Today’s Reflection
HOPE IS THE LIFELINE tossed out to us from God. It sustains us when we feel like we are drowning, and God gently pulls us and the lifeline toward the shores of spiritual growth. With hope we also have faith – not faith that we will be spared pain and despair but faith in the God who will lead us through the difficult times.
Therefore, in our struggle to understand God’s will, let us not concentrate solely on our pain and despair (although we know we are to accept them). Instead, let us look with hope and faith toward attaining new, rich experiences of the abundant life God has given us.
– John R. Wimmer
Blessed Endurance
From page 32 of Blessed Endurance: Moving Beyond Despair to Hope by John R. Wimmer. Copyright © 2017 by John R. Wimmer. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question
Describe a time when you have experienced God’s hope. Share your thoughts.
Today’s Scripture
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower.”
John 15:1, NRSV
This Week: pray increased faith. Submit your prayer to The Upper Room Living Prayer Center or share it in the comment section.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Anselm
(April 21).
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
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9 Comments
Yes, may we look with hope and faith toward God!
The most recent one was when God provided new tenants when my old tenants shifted out.
Blessings to all and have a happy Sunday!
Wow – I am challenged to send these two paragraphs to my dad. We had a lengthy conversation about this just last evening. Mom has no hope, she cries – “why does God hate me?” This tears at my dad’s heart, as well as mine. Yes, she needs physical healing; but, even moreso, she needs spiritual heart healing. Unfortunately, I don’t think my dad is ready to hear that last sentence from the second paragraph. Quite frankly, I wasn’t there Monday evening either. But as the week has progressed on – I am returning to that position. What is God trying to show me through this. This stretching – it seems like it might break me at times – He has a purpose…transformation. Of course I wish His will, His purposes didn’t involve these circumstances for my mom, this suffering, this struggle. Yet – I must trust Him.
I am so looking forward to church this morning. Father – open my ears and my heart to Your Word.
I think this is a daily process, some days the challenges are greater, other days no so much, butt the need for God never goes away.
Prayers for you, Jill, your Mom and Dad, and Becky I can see how today’s reflection is very helpful, but also tough to take depending on who is reading it. Yes, God doesn’t want these tough times, but God knows that faith in God and God’s strength will get us through. There’s a lot we do not understand about all of this, we trust that God can and does do what has been promised.
A rainy day today, set up for the dinner to help the family devastated by fire on Easter comes right after church.
Mary, your choice of that hymn for Connie is excellent. It is a newer hymn for me, a favorite of another choir member, and is becoming a favorite of mine.
I am reminded that what is unseen is more important than what is seen. Love, hope, faith, our souls can’t be seen but we know and experience them.
Prayers for a blessed Sunday, hope we hear from those we miss, and I’m very thankful for new members of the UR family.
Yes – it is a daily process for me for sure- I admit that I tend to dwell on all that is wrong instead of focusing on the many many blessings that God has given me- when I am negative and my hope and faith waver I have to reorient myself and read my bible and read about the faith of others shared here and commune with God in nature and with my faith community and get right with my Lord! And then all is well with my soul – but admittedly that can me a daily struggle.
God loves us – he will never leave us – my hope is in that simple but amazing fact alone. My trials keep pushing me back to that.
Thankful for the sharing here and the prayers offered for all. Blessings and Hope for all who come here today – God’s
Love will never die-
Special prayers for my son taking a licensure exam tomorrow – praise God his job is going very well.
Prayers of thanksgiving for my middle daughter as she has experienced accolades from her hard work and dedication to her schooling.
Prayers for my youngest as she continues to struggle – especially with the upcoming move – packing and parting with her things has been such an additional struggle for her. She has such a sensitive heart – and it is very heavy right now – prayers for relief and peace for her and patience for me to give her what she needs – I’ve been frustrated and tired and haven’t been what I need to be for her- help me Lord and thank you for all you bless me with- my hope is in you Lord.
Lou, prayers for your son and his licensure exam and your youngest struggling with the move. Yes every day is a new challenge, but also there are God’s blessings that come. Like the news on the tv, we tend to pay more attention to the bad news than the good, but when you count them up far more often there is good.
Jill, one time after my daughter had been in the hospital, her husband told me (in confidence) that she had said “I don’t think Jesus loves me any more”. It broke my heart and I spent little ways and words to let her know Jesus loved her very much.
Prayers for Lou and her loved ones.
That breaks my heart too- Jesus loves her and he loves you too – He is with us and He is for us. Children no matter what the age are our greatest blessings- I know how you miss your daughter Connie- God bless you and give you peace. Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you for yours, dear Lou.
Believers or not, we all have times of doubt, as believers we can doubt other things but never Christ and what He did for us. For non-believers the level and scope of doubt is far greater. STILL GOD LOVES US ALL. THAT IS AMAZING, HARD TO UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES, BUT VERY TRUE.
I’m not perfect, I do keep trying to improve, but only will make heaven because of Jesus.
A very light dusting of snow here last night. It’s wet and a bit dreary today.
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