| Jun 13 @ 7:22 PM |
Hope
|
|
ServantOfChrist2
Posts: 3,896
|
This is such a hope-filled passage.
1Peter 1:3--"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4--and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil, or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5--who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6--In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8--Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9--for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
Does anyone else have any Biblical passages that they turn to when hope is needed?
|
|
  |
|
| Jun 13 @ 8:00 PM |
Hope |
|
SunBabe
Posts: 11,592
|
This is pretty good. 
Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.
Psalm 24:14
(Of course I'm a "live now" -- to the best of my ability -- person, not a "salvation" or "heavenly rewards" type  )
I just ran across this in someone's blog -- it's not from the Bible, but I think it kind of sums up my take on "immortality" and "eternity"  :
Cattle die, and kinsmen die, and so must one die oneself. But there is one thing I know which never dies, and that is the fame of a dead man's deeds.
-- Old Norse Proverb
|
| |
|
| Jun 13 @ 8:05 PM |
Hope
|
|
16knots
Posts: 2,530
|
Many centuries back, a severe famine swept through a valley in Tibet. A father saw that he and his children would not live much longer since all their food was gone. And so he filled some bags with ashes, tied them with ropes from the ceiling, and told his little children, “We have lots of roasted barley flour in those bags, but we have to save it for the future.”
Find out what happened, and learn the powerful lesson from this Tibetan Buddhist healing story, here:
The father died of hunger, but the children survived until some people came to rescue them. Although they were weaker than their father, they lived because of their belief that they had food. Their father died because he had lost hope.
Hope gives powerful strength to mind and body. However, the truth as it relates to our lives is even more inspiring than the particulars of the story. Unlike the bags of barley flour, the purity of our inmost nature is not just a fiction aimed at building up confidence; it is based on the utmost truth.
When we truly grasp the perfection of our inmost natures, the door opens to positive life-change.
Adapted from The Healing Power of Mind, by Tulku Thondup (Shambhala, 1996).
|
|
| |
|
| Jun 13 @ 10:08 PM |
Hope |
|
Angel54214
Posts: 12,330
|
I always loved this one Servant... 
Psalms 62:
5 My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him. |
| |
|
| Jun 13 @ 10:18 PM |
Hope
|
|
sealacamp
Posts: 2,788
|
Me too Angel, me too.
S
|
|
| |
|
| Jun 13 @ 10:50 PM |
Hope |
|
j_goose
Posts: 1,896
|
I like this one myself
If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant, And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; ... Then shalt thou bring forth that man or that woman, which have committed that wicked thing, unto thy gates, even that man or that woman, and shalt stone them with stones, till they die.
-- Deuteronomy, Chapter 17:2-3,5
No hope for unbelievers. Even guys like Ghandi.
God's an a$$.
|
| |
|
| Jun 13 @ 11:13 PM |
Hope
|
|
ServantOfChrist2
Posts: 3,896
|
That is encouraging Angel. It's a good reminder for when things get out of control.
Helps you kind of re-focus.
|
|
| |
|
| Jun 13 @ 11:15 PM |
Hope |
|
16knots
Posts: 2,530
|
goose, its amazing how "non-Christian" wisdom is ignored. *sigh.
|
| |
|
| Jun 13 @ 11:30 PM |
Hope
|
|
Angel54214
Posts: 12,330
|
Paul's discourse plea to Herod Agrippa before his journey to Rome for his appeal to Caesar...
Acts 26:
1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.
4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:
7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?
9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:
31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Caesar.
|
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 12:51 AM |
Hope |
|
hunt4luv
Posts: 1,234
|
My Personal Favorite
PSALMS 91
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 6:28 AM |
Hope
|
|
ServantOfChrist2
Posts: 3,896
|
I can understand why this is your favourite Hunt4luv. Reading it refreshes a person's memory about how well-loved they.
Is there any greater offering of peace given to a faithful heart?
"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
|
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 6:43 AM |
Hope |
|
ServantOfChrist2
Posts: 3,896
|
On the title page of every Bible I begin to use daily, I copy Luke 12:48. It reminds me of how I should live my life with a deep sense of gratitude.
"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." This helps bring to mind all that He has given me.
Life, the generosity of His blessings in this life, His guidance, and His protection. It reminds me of the eternity for which I'll be enjoying these blessings. Further to this, I am encouraged to display my gratitude through my personal service.
"How can You use me Father?"
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 8:33 AM |
Hope
|
|
16knots
Posts: 2,530
|
The Parable
of the White Path
with commentary by Shan-tao
written in the 7th century, China
I wish to say to all aspirants for spiritual rebirth: I will now present a parable for the practicers in order to protect their faith and to guard it against attacks by those who have wrong and unauthentic views. What is the parable?
Suppose a man is traveling a hundred thousand miles toward the west. On the way, he suddenly comes upon two rivers: one is a river of fire that extends southward, and the other is a river of water that extends northward. The two rivers are each a hundred paces wide and unfathomably deep, extending endlessly to the north and south. Where they meet, there is a white path, four or five inches wide. This path is a hundred paces long from the east bank to the west. The waves of the water splash and the flames of the fire burn the path; the waves and flames alternate without ceasing.
This traveler has already journeyed far into the open plain where there is no one to be found. Suddenly, there appear many bandits and vicious beasts. Seeing him alone, they approach, competing with each other to kill him. Afraid of death, he at once runs to the west. When he suddenly sees this great river, he says to himself, "This river extends endlessly to the south and to the north. I see a white path in the middle, but it is extremely narrow. Although the two banks are close to each other, how can I get across? Undoubtedly, I shall die this day. When I turn round to return, I see bandits
and vicious beasts coming closer and closer. If I try to run toward the south or north, I see vicious beasts and poisonous insects vie with each other to attack me. If I seek the path to the west, I will certainly fall into one of the two rivers of water and fire.
His horror at this moment is beyond expression. So he thinks to himself, "If I turn back now, I shall die; if I stay, I shall die; if I go forward, I shall die, too. Since I cannot escape death in any way, I would rather follow this path. Because there is a path, it must be possible to cross the rivers."
When this thought occurs to him, he suddenly hears a voice from the eastern bank urging him, "Take this path with firm resolution. There is no danger of death. If you stay there, you will die." Again, he hears another voice from the western bank calling to him, "Come at once single-heartedly with right mindfulness. I will protect you. Do not fear that you may fall into the calamities of water or fire." Since the traveler hears this voice urging him from the bank and the calling from the other, he resolutely, body and soul, takes the path and proceeds at once without doubt or apprehension.
As he takes a step or two, he hears the voices of the bandits on the eastern bank, "Come back! That path is treacherous. You cannot cross it. Undoubtedly, you are sure to die. We have no evil intentions in pursuing you." Though hearing the calling voices, this person does not even look back. As he proceeds straight on this path with singleness of heart, he, in no time, reaches the western bank and is now free from all danger. There he meets his good friend, and his joy knows no end. This is the parable.
|
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 8:48 AM |
Hope |
|
sail_dancer
Posts: 7,805
|
SOC,
Is there any greater offering of peace given to a faithful heart?
You have a sick view of what peace is!
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
Very peaceful god you have there!
Peace
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 8:50 AM |
Hope
|
|
sail_dancer
Posts: 7,805
|
Hunt would select scripture with violence and death.
This guy is one sick puppy!
Peace
|
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 9:49 AM |
Hope |
|
hunt4luv
Posts: 1,234
|
I agree Soc we are blessed
To whome much is given much is required
Praise ye the Lord Hallaluyah Praise ye the Lord!
This has been ringing through my mind this morning.
I will enter into his courts with praise and thanksgiving.
God is great and greatly to be praised!
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 9:54 AM |
Hope
|
|
16knots
Posts: 2,530
|
Sail,
"sick" is the word. Scary stuff too!
|
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 9:55 AM |
Hope |
|
Dixielady67
Posts: 207
|
Hunt said...
God is great and greatly to be praised!
Amen 
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 9:57 AM |
Hope
|
|
sail_dancer
Posts: 7,805
|
I will enter into his courts with praise and thanksgiving.
Providing laugher for all the gods present. The court jester team of "Hunt & Dixie" must have the gods crying with uncontrolled laughter.
Peace
|
|
| |
|
| Jun 14 @ 9:58 AM |
Hope |
|
16knots
Posts: 2,530
|
The Lord is good to all.
- Psalm 145:6
I make peace and create evil. I the Lord do all these things.
- Isaiah 45:7
What an evil bastard!
|
| |
|
|
|
|