Seeds Of Hope Daily Devotional: hope

Showing posts with label hope. Show all posts

Friday, November 13, 2020

Remember Me!

“But I’m not that important to God. I have not accomplished anything with my life, and I’m too old now to do anything about it. I can’t imagine that I will make any difference in God’s scheme of things,” he said. “How could any God love someone as worthless as me? I’m hopeless!”

It seems as though the writer of Psalm 106 felt the same way. “Remember me, O Lord, when You show favor to Your people, come to my aid when You save them.” He felt alone, abandoned, forsaken - perhaps even worthless. He could not imagine God including him in His plan of redemption. “I’m excluded!” he cried. “No hope.”

Another man made a similar statement. This one was a thief hanging on a cross dying for his crimes. How interesting it is to note that he was hanging next to some One who had never committed any crimes, but was dying for the crimes he - the thief - had committed. He had no time to turn over a new leaf and lead a better life. He could not go to the people he had wronged and ask for forgiveness, or attend a religious ceremony for cleansing. He could not perform any good works - his hands were nailed to a cross. All he could do was to call on the Name of the Lord and ask Jesus to “Remember me!” And, we too, must realize and remember that no one is beyond the grace of God.

Although he was a thief condemned to die for his crimes, our Lord loved him just as much as He loves us. “Today,” Jesus assured him, “you will be with Me in paradise.”

God has no favorites. His love includes everyone.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your love that includes all of us no matter who we are or what we have done! Help us to find our worth in Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Remember me, O Lord, when You show favor to Your people, come to my aid when You save them. Psalm 106:4

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Remember Me!

Although he was a thief condemned to die for his crimes, our Lord loved him just as much as He loves us. “Today,” Jesus assured him, “you will be with Me in paradise.”

God has no favorites. His love includes everyone.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for Your love that includes all of us no matter who we are or what we have done! Help us to find our worth in Your love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Remember me, O Lord, when You show favor to Your people, come to my aid when You save them. Psalm 106:4

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Monday, March 5, 2018

Hope When We Need It

There is a big difference between power and influence. Power comes from a position we have in a group or organization. We gain influence by what we know or are able to do. In our relationship with God, He has all of the power and He uses it to shape us into the plan He has for us. But we can go to Him in prayer and ask Him to grant us His power to overcome some sin in our life and bring hope, healing and wholeness to us or our loved ones when we are sick or broken.

Our Psalmist reminds us of this important fact. When we feel alone or abandoned, depressed or have a doubt about God’s care or concern for us, he reminds us to look to God for help: “Unless the Lord had given me help, I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.”

Unfortunately, we do not know what was going on in the life of the writer. He may have been facing a life-threatening illness, grieving over the loss of a loved one or perhaps facing financial disaster. He reminds us that “it” made no difference. Whatever problem he was facing or whatever disaster may have been on the horizon or whatever sickness may have stricken him no one could have made a difference in his life but God.

“Unless the Lord...,” he wrote. Not “unless I find” or “a friend helps me find” the right physician or the right attorney or the right banker. No. He realized the limitations of man. His situation was beyond them. But he knew first hand that only his Lord could rescue him.

Prayer: What a blessed reality it is to know, Lord, that You have the power to solve any problem we have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 94:17 Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence.

Hope When We Need It

Prayer: What a blessed reality it is to know, Lord, that You have the power to solve any problem we have. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 94:17 Unless the Lord had been my help, My soul would soon have settled in silence.

Tuesday, January 23, 2018

Hope's Foundation

Many of us have struggled through difficult times and painful days. We recall with pleasure what God has done in the past with gratitude – knowing that it was His mercy and grace that enabled us to get through lengthy days and long nights. Because of those memories, we now base our hope in Him that He will shepherd us through dark valleys and sunless days.

In Psalm 85 our author is apparently reflecting on a loss suffered by Israel in a military battle. They looked at their loss as punishment from God. But the Psalmist does not focus on the loss, he focuses on the fact that God has brought them out of captivity in the past and forgave them of their sins. With confidence and boldness he says, "Restore us again, O God, our Savior."

The message for us to take away from this Psalm is that in times of depression, defeat and darkness we must remember God's grace in the past and pray in the present for His restoration.

Sometimes when we look at our past and are buried with the guilt of our sins we are fearful of going to God and asking for His grace. We feel that we are undeserving and unworthy. We approach His throne of grace in fear and trembling, wondering if we have any right to ask for forgiveness, cleansing and restoration.

But when these thoughts plague us, we must remember that God's judgment is always tempered by His mercy and He will always forgive us, restore us and revive us again. Forgiveness is always available when we ask for it!

Prayer: Help us, Father, to remember Your blessings in the past as we pass through the problems we face today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 85:4a Restore us, O God of our salvation,

Hope's Foundation

The message for us to take away from this Psalm is that in times of depression, defeat and darkness we must remember God's grace in the past and pray in the present for His restoration.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to remember Your blessings in the past as we pass through the problems we face today. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 85:4a Restore us, O God of our salvation,

Friday, December 29, 2017

What To Expect In 2018

As we come to the close of this year and face the uncertainties that are before us in the year to come, it is important to pause, listen to and accept a promise from our God:

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you search for me with all your heart, you will find me, declares the Lord.”

This is one of God’s if – thens. There can be no misunderstanding of what He is talking about in this passage of Scripture. God knows our future. He very carefully designed it in our best interest to enable us to find and follow His will. Because He knows our future, He assures us that it can be one of goodness and hope – not one of disaster.

But if we want this future that contains goodness and hope we must study His Word and go to Him in earnest prayer. He assures us that He will listen to us but then we must also search for Him with all of our hearts.

Perhaps we have prayed and even searched for Him in years past, but did not do so with all our heart.

Prayer: Lord, may we come to You this year with a sincerity and singleness of heart to find Your plans. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

What To Expect In 2018

As we come to the close of this year and face the uncertainties that are before us in the year to come, it is important to pause, listen to and accept a promise from our God:

“For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you search for me with all your heart, you will find me, declares the Lord.”

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Friday, September 8, 2017

Here's Hope!

Jake Hess, the great gospel singer was known to say, “Things are going to get better, get worse or stay about the same.” How true!

We all seem to face three types of trouble: things that trouble us from the past, things that are troubling us now and things we expect to trouble us in the future. Trouble seems to be a large part of everyone’s life.

David had his troubles, too. In fact, his troubles were so severe that he was downcast by what had happened in his past and when he viewed his future he became discouraged by what he expected would someday happen to him.

However, one day when he realized what was going on, he asked himself two questions: “Why are you downcast, O my soul, Why so disturbed within me?” The word “downcast” means “to be depressed” and the word “disturbed” means “to growl like a bear.”

When he looked within himself at his depression, he became so disturbed that it sounded like a bear was growling inside of him. But suddenly, he decided to look upward and said to his soul, – himself – “Put our hope in God,” not in yourself!

And when he did he said, “For I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” His inner feelings expressed themselves in questions of despair and defeat. In that moment of loneliness his faith was tested and tried but not trampled by doubt. Ultimately he triumphed by giving himself some great advice: “Put your hope in God,” he said, “and continue to praise Him!” And he did.

Faith and doubt often appear as twins. But when doubt was about to triumph, his hope surged within him and he overcame the troubles he faced by the hope he had in God. What an example for us to follow.

Prayer: Father, in our moments of despair may we turn to You with a never-ending hope that assures us of Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 42:5b Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Here's Hope!

Jake Hess, the great gospel singer was known to say, “Things are going to get better, get worse or stay about the same.” How true!

Prayer: Father, in our moments of despair may we turn to You with a never-ending hope that assures us of Your presence. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 42:5b Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Hope

A successful executive of a large company had been in the hospital for days. He had waited, wondered and worried about what the diagnosis of his condition would be. After the tests were analyzed, the doctor came into his room and told him the results.

Tearfully and in shock, his wife asked, “Is there any hope, doctor?”

“It depends on where your hope is,” said the doctor. “If it is in me, I’m afraid not. But if it is in God, you have all the hope you need.”

Jesus gave Christians a prescription for hope. “Don’t be troubled,” He said. “You trust God, now trust me. There are many rooms in my Father’s home, and I am going to prepare a place for you.”

Fear has a unique way of bringing life into focus. And there are only a few verses of Scripture that describe eternal life. But these few words are filled with promise and hope. The promise is that Jesus has gone before us to prepare a place for us. And the hope we have is He promised that He would come again to get us so we may be with Him in Heaven.

We can look forward to eternal life with Him because He has promised it to all who believe in Him as Savior and Lord. Although we may not know all we want to know about eternal life and what heaven will be like, we need not fear. Right now He is preparing our home!

Prayer: What joy we have, Father, that You – at this very moment – are preparing a home for us in heaven. We have great peace knowing that we will be with You forever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: John 14:1-2 “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?

Thursday, June 2, 2016

Where Are You Going?

A lady backed out of her parking place in a large mall during a blizzard and was having a difficult time seeing. A few feet from her car were the blinking lights of a snow plow. She decided to follow it, thinking it would take her safely to the exit.

After a few twists and turns the operator of the snow plow stopped, got out of his warm cab and went to the window of her car and asked, “Where are you going?”

“To the exit,” she answered.

“Well then,” he said, “don’t follow me. I’m not going anyplace. I’m only here to plow the parking lot.”

Everyone needs a leader. As Christians, we are blessed to have a Leader who can guide us safely through life – One who knows what is best for us and believes in us and is a faithful encourager. The Christian’s Leader is one who knows our strengths and weaknesses and will never call us to do what He knows is beyond our skills, abilities and potential.

Jeremiah said, “For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” The Prophet is assuring us that God has an individual plan for each of our lives and that it is a good plan. Because He has a plan for each of us, we can have faith in Him and be filled with hope for our future. God has planned our future and knows what we need to do, what He calls us to do.

This does not mean that we will not have difficult days or trying times, be spared hardships or heartaches. But it does mean that God will see us through pain and sorrow and lead us to victory. We have His word that He will lead us through the valleys and shadows into His glorious presence.

Prayer: How thankful we are, Lord, that You have a plan that has been designed especially for each of us. May we be faithful to trust and follow You all the days of our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Feeling Forsaken?

He became seriously ill, felt friendless and had no money. In desperation, George Handel cried out loud: “My God, why hast Thou forsaken me?” In the midst of his misery, a friend walked into his home and handed him a text from the Bible. He said to Handel, “The Lord gave me these words.”

Handel began to leaf through the text looking for something familiar. Suddenly his eyes focused on the verse, “He was despised and rejected of men.” He became inspired by the Lord and began to put the words to music.

Night and day, for twenty-four days, he kept writing. Finally, he finished the script of the Hallelujah Chorus and cried, “I saw all heaven before me, and the great God Himself.”

Discouragement is no stranger to the Christian. Neither are fleeting moments of depression. One of our best solutions in times of distress is to turn to the Word of God and claim His promises. The Psalmist said, “Why am I discouraged? Why so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again – My Savior and my God.” When we place our hope in God and praise Him, life always improves!

Prayer: Help me, Lord, to focus on Your promises in times of doubt, moments of distress, and days of discouragement. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 42:5-6 Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Sunday, October 25, 2015

Trusting The Plan

Years ago I would watch my mother embroider beautiful napkins, pillowcases and tablecloths. She would spend hours working within a small “hoop” that stretched the fabric tight so she could follow the pattern. She would work with one color of thread at a time until she finished that part of the pattern.

If I looked underneath the “hoop,” I would see many knots and dangling threads that made no sense at all. It looked like a real mess. Looking carefully on the top side of the “hoop,” however, I would eventually see a pattern emerge that followed the plan of an artist. And when the product was finished, it was beautiful.

There are times when it seems as though life is made up of “many knots and dangling threads.” No matter where we look, nothing makes any sense at all. We feel forced to cry out, “Lord, what are You doing?” or “Where are you taking me?” or “What’s happening?” or “I want to give up!” or “Is there no plan, God?”

When times are tough, we must turn to and trust in His Word: “I know the plans I have for you; Plans for good and not for evil; to give you a future and a hope!” Look for the pattern. It’s there!

Prayer: Lord, when days are dark and the path is perilous, let us sense Your presence and trust Your plan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

"I Certainly Hope So"

He had been dating JoAnn for nearly a year. One evening he decided that it was time he proposed to her and ask her to marry him. His plea was passionate and his voice sincere. After listening to his carefully chosen words she said, “I can’t become your wife!”

“Why?” he demanded. “Is there someone else?”

“I certainly hope so,” came the reply.

Hope is the confident optimism that comes to Christians who know that God has good things in store for them. Those whose hope is outside of Christ may “hope” for things that disappoint them or lead them into trouble. Some look expectantly for things to change and life to improve “hoping” that it is possible to find joy and peace with what the world has to offer.

If we place our “hope” in ourselves and desire the things of this world we will become frustrated, disappointed and confused. This world, nor the things it has to offer, can ever provide a reason for salvation or security. True “hope” only comes from the Lord. The Psalmist made it clear when he wrote that our “only hope is in You.”

Remember: God’s character is unchanging, His promises dependable, His love enduring, His care continuous and His faithfulness never waivers.

Prayer: Father, we claim Your Word as the only true and reliable source for hope as the anchor for our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 39:7 “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

When All Else Fails: Have Hope

Years ago I was reading a book that contained a most interesting, disturbing and thought provoking statement. “There is a dramatic difference between ‘giving up’ and ‘given up’,” she wrote. “Giving up may take a long time. It begins when we start to evaluate what is going on in our lives and attempt to come to a conclusion as to whether or not the struggle or struggles we are having is worth the effort. Given up is when we come to the conclusion that the struggle or struggles we face are no longer worth the effort it takes to breathe and resign ourselves to fate or death and life loses its meaning.” What was once “the future” is over and ends with a sign of resignation.

Again, we find sound advice and great encouragement from a proverb: “There is surely a future hope for you and your hope will not be cut off.” In other words, what is may not be what we would like it to be. But remember - it is not the end. We are to look beyond the present and accept the wisdom that comes from God and rest in His hope - not our circumstances.

The word translated “a future” describes something that comes after something else. It is what is last or behind or beyond what we can see - but not what we can believe.

We can take “hope” from the words of Jeremiah: “This is what the Lord says…For I know the plans I have for you…plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to 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 will bring you back from captivity.”

Whatever captivates is as temporary as a passing cloud. How we view it is up to us. Do we give up or give “it” to God.

Prayer: Thank You, Father, for giving us the hope that what is will pass and that our future rests with You and is in Your hands! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 23:18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

Sunday, November 16, 2014

Is It The End Or The Beginning?

“I’m bored with it all!”

Power and prestige, influence and insight, victory and valor seemed worthless to Winston Churchill as he was about to die. His final words expressed an emptiness as he slipped into a coma nine days before he would pass away. What a tragic outlook for a man who did much to shape the course of history as he was about to face God.

As he was struggling to breathe, a colleague took the hand of Michael Faraday, the brilliant chemical scientist and asked, “What will be your occupation in heaven?” He replied, “I shall be with Christ and that is enough!”

Two great men who lived two great lives. Yet, when it came to facing death, one looked backward in despair, the other forward in faith and with hope. What a startling difference God makes in everyone’s life.

“Hopes placed in mortals dies with them; all the promise of their power comes to naught.” Solomon does us a great service with these words. He very pointedly states the difference between a life lived for God and a life lived for any other reason or purpose: One who does not live for God or know Him personally will eventually see all of his hopes and dreams die. Living for this life alone or living a life that focuses on oneself, ends with a sense of hopelessness or fear of insignificance. Dreams end, but life continues in the depths of death and darkness.

What a blessed hope we may have if we choose to accept the love and grace and mercy of God. Hope can be ours because of Christ. Choose Christ, find life, have hope.

Prayer: How great is Your love, Lord. As unworthy as we are, we have forgiveness of our sins through Your Son. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Proverbs 11:7 Hopes placed in mortals die with them; all the promise of their power comes to nothing.

Friday, August 8, 2014

Looking For Hope?

His professors and fellow students recognized him as one of the most brilliant students on campus. He had the most when it came to worldly goods. From any vantage point he seemed to “have it all.”

Early one morning while the campus was wrapped in silence, he jumped to his death from his room in the dorm. As his family went through the items left behind in his room, they discovered a note that read, “There is utterly no hope.”

Hopelessness has many causes and few cures. Many searching for some form of hope turn to alcohol or other drugs. Others lose themselves in their work or worry for a way out of their despair. Many seek relief by trying new experiences or adventures. Few find long-lasting results.

Hopelessness may be caused by sorrow or grief. We all seem to want a life without a “pile of problems.” No one looks for tragedies as a form of entertainment. And we rarely have an opportunity to “pick our pain.” Pain is as much a part of life as sunshine or rain, night or day.

Is there a sure source where everyone can find hope? The Psalmist believes there is. “...hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.”

Hoping is different from wishing. Wishing is a desire for something we don’t have. Hope, on the other hand, is a gift from God. Hope in God gives us confidence that He is with us and will fulfill every promise He has ever made to protect us and empower us to meet the dangers of life.

Prayer: Lord, as long as we have You we have hope and know that Your unfailing love will guide us and guard us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 130:7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Struggling To Survive

A raging sea, a violent storm, a broken mast and a twenty-foot swell capsized the small ship. A survivor in a small rowboat was struggling for his life – looking for a hope. Suddenly, through the dark clouds he sighted a lone star shining brightly. Rowing with all his might, he said to himself over and over, “If I lose that, I’m lost!”

What an appropriate scene for us to visualize when all seems lost and storms of life refuse to give way to calm seas. Wave after wave rises and falls while the wind grows stronger and the night darker. We strain and we struggle against all odds, to survive. Is the sun gone from my life forever? Will I never see another blossom? Will the clouds never allow the stars to shine again?

Often, we fix our eyes on things that give us no hope or people who do not care for our best. The “immediate” is right here right now, and that’s all that matters! So we “reach out” and grab anything that is available.

However, there is a better way to respond when life has turned us upside down. The Psalmist wrote, “The eyes of all look to You in hope.” There are those who “wish” for better days when things are bleak and black. And then there are Christians who have hope!

The difference between a “wish” and “hope” that comes from faith in Christ is quite significant. A wish is a “desire” or a “dream.” But when we who belong to God say we “have this hope,” it means that because of His faithfulness we have the confident assurance that we can trust the Lord to save us and sustain us in life’s darkest hours.

Prayer: Lord, as unworthy and undeserving as we are, we know that You will rescue us if we have faith in You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 145:15 The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time.

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Looking For Hope?

His professors and fellow students recognized him as one of the most brilliant students on campus. He had the most when it came to worldly goods. From any vantage point he seemed to “have it all.”
Early one morning while the campus was wrapped in silence, he jumped to his death from his room in the dorm. As his family went through the items left behind in his room, they discovered a note that read, “There is utterly no hope.”

Hopelessness has many causes and few cures. Many searching for some form of hope turn to alcohol or other drugs. Others lose themselves in their work or worry for a way out of their despair. Many seek relief by trying new experiences or adventures. Few find long-lasting results.

Hopelessness may be caused by sorrow or grief. We all seem to want a life without a “pile of problems.” No one looks for tragedies as a form of entertainment. And we rarely have an opportunity to “pick our pain.” Pain is as much a part of life as sunshine or rain, night or day.

Is there a sure source where everyone can find hope? The Psalmist believes there is. “...hope in the Lord; for with the Lord there is unfailing love. His redemption overflows.”

Hoping is different from wishing. Wishing is a desire for something we don’t have. Hope, on the other hand, is a gift from God. Hope in God gives us confidence that He is with us and will fulfill every promise He has ever made to protect us and empower us to meet the dangers of life.

Prayer: Lord, as long as we have You we have hope and know that Your unfailing love will guide us and guard us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 130:7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.