HAVE HOPE

 Do you ever feel hopeless, beat down, in despair and just have no clue how to pull yourself out? Well the first thing is you have to get your mind off yourself and onto God. You might want to try reading the book of Psalms in the Bible. Everyone has probably felt hopeless at one time or another. God is a giver of Hope.

God's word is the ultimate "hope manual" with it's many promises to lift you up and sustain you. One verse that comes to mind right now is Isaiah 40:31(ESV) which says 'They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles. They shall run and not be weary. They shall walk and not faint.' Jeremiah 29:11-12(NIV) may be familiar to some readers and it says '"For I know the plans I have for you", says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you."'

What is it that has got you down? Unanswered prayer? Condemnation? Worry? Fear? No matter what God is greater than mere man who brings most of our troubles upon us. You may be in anguish because of the lies that Satan has made you believe. God is much more powerful than demons. Whatever it is that is troubling you, why not let God take that from you today?

PRAYER: Father use me to bring hope to those who need it. Fill me with love and compassion. Give me just the right words to say. I know when resist Satan he has to flee. You are mighty to save. In Jesus' name.Amen.

Check out my friend Kathe Wunnenberg website at www.hopelifters.org

UNCERTAIN TIMES

Today is the big day here in the USA where "mere men" ,with too much
power, have put fear in us with a word called Sequestration. Here in
a military town this is especially causing stress not knowing whose
jobs will be safe or if the whole town will fold. Defense cuts affect
not just the military and their family and defense contractors, but the entire US and the

civilian town the military is near. But God is bigger than this crisis created by man. Remember
the verse in 1 Timothy 6:17(NIV) which says 'Command those who are
rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in
wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who
richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.' Elsewhere in
Proverbs 23:5(NIV) further drives this point home when it says 'Cast
but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout
wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.'

For those "awake" and paying attention to world events and things in
our own country,we are living in uncertain times. A country of
freedom, prosperity, and independence is slowly being controlled by a
domineering tyrannical government trying to seemingly take over all
aspects of our lives. Many people are frightened today because this day was hyped by the media so much as doomsday.

 

When and if doomsday does come, as a believer we are not to

trust in riches or man to help us or save us. Our hope is to be in the
Lord who made the heavens and the earth and who is in control of it
all. Sometimes He allows men to reap what they sow and has warned us
many times. In scripture it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14(NIV) 'if my
people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and
seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from
heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.' Are we
truly humbling ourselves and seeking God's face or are we way too busy
to have time? Many may be so busy in their careers or at home that
they do not even realize what is happening in the world around them
especially not getting info from the right sources. Many are oblivious

to the impending economic, military, and moral downfall of America

around them. But once again we are not to be frightened by what "mere
men" can do to us as our trust is in God. (See Psalm 118:6 and Psalm
56:4).

Psalm 23(NIV) is often just thought of as a passage of scripture read
only at funerals but there is much more within the words of that
chapter. I have copied it here. Take a moment and read it over and
think about something other than the funeral context you often
probably hear it in.

'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down
in green pastures,he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my
soul.He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no
evil, for you are with me;your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You
anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love
will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house
of the Lord forever.'

Today do not be afraid and read out loud the following scripture from
John 14:17(NIV). It says 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be
troubled and do not be afraid." God will take care of us. Do not focus
on evil and bad around you but get into his word and let it transform
your heart and give you peace.

PRAYER: Lord we do not know what is happening. We in America have
always seemingly never had worries or fears like other countries and
have taken much for granted. Our morals have started to slide because
we chose back in 1963 to kick you out of our public schools. We did
not give heed to your precious lives you created and since 1973 have
killed millions of babies in the name of women's rights or choice. How
sad this makes me Lord. Please forgive our country for ignoring you
and turning its' back on you. Get us through the stormy days ahead
Lord and bring revival to this land. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on the link below and please take a moment and be comforted by
the words of the attached song.
http://youtu.be/2ZuVtA7Vyk8

DON'T GIVE UP!

What it is in life that is getting you down with discouragement and
despair? Perhaps it is loss of a job? Maybe an illness that threatens
your life? Is it maybe the state of our country if you are reading
this from the United States? Loss of a friend or family member to
death recently or in the past? Perhaps guilt over abortion? Maybe you
are pregnant and unmarried? Whatever it is God hears and understands.
Sometimes when people feel "down" they may listen to "wrong

voices" and feel that the only way out is to end their life. My
friend, that is never the way out. Ask any surviving family

members of those who have committed suicide.

On talk radio the other day there was a former Navy Seal who called
in, and I wish I had his name to give him credit for something. He
had lost his leg, arm and was suffering greatly, feeling very down but
he said that talk radio "propped him up when he felt like giving up".
That is sort of how God is and our friends too. When you run to God
and run to the Bible you can have peace. When overcome by discouraging
thoughts it is necessary to not drown your problems in alcohol or
drugs. Those cures are placed in your head by the enemy who is out to
destroy you. God is here to make you whole and to get you through the
tough times to the rainbow that awaits you on the others side.

Sometimes a friend just needs to talk it out. At times you may be
tricked by Satan to not unload your burden and get help. Thoughts such
as, you will be made fun of or your friends will not want to be with

you anymore. Don't believe it! In 1 Thessalonians 5:11(NIV) it says

'Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in
fact you are doing.'

You are of great value to God. He has a purpose for you. He wants you
to run your race to win. Psalm 46:1 (NIV) says 'God is our refuge and
strength. A very present
help in time of trouble.' Run to Him today.

PRAYER: Lord thank you for helping me through the storms of life that
come my way. I know Lord I need to get into the word when the enemy
gets me thinking gloomy thoughts. It is only through you that I gain
strength for each day. In Jesus name. Amen.

Click on link below for an awesome song to lift you up.
http://youtu.be/CZzUFei6slA

I have included links to some hotlines for those in crisis:
Suicide Hotline: 1-800-SUICIDE 

Prayer Hotline:1-800-759-0700 (Operated by volunteer counselors from
The 700 Club)
Pregnancy Hotline: 1-800-395-HELP 
Runaways Hotline:1-800-RUNAWAY
Veterans' Crisis Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 
ALL ISSUES: 1-800-AFAMILY (Not 24 Hours)

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE

 A new year is a chance to remember there is always hope. No matter
what the situation you can be lifted out of your pit of despair. Jesus
is our hope! He is there when humans fail us. He is there to comfort.
He hears your prayers.

Hope is defined as a "feeling or expectation or desire for a certain
thing to happen." What is it you are hoping for? A breakthrough
perhaps in a family members life you have been praying for? The Bible
says in Luke 18:1 that 'we should pray and never give up.' Can you
keep on keeping on and pray even when it seems nothing is happening?
God's ways our not our ways it says in Isaiah 55:8.

My hope indeed is in God above, creator of heaven and earth. He alone
can do all things. He is King of kings and Lord of lords. Nothing is
impossible with Him it says in Luke 1:37.

PRAYER:Jesus you are our only hope when times are good or when times
are bad. I put my trust in you. I know with you in my life you are my
reason for never giving up. I stand on the solid rock and nothing

formed against me or my family shall prosper it says in Isaiah 54:17.

In Jesus' name. Amen.

Click on link for a song of praise and hope:
http://youtu.be/W48NfLLSFNc

Also please check out author and friend Kathe Wunnenberg blog at
http://www.hopelifters.blogspot.com/

DON'T WORRY ABOUT MAN

 

Have you ever put your trust or faith in a 'mere man' only to be let down and disappointed? Take a sports figure who is caught doping or cheating. Maybe it is a preacher who fell from grace. Perhaps a respected school teacher caught in a criminal act. Maybe it is a friend who has betrayed you in some way. For some maybe it is finding out a spouse has cheated on you. It could be an individual you trusted that it is found they embezzled money. Perhaps you shared something in confidence and found out it was not kept a secret. These are just a few examples. The point is humans can let us down but God never let us down.

When bad things happen to people, and they will at times, we are not to be the judge. Beware or the same scenarios occurring in your life. Pray for protection and for individuals caught in these traps. God does and can restore, redeem, and forgive. Often tragedies and downfalls in life cause the individual to get closer to the Lord.

Our hope and our trust should not be placed in mere man. Now in the case of the mention of an unfaithful spouse, those individuals, if they had a Christian marriage, took a vow before God to stay true to each other so that in fact should be followed as you grow in love daily putting God first and your spouse second. Don't ever put yourself in a tempting situation where you might fall. If one of the partners failed it is time to seek reconciliation and counseling to restore what God brought together. Stay best friends and this is unlikely to occur but still make sure God is number one.

Turn to the Lord and look to Him for your strength. Pray for you to stay strong and not led away by temptations and roadblocks man may put in your path.

Isaiah 40:31 says "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will mount up with wings as eagles. They will run and not be weary. They will walk and not faint."

Who do you trust today?

PRAYER: Lord I thank you for being there for me when it seems the world around me and people are faltering. Lord I thank you for being supremely in control. I look to you for my source of strength as I go through life. In Jesus name.

Click on link for a wonderful song of praise:
http://youtu.be/W48NfLLSFNc