INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES AND SOURCES

LEARN HOW TO SMILE AGAIN THROUGH THE WORD

Job 22:23: Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.

Believe it or not. God is the centerpiece of your day and your whole life. In our journey with Christ, there will be sunshine and rain, but we must learn how to lift our spirits through Christ Jesus. There’s no better way to lift up your faith and hope than saying a prayer and reading at least a little scriptural verse from the Bible for inspiration every morning and throughout the day.

Whether you are a Christian or not, everyone finds themselves seeking strength, love, and hope during difficult times. For Christians, the Holy Bible is a vital source of encouragement to build faith and hope.

If you cannot think of anything, follow us daily through the list of inspirational Biblical quotes and verses from time to time to find yourself again in Christ.

Whether you are in search of healing or displaced by the vicissitudes of life (sickness, job loss, and other unwelcome episodes), these verses will, no doubt, inspire you to move forward steadily.

As Christians, God occasionally will allow struggles into our lives for spiritual growth and strengthening, to refine our faith when we are so comfortable at where we are, with no or little glory to indicate God is even in our lives.
So, when we “believe” in our might and self-righteousness, we are likely to face trials, but these trials build perseverance and maturity, as in James 1:2.

“Consequently, when you face difficult times, know that challenges are not sent to destroy you. They are sent to promote, increase and strengthen you.”

So here are some inspirational quotes and Bible verses for every facet of our life circumstances and how we can manage them for our peace by aligning them with the Lord through prayers.

Henceforth in our perplexing conditions, we should take solace from the scriptures. 2 Corinthians 4:8: “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. This is a promise, so we have to declare based on the situation.

Psalm 23:4: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me”. Decree and declare in your case.

Why did David pray this prayer? He trusted the Lord for comfort through his darkest, most dangerous, and uncertain times like fear, depression, and loss and expressed his deep trust in God as his ultimate Warrior who provides protection, guidance, and comfort through life’s darkest moments. David’s prayer from Psalm 23 should be our cornerstone for hard times.

BELOW WE PRESENT PERIODICALLY A PRAYER(S) FOR YOUR UPLIFTING THROUGH THE WORD OF GOD.

Isaiah 41:10: “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand”.

1 Peter 5:10: “And the God of all grace… will restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast”.

People will love you as long as you provide. They will stop loving you as soon as the benefit stops. Their loyalty is the provision. But here is the thing where Jesus asked his Disciples. Luke 6:32-35, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? … But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” If you can understand Jesus, then you should get no love or anything back. This echoes the theme of radical, selfless love.

Isaiah 54:10: “Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you.”

Isaiah is reminding us about God’s commitment to his promises. It is a covenant of peace that won’t be broken, even when circumstances are chaotic. It’s a message of comfort, which means that even if everything else falls apart, God’s steadfast love for his children remains solid. Quote them, declare them to your situation for inspiration, faith and hope.

BELOW ARE MORE INSPIRATIONAL BIBLICAL VERSES FOR YOUR DAILY DEVOTION AND IN TIMES OF NEED.

THIS IS HOW TO USE THEM:
1. Speak them aloud and declare them daily to align your thoughts with God’s promises.
2. Sync them into your life and write them in a journal to reinforce them.
3. Meditate over them and let them fill your mind to overcome negativity.
DECLARATION
I Can Do All Things through Him who strengthens me.
My father in Heaven, I decree and declare over my life, in agreement with your word that says, we shall decree and declare a thing, and it shall be established in Heaven.

So my Lord Jesus, I come before you with a heart full of thanksgiving and humility, recognizing that in you, I find my strength, my hope, and my purpose. You have promised that: “I can do all things through you, for you strengthen me” [Philippians 4:13].

Father God, I choose to believe this promise, and I ask for your guidance, wisdom, and power as I face the various challenges and opportunities in my life.

Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Nehemiah 8:10 “I will not be sad or depressed because the joy of the LORD is my strength.”
Deuteronomy 28:13 “I will always be above, but never beneath.”
Deuteronomy 28:6 “I am blessed in my coming in and my going out.”
2 Timothy1:7 “God has not given me a spirit of fear and timidity. I have a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline.”
Isaiah 41:10 “I will not fear, because My God is with me.”
1 Peter 2:24 “By His stripes, I am healed.”
Matthew 5:14 “I am the light of the world.”

Our Lord Jesus, we know that you are our strength and our song in our hearts and on our lips. You have become our salvation; we will praise you, and we will exalt you. Father, I decree and declare that every mountain be removed from my life through the working power of the Lord Jesus Christ. We trust your promises through our Faith and Hope in Christ Jesus.

This is Faith and Hope Diaries – Share –IS-#1

LIFE OF FAITH AND WALK OF FAITH

LIFE OF FAITH AND WALK OF FAITH

The two most important things in our Christian theology are:

1. the life of faith  

2. the walk of faith.

These two pillars are significant points in the life of a Christian and if you understand these two points correctly your spiritual growth will be stronger. We have to be conscious of the fact that faith and godliness are not separate but are two sides of the same coin. 

Romans 1:17 states: “For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.” [life of faith].

Hebrews 11:6 states: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him”. [the walk of faith].

Hence as we all strive for holiness; true godliness must have its root in a living faith in Christ Jesus. Christians must be careful to seek one without the other on the same parallel. You cannot nurture faith and forget holiness. Faith without godliness would be like having a strong foundation for a house, but no walls or roof. It is incomplete because it offers no true shelter for this divine purpose in life. We must have faith, for this is the foundation: We must have holiness of life, and we must have godliness for this is the framework for our faith and hope. We need the superstructure of spiritual life if we need to live and walk in faith.

Here is a question:  What would it mean to you if you build a house and inhabit in it without a roof? What purpose would it serve when the storm comes?  Even so we need the superstructure of spiritual life if we would have comfort in the day of doubt.

Seek a holy life with faith, so that the Lord can build his house in your life otherwise no matter what you do, you may be able to build the house but the house cannot stand in the Spirit. 

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” We have a new life and guidance by the Holy Spirit hence, if we should live our lives in consistent alignment with the Spirit but not by our own desires, but by following Christ in our thoughts, words, and actions we will divinely fulfill the godliness and our faith in Christ. This will require an active, daily commitment to yielding in to the Spirit’s control, to allow Him to guide us toward righteousness, obedience, and love for others. 

Walking by the Spirit is the practical application of a life lived by the Spirit, requiring daily surrender and obedience to the Spirit’s will and guidance. 

In essence, Galatians 5:25 is a call to a dynamic and ongoing relationship with the Holy Spirit, where Christians should actively seek guidance and direction in a constant, self-control manner.  

“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit, let us be led in the Spirit, live in Obedience and bear Fruits.”

There’s always hope rooted deep in our faith for us as Christians. This is the Gospel truth for our FAITH and HOPE.

THE CHARACTER OF PEACE

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…. John 14:27

THE CHARACTER OF PEACE IN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

As long as peace negotiators have assuaged or have little perception of peace, they will in no way be looked differently in a different way at the peace table and would not comprehend the issue at the table rightly so if in fact Christ is not placed at the center of the negotiation as well. Peacemakers at the opposite end of the table can’t talk peace if there’s a gun at each other party’s  head. The world does not understand this. It takes the Lord to break the impasse.

The fact remains that: “The continuous refusal from each other to settle any impasse at Peace treaties has rendered and   reduced peace negotiations to a mere name brand,” because we lack the understanding of the presence   of God — the character of peace in the Fruit of the Spirit. At the end of the day, God is the only PEACE MAKER, not man. It is better to approach peace with God in mind as the negotiator.

To be concise, the character of Peace in the Fruit of the Spirit highlights also in this case that authentic peace is rooted in a foundation of mutual understanding, respect, and the absence of fear or external pressure. People at the table should be quick to listen, be careful in their point of views and how they are presented at the table without anger but with wisdom.

When these conditions are not met with God in mind and  in prayer, attempts at the negotiation table are fruitless, as the core essence of peace cannot be achieved under the shadow of conflict in this case but significantly leaving the Lord God outside of the discussion. 

What the Scripture says:  James 1:19-20 states: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  

Hebrews 12:14: “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord”. 

Romans 12:18: encourages us to make a sincere effort to be peaceful and accommodating to others as far as it depends on you.

Fundamentally, Romans 12:18 confront all peace negotiators in this case to embody a peace-making attitude, even in difficult circumstances, by doing everything within our power to promote harmony as the Scripture says and with faith and hope. 

To all Christians don’t talk Faith without Hope, and don’t walk into negotiation room or table without Faith and Hope in the Lord. This aligns with the principles of the Bible in time of peace negotiation. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.” [John 12-27]. This is the Gospel truth of our FAITH and HOPE.

WISDOM QUOTES IN TOUGH TIMES


WISDOM QUOTES IN TOUGH TIMES WITH SCRIPTURES

They say that “Tough times create strong people”. The saying suggests that it’s a situation of survival through strength. Everyone is a casualty and your survival depends on determination, discipline and incorruptible mindset to adapt to the harsh reality of the current situation in the environment. It requires mental courage with unique qualities through Christ Jesus and remember that God is calling you at this time to encounter him in your suffering.

I have seen other friends gone through tough times but to some the bend on the road ended their journey. Some continued beyond the bend and became strong men who in turn created good times for others.

I am a living testimony of what it means to live in hard times at my age. Others may share with me similar issues. It could be personal, it could be spiritual, it could be family, it could be a geo-political and socio- economic chaos.  In any case, yes, I learned, I survived, and became a strong man and my experience in my hard times also created good times for others.

I won but not with my might, or my wisdom or my strength or my degrees and academic qualifications on the walls, but through my Christian belief through prayers with my eyes and heart gazed at the Cross my Lord Jesus Christ was lifted on, crucified died and was taken off, buried and resurrected the third day for me so that I can also believe strongly in him and testify to his glory that his death was worthy for me in every situation of my life.

The phrase “tough times create strong people” is often attributed to Michael Hopf: “Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times”. 

As Christians the scripture forewarns us to take heed lest we fall. When you fall you go through “suffering” (that is hard times).  But our “suffering and trials”, when faced with our Christian faith, can build perseverance, character, and hope to create stronger Christians. So “hard times” is to the world of unbelievers  – as “suffering” is to the Christian.   

Sufferings are hard times, as hard times are to suffering if it is interchangeable. Here are several Bible verses that support the idea that going through hardship can build strength and maturity:

It is our weaknesses in Christ that sends us into Suffering and it is through our Suffering that we become strong and tough in our Christian relationship with the Lord as the world around us in society.

These Are Some Takeaway Key Verses On How To Generate Strength Through Trials As Christians:  

Romans 5:3-4 – This passage notes that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope.

James 1:2-4 – This verse encourages believers to find joy in trials, as they test faith and develop perseverance, leading to maturity.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – Here, the apostle Paul speaks of God’s power being made perfect in weakness, finding strength in Christ during difficulties.

Isaiah 40:31 – This scripture promises renewed strength for those who trust in the Lord.

Philippians 4:13 – This well-known verse states that strength comes through Christ to face any situation.

Deuteronomy 31:6 – Advises to be strong and courageous, as God is with you.

John 16:33 – States that in the world there will be trouble, but to take heart because Christ has overcome the world.

1 Peter 5:10 – Mentions that after suffering, God will restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

In Christ your weakness is your advantage to depend on the Lord to deliver you through “suffering.” Have Faith in Christ and keep your Hope alive always.

This is FAITH and HOPE Diaries.  Share.

HOPE FOR SALVATION

HOPE FOR SALVATION
Romans 8:24-25- “For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.”
What is Apostle Paul saying? To me, Paul, the Apostle of Jesus emphasizes that, based on our faith in Jesus Christ there’s salvation for “anyone.”
Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever (anyone) shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” There is nothing too complex about this verse but it’s not easy to see the simplicity of it too. Simply put, it is about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. The word “anyone” in the verse also refers to people, whoever you are, wherever you live, regardless of your status, or a particular characteristic. In short, this is the universality of the gospel message.
“Believing in Him” means trusting and depending on Christ for salvation. This is an open invitation to all who call on the Lord in repentance with faith and believing with hope. Luke 5:32 confirms that Jesus came to call people who know they are sinners and need to repent, not those who think they are righteous. Salvation is for anyone who’s ready, regardless of what you are and who you are. You have to repent, believe, and activate your faith to receive your salvation.
Here is the deal if you are a non-Christian. You must be conscious of the fact that this hope of salvation is rooted in the belief that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross offers forgiveness and reconciliation with God. IT IS FOR ALL HUMANITY. The deal is cemented and never to be walked back. It is the pathway to an unshakeable hope for salvation. All you have to do is come boldly repent for your evil past or sins and declare that you have ACCEPTED him as your Lord and personal Savior and indeed as the son of God.
The Lord’s promise of salvation provides comfort, strength, and hope in times of difficulties and encourages us as Christians to live an honorable and virtuous life.
If you are not a professed Christian and you are reading this piece, I must say you are not here by chance. The Holy Spirit has brought you this far. Do not turn your back on the Lord.
If on the other hand, you are devoted or a baby Christian, it is a reminder for you to increase your relationship with the Lord, eradicate your unbelief, and stop being focused on your “selfish self.”
I would emphasize that this hope in Christ in the subject under discussion is much bigger than the idea of an everlasting life where believers in Christ will experience timeless life with God in Heaven beholding our Lord God forever.
I will also stress that Christians who are struggling with hopelessness should remember their covenant with Christ. Your faith, trust, confidence, and motivation will increase your hope and break the chain of hopelessness to allow you to glorify the Lord here and eternally.
Your future is brighter than you think. Don’t you ever quit, open your heart to the Lord. Hope with perseverance will yield results for God’s glory. Without hope, we don’t have Christ and without Christ, we don’t have salvation.

DECISION
1. You have the choice to renew your Salvation, and the time is now.
2. You have the choice to accept the Lord as your Lord Jesus your Salvation. The time is now.
Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.”
// RADS//
Share

HAVING HOPE-OUR FAITH IS IN JESUS

HAVING HOPE – OUR FAITH IS IN JESUS

“Having hope links your past and present to the future. You have a vision for what you hope will happen. Having hope is important to the very act of being a human being.” As Dr. Judith Rich writes, “Hope is a match in a dark tunnel, a moment of light, just enough to reveal the path ahead and ultimately the way out.”

Having hope in God will never lead us into misery or depression, because God has a plan for everyone who believes and trust him. God is the only one that we as believers can count on for a future that is filled of hope.

In a straightforward term, Biblical hope is built on faith and hope. You cannot alienate one from the other. Our hope in Christ encourages us as believers to rejoice because the Lord is with us now and in the future. We must be patience to endure any tribulation, and persevere in prayer with God. This hope provides support for living with a Christ-centered perspective in such a time like this to rejoice as stated in Romans Chapter 12:12– “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer.”

Consequently, we can say then that Biblical definition of hope is “the sure and confident anticipation of getting what God has promised believers in Christ for the future.” In the simplest term Biblical hope is built on faith. The believer’s hope is not a faint or obscure wish but a firm foundation in Christ. “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil” [Hebrews 6:19].           

The Word of God lays a clear emphasis on Hope as a virtuous quality because it contains no doubt, always trusting in God’s faithfulness and presence no matter what and how the circumstances, whether it is good or it is bad. “For you, O Lord, are my hope, my trust, O Lord, from my youth.” [Psalm 71:5].

FURTHER REFERENCES:

“Jesus Christ is our hope..” [1 Timothy 1:1].

“Hope of Israel in time of distress..” [Jeremiah 14:8]

“That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people..” [1 Timothy 4:10]

“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?” Romans 8:24

Paul the Apostle’s writings by far explains extensively hope in God and faith in God more than the Christian or non -Christian can imagine and understand.

As Christians if we have worldly hope in people and things of this life we will be in realism living in a state of hopelessness. We can’t count on people, else we will be disappointed, but if we have our confidence in Christ we will never be disappointed as long as we trust in him with Faith and Hope.

Without hope and without God in our life the world will be hopeless. [Read: Ephesians 2:12]. In contrast, the believer’s hope cannot be frustrated or hindered by anything in this life. We know what we have safely “stored up for [us] in heaven” [Colossians 1:5]

Paul’s hope was so secured in his eternal future that he was willing to suffer and die for it: “I stand on trial because of the hope of the resurrection of the dead” [Acts 23:6].

Consequently we recognize at this point that hope is unseen. So, the question is: Can we now trust this assurance from the Scripture and from the Lord? That said, we trust things in our natural surroundings that we don’t see its finality more than what the Scripture says.

When it starts raining, you don’t know when it will end, but you trust that it will, you have that envisioned. Why that? I will tell you why, for the reason that, it is God’s natural law through the physical. Even though you don’t know when the rain will stop but you have the faith and hope that it will stop. Isn’t it interesting?

So, why is it difficult for you to relate or trust the Lord about your request to him the same way you envision this law? Why then do you doubt if your request is going to be answered positively by God?

We are confident in them because these are natural laws. In the same way, although we can’t see the end or when but we can be full of hope of the rain ending. Hope assures us that we can be confident in it because it’s the law of God.

So then, let us consider the following and apply them to our faith and hope in God.

 “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have?” Romans 8:24

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” [Hebrews 11:1]

 “There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:18. Trust in the Lord always for he is our FAITH and HOPE.

From Faith and Hope Diaries. Share