HOPE! [2]

 

   Hope continued:

Romans 5:1,2—- We have hope through our faith in Christ and our justification because of Christ’s sacrifice of Himself for our sins.

 

Hebrews 6:18-19 (King James Version)

 ¹⁸ That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:

¹⁹ Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;   Our hope is sure and steadfast and a secure anchor for our soul.

  Romans 4: 16-18—- Hope triumphs over difficulties. Example Abraham.

The hope of the righteous will be gladness, But the expectation of the wicked will perish. Proverbs 10:28.  One day we will have perfect gladness and our hope will come true because of what Jesus did for me and you!

1 Peter 1:3—³ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,—– Our hope is a living hope in a living Savior!

  Titus 2:13— Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ. Our hope is a blessed hope!

  Eph.4: ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;

As Saints we have the one and same hope of our calling. That same hope is in our Lord Jesus Christ!

Romans 5:2; 12:12—- Saints are to rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

[PREPARED BY WINSTON STAPLES]

HOPE! [ 1 ]

 

Hope—- A looking forward to with expectation.
Psalm 39:7 (King James Version)
7And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee.
1 Peter 1:21 (King James Version)
21Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. According to these two Scripture verses our Hope is in God.
Acts 26:6,7; 1 Timothy 1:1— We have Hope in the Promises of God.
Psalm 33:18–Behold the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy. We have Hope because of the mercy of God.
Galatians 5:5—- For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. In this verse we see two things that provide hope for the believers of Christ. Hope through the Holy Spirit and Hope by our faith.
Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier. ~Author Unknown 2 Thess.2:16— Now the Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace. The Bible tells us they we have hope because of God’s marvellous grace!
Psalm 119:81—- Our hope is obtained through the Word of God!
Romans 15:4—
4For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. We get hope from the comfort and patience we find as we read the scriptures. I have a lot of pain and have had chronic pain for more than 40 years and I have always found strength in reading God’s word!
Colossians 1:5,23—-We obtain hope through the gospel! [ John 3:16 ]

“When life has been well spent; when there is a conscience without reproach; when there is faith in the Saviour; when there is a well-founded hope of heaven, there can be nothing that should disquiet us.”  Author: Albert Barnes

[prepared by Winston Staples]

EXPLORING FAITH BY GOD’S WORD [3]

 

Faith continued: Gal.2:20—-I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Saints are to live by faith in Christ!

Romans 11:20; 2 Cor.1:24— Saints stand by faith!

Romans 4:12; 2 Cor.5:7— We are to walk with steps of faith!

Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death. ~Author Unknown
Faith continued: Matt.21:22; James 1:6—

James 1:6 (New King James Version)
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.

Faith is necessary in prayers being answered!

John 10:26-27— Those without faith are without Christ!

1 John 5:1– Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. Faith is evidence of new life in Christ! Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase. ~Martin Luther King Jr

John 10:25 ; 12:37 ; Acts 19:9 ; 2 Thessalonians 3:2—- Unbelievers do not have this great thing called faith, only those who are walking in the light of God’s word!

Faith is illustrated as:

*A shield

Ephesians 6:16

*A breastplate

1 Thessalonians 5:8

Some Bible greats of faith: Caleb, Num. 13:30. Job, Job 19:25. Shadrach, . Dan. 3:17. Daniel, Dan. 6:10, 23. Peter, Mat. 16:16. Woman who was a sinner,Luke 7:50. Nathaniel, John. 1:49. Samaritans, Jno. 4:39. Martha, John. 11:27. The Disciples, John. 16:30. Thomas, John. 20:28. Stephen, Acts 6:5.Priests, Acts 6:7. Ethiopian, Acts 8:37. Barnabas, Acts 11:24. Sergius Paulus, Acts 13:12. Philippine jailer, Acts 16:31, 34. Romans, Rom. 1:8. Colossians, Col. 1:4. Thessalonians, 1 The. 1:3. Lois, 2 Tim. 1:5. Paul, 2 Tim. 4:7. Abel, Heb. 11:4. Enoch, Heb. 11:5. Noah, Heb. 11:7. Abraham,Heb. 11:8, 17. Isaac, Heb. 11:20. Jacob, Heb. 11:21. Joseph, Heb. 11:22. Moses, Heb. 11:24, 27. Rah ab, Heb. 11:31. Gideon &c. Heb. 11:32, 33, 39. This concludes our brief look at faith I trust you have enjoyed and have a little more faith!
Romans 14:22-23 (New King James Version)

22 Do you have faith?[a] Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.[b]

All things should be done in faith!

1 Peter 1:6,7— Our faith is often tested by affliction!

James 1:3 (New King James Version)

3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

At the point where hope would otherwise become hopelessness, it becomes faith. ~Robert Brault

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

EXPLORING FAITH BY GOD’S WORD [2]

Faith continued: 2 Tim.1:12; Hebrews 10:22.

Hebrews 10:22— let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

A true heart in full assurance of our faith.

James 2:21-25—- Doing good works is an evidence of our faith.

James 2:17,20,26– without fruit faith is dead.

Matt.17:20; 21:21; Mark 9:23—- Faith will help us through our storms in life.

1 Cor.16:13— we are to be strong in our faith.

Col.1:23 states we are to be grounded or rooted in our faith.

1 Timothy 1:19–having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, we are to hold firm to our faith with a good conscience.

Luke 17:5— we are to pray for our faith to increase.

Fear knocked at the door. Faith answered. And lo, no one was there. ~Author Unknown
Acts 11:2o-21(New King James Version)

20 But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.

When some had heard and through faith excepted the news about Jesus they were converted. Faith leads to conversion!

Hebrews 12:1-2 (New King James Version)
Hebrews 12
The Race of Faith
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Jesus the Christ is the author and finisher of our faith!

1 Cor. 12:9— Faith is a gift of the Holy Spirit!

Faith is the bird that sings when the dawn is still dark. ~Rabindranath Tagore

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

 

EXPLORING FAITH BY THE WORD OF GOD [1]

FAITH:

Hebrews 11:1,2—1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

2For by it the elders obtained a good report. Faith is a main building block in our salvation and our spiritual growth!

1 John 3:23 (King James Version)
23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. Faith in Jesus is needed for salvation!

The objects of faith are: John 14:1– GOD . John 6:29; Acts 20:21— CHRIST. John 5:46;Acts 24:14; Acts 26:27— THE WRITINGS OF MOSES AND THE PROPHETS.

Mark 1:15— Our faith is in God’s word and is renewed as we read and ponder His word daily.

Romans 4:21; Hebrews 11:13–

Hebrews 11:13 (New King James Version)
The Heavenly Hope

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,[a] embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. We have our faith that we will receive God’s promises through our hope in Christ.

Romans 12:3; Eph.2:8; 6:23; Phil. 1:27-29– Faith is a gift of God.

Acts 11:21; 1 Cor.2:5— Our faith is the work of God.

2 Peter 1:1– 1 Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:
Our Faith is precious because of the righteousness of our Savior Jesus Christ.

[ to be continued ]

[ prepared by Winston Staples ]

Looking Over My Shoulder!

I look back over my shoulder,

And wonder where the years quickly went;

It seems like yesterday, that I was fourteen,

slowly walking down a country road,

To visit my best friend who with him,

So much wonderful and joy filled time,

Yes, joy filled time was spent.

It seems like yesterday when I said Yes,

A very important yes to Jesus,

When the invitation was given,

I decided to follow Jesus, the only way to Heaven.

So now as the years pass quickly bye,

I rejoice with the Saints as we wait,

Patiently wait to be taken,

To our mansion in the sky.

Oh, come and sing with me,

A favorite song ” In The Sweet Bye And Bye”.

~Winston Staples

A FAVORITE CHAPTER OF REVELATION!

Revelation 21 King James Version (KJV)

21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

² And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

³ And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

⁴ And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

⁵ And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

⁶ And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

⁷ He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

⁸ But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

⁹ And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife.

¹⁰ And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,

¹¹ Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal;

¹² And had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel:

¹³ On the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates.

¹⁴ And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

¹⁵ And he that talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates thereof, and the wall thereof.

¹⁶ And the city lieth foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.

¹⁷ And he measured the wall thereof, an hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of the angel.

¹⁸ And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.

¹⁹ And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald;

²⁰ The fifth, sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolyte; the eighth, beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst.

²¹ And the twelve gates were twelve pearls: every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass.

²² And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it.

²³ And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.

²⁴ And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.

²⁵ And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.

²⁶ And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.

²⁷ And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

A Special Chapter Of Scripture For Me!

Romans 8 King James Version (KJV)
8 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?
25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.
27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
28 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.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth.
34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

DOORS

Wint68's Blog

Doors are made to go through, in our out, it’s up to you; doors are of many types, that we must face in life, some bring us happiness, while others may bring strife. Some doors are meant for us to open, while others are better left shut, some lead us into green pastures, while others may lead us into deep ruts. There are two doors into eternity, that may be opened by death, one leads down to eternal torment and the other into heavenly rest. Doors of destruction may be selfishness and pride; Jesus is the door to Heaven, He will welcome you with arms open wide. Trust in Him and with Him you will always abide!

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he…

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WAITING FOR SPRING!

jake70

The March wind blows,

blows hard from the West,

and the sun shines bright,

yes, bright through the old pine,

that stands tall before me.

As this cold wind blows,

it may be bring a little snow,

the last snow before Spring.

I am hoping, and waiting,

for it to come soon,

so I can hear the sparrows sing,

also hear my favorite bird;

the first robin to return,

and sit on the wires,

and sing, sing, sing,

cheer up, it’s Spring, Spring, Spring!

~Winston Gerald Staples

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