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I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 NLT

When our hope is in God - the Source of all hope - it does not matter what troubles come our way. We know from Scripture there is nothing too hard for God, nothing too big, nothing that shocks Him, nothing that knocks Him off His throne, nothing that can cause Him to wring His hands in worry, or throw them up in defeat. Nothing. 

Do you believe it?

Prayer:

Father,

          Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which You have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Doing Nothing

I, Adonai, search the heart; I test inner motivations; in order to give to everyone what his actions and conduct deserve.
Jeremiah 17:10 CJB

This Scripture puts me in mind of the Parable of the Talents found in Matthew 25:14-30. I've heard all kinds of perspectives on that particular parable - from putting the fear of God in you to the extravagant mercy of God for taking into account what a person is capable of. From the literal translation of talent as a certain measure of wealth to talents (or giftings) most acknowledge today; i.e. singer, musician, artist, speaker, et cetera (NOT to exclude those rarely mentioned such as faithful, merciful, peacemaker, givers, and so on). From those questioning why they didn't receive certain talents to those who are grateful to have received anything at all. The combinations are almost as varied and numerous as the world's population.

However, despite the innumerable differences, the one thing that must be understood is that the person with the one bag of gold was not punished because he didn't double his gift. He was punished because he did nothing with what he was given.

NO one can say they haven't received at least one thing from God. There is one commonality in all peoples - past and present. We each have been given life. What are we doing with it?

Prayer:

Father,
           Forgive us for not acknowledging You in all things. Help us to see this life as the incredible gift that it is! We pray as Paul prayed,* For this reason we kneel before You, Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. We pray that out of Your glorious riches You will strengthen us with power through Your Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ will dwell in our hearts through faith. And we pray that being rooted and established in love, we may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that we may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of You. We know You are able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to Your power that is at work within us, to You be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

*Ephesians 3:14-21

* Nothing

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NLT

When our hope is in God - the Source of all hope - it does not matter what troubles come our way. We know from Scripture there is nothing too hard for God, nothing too big, nothing that shocks Him, nothing that knocks Him off His throne, nothing that can cause Him to wring His hands in worry, or throw them up in defeat. Nothing. 

Do you believe it?

Prayer:

Father,

Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in You. Remember, O Lord, Your compassion and unfailing love, which You have shown from long ages past. Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of Your unfailing love, for You are merciful, O Lord. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen