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

.

.

Hopeful Heart

Under God's Wing

31/10/2012

2 Comments

 
Picture
After a forest fire in the state of Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, forest rangers began their trek up a mountain to assess the inferno's damage.

One ranger found a bird literally petrified in ashes, perched statuesquely on the ground at the base of a tree. Somewhat sickened by the eerie sight, he knocked over the bird with a stick.

When he gently struck it, three tiny chicks scurried from under their dead mother's wings. The loving mother, keenly aware of impending disaster, had carried her offspring to the base of the tree and had gathered them under her wings, instinctively knowing that the toxic smoke would rise.

She could have flown to safety but had refused to abandon her babies. Then the blaze had arrived and the heat had scorched her small body, the mother had remained steadfast because she had been willing to die, so those under the cover of her wings would live. 

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you will find refuge.


- Anonymous

2 Comments

He knows best

30/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
One of the main areas that may cause doubt and hopelessness revolves around unanswered prayer.

Maybe it is also an area you can relate to. You may pray for the salvation of loved ones, healing for friends or families, provision, opportunities or open doors and so on but you neither see nor hear of any result.

You may resign your will after praying from months to years. You plead, you wait, you doubt and you quit. Don’t cave in and give up.

In the book of Luke, Jesus spoke of the parable of the persistent widow. She pleads her need to the judge and the judge was worn down with her persistence. He gave in and the widow got her breakthrough. Know that God has more compassion than the judge, He is the all knowing and powerful God who will not trial us more than we can bear.

It is God who we can put our trust. We ought to always pray and not lose heart. Jesus says so and we know that He knows best.

Luke 18:1
Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.


- Irene Soon

0 Comments

Extras later, God First

29/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
See how the Bible opens: “In the beginning God.” Let your life open in the same way. Seek with your whole soul, first and foremost, the Kingdom of God, as the place of your citizenship, and His righteousness as the character of your life.

As for rest, it will come from the Lord Himself without your being anxious about it. All that is needful for this life and godliness “shall be added unto you.”

What a promise this is. Food, rainment, home and so forth, God undertakes to add to you while you seek Him. You mind His business and He will mind yours.

He who is an heir of salvation shall not die of starvation; and he who clothes his soul with the righteousness of God cannot be left of the Lord with a naked body.

Set your mind upon seeking the Lord.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


(Excerpt taken from Charles Spurgeon’s Faithbook)


- Irene Soon

0 Comments

My resting place

26/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
In the small congested town where I live, there is only one shopping centre .It is always crowded hence finding a parking space is always a pain. I have to circle the building over and over again, queue behind many other cars and then mostly give up and park at other dark and smelly basement.

After many years of driving round and round the building, I recently discovered a small corner that not many people seems to know about, just nice for my car to park. So now, I conveniently park in my "secret parking space".

Sometimes life is like that. It is so crowded and packed with difficult phases such as heartache, being misunderstood, lost of a loved one, being jobless, being insulted or looked down at, caught in an unpleasant disagreement, being discouraged feeling that your life is stuck while other people's life seems to be progressing just fine. 

Among all these problems, we forget that we have our "secret parking space", our rest, our sense of peace and safety. We can come to Him daily in prayer. We also need to read His words with a praying spirit, allowing His words to fill our minds. If we do this constantly (day by day, year by year), we shall find rest and peace.

Matthew 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest


-  Diven

0 Comments

The guided salmon

25/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
While riding on a ferryboat to Galiano Island in British Columbia, I struck up a conversation with Mr. Thompson, a gentleman who served as the Chief Clerk for the City of Vancouver.

I said, ‘I’ve heard that after a salmon is spawned, it will swim out into the ocean, and that after an extended time something happens inside the brain of the salmon, and it will then have the overwhelming urge to return to the place where it was spawned. The salmon will swim along the coast, find the right harbor, the right river, the right stream; and finally it will get back to the very spot where it started out. How in the world does the salmon do all that?’

Mr. Thompson replied, ‘Yes, that is true, but it is even more remarkable than that. An experiment was recently carried out in which salmon eggs were removed from the stream where they had been laid and were put into another stream some distance away. When the salmon grows up and swims out to the ocean and finally swims back home, which location will it swim to?’

I gave what I thought was the only sensible answer, ‘The salmon will swim back to the place where the eggs had been transported, of course. That’s where the salmon actually turned into a fish and got to know its environment.’

‘Wrong!’ said Mr. Thompson. ‘The salmon will swim back to the original place where the eggs were laid.’ I was dumbfounded then, and I still am, by the uncanny built- in guidance system of the salmon.

What a sermon on the guidance of God! If God provides such a marvelous guidance for a fish, there is certainly nothing fishy about believing that He can provide guidance for us. We are far more important to God than any fish. We are created in God’s own image.

Proverbs 3:5-6 
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.

(Adapted from: Donald Russell Robertson “Dear You” 1989, Word, Inc)

- Jo Voon


0 Comments

Busy for the right reason?

24/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
We are very busy people. Whether at work or at play, our minds are moving at the speed of 100km/h, at least mine is. Some of us like to stay busy but there is not even enough time to do most of the things in our ‘to do’ list.

Due to that, we often are tempted to take care of those things that are ‘see-able’ at the expense of leaving those ‘unsee-able’ things that are not so obvious. In other words, we are more likely to prioritize the external things that others can see and not worrying much about the internal which few people can see.

We can go to church and help with various events or functions because that is what others can see but what about our own spiritual nourishment? Are we spending time in the Word or in prayer to be closer to God?

The Pharisees were more concerned about their outward appearance than their personal relationship to God. Jesus denounced their attempts to make themselves look good in giving, praying aloud, and fasting.  Being seen and praised by others is a fleeting reward, it is nothing compared to what God has in store for those who serve and love Him with sincere hearts.

Are you busy for the right reasons? Jesus is never too busy to have a relationship with you. He does not take shortcuts; He is available for you everytime, everyday.

Job 36:7
He does not take His eyes off the righteous. He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.


- John W

0 Comments

Never thirst again

23/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
Have you ever been really thirsty?

Prior to my recent surgery, I was required to fast for at least six hours before the surgery could be performed. This includes fasting on water as well.

Due to hospital understaffing, I had to wait longer than usual and it led to a wait for more than half a day without water. Parched, I knew there is nothing I could do but wait. The longer I waited the more certain I am that water is one of the most crucial elements in a person’s life.

In the book of John, Jesus said “whoever drinks from the water I give him will never thirst again.” (John 4:14) What a reassuring statement that is. By using a parable, Jesus promises to always supply our needs to the point that we will not be in need anymore.  

Do you long to be quenched from your spiritual thirst? Do you long for something that this world can’t provide you? Seek Jesus, the source of the Living Water.

Only Jesus could satisfy the parching thirst that this world can’t provide. He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

John 4:14
Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.


- Irene Soon

0 Comments

The Diamonds within

22/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
It is always easier to operate within our natural senses instead of our spiritual ones to solve any problems that come our way.

Our natural senses rely on our own power to make things happen at our own desired time. This practice will cause negative attributes such as impatience, greed and pride to mould our character. 

Our spiritual sense however, is the key ingredient in activating God’s power in our life.  Faith is able to bridge our life to an extraordinary faith filled life where we could be a living testimony of “been there, done that and succeed with God”.

Before a stone becomes a diamond, it was a carbon atom put under high pressure. Trials and tribulation reveals the depth of our faith and its authenticity. When we put our trust in God, HE will cause attributes such as perseverance, patience, trust and humility to refine us.

This refinement process will only bring out the best in us; the diamond within.

With the refined character, we would learn to rest in His power and promises, do our best in every opportunity He entrust us with and wait on Him with courage.

“My God will come through for me and He will come through for you too.”

Isaiah 48:10
See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

- Irene Soon

0 Comments

Enlarge Your Tent

19/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
We see growth and expansion all around us. Right now the city or town that we live in is growing. Babies and being born, houses are getting built and new roads are being laid. We see external growth all the time.

God speaking through Isaiah the Prophet was telling the people of Israel to get ready for the growth and increase that was ahead in Isaiah 54:2:

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes.”

We need to prepare for our own growth. Just like the Israelites, we encounter trial and suffering where we have to come to an internal stance between us and God and decide ‘yes I will persevere’. There will come times where you may feel that God is stretching your tent curtains and lengthening your chords but zoom out and look at the bigger picture at what He is making your into.

God hasn’t called His people to smallness. He calls us to bigness! Receive stretching with joy and gladness! God is increasing your capacity for a reason. He is growing your character and spirit for a whole new season.

-Sandra Iliev



0 Comments

The Cross

18/10/2012

0 Comments

 
Picture
When one looks at the cross, one can view it as the lowest or weakest point in the life of Jesus. It was the moment where Jesus surrendered his life to God, his desires, his will. Yet, at the very same time, outside of what anyone would think is logical or reasonable, it was the moment where the power of God and the Wisdom of God was truly revealed.

There are times in our life where life throws us these moments - the lowest of the low, the deep valleys, despair, worry, hopelessness, stress, impossibility... 

But as we surrender our lives to God in those moments, that is when the power if God and the Wisdom of God becomes revealed - just as Jesus rose, we too rise with Him. Death is defeated, hopelessness, impossibility and despair has no hold over us. These moments become our opportunity to overcome and reign in life!

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.

-Jo Voon-

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

    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    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 - 2023