Christian

The Power of Hope

Cindy Dawson

Hopelessness is the cruelest emotion. I felt hopeless once. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Hopelessness is like being in a dark hole. You don’t know how to get out and you don’t care.

If you have ever experienced hopelessness, and you’re still around to tell about it, you understand the inextricable need of all human beings to have HOPE.

We don’t know what may happen tomorrow, but we can be prepared by putting our hope in God today. Consider what God says about hope.

“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV

“May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:22 NIV

“But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love.” Psalm 33:18 NIV

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NIV

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NIV

” … we who have fled to take hold of the hope set before us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:18-19 NIV (emphasis mine)

“And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus … ” Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV (emphasis mine)

If the problems of this world are taking a toll on you, turn your eyes on Jesus. This is how we renew our hope.

A True Story About Hanging on to Hope

Alexander Solzhenitsyn knew how to hang on to hope. He was a political prisoner in Russia for many years. Forced to work 12-hour days at hard labor while existing on a starvation diet, he became gravely ill, and the doctor warned he would die.

One afternoon, he stopped working. Even though he knew the guards would beat him severely, he just could not go on any longer.

At that moment, a prisoner, also a follower of Christ, approached him. He had a cane in his hand, and with his cane, he drew a cross in the sand. Solzhenitsyn said when he saw that cross, he remembered the anguish his Savior had taken on for him; and he realized that the cross was where the battle was ultimately won. He got up, went back to work, and survived.

When you hang on to true hope, you can overcome the worst adversity.

(from the Jeremiah Study Bible)

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Friday’s Verse, 5/24/24

Cindy Dawson

“For I am the Lord, I do not change [but remain faithful to My covenant with you]; that is why you, O sons of Jacob, have not come to an end.” Malachi 3:6 AMP

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Verses for Meditation, 5/23/24

Cindy Dawson

“But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.” 2 Corinthians 11:3-4 NIV (emphasis mine)

Something to think about: Are you putting up with unbiblical teaching? (Hint: There is plenty of it going around. Can you tell the difference?)

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Quote of the Week, 5/22/24

Cindy Dawson

Our teachers of God’s Word are not always to be trusted. In fact, we should not follow any of them unconditionally, for God will call us to account for the use of our understanding. When even our pilot errs, it is necessary for us to follow the chart of the Word of God closely, so we might be able to save the vessel. 

C.H. SPURGEON

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Tuesday’s Verse, 5/21/24

Cindy Dawson

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:8-9 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Monday’s Verse, 5/20/24

Cindy Dawson

“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Sunday’s Memory Verse, 5/19/24

Cindy Dawson

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6:9-10 NIV (emphasis mine)

My thoughts: Teaching children in your church is a great way to do this!

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Unveiling David’s Secret: Loving and Cherishing God’s Word

Cindy Dawson

“After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’” Acts 13:22

There are no words I would rather hear from the Lord than “She is a woman after my own heart; she will do everything I want her to do.”

I sought to understand how David did this. How was he able to do everything God wanted him to do? How did he know and do God’s will? How was he so different than others that God would say such a beautiful thing about him?

The answer is found in Psalm 119. David repeatedly proclaims how much he loves God’s Word. Here are a few important verses, but I urge you to read the entire Psalm HERE. Notice that this man whom God called “a man after my own heart” loved and cherished God’s Holy Word.

“I will speak of your statutes before kings
    and will not be put to shame,
 for I delight in your commands
    because I love them.” Psalm 119:46-47

I think David is saying, “I will not be intimidated by anyone’s status. I will speak God’s Truth.”

“The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.” vs. 72

If we want to be a woman (or man) “after God’s own heart”, we must be a lover of His Word. This is how we will do “everything He wants us to do.” There is no other way.

New Age-influenced “Bible teachers” have taught a way to pray called contemplative prayer. This method teaches Christians to have a conversation or dialog with God. They say, “God said this. I said that. Then God said…” etc.

There is nothing in the Bible to back this up. This is New Age mysticism. The Bible is our treasure. Why must we always search for something more? (Read a brief description of contemplative prayer HERE, or an in-depth description HERE.)

If we want to know God’s will, we must read and study the Word of God: the Bible. Then we must obey what it says.

This may not always be easy. Social pressure to go along with the world is tremendous. But the person who does God’s will is the person who knows His Word and obeys it.

“The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

This verse tells me that God’s Word can and should be trusted. It will make even the simple person wise. But contemplative prayer seeks more than what is written in God’s Word. The person engaging in contemplative prayer seeks a supernatural experience. But God’s Word is sufficient.

“Never take your word of truth from my mouth,
    for I have put my hope in your laws.” Psalm 119:43 NIV

“Indignation grips me because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.” vs.53

“I am your servant; give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.” vs. 125

“Streams of tears flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.” vs. 136

“My zeal wears me out,
    for my enemies ignore your words.” vs. 139

These proclamations by David reveal his heart, his love for, and his respect for God’s Word. Remember, it is God’s Word that equips you for service.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (emphasis mine)

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

All Scripture references are NIV.

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Friday’s Verse, 5/17/24

Cindy Dawson

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

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Verse for Meditation, 5/16/24

Cindy Dawson

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.” 1 Corinthians 15:19NIV

In His Love, Cindy

Do you want to know more about Jesus? See my page Who Is Jesus?

Pray for Israel

Photo by Elena Rabkina on Unsplash

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