Hope Reflected

Encouragement and Hope from God's Word

qotd Archive

Monday

12

September 2016

Encouragement: Psalm 138:3

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement

encouragement encouraging psalms

Psalm 138 is one of the most encouraging psalms. Written by David, a man after God’s own heart, Psalm 138 is filled with some amazing truths.

“In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.” Psalm 138:3

One of David’s psalms, Psalm 138 is so encouraging and inspiring. It speaks of whole-hearted praise for God, worship of His Holiness, God’s lovingkindness and truth, the power of God’s Word, God’s ways, and so much more.

Perhaps my favourite verse from this Psalm of praise is verse 3, when David says: “In the day when I cried out, You answered me, And made me bold with strength in my soul.”

This verse tells me at least four facts:

  1. God is always there for me, I just need to seek Him. “When I cried out…”
  2. God’s answers prayers. “You answered me…”. It may not always how we think He will answer, or how we think He should answer, but God hears our prayers, and He answers our prayers. Thank you, Lord!
  3. God makes me bold. “You…made me bold.” We all know Proverbs 28:1, which tells us that “the righteous are bold as a lion”. True boldness comes from Christ. D.L. Moody once said, “When we find a man meditating on the words of God, that man is full of boldness and is successful.”
  4. God provides strength for my soul. “…with strength in my soul.” God is more than capable of bringing me through anything. I’m reminded me of one of the other encouraging psalms, with the incredible promise of Psalm 27:14: “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” God will provide the strength you need for whatever you’re facing this week. Note it doesn’t say that He’ll remove the problem in front of you, but He will, HE WILL! provide the strength you need to come through it. Praise the Lord!

We serve an amazing God, and He longs to have a relationship with us, and to provide for us. If you’re looking for examples God’s goodness, check out any number of the encouraging psalms. Written by various authours who faced various challenges—and received various blessings—throughout their lives, the psalms are some of the most inspiring and incredible chapters of the Bible. All we need to do is cry out to Him! Wherever you are today, God is there for you, He will answer your prayers, He will make you bold, and He will provide you with strength for your soul! God is good!

 

Friday

2

September 2016

Hope Reflected: Attributes of God, Part 1

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

attributes of God

A.W. Tozer once said, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing to us.” While I’ve yet to read all of Tozer’s Knowledge of the Holy, that quote really resonated with me. It’s true; how we think about God determines our measure of worship. This past Sunday at church, the speaker was talking about different attributes of God that we should recognize and acknowledge in our lives that will help to alleviate anxiety and create a more whole mindset in us. The way we think about God influences the way we go through life. Too often we get caught up in the day-to-day, worrying about tomorrow or our circumstances or other things here on Earth, when the reality is that we were put here on Earth to influence others for eternity.

There are several attributes of God found throughout scripture, however today I’d like to focus on three that have truly impacted my life:

  1. God is faithful. Psalm 86:5 tells us, “For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” So many times throughout the Bible, we are shown examples of God’s faithfulness to those who trust in Him. A very realistic way to recall God’s faithfulness is to keep a journal of prayer requests and answers. Wes and I recently went through the first prayer list we ever made together, and it is incredible just how many of our prayers were answered specifically, and not just answered, answered exceedingly abundantly above all that we could have asked or thought. God is faithful! All we have to do is trust Him and commit our way to Him! “It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22-23)
  2. God is love. Not just loving, God is love. And I think we’d all agree that in this world in which we live, each of us could use more love. John wrote in his epistle of 1 John 4:8, “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” We read a deeper definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. Frequently referenced at weddings, the “love chapter” of the Bible was written by the apostle Paul. [For a fascinating history of the books of Corinthians and when Paul wrote them, check out Matthew Henry’s Commentary.] The King James Version of 1 Corinthians 13 refers to ‘love’ as ‘charity’. It was originally translated from the Greek word, αγαπη (agapē), or in Latin, “caritas”, which means ‘Christian love’. We are told in 1 Corinthians 13 that love, or charity, never fails. That’s God. He will not and cannot fail. When we trust in Him, that’s a promise. We are also reminded in Galatians 5:22 that love is one of the fruits of the Spirit; if we love God, we will live in love, joy, peace, gentleness, faith, etc.
  3. God is merciful. This attribute in particular is a great reminder to me. God loves me and has forgiven me, and sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins. I haven’t got what I deserve because I serve a risen Lord who, among other awesome attributes, is merciful. Psalm 103:8 says, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” Notice anything in particular about that verse? God’s mercy is so strong that it merits two mentions. Often confused with grace, mercy pardons sin (whereas grace grants favour). God is plenteous in mercy; He has mercy enough to cleanse the sins of the world, should we choose to trust Him. We are promised in Isaiah 55:7 that if we forsake our sinful ways, and return to the LORD, “…he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” I love this quote from Arthur W. Pink: “He foresaw my every fall, my every sin, my every backsliding; yet, nevertheless, fixed His heart upon me.”

These are merely three of God’s amazing attributes. God’s demonstration of His faithfulness, love, and mercy in my life have molded me into who I am, and without God’s faithfulness, love, and mercy, I can’t imagine where I might be today. God’s attributes are parts of His character that help us to really understand Who He is. The truth is, we’ll never understand them all, but we can observe what the Bible tells us about Who God is, and believe it, and be encouraged.

 

Originally published as “Attributes of God, Part 1.” Minto Express. July 27, 2016: 5. Print.

Wednesday

31

August 2016

Wednesday Wisdom: Be Quick to Listen

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Wednesday Wisdom

wednesday wisdom

“God gave us mouths that close and ears that don’t; that should tell us something.”

I’ve always loved this saying. How simple and how true. We were created with mouths that close and with ears that don’t!

It reminds me of James 1:19, where we are instructed to “take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

How many conflicts would each of us avoid in life if we followed these instructions? How many relationships would be improved if we took this advice? It’s a reminder that we can all use.

Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.

 

Monday

29

August 2016

Monday Encouragement: 2 Timothy 4:17

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Encouragement

2 Timothy 4:17

“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;” 2 Timothy 4:17

The beginning of a new week always brings with it a sense of freshness. While I’d love to say the start of a new week always brings along with it a renewed energy, that’d be a lie, because quite often on Mondays we wake up longing for the weekend past and not ready to get out of bed at an early hour. (Especially as the days are getting shorter, am I right?!)

That being said, I find encouragement in the words of Paul in his second letter to Timothy: “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me”.

Two things we quite often take for granted:

  1. The Lord stands with us,
  2. The Lord strengthens us.

There are some commentaries on the book of 2 Timothy that state that God provided Paul with courage and readiness. Heading into a new week, I can’t think of two qualities better fitted to equip us for the week ahead.

If you’re entering this week feeling discouraged, or down, or lacking the energy you think you need to make it through, meditate on God’s Word and promises. He will stand with you and strengthen you if you put your trust in Him.

“Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me;” 2 Timothy 4:17

 

Friday

26

August 2016

Hope Reflected: The Importance of Being Original

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

original

 

Wes and I love jazz. Diana Krall, Duke Ellington, Tony Bennett, Wes Montgomery; you name the artist, and chances are, we’ve got them in our playlist. Listening to a Diana Krall album last week, we were both struck by her ability to take a standard that’s been sung so many times before and make it her own. Krall has her own distinct delivery that gives her the ability to sing the same songs as other jazz artists, but to make them unique. She takes the influences that speak to her and infuses them into her music. Krall is an original.

We all collect and draw influences from our surroundings – people, music, movies, books, ideologies – and we live these influences out in our daily lives. Even what you eat can affect your mind! That’s why it’s so important to be conscious of what you allow into your heart and mind.

In a world of copycats, it’s not easy to be original. And let’s be real, is there anything that’s truly original anymore? King Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 1:9, “That which has been is what will be, That which is done is what will be done, And there is nothing new under the sun.” God is the original Creator of every single thing, and He created each of us uniquely in His image.

Why else is it important to be original?

  1. God created you to be you. Not your neighbour, not your best friend. God created you with a distinct purpose in mind, and you can’t achieve His purpose for your life if you spend all your time trying to be like other people. Luke 12:7 reminds us that “even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.” If God knows the exact amount of how many (or how few) hairs are on your head, you can rest assured that He created you for a purpose that only you can accomplish and fulfill.
  2. You have a responsibility to draw from the Original Source. While there are many influences in the world, remember to draw your best influences from the Creator of everything: God. God is loving, and He is the Great Comforter. God provides peace, and only He can provide true joy in our lives. Philippians 4:8 says that “whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” When we draw on God as the Original Source of all creation, we keep our focus on the right things in life.
  3. Others look to you as an Influencer. As much as you draw from the influences of other people, there are also other people who look to you as an influence in their lives. That’s another reason it’s so important to be conscious of the sources from where we draw our influences. 1 Corinthians 15:33 is a great reminder, “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”” Who we allow to influence us and how we live our lives matters! Matthew 5:16 tells us “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father Who is in heaven.” Being yourself is a big deal; you never know who is watching.

God created all the snowflakes unique, He is the Creator of every single thing, and all of His creations are original. Often overlooked, being original is very important. Be a voice, not an echo!

 

Originally published as “The Importance of Being Original.” Minto Express. July 13, 2016: 5. Print.

Wednesday

24

August 2016

Wednesday Wisdom: Proverbs 4:26

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Wednesday Wisdom

proverbs about God directing our paths

“Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all your ways be established.” Proverbs 4:26

The book of Proverbs is full of great advice, which still resonates thousands of years after its original publication. Proverbs 4:26, which says, “Ponder the path of thy feet, And let all your ways be established,” is a statement which may seem simple, but contains some very practical advice.

You’ve heard the saying, “Your actions speak louder than words.” The first part of Proverbs 4:26 is a timely reminder to us that we should consider our ways before we act.

The second part of Proverbs 4:26, “And let all your ways be established,” is saying that we should make sure our actions are set, fixed, acceptable, even habitual. The decisions that we make should be reflective of our Faith. The direction in which we choose to take our life should be honouring to the Lord.

If you’re worried about the path before you not being clear or not knowing what way God wants you to go, remember these verses:

  • “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
  • “Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.” Psalm 143:8
  • “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

When in doubt, get into God’s Word.

Friday

19

August 2016

Hope Reflected: 3 Things We Should Do Every Day

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Published Work

3 things we should do every day

In my last column, I discussed the importance of doing devotions every day. After writing that column, Wes and I were talking about how devotions have impacted our life, and also about other habits we’ve developed that have worked wonders in our Christian faith.

We live in a world that where there are so many distractions that being busy and constantly connected is too easy. But what about being constantly connected to God? Are we truly taking time each day to connect with our Lord and Saviour about the things that truly matter?

There are so many good habits that we could get into, however here are three things that we should all do every day.

  1. Read God’s Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” The Bible is available to us so that we are equipped for life here on Earth, and if we’re not reading it, we’re missing out on some serious life hacks. King David says in Psalm 119:105, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” If you’re feeling lost, lonely, or misguided, get into God’s Word for direction. There is no topic untouched, and there are no exceptions. He’ll provide the light you need.
  2. Pray. 1 John 5:14 states, “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” Does that mean we should only go to God in prayer when we need something? Definitely not! God wants to hear from us everyday, about everything. Even the things you think don’t matter have significance in God’s eyes. He wants to hear our worries, our fears, our hopes, our dreams, and especially our thanks. You may wonder if there’s a special way to pray, and there is. Jesus Himself talked about the way to pray in Matthew 6:9: “After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.” Whenever we pray, we’re instructed to pray in Jesus’s name.
  3. Rejoice. Philippians 4:4 says it best, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!” It’s not always easy to choose joy, however rejoicing is something we’re commanded to do in the Bible. Does this mean we should always be happy and walk around with a fake smile plastered on our faces? Not at all! Rejoicing means to “feel or show great joy or delight”, and also “cause joy to”. Rejoicing doesn’t mean that one always has to be happy, it just means that we have true lasting joy, no matter what the season. That’s a gift from God! Psalm 5:11 says, “But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.” God is our refuge and he is a shelter to us; that’s reason enough to rejoice each day!

Good habits take a while to develop, so if you miss a day of devotions or find yourself with a bad attitude, don’t lose heart. Nobody is perfect, and the great thing is that God already knows that, and that’s why He sent His Son. Develop the above habits one day at a time. You may find it helpful to set aside time in the morning for reading God’s Word, to start your day off right. The great thing about prayer is we pray anytime, anywhere, however you may also find it helpful to pray before and after your Bible reading. And remember, we aren’t expected to be happy all the time, however we are commanded to rejoice – choose joy and count your blessings.

Originally published as “3 Things We Should Do Everyday.” Minto Express. June 29, 2016: 5. Print.

Wednesday

17

August 2016

Wednesday Wisdom: The Power of Prayer

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Wednesday Wisdom

Wednesday Wisdom: Max Lucado Prayer Quote

“Our prayers may be awkward. Our attempts may be feeble. But since the power of prayer is in the One Who hears it and not in the one who says it, our prayers do make a difference.” Max Lucado

You may not always feel like praying, but God is always ready to listen to your prayers. At times, prayer may not seem convenient; it may not seem necessary, but it is. We don’t always realize the significance and importance of praying, especially when things are going well. We ought always to give God thanks and share our gratitude for His blessings, and to bring our concerns, worries, anxieties, hopes, fears, and requests to Him. But do we always? The answer is, unfortunately, no.

Why is it that quite often we view prayer as a last effort, rather than a proactive practice? Each of us has heard (and possibly used) the statement, “All we can do now is pray!” No! Prayer should be the first thing we do. First thing in the morning, and last thing at night, and at all points in between. Not just when we need something. Prayer is about more than just selfish requests. It’s about recognizing the Lord as our hope, joy, trust, relying on Him, putting our faith in Him, leaning on Him for grace, mercy, healing, understanding, comfort, peace, and company.

Here are some 15 great Bible verses about prayer:

  • “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” Psalm 5:3
  • “Yet the Lord will command his lovingkindness in the day time, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.” Psalm 42:8
  • “I call upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.” Psalm 118:5
  • “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
  • “Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.” Jeremiah 29:12
  • “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3
  • “But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.” Matthew 6:7
  • “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22
  • “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.” Romans 12:12
  • “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hears and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
  • “Continue in prayer, and watch int he same with thanksgiving.” Colossians 4:2
  • “Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
  • “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
  • “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” James 5:16
  • “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us.” 1 John 5:14

 

Monday

25

July 2016

Monday Encouragement: Philippians 1:6

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Wednesday Wisdom

Philippians 1:6 he which hath begun a good work in you will continue it

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

Paul wrote the book (or letter) of Philippians while he was in prison. The 11th book in the New Testament, Philippians has long been one of my favourite books of the Bible, because joy,—among other fruits of the Spirit,— is the main theme of the epistle.

Philippians is a book filled with encouragement, gratitude, and rejoicing.

No matter where this week finds you, if you trust in God, you can find encouragement in Philippians 1:6. Here are just a few reasons why:

“He which hath begun a good work in you…” God started the work in you. It was nothing you did. God is the One working in each of us. It’s nothing that any of us can do.

“…will perform it…” God will carry the work that He started in each one of us to completion. He will perfect the work that He has started in each one of us.

“…until the day of Jesus Chrsit:” The day of the Lord; this is the day when God’s glory will be revealed to His people. This is a great reminder and encouragement to each of us to persevere, to keep on, because God started the work in us, and He will finish it. He is the great Designer and has promised eternal life to all those who trust in Him.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” Philippians 1:6

Wednesday

20

July 2016

Wednesday Wisdom: God Will Help You Find a Way

Written by , Posted in Christian Living, Wednesday Wisdom

God will help you

“God did not remove the Red Sea, He opened it: He will help us find a way through our problems as well.” Brad Wilcox

How many times have we read in Exodus how God parted the Red Sea for Moses, allowing the Israelites to walk on dry ground and cross to safety while being pursued by their enemies? We’ve heard the event shared time after time after time; this is classic Sunday School lesson material.

Exodus 14:21-22 (KJV) tells us, “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.”

Notice anything interesting about this selection of scripture? It wasn’t until I came across author Brad Wilcox’s awesome quote that the truth struck me: God divided the waters of the Red Sea for the Israelites so they could cross to safety.

“God did not remove the Red Sea, He opened it: He will help us find a way through our problems as well.” Brad Wilcox

Wow.

Sometimes we can hear a truth over and over again, but until it’s explained in the simplest of terms, we don’t necessarily understand the breadth of it.

God’s not necessarily going to remove our problems, but He has promised to help us through whatever challenges we’re facing.

David testified in Psalm 23:4, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

Psalm 46:1 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Isaiah 41:10 instructs us, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus promises us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

God is with us, always, if we trust in Him. God is our refuge, and our strength. God will give you the strength to get through whatever challenge or problem you are facing, if you will trust in Him. God is the one who will provide us with rest. Seek Him, learn about Him, trust Him.

We don’t need to fear problems or eliminate them when we have the choice to face them with God on our side.

“God did not remove the Red Sea, He opened it: He will help us find a way through our problems as well.” Brad Wilcox

Trust God, and let Him help you today!

Newer Entries →
← Older Entries

Hope Reflected on Facebook

Hope Reflected

Recent Posts

Recent Tweets

Could not authenticate you.

Archives

Topics

best Bible quotes best Bible verses best quotes bible Bible quotes bible verses Biblical history Christian living courage diy easter encouragement encouraging Bible verses faith garden gardening God's faithfulness God's strength God's Word hope Hope's How-To hope reflected hope she wrote inspiration isaiah joy love outdoor living patience peace plants prayer proverbs psalm psalms qotd quote of the day quotes strength trust trust God truth verses of encouragement wednesday wisdom wisdom