Hope for Life (Page 7)

For over 30 years, Heartlight has shared articles to help people live for Jesus in everyday life. While we are no longer publishing new articles, this enduring collection features relevant pieces throughout the year to encourage faith, offer biblical perspective, and speak to real-world joys and struggles.

Who Are You Trying to Impress?

People look at the outside; God examines the heart. Rather than trying to impress those around you, put your time and effort into doing the things that God would have you do. Don't do it to try and get something in return; make pleasing God your goal.

Why do you do the things you do?

Life Is Hard and Then You Die

We live in a hard world and then we die. The world sees this as bad news getting worse. The Christian sees it as bad news getting better.

Our world thinks this is tough news. We think it is good news.

Abundance

Jesus told his followers that it was hard for the rich to become a part of his kingdom (Matthew 19:24). The apostle Paul said that those who want to have wealth fall into a trap, and some have ruined their faith because of it. (1 Timothy 6:9-10) And James

What makes you rich?

Olinguitos and God

Knowing so little about the world makes it obvious man could not have created it. So the choice is ether accidental chance or intentional creation.

No one knew what an olinguito even was... well, except for God.

The Vows

57 years earlier they stood before a minister and repeated the vows, their vows, to each other. "For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, 'til death do us part."

Honoring vows made more than a half century before

Trust

We put a lot of trust in people, trusting them to do what they should. We need to put our full trust in God

In whom do you trust?

When God Does not Answer Prayer the Way You Expected

It is easy to share God's answer to prayer when things turn out the way we wanted. It is just as important to share our faith when the answer is not what we wanted.

What do you say to a nonbeliever when God does not answer your prayer the way you wanted.

Out Came this Calf!

When Aaron made the golden calf, he claimed that it just came out of the fire that way. We can't be that way with our sin. We must own up to what we've done and seek forgiveness.

Is it sin if it

How to Make a Heart Work the Way It Should

God provides help for us to love him and others from the heart.

Loving God with all your heart is not easy. God knows that and he provides help.

The Cure

I would give almost anything to obtain the cure for my permanent disease. Those who don't know Jesus are suffering a terminal existence that can be changed by taking THE Cure.

Will you share the cure?

The Pardon That Wasn't

God offers each of us a pardon, the chance to have our sins blotted out. We can escape the death sentence that sin has placed on us. We can be forgiven. Or we can ignore God's offer and pay the penalty for what we've done.

Can you make someone accept a pardon?

Am I Going to Die?

I overheard a seven year old ask the question that many of us wonder about: Am I going to die?

You are going to die. How do you feel about it?

What if There Were only one Choice?

But you see, there are times when we have to face the truth that not every option is equal and not every choice is valid. When it comes to eternal life, to salvation, to having a relationship with God, there's only one way: through Jesus Christ.

One way to heaven? That's outrageous!

Why You Do not Need to Be a Christian

If you can control nature, your health, and your behavior… then you may not need Jesus.

You may not need Jesus if these things are true in your life.

Hearing God's Voice

Hearing God's voice is challenging but it grows easier the more it's done. It begins by reading His word, studying scripture, knowing what the Great God Almighty requires of His followers. Then listen for His voice. It will come!

Have you heard The Voice?

In olden Times It Was Different

Don't dwell on the past. Don't despair about the present. Look to the future and know that God is going to do wonderful things. And let that fill you with hope.

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be

What My broken Clock Taught Me about Time

We expend quite a bit of energy measuring time. It is not really important how much time we have, but rather what we do with it.

A broken clock reminded me that time is not about how it is measured.

Don't Stop

It's not enough to start the Christian race. We have to persevere to the finish line if we want to win the prize.

Being the last to finish can still make you a winner

They Called It Minor Surgery

Things you are glad to have figured out before surgery: Have I made a difference? I am going to die someday. I am not in control.

What do you think about when they put you to sleep for

Teach Them Diligently

The responsibility for teaching the children about God lay with the parents, and while reinforcing repeated who God was and what God had done, the process also became a continual reminder to the parents as well.

Do you need help in finding ways to teach your children about God?

Love and Fear

We don't have to live in fear of God, waiting for him to zap us when we make a mistake. Yes, our God is a just God who will punish sin. But for those of us who seek him, who enter into a relationship with him, he is merciful and good. His love frees us fr

Do we run toward God or run from him?

Grieve with Hope

Christians grieve the loss of loved ones, but we grieve differently because even in death we have hope of a better life.

Why would anyone think Chrisitans do not grieve?

Fake

Photos often represent a "reality" that doesn't exist. They focus on the surface level. God looks beyond that, looking at the heart. How do we get our hearts right? God can fix them.

Bet you've faked a photo before

It Was an Earthquake

My earthquake happened without warning and it helped me see what was important to remember about the earthquakes of life.

It actually bounced me off my seat.. So what did I learn about life from an earthquake?

Trusting

Trusting is a level higher than believing. Trusting God means that we not only believe in Him but that we know without a doubt that he will do what he says and will do it with our best interest at heart.

You believe… are you ready to trust?