Tag Archives: Hope

The Next Verse

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There are certain passages of scripture that we all know so very well. Verses that we all have memorized, or at least have a good idea about they say.  John 3:16, for instance, is a verse that most all of us know pretty well.

Another verse that a good many of us are familiar with is Jeremiah 29:11.  Listen to what it says:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

imageThat’s a verse that is close to many of us, a verse that has been a rock of help and support in difficult times. God has a plan for us, a good plan, a plan that will be for our benefit and for our good.

I love verses like that.  Verses that give hope and peace. Verses that we can hold onto.

But, something I like to do, when looking at a “famous” verse, is look at the next verse.  Look at what happens next.  Look at what follow.  Listen to Jeremiah 29:12-14:

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile.

In 11 God talks about a hope and a future for us.  But look what it says in these.  When you seek me with all of your heart, you will find me.  I will be found by you.

God will be found today, by you.  Are you looking for Him?  For hope? For peace?  For life?  Are you really looking for what counts? Are you broken, discouraged, or doubtful?

Today, are you looking for God?

Hear His promise.  You will find Him.  You will.  He has promised us that.

Today, He has promised us a hope and a future. And has promised something even better.  If we search for Him, we will find Him.  We will.

Seek Him today. And you will find what you are looking for.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phone.

After the Mountaintop

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mountain-top[1]Yesterday at Asbury, I preached about baptism, our promises to God in baptism, and God’s promises to us in baptism.  Baptism is extremely powerful, holy, and sacred moment in our lives.  It is a profound moment, a moment that we need to always remember, a moment that really defines God’s love for us.

It can be what is called a mountaintop experience.  A time when we really feel God’s power.

Mountaintops are great.  They are awesome.  They are holy.

But, here’s the thing.  They don’t last forever.

Listen to what happens to Jesus, after His baptism, in Matthew 4:1-4:

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone,but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

After the mountaintop, reality sets back in.  There are still problems.

There are still worries.

There are still challenges.

There are still problems.

We can’t stay on the mountain forever.  There are things that we must do.  Challenges we must face.  Battles we must fight.  Tests that remain.

But, remember this.  The God that is God on the mountaintop is the same God that is God in the valley.  He is God in the midst of the storm.  He is God in the midst of the test.

He is God in the midst of the trial.

And He will not let you go.

No matter what.  You can trust Him.

On the mountain or in the valley.  He is God.  And you can trust.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phone.

I Don’t Want to Go

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dont-want-to-goAnyone that’s friended me on Facebook or followed me on Twitter, knows that I’m a big Doctor Who fan.  And I’m not going to go too deep into why I love the show, because we don’t have the time to explain everything. But, I really do enjoy it.

In this show, “The Doctor” doesn’t die, but when it’s time for a new actor to take the place of the old he “regenerates” or changes into the new character, while staying  “The Doctor.”  In the show, when the 10th doctor regenerated into the 11th, his last line was a famous one for Doctor Who fans (aka whovians).  He said this – “I don’t want to go.”

But, go he must, for the show had to go on with a new actor. He had to go.

Sometimes in life, there are places that we don’t want to go. But, we must. There are places that are essential that we have to go to, even if it isn’t our desire or our “want” to. But, go we must.  Listen to what happens today in Matthew 16:23-24:

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

Jesus tells us where we must go.  To the cross.  Not just to His cross of our forgiveness of our sins, but our cross of dying to ourselves.  Dying to what we want to do, dying to our desires.  Dying to us.

And living to Him. Living for Him.  Living in Him.

We may not want to go. But when we go, we find His life. For when we die to ourselves, and live for Him, we find life.  Life eternal.  Life everlasting.  Life now.

We find life in Him.  Today, may we go to the cross.  And may we find His life.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phone.

In the Hard Times

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Hard-Times-Grey-Fisted1None of us like tough times or challenges.  None of us like times of trial, or times of worry, or times of stress.  These are all times that we turn away from, times we we don’t like, times we great, and yes, even times that will haunt us and stay with us for a long while.

There are times in our life that are so hard, that literally feel like days, months, or years of our lives are wasted and gone, time we will never get back, time that is gone for us.  These times trial can cause us to even think that God is not there, that we have failed, that our faith is crushed.

You may be going through a tough time right now, and that’s how you feel.  You may be going through a hard time right now, and you’re wondering, where is God, how is this going to get better, how is this going to change, how can I keep going?

Today, listen to the words of James 1: 2-4.  This time of trial may be a great blessing to you, believe it or not:

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Count these times joy.  I know it doesn’t sound right. I know it doesn’t even make sense. But it’s true.  These tough times, they will make us strong. They will make us better.  We will grow.  We will find our way.  We will find that God is there.

See, that’s the thing that I’ve come to realize about times of trial.  We feel like God’s not there. We all feel that way. But what we come to find out, in time, is that it is God that is carrying us.  It is God that is giving us the strength to keep going.  It is God that is pulling us forward, holding us close, giving us strength.

No matter how hard the challenge is today, God is with you.  Know that. Remember that.  Don’t give up.  Don’t give up.  Don’t give up.

Even if you don’t feel it, God is there. Don’t give up.

For this time of trial, it will grow you.  It will change you.  It will make you better.  It will.  Believe that. Keep going.

Even in the hard times.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phone

Nothing is Impossible

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What mountain are you trying to climb today?  What hill are are looking at, thinking that there is no way that you can do this?  What challenge do you face that is worrying you to death?

What are you up against today?  What thing do you face, that to you, looks impossible, and leaves you with no hope?  What are you to do?

Listen to what happens in Luke 1: 35-38:

And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Fra_Angelico_AnnunciationThis is the story that’s called “The Annunciation.”  This is where the angel tells Mary that she will give birth to Jesus. And her response, with a greater challenge than anything we will face is “let it be to me according to your word.”

How could she have such confidence?  How could she have such hope?  How could she trust in a situation that seems to hard, to challenging, to much, for someone to handle?  This is how.

She believed the word that that the angel spoke – Nothing is impossible for with God.  Nothing.  Nothing.

God is bigger than that mountain.  That challenge. That fear.  That doubt. That hurdle.  That, whatever.  God is bigger.  God is stronger.  God is more powerful.  With God, nothing is impossible.

Nothing.

Believe that, today.  Have hope in that today. With God, nothing is impossible.  Hold tight to Him.  Trust in Him.  And He will make a way.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

It Will Get Better

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it_gets_better_by_incessant_star-d30th5dThe worst thing about trouble and pain and suffering is that we sometime think that they will never end.  They will never get better.  It will never stop.  It will always be like this.  It will never change.

This is just the way that it’s going to be ever.  It will never change.

That’s what we can think when we are in the midst of a tough or tragic situation.  We can think, we can believe that this just the way that it’s going to be.  This is the new normal.  The tears will not end, the pain will not stop.

This is just the way that it is.

Ever felt that way?  I know that I have.  I know that’s what pain makes us think sometimes.  But, that’s just not true.  It will get better.  Listen to what Jesus says in John 16: 20-22:

Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

It will get better.  Your sorry will end.  Your pain will end.  Your tears will turn to laughter.

It will get better.  Don’t forget that.  Don’t give up hope. Don’t quit.  This moment is not the end.  It will get better.

Jesus loves you, He is here for you and He has not left you.  It will get better.  It will.

Don’t give up.  No matter what.  Don’t give up.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Thorn

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We’ve all go something that plagues us.  A sin.  A doubt.  A worry.  An illness.

Something. We’ve all got something that we wish we didn’t have. We’ve all got something that we’d give anything for God to take away, something that, if we didn’t have to deal with it, would make our lives much, much easier.

We all have it.  I do.  You do.  Paul did.  Listen to what Paul writes this morning in 2 Corinthians 12:7-9:

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

600-02347969Paul has what he calls his thorn in the flesh.  We don’t know what it is, no one does.  All we know is this, that is caused Paul great pain, and he badly wanted to be rid of it.  And God told him no.  It would not be removed.

Why?  Wouldn’t it be better if it was gone?  No.

Why?  Because in his weakness, Paul would find God’s strength.  When Paul had to rely upon God’s strength, he’d find more power, strength, and might then he’d ever imagine.  When he was weak, God strength is made know for all to see.

So is it in all our lives.  In our weakness, when we rely upon, we find God’s strength.  When we rely upon Him, we find more power than we’ll ever know.

We He is our strength, then we all have all the strength we need.

Today, even with any thorn you may face, God’s strength is all that you need.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

New and Improved

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image.w174h200f3Paul talks a lot in scripture of being a new creation. How we are new in Christ. How the old is done away with, the old is gone, the old man is dead.

The new man is raised up with Christ!

And that’s awesome. But most days, it doesn’t feel that way for me. Most days it still feels like I battle the same old things. Face the same old struggles. Fight the same old fights.

I know that I’m new in Christ. That’s what the Bible tells me. But, a lot of days, I just don’t feel it.

Listen to Paul’s reminder today in Colossians 3:1-4:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Our lives are hidden in Christ. Our lives are with Him. How then, do we know that, live that, see that, experience that? We seek the things that are above. We set our minds on things that are above. We focus on what is good. What is pure. What is holy.

Where is your mind today?

Where does it drift today?

Where is your focus today?

Today, as we do our best to be the new creation that God has created us to be, we have to set our minds on things that are above. Where ever mind is, where ever our focus is, that’s where we will go.

Today, you are a new creation. You are His, and He is yours. Set your mind on Him. Focus on Him. Live in His power and His life.

And He will be the one making you a new creation.

Set your mind on things above. And be obedient to where it is that He is leading you. He will make you new.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

When the World Spins Out of Control

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Habakkuk is one of the neater books in the Bible. In this book, the author talks about his list of problems and worries. He talks about all things that worry him, that concern him, that overwhelm him.

Many things. Many legitimate things, many things that caused him worry, pain and confusion. Many things that deeply bothered his soul. Many things that made him doubt, have struggles and have worries.

He talks about them.

And then at the end of chapter 2 he says this:

But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him.”

worshipGod is in His temple. God is on the throne. God is at work. God is still alive. God is still working.

God is in control. When the world spins out of control. When life seems going way to fast, going in ways that you don’t like, you don’t understand, you can’t control, remember this.

The Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before him. He is God. He is Lord. He is at work.

Stay calm. Trust. Even in the dark. Even in the fear. Breathe. Know this.

The Lord is in His temple.

He is in control. Even when life seems to be out of control.

God is in control.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.

Temptation – Two Reminders

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Today in our reading, Paul gives us two very helpful reminders about how to deal with temptation in our lives. Temptation is something that every Christian (and everyone, period!) must deal with.

Paul offers two really helpful encouragements today in 1 Corinthians 10:12-13. Listen to what God says today:

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Temptation_-_Cat_and_Goldfish_BowlFirst, we see this reminder – be careful. Don’t get arrogant. Don’t get prideful. Paul says that if we think we stand, be careful or you will fall.

What does he mean by that? Shouldn’t we stand?

Yes, we should. But we should remember how we stand. And remember whose strength we stand upon. If we think we stand on our strength or might or power, we will fall. We don’t stand based upon us. We stand based upon Him.

So, in your fight against temptation, be careful in your stand. Remember we stand only in Him. Don’t rely upon your power, or you will fall.

Rely upon His, and you will stand.

Second, Paul reminds us these words, that in every temptation, God will give us an escape. And out. A help.

What is that? Perhaps a Bible verse that you can call to mind in the midst of temptation. Or an accountability partner that will be there for you. Perhaps a song on your heart. Perhaps the ability to get up and walk out.

But, God has promised, He will give us an out. He will give us a way.

Don’t give up. Don’t lose heart. You can do this. You can. Through Him and His power and strength, you can.

Don’t give up. He’s with you. And will be with you. Today and every day, in your struggle and temptation.

And through Him, we will overcome.

Don’t forget, you can click here to download Asbury’s mobile app and read these devotionals, as well as listen to my sermons on your smart phones.