The Heart of Hope

The Heart Of Hope

 

When searching for an illustration depicting hope, I clicked on Google Images and viewed a large number of various pictures and a few quotes. From an unknown author, a profound expression of vision; “Hope sees the Invisible, Feels the Intangible, and achieves the Impossible.”

One image in the group representing the category of hope showed soil so parched it cracked leaving deep furrows. It reminded me of  the desert in the Death Valley Days western series, yet in this visual, the life of a tiny seeding grew in the midst of an impossible environment.

My quest to provide a picture of Hope brought to mind a few of the Bible verses I’ve committed to memory over the years. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick…”. When confirming the reference of verse in my Bible,  I realized there was more from Proverbs 13:12  I didn’t include, “ but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

In this post, I chose to include  the image of an open book illustrating Hope, the inner pages folded toward the center to form the shape of a heart. I would venture to say the book shown here is the Holy Bible.

I can see much more that the graphics of the photo. I see God’s love perfectly binding the pages together with Promise, Wisdom, Truth, Light,  Mercy, Grace, Forgiveness, Salvation through His Son, Jesus, Deliverance, Restoration, Life, Liberty, Peace, Joy, Direction, Purpose and Hope.  I have come to experience a deep wealth of this abundance after accepting Christ as my Savior and as I continue to grow in a daily walk with Him.

Another encouraging verse of hope I memorized was from the Davonne Lee Hide and Keep Ministries. It’s catchy tune plays a melody of blessing in my thoughts and heart from time to time. “The Lord delights in those who fear Him, Who put their Hope in His unfailing love.” (Psalms 147:11 NIV)

Hope in His UNFAILING LOVE! The heart of hope is putting our trust in His Son, Jesus! He is the Heart of Hope and His Word is filled with the Heart of Hope. And He never Fails!

“For God so loved the World He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have ETERNAL LIFE.”  John 3:16 (NIV)

While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. The Heart of Hope is there for us before we are aware of our sin, but, we are not condemned by Jesus!

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. John 3:17(NIV)

Once we realize we are in need of a remedy for the sickness caused by sin in our life, God’s Grace and Mercy leads us to the Cross on which Jesus died for our sins. The forgiveness He lavishes on us also cleanses us from sin.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and purify (cleanse) us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 (NIV)

Our Creator has placed a longing in our hearts to know Him, love Him completely,  serve and follow Him. More simply put, a relationship with the HEART OF HOPE.

We can be one with our Savior, the Lamb of God, the Creator of everything, who is All-knowing, All -powerful, Omnipresent, Wonderful Counselor, King of Kings and Lord of Lords, best friend ever. Forever!

 

 

“…But a longing fulfilled is a tree of Life.”    

Dear Reader,

Welcome me back to the writing of my blog.

I hope you know and trust the Heart of Hope, Jesus. What better way to begin a New Year than rejoicing together, helping each other and sharing in the Family of God!

I encourage you to grow into His Grace like the tiny seedling mentioned earlier in this post and mature into a tree of Life, where the Heart of Hope lives within.

Blessed to be a Blessing,

 

Greenginger

                       

Loving God

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30 NIV)

Help us, dear Lord, to have hearts that are free to love you as you have requested in your Holy Word.

Reveal to us any secret sin that may cause deception, thereby keeping us from loving you as we should.

Forgive us our trespasses through your Son, Jesus, and purify our souls.

For when our souls are pure and holy, our minds can think according to your Word.

As we meditate on your Word, we find comfort, hope, peace, direction, illumination, wisdom, knowledge and strength.

In your Presence, there is fullness of joy, and the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Thank you, Heavenly Father, that you loved us so much that you gave your Son, Jesus, to the whole world as part of your plan of redemption and Eternal Life.

Thank you Jesus, for the love you gave to each of us in that you went to the cross and you took our sins upon you, though you were without sin. You sacrificed your life in order that we may have the remission of sins and the gift of your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the hope of your promise that we’ll one day have the privilege of living with you for eternity.

We love because you first loved us, and it is your love that flows through us.

God is love and he who abides in God, abides in love, and God in him.

Help us love you more and serve you better than we did the day before.

In Jesus name, Amen.

From Rags to Riches

Wisdom that is from God’s Word is more valuable than gold, silver or rubies.

If someone offered you riches beyond your wildest imagination in exchange for your rags, would it give you cause to heckle and spout off? Certainly, there have been many rags to riches stories bringing the pauper and unknown fame and fortune. And whom among us would not want a dream come true life filled with the abundance of earthly things.

When I was younger, I often wished for the inheritance of a wealthy unknown relative to come to pass. But, this wishful thinking was not my reality, in fact, my life at one point was filled with despair because of my sinful heart.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. (Isaiah 64:6 NIV)

Before I invited Christ into my heart, I felt dirty, ashamed, and in need of forgiveness. The moment I asked Jesus to forgive all my sin, I was cleansed of self-reproach associated with wrongful acts I committed and filled with his peace, joy and the promise of Eternal Life.

The good deeds done before coming to Christ would never be able to make-up for the wrong. My self-righteous acts were filthy rags before God who is Holy and all-powerful. The meaning of “filthy rags” written by Isaiah in the Bible are likened to a woman’s monthly sanitary protection. Yes, it is repulsive to think of such a word picture, but that is what our self-righteousness is before God Almighty. Only Jesus is righteous, but we can be clothed in his righteousness once we’re saved.

Yet, even though we were born into sin, our Loving Heavenly Father knew we needed a spotless lamb as our Savior to become sin for us and take our place on the cross. Jesus died on Calvary to cleanse and forgive our sins. John 3:16 says it best, “For god so loved the world he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have Everlasting Life.”

It’s wonderful that the King of Kings and Lord of Lords wants to share what he has with us. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”(Philippians 4:19 NIV)
It doesn’t mean we will get rich because we belong to Christ, if he so chooses to do that in our life he can. What I’m referring to is spiritual and eternal riches.

I find the abundant life in Christ and His Word to be wealth enough. That is my rags to riches story. I hope it is yours also. If it isn’t, I strongly urge you to decide that you want to know Jesus and experience the love he has for you. Then, the personal relationship with Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit will help you follow him the rest of your days.

Proverbs 8:10, “Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.” v18, “With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.” v20, “I walk in the way of righteousness. along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full.”

The wise choice is evident. Do you agree?

Walking into Heaven

I love dreams that I remember being happy in. Recently, I had such a dream. This was one of those dreams that you don’t want to wake up from. And I did wake up thinking to myself, “Not now! Why did you have to wake me when I was having a happy dream?”

I was awakened by my daughter for help while staying at a cabin out-of-state. I enjoyed my dream so much that I reluctantly got out of bed. However, as a 24/7 caregiver, duty was calling during the middle of the night.

Getting back to my dream, I dreamed I walked right into heaven! I was so happy. My surroundings were lit up to a brightness I hadn’t seen before, but it was not a blinding bright where you would need to shield your eyes. It was quite beautiful.

I then thought, “Well, this must be my glorified body because I wasn’t this petite size last I looked. But, Praise to God for giving me a glorified body in a smaller size.”

After helping my daughter, I returned to bed and thought about this especially happy dream of walking right into heaven. If this dream were to become true, that would mean I would be going to go home soon. Was I wishful-dreaming?

In the evening the next day, I attended special services at a quaint country church. During the beginning of the service, a young lady about thirty years of age stood up to ask for prayer and give her testimony. Her Grandmother had died the night before and she told the congregation how glad she was that her Granny had accepted the Lord recently and that she believed she had gone home to heaven.

After hearing what she said, the light went on in my head. The dream wasn’t about me walking into heaven, but was about her Granny walking into heaven and how very happy she was.

I immediately rose to testify about the dream I had the night before, which was the night her Granny died. What a blessing it was for the grieving Granddaughter to know by faith that her Granny was saved through the Grace of Jesus Christ, and to hear it confirmed through this prophetic dream.

Jesus life-sustaining blood was shed for all the world to redeem us from eternal death. Those who receive His sacrifice by faith are given the free gift of eternal life.

I am glad to have the hope and promise of Eternal Life because Jesus took my place of punishment and died on the cross for my sins. Thank you Jesus for loving me so much that you would suffer and die for me. And thank you Heavenly Father for your great Love and for sending your only Son to redeem the world.