Preach the Word

2 Timothy Chapter 4 Verse 2 – Preach the word; be ready in and out of season.      

Romans Chapter 10 Verse 4 – How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?

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.

Persevere

Romans Chapter 5 Verses 3-5    We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance.   And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.    (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.

 

Create In Me A Clean Heart

Psalm 51 Verses 10-12    Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.     Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.    (NASB)

If you cannot see the above video, please click here to hear “Create In Me A Clean Heart”.

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 Begins At Home

Joshua Chapter 24 Verse 15b –  As for me and my house we will serve the LORD.    (NASB)

Many times we desire to change the world, but one thing that this verse reminds us of is that we have to start with our own household.

If you cannot see the above video, please click here.

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.

No Bitter Root

Hebrews Chapter 12 Verses 14- 15    Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.   See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.    (NIV)

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.

God Answers

Psalm 86 Verses 5-7 – You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to You.  Hear my prayer, LORD; listen to my cry for mercy.  When I am in distress, I call to You, because You answer me.   (NIV)

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.

The Bridegroom

Revelation Chapter 22 Verse 17 – The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”   (NASB)

In our modern culture traditional weddings usually focus on the bride.  The groom, his best man, and all the guests wait and watch in anticipation as the bride arrives and begins her walk up the aisle in her beautiful white dress.

But . . .in ancient Jewish custom. . . the bride and her family would wait in anticipation for the groom to come (usually some time after their engagement-after he added a room for them onto his father’s house), and take her to live with him in his father’s house.   Ahhh sound familiar – in John 14:2 Jesus tells His disciples, “In My Father’s house are many rooms, if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.   If I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also.” 

The bride also did not know exactly when the groom was going to come.   Ahhh sound familiar –  in Matthew 24:42 Jesus tells His disciples, “Therefore be on the alert, for you do not know which day your Lord is coming.”

We are the Bride of Christ and we are anticipating His return.   All our eyes will be focused on Him; Jesus our Bridegroom!    Today may we all focus our attention, our eyes, our hearts on our Bridegroom, Jesus our soon Coming King!

If you cannot see this video, I encourage you to click here to hear Dennis Jernigan’s “Come as a Bridegroom”.

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.

Every Knee Will Bow

Philippians Chapter 2 Verses 9 – 11   –    For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of GOD the Father.      (NASB)

Today’s verse reminds us that JESUS is greater than everything else.   HE is above all and HE is LORD of all!   There will be a day when EVERYONE – both great and small – will bow before JESUS and confess that HE IS LORD!  You can either be compelled to bow before HIM or you can do it willingly.

Today, bow on bended knee before the ONE who is over all and willingly confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the GLORY OF GOD the FATHER!   Let’s exalt HIM in our very lives today.

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.

Selfish Ambition

Philippians Chapter 2 Verses 3-4   –    Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit.  Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests to the others.      (NIV)

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. 

Peace

Psalm 119 Verse 165     Those who love Your law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble.     (NASB)

Isaiah Chapter 26:3    Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee:  because he trusteth in Thee.     (KJV)

Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 6-7    Be anxious for nothing but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.      (NASB)

At Wednesday night Bible study, our Pastor taught on the topic of “The LORD is Peace” from Judges 6:24.   How can we have peace?   By putting our trust in the LORD.  You cannot purchase peace; real peace; a peace that transcends all understanding.  We have a Heavenly Father, who created the universe.   He created us; He knitted us together in our mother’s womb.   He knows all about us.   He gave us the Bible –  His written word – so we can learn of Him.   He is Peace!   One of the names of Jesus is the “Prince of Peace”.   Before Jesus went to the cross He told His disciples in John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.”   Life was not easy for the disciples after the crucifixion and resurrection.   But Jesus told them not to worry; He was giving them HIS perfect peace.

Do you crave that type of peace today?  Be anxious for nothing today and allow HIS peace to overwhelm you as you worship the PRINCE OF PEACE!

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.

One Thing

Psalm 27 Verse 4     One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek:   that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD and to mediate in His temple.    (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.

Come to Jesus

Matthew Chapter 11 Verses 28-30    Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.       (NIV)

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.

Choose Carefully

Proverbs Chapter 12 Verse 26 – The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.    (NIV)

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.

The Prodigal Son

Luke Chapter 15 Verse 7 – I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke Chapter 15 Verses 22-24  –  “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ “   And they began to celebrate. 

John Chapter 6 Verse 37  –  (Jesus is speaking)  “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out.”       (NASB)

These verses show us that with JESUS there is always hope!  No matter what you have done, where you have been, repent and come to JESUS today, He will certainly not cast you out!    The link below is to a song, “The Prodigal Son” by Keith Green.

If you cannot see the video, please click here to hear, “The Prodigal Son”, by Keith Green.

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.

 

Strength

Isaiah Chapter 40 Verse 29 – He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power.

Psalm 29 Verse 11 – The LORD will give strength to His people; The LORD will bless His people with peace.    (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.

Martha, Martha . . .

Luke Chapter 11 Verses 41 – 42   But the Lord answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”          (NASB)

Last night at church our Bible study was about the famous sisters in the Bible, Martha and Mary.   Sometimes we have a little bit of Martha in us.  We are so busy “serving the LORD”, that we forget to stop and just sit at His feet.   We are so consumed with “church work” that we get upset with those who are like Mary.

Let’s take a closer look at the account. . .

. . .Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and she was distracted by all her preparations. Martha was so busy trying to perfect everything that she was probably in a tail spin.  I am sure she was doing many unnecessary things. Have you been there before?  …guilty as charged.

Her sister Mary instead of helping Martha with the preparations was sitting with her company, at the feet of Jesus.  Martha was annoyed that Mary was not helping her, so she complained to Jesus.     I can hear her now, “Jesus, don’t you care about all I am doing for you…Mary is not helping me!   Tell her to help me!”    Good old Martha, bossing everyone around – even her company – THE LORD!

I love the way the LORD addressed her.   He did not beat her down; He did not condemn her; He gently corrected her and told her to follow her sister’s example.  I can just hear the LORD now, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about so many things “Sit at My feet and learn of Me.”   He went right to the heart of the matter reminding her that it is not just about the outward activities – but it is the inward activities as well.

Martha had some good qualities; she was a homeowner who had her brother and her sister living with her; she was giving; she was a cook; a party planner; and under her bossiness were leadership qualities.   But only after sitting at the Master’s feet would she be able to use her talents the way the LORD wanted her to use them.

Sitting at the Master’s feet, resting in HIS presence, actively worshiping the LORD is the difference between lots of activity that may serve a temporary purpose and service which fulfills an eternal purpose.     Are you busy doing “activities” today or have you taken time to sit at the Master’s feet?    We encourage you to sit at HIS feet and Worship HIM today!

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 Paid It All

Hebrews Chapter 9 Verse 12 – Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.

An excerpt from “Then Sings My Soul” by Robert J. Morgan

A colorful preacher, Rowland Hill, was once preaching to a crowd of people when the wealthy aristocrat, Lady Ann Erskine, drove up in her coach.  Seeing her, Rev. Hill changed his sermon.

“I have something for sale,“ he suddenly declared.  “Yes, I have something for sale.  It is the soul of Lady Ann Erskine.  Is there anyone here that will bid for her soul?  Ah, do I hear a bid?  Who bids?    Satan bids.  Satan, what will you give for her soul?  ‘I will give riches, honor, and pleasure.’  But stop, do I hear another bid?  Yes, Jesus Christ bids.  Jesus, what will you give for her soul?  ‘I will give eternal life.’   Lady Ann Erskine, you have heard the two bids—which will you take?’”

Lady Erskine, realizing Christ had purchased her soul with his life’s blood on the Cross, took Him.

If you cannot see the video, please click here to hear “Jesus Paid It All”.

Jesus Paid It All  by Elvina M. Hall and John T. Grape

I hear the Savior say, “Thy strength indeed is small;  Child of weakness watch and pray, Find in Me thine all in all.”

 Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe;  Sin had left a crimson stain; He washed it white as snow.

 

For God So Loved

Luke Chapter 23 Verse 34 –  But Jesus was saying, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.”      (NASB)

Continuing on the subject of our Blessed Savior and His crucifixion, today’s verse is a reminder of the mercy of God.   Notice in these words, Jesus did not say, “I forgive you”– He said, “Father, forgive them.”   This shows us the humility of Christ, even on the cross.   He was praying for His persecutors, while He was suffering in agony.  Oh what love!

Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.

Oh how I love Jesus,  Oh how I love Jesus!  Oh how I love Jesus!  Because He first loved me!

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in Him, shall not perish but have everlasting life.  – John 3:16

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.

Numbered with the Transgressors

Luke Chapter 23 Verse 33 – When they came to the place called The Skull, there they crucified Him and the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left.

Isaiah chapter 53 Verse 12b – And He was numbered with the transgressors;  Yet He Himself bore the sin of many and interceded for the transgressors.   (NASB)

Yesterday at church we heard a message based on Luke 23:34 which says, “Father forgive them; for they know not what they are doing.” 

Crucifixion was done as a type of torture hundreds of years before Jesus was even born.  The Romans “perfected” crucifixion and sought to make it a type of humiliation as well as a form of torture.   Did you know that David in Psalm 22 described death by crucifixion, even before it had been invented?   This reminds us that it was all part of God’s plan.

Even the two thieves on the cross were part of God’s plan.  The Old Testament prophet Isaiah tells us that He (Jesus) would be numbered with the transgressors.  In Jesus’ day, kings would typically be surrounded by their “courtiers” (the king’s trusted advisors).    By hanging Jesus between two “thieves”, the Romans were essentially calling Jesus the “King of Thieves.”   However, they did not realize that were actually fulfilling what had been prophesied 700 years earlier.   It was all a part of God’s plan to redeem us from sin.

God’s plan from the “foundation of the world” was to send His only Son to suffer and die so that we can be forgiven of our sins and live with Him eternally.

If you cannot see the video of Jesus Messiah, click here.

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.

 

King of the Jews

Matthew Chapter 27 Verse 37   

And above His head they put up the charge against Him which read, “THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.”             (NASB)

An excerpt from “The Majesty and the Mockery of the Cross”, by Bill Crowder

The crucifixion event covers about six hours.  During those six hours, the gospel writers capture a series of seven sayings of Christ from the tree of death—sometimes referred to as the Seven Last Words.

Forgiveness:  “Jesus was saying, ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’”    Luke 23:34

Redemption:  “He said to (the thief on the cross), ‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise.’”  – Luke 23:43

Compassion:  “When Jesus saw His mother He said, ‘Woman, behold, your son!’ and to His disciple, ‘Behold, your mother!’”   John 19:26-27

Abandonment:  “About the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI? That is MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?’”

Readiness: “After this, Jesus, knowing that all things had already been accomplished, to fulfill the Scripture, said, ‘I am thirsty.’”   John 19:28

Fulfillment:  “Therefore when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’”   John 19:30          

Release: “Jesus, crying out with a loud voice, said, ‘Father, INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.’”

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.