Hope for Life 2015 Archives

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My Three-in-One New Year's Resolution

I just wanted to focus on one thing this next year. So here are three.

I stole the idea from the apostle Paul: three ways to focus on Jesus next year.

King of the Jews

Some palaces aren't good enough for a king

The Herodium lies in ruins today. Herod is long dead and almost forgotten. But the baby that was born in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem is remembered, loved, and worshiped.

'Bah, Humbug', and 'Joy to the World'

Christians have a different perspective on many things... including Christmas.

Christmas is very difficult for many people. Is it really possible to find joy, peace, hope, and love this year.

The Memory Tree

What are your favorite memories of Thanksgiving and Christmas?

Holidays are a time for remembering family events and remembering what God did for us by sending His Son.

Thunder and Lightning

Does your life back up your words?

He was called Basil the Great. Bishop of Caesarea in the fourth century, he was a staunch defender of the idea of the Trinity. He stood his ground against all opponents, even when the Emperor tried to exile him for his beliefs. Basil may have been bett

Thanks, but No Thanks

Some people have a hard time being thankful. Christians do not.

There are reasons some people have difficulty giving thanks. We Christians see things differently.

Accent

Where are you from?

They had a heavenly accent. They spoke in such a way that everybody knew they were on a journey, one that would end in heaven. They knew, as the old hymn says, "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through." They were on their way to the city God

Running the Wrong Way

People sometimes run the wrong way at my gym. The same thing happens in life.

People choose the wrong direction for life. It may be they do not know the right way, or they try an easier shortcut, or they just want to do it their way.

Holiday Trifecta

Putting the most into the holidays

So as the schedules, demands and pressures of the Holiday Trifecta invade your world, house and family, allow me to offer a short blessing to you and all whom you hold dear

Spirits, Demons, and the One Greater than Them All

Do spooky things scare you?

There are scary things in this world, but we need not fear any of them. The one who is in us is greater than the powers of this world.

What in the World Is Going On?

Every day the news is filled with tragedy. How are we supposed to survive?

Jesus has overcome the world. He is the way through disaster, death, pain, and evil.

Not Enough

What you have to offer isn't enough

What I have to offer God isn't enough. But what God can do with what I offer is more than enough. He can take my unholy life and make it right. He can take my weak faith and help me overcome. He can take my vulnerable humanity and let me say no to tempta

The Most Important Thing to Know

With all the information in the Bible, what is the most important thing to know?

The Bible itself says this is the most important thing to know: Jesus died for your sins and was raised on the third day.

The Last Letter

Death is done for

Today, now, as our world continues to spiral from disaster to warfare, to inhumanity, we must also proclaim the Urgently Important: that our Savior, Jesus Christ, has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.

'What prevents me from being baptized?'

What stands between you and the water?

The Bible says the Ethiopian eunuch was baptized and went on his way rejoicing. You can too. It was good news for the Ethiopian. It's good news for us. Everyone who is willing to put their faith in Jesus may come to him.

Following Jesus Is Not About You

Making a decision to follow Jesus is really not about you at all.

The decision to follow Jesus is not about you. If anything, it is about rejecting yourself.

The Immovable Ladder

The ladder has been there since the 18th century!

A ladder sits outside a window of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The ladder has been in place for over 250 years; there are writings from the 18th century that mention it. No one really knows where it came from. Nobody uses it. The ladder

What a Rescue Dog Taught Me About God

A rescue dog, God, and a love story

I love God because of how much he has done for me. I was reminded of this by watching Lulu, our rescue dog.

The Instructions

Some assembly required…

The Bible, Scripture, holds God's directions for his followers. If you don't read it, you don't know how to put your life together. And what you actually get doesn't resemble anything close to what you envisioned; you have pieces lost or pieces that are

An 'Even If' Faith

What if God doesn't do what you hoped or wanted?

We need an "even if" faith. We need the kind of faith that says, "Lord, I'll believe in you even if you don't do what I hope. I'll believe in you even if you don't answer this prayer the way I want. I'll believe in you no matter what."

Are You Looking for Love?

There is someone who loves you enough to always want the best for you.

Parents will do what is best for their child no matter what. God will do what is best for his children also.

Where does my help come from?

Who do you put your trust in?

What's your hope for the future? Who or what are you putting your trust in? Let me encourage you to fully trust in the Lord and his salvation.

How Satan Wants to Separate You from God

Satan has a plan to destroy you. Here it is.

Satan's plan to destroy you is to confuse you about what God said, lie about what God said, and convince you that you can be your own god.

Responsible for Your People

You are responsible

As a leader, whether political, military, or religious, you are responsible for your people. If you do not take care of, feed, heal and attend to their welfare, they will become enslaved to others and you will be held accountable for their capture and con

Trophies

Are you ready to lay down your trophies?

I know that just as my childhood trophies have lost their value to me, I'll one day look at all the things that seem so important to me now and see that they are like trash compared to knowing Christ. On that day, I'll lay my trophies down and receive wha