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Need Encouragement?
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Hope in Scripture
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Hi friends in Christ.
I am writing something this week, and I would like to survey the community. What are your favorite verses of hope and encouragement. When you are feeling hopeless, are there verses of Scripture that particularly restore you? What one comes to mind first? Why is it particularly effective for you? How does it speak to you? At this time of year, with long nights in the northern hemisphere, and missing loved ones over the holidays, many people are particularly sad or discouraged. I like to point to scripture that particularly restores my hope. I thought I'd solicit the ideas of my friends here--to add to my list. Thanks all.
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Tom B 11/24/2010 08:11 |
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Sharilynbuckmaster
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11/24/2010 10:26 |
My favorite verse talks about how God is faithful. He will do what He has promised. God is true to His Word.
Hebrews 10:22-24
22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,
Sarah Believed God and was able to bear children despite being old, because she considered Him faithful.
Hebrews 11:11
11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[a] considered him faithful who had made the promise.
Blessings,
Sara
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Estrellita
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11/24/2010 17:39 |
Tom:
There are so many pieces of scripture that comes to mind, but I can't really list the verses per se.
Psalm 103 brings me peace.
Years ago I attemped to memorize it so there are still some parts somewhere, I really like to repeat to my soul:
Praise the LORD oh my soul!
GBY
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Tom B
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11/26/2010 20:20 |
Thanks for the excellent suggestions.
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Helga
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11/28/2010 02:22 |
Tom, I usually get drawn to requests and think the Holy Spirit leads me to pray or encourage people. I think as I read the requests, scriptures come to my mind. Sometimes I see what the concern is and I just do not have any scripture to base my prayer or answer on, then I first search the bible on the internet and find scripture and apply it. It helps me to memorize some more scripture because...
I believe to pray scripture is what the bible says:
"For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Heb 4:12
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John T
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11/29/2010 17:27 |
Wow, verses that give hope and encouragement. I guess they change sometimes based on what I'm reading and where in the Bible I am. Some would be "For I know the plans I have for you. Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future." I think that's in Jeremiah somewhere. Also, Psalm 1 talks about how being in the word is so good. "He will be like a tree planted by streams of waters, which yields its fruit in season. Whatever he does he prospers." These verses always give me hope that I'm heading in the right direction!
Wonderful thread!
John
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beedee97
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11/29/2010 22:51 |
Tom -
James 1:2 - 4 comes to mind first for me. The hope that even every trial is an opportunity for growth to perfection and completeness!
2 Dear brothers and sisters,when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
God Bless!
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Tom B
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11/30/2010 06:58 |
Thanks everyone.
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Sharilynbuckmaster
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12/23/2010 23:59 |
Paul said, he would rather have weakness and thereby obtain more of God's grace. I like how the Amplified says it:
2 Corinthians 12:8-10
8Three times I called upon the Lord and besought [Him] about this and begged that it might depart from me;
9But He said to me, My grace (My favor and loving-kindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear the trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me!
10So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [[c]in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).
Sara
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Tom B
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12/24/2010 06:04 |
Thanks!
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P S
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12/29/2010 23:52 |
"Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed..." Romans 4:18
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