Love your enemy?
Hey Single Girl by Tara (Hall) Sharp
God’s Promise
I Thought We Were Friends by Amy Sapp
My HOPE in the Storm
Lamentations 3:22-25
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
What encouraging verses from God’s Word! These became my life verses after I was struck by lightning five years ago. It’s a comfort to know that I can have hope in the Lord even when my world seems dark and topsy-turvy.
We can trust His promises because of His great faithfulness.
When you feel lonely and afraid, you can find peace and comfort through scripture, as well as hope to face each day.
Cling to God’s Promises
Hebrews 13:5 tells us that God “will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” When we feel discouraged or overwhelmed by burdens, we can know that God is right there with us. He wants to help; all we have to do is ask.
We can also read in Jeremiah 29:11 that God “know(s) the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” We must understand and believe that God keeps His promises. This can give us the courage and strength for each day. God can deliver us from the feeling of hopelessness.
Don’t Quit!
Romans 5:3-5 tells us “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
However difficult a pill it is to swallow, God sometimes allows tribulations to grow our faith or even to chip off some of the rough edges that do not belong in our lives. As long as we look to the Lord for our guidance and strength, He can use the hard times of hopelessness to make us a better person and to give us hope for the future.
Yes, the battle can get burdensome, and you can grow weary in the journey, but don’t despair because God has promised that we shall reap blessings if we faint not.
Galatians 6:9 “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
Hope for the best outcome
Romans 8:28 tells us that “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” I know this verse is quoted a lot and perhaps even misused, but God does have our best interests at heart.
The knowledge that God will resolve things for your good gives such amazing hope.
Though sometimes it can be challenging to see, don’t lose hope. Joshua 1:8 encourages us to “be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” God loves you very much and desires to see you succeed. When we determine to follow God’s Word, He will help us through the trials and restore joy in our lives.
“Hope is being able to see the light despite the darkness around you.” Desmond Tutu
You can download and print the Scripture Calendar here:
https://charitymaeprosper.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/SJ-Hope-in-the-Storm.pdf
It’s Worth It! by Cheryl Russ
The Love of God – Danielle Palmer
“Living Loved” by Kaylin Parrock
Zacchaeus’ Change
Luke 19:1-5
And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector. The Roman Empire had imposed steep taxes on everyone. Tax collectors were some of the most unfavorable people in Israel.
Jews who chose to work for the Romans were considered turncoats. This made Zacchaeus a very unliked man. In every society, there are people who are unloved or deemed untouchable because of their behavior or lifestyle.
In spite of his disposition, Jesus loved Zacchaeus. Jesus loves you. Jesus loved the whole world enough to give His life that we may be able to go to heaven with Him one day.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him so not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Zacchaeus heard that Jesus was coming through Jericho. He wanted to see what the fuss was all about. But because of his short stature, he had to climb a tree to see above the crowds.
Little did he know that he would not only meet Jesus, but Jesus would also be coming to his house. What a difference it made in his life the day he met the Saviour!
Have you met the Saviour? If so, has your faith caused a change? If not, what changes do you need to make?
I will ever be grateful for the day that Jesus entered my life and changed it forever. Thankful for His redeeming grace.
Compassion
Character Trait: Compassion
Compassion is a mixed passion, compounded of love and sorrow; sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress along with a desire to alleviate it without experiencing anything in return.
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John 3:17
God wants us to be uniquely different from the world especially in our compassion for others. Jesus lived a life of compassion for others. He not only saw the needs of others, but also responded to their needs.
True compassion comes from being fully surrendered to the Lord. Many times the trials that we endure in our lives will spiritually strengthen us. This will help to grow our faith and allow us to help others who come behind us to go through it as well.
Additional Scripture:
Matthew 15:32, Matthew 20:34, John 13:35, 1 John 3:16-17, 1 Peter 3:8, Galatians 6:10, Jude 1:22, Luke 10:33-35, John 17:20-23, Proverbs 29:11, 1 Peter 2:21, Psalm 78:38, Psalm 86:15, Luke 15:20, Psalm 145:8, Micah 7:18-19, Matthew 9:36, Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:12-13
Prayer: Father, Thank you for all Your provisions in our lives. Please help us to see those around us that are in need of compassion. Help us to be an example of Your compassion that will make an eternal difference in the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Hymns of Praise:
- The Saviour Is Waiting
- He Careth For You
- Love Divine
- A Tender Heart
- Blest Be the Tie
