Getting Unstuck
How many times have we struggled with being “stuck” in a particular holding pattern of thinking, reacting, and living? And maybe as we say here in the great state of…
How many times have we struggled with being “stuck” in a particular holding pattern of thinking, reacting, and living? And maybe as we say here in the great state of…
Make Jesus Christ Your Living Hope You can lose a lot of things and still have hope. Hope is the last thing ever lost. You can lose a marriage, your health or…
George Mueller once said something like this (not verbatim, but this is its essence): “I read Scripture until I come to a verse that can bear my whole weight, and…
In Peace of Mind, we will look at how some familiar names in scripture dealt with many of the same struggles we face today. We’ll learn how they overcame those struggles…
“Death Is Certain…but God” Psalm 49 Introduction As humans, we all have to face our own mortality The most basic truth about life is death The theme of Psalm 49…
Dear Roger, I have had a very successful career. I have multiple graduate degrees, traveled the world and had a host of admirers. I was famous for my contributions. But…
Why should I hope in heaven instead of this dark world? Remember that eternal life starts now. Jesus said in John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life; that they may know You,…
Pandemics and crises feels a little bit like the GRINCH that stole Christmas for some of us, but we made a decision at the beginning of this ADVENT series—CHOOSE HOPE.…
The Advent Season is a time of reflection as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus! This year at Hope, we’ll also have weekly artwork that helps us immerse…
The Coming Glory Romans 8:18-25 The last three years have been some of the most emotionally difficult years we have ever seen. Everyone I encounter seems to be stressed to…
All of us realize that we live in a broken world that is not getting any better, yet few of us are doing something ahead of time to prepare for…
Lessons from the life of King David. Here’s a blueprint for how to survive when we walk through the lowest parts of our lives. www.northcoastchurch.com.
I am a planner. A problem-solver. So when I bring my struggles to the Lord in prayer, I also tend to bring my carefully thought-out ideas and suggestions He can choose…
When you see God Is _____ what comes to mind? How can any of us really know what God’s like? Too often, we view Him from our limited perspective, but it doesn’t…
I remember an old episode of The Andy Griffith Show entitled, “Tom Silby Returns.” In that episode there is a funny exchange between Andy and Tom made so by a…
You probably know Jesus was raised in a little town called Nazareth. But did you know that from Nazareth, Jesus had a breathtaking view of the valley of Armageddon?…
What is Hope from a Biblical Perspective? Hope is a word used in the Bible both as a verb and a noun. It has a range of connotations, but mainly…
Seasons of adversity—economic or otherwise—do not catch God off guard. He knows everything that is going on in our world. He also knows what lies ahead. He is orchestrating all…
Dr. Randy Carlson and our friends at Family Life Radio share a message of hope in Jesus. Support their ministry today! www.theintentionallife.com.
We must have childlike faith if we want to follow Jesus. We must remember God is for us, not against us. www.lifechurch.tv/open.
Everyone needs to be encouraged. Sometimes it is easier to give encouragement than to receive it. Ask God to encourage you and to bring people into your life that can…
One of the greatest gifts God can give us is letting us get to the end of our rope! That’s often when and where and how we discover that there…
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.” Matthew 6:34. Why don’t we live in the moment? Lack of faith. The only way you can be…
“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” Proverbs 13:12 (ESV) Have you ever struggled because you know God can do anything, but…
We saw the storm coming. While it was still days away, the predictions chilled our spines and jolted our complacency. “It’s a monster!” “Disaster is not only at our doorstep,…
It’s been a turbulent season. What has caused some to stay anchored during the storms and stresses of life, while others have lost their bearings under the same conditions? It…
When I am on a jog I often find myself looking right in front of me. Whether it’s because I’m focusing on the path, getting lost in my thoughts, or…
What we do today and the decisions we make are going to matter now more than ever. The power of living intentionally in Christ is a huge positive benefit bringing…
How can you become heavenly-minded and hopeful? 1. Remember that eternal life starts now. Jesus said in John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life; that they may know You, the only eternal…
Plagues and suffering have often produced the greatest hymns of hope, help and joy! Read the lyrics of songwriters who rose above darkness, depression and disease by singing praise. See…
Dear Roger, COVID-19 is still here! All over the world, nations are continually trying to eradicate it. People still seem frightened, frustrated and angry. I know that we are continuing…
Our world is always one push-button away from annihilation. If stocks plunge, nest eggs disappear. Pandemic fears fill our hearts. Don’t even get me started discussing global warming, moral depravity…
Our world is always one push-button away from annihilation. If stocks plunge, nest eggs disappear. Pandemic fears fill our hearts. Don’t even get me started discussing global warming, moral depravity…
Renewed | Part 2 | “A New Heart” Text: Ezekiel 36:22-27, Philippians 1:6 This is literal regeneration. Jesus is right in front of me, waiting for me to be ready…
The God who lives in unapproachable light became approachable in the person of Jesus (John 1:14). In fact, it was Jesus Himself who made God visible to us: “No one…
The command “don’t worry” comes from Jesus. In Matthew chapter 6, verses 25 to 34, Jesus says “Stop worrying”, in verse 25, 31, and 34. Stop it. Now you say,…
Have you learned to live an abundant life despite circumstances? God’s plan is to renew us. Every day is a new adventure. He renews our minds with his Word. He…
How can you become heavenly-minded and hopeful? 1. Remember that eternal life starts now. Jesus said in John 17:3: “Now this is eternal life; that they may know You, the only eternal God…
Many people, including many readers of this blog, are facing some level of financial uncertainty right now because of the coronavirus crisis. These are challenging times, and you may find…
Most people intuitively know that our expectations profoundly affect our life experiences. Yet even as believers, we simultaneously expect too much and too little. We need to discover what we…
I’ve decided that my life verse is Jeremiah 29:11-13. I’m usually not one to post about the new year. However, the lessons I’ve learned from studying these verses were ones…
I’ve decided that my verse for the new year is Jeremiah 29:11-13. I’m usually not one to post about the new year. However, the lessons I’ve learned from studying these…
It’s that wonderful time of the year! Or is it? Many people are deeply lonely during the holiday season. This is what Dr. Deb Waterbury advises: “It’s simply amazing to…
There was a man who started on a life journey only to see it come crashing down as he exited in failure. What was a hopeful beginning ended in bitter…
Why don’t we talk about death? Why are we silent about the inevitable? Randy Alcorn shares his thoughts: “There’s an old story of a slave who travels with his master…
Ever had God blow your socks off? Shock you with His goodness? Leave you speechless with His plan? This weekend I was reading the new book by Richard Preston.…
Ever had God blow your socks off? Shock you with His goodness? Leave you speechless with His plan? This weekend I was reading the new book by Richard Preston.…
Grief is never truly finished. When a loved one dies, we will always miss the relationship we had with that person. Sometimes we will re-experience the pain of that loss…
We’ve all done it. We’ve all invested time and energy into someone or something and then come to the horrible conclusion that nothing is changing. Nothing we seem to do…
Focusing on our eternal inheritance is key to maintaining a proper perspective on Christ’s sufficiency, especially when you’re in the midst of difficult circumstances. That’s not always easy because we’re…
Lysa encourages us to persevere when life gets hard: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of…
“Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men.” Colossians 3:23 (HCSB) It’s hard not to let the hurt of today blind us…
I have a number of letters each week from people around the world who are contemplating suicide. Here are a few thoughts that might help you in dealing with someone…
Dear Roger, I’m finding that believing in the validity of Christianity is becoming more difficult. How could a loving God allow so much suffering? With thousands of religions…
Amanda Todd became an unwitting spokesperson for despair at the age of fifteen after a predator had convinced her to pose topless for a photo, and then posted it online.…
God has plans for a hope and a future for us. But the real message is that life isn’t easy. Often His best plan is not ours, but protects us…
Pornography is not new, but the digital age has made it more ubiquitous and accessible than ever before. The technological realities of smartphones and high-speed internet have fundamentally changed the…
Fear and superstition? Really? Have I got your attention? Recently I’ve been reading the book, How The West Really Lost God, by Mary Eberstadt. The book makes a strong case for…
Daniel’s prayer in Daniel 10 teaches you that God cares more about you than you do., and is doing more than you can understand. Just like Daniel, the first time…
Whereas Isaac was entirely God’s doing, Ishmael was the result of Abraham’s doing. Where Isaac was a gift according to grace, Ishmael was a work of the flesh The contrast…
Jacob and his sons learned to look past circumstances to hope in God’s promise to make Israel a great nation. Joseph looked past years of suffering and mistreatment to see…
More often than not, we’re pretty good with beginnings. However, a lot of times we seem to hate endings. In stating that, I need to clarify there are a whole…
There’s no end to what we can learn about the brain. Check out this now basic information: “The brain has the storage capacity of 6 million years of the Wall…
Preach It, Teach It has presented various discussions regarding the issue of homosexuality. Tom Terry, seasoned author, is presenting his own view on the volatile issue of gay discrimination. What…
Some time ago, while browsing through a leading national magazine, I came across a bit of shocking information which demanded both my attention and further investigation. As for the shocking…
We live on hope, not memory. When we focus on our hopes for the future, not the memories of our past, we realize what it means to truly experience joy…
Overflow with hope, the word overflow means to super-abound, to be filled to the brim, it would speak of a container that is filled where you can’t pick it up,…
How can declining birth rates impact the unique Christian view of the family? This is a pressing issue, because we need to get a handle on this complex phenomenon. In…
Rule of Life. The meaning of Rule comes from the Greek word for “trellis.” A trellis is a tool designed to enable a grapevine to get off the ground and…
God’s hope is a hope that whispers and is a hope that will not wither. Hope in Christ is thus something that can remain and be activated in any and all…
” We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing…
What do you do when you’re low on love? Do you try to conjure it up by the sheer force of will? As if there is within us a distillery…
I came across a sad story this week, a story about a honeymoon disaster. The newly weds arrived at the hotel in the wee hours with high hopes. They’d reserved…
Here’s a creative way to help your children participate in a week of prayer! Make a chart with a big square for every day of the week. Choose a category…
In this troubled world, we don’t have to look far to see hurting souls suffering from frustration, fear, loneliness, embarrassment, deception, grief, humiliation, disappointment or betrayal. Jesus even warned us…
Paul encourages us to finish the race with the strength and power only God can provide. Our hope is in heaven, not here on earth.
Isaiah foretells the birth of a Messiah who will free the Jews from oppression and will offer them a new beginning. Jesus came to earth so that we can experience a fresh…