Hope for Life 2013 Archives

A Son Was Born to Us

It was the birth announcement from everyone to everyone.

When God sent his Son to earth, the birth announcement was given twice: once generations before his birth and then when it happened.

Is There a Dragon in Your Nativity Set?

Why every nativity set needs a dragon

The red dragon has a place in the nativity story. The dragon reminds us why we needed a Savior in the first place. John tells us that the dragon is the ancient serpent that deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9). He is the tempter that brought about t

They Got a Medal for Finishing the Race

Watching a Road Race taught me a lot about my life as a Christian

The Christian life is much like a race. If you finish, you get a medal. If you don't finish... no medal.

The Beginning of Our Salvation Story

What does Christmas have to do with salvation?

As you remember the Christmas story this December, amid the buying of presents, gathering with family and no doubt overeating, take some time to remember your own Salvation story. Then share it with your friends and loved ones.

One Out of Ten

Time to stop and say thanks

When Jesus healed ten lepers, only one of them came back to give thanks. We need to follow his example, stopping to thank God for what he has done for us.

Do You Know Who I Am?

People of power and influence want others to know it. Not Jesus.

Jesus does not look down on us from a position above us. Instead, he came to live among us.

Security

Is your treasure safe?

Treasure in this world can be stolen or lost. Treasure with God is safe forever.

Where Am I on the List?

We all want to know where we rank compared to everyone else. So what about God? Does he have a list?

The problem with making a list of who is most likely to get to heaven is that we compare ourselves to other men and not to God.

Remember When?

Remember when you were baptized?

Remembering the joy of our conversion can help us to live better today

Who Are You Trying to Impress?

Why do you do the things you do?

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.

Life Is Hard and Then You Die

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

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.

Abundance

What makes you rich?

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

Olinguitos and God

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

The Vows

Honoring vows made more than a half century before

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."

Trust

In whom do you 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

When God Does not Answer Prayer the Way You Expected

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

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.

Out Came this Calf!

Is it sin if it

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.

How to Make a Heart Work the Way It Should

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

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

The Cure

Will you share 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.

The Pardon That Wasn't

Can you make someone accept a pardon?

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.

Am I Going to Die?

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

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

What if There Were only one Choice?

One way to heaven? That's outrageous!

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.

Why You Do not Need to Be a Christian

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

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

Hearing God's Voice

Have you heard The 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!

In olden Times It Was Different

Nostalgia isn't what it used to be

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.