Hope That Does Not Disappoint

Romans 5:5 5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Today, we express hope as if we can’t be sure what will really happen. We say, “I hope I will win that prize. I hope it won’t rain tomorrow. I hope everything works out well.” But “hope” in the Bible is a confident and positive expectation of good. God wants you to have a confident expectation of good because as His child, He favors you. Because Christ is in you, the hope of glory (Colossians1:27), you can expect the glory of God to shine into every area of your life, including your family, job, ministry, health and finances! God’s Word says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” You may have experienced disappointed hopes, but there is a hope that does not disappoint when you are conscious of how much God loves you. It is a hope that springs from the heart of God, who loves you very much. It is interesting that the first mention of the Holy Spirit in the book of Romans is tied up with the love of God. The book of Romans is considered foundational for Christians. Could it be that the first thing the Holy Spirit wants to do is to establish in our hearts that God loves us? Many people think that the Holy Spirit has come to teach us about power. But the truth is that the Holy Spirit has come not to reveal the love for power, but the power of love! My friend, you may have just lost your job. But if you can say, “Jesus loves me this I know,” you can also say, “I believe that I will get a better job tomorrow.” When you believe that God loves you, you will have a positive expectation of good. You will have a hope that does not disappoint. So be careful what you hope for because you are bound to get it!

Gods promises are going to get fulfilled

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“...Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come...”

(Habakkuk 2:3, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD

If you will keep God first in everything you do, He promises that He is going to crown your efforts with success. Because you diligently seek Him, a reward is coming. Favor is coming. Good breaks are coming. Promotion is coming. A shift is coming. Healing is coming. Restoration is coming. It may seem like it’s taking a long time; you may feel like you’ve been holding on forever, but keep holding on. The promise will be fulfilled through faith and patience. Waiting doesn’t mean do nothing; it means get prepared. Now is the time to get ready. God doesn’t want you to live an average, ordinary life. Because you depend on Him, He is going to increase you. You are going to bear much fruit. He is going to make you more productive. You’re going to get more done in less time. He is going to make your life easier and take you where you could not go on your own. It’s going to be greater than you ever even dreamed of. Get ready because it’s coming — every promise you’ve stood in faith for, every dream He’s placed in your heart that you’ve contended for is coming to fruition in Jesus’ name!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your faithfulness and goodness in my life. I know that through faith and patience I will receive Your promises. Help me to be ready; show me what to do so that I am in position to receive everything You have prepared for me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Blessed Wherever You Are

Deuteronomy 28:3 3“Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the country.

You may have heard of people who think that to have better “luck”, they have to move to a new home, work for a certain company or even migrate to another country. The truth is that it is not the place that gets you the blessings, but whether God’s blessing is on you. And for you, child of God, you are already blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:3) He has paid for your blessings with His blood. So the blessing is not on the land but on the man! It was in the city of Jerusalem that Jesus was whipped, cursed and spat on. And it was outside the city on Calvary’s hill that He was pierced and crucified. That is why you are blessed in the city as well as outside in the country! In fact, you are blessed regardless of your location. Perhaps you work in a non-Christian company and your boss doesn’t quite like you. In fact, he sometimes mistreats you. But God can still bless you in spite of your boss. You get blessed because you believe God for it. It has nothing to do with your boss or the company. Why then don’t you seem to see the blessings? My friend, if you don’t see the blessings, check what you have been believing and saying. Some people complain and blame everyone and everything around them — their parents, race, gender, environment and government—for their lack of blessings. Beloved, I want you to believe and confess that you are blessed because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross, not because you are of a certain race or work in a certain place. It does not matter where you work or live, what color your skin is or what you do for a living. If God blesses you, you are blessed! And it is all because of Jesus. So say to yourself, “I am blessed wherever I am—blessed in the city, blessed in the country!”

When Fear Knocks on the Door ........................

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

(Ephesians 6:12, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

Friends, throughout life, fear will come knocking at the door, selling you the worst case scenario. Fear tells you, “You’re going to lose your job. Your marriage is over. Your business is falling apart. Your child is done. It’s all downhill from here.” When those thoughts come, you don’t have to buy in. You don’t have to accept those thoughts. Here’s the key: when fear knocks, let faith answer the door. Don’t give those thoughts of fear the time of day. Don’t let them intimidate you. Answer back with faith. “Lord, You said the number of my days You would fulfill. God, You said Your plans for me are for good and not evil. God, You said what’s meant for my harm You would turn around and use to my advantage.” If you’ll keep an attitude of faith and expectancy, it’s like keeping the door locked on an intruder. Fear has no right in the life of a believer. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Remember, the battle is in your mind. The enemy is after your thoughts. Don’t give him the time of day; and when fear knocks, let faith answer the door!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank You for Your Word which says that You have not given me a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. I receive peace in my heart and mind and stand strong in faith knowing that the greater One lives in me in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Exceptional Favor

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day...”

(Proverbs 4:18, AMP)

TODAY’S WORD

We all face challenges. We all have obstacles to overcome. But if we can keep the right perspective, it will help us stay in faith so that we can move forward into victory. You may feel right now like the challenges that you face are too big or too overwhelming. One thing I’ve learned is that average people have average problems. Ordinary people have ordinary challenges. But remember, you’re not average. You’re not ordinary. You are extraordinary. God breathed His life into you. You are exceptional, and exceptional people face exceptional difficulties. But, the good news is that we serve an exceptional God! He’ll pour out His exceptional grace, exceptional wisdom and exceptional favor! When you have an extraordinary problem; instead of being discouraged, be encouraged knowing that you’re an extraordinary person and have an extraordinary future. Your path is shining brighter and brighter. You are on an extraordinary path. Keep standing in faith, keep declaring victory over your future, keep declaring His promises. Keep declaring that you are moving forward into the exceptional favor the Lord has in store for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, today I lift my eyes to You. I know that You are the One who helps me and has given me an extraordinary future. I choose to stand in faith today knowing that You have a wonderful plan in store for me in Jesus’ name! Amen.

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. (Psalm 27:10)

Dearly beloved, Lord Jesus heals the broken-hearted.

 “I put in very hard work in my office day and night and return home very late. This has roused my husband’s suspicion! As soon as I come home, he would get angry with me for no reason whatever. 

“His harsh and damaging words and our needless quarrels have made life a  hell for me! I am unable to do justice to my work in the office. It is steadily deteriorating. I have no peace of mind. There is none in this world to love me. My mind is anguished. Is there any redress for me?” 

Yes! So many are those living in mental anguish! Psalmist David wept, “For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me” (Psalm 109:22). 

Look at the life of Lord Jesus! His own people rose against Him. The Bible relates, “All the people in the synagogue were furious when they heard this. They got up, drove him out of the town, and took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built, in order to throw him down the cliff” (Luke 4:28,29). He was condemned to death on the cross. Though Pilate was inclined to release Him, His own people shouted, "Crucify him! Crucify him!" (Luke 23:21).

There was none to love Him! How hurt would have been His heart when the very people whose eyes He had opened, who had received miracles at His hands, demanded His death! The Bible says, “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3). He was wounded. Today, He is anxious to bind our wounds! 

David said, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me” (Psalm 27:10). Lord Jesus offers to take the responsibility for us even if our father and mother were to abandon us. He shall be our eternal Companion. He shall be with us forever and ever.

Prayer:

Loving Lord Jesus,

You are my eternal Companion. You were wounded on the cross for my sake. I call upon You. Hear my cry and heal my broken-heart. Comfort me with your divine love. Wipe away my tears and fill me with divine peace. Let your presence be with me forever.

In Your matchless name I pray. 

AMEN

Praise and strength

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.”

(Psalm 28:7, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD

Praise and strength go hand in hand. When you give God praise, He gives you strength. When you thank God in advance for the answer, that’s what keeps you encouraged. Remember, you’re not going to stay strong in faith by complaining. Complaining drains you of strength and energy. You’re not going to stay determined if you’re talking about how bad it is. No, switch over into praise. “Business may be slow, but Lord, I want to thank You that You prosper me even in a desert.” “The people coming against me may be powerful, but Lord, I want to thank You that You are all-powerful.” Praise will keep you moving forward! So often we think, “I’ll give God praise after the problem turns around.” But if you don’t learn this principle to thank God in advance, you won’t have the strength you need to wait for the promise. Every morning when you wake up, start the day by saying, “Father, thank You that my dreams are coming to pass. Thank You that this problem is turning around. Thank You that You are bigger than this obstacle.” Keep praising Him and keep receiving His strength so you can boldly embrace the victory He has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, today I give You praise because You are worthy. Thank You for working in my life even when I can’t see it. I am blessed  and receive Your strength today in Jesus’ name. Amen.