“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for His Name’s sake.” -1 John 2:12
Our forgiveness is based on His Name, not our works.
-Pastor Steve Wainright (excerpt from Sunday Morning Sermon “A Word of Encouragement” from 1 John 2:12-14)
“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.” -Psalm 42:5
Sometimes we get hopeless because we’re looking for hope in all the wrong places. Hope is only found in Christ. You will never be satisfied until your desire is for God and God alone.
-Associate Pastor Josh Wilson (excerpt from Sunday Evening Sermon “Depressed & Discouraged” from Psalm 42)
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:” -Psalm 103:2
“Habits of complaint tend to beat down the growth of hope. Counting your blessings encourages hope, numbering your complaints deflates it. –Paul Tripp
“Unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” -Hebrews 9:28
This is our hope. He to whom we have already looked as coming once to bear the sins of many will have another manifestation to the sons of men; this is a happy prospect in itself. But that second appearing has certain peculiar marks which glorify it exceedingly.
Our Lord will have ended the business of sin. He has so taken it away from His people and so effectually borne its penalty that He will have nothing to do with it at His second coming. He will present no sin offering, for He will have utterly put sin away.
Our Lord will then complete the salvation of His people. They will be finally and perfectly saved and will in every respect enjoy the fullness of that salvation. He comes not to bear the result of our transgressions but to bring the result of His obedience; not to remove our condemnation but to perfect our salvation.
Our Lord thus appears only to those who look for Him. He will not be seen in this character by men whose eyes are blinded with self and sin. To them He will be a terrible Judge and nothing more. We must first look to Him and then look for Him; and in both cases our look shall be life.
Our Lord will then complete the salvation of His people. They will be finally and perfectly saved and will in every respect enjoy the fullness of that salvation. He comes not to bear the result of our transgressions but to bring the result of His obedience; not to remove our condemnation but to perfect our salvation.
Our Lord thus appears only to those who look for Him. He will not be seen in this character by men whose eyes are blinded with self and sin. To them He will be a terrible Judge and nothing more. We must first look to Him and then look for Him; and in both cases our look shall be life.
[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14
Not praying is a form of pride. We often just seek the hand of God, not His face. We should seek His presence. -Josh Wilson (excerpts from Wednesday Evening Sermon “The People God Has” from 2 Chronicles 7:14)
“And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.” -Hosea 2:15
You cannot have hope without judgment. One of the greatest mercies and blessings of God in your life is Him judging and exposing your sin. Our sin must be dealt with openly and honestly. -Josh Wilson (excerpts from Sunday Evening Sermon “A Door of Hope” from Hosea 2:15)
“When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward You. Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You hold my right hand.” -Psalm 73:21-23
Your hope is not ultimately based on your strength to hold on but on Christ’s strength holding you forever in the palm of His hand. Even when you feel like letting go, if you genuinely trust Him, He will never let you go. -Burk Parsons via Twitter
“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.” -Philippians 3:21
Often when we are racked with pain and unable to think or worship, we feel that this indeed is “the body of our humiliation,” and when we are tempted by the passions which rise from the flesh we do not think the word vile at all too vigorous a translation. Our bodies humble us; and that is about the best thing they do for us. Oh, that we were duly lowly, because our bodies ally us with animals and even link us with the dust!
But our Savior, the Lord Jesus, shall change all this. We shall be fashioned like His own body of glory. This will take place in all who believe in Jesus. By faith their souls have been transformed, and their bodies will undergo such a renewal as shall fit them for their regenerated spirits. How soon this grand transformation will happen we cannot tell; but the thought of it should help us to bear the trials of today and all the woes of the flesh. In a little while we shall be as Jesus now is. No more aching brows, no more swollen limbs, no more dim eyes, no more fainting hearts. The old man shall be no more a bundle of infirmities, nor the sick man a mass of agony. “Like unto his glorious body.” What an expression! Even our flesh shall rest in hope of such a resurrection!
[from Faith’s Checkbook by Charles H. Spurgeon]
“Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand.” -Psalm 73:23
“Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body.” -Philippians 3:21
Often when we are racked with pain and unable to think or worship, we feel that this indeed is “the body of our humiliation,” and when we are tempted by the passions which rise from the flesh we do not think the word vile at all too vigorous a translation. Our bodies humble us; and that is about the best thing they do for us. Oh, that we were duly lowly, because our bodies ally us with animals and even link us with the dust!
But our Savior, the Lord Jesus, shall change all this. We shall be fashioned like His own body of glory. This will take place in all who believe in Jesus. By faith their souls have been transformed, and their bodies will undergo such a renewal as shall fit them for their regenerated spirits. How soon this grand transformation will happen we cannot tell; but the thought of it should help us to bear the trials of today and all the woes of the flesh. In a little while we shall be as Jesus now is. No more aching brows, no more swollen limbs, no more dim eyes, no more fainting hearts. The old man shall be no more a bundle of infirmities, nor the sick man a mass of agony. “Like unto his glorious body.” What an expression! Even our flesh shall rest in hope of such a resurrection!
[from Morning & Evening by Charles H. Spurgeon]
New Life Baptist Church 