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

.

.

Hopeful Heart

Easter Sunday 2023

9/4/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dear Heavenly Father,

We would like to praise Your Holy Name and offer our heart of gratitude for Your sacrifice on the cross for our sins. Thank you for raising us up with Your power to live victorious lives and thank you for Your everlasting forgiveness. Help us to live in the gladness, wisdom and the grace of Easter Sunday, every day. Help us extend the kindness of Your love for us to others around us. Praise Your Holy Name. 

​Amen.


0 Comments

If peace be in the heart

27/3/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
There is a vast difference between happiness and blessedness. Paul had imprisonments, sacrifice and painful sufferings up to the very limit; but in the midst of it all, he was blessed. All the beatitudes came into his heart and life in the midst of those very conditions.

On one of his concerts, Paganini, the great violinist discovered that his precious famous violin has been stolen. On that discovery, he felt paralyzed for a moment and he stepped back behind the stage's curtain looking at the old cheap violin that has been left as the replacement of his stolen violin.

He remained at the back of the stage's curtain for a moment, then came out before his audience and said: “Ladies and Gentlemen: I will show you that the music is not in the instrument, but in the soul.” And he played as he would have with his precious violin. Out of the old cheap instrument, the music poured forth until the audience was enchanted with enthusiasm and the applause almost lifted the ceiling of the building;  Paganini had revealed to them that music was not in the instrument, be it an old or a a precious expensive one but in his own soul.

It is your mission, tested and tried one, to walk out on the stage of this world and reveal to all earth and Heaven that blessedness is not in the conditions, not in things, not in externals but it is through the peace and faith within your soul that trusted the Lord, your Saviour.

If peace be in the heart, the wildest winter storm will be full of solemn beauty. If peace be in the heart.

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.”


- Charles F Richardson

0 Comments

In the boat with Jesus

20/2/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
When we are faced with an unfavourable situation, the thought that is often the loudest in our mind tends to be why.

Life is like being in a boat and when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour, we can and should be assured that we have Him in the boat with us.
​
At times we think that having Jesus, the sail would be easy. Then the waves hit, the storm rages, we think this should not be happening. Jesus is in us, with us and for us but why is this happening? Everything is against me, I am overwhelmed, why Lord, why?
 
Remember what Jesus says in John 16: 33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

 
Yes, we have trials and sorrows but His promise is that He has overcome the world for us. This is where our faith in Him and His promises matters. Our faith in Him navigates through the waves and storm of our life. We are never alone and we have Him in the boat with us. It means that even though the storm hit, it will not sink our boat.
 
Practice to say His promises rather than the usual whine and why. A good skipper will defend his/her boat when the storm hits. We must also have the same stance and deny the influence of problems in our lives.

- Anonymous

0 Comments

The Lord will take care of us

23/1/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
This year, the Lord will take care of us. The Bible has records that attest to His lovingkindness and faithfulness since the beginning of creations and the Lord Himself promises He will never forsake us, who else could make this promise to us with an everlasting credibility.

Never also implies that the Lord will always be available for us at all times, any time and everytime. Doctors, bankers and services are usually available to us from Monday to Friday and immediate appointments are not always guaranteed with them but with the Lord, He guarantees around the clock care; He will never forsake you.

​Let us heed the wisdom of the ​Bible for it is written, “So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today - to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul- then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil. I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.” (Deuteronomy 11: 13 - 15). 

This year, the Lord will take care of us, obey His commandments and honour Him in all you do. Truly, you are blessed.

- Irene Soon

0 Comments

Our first source

2/1/2023

0 Comments

 
Picture
“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.” This is an infamous quote written by Corrie Ten Boom, a holocaust survivor and it is still a practical reminder to these days.

​When you look around, you become aware that everyone is fighting their own battles and it may magnify your “aloneness” in your own battles, when you look within, you are reminded of your own shortcomings but when you look at God, His peace would be your strength and you are reminded that He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all. God may use people or things to bless you but He alone is your source, your provider. Yes, sometimes God may let you reach end of your rope but it will only assure you that He is all you need.

In this new year, look unto the Lord as our first source, it may even be in a form of a small short prayer or an utter of dependence on the Lord’s help and you will find His rest, His peace and His strength to move forward. Don’t look elsewhere.

Lamentation 3: 22 - 25
The Lord’s loyal kindness never ceases, his compassions never end. They are fresh every morning; your faithfulness is abundant! “My portion is the Lord,” I have said to myself, so I will put my hope in him. The Lord is good to those who trust in him, to the one who seeks him. 


- John W.

0 Comments

Merry Christmas 2022

25/12/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Dear families and friends in Christ,

This Christmas, even in the dazzle and sparkles of Christmas decorations around us, the true festivity lies in the miracle of Christ Jesus’ birth. His Light continues to shine and bring joy to each one of us, let our hearts be merry and joyous by the true reason of this season.

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.

Have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year 2023.

- Hopeful Heart Team

0 Comments

Faith is stronger than castles

30/11/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
I came across a writing that states, “men are better than walls and faith is stronger than castles.” I believe one of the ways our God strengthen us is by making us strong in the inward might, this is done through perseverance, quiet trust and giving thanks amidst all situations and faith, faith being our spiritual weapon; the castle and unshakeable fortress  of our inner man.

When we place our faith in the author and the perfecter of our faith, God can take the feeblest of us and make us to be courageous like David. He could fortify you better than walls before your enemies. We serve a living God who gave victory to a small shepherd boy who had only a slingshot and stones against an almost 7 feet trained military soldier. We, the armies of the living God as proclaimed by David, are not weak and hopeless, our confidence is in our living God; He makes His champions mightier than all of their enemies. Let our faith be strong, let our stance be strengthened, the Lord is our Victor and He gives us victory!

Lord, infuse Your strength unto my faith and fill me with the courage to rise above my situation and take up my victory. Amen!
 ​
Hebrew 12: 2- 3
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.


- John W. 

0 Comments

Running on empty?

28/9/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
When Jesus first called His disciples, He told them, ‘I will make you fishers of men.’ (Matthew 4:19 KJV) Yet after hearing His promises, they went back to what they were doing before they met Him: fishing. God will use your past experiences to teach you, but He always leads you forward, never back. When fear and uncertainty make you want to go back to the security of what you know, you end up like the disciples: "That night they caught nothing."
 
But the good news is: if God has called you, you’re still called. In spite of your lacklustre performance, you’re still God’s redeemed child.

In the Bible, Jesus approaches the discouraged disciples and instructs them, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some. "When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish…Then, as soon as they come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid on it and bread (John 21: 9 NKJV). Despite the disciples going back to 'their ways', Jesus provided them abundance including cooking them breakfast. Jesus then ate breakfast with the disciples and renewed their fellowship. Jesus knows what you need before you even asked Him to, He has you always in His minds; He is your provider.
 
When you work outside God’s will, it’s like fishing on the wrong side of the boat; you wear yourself out and end up having little to show for your efforts. Are you struggling? Things will start to change when you submit to Christ, renew your fellowship with Him, and allow Him to direct you.

John 21: 3 NKJV
Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat and that night they caught nothing.


- Bob Gass - Word for Today Devotional 

0 Comments

When God is silent

29/8/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
Recently one of our relatives lost one of their family members and due to disappointment in Christ, they stopped going to church altogether. I believe in all seasons; we will face trials and tribulations but the recent loss of our relatives made me think why do some people persevere and endure in trials and why some just walk away from God when they are disappointed that God was silent or did not intervene in the eleventh hours of their tribulations.
​
In my own life, I believe these are due to my own lack of understanding; I try to figure out God’s ways and I could not produce the faith with my own will as God’s ways are higher than mine. It is in the time like this, our faith is put into practice: whether we keep trusting and persevering or we choose to put the trust in ourselves rather to trust God.
​
And actually, Jesus had reminded us about troubles in life, but the most important promise of His is an assurance to us: I have overcome the world (John 16:33). We do not have a ‘silent’ God, He is a God who is acquainted with grief and suffering and even to the point of death. We are called to persevere and endure in this journey of faith because our faith rest in the victory and promise that our Lord has overcome the world. He is a God who gives us victory in the land of the living!

Psalm 27: 13

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

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.


- Jenni Wang 

0 Comments

Just in case

22/7/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
​In an old movie, I watched a story about a shrewd businessman who eagerly helped to restore a damaged nunnery during the WWII. When asked why he did it, the unbelieving businessman said, “just in case!” It made me think, aren’t we all like this businessman somehow?

We too, do things for God because of “just in case.” We store our good works like cookie points for the Lord to answer our prayers or needs whilst the businessman believed his good deeds would earn him an eternal place in Heaven if there is a God.

May I respectfully say, “it is foolish to think we could buy our own righteousness or answers to prayers.” If we think of such, we allow pride to bound ourselves to human law and we deny the free gift of salvation including the righteous privileges that Jesus has died for us to have.

Friends, humble yourself before the Lord (James 4: 10) and have faith that the Lord always have your back, He will not forsake you. Jesus do not keep any scores for us to achieve till he unlocks another reward for our good works.

None of us could ever buy our own righteousness and salvation with any good works, Jesus is bigger than that; He gave it for free for us who needs and seeks it. Come to Him in prayers, friends. Jesus loves you. When we invite the Lord into our hearts, we gain in this life a wonderful Counsellor, a loving Saviour, a best friend, a Father and much more I could not fathom. He is the Rock we could lay our foundations on and rely on when the storm hits.
 
James 4: 10 NLT
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.

Philippians 3:9 NLT
and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.


- John W.

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