Monday, October 6, 2008

Hope

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the overcast day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it!

When I stepped outside this morning, everything was wet from the rain last evening, and it was still dark, because the sun doesn't come up early any more. I didn't even hear birds singing, so maybe they were sleeping late this morning, ;o)

Well, I watched the weather report on the news this morning, and beautiful, golden aspens were shown covering the mountains of Colorado. I saw the green aspens for the first time several years ago on a trip to Colorado. However, the trees at the Park are still very green except for the maples and they started turning red and golden a month or so ago.

The squirrels are busy gathering acorns for the winter, but they don't have to worry about storing them, because they are available here year round. I have even seen them dig up black acorns from the ground and eat them! To each his own! God is Awesome!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

How can I have hope when times are tough?

Hebrews 10:23 Without wavering, let us hold tightly to the hope we say we have, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

Our hope is rooted in God's integrity and faithfulness. When everything else falls apart we can cling to the fact that God keeps his word.

John 14:1 Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me.

John 16:33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

Our troubles do not surprise the Lord and should not surprise us. Trouble is rampant in this fallen world. Our focus should be on Jesus who has overcome this world and all its troubles.

Isaiah 26:3,4 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you; whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.

Psalm 130:7 O Israel, hope in the Lord; for with the Lord, there is unfailing love and an overflowing supply of salvation.

Psalm 146:5-10 Happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God. He is the one who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He is the one who keeps every promise forever, who gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts the burdens of those bent beneath their loads. The Lord loves the righteous. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked. The Lord will reign forever. O Jerusalem, your God is King in every generation! Praise the Lord!

Our hope is rooted in the wonderful acts of God in creation and history, The Bible gives full testimony to the fact that God is able to deliver us from any and every circumstance. He will either get us out of it or bring us through it--for his glory and our joy.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis