Hope for Life (Page 2) 2014 Archives

Lost and Found

If I lose a $20 bill, it doesn't matter if I still have two other ones. I want to find the lost one. God feels that way about us.

Just like we rejoice over finding lost money, God rejoices when lost people are found.

A Fan

Doing right is always good, but not always honored by the world around you.

our culture disregards the "role model" for the "role idol" where everything celebrities do is worshipped including their unseemly behavior and outward expressions. Like Bobby Richardson, there are some celebrities who strive to live the Christ like lif

Fences

Is God a party pooper?

My dogs just want to chase squirrels. What they don't realize is the danger that puts them in. They don't understand that the fence that seems restricting is actually something put there to protect them.

I Preached My Dad's Funeral

I learned some very important truths when I preached my Dad's funeral.

Preaching my Dad's funeral taught me important lessons about my own life... and my own death.

The Night I Was Argentine

Sometimes, everyone gets to be a part of things

My status as an Argentine was a fleeting thing. It ended when the World Cup celebration was over. But my right to be a part of God’s people will never end.

Do You Want to Live Longer and Be Happier?

Getting married and going to church makes a difference... just not the way you think.

Do not be a Christian so you will be healthier and happier. Be a Christian so you will live.

Heaven and Hell

If you believe in Heaven, then you must believe in Hell.

If you believe in life on this earth, then you must believe in life after death because scripture talks about both. If you believe in Heaven, then you must believe in Hell. And if you believe that God wants all of his people to go to Heaven, then you have

Discovering Jesus

What if Jesus isn't who you expect him to be?

When the promised Messiah arrived, the Pharisees rejected him and plotted to have him killed, despite having spent their entire lives reading about his coming. Why? He wasn't what they expected him to be.

Alzheimer's and Jesus

My Dad has Alzheimer's and it makes me think about Jesus.

It is hard to see the real person behind the Alzheimer's. But they are there. Someday they will be whole again. I believe.

Faith and Faithfulness

Can't have faith without being faithful

Hiroo Onoda followed orders for more than 30 years, remaining at his post long after the war had ended. Christians need to learn to be faithful to God with that same intensity.

The Truth about Hypocrites at Church

They are why some won't come to church, but the truth about hypocrites is not what you think.

Hypocrites intentionally act different from what they say. That is not true about Christians.

A Lot of Telling to Do

Are you ready to tell someone?

Throughout the book of Acts, there are examples of regular people telling their friends about how God sent His Son so that the world might be saved. With 4.6 billion souls still needing to hear that story, we have a lot telling to do.

The Substitute

The Lord will provide a substitute

Just as God did for Abraham and David, he provided a substitute for the whole world's sin: Jesus Christ

How Can I Find Out More About Jesus?

For people who want to know more about Jesus but don't know where to begin.

Here are three very practical ways to begin learning about Jesus.

Contentment

Godliness with contentment is enough

Christians can be rich. Rich people can be Christians. But we need to remember that material things can often get in the way of our faith. Godliness with contentment. That should be our goal.

God Is Watching You... and That Is a Good Thing

What does God think when he watches your life?

God does not watch your life looking for a reason to condemn you. He watches to see how he can help you.

No God Could Forgive Me!

I'm bad and no god could forgive me!

There is a God who can forgive all the heinous acts anyone can perform. There is a God who allowed His only Son to save all of us by paying the price none of us deserved. There is a God who can take the worst sinner and transfer him or her into a forgiven

Trash or Treasure?

Can you tell the difference between trash and treasure?

God sent his son Jesus to die for us. He sent him to die so that we could live. The offer of salvation is a precious treasure, yet some won't recognize that. They'll "despise" God's offer, discarding this gift like yesterday's trash.

I May Know Why You Are Reading This

What if you are reading this article because God planned it?

God has always found a way to connect his followers with those seeking him.

Can I Be Forgiven?

How do you deal with those feelings of remorse?

It doesn't matter what you have done. Your sins can be washed away. You can start over. God will cleanse you and give you a new life.

Old Clothes and New Life

Do not get so used to the old that you fail to experience the new.

Old clothes are comfortable and you get so used to them you do not realize how good new clothes are. Life is like that too.

Been Thinkin’ About Heaven

Have you thought about heaven?

I've been thinkin' about Heaven, a lot, lately. And I've decided that I don't care what it looks like, or if we have to wait a 1000 years, or if everything I know will be made new. Heaven is where God and Jesus are and that's where I want to be.

When Your Hero Falls

What do you do when your hero makes a big mistake?

Just as Isaiah had to overcome Uzziah's failure, we have to deal with the failures of others. We need to learn to turn to God at times like that.

Time to Throw Away the Old Calendar

Love it or hate it... it is sure easy to live in the past.

Do not stay rooted in your past successes or failures. Instead, embrace the future God has planned for you.

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is good for you!

Forgiveness is good for you. Resentment is harmful. The choice should be easy, yet we often find ourselves keeping a record of the wrongs done against us.