Hope For Today Videos

We pray together often about discouragement and it just seemed like it was time to circle around to this theme today and to remind ourselves of God’s care for us and His comfort and support that is close to us today.

When we are dealing with stress the slogan ‘this too shall pass’ is a helpful principle to remember.  God’s unfailing love surrounds and upholds us in every situation, and His strength is sufficient for all our needs.

Most people have heard of The Golden Rule. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." This principle was written centuries ago. Jesus quotes it when He is teaching His friends and followers because it is important for us to know and practice.

God has always kept His eye on human activities.  He’s given us free will and allows us to make incorrect choices even though the suffering that results is painful for Him. He's not waiting to condemn but rather to encourage, and to heal and restore us.

How often we need to hear a word of invitation from God, “Return.” Sometimes the word used is “repent” but the principle is the same.  We need to stick with God.  We need to follow step-by-step in the things God shows us.  We need to constantly rely on God’s wisdom and power to help us navigate whatever the day is bringing in front of us.

It’s one thing to sort out how things went wrong in the past but it’s important to do things differently going forward.  It takes some focus and choices for change but with God’s help we can change. 

Our self-esteem is based on how we evaluate and see ourselves.  Some people see little value in themselves while others rate themselves highly. The truth is, God made all of us. We are His creation and God has put high value on each person regardless of their status in life. 

There are all sorts of situations that we need to enter that may initially seem threatening. Thankfully, God takes us as we are and helps us get through the unfamiliar, reassuring us all the way along that He will help us in every way we need it.

Most of us long to live in such a way that we be a positive influence wherever we go and leave people and circumstances better than we found them.  We want our lives to count for good.  We want others to be blessed by God and to experience the fullness that God has always intended for them.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them.

Today is before us with all sorts of choices that will impact not only ourselves but so many others around us.  How will we choose?

Remember the old saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Apples and other fruits are in abundance during the fall, aren't they. Are spiritual fruits abundant in our lives as well?