hope from God

Our hope comes from God. May He fill you with joy and peace because of your trust in Him. May your hope grow stronger by the power of the Holy Spirit.

- Romans 15:13 (NLV)

 

Hope, joy, and peace—sometimes these can feel out of reach. In today’s world, with so much chaos and uncertainty, they may seem distant. But what truly sets hope apart from a simple wish?

Many people wish for fame or fortune, while others simply hope to provide for their families another day. Both wishes and hopes begin with desire, but that’s where their paths diverge. A wish stops at longing, but hope is something deeper—a confident expectation rooted in God’s promises. Hope is trusting that, if we are faithful, God will provide for our needs and give us strength for each day.

Hope brings excitement for the future—it reminds us that something better lies ahead. I can honestly say that hope, joy, and peace haven’t always filled my life; I’ve experienced long seasons of darkness. Yet hope carried me through—believing in the Father and trusting that good things would come, even when I couldn’t see the light.

We all face difficult times and moments when we feel utterly overwhelmed. But remember: it’s just a moment. Sometimes that moment can last longer than we’d like, but you will get through it. Keep believing in good things—even when the way forward seems unclear. When your hope is in the Father, the good things will come.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

hope and a future

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

- Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

 

Everyone faces struggles at various points in life. Whether it’s natural disasters, health concerns, job loss, heartbreak, family challenges, addiction, internal battles, or feelings of inadequacy, we all know someone who is having to start over. Beginning again is never easy. It’s natural to fall back into old habits—they’re familiar and comfortable, even when they don’t serve us well.

Yet, no matter how deep our personal gloom may be, we can trust that God has a plan for each of us. We often feel trapped by our circumstances, but God’s faithfulness remains constant. If we learn to trust Him, we can find hope and look forward to a bright future.

God knows the plans He has for us—even before we are born, He sees our path. While we may not always understand why we go through difficult times, we can hold onto the truth that He is always working for our good. We all face real struggles, and sometimes we need to be reminded that God’s plan is still at work, even in the midst of despair.

In scripture, Jeremiah told God’s people that even after seventy years of devastation, God would deliver and restore them. Despite how many times they turned away from Him, God never abandoned them or His promises. The same is true for us—He is faithful, even when we falter.

Even when the people of Israel went their own way, God was preparing a future filled with hope and blessing. Let this serve as a reminder: no matter how dark things may seem, God’s promises remain. He will deliver, restore, and bless us—because He is always faithful.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

teaching

But you must teach what agrees with sound doctrine.

- Titus 2:1 (GNT)

 

In 1954, Dorothy Law Nolte wrote a poem titled “Children Learn What They Live” for her local newspaper’s family column. The poem’s message resonated so deeply that it was widely circulated, even distributed to new parents by a baby formula company. Its verses are simple yet profound:

If children live with criticism,
They learn to condemn.
If children live with hostility,
They learn to fight.
If children live with ridicule,
They learn to be shy.
If children live with shame,
They learn to feel guilty.
If children live with tolerance,
They learn to be patient.
If children live with encouragement,
They learn confidence.
If children live with praise,
They learn to appreciate.
If children live with fairness,
They learn justice.
If children live with security,
They learn to have faith.
If children live with approval,
They learn to like themselves.
If children live with acceptance and friendship,
They learn to find love in the world.

These words remind us that our actions and attitudes leave lasting impressions. Especially today, in an age of cell phones and social media, our behavior—good or bad—can quickly become visible to the world. It’s never been more important to do what’s right, even when no one is watching.

I’m reminded of the motto at my children’s elementary school: “Always do the right thing, even when no one is looking.” That’s integrity. When we live with integrity, people learn they can trust us and rely on us when they need help.

Sometimes, doing the right thing is as simple as holding the door for someone; other times, it means offering a home-cooked meal to a neighbor in need. It’s not just a school thing, a kid thing, or a church thing—it’s a people thing.

We should strive to live every day as if we are standing beside Jesus—because, in truth, we are. Let our words and actions reflect our values and character. When we share encouragement with others, we lift each other up. When we share kindness and the message of grace, we are tending to those in need.

When faced with challenges or opposition, let’s not be deterred. Standing firm in our values and faith will see us through. Let’s commit to living right, following Him, and modeling our behavior after His example. Our actions matter, not just for ourselves, but for everyone watching—especially the next generation.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

sharing

We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.

- 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT)

 

There are many networks people can be a part of, and one that my husband and I are actively involved with is called “Bunk-a-Biker.” This worldwide network connects bikers who are willing to offer fellow travelers a place to stay along their journeys. It’s a remarkable system—members place a pin on a map in their city or region and list what kind of accommodations they can offer to a weary traveler.

When someone reaches out, as the owner of your pin, you set your own guidelines and always have the option to decline if something doesn’t feel right. We make sure to do a thorough background check before agreeing to host anyone and sharing our address. I have to say, we’ve never had a bad guest—several have even become like family to us. We stay involved in each other’s lives and truly value the connections we’ve made.

These are people we never would have met without this network, and now we share not only our home, but our lives, our family, and the Good News of God with them—because He has given us so much to share with others.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

why we do it

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
- Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

 

People rely on me a great deal. I’m often told that others seek me out because they know they can count on me. Over the years, I’ve opened my home to those in need, loaned out money, cars, and equipment, and even helped others with tasks I haven’t gotten around to in my own household. I do all of this out of love for my friends and family.

Unfortunately, my generous heart has sometimes been taken advantage of. I’ve been hurt—at times even had my life threatened by someone I was trying to help, and others have completely exploited my willingness to give. When I’ve had to distance myself from these toxic relationships, friends have asked if I’ll continue helping those in need.

My answer is always yes—without a doubt. I will continue to help, because that’s who I am.

In Genesis 4:9, the Lord said to Cain, “Where is your brother Abel?” “I don’t know,” he replied. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

God’s answer is a clear and undeniable yes.

The Message translation of this verse resonates with me a lot: If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.

When my friends need me, I am always there for them in any way I can. It’s important to look out for one another and care for others—not just ourselves.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

 

be happy

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation.

- Habakkuk 3:18 (TLB)

 

Do you know anyone who always seems perpetually happy—someone who, even when knee-deep in adversity, still manages to find a reason to smile and express gratitude? I’ll admit, I’ve felt a bit envious of people like that. How is it possible to maintain happiness all the time? Doesn’t anything ever get them down? Deep down, I aspire to be more like them, to find joy in every moment, even during the difficult ones. The Message translation of this verse reads: Though the cherry trees don’t blossom and the strawberries don’t ripen, Though the apples are worm-eaten and the wheat fields stunted, Though the sheep pens are sheepless and the cattle barns empty, I’m singing joyful praise to God. I’m turning cartwheels of joy to my Savior God. Counting on God’s Rule to prevail, I take heart and gain strength. I run like a deer. I feel like I’m king of the mountain! There is the key: Counting on God’s Rule to prevail. We can find true happiness because we have God on our side. We are never alone in our struggles, and we don’t have to face each day without guidance when we trust in Him. The Bible is full of wisdom—there’s a verse or a story to guide us through every moment of our lives. So take heart and remember: don’t worry, be happy!

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible

the truth

But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

- John 1:12-13 (NKJV)

 

Children truly are a blessing. Yes, I really just typed that! For many years, I insisted that I didn’t like children—not even my own—and I preferred to avoid being around them in any capacity. The mere thought of working with children again was enough to stress me out, despite having spent several years doing just that.

But God had other plans. For those who don’t know, God certainly has a sense of humor. He brought a couple of wonderful “bonus” grandchildren into my life, and suddenly, everything changed.

The term “bonus,” when paired with a familial role, typically means that the person isn’t related to you by blood, nor are you to them. Instead, it’s a title of honor—one you give to someone who becomes family by choice rather than by birth. A “bonus” can be a close family friend who becomes like an aunt, uncle, parent, or sibling; it’s a way to recognize the people who become part of our chosen family.

The beautiful truth is, when we accept Jesus, we are given the title “child of God.” It’s a relationship not determined by blood, but by love and acceptance. If you want to reflect on this even more, I encourage you to read the lyrics to Megan Woods’ song, “The Truth.”

How many times can you hear the same lie

Before you start to believe it?

The enemy keeps whisperin' to me

I swear these days, it's all that I'm hearin'

I used to know who I was

Now I look in the mirror and I'm not so sure

Lord, I don't wanna listen to the lies anymore

The truth is I am my Father's child

I make Him proud and I make Him smile

I was made in the image of a perfect King

He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing

The truth is I am truly loved

By a God who's good when I'm not good enough

I don't belong to the lies, I belong to You

And that's the truth

When I feel like there's so much noise

Livin' rent free in my head

Heaven finds me in a still small voice

And it sounds like grace instead

You remind me who I am

When I look in the mirror and I'm not so sure

Lord, I don't wanna listen to the lies anymore

The truth is I am my Father's child

I make Him proud and I make Him smile

I was made in the image of a perfect King

He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing

The truth is I am truly loved

By a God who's good when I'm not good enough

I don't belong to the lies, I belong to You

And that's the truth

I know who I am 'cause I know who You are

And I hold Your truth inside of my heart

I know the lies are always gonna try and find me

But I've never been so sure

The truth is I am my Father's child

I make Him proud and I make Him smile

I was made in the image of a perfect King

He looks at me and wouldn't change a thing

The truth is I am truly loved

By a God who's good when I'm not good enough (not good enough)

I don't belong to the lies, I belong to You (I belong to You)

And that's the truth

And that's the truth

Once we choose to follow Jesus, we are given the incredible privilege of becoming children of God. We are His beloved and treasured children, and He embraces us just as we are—without wanting to change a single thing about us.

 

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Daily Inspiration from the Bible