Hope for Life 2016 Archives

Who Doesn't Love Baby Jesus?

It is hard to believe at Christmas, but there are those who do not love baby Jesus.

Baby Jesus seems so sweet and lovable, but there are those that do not love him. And sometimes that even includes some of us.

And Yet

There is yet hope

So while the world around us tilts ever closer to self-destruction, and the choices being made offer harsh contradictions of almost horrible conclusions, our focus must be on God and His Son.

Turning an Enemy into a Friend

It's the best way to eliminate an enemy

When we forgive our enemies, we make our lives happier and make the world a better place.

You Mean I Have to Go Next Week Too?

Do not let your Christianity be like the Kindergartner who did not realize he had to go back to school the next week too.

Christianity is choosing Jesus every day. Today, and tomorrow, and the next day, and the next. Forever.

Drawing Near

We can approach God without fear!

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, those of us with faithful, sincere hearts, who have been washed in the blood of Jesus, may confidently enter the presence of God.

Peace During the Election Season

Lots of people are worried about the future during this election. Not me.

There is a lot of stress and worry over the future during this election cycle. There is a different way.

The Jesus Stories

It takes four gospels to get the whole story

To fully know, appreciate and understand the story of Jesus, you have to study all four Gospels. For us, over 20 centuries removed from the event, we must rely on Eye Witnesses and Expert Witnesses to garner the full story of Jesus, the Messiah.

Throwing Your Worries Away

Would you rather have peace or worry?

If I can learn to turn my worries over to God, he will give me his peace, that divine peace that defies all logic. I decide to give my cares to God, I pray about them, and I thank him for handling them. In return, he gives me peace.

Running with the Whales

Jonah tried running from God. It did not work.

Stop running from God. He wants a relationship with you. He will do anything to give you that opportunity.

Destructive Selfies

Click! Click! Oops!

When we only think about ourselves and our projects, we run the risk of trampling others and shattering the faith of those around us.

Going to Heaven?

Some wish they could, some might want to, but you can know you will go to heaven.

You can know you are going to heaven. You do not have to wish you were able to, you just have to decide how bad you want to go.

The "Lost" Chapter

Which are you: coin, sheep, or son?

The 15th chapter of Luke’s gospel consists of three parables of Jesus. I call it the “Lost” chapter because the coin, the sheep, and the son are lost. The irony is that the three didn’t know they were lost.

Rescued

Sometimes we need more than a lifeline

Lenny Skutnik dove into the Potomac River to save a woman too weak to grasp the lifeline she's been thrown. In the same way, God reached out to save us when we were powerless.

Great Sin, Great Forgiveness, and Now What?

David needed more than forgiveness for his sin. So do you.

David repented and asked for forgiveness. He was also restored to a life of purpose.

Don't Give Up!

It's never too late for God to touch someone's heart

Don’t give up! Keep praying for those around you. Keep showing them the example of a godly life. And be ready to share your faith with them when the time is right.

An Answer for the Times When There Are No Answers

What do you say when to the hard questions that seem to have no answers?

The death of a child is one of those times when it seems there are no answers. But there are.

Go and Do Likewise

What do you do, actually do, to help your neighbor?

Yet this parable, or teaching story, is focused on one man who personally, intimately and immediately did something. Thus, the lesson is that as followers of Jesus, we need to go and do likewise as we travel over our own roads of life and help those in ne

A Home for Jesus

Let's prepare a place for Jesus

Christ could have a mansion in the Bronx or any palace he chose, but he has decided to live in me. He has made a home in my heart, giving me life, guiding me in the way I should go. My job is to follow his lead and become like him, become like the one who

Best News Ever

Everyone loves good news... so how much better to hear the best news ever.

Our sin has separated us from God and we cannot fix it. So God did. Best news ever.

Praying for People We Don't Like

Do you REALLY want God to bless everyone?

Are you like Jonah? Are there people you dislike so much that you don't want God to have mercy on them? Or are you willing to pray that all people come to know the truth?

Peter Knows Dogs and Pigs

What do dogs and vomit, pigs and mud mean to a follower of Jesus.

Dogs go to their vomit and pigs go back to the mud after washing. That is what it is like for a Christian to go back to the world.

Your Sins Are Forgiven

Only God can forgive

Jesus did a lot of miracles in the course of two days, things that man could do only with God's help. In fact, some of the Old Testament prophets did similar things, with God's help. It is at the end of the chapter, that he does something only God can

Don't Bury Your Treasure!

Here's the best financial planning possible

So instead of burying your money in the ground, you should be storing up treasure in heaven. How do you do that? Do good. Be rich in good deeds. Be generous. And be willing to share.