96 results for tag: Lianna

You Know God, Who is Enough

“…If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves...

You Know the Way

“…And you know the way to where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me…” John 14:4-6 Jesus assures the disciples that they know the way to glory. For, they know Him. Thomas is concerned here that there is a pathway He doesn’t know about. His fear underlies a concern we can have: we do not know how to deliver ourselves to glory. How do we get there? This has to be one of the most fragile topics of Christian life. For, though we are saved from sin and eternal death, ...

Wait Upon God For Your Reward

My friends, there is one temptation in suffering that I want to warn you of. It is a warning straight from the pages of the holy Scriptures—straight from the breath of God: Do not think that when you are suffering, your righteousness now means nothing. Job’s Righteous Life Job knew he was a righteous and blameless man before God—not that he was without any sin, but that he always looked to God for restoration and always sought to do what was right before the Lord. His wisdom was sought after at the city meetings. He treated the poor and oppressed with generosity and kindness. He made offerings for his family—for purification. He was an ...

I Will Come Again

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:3 Jesus encourages the disciples in this passage that if he is going to the cross to prepare a place for them in the heavenly realms of glory, surely He would be returning to take his own to Himself. This is a promise. Jesus emphasizes His presence in this verse: the disciples would be taken to Himself and the disciples would be where Jesus is. Is that not our great comfort too, that we would be found ultimately in the presence of Jesus? To be taken to Himself in the original language is an idiom for “to my ...

In My Father’s House Are Many Rooms

“In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?” John 14:2 The disciples are concerned, here, with the departure of Jesus. They know that He will be away from them. In the previous verse, they are called to remember their faith in Jesus so that their hearts would not be troubledj. Jesus does not discourage their desire for nearness. Instead, He says that He is going to provide a way for even greater closeness—a place for the disciples (and us) in heaven. This reality would provide for even greater comfort and calm for their hearts. Jesus seemingly uses a metaphor here, that ...

Let Not Your Heart Be Overcome

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” John 14:1 The disciples were concerned about Jesus’ imminent departure from them. Jesus says not to be troubled at the fact that He will not be on earth, walking with the disciples through the rest of their lives. He wants the disciples to remain steadfast according to the strength that He alone could impart. He looks to their hearts, aiming to give comfort and emotional support. So, he encourages the disciples that they believe in God, and in Jesus. The command to believe in God (14:1) can also be translated: “You believe in God.”¹ He reminds them of the preciousness ...

In the Word: Patiently Enduring

Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be meditating on 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. As we study the truths found in these verses together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God's Word each week with us! “If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.” 2 Corinthians 1:6 READ: Being able to ...

Dear Noelle: A Letter to my Hope Baby

Noelle, My dear, we miss you. Oh, we miss you. You’re missing from every day. There’s a hole in our family. How I want you! I got to wrap my mommy-arms around you in the hospital. You were a perfect baby. Full cheeks. Sweet hair. Plump lips. You were beautiful. I’m not over losing you. Though my grief is much different now these years later, it seems that yours are the tears that don’t stop being shed. And, I’m still waiting. Jesus. That’s who you’re enjoying now. How blessed! How beautiful! How rich! How glorious! I’ve gotten to know him better since you went ahead. Much. And, what I know without a shadow of a doubt is that I have ...

In the Word: God of All Comforts

Welcome to Hope Mommies In the Word devotionals. Over the next several weeks, we will be meditating on 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. As we study the truths found in these verses together, we’d love you to use the comments as a place to dialogue with us about what you are learning and share your answers to the questions below. We pray that you hearts will be encouraged as you dig into God's Word each week with us! "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction" 2 Corinthians 1:3-4a READ: It’s often noted that God is with us in our adversities, that He is ...

The Heart of Joy

Joy—do you neglect this fruit of the Spirit like I do? Jesus has spoken to my heart, challenging me to a life of greater joy. It’s a hard word for me, I will admit it. He knows that. So, He gives me days to breathe, converse with Him, relax, be, rest, recuperate from sorrows—and yes, to summon joy to my heart little by little. Just as He kindly challenges me, He also provides the means for me to look to Him and receive the joy that He gives. As bits of joy appear in my life like little stars of glory, I start to wonder what it would look like for my joy to be full and radiant! What does misplaced joy look like in your life? You see, my joy is ...