa4me, ryanvanetten, jenniferforjoy, amy32080, Barbara L. Hanson, WarmSleepy, Pawel Pacholec, Kelly Hau Photography, Shot Your Photo, Bods, wackybadger, Art4TheGlryOfGod, Luci Correia, CJS*64 A man with a camera, trevorhpittman, emiliokuffer, SounderBruce, Ajith_chatie, TheNickster, OakleyOriginals, symphony of love, Hammershath, laradanielle, Stephanie Overton, Veronique Debord, mike138, Mini D, StarsApart, James Loesch, montuno, Alaskan Dude, jeffdjevdet, allenran 917, Waiting For The Word, Biscarotte, Joe Thomissen, cuongvnd, Philippe Put, The Forest Vixen's CC Photo Stream, amy32080, Allie_Caulfield, Dziunka (an amatour photographer), penjelly, farrago510, Ross Elliott, heipei, Philip Male, BLMOregon, SurFeRGiRL30, D&S McSpadden
© Copyright IS Hopeful Heart 2011 - 2021