Scriptures about Hope and God’s Rescue from Trouble

Hope regarding the future is important--especially during times of illness and/or troubles.

No matter what we are going thru, God promises to be with us, to give us strength to endure, and salvation with Eternal Life in Heaven for those that love Him.  Remember that God did not send you trouble--trouble comes from the Enemy here while we are on Earth. 

While going thru my journey with Cancer, here were two verses that provided great comfort to me and a "Peace beyond all Understanding":

Psalm 91 (New Living Translation)

¹ Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
    will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
² This I declare about the Lord:
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
    he is my God, and I trust him.
³ For he will rescue you from every trap
    and protect you from deadly disease.
……

¹⁴ The Lord says, “I will rescue those who love me.
    I will protect those who trust in my name.
¹⁵ When they call on me, I will answer;
    I will be with them in trouble.
    I will rescue and honor them.
¹⁶ I will reward them with a long life
    and give them my salvation.”

 And the blessing..

  

Romans 15:13New International Version (NIV)

¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

One Way to Enjoy Life More

One thing you will see regularly in automobile racing is collisions. Often, as a contestant, the other drivers involved seem to be either careless, self-centered, vindictive, or maybe just plain dumb and stupid. It is far too easy to become angry and then to hold a grudge. The anger is what takes the enjoyment away--not the competitor's action.

Competition can be a life adventure or a conflict. It all depends on your attitude. If you see it as conflict, and you are the winner, the result can be a temporary and fleeting sense of superiority. On the other hand, if you see competition as a conflict, and you are denied a victory, your attitude can turn sour very quickly.  And an angry man with a sour attitude can never be happy. 

Anger is a natural emotion. It can actually he healthy for short periods. But, if allowed to exist for more than a very short time it causes us to be imprisoned. Let anger go, set yourself free by forgiving others. 

Some will recall the terrible tragedy that occurred in 2006 at an Amish school house in Nickle Mines, Lancaster County, PA.  The most notable aspect of the story was that the families of the victims expressed forgiveness. Nickel MinesTradegy

Listen to Matthew West--Forgiveness

Link to Matthew West's song with lyrics

Like Matthew West sings, learn how to "love the unlovable".  Not for their benefit, but for your own happiness. It is one of the ways to Enjoy Life More.

Jesus taught this more than 2000 years ago.  And, St. Paul wrote:

Colossians 3:13New Living Translation (NLT)  "Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others."

What Happens When You Die?--Part 2

In my last article, I addressed the issue of our final state, after Christ's Second Coming. And, you must know, that not everyone agrees on whether the unsaved are tormented forever, or just destroyed and eliminated forever.

But, there is less disagreement in regards to what happens immediately upon our death, before Christ's Second Coming.

Jesus himself tells us.  The first time, He tells us through a parable in Luke 16:19-31 known as the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus. (The Rich Man went to Hades and was in torment; Lazarus went to Paradise.) Then during the Crucifiction, in a conversation with the other two men on the cross (Luke 23:41-45) “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Two possible outcomes: Paradise or Torment.  We get to choose. 

Dr. Charles Stanley expands on it in his sermon:  (click on link)
Dr. Charles Stanley Sermon on What Happens after Death

This subject took on a special significance for me in March, this year (2016).  I was diagnosed with colon cancer.   After my diagnosis, I had to wait until my surgery to find out whether the cancer had spread or was contained. The question in my mind was: "Will I live a few more years, or is my death just a matter of a few months away?"

Unless our life is taken by an unexpected and tragic accident and/or our life ends suddenly, almost everyone will confront that same question. No matter what the answer, your mind will invariably focus on a more important question: "What Happens When I Die?"

The Bible answers the question. Whether you believe what it says depends on whether you believe Christ's own words. And the credibility of His words depends on which of the three descriptions you accept about Him:

X) He was a liar. Or the people who wrote the Bible made things up.

Y) He was a lunatic. Crazy. Out of His mind.

or.......

Z) Everything He said was and is TRUE!!! 


Happy to report that my cancer was contained and removed totally by the surgery. (Praise God!)  But, understanding where I was ultimately headed (as a Saved Born Again Follower of Christ) gave me great Peace and Courage. I was not afraid. Everything that Jesus said is true:

John 14:27New International Version (NIV)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.