Resurrection

John Chapter 11 Verses 25-26  Jesus said to her, ”I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.  Do you believe this?”   1 Thessalonians Chapter 4 Verses 16-18  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  Therefore comfort one another with these words.    (NASB)                                                                      Jesus spoke those words of comfort and hope to Martha when her brother Lazarus died and was in the grave for four days.   But notice that Jesus asked her, “Do you believe this?  Do you believe that I am the resurrection and the life?”   Jesus is the Only One who can resurrect us physically and spiritually.  He is speaking the same words to us today.   What a glorious HOPE and FUTURE we have! Let us comfort each other with these words as it tells us to do in Thessalonians.

If you cannot see this video, please click here to view the song, “Gospel Ship”. In Christ, Stephen and Mary  ___________________________________________________________ NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.                   

Waymaker

Isaiah Chapter 43 Verses 15-17  ”I am the LORD, your Holy One, Israel’s Creator and King.  I am the LORD, Who opened a way through the waters making a dry path through the sea.  I called forth the mighty army of Egypt with all its chariots and horses.  I drew them beneath the waves, and they drowned, their lives snuffed out like a smoldering candlewick.”                 (NLT)

The LORD is the Waymaker!   He is the Only One who makes a way for us according to His will.   When you think there is no way out — a great sea in front of you, mountains to the side of you, and a huge enemy behind you – the Waymaker comes to the scene and makes a way where there was no way!    Nothing is impossible for GOD!

Whatever situation you are in today, trust GOD to make His way for you.

 If  you cannot see this video, click here to veiw Dennis Jernigan’s “Great is the Lord Almighty”.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Cast Your Burden

Psalm 55 Verse 22   Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.              (NASB)

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

It Will Be Worth It All

Romans Chapter 8 Verse 18    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.         (NASB)

Don’t give up!   It will be worth it all!

When We See Christ by Esther K. Rushton

Oft-times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,

We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;

But Christ will soon appear to catch His Bride away,

All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

IT   WILL   BE    WORTH  IT ALL — WHEN   WE  SEE  JESUS!

Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ;

One glimpse of His dear face, All sorrow will erase,

So bravely run the race till we see Christ.

Sometimes the sky looks dark with not a ray of light,

We’re tossed and driven on, no human help in sight;

But there is One in heav’n, Who knows our deepest care,

Let Jesus solve your problem just go to Him in prayer.

IT WILL BE WORTH IT ALL!

.

If you cannot see this video, click here to view Ben Markley sing It Will Be Worth It All.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Blessed Assurance

Romans Chapter 8 Verse 28    And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose.         (NASB)       

Excerpts from “50 People Every Christian Should Know” by Warren W. Wiersbe

Fanny Jane Crosby was born on March 24, 1820, in Putnam County New York.  When she was six weeks old she developed a minor eye inflammation, and the doctor’s careless treatment left her blind.  When her family moved to Connecticut, her neighbor, Mrs. Hawley read to her from the Bible and taught her Bible stories.  By the time Fanny was ten years old she memorized the first four books of the Old Testament and the four Gospels! 

On November 20, 1850, Fanny received the assurance of her salvation.   She said her very soul was filled with celestial light and for the first time she realized that she had been trying to hold the world in one hand and the Lord in the other.   Fanny went on to write over 8,000 songs using nearly 200 various pseudonyms.  In her autobiography Fanny Crosby’s Life Story, she wrote, “It seemed intended by the blessed Providence of God that I should be blind all my life and I thank Him for the dispensation.”   She said that her blindness was a gift from GOD so that she could write songs for His glory.   Fanny said, “I could not have written thousands of hymns if I had been hindered by the distractions of seeing all the interesting and beautiful objects presented to my notice.”     She also held no ill will toward the doctor that destroyed her sight.  “If I could meet him now,” she wrote, “I would say ‘Thank you, thank you’—over and over again—for making me blind.”  

Fanny lived to be just shy of her 95^th birthday, and I am sure that she could not have ever imagined a country rock group would record “Blessed Assurance” one of the hymns that she wrote over 100 years ago.     Today, we are blessed to hear this song via the Internet – To God Be The Glory!

Below are the lyrics and the link to the song Blessed Assurance written by Fanny Crosby, music by Phoebe P. Knapp, sung by Third Day

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O, what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long;

This is my story, this is my song,

Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,

Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;

Angels descending, bring from above

Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

If you cannot see the video click here to view Third Day singing “Blessed Assurance”.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Called to be Separate

2 Corinthians Chapter 6 Verses 14-18    Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers.  How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness?  How can light live with darkness?  What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil?  How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?    And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols?  For we are the temple of the living God.  As God said:  “I will live in them and walk among them.  I will be their God and they will by my people.   Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the LORD.  Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you.  I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the LORD Almighty.”      (NLT)            

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

El Shaddai

Genesis Chapter 17 Verse 1    When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am El-Shaddai—God Almighty.  Serve Me faithfully and live a blameless life.”      (NLT)

In the above verse, the LORD told Abraham that He is GOD Almighty, El Shaddai, the All Sufficient One, the Pourer Forth.  God told Abraham:

I will establish My covenant between Me and you.

I will multiply you exceedingly.

I will make you exceedingly fruitful.

I will make nations of you.

I will give to you and your descendants the land of Canaan.

I will be their God.

How exciting!   The best part is – is that HE is not just All Sufficient to Abraham, HE IS STILL ALL SUFFICIENT!   Today, remember that HE is OUR El-Shaddai – GOD ALMIGHTY.   He is our GOD and our All Sufficient One!   What a mighty GOD we serve!

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

REQUIREMENT

Micah Chapter 6 Verses 6-8   What can we bring to the LORD? Should we bring Him burnt offerings?  Should we bow before God Most High with offerings of yearling calves?  Should we offer Him thousands of rams and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?  Should we sacrifice our firstborn children to pay for our sins?

No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what He requires of you:  to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.             (NLT)    

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Holy

Revelation Chapter 4 Verse 8b  HOLY, HOLY, HOLY IS THE LORD GOD, THE ALMIGHTY, WHO WAS AND WHO IS AND WHO IS TO COME.”   (NASB)

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Jesus Alone

Matthew Chapter 17 Verse 8   And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus Himself alone.   (NASB)         

The generation which we are living in has so many distractions that often we lose our focus and become overwhelmed.    But as we take our focus off of all the things around us and put it where it belongs, “on Jesus”,  suddenly the distractions don’t seem so important or overwhelming.

Look to the Lamb of God 

If you from sin are longing to be free?   Look to the Lamb of God.  He to redeem you died on Calvary, Look to the Lamb of God.

When Satan tempts and doubts and fears assail,  Look to the Lamb of God.  You in His strength shall over all prevail,  Look to the Lamb of God.

Are you weary?  Does the way seem long?  Look to the Lamb of God.  His love will cheer and fill your heart with song,  Look to the Lamb of God.

Look to the Lamb of God,  Look to the Lamb of God.  For He alone is able to save you, Look to the Lamb of God.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Faith

1 John Chapter 5 Verses 4-5 and Verses 10-12  For every child of God defeats this evil world and we achieve this victory through our faith.   And who can win this battle against the world?  Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true.  Those who don’t believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don’t believe what God has testified about His Son.

And this is what God has testified:  He has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son.  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God’s Son does not have life.  (NLT)                     

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Love

Romans Chapter 8 Verses 38-39  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.    (NASB)

If you are unable to see this video, click here to watch.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Self Control

Philippians Chapter 2 Verse 13  For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.      

Hebrews Chapter 13 Verse 21  May He (GOD) equip you with all you need for doing His will.  May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him.  All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.       

Does anyone lack self control (one of the fruit of the Spirit)?  I have some good news for ya’ll.  The Bible tells us that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength (Phil 4:13) and we go from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18).   We are a work in progress.

Be encouraged today!  God doesn’t give up on us because we lack or fail.   He helps us through His Holy Spirit to live for Him.    Sometimes when we are being molded, shaped, ironed, or scrubbed it can be painful.    There is an old saying, “Know Pain Know Gain.”  It is not always easy, but the results are the fruit that brings glory to GOD.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Spread the Gospel

John Chapter 4 Verse 39 – Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!”      (NASB)

The last of our suggested resolutions for 2015 is to tell others about our wonderful Savior.    The Samaritan woman in John 4:7-42 is a wonderful account of just that.  She had an encounter with Jesus then she ran immediately back to town to proclaim to the townsfolk all about it.   She said, “Come and see a man who told me all the things that I have done.  Could He be the Messiah?”   When the townsfolk came out to see Jesus they heard His message and believed.  They then told the Samaritan woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we have heard Him ourselves.  Now we know that He is indeed the Savior of the world.”  John 4:42   AMEN

A final recap of the New Year’s resolutions for 2015

• Praise God daily for who He is – Psalm 150
• Be thankful and have a heart of gratitude unto the LORD – Psalm 100:4; Psalm 106:4
• Focus on GOD instead of ourselves and our circumstances – John 1:29
• Have the JOY of our salvation – Psalm 95:1
• Count our blessings – Psalm 40:4a; Psalm 40:5
• Live a life pleasing to GOD – Hebrews 11:6;1 John 3:22b-23
• Give the LORD the honor and reverence that He so deserves – Isaiah 6:1;Matt 6:9b
• Be obedient and surrender our will to God’s will – Matt 10:28; 1Samuel 15:22b
• Tell others about our Wonderful Savior

If you are unable to view the video, click here to watch The Gaither’s – There is a River.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Surrender

Mark Chapter 10 Verse 28

Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You.”

1 Samuel Chapter 15 Verse 22b

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.         

In 2015 may we surrender our will to the will of the LORD and obey His commands.  It is much easier to follow religious traditions than to daily take up our cross and follow Jesus.  However, it is necessary and the greatest privilege to follow Jesus.

If you are unable to view this video, click here to watch Keith Green’s “To Obey is Better Than Sacrifice”.

If you are unable to view this video, click here to watch Brian Littrell’s “I Surrender All”.

I Surrender All by Judson W. VanDeVenter and Winfield S. Weeden

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give; I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.  All to Jesus I surrender, humbly at His feet I bow, Worldly pleasures all forsaken, Take me Jesus take me now.

All to Jesus I surrender, Make me, Savior wholly Thine;May the Holy Spirit fill me, may I know Thy power divine.  All to Jesus I surrender, Lord I give myself to Thee; Fill me with They love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me.

I surrender all, I surrender all.  All to Thee, my blessed Savior I surrender all.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

 

 

 

Reverence

Isaiah Chapter 6 Verse 1

In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the LORD sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.

Matthew Chapter 6 Verse 9b

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed by thy Name.   (KJV)          

Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!

May we give the LORD the glory and honor and reverence and praise He so richly deserves.

If you are unable to view the video, click here to watch it: Hillsong sings “Holy, Holy, Holy”.

If you are unable to view the video, click here to watch it: Christ Falson “I See the LORD”.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

                                                                  

God Pleaser

Hebrews Chapter 11 Verse 6

And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

1 John Chapter 3 Verse 22b-23

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.  This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another just as He commanded us.       (NASB)

The next two suggested resolutions for 2015 are to live a life pleasing to GOD, love God above all and your neighbor as yourself.   It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit we are able to do this.

Is your faith waning?   Ask God to help your unbelief.

Is GOD not first in your life?   Ask GOD to help you put Him first.

Do you find it difficult to love others sometimes/all the time?   Ask GOD to help you.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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 NOTICE: The advertisements on referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Count Your Blessings

Psalm 40 Verse 4a

How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust.

Psalm 40 Verse 5

Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; there is none to compare with You.  If I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.               (NASB)

The 5^th suggested resolution is to count our blessings, name them ton by ton.

We have eternal life with Jesus; we are forgiven; we are not forsaken; we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and knows what is best for us; we have the Bible the written Word of GOD; we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us (GOD WITH US EMMANUEL); we have the storehouses of peace, love, joy, wisdom, mercy, compassion, healing, strength, and power to live for God.   Let us start this day counting our many blessings.

“Count Your Blessings” written by Johnson Oatman, Jr. and Edwin O. Excell

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed, When you are discouraged thinking all is lost; Count your many blessings—name them one by one, And it will surprise you what the Lord has done!

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?  Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear? Count your many blessings every doubt will fly, And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,  Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; Count your many blessings money cannot buy, Your reward in heaven nor your home on high.

So amid the conflict whether great or small, Do not be discouraged God is over all; Count your many blessings –angels will attend; Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

 

Joy

Psalm 95 Verse 1

O come, let us sing for joy to the LORD, let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.               (NASB)

On January 1^st we sent out some suggested resolutions for 2015; we have covered the first three which were to praise GOD daily, be thankful, and focus on GOD.  Today, we cover number four – to have the JOY of our salvation.    Amazing Grace how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me.  I once was lost, but now I’m found, was blind but now I see!   When we’ve been there 10,000 years bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise then when we first begun!

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.

Behold the Lamb

John Chapter 1 Verse 29

The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming to him and he (John) said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”    (NASB)

In this New Year, may we Behold the Lamb of GOD and not ourselves or our circumstances.  Definition of behold – to perceive; a more intent earnest contemplation.   Definition of contemplation – thoughtful observation; deep consideration; expectation.

In Christ,

Stephen and Mary

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NOTICE: The advertisements on this and referred to sites are neither published by nor subject to True Hope Ministries and as such the content expressed does not necessarily reflect the beliefs of True Hope Ministries.  Thank you.