Month: December 2023

Living Hope! — 1Peter1:3-5 (ESV) Blessed be the God & Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead; to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, & unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Hebr 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. —The Greek term for “hope” in the passage means “an eager, confident expectation.” Our hope is in in His victory over death & His resurrection life! This hope is “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, & unfading, kept in heaven” just for each of us! Now that is something worth putting our HOPE in! Love Mel

Prov 12:11 (ESV) Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. Prov 28:18-19 He who walks with integrity will be kept safe, but whoever is perverse in his ways will suddenly fall. Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. — God is telling us that the way to be happy, is to be holy & true! Being faithful to follow after God’s ways & not man’s! Our pursuits must follow after integrity! Here we will find safety from all evil! Love Mel

Great JOY—Matt 2:10 (ESV)When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great JOY. Luke 2:10 (NIV)But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great JOY for all the people.’ Rom 15:13 (ESV) May the God of hope fill you with all JOY & peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Prov 17:22 A JOYful heart is good medicine…. Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of JOY! — JOY is medicine that gives us the HOPE that we are looking for!! So what are we hoping for? 
     ▪    the reappearing of Jesus Christ,
   ▪    our redemption in Christ,
   ▪    our righteousness in Christ,
   ▪    finding the glory of God, &
   ▪inheriting eternal life (Titus 1:2) — Keep hoping by finding JOY in the Lord! We have so much to hope for! Love Mel

Isaiah 41:10 (ESV) Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong & courageous. Do not be frightened, & do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Psalm 34:4 I sought the Lord, & He answered me & delivered me from all my fears. — Through out the Bible, God tells us to fear not, be not afraid, & do not be frightened! In the Psalms we are told that when we seek God, He in turn delivers us from ALL of our fears! So it is clear the answer to fear is to seek God for our deliverance. Love Mel

Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. — The whole armor of God includes: 1. belt of truth, 2. breastplate of righteousness, 3. shoes of the gospel of peace, 4. shield of faith, 5. helmet of salvation, & 6. the sword of the spirit. —1. When we are surrounded by truth we have the most important weapon to stand against the father of lies! 2. Righteousness is what guards our heart! 3. Peace -John 14:27 “I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” 4. Faith stops the flaming darts of the enemy 5. Salvation is our deliverance. 6. The Spirit is our guide in all Truth! — He has prepared us for every battle! Love Mel