hope

God has been teaching me a lot about hope lately. I believe hope is one of the best things to have, especially when your hope is alive. According to the Bible when a hope or longing is fulfilled it is sweet to the soul or a tree of life.

"..a longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul.." proverbs 13:19

Just a few verses above this one is proverbs 13:12

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

That last verse I have thought about a lot of times. I read over it a couple of weeks ago and prayed repeatedly, Lord please don't let my heart grow sick. I know how important the heart is. I know that it says above all else, to guard the heart for it is the wellspring of life. (proverbs 4:23)


Isn't God good how He reveals things to us?

I looked up a ton of verses on hope and this is that God showed me...

When our eyes are so focused on God, our hope will never disappoint because He IS our hope.

Psalm 42:5

Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him
For the help of His countenance.

Psalm 62:5

My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.

Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

1 Timothy 6:17

As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for [our] enjoyment.


So to all of those who feel like proverbs 13:12, (the Messge puts it like this)

Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around.

Don't let your situation, or your "unrelenting disappointment" become your god. I have done it before, and living that way never leads to a life of peace or joy. Let God and His Word/promises be your hope.


Ending with Romans 15:4

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Whatever youre going through be encouraged through the Scriptures and get excited about all God wants to do through you and for you!

[my God is with me, the one who gives song in the night]

I joke all the time that I have become a grandma now that I have a grown-up job, I make a genuine effort to be in bed early on the weekdays! But, tonight. It's perfect. I couldn't sleep, and instead of tossing and turning I was compelled to go outside, crazy... I know. It was incredible. I walked out and the awe-factor was instantaneous. I knew God was trying to tell me something. I grabbed my Bible and looked up scripture on, well the only thing that came to mind was 'night' so it led me to Job 35:10 "but no one says, "Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night.." Oh, but tonight I did ask God, my Maker...who in that very moment was making the perfect night song, where are You? He is with me, always. Oh how great is to spend a night under the stars, knowing that the Creator of the Universe has us in mind. He is and will always be my True Love.
<3

Walking in the Spirit, love, wisdom, unity

When walking in the Spirit you will show this kind of fruit: love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

When walking in wisdom you are cautious and watchful. (circumspectly: watchful and discreet; prudent) Ephesians 5:15

When walking in unity walk as the Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) they are 3 in 1. The church should be as one "Endeavoring (striving) to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one spirit..."Ephesians 4:3 We must work at unity!

When walking in love we must imitate God. It says to "be imitators of God as dear children" Ephesians 5:1 It reminds me of watching my parents and imitating them as I grow. I imitate what I have seen or learned from my earthly parents. Do I mess up? All the time. I don't give up because of my mistakes. I learn and my parents don't hate me because of mistakes they expect them and allow them so I can grow. It's the same with God. He has given us all we need to imitate Him and He knows it'll take us messing up, Trusting Him and getting back up to try and imitate Him again. Ephesians goes on to say "
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." love others as Jesus loves, sacrificial love.